The Ning Imperial Examination Hall was located at the easternmost edge of the inner city, right next to the Mingzhi Lane grass field.
The spring examination had lasted for many days, and today was the day the hall’s gates would open.
When the evening drum struck its final, resounding eight hundred beats from the drum tower, immediately a bell rang within the examination hall.
Someone shouted loudly, "Rise from your seats! Once the bell stops, anyone still writing will be disqualified immediately. Ten years of hard study must not be wasted by carelessness!"
Within the hall arose a commotion as the candidates all stood up obediently inside their cells.
Yet some continued frantically writing, quietly counting each bell toll in their hearts.
When the twelfth toll of the bell ceased, a Hall Officer called out in a loud voice, “Collect the papers!”
Twelve officials passed in front of the cells, collecting examination papers one by one.
Some candidates were still writing but their papers were snatched away in an instant—no moment longer would be granted.
Then, from one of the cells came a wail: “It’s over! All over! Please allow me to write just two more lines!”