Chapter 270 The examination came unexpectedly
Zhu Pingan returned to the inn and began to study in seclusion. Other candidates usually participate in some poetry societies, poetry societies, gatherings, etc. to make a name for themselves. Zhu Pingan did not participate at all. .
Except for the occasional visits from Zhang Siwei and Wang Shizhen, Zhu Pingan has always been studying in seclusion in the inn room.
Zhang Siwei and Wang Shizhen took Zhu Pingan around the capital during several visits, focusing on Gongyuan in the southwest of the capital, and then took Zhu Pingan to visit Biguan Hutong and Liyu Hutong. As you can tell from its name, Penguan Alley, there are many pens, inks, paper and inkstones sold in this alley. Liyu Hutong, as can be concluded from its name, Carp Leaps over the Dragon Gate, Liyu Hutong is the alley where candidates stay.
Carp leaping over the dragon gate, what a good sign, so many people come to stay just because of this name.
In fact, Liyu Hutong was not called Liyu Hutong at the beginning. Its original name was Old Man Hutong, and there were many elderly people. How it changed its name starts with a general examination. It is said that the exams for the annual meeting are about to begin. One after another, candidates from all over the country have come to the capital to prepare for the exams. Those outside the capital who do not have a house in the capital have to find a place to stay. Those who came early will find a place to stay. . It is said that there was a poor man who lived far away and could not afford a horse, so he walked to the capital to participate in the examination. Walking is definitely not as fast as others riding a horse or a donkey. When he arrived in the capital, he found that the inns near the examination room were full of people, and even the woodshed was occupied. The impoverished man had no choice but to stay somewhere further away, and then he came to this old man's alley.
There was an old man in the old man's alley who saw that he was pitiful, so he took the poor man in and let him live in his home. The day before the examination, a violent storm suddenly started to fall. It was a coincidence that a live carp fell from the dark clouds in the violent storm. The carp happened to land in front of the poor scholar's window, and then a lightning struck. The carp suddenly flew up from the ground and flew directly towards the examination room.
The carp leaps over the dragon gate! The old man who took in the poor scholar was shocked and murmured repeatedly, and then said to the scholar that you will pass the exam this time.
Sure enough, the old man was right. When the rankings are released later, this scholar is indeed ranked number one in high school. In order to thank the old man for taking him in and for his prophecy, the poor scholar was the first to go to the old man's home after high school to express his gratitude. As a result, Liyu Hutong became famous all of a sudden. Every year, many scholars competed to live in Liyu Hutong during the exams.
Zhang Siwei and Wang Shizhen lived in Liyu Hutong. The two of them rented a separate house, which of course cost a lot. Each of them also brought two maids and a book boy to serve them.
As the exam period approaches, Zhang Siwei and Wang Shizhen come less and less frequently. Especially inspired by Zhu Ping'an's retreat to study, the two of them gradually put off the poetry meeting and concentrated on preparing for the exam.
Zhu Pingan seems to have returned to the college entrance examination era, without leaving home. I studied hard and had three meals a day provided by the store clerk. This was the initiative requested by the store clerk. The three meals a day are provided with great care, on time and to order, and the combination of meat and vegetables is excellent.
On this day, Zhang Siwei and Wang Shizhen came together again. Zhu Ping'an was invited to go to the Yamen to register his identity. Zhu Ping'an's life of studying in seclusion only lasted half a month before it had to end because the examination was about to begin. Zhu Ping'an initially misestimated the time of the examination. The Ming Dynasty's examination was held in February. The March originally recorded was the time of the examination after the Qing Dynasty changed it.
The joint examination is hosted by the Ministry of Rites. It has a similar process to the provincial examination. You must first register your identity, which is equivalent to registering for a modern examination, and then take the exam. After all, the general examination is a centralized examination for people across the country, so there is no need to register. I don't know how many people participated.
“Have you heard? It is said that Enke will recruit 400 people for this examination, which is nearly a hundred more than in previous years.”
On the way to register. Zhang Siwei suddenly looked mysterious and excited, and said to Zhu Pingan and Wang Shizhen.
"Ziwei, you are really well-informed." Zhu Pingan couldn't help but admired when he heard this.
Zhang Siwei's family was a wealthy family of salt merchants in Puzhou, and his uncle was Wang Chonggu. A Jinshi who lived in Jiajing for 20 years was also a fierce man. He should be a prefect somewhere now. Sure enough, there is someone in the court who likes to be an official, and he can even find out the admission quota for this kind of examination.
In previous years, more than 300 people were admitted to the examination. If this year's examination admitted 400 people, then I would be a little more sure.
Zhu Pingan is quite happy to hear this news.
"Well, yes, I heard about it too. This change is a blessing for you and me. Isn't it great that you and I passed the list together?"
Wang Shizhen was already prepared for the news. I’ve heard it before, but when I heard it again, I still felt excited. Especially when I think about it, if I pass the exam together with Zhang Siwei and Zhu Pingan, I feel even more excited. Wouldn't it be great if we have similar interests, get to know each other before taking the exam, and win the exam together?
"I am relieved that Wen Sheng will take the exam this time. The Wang family of Taicang is the best in the world in clothes, poetry and writing. Wen Sheng is also the best among the Wang family. He will definitely get the first place in this exam; Zi Hou will take the exam in one fell swoop. The problem is not big. Although Zihou is young, he has a sharp mind that is rare in the world. Moreover, according to our practice, the examination results are divided into North and South, six from the South and four from the North. There are many places this time, and Zihou is ranked in the South. He will definitely gain a lot in this examination."
Zhang Siwei pointed out. He pointed at Wang Shizhen and then looked at Zhu Ping'an, both of whom had high hopes for this interview.
But when it came to this, Zhang Siwei changed his voice, pointed at himself again, and said with a wry smile, "My words may hinder you."
"Ziwei is joking again. If others don't know it, Zihou and I don't know it. Ziwei is excellent in articles and calligraphy, and is knowledgeable about the past and the present. You are a famous "true naturalist" in Puzhou. You are especially famous for your eight-legged composition. I am very fond of poetry. He is good at it, but he has been inferior to you for a long time. Zihou, don’t believe his nonsense. Ziwei is charming and loves to joke.”
Wang Shizhen shook his head, pointed at Zhang Siwei, and smiled at Zhu Pingan. road.
"Wen Sheng, don't come to comfort me." Zhang Siwei said with a bitter smile.
"I said, the two of you will definitely be on the high school ranking list this time, believe me or not?" Zhu Pingan looked at the two of them and said with raised lips.
“Zi Hou, come and laugh too.”
"That's right, despite Zihou's honest face and his youth, in my opinion, Zihou is even more clever than Ziwei."
"That's because, because People's quilts are thick, this is simple and honest My face was so blinded that I lost my vigilance. I really hate my parents for giving me such a handsome face, haha.”
Hearing this, Zhang Siwei and Wang Shizhen both turned around and joked about Zhu Pingan. stand up.
"Ten taels of tattooed silver, I bet you two will be on the list." Zhu Pingan curled his lips and said with a confident smile.
"Where do you get your confidence?" Wang Shizhen looked at Zhu Pingan and asked.
"It's not about confidence, it's about trusting you." Zhu Pingan smiled lightly.
"Okay, just as Zihou said, if I win, I will give you a hundred taels. However, if I fail, you will definitely be poor." Zhang Siwei said with a smile.
"Second." Wang Shizhen agreed.
Both of them come from well-known families, so they really don’t take this little money seriously.
"That's a good relationship." Zhu Ping'an laughed and said, joking, I know history, you two will definitely make the list this time.
"Zihou, you just talk about us, why don't you talk about you?" Wang Shizhen asked.
"If Zihou doesn't say anything, it's stable." Zhang Siwei answered for Zhu Ping'an with a smile.
The three of them just talked and laughed all the way to the registration. After the registration was completed, they went back to prepare for the test. (End of this chapter)