wild trail

Chapter 383 The Imperial Examination
Winter is gradually going away, and as the weather in the north gradually warms up, when the ice and snow melt, Xia Guo ushered in the second imperial examination.

This time the exam was much larger than the previous one, and the students who took the exam traveled all the way to the capital, hoping to pass this exam to realize their chance of jumping over the dragon's gate.

With the arrival of students from all over the country, the accommodation business in the capital immediately exploded.

With so many migrants suddenly pouring in, not only restaurants, but even ordinary people's homes have started this business, hoping to make more money in their spare time.

Now there are less than seven days left before the exam.

These students who came from afar gathered together to exchange learning experiences with each other.

Among them, students from all over the world spontaneously formed small groups.

Living in the most developed capital city, most of these students in the capital city despise these candidates from other places in their hearts. This phenomenon is a bit like regional discrimination in another world.

And the exams in other places are also unwilling to have too much contact with these guys whose eyes are above the top. The two sides basically treat each other as if they don't exist.

The prosperity of the capital dazzles the eyes of these students who have never been here before. Compared with the capital, their hometown is really too small. There is basically everything here. What you have seen and what you have never seen, can be seen everywhere on both sides of the street. .

The richness of the goods has exceeded their imagination.

However, most of these candidates from other places are the children of ordinary families. In order to support them to come to the exam, the family has already spent most of the money as their travel expenses.

Although there are many things in the capital, most of these students can't afford them, so they can only walk around and look around to increase their recent horizons.

Apart from some new things in the city, what attracts them the most is the legendary altar, which is said to be the closest place to the gods.

Students who hope to get good grades will go to the altar to pray to the gods, so that they can stand out among the many candidates.

After Wang Lang heard the news, he couldn't help smiling. In the eyes of these candidates, this unfounded god was like Brother Chun, only missing the slogan of Brother Xinchun's eternal life.

Naturally, Wang Lang would not pay attention to these actions of the candidates. Praying to God and worshiping Buddha is also a characteristic of a civilized culture. Theology and science are not all mutually hostile.

Candidates are visiting various places in the capital. Most of them are not worried about this exam. With their knowledge, in this age when the literacy rate is extremely low, even if they have not become an official, they can pass by their own abilities. not bad.

For those who want to get ahead and have high spirits, the outside world has nothing to do with them. Using the few days left, the library in the capital is the place they often go, where they can read various books for free. Here you go all out to prepare for the exam.

As time passed, on the first day of March, Xia Guo’s second imperial examination officially began. This time the exam lasted for two days, and natural science took up one day. When the examinees got the exam papers, they suddenly felt dizzy. Rudou, I saw hundreds of questions densely written on the examination paper, including geography, mathematics, basic physics, and basic chemistry. Most of them are fill-in-the-blank questions. These things require a lot of calculations. Answering these questions within the specified time is not only a test of your knowledge, but also a test of your physical strength.

The exam starts at about nine o'clock in the morning and ends at ten o'clock in the evening. At noon, the Ministry of Rites will prepare meals for these candidates. In order to ensure the health of the candidates, these ingredients are fresh, and the imperial chef from the palace is specially invited to serve them. These candidates prepare meals.

When the day's exams were over, almost all the candidates walked out of the exam room with pale faces and dizziness.

After leaving the gate of the examination room, when the afterglow of the setting sun shone on their faces, some examinees were glad that they were able to walk out alive. With so many calculation questions, opportunities drained their energy. Even the most conceited examinees, facing With a large number of questions, I also feel that my mastery of knowledge is so lacking.

When Wu Feng returned home, he was still thinking about today's questions. He only finished more than half of the hundreds of questions. He didn't know how other people were doing. stand up.

If he failed the ranking this time, how should he go to Lin Shilang's house to propose marriage? Thinking of this, Wu Feng felt irritated.

I didn't even eat dinner and lay in bed in a daze.

After a night's rest, the candidates faced a new round of challenges on the second day. Today's test was written, including common sense of law, case analysis, and short story writing, and Wang Lang scored [-] points in the last test. In his composition, he ingeniously came up with a composition topic similar to that of fantasy, called Future Xia Kingdom.

This question is mainly to test the imagination of the students. Through this question, he can understand how the most educated people in Xia Kingdom have divergent thinking, and whether they can think of the future way of life based on the current technology.

This theme gives students room to play freely, they can write about technology, the relationship between humans and dinosaurs, and even expeditions.

After Wu Feng finished the previous topic, he looked at this composition question and thought about it for a while. He decided to write about weapons. The people in the capital knew more or less that Wang Lang planned to expand the firearms force on a large scale. It can be seen from this that Wang Lang attaches great importance to firearms.

Eloquently wrote more than 700 words on the draft. Although these words basically have no literary talent, but the sentences are fluent, but he feels that he has written clearly what he wants to express. This article was neatly copied on another piece of white paper.

After the two-day exam, the busiest ones were the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

Examination papers for thousands of people are completely checked by hand, and the workload is very heavy. Officials from the Ministry of Rites, big and small, are fighting at night. Wang Lang's deadline is that the scores must be calculated within three days, and the rankings must be completed within half a month. ranking.

Although only more than 300 people were admitted, the results of those candidates who did not make the list must also be announced. This will allow those who failed the test to know how much they have checked, and those who are too poor will give up the imperial examination. There is no talent in this area, so there is no need to waste too much time on it.

And for those candidates who failed by a few points, the announcement of the scores is also an encouragement for them. After the situation in Xia Kingdom stabilizes, the imperial examination will be held every three years. If you fail this time, go back and study for a few more years. It basically passed.

Under the overtime efforts of the officials, half a month later, with the announcement of the results, it can be said that some were happy and some were sad. This time, 350 candidates were admitted.

The most eye-catching thing is the number one spot.

The name Wu Feng quickly spread among the candidates of this year.

It's just that Wu Feng is shutting himself at home at this time. He basically doesn't have much confidence in this exam. After more than ten days of frowning, Wu Feng's mother has already greyed a lot of hair. .

Listening to the clanging gongs on the street, Wu Feng secretly sighed, he is very envious of those students who passed the exam.

But to his surprise, the sound of the gong sounded clearer and clearer, as if it was coming from his own home.

He was a little surprised. In this generation, there were about seven or eight people who took the exam. He was curious as to which lucky one was on the list.

"Bang bang bang!"

There was a hasty knock on the door, and Mother Wu opened the door, only to see a ten-year-old boy rushing in.

Seeing this, Wu's mother couldn't help scolding: "Why did you run, and where did you go wild today?"

This boy is Wu Feng's half-brother Wu Lin.

"Mom, brother passed the exam." Wu Lin said excitedly.

Mother Wu was taken aback for a moment, and then asked in a panic, "What did you say, did Feng pass the exam?"

Wu Lin said excitedly: "I passed the exam, and I'm still the No. 1 champion. The official post to announce the good news is only two blocks away."

Wu's mother was ecstatic when she heard the words, she was at a loss for a while, and said to Wu Lin: "Let your elder brother come out, wash up, and welcome to observe."

Wu Lin nodded, and rushed into the room like the wind, startling Wu Feng who was lying on the bed.

When Wu Lin told him that he was selected and won the first prize, Wu Feng opened his mouth in surprise.

According to his estimation, if he answered like that, there was no hope for Zhongju. He never thought that God would make such a big joke on him.

"No.1? It's actually No.1." Wu Feng jumped up from the bed excitedly, ran outside in a hurry, took some water from the basin, and washed his face that hadn't been washed for three or four days.

The tinkling of gongs and drums was getting closer and closer, and a large group of people followed behind the official messenger who announced the good news. These curious people wanted to see which family had the number one scholar.

When the common people saw the official stop in front of Wu Feng's house, the neighbors suddenly realized that Wu Feng's knowledge is relatively well-known in the neighborhood. Seeing that Wu Feng won the first prize, those who knew the situation showed a look of course color.

Most of the people gathered around to watch the happy event of the Wu family with the mentality of watching the fun.

Seeing that the Wu family was ready, the official came forward with a smile on his face and congratulated Wu Feng: "Congratulations to the Wu family for having a champion. This is the invitation card for the imperial banquet. Your majesty will live in three days. Please invite these people to the banquet." Candidates who won the list."

Mother Wu's hands were trembling with excitement, and she said nervously to the official: "Thank you, official, you can use this money to drink."

The official did not refuse this time. Before leaving, his superiors had already told him that he could take such a reward. The small bag of money was lightly weighed, and the official was delighted. There were almost dozens of coins in it. Secretly thought that the Wu family's move was really generous.

"Thank you, Mrs. Wu. From now on, the eldest son of the Wu family will be a high-ranking official in the court, and I hope to take care of the subordinate officials more." The official servant complimented.

Wu Feng cupped his hands and said, "Students are still ordinary people, and they still need officials to take care of them."

The officer smiled and said: "I won't bother you. Today is very busy. Many students in the city are waiting for my good news. I will leave now."

Wu Feng personally sent the official messenger out of the alley before returning home with an excited face.

Neighbors came forward to congratulate the Wu family.

"We will have high officials in this alley from now on, Mrs. Wu's family, we will have to drag you to take care of us from now on."

Wu's mother was already smiling from ear to ear, and said again and again: "We have lived together for so many years, and you have taken good care of us. When his father comes back, we will invite everyone to drink. At that time, you must come."

If there is an opportunity to have a big meal, the neighbors will naturally not let it go, and pat their chests and promise to go.

When Wu Feng walked home, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a petite figure standing around the corner.

Wu Feng stopped and walked over there.

Seeing Wu Feng approaching, that petite figure quickly dodged and hid behind the wall.

"Heart, why are you here?"

Lin Xin looked at Wu Feng, blushed uncontrollably, lowered her head and said, "I heard that you were admitted as the No. [-] scholar, so I couldn't help but come over to have a look."

Wu Feng smiled and said: "I didn't expect to win the first prize, maybe this time it's God's blessing."

"Then...then...we..." Lin Xin seemed hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Wu Feng naturally knew what she was worried about, and hugged Lin Xin in his arms.

This sudden action startled Lin Xin, and she quickly broke free from Wu Feng's arms.

He looked around in a panic, and was relieved to see no one passing by.

Looking at Wu Feng sullenly, he said, "Why are you so bold, what if someone sees you?"

Wu Feng said nonchalantly: "So what can I see, you will be the daughter-in-law of my Wu family sooner or later, after I finish the dinner with His Majesty, I will go to your house to propose marriage and apologize to Lin Shilang, I hope Lin Shilang will not reject."

Hearing this, Lin Xin's face was a little sad, and she said leisurely: "My father has a very bad temper. At home, he sometimes scolds you for being ignorant of current affairs. I think he will make things difficult for you."

Wu Feng frowned, with a troubled look on his face.

"Xin, don't worry, no matter how hard Lin Shilang makes things difficult, I will not give up." Wu Feng comforted.

Lin Xin nodded slowly, and suddenly said in a panic, "I'm going back. I sneaked out today, so I have to go back."

Wu Feng nodded and said: "I'll go back to your house in a few days, let's see my performance then!"

Lin Xin nodded, and ran towards the Lin family in a panic.

Wu Feng looked at the gradually disappearing figure, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared. Facing the angry Lin Shilang, he really didn't know what to do.

I thought that with fame and fame, the pressure would be less, but as long as I didn't face Lin Shilang in person for a day, the fear in my heart didn't decrease at all.

"Hey, take one step at a time and watch one step at a time. It's a matter of life or death." Wu Feng clenched his fists.

(End of this chapter)