Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter describes the aftermath of the imperial examination, where scholars celebrate their completion and anticipate their results. While scholars are cautious about visiting brothels due to strict regulations that could jeopardize their future positions, taverns thrive with drinking parties. Zhu Sui Liang and Lu Han discuss their exam essays, with Zhu feeling regretful about his narrow focus compared to Lu's broader strategies. Meanwhile, officials begin grading the exam papers, with a significant number being eliminated in the preliminary reviews. The chapter also details a court meeting at the newly established Ziwei Pavilion, where high-ranking officials, led by Zhang Xuan, discuss the results of the examination, including the admission of candidates to the Taixue and the ranking of the top scholars. The examination topic allowed for diverse essays, showcasing the candidates' insights on governance and strategy. The chapter concludes with the officials preparing to finalize the rankings of the top candidates.

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