Treasure II

After getting the all clear from the doctor, Nam Mu’s days became filled with learning and training. In the morning, he and Li Jie would have breakfast and meet Nam Gil at the archery field. They would first do archery then go to the sparring field for sword fighting. After having lunch they would spend horse riding until dinner. Nam Gil taught them how to ride bareback, shoot arrows and sword fighting on horseback. On the weekends Mule would take him and Li Jie around town. Some nights he would go to the stables to talk to Saja, they would talk about everything and nothing until he fell asleep. The next day, Nam Gil and Li Jie would find him the next morning, asleep next to Saja.

The others quickly noticed that Nam Mu’s speed in learning became unusual. In just a few days he became not only fluent in Hangul but also proficient in most of the languages spoken in and around Cheonsanju. Nam Mu knew it was extraordinary but he tried to enjoy his new found ‘ability’. “Maybe I should fall off my horse too!” Li Jie was looking at Nam Mu in amazement. They were out riding and had met a lost man on their route. The man was from Mongolia and didn't speak anything else. Nam Mu had managed to explain in Mongolian how to get back to the road that leads to the capital. “What do you mean?” Nam Mu looked confused. “Don’t tell me you don’t find it weird that you can understand and talk to that man! When did you learn Mongolian anyway?!”

Nam Mu scratched his head. “Master Jin gave me some grammar books from all over the world. I’ve been studying them." Li Jie gave him a shocked look. "Grammar book! You're saying that you became nearly fluent in Mongolian from just reading a book?" Nam Mu scratched his ear. "Of course not.... When the man started to talk... It became much clearer.... It’s just that for some reason I just…I just have to read, see or hear it. I can’t really explain it.” Nam Gil gave Nam Mu an understanding look. “I think I know what you mean. Whenever you see or hear something, it will be engraved in your mind. You just have to think about it and you can recall it straight away.”

Nam Mu nodded enthusiastically “Yes, that is what it is.” Li Jie gave him a jealous look. “So hitting your head really made you smarter.” Nam Mu and Nam Gil looked at him, shaking their heads. “I'll make your wish come true. I'll hit you with a rock to see if you can also learn everything better.” Nam Gil looked around to see if he could see a good rock. Li Jie looked terrified. He knew all about Nam Gil's strength. “I was just joking! Why are you looking around! I don’t want to die.” Nam Gil and Nam Mu laughed at Li Jie’s face. After a few minutes, Nam Gil turned serious. "Li Jie is not totally wrong. I've talked with Jin about this. We think that after the fall you might have developed an exceptional memory. It's a good thing and we don't think it will affect you negatively. Make good use of it!"

Before Nam Mu knew, the time for the royal examination arrived. The two days before the start of the examination, Jin called them into his office. Jin smiled at Nam Mu. "It's nearly time. You've worked really hard these last few days. We are going to explain a few things about the examination. You should know that this year's examinations are special for a few reasons." Jin held one finger up. "If I'm correct, the last examination was about 10 years ago." Jin looked at Nam Gil for confirmation but Nam Gil shrugged. Jin rolled his eyes but Li Jie confirmed Jin's words by nodding. Nam Mu frowned. "Why is that?" The others shrugged. "Nobody knows why." Nam Mu turned to Li Jie. "Have you ever asked you father?" Li Jie pulled a face. "I've asked but he was extremely vague. The only thing that was clear was that it would be like this for a long time. I've tried to ask again many times but I never got reasonable answer."

Jin held his hand up. “We can talk about that later." He looked at Nam Mu. "Listen closely. The examinations are called Gwageo and fall under three broad categories: mungwa (literary examinations) , mugwa (military examinations), and japgwa (miscellaneous examinations). Japgwa covers topics such as medicine, geography, astronomy, and translation. The gwageo is virtually the only pathway to a position of rank. The tests were typically quite demanding, the royal tests measured candidates' ability of writing composition and knowledge of the classics[1]. These might be Chinese classics but they can also cover other classics. A few people know which classics and it also depends on who is conducting the test.'' Jin looked at Nam Mu to see if he understood what he had said. He started to laugh when he saw Nam Mu’s confused face. "What don't you understand?" "The last bit." “The test can be conducted by the King or the Crown Prince." Nam Mu nodded, finally understanding what Jin meant.

"My father said that the form of writing varied from literature to proposals on management of the state. Technical subjects can also be tested to appoint experts on medicine, interpretation, accounting, law and many more. Also the tests are never the same. That’s why I’m so jealous of you learning speed. With your memory you can get the highest grade, at least for the literature part." Li Jie added. Making Nam Gil and Jin nodded "The gwageo were originally administered every three years. These regular examinations were known as the singnyeon. However, the singnyeonsi became less important over time, and an increasing number of candidates took the gwageo only on special occasions. Such as the alseongsi (visitation examinations), which were administered when the king visited the Shrine of Confucius at the royal academy, the jeunggwangsi (augmented examinations) held during national celebrations and the byeolsi were held on other special occasions. However, these special examinations were limited to the literary and military examinations." Jin ticked off the test with his fingers. Jin took a sip of tea and glanced at Nam Gil. Nam Gil shook his head. When he saw Nam Mu nod again, he continued his explanation.

"We think this year's royal examination will be the byeolsi. It's very likely that the Crown Prince will be ascending the throne in a few years. I'm sure he and the king are using these tests to create his own officials and military. The literary and military examinations used to be administered in three stages. An chosi (initial qualifying test) administered in the provinces, hoesi (a second examination) conducted in the capital. In which the qualifying candidates were selected, and jeonsi (a third examination) in the presence of the king. The successful applicants of the last test will be ranked in order. Each stage compares the answers of the other applicants. The number of successful applicants is fixed, only when there is something extraordinary will there be a change. The number is only revealed at the end of each test."

"The applicant, who receives jangwon (the highest score) in the literary examination, is given a post of the 6th junior (jong) rank[3]. If the jangwon is already employed in a position of rank, he will be promoted four levels. The candidates with second and third highest scores are given a post of the 7th junior rank. The rest were not guaranteed a post, but had to wait until one became vacant. The miscellaneous examinations are only the first two stages. They will not be ranked but will get rewards. The military examinations have a mixture of military and literary criteria. The first stage of the test is a practical test of various military skills, focused on Goryeo archery but the second stage, in which the successful applicants are selected, was an oral examination of applicants' knowledge of the Confucian canon and certain classics of military thought. Of importance are Sun Tzu's Art of War, as well as Hanbizi and Wuzi. The third stage, in which the candidates are given a rank, is again based on practical military skills. These include horsemanship, and mounted archery."

Nam Mu had a frown on his face. "But I didn’t do the chosi. Can I still do the hoesi?” The others nodded. “That’s why this year’s tests are unusual. Nobody has done the chosi. They skipped that part. Remember that we were worried about your status as a slave. They won’t be looking at that either.” Nam Mu looked at Nam Gil. Nam Gil could see the disappointment in his eyes. “Nothing will change. I’ll still be your father.” Nam Mu looked relieved. The idea that he would lose Nam Gil as his father had made him sad but luckily that wasn’t the case. Jin tapped his nails against the chair twice. “I think they are really in need of people, that’s why we think the Crown Prince will become king soon.” Nam Mu didn’t really care about all that. He was sure that he wouldn’t get the top marks anyways. Jin’s next word changed that. “This is important because every king has his own way of governing. The Crown Prince is someone who’s for abolishing the nobi system.” Nam Mu's mind went into overdrive. Even though he would soon become a commoner.

He still felt that the nobi system was too flawed and cruel. He had heard and seen many innocent people become slaves because of jealousy, greed and envy. If he could become a 6th junior rank. He might be able to make a change, if he impresses the Crown Prince. “Can I do anything if I get the highest score?” Jin had a sly look on his face. “You’ll be noticed if you get the highest score. You’ll have to impress everybody to make yourself known. This will be a double edge sword. You’ll get recognition but there will also be people who will want to stop you.” Nam Mu had already guessed this. “You all will make sure that nothing will happen to me, right?” Jin gave him a reassuring nod. “I’ll make sure that I’ll get high marks too.” Li Jie had a confident look on his face.

Jin had a complicated look on his face. “Don’t forget, Mule will be there with you two but don’t tell him yet. I don’t want him to become big headed.” The other laughed because Mule had been grumbling for weeks that he was not allowed to go to the palace. Jin clapped his hands. "Alright. I think we've covered all the important facts. Rest well tomorrow. We've have no idea what to expect during the test." Nam Mu and Li Jie said good night and left for the Willow pavilion. When the boys had left, Nam Gil and Jin looked at each other. Nam Gil had a smirk on his face. "It's going to be a full blown war. I hope they don't crack under pressure." Jin gave him a glare.

"I wanted to tell them but you stopped me." Nam Gil scratched his head. "I know but they need to find out on their own. We do not even know what the byeolsi is going to be. How can we tell them what to expect? It's best if they find out for themselves. We can only guide them." Jin laughed. "Those are my words! Since when have you become an intellect?!" Nam Gil scoffed. "I'm not a fool. I used to be a star student." Jin feigned a surprised look. "You!" Nam Gil stood up. "I'm going to bed too. If I stay longer one of use will not live to see another day." Nam Gil left, leaving Jin alone. "Hope the Gods will leaned the boys a helping hand."

[1] This is during the Joseon period.

[2] Special examinations.

[3]a system similar to caste systems. It's a very very long explanation, so let's just skip it.