Liu Yuan's examination paper really did give the impression that Zhong Hui had sat the exam for him.
It was not that Liu Yuan had already reached a level on par with Zhong Hui, but that Zhong Hui had held nothing back in teaching this disciple, imparting everything he knew. Thus, almost everything Liu Yuan now knew came from his teacher.
His thinking was closely in step with his teacher's.
Liu Yuan had yet to develop anything of his own, but Cao Mao would not look down on him for it. After all, there was his age to consider.
But Cao Mao would not promote him directly to an important position, either. Giving him such responsibilities was something Cao Wen ought to do.
Cao Mao finished reading Liu Yuan's paper with great satisfaction, then began reading the others.
With Liu Yuan's paper setting the standard, everyone else's made for such dull reading.
They were not actually all that bad, but when the first was too outstanding, it created that impression.
When he came to Guo Ping's paper, Cao Mao flew into a rage.
What this brat had written was truly terrible.
He did know what the Advancement Edict was, but as for why it had been established, why it had proved effective afterward, and how it should be carried forward, he truly knew nothing.
Just look at his answers.
When discussing at the outset why the Advancement Edict had been established, he actually said it was because the local great clans lacked motivation... While that was not entirely wrong, could he really give the emperor such a perfunctory answer??
Then, discussing why it had been effective, he thought it was because the emperor was wise.
Finally, as for how to improve it, he thought they should listen to the emperor.