The Grand Wei Court.

Summary

Zhao Hong Run received a detailed expense report for the imperial examination from the Ministry of Personnel, revealing discrepancies in the reported costs for renovations and supplies. Despite overseeing over 2,600 candidates, he focused on investigating potential corruption rather than immediate cheating. As he observed the scholars, he noted the rigid structure of the Four Books essay, which tested their mastery of Confucian texts. While some scholars excelled, one peculiar candidate's bold translation left Zhao Hong Run incredulous. Overall, he found the examination standards decent, but was wary of the integrity of the process and the motivations behind certain candidates.

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