I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 112 Steady Victory
"Can you still eat?" Gu Yuan glared angrily at Zhan Feiyu, who was feasting, thinking of the challenge she gave Wan Yunhao, Gu Yuan wished he could take the chopsticks from her hand.

"Brother Xiaoyuan, it's not easy for the teacher to grab the food, so I naturally want to eat more." Zhan Feiyu raised his lips and smiled, with the satisfaction of enjoying the delicious food alone.

The corners of her mouth were bubbling with anger, but she still wanted to eat!Gu Yuan spoke indiscriminately, "Do you know that Wan Yunhao is a juren! Once you lose, do you want the adults to accept him as a disciple? No, you will definitely lose! You are just messing around with the reputation of the adults! "

Zhan Feiyu is smart, talented, and diligent in studying. Gu Yuan finally accepted her as Gu Qingzhou's disciple. Who would have thought that Gu Qingzhou would only leave for half a day, and Zhan Feiyu would cause a catastrophe.

"As the teacher's disciple, how could I lose?" With a raised chin, Zhan Feiyu said firmly.

It's a pity that Gu Yuan didn't believe it at all. He gave her a vicious look and left angrily. He only hoped that Gu Qingzhou would come back quickly to deal with the trouble Zhan Feiyu caused.

Everyone believed that Zhan Feiyu was sensationalizing, and also firmly believed that Master Gu never accepted her as a disciple, otherwise she would give up Master Gu as a teacher just for the sake of a dispute?

Compared to Zhan Feiyu, who started to study after dinner, Wan Yunhao, who had rented a small courtyard, was in a state of uneasy mood at this moment. The broad road was in front of him, but Wan Yunhao felt inexplicably uneasy.

"Brother-in-law, hasn't uncle arrived yet?" Qin Ye sullenly glanced at Wan Yunhao, but he didn't know how to restrain the jealousy in his eyes.

When the news of the challenge book got out, these scholars in Shangsi County wished they could replace them. As long as they won Zhan Feiyu, they would be able to learn from Master Gu.

Qin Ye was the most talented junior of the Qin family, and was given high hopes by the family. After all, no matter how talented Wan Yunhao was, he was only the son-in-law of the Qin family, with a foreign surname.

Before Qin Ye grew up, the Qin family would train Wan Yunhao, but this was just to pave the way for Qin Ye, and the family's resources and connections would only be placed on Qin Ye in the future.

But the resources and contacts can be recovered, but if Wan Yunhao is a teacher of Gu Qingzhou, Qin Ye will not be able to catch up with him in the future, how can he not be jealous?
As if he didn't notice the jealousy and dissatisfaction in Qin Ye's eyes, Wan Yunhao said in a gentle voice: "Father-in-law is old, so he can only travel in a carriage, and it must be soon."

After waiting for less than a stick of incense, the servant hurried in to report, Qin Ye stood up and ran outside without waiting for Wan Yunhao.

"Uncle." Qin Ye looked happily at Patriarch Qin who got off the carriage. Although he was young, he had been taught by his father and uncles, and he was wary of Wan Yunhao's closeness. Seeing Patriarch Qin, Qin Ye seemed to have found the backbone.

Patriarch Qin was tall and thin, with a short beard, and his movements revealed the elegance and calmness of a Confucian scholar.

"Father-in-law." Wan Yunhao, who came over a step later, saluted respectfully, "I've been exhausted all the way, can father-in-law have dinner?"

"Let's go in and talk." Patriarch Qin glanced at Wan Yunhao thoughtfully, then patted Qin Ye's head lovingly, and the group entered the other courtyard.

On weekdays, Patriarch Qin would take at least half an hour to wash up, but today, Patriarch Qin went to the small hall where he received guests after a quarter of an hour. ?”

"Uncle, can Zhan Feiyu still win?" Qin Ye asked eagerly, wishing he could take Wan Yunhao's place in the competition, and after winning, Master Gu could take him as his apprentice.

Patriarch Qin glanced at Qin Ye gravely, "Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, but his color remained unchanged, and the elk rose to the left, but his eyes did not blink. Ah Ye, guard against arrogance and impetuosity!"

"Yes, Uncle, I've made a note." Qin Ye, who had been yelling anxiously, seemed to be slapped in the face. Although he was still jealous of Wan Yunhao's good luck and eager to learn from Master Gu, he calmed down a bit. He bowed his head and admitted his mistake.

Patriarch Qin was very satisfied with Qin Ye's attitude, looked at Wan Yunhao and continued, "Zhan Feiyu's scheming city is stronger than ordinary people. Since she dares to challenge, she must be sure of victory."

Wan Yunhao thought about it for a few hours, and he also had the same opinion, "The challenge book didn't specify what to compete for, but I am a juren, and Zhan Feiyu is just a boy who has only been in school for less than a year. I won, and I won. It's not martial; if I lose, my reputation will be ruined."

This challenge is not a good thing for Wan Yunhao, but the key is that he can't refuse the bet. If he wins, he can learn from Master Gu. From then on, he doesn't have to fight with Qin Jiaxu.
"Brother-in-law, you are spoiling your own prestige by abusing others' ambition! The so-called competition is nothing more than four scriptures, five-character and eight-rhyme poems, five scriptures, and policy questions, or edicts, judgments, tables, and edicts. No matter what you compare, brother-in-law Maybe lose to Zhan Feiyu."

Qin Ye didn't think that Wan Yunhao would lose at all, it could even be said that he would win, otherwise Qin Ye wouldn't be so jealous.

"Zhan Feiyu is proficient in arithmetic, and even the county magistrate is ashamed of himself." Wan Yunhao's arithmetic is average. The reason why he only got No. 2 in the local examination back then was because he lost in a math problem.

Patriarch Qin picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. He always knew that this son-in-law had a calm mind, and now it seems that this is indeed the case, "If you only compare arithmetic, Zhan Feiyu is not good at martial arts. She sent the challenge letter with great fanfare, but her real purpose is In order to scare the chickens and monkeys, step on you, the youngest recruiter in Nanxuan Mansion, to make a name for yourself."

"Maybe it's because of the grudge between me and Zhao Jiaoyu." Wan Yunhao smiled bitterly. He had felt Zhan Feiyu's undisguised hostility before, and she had never been so hostile towards Tong Xu.

"Zhan Feiyu has a photographic memory. Leaving aside arithmetic, if you take an examination of the scriptures, your chances of winning are not great." Patriarch Qin talked about the competition again.

Wan Yunhao has been actively preparing for the exam. Although he has read many books, it has been 20 years since he was enlightened. As for the question, Wan Yunhao cannot guarantee that he will write every word well.

The scripture questions are like filling in the blanks and dictation in modern test papers. The examiner selects a page from the scriptures and prints a line on the test paper. According to this line of text, candidates must fill in the context associated with it.

Qin Ye, who had always believed that Wan Yunhao had a sure chance of winning, stared in astonishment. If he was allowed to answer dozens or even hundreds of scripture questions within the limited time, in terms of proficiency, he probably would not be able to win against Zhan Fei, who had an unforgettable memory. fish.

"Uncle, so Zhan Feiyu has a better chance of winning if it is compared to arithmetic and scriptures?" Qin Ye couldn't help asking, with an ugly face, "Then if it is compared to poetry, Zhan Feiyu let Gu Dashi If you catch her with a knife, isn't brother-in-law doomed?"

No matter how talented Wan Yunhao is, he is still far behind Gu Qingzhou. If Zhan Feiyu is shameless, he can ask Master Gu to compose poems for her in advance.

The head of the Qin family looked solemn. Even though he was on guard against Wan Yunhao, he was still the son-in-law of the Qin family. He was both prosperous and hurt. If Wan Yunhao lost to Zhan Feiyu, he would also lose the face of the Qin family.

"Zhan Feiyu is young, and the schooling time is short. It is basically impossible to test official documents such as imperial edicts, judgments, forms, and imperial edicts." Patriarch Qin estimates that even if there is a competition, it will only be about art and literature, and the possibility of making decisions It's not that big, after all, Ce Wen is about the countermeasures of the national economy and the people's livelihood, not the talent for reading.

"Father-in-law, if Master Gu chooses to help Zhan Feiyu, I may have a very small chance of winning." Wan Yunhao never thought that a letter of challenge would push him into such a desperate situation.

He could only be better than Zhan Feiyu in making art and literature, but if he lost in mathematics, scriptures, and poetry, he would still lose in the end. At this moment, Wan Yunhao finally understood Zhan Feiyu's ruthlessness.

On the other side, the guest room of Taifu Restaurant.

"Father, it would be great if Zhan Feiyu gave me this challenge letter. Once I become a teacher of Master Gu, how dare Zhang Zhifu restrain us in every way!" Tong Xu walked back and forth in the room, restless and restless, with an expression of eager hatred. Can't replace Wan Yunhao to compete.

Tong Tongzhi's face was gloomy, he didn't have a good rest these days, and today he received the news and hurried to Shangsi County, his body was full of exhaustion, and his voice was hoarse and ugly, "I can't be stupid!"

"Huh?" Tong Xu who was scolded was stunned for a moment.

"Zhan Feiyu handed over movable type printing to the imperial court in exchange for the opportunity to become Gu Dashi's apprentice. Such a scheming little girl, do you think she is stupid? Why did she dare to challenge Wan Yunhao? That's for sure." If you do, you won't lose!"

Tong Tongzhi looked at his eldest son, who was not enlightened, with a bit of talent in reading, but in terms of scheming, he couldn't compare to Wan Yunhao, and now he couldn't even compare to a little girl!

Tong Xu thought for a while, and asked under the stern gaze of his colleague, "Father, how could Zhan Feiyu win? Even I can't win against Wan Yunhao."

No matter how much he doesn't like Wan Yunhao, a hypocrite, Tong Xu also knows that he is full of knowledge and talents. Even if Zhan Feiyu is a Confucian sage, she has been studying for less than a year, how could she beat Wan Yunhao who is already a man.

As soon as the challenge letter came out, almost everyone believed that Wan Yunhao would undoubtedly win, but there were also smart people who thought about it after calming down and noticed the mystery.

……

June [-], sunny.

"Every man is a master of the ages, and a word is the law of the world." Gu Qingzhou looked at Zhan Feiyu standing in front of him, and said with a smile: "If this competition is only about making art and writing, I think you will definitely win. "

"Isn't that invincible in victory?" Zhan Feiyu raised his eyebrows triumphantly, and said with a smile: "Since you want to win, you must convince Wan Ju's heart. You can choose three out of four. As long as you do a little help, teacher, I will help you." It's a win."

Leaving aside arithmetic and posting questions, poetry is Zhan Feiyu's shortcoming. Gu Qingzhou put down the article and said meaningfully: "Are you asking the teacher to reveal the topic of the art?"

Standing in the corner, Gu Yuan sullenly sullenly, this is cheating!If it spreads out, your lord's reputation will be ruined for the rest of his life.

But if you don't understand the question clearly, Zhan Feiyu will definitely lose. Do you want the adults to accept Wan Yunhao as a disciple?
Zhan Feiyu shook his head and laughed, and said in a mysterious way: "No and no."

"Speak well!" Gu Qingzhou slapped Zhan Feiyu on the forehead. He is not a big man, but he can mess around.

"I will definitely lose in the art test!" Zhan Feiyu still had some self-knowledge, pulled a chair and sat down beside Gu Qingzhou, "Teacher, why don't we test the strategy this time, I have a prescription in my hand."

Gu Qingzhou squinted his eyes, thinking that the recipe that could make a broken child so embarrassing, I'm afraid it's not a small matter.

Gu Qingzhou made a gesture without moving his expression, and then asked: "If you want my teacher to cheat for you, it depends on how much the prescription is worth."

"The price of salt from fifty renminbi has been reduced to five renminbi, what are you doing, teacher?" Zhan Feiyu narrowed his eyes with a smile, and he was absolutely endlessly chattering.

Standing up after a while, Gu Qingzhou suppressed the fluctuating emotions, and after thinking about it for a moment, he understood, "Do you have a new recipe for making salt?"

Although the imperial court levied salt taxes by distributing salt, which enriched the national treasury, salt merchants controlled the price of salt. If corrupt officials and profiteers colluded, the price of salt could even be sold at a price of one hundred cents per catty.

Compared with the money earned by salt merchants by raising salt prices and exploiting them, the salt tax levied by the imperial court is only one out of ten, but the salt merchants are backed by either court officials or local wealthy families. The salt merchants exchanged what they needed, and they colluded together like a monolith, which the court could not pry at all.

In the previous dynasty, Emperor Min lamented that the people were hard-pressed and could not even afford salt. He once killed a group of salt merchants. At that time, blood flowed like rivers, and the price of salt fell all the way.

But in less than a year, the price of salt has risen slowly again. Money can make ghosts grind, and the new salt merchants have become evil ghosts who exploit the people in order to make money.

"If this policy issue is about the salt price of salt merchants, I will definitely be able to write a good policy theory." Zhan Feiyu straightened her small body, and she also went all out to cheat.

"Teacher." Looking at the pensive Gu Qingzhou, Zhan Feiyu lowered his voice and said, "Actually, for the sake of fairness, the teacher shouldn't ask you to come up with the question, why don't you choose a political opponent?"

Looking at Zhan Feiyu with a thief-like face, Gu Qingzhou laughed in a good mood, "You are right, the teacher should avoid suspicion, let those stubborn old ones come up with this question."

The master and apprentice looked at each other with a smile, their expressions were as sinister as they wanted, as adults, they naturally had to have their cake and eat it too!Gaining fame and fortune is the best policy!
……

The competition was originally scheduled to be held on June [-]th, but in the past two days there have been rumors that Zhan Feiyu dared to submit the challenge letter, but because he knew the topic of the competition from Master Gu, he was sure of winning.

Doctor Ji looked at Zhan Feiyu who was sitting in the lobby of Leshan Residence, eating breakfast leisurely, "If you dare to come here, you won't be afraid of being torn apart."

"A gentleman speaks but doesn't move. We are all scholars, so we wouldn't be so rude." Zhan Feiyu took a sip of soy milk, dipped fried dumplings in vinegar, and continued to eat slowly.

Doctor Ji didn't bother to care anymore, he was here, and he would not let those people kill the little girl.

The news of Zhan Feiyu's stay in Leshanju spread throughout Shangsi County as if he had grown wings. Everyone in the inns and houses, big and small, had already ignored breakfast and rushed to Leshanju. It was a huge sensation.

(End of this chapter)