After coming out of Gongyuan, all the candidates, including Zhou Bai, seemed to be reborn. They breathed in the fresh air outside and greedily enjoyed the long-lost freedom.
Some people may not understand and think these scholars are pretentious.
But anyone who has completed the nine-day exam there will sneer at such a layman and only want to give him a big sinus.
According to the official timetable of the nine-day cattle farming test, there are only two nights in the middle, which are the candidates' self-adjustment time. And will anyone really waste those two nights?
Of course, the candidates at this time would not argue with some idle people. They would come together in twos and threes to discuss the questions in these three exams.
Some regretted getting their answers wrong, while others were complacent because of their high accuracy, but most people complained.
They complained that the nine-day continuous examination could not bring out their best, and complained that the questions set by the imperial court this time were too biased and too difficult. The "Tao" poems and the discussion of "long-term stability of the dynasty" were all topics that could not have appeared before.
Even the Taoist scripture questions in the last session were more difficult than those in previous provincial examinations. You must know that the level of candidates in Dingzhou was far inferior to those of the "top testers" in Neizhou.
Zhou Bai stood on the side of the street for a while, observing the students' various behaviors after the exam. He also found it quite interesting and even prepared to go in to learn more.
After all, at this time, he could hear the most sincere inner voice of the vast number of Dingzhou scholars.
In his eyes, it was as if a large piece of luck had been dug out of everyone's body, and it was still flowing out at an extremely slow speed.
Looking at the sky, Gongyuan has become the core of Dingzhou in a short period of time. The power of the dynasty's legal network has gathered here, continuously drawing the luck of the vast number of scholars.
If Zhou Bai's Qi-Watching Technique were one level higher, he could even see the veins transporting Qi in the French Network. Some of them were used to repair and improve himself, and more were transported from the Dragon Head Divine Capital tens of thousands of miles away.
"Brother Zhou! Brother Zhou, don't leave in a hurry!" Just before Zhou Bai merged into the crowd, two excited shouts stopped him.
Looking back, it was Yu Ji and Ma Liang, and the loudest one was Ma Liang.
They were unkempt and withered faces, looking miserable as they had just come off the battlefield.
At this time, Yu Ji no longer had the energy to gossip. Only Ma Liang looked at Zhou Bai and marveled: "You are worthy of being the chief executive of a county. After three exams, he is still calm and relaxed, and his style has not diminished."
Zhou Bai smiled brightly: "Brother Ma is not bad either. Do you think you are confident?"
"No, it's our first time for Brother Yu and I to come here to learn more. This time it really gave us a wake-up call. The Provincial Examination is not easy!" Ma Liang also became melancholy after nine days of hard work. Full of arms.
Yu Ji cupped his hands in greeting, looked at Zhou Bai seriously and said, "Brother Zhou, should he be able to directly win the honor?"
Zhou Bai pondered for a moment and said: "It's not bad, I should be able to win without any accident."
"Then congratulations to Brother Zhou in advance..." Yu Ji's face was half happy and half lonely.
Before exchanging a few words, Qi Hua found Zhou Bai again.
Looking at the two people who stood out among the crowd of candidates with outstanding manners, Yu Ji's thoughts became more complicated.
While Zhou Bai and Qi Hua were talking, Yu Ji took the nervous Ma Liang and left quietly.
As usual, there were several guards hanging behind Qi Hua, but Zhou Bai was not bad either. Yao Ping and Yao An strictly followed the tracking rules and hid in the crowd and followed him quietly.
Zhou Bai and Qi Hua didn't talk about anything else. Qi Hua was mostly asking him how to answer various questions in the exam. After a conversation, he felt at ease.
Qi Hua was able to answer most of the questions correctly, and even in the two most important parts of poetry and policy theory, he could reach the level of a scholar.
Zhou Bai was not curious, Tangtang County hoped that his legitimate son would have such strength.
Moreover, at the Tingshan Poetry Festival, Qi Hua obviously got enough opportunities from the mountain god. He guessed that this opportunity was probably related to Wen Si, otherwise he would not have been in trouble now.
Unknowingly, the two of them were approaching Zhou Bai's residence, and Qi Hua asked at the right time: "You're not in a hurry to leave the city after the exam, are you?"
"Take a few days to rest, walk around the city, and wait until the results are released before going on a study tour further afield." Zhou Bai did not hide his itinerary when facing his friends.
Qi Hua stopped and said solemnly: "Then if you are not tired, how about coming with me to meet an elder tomorrow?"
Zhou Bai was stunned. Could it be Qi Hua's Shaoqing father Qi Wenyan?
"Your father has been sent to Dingzhou to serve as an official? Then I should pay him a visit. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"No, my father went to Neizhou, but this time the person who comes to Dingzhou is also the same year as his old man. We can go and pay homage to the dock." Qi Hua shook his head and said.
This was to introduce him to political resources. Although he could not match up with Qi Wenyan, the benefits of getting to know an elder in the state were needless to say.
After agreeing on a time, the two said goodbye to each other. There was a lot to do tomorrow.
…
The next day, the Mid-Autumn Festival of the 46th year of Xiangxing arrived on time. Because the city of Dingzhou, which had been under martial law for nine days for the rural examination, was completely relaxed, the streets and alleys were bustling with lanterns and colorful lights everywhere.
The carnival scholars spent money like water, went to the fireworks place, and got drunk in restaurants. In short, before they knew the results, they were still equal in status.
Given Zhou Bai's character, he couldn't let go of everything and follow the carnival.
After checking and reporting Yao Ping and Yao An's results during this period, he got on Qi Hua's carriage and drove all the way to Cai Mansion.
Zhou Bai, who had done his homework, knew that this was the residence of Mr. Cai Feng, the new left counselor of Dingzhou.
The mansion is not luxurious, but it has blue bricks and black tiles. It has three courtyards. When you walk in, there are rugged rocks and towering ancient trees.
This was not bought by Cai Feng himself, but the compensation given by the court when he devolved Dingzhou as an official. After all, in the eyes of many Beijing officials, Dingzhou and other border states were always the worst group.
This "Cai Mansion" has been the residence of many senior officials of the state government, and it has already cultivated the atmosphere of Huangtang, just like a standard Huangzhai airs.
Zhou Bai can feel the difference between this kind of noble house and other ordinary houses through just a cursory inspection. People who live here all the time will have smooth thoughts and feel relaxed and happy every moment.
Back house, living room.
Cai Feng was wearing silver hair, wearing a home robe, smiling, and his eyes seemed weak, but he kept observing Zhou Bai and Qi Hua.
A person in his fifties who can consult from the fourth level is definitely not an ordinary person.
"I've met Mr. Cai." Seeing their master arriving, the two of them quickly stood up and said hello respectfully.
Qi Hua also knew the importance of this person in Dingzhou in the future. If he was willing to support the Qi family, it would be a great opportunity. Therefore, he fully used the ethics passed down by his family and sat upright.
"The last time I met Nephew Qi Xian was when Cai traveled to Dingzhou ten years ago, right?" Cai Feng smiled and nodded in response, then asked first.
Qi Hua cupped his hands and said in agreement: "I did meet you ten years ago. I'm sorry to bother Mr. Cai, but my father often mentions you in my nephew's ears."
"Your father is luckier than me. Neizhou is rich and stable."
"But that's not necessarily true, hahaha. Who wouldn't want to go back to his hometown and serve as an official? Don't you think so, little friend?" Cai Feng changed the subject and pointed at Zhou Bai.
Zhou Bai was well prepared and replied in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "Serving as an official will bring benefits to one party. Uncle Qi will surely feel at ease knowing that it is Mr. Cai who is serving in Dingzhou."
Cai Feng observed Zhou Bai, and Zhou Bai was actually observing him secretly.
This Duke of Cai was past the age of knowing his destiny, but his luck was at its peak. The strong Huangtang Qi formed a protective auspicious cloud, covering him firmly.
Moreover, the noble state spirit of blue color is also drawn from time to time. It is not much, but it can also prove Cai Feng's status in Dingzhou.
The two most important deputy officials of the governor are the fourth-rank right counselor and the fourth-rank left counselor. These two can naturally share the luck of some states.
His fortune is positive and he has an aggressive tendency towards the outside world. This person did not come to Dingzhou to retire.
"Hahaha, little friend, I am a bit unfamiliar. I wonder whose young master he is, his conversational skills are extraordinary." Cai Feng laughed loudly.
"This boy Zhou Bai is from the Bei'an Township clan and makes you laugh."
"It turns out it's you, the leader of Bei'an County this term. Heroes are born in young people, and heroes are born in young people..."
After learning about Zhou Bai's background, Cai Feng not only did not dislike him, but became even more enthusiastic. The two children and one old man chatted and seemed very harmonious.
After a long time, it was getting dark, and it was almost time for the Cai family to reunite and prepare to enjoy the moon. Qi Hua and Zhou Bai wanted to leave first in a very dignified manner.
Unexpectedly, Cai Feng left Zhou Bai alone, as if he still had something to explain.
"After Zhou Xiaoyou was registered as a famous scholar, he didn't get his name yet, right?" Cai Feng looked at Zhou Baidao with a look of great appreciation.
Zhou Baidu responded to his several conversation tests just now very appropriately, not like a country boy from a rural background at all.
He has talents and tools, which are completely worth cultivating, and the key is that he also wants to use this to win over the Qi family.
Don't be too direct, just use Zhou Bai as the link.
The Qi family needed someone in the state to support them, and when Cai Feng first came to Dingzhou, he also needed political support from local wealthy families.
"My parents died young and I don't have a teacher to support me, so I haven't chosen the title yet. If Cai Gong doesn't give up, you can give me the title Zijian." Zhou Bai bowed his hands in salute and expressed his thoughts.
When Cai Feng heard this, his expression suddenly turned ugly. He looked down upon you by picking the words for you. You actually prepared the words yourself early. What else is this called picking the words for?
Yes, what Zhou Bai wants to achieve is cooperation, not the name of master and apprentice. Otherwise, future rebellions will be limited by this.
At that point, any luck involved may have an unpredictable effect on the launch of major events.
Besides, the meaning of "Jian" just complements the meaning of Zhou Bai's name, and there is nothing inappropriate about it.
Seeing that Cai Feng was silent for a long time, Zhou Bai added: "Why don't you wait a few more days and the Guilin List is down. What do you think?"
In the end, facing the confident Zhou Bai, Cai Feng agreed to wait until the ranking was announced. He was still broad-minded enough.
If Zhou Baizhong had Jieyuan, he would naturally take the nickname Zijian. In the eyes of outsiders, they are from the same faction, but in fact they are independent cooperative relationships.
If it was just an ordinary lift or even miss, then Zhou Bai would roll as far as he could.
It was night, the moon was bright and shining, the city was full of families, and only the scholars from all over the country who were stranded here hugged each other for warmth.
