Finally, the day came when the results were released. Outside the Gongyuan, there was a lot of traffic and a sea of people.
Except for a few candidates who were worried that their little hearts could not bear it, most of the candidates came to Gongyuan early.
The Gongyuan was surrounded both inside and outside. The boys and the attendants rolled up their sleeves one by one and moved forward to clear the way for their master.
Wei Chen looked back at Yuan An, a scholar who was even thinner than himself, and shook his head helplessly.
Fortunately, Sheng Changbai, Wang Yaochen and others were both from official families and had many long-term followers with them. With their concerted efforts, they finally managed to squeeze out a small path among the crowds of people.
The seven people came to the screen wall of Gongyuan, which was already crowded with candidates.
Some stood on tiptoes, looking forward to it. Some put their hands behind their backs, pretending to be calm. Others closed their eyes and clasped their hands and muttered something, not knowing which gods they were praying for for blessings.
At this time, a row of government officials came over, and suddenly there was a burst of excited shouts from the crowd: "The results are released, the results are released!"
The candidates suddenly became excited, forgetting the politeness and dignity of scholars, pushing back and forth, vying to come forward to see the results.
Seeing this scene, Sheng Changbai couldn't help but sigh: "Three thousand scholars, eighty scholars, I wonder if they can be ranked among the top five classics, who can be ranked first?"
When the other six people heard this, they all shook their heads and sighed.
Jiangnan Province is known as the cemetery of imperial examinations, and the difficulty of passing the examination is one of the most difficult in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty. As long as you can pass the examination here, it will be like smoke rising from the ancestral grave.
As for Wu Jing Kui or Jieyuan?
Even Wang Yaochen, who has always had a high self-esteem, did not dare to pat his chest and make a guarantee.
At this time, a group of officers and soldiers sounded the gong to clear the way, and Wang Wenqing, president of the rural examination, together with the deputy chief examiner, fellow examiners, and promotion officers, boarded the singing building next to the Gongyuan.
The candidates suddenly became excited.
Being listed on the Guilin List and being called out in the Sutra Tower is a lifetime honor for a scholar!
boom! boom! boom!
Three cannon shots were fired and the whole place fell silent.
First, Wang Wenqing, the president of the Provincial Examination, made some commonplace opening remarks, and then the clerk began to roll call.
The first thing to read is the candidates who are on the secondary list. The secondary list actually has little practical significance and is just an honorary title.
It means that you did very well in the exam this time, but unfortunately you didn't win. I hope you can go home and continue to work hard, and come back in three years.
The faces of the fifteen candidates whose names were read were inevitably a little disappointed, but they quickly adjusted their mood. After all, being on the deputy list can also qualify for tribute, so their trip was not in vain.
After reciting the secondary list, it is the main list, starting from the last one.
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, Chen Jun ranked 80th in the Jiangnan Provincial Township Examination, Shishan Township, Youyang County, Jiangning Prefecture!"
"Brother Chen, you've been hit!"
Wei Chen and others reacted and congratulated Chen Jun one after another.
"Am I hit?"
Chen Jun froze on the spot, with a confused look on his face, and then suddenly trembled, his eyes widened and he waved his arms excitedly: "Haha, I won, and I, Chen Jun, will also be able to lift people in the future!"
Everyone smiled at it.
On the chanting floor, the scribes continued to roll call, and the sonorous sound echoed endlessly.
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, I ranked 52nd in the Jiangnan Provincial Township Examination, from Tangquan Township, Jiangning County, Jiangning Prefecture, Tao Dazhi!"
…
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, I ranked 26th in the rural examination of Jiangnan Province, Yangjiang Township, Shangyuan County, Jiangning Prefecture, Tang Henian!"
…
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, Weng Dingfan ranked 19th in the rural examination of Jiangnan Province, Gucheng Township, Jiangning County, Jiangning Prefecture!"
…
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, Wang Yaochen ranked sixth in the rural examination of Jiangnan Province, Lintang Township, Youyang County, Jiangning Prefecture!"
When they heard their names, Tao Dazhi, Tang Henian and Weng Dingfan were all as excited as Chen Jun.
Only Wang Yaochen's expression was a little dazed, as if he was happy, but also a little disappointed.
Seeing this, several friends felt a little sorry for Wang Yaochen.
The top five must be the leaders of the Five Classics. As long as they don't win the first place, no matter how good the article is, they will only be ranked sixth.
It seems that Wang Yaochen lost the battle over the Shijing Fangjing in the end.
However, his article should not be much worse than that of the Book of Songs leader, otherwise the examiner would not have ranked him sixth.
Wu Jing Kui was ranked first on the list, and the sixth place in the provincial examination, also known as Ya Kui, was at the top of the main list, which was already a very good result.
When they heard the main list was read out, most of the candidates who had not been read out felt their hearts sink to the bottom. They did not think that they were so talented that they were the best in the five majors.
However, there are still some people who have not given up their last hope and are looking eagerly towards the choir building, hoping that their names can be sung upstairs.
Wang Wenqing waved his hand to signal the scribes to step back. The final Five Classics Leader must be announced personally by him, the president of the rural examination, to be solemn.
Under the gaze of everyone, Wang Wenqing took the list from the clerk, cleared his throat, and spoke slowly.
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, fifth place in Jiangnan Provincial Township Examination, Shiyan Township, Youyang County, Jiangning Prefecture, Sheng Changbai, Spring and Autumn!"
Wei Chen patted Sheng Changbai hard on the shoulder and said sincerely for his friend: "Well done Zicheng, ranking among the top five!"
The other people also came up to congratulate him.
Sheng Changbai, who had always been serious about words and expressions, finally couldn't hold himself any longer at this moment. He held Wei Chen's hand tightly and couldn't control himself with excitement.
While Wei Chen comforted Sheng Changbai, he said silently in his heart: "There are only four left..."
Although Wei Chen believed that he would not fail the exam, things in the scientific examination were never certain, so who could say for sure?
While talking, the voice of Wang Wenqing, the president of the rural examination, sounded again from the singing room upstairs.
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, fourth place in Jiangnan Provincial Township Examination, Yiling Township, Jiangdu County, Yangzhou Prefecture, Xiao Chong, Li!"
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, third place in the rural examination of Jiangnan Province, Zhang Zuochang, Ehu Township, Jingui County, Changzhou Prefecture, Yi!"
"In the fifth year of God's blessing, the second place in the rural examination of Jiangnan Province is Yayuan. Xu Shizheng, Mudu Township, Wu County, Suzhou Prefecture, poetry!"
Hearing this, Wang Yaochen's expression changed, and he remembered the three words "Xu Shizheng" deeply in his heart. It was this person who took away his title.
Wang Yaochen was not discouraged. Spring would be in February next year, and he could compete with Xu Shizheng by then.
By the way, there is also this guy Wei Xingyun. From the county examination to the township examination, I have followed him and eaten ashes. I have never won a single victory. I happened to find him back in the spring...
Come and try it quickly. 】
Seeing Wei Chen beside him, Wang Yaochen suddenly realized something. Only the last name of Jieyuan was left to be read, but there was still no Wei Chen.
Then there are only two possibilities, one is that Wei Chen fails the exam, and the other is that Wei Chen is Jieyuan.
The former means that Wang Yaochen finally defeated Wei Chen once, while the latter means that Wang Yaochen lost to Wei Chen again.
To be fair, Wang Yaochen hopes the final result will be the latter.
Although he has always aimed to surpass Wei Chen, he has already secretly admired this young man who is younger than himself. Only if Wei Chen can achieve this, will Wang Yaochen be convinced.
One step to hell, one step to heaven.
Sheng Changbai and others were obviously aware of Wei Chen's current situation and looked at Wei Chen with worried expressions.
Wei Chen took a deep breath and clasped his hands hidden under his big sleeves so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Suddenly, Wei Chen felt a gaze on him from the singing room. Looking up, he met Wang Wenqing's eyes as deep as the sea.
Wei Chen was slightly startled, but saw that Wang Wenqing had already looked away, and said in a deep voice: "In the fifth year of God's blessing, the first place in the rural examination of Jiangnan Province is Jie Yuan, Jingxi Township, Youyang County, Jiangning Prefecture, Wei Chen, book!"
