Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 59 Departure to the County

On the first day of February, gongs and drums were played on the wharf of Mudu Town, and the sky was full of excitement. A group of young young people danced with lions, causing groups of children to run after them. It was as lively as New Year's Eve.

Although the next day is the Spring Festival, the bustle on the pier today is not because of the arrival of the festival.

A long red banner was hung on the crossbar of the pier, and a line of big characters was written on it: "I wish the prodigy of Mudu Town every success and win glory for the town!" '

The triennial selection contest for county officials in Wu County kicked off. This is a big event for every township. They will hold various ceremonies to encourage their children to stand out and win glory for the town.

Child prodigies have a particularly high status in the hearts of the people of the Song Dynasty, because every family has children, and parents dream that their children can also become child prodigies.

Therefore, the triennial county official selection contest affects the hearts of thousands of households and attracts the attention of the people of Wu County.

There are seven schools in Mudu Town, but only two schools are eligible to participate in the county magistrate selection competition. This is related to the quality of the schools and the number of students admitted to the county school.

One is the school run by the town government, and the other is the Yanying School.

Although Yanying School is one of the four great schools, its students come from all over Pingjiang Prefecture. There are not many students in Mudu Town, but the school run by the town government is a pure school for children.

Among the five students participating in this year's Yanying Academy, two are from Mudu Town, plus three students from the government-run school, a total of five students represent Mudu Town in the competition.

Today was to see the five of them off, and almost all the well-known gentry in the town rushed to the pier.

There are two boats covered with red silk flowers parked on the pier, and a large flag is erected on it, "Mudu Town Prodigy".

Fan Ning is wearing a brand-new blue satin uniform today, with a gauze cap on his head and a leather belt around his waist, which looks extraordinarily energetic and extraordinary.

Behind him was Zhu Pei, who was wearing the same attire. Yanying Academy was the four-seed team in the county test selection competition. They were drawn blue, and all participating students wore uniform blue uniforms for the battle.

Standing next to them were three participating students from the school run by the town government. They didn't have uniform attire. They each wore the same brand-new robes, but the colors and styles were different, and they looked a little messy.

Zhu Yuanfu, as the representative of the country gentry, read aloud a passionate call for war.

"In the early spring of the eighth year of Qingyuan, the cold wind was bitter, and the spirit was high in the sky. The five child prodigies in Mudu Town shouldered the trust of eight thousand fathers and elders, and they set off generously with great ambitions..."

Fan Ning was absent-mindedly listening to Zhu Yuanfu's impassioned speech, but his eyes glanced at a long row of tables beside him. There were five wine cups on the table, and a squire was pouring wine into the tea cups.

Another young man carried a big rooster, cut the rooster's throat with a knife, and dripped the blood of the rooster into the wine cup.

The corners of Fanning's mouth twitched. Could this be the origin of the allusion of "beating chicken blood"?
Later, Zhu Pei covered his mouth with nausea, and whispered to Fan Ning: "Dumb, you can drink that wine for me later!"

Fan Ning rolled his eyes, he still doesn't know who to ask for replacement?

Zhu Yuanfu's mouth was dry after reading, and he finally finished reading a long article written by someone.

A villager shouted: "The auspicious time is here, get ready to go!"

Zhu Yuanfu stepped forward, two country gentry handed him chicken blood wine, he handed the first wine to Fan Ning,

"Fan Shaolang, you are our town's greatest hope, and I hope you can become the third county magistrate of our Mudu Town."

“Students must do their best to fight for it!”

"Come on! Drink this wine and get on board!"

When Fan Ning took the wine cup, a strong smell of coquettishness came to his face, which made him almost throw away the wine cup.

He had no choice but to pinch his nose, hold his breath, and forcibly drank the chicken blood wine, a hot breath rose from his stomach.

It's still [-]% Pingjiang Bridge wine.

Seeing Zhu Yuanfu picking up another glass of wine, Fan Ning hesitated and said, "Give me Zhu Pei's wine too!"

A flash of approval flashed in Zhu Yuanfu's eyes, he laughed and said, "No, let her drink it herself!"

The squire served the second cup of chicken blood wine, the pungent smell made Jupe take a step back in fear, and looked at Fanning pitifully.

Fan Ning had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "Let me drink it for her!"

Zhu Yuanfu had no choice but to hand over the wine cup to Fan Ning. Fan Ning held his breath and held back the pungent smell, took the wine cup and drank it down in one gulp.

There was applause all around.

The five teenagers drank Zhuangxing wine one by one and bowed to all the squires. Amidst the warm cheers, the five teenagers boarded two big boats covered with ribbons and red flowers.

They stood at the bow of the boat and bid farewell with fists in their hands, quite a bit of a solemn and stirring scene.

The two big ships set off slowly and sailed towards Xujiang amidst the sound of gongs and drums.

． ． ． ． ． ． ． ．
Fanning and Jupe were in the second boat.

This time Yanying Academy is going to two teams. Yesterday, three middle school students left with Director Liu. They will form the main team of Yanying Academy.

Including Xu Ji, Lu Youwei, and Wu Jian, they were the second, third, and fourth in the annual examination last year, and they form a team, which is expected by everyone in Yanying Academy.

Although Fan Ning was the first in the exam, he was a student in the lower dormitory after all, he was still young, and he was accompanied by a young lady, so everyone didn't think highly of them.

Even Dean Liu and other professors, they unanimously decided to designate the three middle school students as the main team, and Fan Ning and Zhu Pei as the deputy team, as a supplement to the main team.

The original purpose of the county magistrate selection contest was to select talented youngsters who represented the county to participate in the boy's test, and then cultivate them.

However, due to the existence of group competition among schools, it has actually become a three-year literary competition between schools, which is related to the ranking of each school.

Fanning usually sits on the bow of a boat, and he likes the feeling of the gentle wind blowing against his face, but today, the river wind is still a bit chilly, so he has to sit on the bow.

The area covered by the big sword girl is too wide, plus Zhu Pei is carrying dozens of luggage in large and small bags, and a personal maid, so there is no place for him in the small boat canopy.

They went to the county town together with a young teaching assistant who ran errands. Fan Ning came to the school to report on the first day and met this teaching assistant.

His name is Pei Guang, he is from Changzhou County, and his family background is moderate. Three years ago, he passed the examination, but failed in the provincial examination in the capital city. So he applied for a job as a teaching assistant in Yanying Academy, earning money to support his family while studying.

Pei Guang was preparing to take the imperial examination for the second time last autumn, but his father passed away, so he had to give up the exam, and kept a filial piety for his father at home, preparing to take the exam three years later.

Pei Guang's name is a bit awkward, but he can't change it because of his parents, so he usually calls him by his nickname, 'dry fire'.

This is a hexagram that his father calculated for him when he was born, Qianhuo Kunshui, Qiangua, Tianxingjian, Huye.

It means, Tian Xingjian, a gentleman strives for self-improvement.

It still sounds a bit awkward though.

Pei Guang sat on the bow of the boat and explained to Fan Ning some rules of the selection competition.

"The selection competition is divided into two parts, one is a team competition, and the other is an individual competition. There are seven days of competition in total. The competition venue is the county school, and the county magistrate Li will take the exam."

Fan Ning thought for a while and asked, "Brother Pei just mentioned the Four Great Halls, can you tell me more in detail?"

Pei Guang smiled slightly, "The four major schools in Wu County, the School Affiliated to the County School, the Yuqing School in Sutai Town, the Yanying School in Mudu Town, and the Changqing School in Changqiao Town, we are ranked third.

The County Scholars Selection Competition has been held five times in total. The first time our Yanying Academy won the first place. The second and third times were won by the affiliated schools of the county school. That is, three years ago, Yuqing Academy won the championship. "

Pei Guang sighed, "It's been 15 years, and our Yanying Academy has never won the first prize. Yesterday, the headmaster specially went to pay homage to the old headmaster. He is bound to win this trial."

"Dumb, what are you talking about?"

Jupe came out of the boat tent sleepily. She was a little excited last night and didn't sleep well. She was trying to make up for sleep after getting on the boat.

Fan Ning said with a smile: "We are studying the enemy's situation, should we study it together?"

"Okay!"

Zhu Pei smiled and sat down cross-legged: "I heard from my grandfather that there is a new rule this time. It is divided into two areas, A and B. The A area is a strong team, and the B area is relatively weak. We are likely to divide In District B."

Fan Ning slapped his fist and said excitedly: "This is a good thing! Let's be assigned to the weak zone!"

"What's the matter!"

Zhu Pei rolled his eyes at him, "There are three places in the semi-finals in District A, and only one in District B. It will only kill more fiercely."

Fan Ning turned his eyes, and turned to the topic he was interested in, "The soldiers and horses have not moved, and the food and grass go first. Let's talk about the logistics first! Brother Pei, how are our living conditions? How is the food?"

Zhu Pei curled his lips, "You only care about eating and sleeping, what's the difference with a pig? From now on, I'll call you Fan Xiaozhu, hehe! It sounds better than Fan Dadai."

Fan Ning was lying on the deck, with his hands behind his head, crossed his legs and said leisurely: "I am Fan Xiaozhu, you are Pei Xiaozhu, we will become a pig male and a pig woman, no! Brother pig and pig brother."

Zhu Pei was startled, and then his face turned red, and he rushed forward to strangle him, "You stupid pig, fan idiot, how dare you call me a pig, see if I don't strangle you to death!"

Fan Ning was pinned by her on the bow of the boat and he begged for mercy, "Big sister, little yamen, stop pushing, I'm going to fall into the river!"

At this time, the canopy of the boat was opened a crack, and the Sword Woman took a look, then retracted her head and went to sleep.

． ． ． ． ． ． ．

The boat entered Wu County directly and stopped under the Jingxian Bridge. The competition was about to start the day after tomorrow, and students from various schools arrived by boat one after another.

The bridge and the banks were full of officials and gentry who came from all over the county to pay their respects to the child prodigies. There was a lot of discussion, and someone shouted: "The child prodigies from Yanying Academy and Yuqing Academy are here!"

The crowd looked up one after another.

When Fan Ning's boat docked, it happened that several participating teams from the school arrived at the same time, and the pier suddenly became lively.

At this time, a large ship docked first, and a middle-aged Confucian scholar came down first, with a big hooked nose and cold eyes.

The five participating students behind him got off the boat one by one. They were all eleven or twelve-year-old boys. The duffle bag is exactly the same.

The surrounding students and the gentry watching the excitement applauded. Pei Guang said to Fan Ning and Zhu Pei, "This is Yuqing Academy in Sutai Town. They won the leader last time."

Fan Ning has already seen that there is a pennant on the big ship with the words 'Yu Qingtang' written on it.

"Dumb, who is the team leader with the big nose? He looks so fierce!" Zhu Pei asked.

"I don't know either?" Fanning shook his head.

Pei Guang laughed quickly and said, "His name is Cheng Zhuo, and he is the principal of Yu Qingtang. He is famous for protecting his weaknesses, and he is also cunning and treacherous. In the fourth prodigy competition, they won with surprise soldiers."

Zhu Pei glanced at Fan Ning, and said triumphantly, "Let me tell you! It's very important to send surprise soldiers, why don't you do it?"

Fan Ning snorted and said, "Then I'll call you Miss Zhu, and let them despise us, it's a surprise!"

"you dare!"

A cold dagger suddenly appeared in Zhu Pei's hand, and it dangled in front of Fan Ning's eyes, "You dare to scream, be careful that this yamen will abolish you."

Others don't know where Jupe's short sword is hidden, but Fan Ning knows very well that Jupe's belt is very strange, and this soft sword is hidden.

At this time, Pei Guang quickly said: "Stop bickering, he is here."

The two looked towards the shore together, and saw the principal of Yuqing Academy slowly approaching. He walked to the shore, looked at Fan Ning and Zhu Pei, and snorted, "Is this our opponent? I'm going to give up my life."

"Since Master Cheng can accurately say that they are students in the lower house, you must have enough information."

Everyone turned their heads and saw Dean Liu walking over quickly. He smiled at Fan Ning and Zhu Pei, and said to Cheng, "I'm right! Dean Cheng."

Cheng Zhu raised his head and chuckled, "Everyone! Each other!"

He took another deep look at Fanning before turning around and leaving.

Headmaster Liu stepped onto the boat and said with a smile: "I've been waiting for you, and finally I've waited for you two. Come with me!"

(End of this chapter)