Chapter 96

"Brother, I want to enter the prefectural school," the crown prince said.

Every imperial examination would cause a stir throughout the Song Dynasty, from the imperial palace and the two councils down to the common people. Everyone's attention was drawn to the examination. To the point that Emperor Huizong's third son, Zhao Kai, and the later Emperor Kangxi both participated in the examination anonymously, and it was said that their results were quite good, one becoming the top scholar and the other the third-place winner.

People have a tendency to follow the crowd.

It was this excitement that led many to join the ranks of students without hesitation.

It seemed that the third brother was also moved, dissatisfied with the level of education at the private school, and wanted to enter the prefectural school.

"Third Brother, I ask you, why do you read books?"

"To be listed on the imperial examination board like Brother, to bring glory to the family."

Like me? Do you know how many books I read in my previous life? But what can I do, I have to guide you slowly.

"Third Brother, do you know how many students participate in each autumn examination?"

"I don't know."

"It is said that in recent sessions, more than 400,000 students have participated, but how many can be selected? Then, in the provincial and palace examinations, do you know how many candidates participate?"

"I don't know."

"In recent sessions, an average of more than 20,000 candidates have participated."

Not every autumn examination can produce more than 20,000 candidates; there are only a few thousand. The key is that more veteran candidates come to the capital to take the examination. If it weren't for the backward transportation, many candidates from remote areas, who might think they have little chance, would also come, making the number even larger.

"So many people?"

"Yes, but how many are called out at the Donghua Gate? Remember, all the participants are candidates, and there are very few who are just filling the ranks. Two-thirds of them have some learning. That's why I say that passing the autumn examination is almost certain, but passing the provincial and palace examinations is not."

"But..."

"I know you are confused. If you can pass, I will be very happy, and our late father, in his grave, would also be pleased to see two scholars in the family."

"Brother," the crown prince suddenly hugged Wang Ju and cried.

When he was young, he didn't understand, but now, as he gradually grew up, he realized how difficult it was for his brother to support the three of them.

"Stop, let's talk about your entering the prefectural school. It's best if you can be called out at the Donghua Gate. But if you can't, should you not read books? You should still read books. Only by reading can you open your mind, learn more, improve your life, and avoid being bullied. Therefore, in the Analects, there is not much about governing the country, but more about how to be a person, summarized in four words: apply what you learn!"

"That's why I often make you do things, to remind you of the fundamentals. Or to teach you some principles, to let you understand the warmth and coldness of human relationships. If you read books only for fame and fortune, you will lose the essence, and you might end up like Zhu Erlang. Although he has improved somewhat with me, he is still not enough and will have to suffer more before he can inherit the family business."

"Brother, I understand. When reading, one must study hard, but also have the right attitude. How to act and how to get along with others is also important."

"Exactly, that's my Third Brother." Wang Ju patted his head happily. After all, he was only eleven years old, and to say such a thing was not easy.

Actually, this was due to Emperor Zhenzong. In books, there are beauties and gold houses. If you pass the imperial examination, you will have everything, including beauties and mansions. But what if you don't pass?

Whether in education or reading, the true purpose is to enlighten the people. Wisdom generates creativity, and only then can the country and the nation progress.

However, now it is the opposite.

If this mindset does not change, even if Fan Zhongyan and Wang Anshi open ten thousand schools, the Song Dynasty will remain the same.

"The prefectural school in Yan Prefecture is also quite chaotic. I only went through the motions. Whether I will pass in the future, I won't go back. You are still young, with poor self-discipline. Entering the prefectural school might not be a good thing. Remember, if I succeed next year, you must follow me. If I don't succeed, I will find another way."

As he was speaking, the bailiffs outside struck the gong and shouted, "The list is out, the list is out."

"So soon?" Wang Ju was surprised. It had only been a few days.

"Brother, let's go see the list," the crown prince said.

"Okay," Wang Ju took his sister and brother to the prefectural school to see the list.

Many people had already gathered, not all of them students and their families, but also many who came to watch the excitement.

There were also many students in the city or even further away, who would be notified by the bailiffs. That would be even more exciting, and once the list was delivered, the whole village would be in an uproar.

The Zhu brothers came, the Li Wan yuan siblings came, and even Qin Shi brought her servants to watch the excitement.

Zhu Qi, with a delicate finger, said, "I congratulate you in advance, Little Scholar."

Wang Ju first took a few steps back. Zhu Qi's delicate finger was not to be trifled with.

"Zhu Scholar, I really can't say that."

"Are you not as good as my second brother?"

"Not necessarily. Seven parts depend on effort, three parts on fate, and there's also luck."

Qin Shi said, "Zhu Scholar, don't say that. We'll know once the list is out. If you don't pass, it will just invite ridicule."

Wang Ju nodded. For a candidate to pass, it was really hard to say about the top scholar.

Li Fei'er whispered, "Wang Scholar, who knows?"

"We can only say 'who knows,'" Wang Ju said. This was in Yan Prefecture. In other more developed cities, he wouldn't even dare to mention the top scholar.

Qin Shi said, "Wang Ju, don't forget, if you pass, you must go back to worship your ancestors' graves."

Are the Wang family's ancestors' graves Wang Ju's ancestors' graves? But as he stayed in the Song Dynasty longer, Wang Ju gradually integrated into the country, so he nodded.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. To live better in this world or to have a dream of making the country better, he had to integrate.

So he said, "If I pass, I will leave Yan Prefecture and ask Fei'er to go worship the ancestors' graves for me. Otherwise, Uncle will go to the south, and there will be no one to burn incense."

Li Fei'er's face immediately turned red.

Going to worship the Wang family's graves meant she would be going as the Wang family's daughter-in-law.

She then shyly hid behind Qin Shi, looking at Wang Ju with her big, watery eyes.

But Wang Ju liked this kind of innocent love, simple feelings, simple thoughts...

Qin Shi also liked it and said, "Your idea is good. One should be filial to the living and respectful to the dead. If you pass, you and Fei'er can go together to worship the ancestors' graves."

"Okay."

A few students nearby were listening, with mixed feelings. Some thought, "Do you really have the candidate reserved?"

That's not the case. Even without studying with Zhang Zai for more than two years, Wang Ju had confidence in passing the examination. But for the provincial and palace examinations, it was a different story.

Wang Ju also ignored their gazes. He had to be modest about the top scholar, but saying he wouldn't pass would be hypocritical.

Cheng Kan arrived with the bailiffs.

Actually, if one was very smart, they would notice Cheng Kan's emphasis on this examination.

The examination was held early, he personally presided over it, and today he personally posted the list, breaking all previous precedents in Yan Prefecture.

The crowd automatically parted, making a path.

Cheng Kan scanned the crowd with his eyes, saw Wang Ju, and came to his side, saying, "Wang Ju, after the list is posted, come with me."

"Yes."

Cheng Kan then said no more, leading the bailiffs to the wall of the prefectural school.

Zhu Qi said, "Little Scholar Wang, it looks good."

"That's not certain. Cheng Gong has summoned me several times before." In fact, Wang Ju also knew that he had done quite well, otherwise Cheng Kan's expression wouldn't be so pleasant. But before the list was posted, why say anything? Not saying wouldn't make the ranking disappear, and saying it wouldn't make it appear, and it would just make people think he was arrogant.

"Wang Scholar, I'm so nervous." Li Fei'er came to Wang Ju's side, holding his hand.

This was the first time she had held Wang Ju's hand. Feeling the softness and warmth of Li Fei'er's small hand, Wang Ju was somewhat amused. He had been thinking about whether to hold her hand a few days ago, and now he had done it in such a public setting.

But everyone was very nervous, watching the bailiffs' hands holding the red paper, and no one noticed.

Wang Ju was also very nervous. Although he had advised his third brother, he himself had to leave a footprint at the Donghua Gate to protect his younger siblings.

A bailiff applied rice flour paste to the wall, and the one holding the list slowly unfolded it. The other two bailiffs held the corners to post it.

PS: Thank you to ivan2008 for the 588 coins and to 恋过后优雅转身 for the 100 coins.

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