Pages 276-296

History 8 China The Examination

The brothers wait in Beijing for the next examination to begin. Chen begins the palace examination, and one of the scholars from the restaurant apologizes to him. When the Emperor reads the essay question, Chen struggles with his writing. After much deliberation, Chen composes what he believes is his fines essay yet. Hong hears that the locusts didn't reach their home, and a weight is taken off of the brothers' shoulders. The list of the exam rankings is posted; Chen is the first graduate! The Director of Palace Rites, Ni Fenglin, is found dead, Hong's effort put to use. Receiving his diploma at the banquet, Chen has yet to decide what government position to accept. Realizing that he does not truly love Daiyun, Chen agrees to the job perfectly suited for him: Vice Secretary of Rites in Qufu, watching over Confucius' tomb and temple. Hong returns to the army to study under General Ma, taking with him his pledge to the Circle of the Lotus. With loving admiration, the brothers go their separate ways.

Examples found in the text:

Legalism- "Once on a stroll he observed a terrible thing: public punishment, ordered by the Emperor, carried out in front of the Meridian Gate." (page 277)

Confucianism- "The Confucian way was to bind one thing to another and to another and to another until everything came together in harmony." (page 282)

Buddhism- "He thought of Wujiang, doomed to remain in the village for a lifetime,... Hong felt sorry for his old friend." (page 294)

Filial Piety- "With pride in a spectacular act of filial piety, the man told Hong that he'd come all this way to visit his aging parents." (page 284)

The Examination by Malcolm Bosse

Helen Dodd