Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After this pep talk, coupled with the braised pork knuckle meal, Li Yuanzhao's spirits were mostly restored.

The next day, he threw himself back into his work with renewed enthusiasm and vigor.

The Health Department's actions were all reported in the newspaper.

The reporters had actually already drafted their articles, but due to Li Yuanzhao's tyrannical power, they were locked away in cabinets, and no one dared to publish them.

With a little polishing, they could be published.

Naturally, the newspaper reports caused an uproar!

Those who should be dismissed were dismissed, and those who should be sent to the yamen were sent to the yamen. The efficiency was so high that many common people were dumbfounded, and they praised the government's speed of handling affairs as awesome.

Previously, many of the restrictions on the various restaurants had also been abolished, but at Fang Zheng's suggestion, some were retained.

Although some common practices were retained, he had secretly ordered the Health Department not to participate in any further inspections.

Fang Zheng still wanted to keep a backup plan by retaining them.

The so-called, 'If actions are unpredictable, then power is immeasurable.' In the future, if any merchants were dishonest, he could directly go to their door for inspection!

So as not to be unable to find a reason to crack down on some non-compliant people.

After this incident, Li Yuanzhao's trust in the Health Department completely collapsed, and he specifically sought out the Fiery Banner Gang to supervise them.

With this, things were mostly settled. Seeing that only some trivial work remained and that the provincial examination was approaching, Fang Zheng let him develop on his own and no longer interfered.

On this day, it was time for the provincial examination to begin. Fang Zheng led a group of reporters on horseback, heading towards the examination hall in a mighty procession, chatting as they went.

Although the imperial court also provided official vehicles for transportation, Fang Zheng declined them on their behalf. He brought a large group of people himself, so they could chat and relax on the way, saving the candidates from being too nervous in the carriages.

The provincial examination was extremely important. Once they passed the exam, it was equivalent to a carp leaping over the dragon's gate, becoming a person above people.

Of course, the difficulty was also extremely high. The admission rate for the prefectural and academy examinations was only about 10%, while the provincial examination plummeted to between 3% and 4%.

Although becoming a 'Juren' (successful candidate in the provincial exam) only qualified them to become officials as candidates, those with good luck were still qualified to become officials.

The best could even be sent out to become a seventh-rank county magistrate, just like Fang Zheng's initial rank.

The slightly inferior ones could also become assistant officials such as county assistants and registrars. In this way, they would change from the ruled class to the ruling class. Although their position in the officialdom was still as small as a sesame seed, the significance was completely different!

But more importantly, the welfare and treatment were so high that the status of scholars had a qualitative leap!

In addition to inheriting all the benefits of a 'Xiucai' (successful candidate in the preliminary imperial exam), in terms of economy, they also had tax exemption rights, which was very important and extremely practical. With tax exemption rights, they could directly avoid the pressure of paying imperial grain and national taxes. Then, countless common people, landlords, and local gentry would take the initiative to invest under the name of the 'Juren' for the tax exemption rights.

Thus, the scholars who passed the exam could take this opportunity to become local landlords!

Fan Jin in 'The Scholars' was like this. Although he went crazy, his life changed completely after he woke up. He was surrounded by mansions, delicacies, beautiful wives, and concubines, and his life was wonderful!

This was the dream of all scholars, and the real reason why everyone flocked to it.

Although everyone was talking about ideals and serving the country and the people, only a very small number of people could maintain their original intentions. Real and substantial interests were what really mattered to most scholars.

Passing the 'Juren' exam was enough to achieve fame and success, but the next 'Huishi' (metropolitan exam) was even more tragic....

This was exactly what Fang Zheng was worried about.

The temptation of interests was too great! Although the success rate of the exam was not high, the people in the newspaper who could take the exam were all elites.

What if one or two of them passed the exam? Wouldn't the core talents be lost?

However, since he had already reached this point, he did not intend to do anything more.

He could only help the candidates prepare for the exam with peace of mind.

Before setting off, he treated all the candidates to a 'lucky meal'. A group of reporters ate a fried dough stick and two eggs with bewildered expressions.

He also helped them prepare good writing brushes, ink sticks, and inkstones.

Finally, he put twenty boiled eggs, beef jerky, dried fruits... and other small snacks, a bamboo tube of milk, and a bamboo tube of clear water in the basket.

There was water in the examination hall, but the water in the water tank was actually drawn from the well in the examination hall. The water quality of the well, which was used once every three years, was conceivable. Although some alum would be added to the water tank to ensure the safety of the water, the water in the examination hall was not very good in terms of taste or safety!

Water tanks were placed in front of each row of numbered rooms.

Therefore, the probability of diarrhea after drinking the water from the examination hall was extremely high. Most people still preferred to drink the clear water they carried with them. This was also the experience passed down by generations of candidates.

When they arrived at the entrance of the examination hall, the candidates had already begun to enter the venue one after another.

Fang Zheng pulled on the reins and stopped nearby.

A group of reporters behind him also stopped closely.

Fang Zheng watched as some candidates were being stripped and checked outside the examination hall. He felt a sense of nervousness for some reason, and couldn't help but think of the college entrance examination that year.

If I hadn't cheated back then... I probably wouldn't have been able to get into a third-rate university! Damn, I'm glad the checks weren't so strict!

Then, he swallowed and cupped his hands to a group of reporters and said loudly: "Everyone! This official will send you here!"

"Remember to finish the milk you brought as soon as possible! If it's overnight, just throw it away and don't drink it, so as not to spoil and cause diarrhea!"

"This official will also go in to invigilate the exam later. With this official accompanying you, you must not be nervous. Perform normally!"

"The exam is not difficult. Don't create anxiety. This official passed the 'Huishi' and became a 'Jinshi' (successful candidate in the highest imperial exam) at the age of fifteen. This mere provincial exam is nothing, very simple!!"

The reporters' faces looked a little ugly, and they felt a kind of internal injury.

You became a 'Jinshi' at the age of fifteen, that's enough to become a legend in the examination world!

Of course, the provincial exam is nothing in your eyes, but we are not child prodigies!

Fang Zheng completely ignored their expressions and continued to chatter: "In my opinion, you are much smarter than me! Go to the exam boldly. Even if you don't pass, the newspaper will support you! Being a reporter in the future may not necessarily be worse than passing the exam! After you finish the exam, this official will host a three-day banquet at the newspaper to celebrate for you! Alright, I won't say anything more, go ahead!"

The reporters cupped their hands together and said loudly: "Thank you, Lord Fang!"

Holding the heavy package in their hands, their hearts were warm.

The treatment at the newspaper is really good.... Lord Fang is so good!