On August 15th, the day to set off for Fucheng Yuan’s examination finally arrived.
Song Mu got up and did his morning reading as usual, while his second uncle Song Liangda and Zhu started to help Song Mu pack his things. They were busy stuffing things into Song Mu's luggage.
"The new shoes I made for Brother Mu a few days ago are soft and breathable. They will be comfortable to wear in the examination room when the time comes."
Mrs. Zhu stuffed a pair of thick thousand-layer cloth boots into Song Mu's baggage, with a look of joy on her face. Song Liangda also nodded and shouted to Yaya Song Mingwei.
"Yaya, go and get the pack of preserved fruits that dad bought yesterday. Then Mu Geer can chew them on the road to relieve his fatigue."
After the second uncle and the second aunt were busy, Song Mu completed today's reading task in the courtyard, and immediately walked back to the room. He watched the second uncle and the second uncle stuffing things into their luggage in large and small bags. At the same time, Walk over quickly.
"Uncle, aunt, that's enough. I won't be here for half a month, and I will be back then. I won't need so many things."
"You have prepared so many things these days, how can I carry them with you?"
"No more, no more, Brother Mu, you are all going by car anyway, so you can carry all these things."
Seeing this, Song Mu pursed his lips, took a bookbox next to him, and then tidied it up before looking at the two of them again.
"Uncle, aunt, I will write to you when I get to Fucheng. You don't have to worry too much."
Song Liangda's expression was even more touched when he heard these words, and he nodded repeatedly.
"Okay, okay, Brother Mu, we're not in a hurry. You're still young anyway. We know it's not easy to take the exam, so don't feel pressured."
Song Liangda was so comforting, but Zhu said from the side.
"Scholarship is also important. Muge'er will definitely pass the exam."
As the two people said this, Yaya also walked over. The little girl's big eyes flashed and she handed a bag of preserved fruits to Song Mu.
"Brother, when you come back, you have to tell Yaya what you saw in Fucheng. Last time you went there, you didn't even tell me. Da Mao and Er Mao all want to hear it."
Song Mu smiled and touched Yaya's head, but at that moment he didn't reach out to take the preserved fruit, he just said to Yaya.
"Okay, big brother promises Yaya that he will bring snacks from Fucheng back to Yaya when the time comes."
"Okay."
Yaya's eyes suddenly turned into lines of laughter, and her face was filled with joy.
At this time, there were shouts from outside. The carriage of Kong Zong's family had arrived at the door. Song Mu glanced at his second uncle, and several people came out with their things.
Outside the hospital, Kong Zong, who was wearing a robe, also came in to help carry things. Song Mu repeatedly refused and said softly.
"Brother Kong, I'm going to trouble you more this time."
"Where is it? We have agreed a long time ago. We are all going together. We just want to see the scenery and chat about articles along the way!"
Kong Zong said with a smile, and immediately helped to get the things into the car. Song Liangda was also busy, and his short and fat body was sweating.
Finally, after everything was done, the second uncle and the three of them stood at the door, looking at Song Mu, with different expressions on their faces. Yaya was smiling, Zhu was looking forward to it, and Song Liangda was a little sad.
"Brother Mu, my second uncle... won't go to the city gate to see you off. He will wait here for you to come back. When you come back, we will have two more drinks and catch up on old times."
After a moment, Song Liangda spoke, his expression a little gloomy.
Song Mu naturally knew that Song Liangda was afraid that he could not control his emotions, and his expression was a bit frustrated at this moment.
Looking at the weather-beaten second uncle, although they have not been together for a short time, Song Mu can truly feel the second uncle's care for him. He may not be good at expressing, but he always puts Song Mu in the most important position.
So Song Mu also looked solemn at the moment, suddenly lifted up his robe and knelt down towards Song Liangda.
"Brother Mu, what are you doing? You must not do it. This man has gold at his knees!"
Seeing this, Song Liangda quickly came up to help him, but Song Mu kowtowed hard.
"Uncle, Song Mu will do his best to restore the former glory of our Song family and never let down the expectations of his father and second uncle!"
"Okay, okay, good boy, my second uncle has never misjudged you. If the Song family has you, it will definitely be brilliant in the future. You...get up." With tears in Song Liangda's eyes, he helped Song Mu stand up. Kong Zong was watching next to him. He also looked solemn.
Song Mu stood up, saluted Song Liangda again, and then got on the carriage with a determined expression.
On the carriage, Kong Zong handed Song Mu a piece of silk handkerchief to wipe the dust on his forehead. Song Mu touched his face and said to Kong Zong awkwardly.
"Brother Kong, I'm a little abrupt today."
"Brother Song, why did you say this? Loyalty and filial piety come first. What Brother Song does is the words and deeds of a gentleman."
The carriage swayed to the south city gate. At this moment, Jin Changwu and others were waiting here with soldiers.
Because of what happened in Shiyang County a few days ago, the waters of Ganjiang River are still under martial law. Song Mu and others can no longer go to Fucheng by boat and can only take the land route and cross the mountains.
At this moment, many students from the county school have gathered here, and countless people from Shiyang County are gathered here at this moment.
Song Mu and Kong Zong got off the carriage, and Jin Changwu stepped forward. Song Mu hurriedly saluted, but Jin Changwu waved his hand.
"Everyone, today the students from Shiyang County are going to Fucheng Academy for the examination. I am also here to wish you success. When you return in triumph, I will definitely greet you from ten miles away and help you wash away the dust!"
"I will live up to your expectations!"
All the students bowed and spoke loudly at this moment, and the people were also quite shocked.
This is the most important day in every county every year besides traditional festivals. Whether it is a government examination or a college examination, people line the streets to see it off.
A group of scholars will go to the examination room, write their names on the gold list, and become scholars.
These students carry the expectations of their parents, as well as the expectations of all the people in Shiyang County.
"Okay, then let's set off and face the rising sun to the place of victory!"
The sleeves of Jinchang's military attaché robe were waving with great pride, and his fingers pointed in the direction of the southern city. Firecrackers sounded and the big bell at the city entrance began to ring.
Amidst the faint smoke of gunpowder, countless students stepped out of the city gate to the sound of bells and began another unforgettable journey in life.
…
The carriage was jolting, it was noon, and the students who had been out for several hours were resting at the entrance of a small village.
Master Xun was asking a few scholars to help him prepare the meal. Song Mu also got out of the car and stretched his muscles.
Song Mu first looked around, said hello to his companions next to him, and then found a place to resolve his internal crisis.
The road in ancient times was so bumpy, and the carriage did not have any anti-shock system. Along the way, Song Mu felt that his butt was going to be broken into pieces, and his steps were still a little wobbly at this moment.
The situation of other people was not much better, and many even came down to walk halfway. Fortunately, they were all well-educated scholars and had much better physiques, so they were able to hold on.
After Song Mu finished relieving himself, he walked back and sat down on the bluestone slab under the ancient tree. Kong Zong handed over a piece of dry food and a gourd filled with water.
"Brother Song, let's have something to eat. We still have to walk a long way to reach the inn where we will stay tonight."
Song Mu nodded, took something to eat, and glanced around. Everyone was beating their legs to relax, eating and chatting.
This time, everyone was a lot more relaxed. After all, they had gone to Fucheng to take the imperial examination before, and now they were somewhat familiar with the scenery outside Shiyang County.
Song Mu glanced at the resting people, only to see a man standing next to the parked carriage in the distance. He was holding a piece of cake in his hand and was putting it into his mouth one bite at a time.
And next to him, no one came close to talk.
That is Pan Wenhao.
On the night of the turmoil in Shiyang County, Pan Shun was demonized, and at the last moment he was drained by Shi Bufeng, draining all the literary energy from his body. When he was found the next day, he was already a petrified mummy.
When the Pan family received this bad news, they burst into tears, and the mother and son burst into tears.
But after all, the Pan family has also been working in Shiyang County for many years. Now that Pan Wenhao is a child again, his life will be easy to live from now on.
It's just that Pan Wenhao no longer has the capital to bully others.
He also seemed to have lost his soul and became more withdrawn.
Seeing Song Mu looking at Pan Wenhao, Kong Zong also said with emotion.
"He finally knows this time. What does it mean to be gone? It's really gone."
"Now the Pan family can only rely on him. Even if he doesn't win the scholarship, he can still become a rich man. But I heard that his mother insisted on letting him get the honors. Now that he is in his first year, he followed suit. "
When Kong Zong said this, there was no sympathy in his words. Song Mu also looked away at that moment, with a calm expression on his face.
It was not his turn to pity Pan Wenhao.
He still has a mother who loves him and comes from a prosperous family. His current situation is a hundred times more tragic than his.
At this time, Song Mu remembered the impulsive bet he made with the other party. If he could pass the exam, he might not bother him anymore. If he failed, he would just ignore it and forget to calculate it. .
Song Mu shook his head, put the cake in his mouth, ate it with water, and enjoyed a moment of shade under the big tree.
…
