Ink fell upon the Jade Seal, the brush danced like dragons and serpents, and the policy essay was complete

"Select the worthy to secure the realm within; bring about Appeasement beyond its borders to achieve good governance."

Wei Nisheng did not rush to write.

The Palace Examination's policy essay differed from that of the Provincial Examination.

The Palace Examination tested practical affairs-whether one could clearly explain the matters of the realm.

Classical interpretation had standard answers. Practical affairs did not.

What the emperor wanted to see was not who had memorized the most, but who had thought the deepest.

Wei Nisheng closed his eyes and divided the policy question into four parts in his mind.

"Select the worthy. Secure the realm within. Bring about Appeasement beyond its borders. Achieve good governance."

Four questions, one foundation.

Wei Nisheng picked up the ink stick again and ground it a few more times.

The ink grew richer, and his thoughts settled.

Then he formally dipped his brush in the ink and wrote the first line on his examination paper.

[Your subject answers: I have heard that nothing is more urgent in seeking good governance than employing the worthy, and nothing takes precedence in employing the worthy over cultivating oneself.

Without self-cultivation, there can be no foundation for selecting men; without employing the worthy, there can be no essential means of seeking good governance.

Thus the Doctrine of the Mean says: "Government rests upon men; men are selected through one's own person."

If a sovereign can truly cultivate himself as the foundation for employing the worthy, and employ the worthy as the essential means of seeking good governance, then his understanding will be complete, his intentions sincere, his heart upright, and his person cultivated.

With the worthy holding high office and the capable serving in their proper posts, assisting Heaven's work and bringing all endeavors to prosperity, securing the central realm and bringing