The provincial capital is called Yuncheng, and it is also brightly lit at night.
Many literati and scholars walked together to the Imperial Academy, all carrying specially prepared gifts in their hands.
Zheng Wangfeng was sitting by the window on the second floor of the inn, where he could see the Xueguan Mansion. This inn was the largest and best inn in Yuncheng. A night's stay cost five or six taels of silver. He had lived here for nearly two months. Spend money like water.
Every time a person enters, the book boy behind him will write something on the paper: "Young Master, one hundred and twenty-three candidates have already entered. The remaining people who have not gone are all from poor families and should not come. "
Zheng Wangfeng frowned: "Why didn't I see Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng go in?"
The book boy looked around on the paper and suddenly became indignant: "Master, I told you that Shen Zheng is unreliable. He drinks tea and parties with so many people every day and spends a lot of money. I'm afraid he will have nothing left." Money, he deliberately tricked the coral bonsai, and he didn’t know who he sold it to! He was the last one, so what if he got a name from the academic officer? A person with no talent and learning, no matter how he manages it, he can’t There may be a good future!”
Zheng Wangfeng said coldly: "There is still a quarter of an hour, just wait."
There were fewer and fewer people coming to the Xueguan Mansion. When the time came, the two gatekeepers closed the door, and the faint sound of silk and bamboo orchestral music could be heard.
Zheng Wangfeng's face was gloomy.
He walked downstairs and straight towards the courtyard where Shen Zheng and his family lived.
The main street is busy with traffic, but it is much quieter when you walk to the back alley. These are small courtyards rented to candidates, and most of the scholars are reading at night.
Zheng Wangfeng walked to the door of the yard and was about to knock on the door when he saw the door suddenly opened.
Shen Zheng came out of the yard with a pot of coral in his arms, turned his head and said: "Brother Cheng, you are Jieyuan, it doesn't matter whether you go or not. I can't. I am the last one. If I don't go, I will be finished." I still want to honor the Shen family’s ancestors!”
Cheng Zhao's face turned black: "Cheng Ding, stop him!"
Cheng Ding threw away the broom, jumped over to Shen Zheng, and held his shoulders.
Shen Zheng shouted: "Afu, someone is bullying your young master, why don't you come and help me quickly? Brother Cheng, you have gone too far. You can't ruin my future... Hey, Brother Zheng, why are you here? Hey, you Listen to my explanation, I was originally going to..."
"It's impossible to go now." Zheng Wangfeng said with a dark face, "The Academy Office has closed and the banquet has begun."
Cheng Zhao walked out and said in a cold voice: "Return the coral bonsai to Brother Zheng."
Shen Zheng was a little reluctant to give up, but this thing was of no use now, so he threw the flowerpot into the Zheng family's book boy's arms as if he was angry.
The book boy gave him a sharp look.
Zheng Wangfeng looked very unhappy: "Brother Shen, you have delayed my important event this time."
Shen Zheng scratched his head. His own important events had also been delayed. He glanced at the angry Zheng Wangfeng, and then looked at Cheng Zhao with the same dark complexion. He had no idea what to do.
Cheng Zhao walked out of the yard and spoke softly: "Since the end of the provincial examination, how many banquets have the academic officials held? Except for the first time, it was in the name of the government. Later, they were all private banquets. Although those private banquets I I have never been there once, but I heard that the academic officer is amassing money... His purpose is to make money, not to give guidance to the students, so do you want to go too?"
Zheng Wangfeng snorted coldly: "One of you is the first and the other is the last. Naturally, there is no need to go, but I am different. I have a bad reputation now and need such an opportunity to prove myself. This opportunity was ruined by Brother Shen. Brother, tell me, how can you give me an explanation for this?"
"I……"
Shen Zheng always talked a lot, but now he was completely speechless.
He shouldn't have taken Zheng Wangfeng's flower pot and made him look like he was deliberately causing trouble.
At this moment, the sound of horses neighing came, and a maroon horse stopped at the entrance of the small courtyard.
Cheng Bing got off his horse and saluted with his hands raised: "I am here to deliver a letter on the orders of the people from Sui'an. Please read the letter quickly, Mr. Cheng."
He handed the letter to Cheng Zhao.
Cheng Zhao hurriedly took it over. The second aunt had written several letters and asked the trading house to bring them over. The letters were full of advice and she had never been so urgent.
He read the letter at a glance, and Wei Kucha breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that he would make a mistake in stopping Shen Zheng from going to the banquet, but the second aunt also meant the same thing, which proved that his feeling was right.
He handed the letter to Shen Zheng. After reading it, Shen Zheng felt as if he had been injected with blood. He immediately said: "Brother Zheng, you have to thank me. My godmother said that we should not get involved in these things for fear of causing fire." Upper body... Don't ask me what kind of fire it is, I don't know. Anyway, my godmother can be a sixth-grade Anren, so she must have a keen sense of government that is unknown to others. If the godmother said so, then this must be done. !”
Zheng Wangfeng frowned: "Sui'an people really said that?"
"Of course." Shen Zheng patted his chest, "You are a blessing in disguise this time. I don't know what kind of luck you will get. Let me tell you, I have great luck with small luck, and you are totally lucky this time." It’s because of me.”
Zheng Wangfeng really wanted to know what a peasant woman knew, but considering that the people of Sui'an had been rising steadily over the past year, she definitely knew more than young people like them.
The people of Sui'an must have contributed to Shen Zheng's transformation from a naughty young master to a new imperial examination candidate.
Perhaps what the Sui'an people said is right.
He didn't pursue the matter further.
"Oh, my godmother also brought us clothes, food and money. Hey, there are also banknotes. Hahaha, my godmother is really nicer to me than my father!" Shen Zheng picked up the bag and put the banknotes away. He put his arm around Cheng Bing's shoulders and said, "It's not easy for you to come all the way here. Let's go out for a drink. Brother Cheng, don't stay bored in the house every day. It's still early for the exam." Those people are drinking at the academic officer's house, so let's go to the best restaurant to drink and have a nice walk!"
Cheng Zhao really wasn't in the mood to read anymore. The second aunt's letter also mentioned some things that needed attention in the capital. He had to plan carefully when to leave for the capital.
Together with Cheng Ding and Ah Fu, the group walked to the street and entered the largest restaurant.
This place is very close to the Imperial Academy, and the sound of playing music can be heard so clearly. Many failed scholars in the restaurant are talking about it.
"Hey, I've already taken the exam for the third time, and I'm still just a scholar. Do I have to try again next year?"
"If you give up, you won't be able to become a scholar in this life, let alone be invited in for a drink by the academic officer. Let's wait for another three years."
"I am already thirty-three this year, and I still have a few three years to waste..."
"..."
Cheng Zhao and others also talked about their future plans.
"If I fail to pass the Jinshi exam, then I will directly find a way to become an academic officer. If I am lucky, I can even become a county magistrate in a remote area." Shen Zheng took a sip of wine and said, "Brother Zheng, if you fail the exam Come on, do you want to become an official directly, or do you want to come back a few times?"
Zheng Wangfeng looked at the wine in the glass: "I will definitely become a Jinshi, definitely."
Shen Zheng laughed: "Brother Cheng doesn't even dare to talk such nonsense. Brother Zheng is too frivolous."
Just when the three of them were chatting, suddenly, there was a commotion in the lively street. Dozens of officials came trotting over, dispersed the people on the street, and surrounded the academy.
