County Government·End of February·Light Rain
On the day of the county examination, the slightest drizzle in the sky above Linhua County fell slantingly with the wind. It was so cold that even those who wrapped themselves tightly in clothes could not resist it. All the students who participated in the county examination secretly sighed that they were unlucky.
Although we are in the south, snow is rare, but such light rain still makes the locals who are used to it turn pale and walk in a hurry, even more so than on snowy days.
Su Ziji was walking in a hurry holding an oil-paper umbrella. When he passed by the butcher's shop, he looked up and saw the boss sitting at the counter. He couldn't help but persuade him: "Brother Su, I haven't seen you for a few days. Why have you lost weight again?" Don’t study so hard.”
"No, you are weak, so don't go to great lengths to study." A street aunt passing by said that Su Ziji was very popular in the neighborhood, and of course it was more because of his late father's favor. Su Ziji couldn't help but sigh with emotion at the kindness of these neighbors. He bowed with shining eyes to express his gratitude.
At this moment, two people came face to face, both wearing coir raincoats, and they were both acquaintances. One was a wild Taoist priest, and the other was Cao Jincai, the direct debtor.
When Cao Jincai saw Su Ziji, he couldn't help but sneer: "Hey, isn't this our great talent Su? Why, he's hanging out again, he seems to be very sure about the county examination?"
As he said that, he looked at Su Ziji up and down wantonly, and brushed his eyes on Su Ziji's worn and soaked cloth shoes. He was disdainful and didn't even bother to cover up: "That's right. If you don't hit the mark at the time, I'm afraid it will be over soon." To freeze to death and starve to death would be really degrading to gentlemen, haha.”
"I won't bother you anymore." Su Ziji said coldly.
Cao Jincai's face suddenly darkened and he warned: "Su Ziji, remember, you have five days to pay back your debt. If you don't pay back by the time, I will send you to the official."
He said with a sigh: "I really thought that your dead father would leave some favors for you to support the scene. He didn't want to be all empty airs. That's right. Do scholars have to be noble?"
"Don't worry, there will be an explanation when the time comes." Su Ziji chuckled, and when he glanced at the equally familiar wild Taoist priest, he even twitched the corners of his mouth and passed by with a cold expression.
"You are so crazy when you are about to die!"
Cao Jincai endured it, but still couldn't hold it back. He gritted his teeth and said to the wild Taoist priest: "Brother Yan always does things quickly, why don't you come back this time?"
"The county examination is about to take place. You said that he will definitely not be able to win because of his bad luck now. By then, the cemetery can be collected, right?"
If the other party is on the list in the county examination, you will have to worry a lot if you want to move the other party.
The wild Taoist priest looked at Su Ziji's back for a long time before looking away. He was stunned and didn't say anything, just frowning.
Yan Er didn't come back for two days, and Tongshan Guan was a little uneasy. Boss Zhang had already gone to look for him, and he came over to observe, and there was indeed a change in the results.
Su Ziji's appearance and temperament were not outstanding at first. In appearance, he only had a small fortune and was a little broken. In other words, he was a scholar at most, and he didn't have much land. Therefore, Tongshan Guanyi said that he I agreed.
But at this time, his face has changed, the defects are being repaired, and a faint red aura is gestating, which shows that this person's future has changed.
"After receiving a blow and destroying the cemetery, why is the vitality so strong that it can pierce the bad luck?"
"Is it a flashback?"
Thinking of this, the Taoist priest became even more puzzled: "The so-called reflection, there is a fierce counterattack at the end of the day, but it must have a foundation. If there is no foundation, and the oil is exhausted, what is the point of reflection?"
"Now that we have this comeback, the Su family may not be that simple. No wonder Tongshan Temple is willing to spend money to target me. I am implicated."
"No, I have to go and see the Su family's ancestral tomb again, don't be fooled by Tongshan Guan."
Regardless of the mood of the wild Taoist priest, Su Ziji arrived at the county government gate on time. The county examination is the first level of the boy's examination. It is not as rigorous as the imperial examination and the Jinshi examination. However, there are still necessary checks. Su Ziji raised his head The yamen servants searched the arms and entered with the inspected basket.
The basket contains the four treasures of the study, because it only takes one exam and there is no need to bring food.
The county government of Linhua County specially set aside a place for this county examination and built a simple scientific examination shed.
Because the imperial examination system of the previous dynasty was imitated and added and subtracted, in counties such as Linhua County, there were not many students, so the form was not too complicated. Only some simple multi-row seats were set up in the shed for candidates to write.
When Su Ziji entered the county government office, he was first led into a large courtyard. This courtyard door is the north gate. Normally, it is nothing, just an ordinary door. But on the day of the county examination, this north gate was called "Dragon Gate". ", which is naturally a good sign. The students passed by and jumped over the dragon gate.
Behind the dragon gate is a courtyard. According to regulations, students who come to take exams must wait here for roll call.
When Su Ziji walked here, there were still raindrops hanging down from the oil-paper umbrella, and the raindrops were flowing down the eaves. The ground paved with bluestones was wet, and there was a damp and cold breath in the air. It felt like breathing in it. Cool to the core.
He was not the first one to arrive, nor was he the last one to arrive, but even when the courtyard was full of people, it was still relatively quiet. Anyone who could come here to take the exam would not be an ungrateful person. No matter how ignorant he was, he would expose himself in a place like this. The vulgar side is not worth the gain, and everyone strives to show their better side.
There was a paper lantern sign in the courtyard. Although it was drizzling and it was darker than usual, it was already dawn, and standing here, Su Ziji could see it more clearly.
"With this kind of weather in the county examination, I don't know if I will be arranged to a warm examination room." Although he knew that this was unlikely, Su Ziji couldn't help but fantasize.
At this time, there was a small commotion. Su Ziji stood in the crowd and looked forward, and saw a middle-aged man in official uniform walking out of the hall. It was the county magistrate Zhang.
Magistrate Zhang personally called the roll, which was an honor. Su Ziji didn't need to look at it to know that most of the students around him were excited. This was also the "benefit" that the imperial examination brought to scholars. By studying for the imperial examination, one could jump through the dragon's gate and achieve class advancement. Changes, changing the door.
"Su Ziji."
"The students are here."
"Enter."
"yes."
When it was Su Ziji's turn to be called, the yamen servant loudly chanted Zeng Lingchu's life insurance policy in accordance with the regulations. Zeng Lingchu, who was the guarantor for Su Ziji, took a look at Su Ziji and realized that it was him, so he answered the call and sang the life insurance policy.
After entering, there was no exam immediately. In the rather solemn atmosphere, Su Ziji gradually immersed himself in it and felt that the singing was quite charming. When the paper was handed to his hand, he realized what he was doing, saluted to the other party, and left. Enter the examination room, press the seat number on the paper, find your seat and sit down.
When he sat down, the cold wind blowing around made Su Ziji couldn't help but rub his hands.
"This kind of weather is really unlucky."
"However, if it hadn't been raining and snowing during this period, or there wouldn't even be such a simple shack, we would probably be sitting in the open air, right?"
"It's really hard for students at this time."
Su Ziji was more determined to exercise his body. He was alone. If he fell ill, it would be really troublesome.
