On the training ground paved with bluestone, stone wheels, bows and arrows, and weapons of every kind were arranged in neat rows. A high platform had long since been erected behind these implements.
The Xingyuan Prefect sat in the center, dressed in a red riding robe. The judicial vice prefect, academic officer, inspector, and other officials of the prefectural yamen took their seats one by one to either side.
The fabrics and embroidery patterns of official robes varied greatly according to rank, so one could tell an official's exact grade simply by looking at what he wore.
Such official robes were sewn by the court's embroiderers. Any civilian tailor who dared privately make official garments would be executed on the spot.
"Looks like more youths have come today than in previous years!" Xingyuan Prefect Xia Wuqi said with a smile, stroking his beard.
Unlike xiucai, youths had no quota restrictions. All martial students from the various counties within the prefecture, as well as Xingyuan City itself, could come take the martial xiucai examination so long as they met the requirements and had someone recommend them.
"There are indeed quite a few more candidates for the martial examination this year than in the past two years," the judicial vice prefect beside him agreed.
Below the platform, the more than three hundred youths had formed their own groups. Some said nothing, while others whispered among themselves.
"Give the order to begin the examination. Let the candidates enter and lift stones to test their strength," Xia Wuqi ordered with a wave of his hand. A yamen runner immediately obeyed and struck the gongs and drums.
"The examination begins!" The yamen runners who had been standing beside the candidates also sprang into action.
The Prefectural Examination lasted three days and tested six subjects in