The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

On the eighth day of May, the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites finally started. More than [-] candidates from various places in the Song Dynasty gathered in the capital to compete for the [-] Jinshi places for this year's scientific examination in the Song Dynasty. After the washing of the examination, this time it will go through the final selection of one out of ten. It can be seen that the road to the imperial examination is difficult, and it is difficult to reach the blue sky.

Su Jin was among the two thousand candidates, and had experience in understanding the exam. Su Jin's mood was much calmer and more sophisticated than last time; I don't care too much, because he has already touched some of the context of scientific research in this era, and with the backing of 1000 years of knowledge in his stomach than in this era, his confidence is too much compared to solving the test.

Woke up early in the morning, finished washing and eating, before going out, Mrs. Wang took Su Jin to the incense table and went to incense. on the side.

"Son, today is the day of your big exam. Mother never expected such a day. Since your great-grandfather, the Su family has been from a small workshop to today's merchant's house. Among them, your great-grandfather and grandfather still Your father has put in a lot of hard work; when your grandfather was alive, he once said, "Although Su Ji is a family of merchants, the descendants of the family should also be familiar with poetry and books to understand the truth. Even if you are not an official or an official, you must know the book Dali is not a mediocre person." Mrs. Wang looked at Su Jin lovingly and said slowly.

"Your father also told Wei Niang that in fact, your grandfather wanted someone from the Su family to study and become an official. As a merchant, although he was worried about food and clothing, he was criticized by others in the past. He always said that merchants pursue profit. It is of no benefit to glorify your family; to tell you the truth, your father has been studying for several years since he was a child, but it was because he was not talented in studying, but had some talent in business, so he had no choice but to take over the family business. But even so, you Father still tries his best to read as much as possible and practice calligraphy, follow the expectations of his ancestors, and try to be a well-educated and reasonable person."

Su Jin took Mrs. Wang's hand and said: "Son, I know, this is probably why, the reason why my son likes to read books is also the result of his father's influence."

Mrs. Wang nodded and said: "Yes, although you were a little dull when you were young, you were able to calm down and study hard. After your father passed away, it was quite hard for your mother to independently support the family business. Gradually, you slack off the ancestral precepts; sometimes, your mother didn’t even want you to be a scholar. Is it possible for everyone to hand over this person? This idea violates the teachings of the ancestors, and I feel ashamed as a mother. I hope that your father will understand and forgive my mother for her shallow knowledge."

Mrs. Wang's eyes were moist.

Su Jin hurriedly comforted: "Mother, why did you say that? You have nothing to do. You have been able to keep the Su family's family business for ten years after the death of your father. You are already a great contributor to the Su family. Your grandfather has known it for generations. I can only thank you." You, do you have any complaints?"

Mrs. Wang smiled through her tears: "My son is very good at coaxing people, which is very different from when you were a child; since my son woke up from the coma, he seemed to be enlightened, and he was not as dull as before; My son is going to Yingtian to read books, and my mother has no objection. Since you have the ambition to study, my mother will of course support you in studying and progressing, but in private, my mother does not think highly of you; the imperial examination is difficult, and my mother just wants you Go bump in the wall, and then you will calm down and come back to concentrate on running the Su family's property, and your mother's burden will be completely put down."

"But I didn't expect that my son is actually a person who does great things. He has made great achievements for the court and won the leader of the test in one fell swoop. I can't help but be a mother. Even the ancestors of the Su family must have a good reputation; My son is going to take the provincial exam next time. I prayed for my mother in front of the Buddha last night. This morning, I set up this incense case. You put incense on the tablets of the ancestors of the Su family and your father, and pray that the spirits of the ancestors will bless you to go to high school smoothly. Then the dream of the Su family's glorious family in the past generations will be realized by you, if you can achieve this long-cherished wish, mother will die immediately, and she will rest in peace."

Su Jin understood that the achievements she had achieved were actually beyond Mrs. Wang's expectations. When she realized that all this was suddenly within reach, she couldn't help but couldn't believe it; after she believed it, she felt flustered. Only then did I hope to pray to the Buddha and worship the ancestors.

In fact, people are like this. When a dream is out of reach, you will face it with ease. This is the principle of "desire makes strength"; Subtle changes will become worrying about gains and losses.

Without further ado, Su Jin burned incense with his hands clean, knelt on the futon and worshiped three times; after the worship, he said to Yan Biyun, "Sister Yan, come and offer a stick of incense as well, it's time to pay respects to father-in-law."

Yan Biyun blushed and glanced at Mrs. Wang, and said in a low voice, "How can I pay homage to my family, I haven't even entered the family yet."

Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "Bye, you have the flesh and blood of my Su family in your house, so there is nothing to be taboo about."

Yan Biyun came forward with a red face, kowtowed to the incense, and prayed in his mouth: "The ancestors are above, Biyun prays for the ancestors to show their spirits, bless... bless Su Jin University for the success of the exam, and make the Su family shine; Birth of Lin'er, bless the child to be like his father in the future, with great ambitions and honor his ancestors."

Su Jinha smiled and said, "Big sister Yan raised so many demands in one breath, wouldn't it be too busy to ruin the ancestors?"

Yan Biyun rolled his eyes at him, got up and said, "It's getting late, go quickly, don't waste the time."

Su Jin laughed and turned around, took Chao Mahan and others out, boarded the carriage and galloped away; Mrs. Wang took Yan Biyun and others all the way to the gate of Yan Mansion, until the carriage disappeared, and then turned around.

Although the number of people in the provincial examination this time is much smaller than that of the examination, the examination is like a sea election. After the 2000 applicants in the Song Dynasty have been cleaned up, only these 2000 lucky ones are left; these [-] people are in the examination After the ranking was released, there was no time to celebrate, so he rushed to the capital to participate in the provincial examination without stopping.

Although the number of people is small, the standard has been raised many times. In terms of the qualifications of the examiners, the three examiners this time are the heads of the three major departments of the imperial court, the prime minister Lu Yijian, the privy envoy Du Yan, and the third envoy Yan Shu; There are more than [-] invigilators, all of whom are ministers of various ministries and veterans of various pavilions.

Moreover, since the early morning, in order to ensure the security of the provincial examination, nearly [-] imperial guards have been mobilized to participate in the guard; each candidate is escorted by a squad of ten imperial guards, just like when Su Jin went out just now, there were ten people The Imperial Guard squad is escorting the left and right, which is also the imperial court's response to the recent frequent major cases in the capital.

Guard posts were set up in the ten streets and alleys around the Gongyuan, and a temporary capital was set up in the bustling area of ​​the street to deal with emergencies; another fifty horse teams were sent to shuttle back and forth on the streets on the left; Wait until you enter Gongyuan Third Street. B travel through novels: sj131netb

In addition, it is strictly stipulated that this provincial test is not allowed to leave the field early. No matter whether you have finished answering the questions or cannot answer them, you have to wait until the end of the third round to appear uniformly and be escorted by the team to the clubhouse or inn to ensure safety.

Such a large-scale fight can be said to be a mobilization of teachers and people, which shows that the imperial court attaches great importance to this provincial examination, but it also reflects the imperial court's concern about the public security situation in the capital.

Only Su Jin knew that these were superfluous. A series of cases in the capital were the result of a secret battle between himself and Xia Song. Even if there were any more murders, they could only happen to him, involving other cases; and Su Jin also concluded that Xia Song would not be so stupid as to act in such a situation.

But be careful sailing for thousands of years, this time Su Jin rejected the requests of all the women in the family, and she was not allowed to go out with herself. They are more likely to be targets. After the Yuzhanglou incident, Xia Song will understand sooner or later that dealing with the people around him will also bring a fatal blow to him; Su Jin cannot let him have this opportunity.

This time, the number plates are distributed randomly, not uniformly distributed according to the state capital where they are located. Instead, wooden barrels covered with cloth are placed at the entrance of the Gongyuan. Randomly assign test booth numbers.

When it was Su Jin's turn to enter the arena, he was called aside by an invigilator from the Ministry of Rites at the door. Su Jin saw that the person was another acquaintance. as far away.

Seeing Su Jin, Lu Suiyuan smiled on his chubby face, pulled Su Jin aside and said, "Oh, Su Jieyuan, do you still know me?"

Su Jin smiled and said, "Why don't you know each other? My lord brought me good news. I will never forget my lord in this life."

Lu Suiyuan laughed loudly and said, "Su Jieyuan opened his mouth so sweetly, is everything ready? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Su Jin smiled and said, "I would like to ask you for help sometime."

Lu Suiyuan patted his chest, shaking his body fat and said: "Say, wrap it on me."

Su Jin blinked and said, "Do you have an answer to the question? I'll put it in the next one then!"

Lu Suiyuan was startled, and immediately realized that Su Jin was joking with him, so he burst out laughing.

Su Jin also laughed, cupped his hands and said: "Just kidding, Yuanwai Lu is very enthusiastic, so I accept it with all my heart. If you want to ask, please send me the happy news when you get it. Once you go, it will be good news."

Lu Suiyuan raised his big finger and said: "Domineering, it's Su Jieyuan who speaks quickly. Look at these movers, all of them panicked and frowned like a concubine. Only Su Jieyuan's expression is composed, obviously he has a plan in mind. Comparing the hatchback, who is the pillar of talent?" , there is no need to take the exam at all, you can see it.”

Su Jin laughed and said, "I can't take your words seriously. I'm going to enter the arena next time. After the exam, we're looking for a chance to have a drink."

After finishing speaking, he was about to leave, but Lu Suiyuan hurriedly stopped him and said, "Don't worry, I have been entrusted with a few words to tell you."

Su Jin said: "Who, it's too much work for Lu Yuan to bring a word."

Lu Suiyuan smiled and said, "I can't help it. How dare you disrespect my teacher's orders. It was Qi Weng from Yingtian Academy who knew that I was guarding the first gate, so he asked me to tell you a word."

Su Jin was taken aback and said, "Master Qi Shan?"

Lu Suiyuan nodded and said: "You may not know that I am also a student of Yingtian Academy, but that happened 12 years ago; Qi Shan has long ordered me to remind Su Jieyuan that this provincial exam must be done with all one's heart. It is up to Su Jieyuan whether he advances to the Imperial Academy."

Su Jin was stunned and said: "Master Qi Shan, wouldn't it make me more nervous to tell me this now?"

Lu Suiyuan laughed and said: "No way, you don't know that this teacher has spent half his life in the academy, and finally got the chance to be promoted to the Imperial College. This is a big deal for him. Don't blame him."

Su Jin thought for a while and said: "You call back to the head of the mountain and say that the students will do their best to do their part for the academy."

Lu Suiyuan cupped his hands and said, "Come on, with your words from Su Jieyuan, Qi Weng can sleep peacefully."

Su Jin chuckled, cupped his hands, inserted himself into the team of students entering the arena, and slowly followed the flow of people into the Gongyuan.

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