While singing in the chanting building, the provincial capital will also send fast horses to announce the good news to the homes of successful candidates.
It's just that because the candidates are scattered in various prefectures across the province, and it takes time to travel, the person announcing the good news is always a few days later than the results are released, making the candidates' families anxious and unable to sleep or eat well.
Wei Ruyi and Zhang Ming discussed it and decided to move the whole family to Jiangning City for a few days. The house was ready anyway - as the major shareholder of Amber Tribute Wine, Zhang Ming had already purchased a property in the provincial capital. In Rongchengfang, not far from Baotai Street.
August 30th.
As soon as Wei Ruyi got up, she saw a few magpies sitting on the gray bricks and gray tiles in front of the window and chirping. She immediately beamed: "Looking up to see magpies, it's a good sign!"
In front of Rongchengfang is the main transportation thoroughfare in Jiangning City, and everyone traveling from south to north passes through here.
Since the morning, the sound of firecrackers outside has not stopped, the gongs and drums have been beating, and from time to time, celebrating crowds pass by the street.
Zhang Xu stood guard in front of the door, counting the teams passing by to announce the good news. When he counted five teams, he finally couldn't restrain his anxiety: "Why aren't you here yet?"
Wei Ruyi and Zhang Ming on the side were silent when they heard this, and the hearts of the family of three were lifted up for Wei Chen.
After a long time, the last team to announce the good news passed by, and the street became quiet.
Seeing that there was no movement on the street for a long time, Zhang Ming sighed and said with some frustration: "It's so late, so no one should be here."
Wei Ruyi glared at her husband and said, "What do you know? The later you go, the higher your ranking will be! If you wait a little longer, someone will probably come soon."
While talking, the sound of firecrackers suddenly came from outside, then the sound of jingling gongs, and then the sound of horse hooves.
Hearing the noisy sound getting closer and closer, the three members of the family had a premonition in their hearts. They couldn't help but get excited and looked outside the door.
On the thoroughfare in the distance, a stream of people celebrating the good news surrounded the procession, beating gongs and drums all the way. Seeing the leading reporter dismounting in front of his house, Wei Ruyi's heart was in his throat.
"Good news for Mr. Youyang Wei, he ranked first in the Jiangnan Provincial Examination in high school and won the title of Huangjia in the Beijing News!"
High school, or Jieyuan?
Oh my God!
Wei Ruyi felt her vision go dark and staggered a few steps. Fortunately, she was supported by Zhang Ming beside her, so she didn't make a fool of herself in public.
After a while, after confirming that his wife was fine, Zhang Ming left her to his son to take care of her. He went out and said to everyone, "I am from a small family. I have never seen the world, so I am making you laugh."
He has traveled extensively with Sheng Wei in the past two years and has gained some experience. It is not a problem to deal with such situations.
Everyone laughed and said: "From today on, you are the Jieyuan family. Who dares to call you a small family?"
Someone else joked: "This gate should be demolished too. Not only should the gate be demolished, but it should also be replaced with a new, more luxurious door!"
"Tear it down, we'll do it tomorrow!" Wei Ruyi, who had regained her composure, replied calmly, smiling from ear to ear.
While he was talking, there was the sound of horse hooves outside again, but it was the second and third reporting people who arrived, and the crackling of firecrackers kept going off.
After hearing the news, the neighbors came to see the excitement. Although they were not very familiar with Zhang Ming's family, they still came to the door to express their congratulations enthusiastically. The alleys were packed with people.
At this time, gongs and drums sounded, and more than a dozen government officials poured into the courtyard. The leader shouted: "Your Excellency, the county magistrate, is here to congratulate Mr. Wei on his liberation from high school!"
As he spoke, the sedan arrived at the door.
Zhang Ming bravely went forward and saw a middle-aged official wearing cloud boots and a seventh-grade official uniform stepping out of the sedan chair and entering the courtyard.
Behind him were several officials, big and small. Some were holding brand-new hats and hats, while others were holding a plaque with the word "Jie Yuan" written on it.
Zhang Ming and everyone present knelt down and kowtowed: "The common people pay homage to the county magistrate!"
Xu Zhiyuan, the magistrate of Jiangning County, stepped forward to help Zhang Ming up with a very kind expression. After all, he was a member of Jieyuan's family and he would not treat Zhang Ming casually.
After congratulating Zhang Ming a few words, Xuzhi County looked around, put his hands behind his hands and asked: "Where is Xinke Jieyuan?"
Zhang Ming's face was full of embarrassment, so he could only say truthfully: "Brother Chen went to Gongyuan early in the morning to look at the rankings, and he hasn't come back yet."
"That's it..."
Xu Zhixian sighed regretfully and was about to say something when he suddenly heard a commotion from the crowd gathered at the door.
"Excuse me, please give me some space, give me some space!" A young man in a t-shirt was leading a bookboy through the crowd with difficulty. It was Wei Chen who had just rushed home from Gongyuan.
Seeing this, Zhang Ming hurriedly shouted outside the door: "My brother Chen is here, please make way for me!"
"Is this Xinke Xie Yuanlang?"
After hearing this, everyone consciously moved out of the way and looked at the young man in front of them curiously.
Wei Chen crossed the crowd and walked into the courtyard. He first nodded to Zhang Ming, Wei Ruyi and the others, then walked to Xuzhi County and saluted: "My lord, Wei Chen, I have kept you waiting for a long time."
Xu Zhixian glanced at Wei Chen and secretly marveled in his heart. He had heard that Xinke Jieyuan was only fourteen years old. When he saw him today, he turned out to be a handsome young man.
Xuzhi County Chao Weichen returned the greeting and said: "I, Xu Zhiyuan, the magistrate of Jiangning County, congratulate my brother, God bless the fifth year of Jiangnan Province's liberation from Tai High School, and the Beijing News has been listed in Huangjia!"
Wei Chen was not flattered by being called brother by the magistrate, but replied neither humble nor arrogantly: "Thank you for your kind words from the magistrate."
"Brother, you're welcome."
Xuzhi County smiled faintly.
Those who hold the title of magistrate are qualified to become officials, and magistrates in many small counties are just the ones who have the title of jushi. Since Wei Chenzhong learned about the Yuan Dynasty, Xu Zhixian no longer regarded Wei Chen as a young junior, but as an official with the same status as himself.
Wei Chen and Xu Zhixian thought it was natural, but in the eyes of the onlookers, their jaws almost dropped.
Darling, a young boy who is not as good as a weakling can actually be called brother and sister to the honorable man of the county just because he won the title of Xie Yuan!
After spending ten years in a cold window with no one asking, he became famous all over the world in one fell swoop, nothing more than this!
Zhang Ming and Wei Ruyi watched Wei Chen's success after passing the imperial examination, and felt a little regretful. Shouldn't they have agreed to let Zhang Xu give up studying for the imperial examination?
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But then I thought about it, it was unknown whether Zhang Xu would be a scholar, let alone Jieyuan? It is more reliable to do business and make money in a down-to-earth manner. I felt relieved at the moment.
At this time, Xu Zhixian said: "I am the supervisor of the rural examination. Under the order of the president, I came to the door to present clothes and plaques. I asked Xinke Jieyuan to change clothes and went to the Gongyuan to receive the gift."
After saying that, the officials behind Xuzhi County waved their hands, and gongs and drums sounded again inside and outside the courtyard, firecrackers shook the sky, and the alleys and outside were filled with a festive atmosphere.
The plaque brought by Xuzhi County was hung high on the lintel, and the red silk covering it was uncovered, and the words "Jie Yuan" were seen shining with golden light, making people unable to open their eyes.
From the right, the small characters read Jiangnan Rural Examination in the fifth year of Tianyou's reign. In the middle are two large gold characters "Jie Yuan". On the lower left are Professor Liu Xun, the governor of Jiangnan.
At this time, Wei Chen had finished changing his clothes and put on a brand new official uniform.
Wearing a black gauze on her head, a round-collared black floral satin robe, a blue ribbon around her waist, and black boots, she had a completely new look.
Xu Zhixian smiled and cupped his hands and said, "Xie Yuanlang is really handsome. When I go to Gongyuan, I don't know how many girls are getting lovesick along the way."
After saying that, he looked at Zhang Ming and Wei Ruyi with a smile: "From now on, the matchmakers who come to your door are afraid of breaking the threshold, so you two have to keep an eye on it for Jie Yuanlang!"
