The group returned to the rented courtyard. Wang Caiwei, Zhang, Old Lady Wang and others were already waiting at the gate. After getting off the carriage, Han Erlang saw Wang Caiwei and shouted, "Sister-in-law, my brother passed the imperial examination! My brother passed the imperial examination!"
His voice was so loud that Wang Caixia, who was standing at the door of the next yard, could hear it. She couldn't believe it. Han Ze actually passed the exam
If Han Ze could pass the exam, did my husband pass it too
Liu Xiucai's carriage followed Han Ze and others' carriage to the gate of the next yard. Wang Caixia didn't bother to think about why Han Ze was able to pass the imperial examination, and hurried forward to greet Liu Xiucai. When she saw the man with a gloomy face, her heart skipped a beat.
Wang Caiwei's face was mixed with sadness and joy, and her eyes were red. My husband passed the imperial examination? Really passed the imperial examination
Old Mrs. Wang and Zhang hurriedly congratulated Wang Caiwei. Wang Caiwei came to her senses, wiped her tears, and hurriedly said sorry.
Old Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "You are crying for joy!"
Wang Caiwei choked up and nodded. She was crying with joy. Her husband passed the imperial examination, and she should be happy. No one knew the pain she had felt in the past few years. Ever since her husband fell ill and was unable to get up from bed for several months, the pitying and sympathetic eyes of the villagers, and the implicit words of her parents asking her to give up her husband and prepare for the future, all made her collapse. But she had to pretend that nothing had happened. How painful it was. Now everything is over.
Old Mrs. Wang said with envy, "I wonder if my silly son passed the exam?"
As soon as the voice fell, Wang Ziwen came over and heard what her mother said, and continued: "I passed the exam, and I ranked last."
Old Lady Wang didn't know much. When she heard that her son had won the exam, she was so excited that she just said, "As long as he wins the exam, what's the difference between the last place and the first place? They are both Juren."
Wang Ziwen held her forehead in shame, there is a huge difference, my god, can't you stop talking nonsense if you don't understand
Zhang also looked at Zhao Zhengxiu with envy. Zhao Zhengxiu said self-deprecatingly: "You are on the list, but I am not."
Zhang sighed softly and looked at him worriedly. Zhao Zhengxiu smiled again: "It's okay. I didn't have any hope for this provincial examination. I'll take it again next time and I'll have a better chance."
Zhang's expression was slightly relieved. It was good that her husband could think it through. Zhao Zhengxiu looked at Han Ze with envy and said with admiration: "I didn't expect Brother Han to get third place in the exam."
Han Erlang laughed and said, "My eldest brother also ranked third in the last exam."
The first place in the provincial examination is called Jieyuan, the second place is Yayuan, and the third, fourth, and fifth places are called Jingkui. Han Ze ranked third and was considered Jingkui. Han Erlang did not know what Jingkui and Yakui were, but he only knew that his elder brother passed the examination and ranked third. He also ranked third in the college examination.
Liu Xiucai got off the carriage and clenched his fists when he heard Han Erlang's words. Wang Caixia looked at him carefully, fearing that he would lose his composure on the spot. Even if he didn't say anything at this moment, she knew that he didn't pass the exam. Her eyes were complicated. Her husband, who she had high hopes for, failed the exam, while her brother-in-law from a farming family, who she had never taken seriously, not only passed the exam, but also ranked third. It was a huge irony.
Han Zejilang continued, "Brother, if you rank third next time, will that make you the so-called Tanhua? It is said that you can even meet the emperor?"
Liu Xiucai sneered, thinking that since he got third place in the college and provincial examinations, he could also get third place in the metropolitan and palace examinations? He was not afraid of the strong wind blowing his tongue away, he was just dreaming.
Han Ze patted Han Erlang's head and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? After the provincial examination, there is the metropolitan examination. If you fail the metropolitan examination, where can you take the examination for the third place? Even if you pass the metropolitan examination by chance, you may not be able to pass the examination for the third place. Do you think it is so easy to pass the examination for the third place?"
Although Han Erlang knew a few words and knew what the top three places in the imperial examination were, he was not very clear about the procedure of the imperial examination. He smiled foolishly and didn't dare to say anything more for fear of being laughed at by others.
Mr. Liu sneered and said, "You have self-awareness."
Wang Ziwen said: "There are eight students from our county school who took the provincial examination this time, and only two of us passed."
Han Ze smiled and said, "No matter what, it's good as long as I win."
Wang Ziwen smiled when she thought of this and said, "It's already good enough that I passed the imperial examination. I don't plan to take part in the examination next year. You have achieved good results, so you can take a try next year."
Han Ze was indeed preparing to take part in the examination next year. He nodded and said, "You are not yet an adult, so don't worry. However, I am nine years older than you."
He is twenty-seven years old this year. If he does not take part in the imperial examination next year, or if he does not encounter an imperial examination with special honors, he will have to wait three years. Three years later, he will be thirty years old. This age is still considered young for other candidates, but he cannot wait.
Zhao Zhengxiu sighed and looked at Wang Ziwen: "I didn't remember that you are only eighteen years old this year. There are many eighteen-year-old scholars in our county, but there is no such a young scholar."
Han Ze's face was also full of admiration. Wang Ziwen passed the imperial examination at the age of 18. It can be said that she has outstanding qualifications and is a young genius.
Wang Ziwen is still young after all, and was flattered by the two people's praise. So, he actually ranked last in the exam, so his result is still pretty good
Old Lady Wang said, "Since you have passed the imperial examination, let's prepare a table of food tonight to celebrate."
Wang Ziwen hesitated for a moment. He, Han Ze and Zhao Zhengxiu came to take the exam together. He and Han Ze passed, but Zhao Zhengxiu failed. If they wanted to celebrate, would he feel uncomfortable
Zhao Zhengxiu seemed to see through his thoughts, and said calmly and confidently: "Although I am older than you, I am younger than Brother Han. Brother Han passed the imperial examination at the age of 27. I am now 21 years old. I think I am not bad in knowledge, so I can pass the imperial examination at the age of 27. You should celebrate if you want to. I have nothing to do."
He must have felt disappointed if he didn't pass the exam. He, Han Ze and Wang Ziwen had become close friends along the way. Although he failed, he was happy for his friends who passed and became juren, and he didn't want to spoil their fun.
…
At the private school in Tongyang County, Han Jinye and his cousin Xuewen hurried home after school, ignoring Yan Hong who followed closely behind them. When they got home, Han Jinye and Han Xuewen still ignored Yan Hong. Han Jinxiu saw the little lawsuit between the two people and frowned and asked: "What's wrong, did you have a dispute?"
Han Jinye snorted and turned his face away from Yan Hong.
Yan Hong pursed his lips and said nothing.
Han Jinxiu went to see Han Xuewen and said seriously, "Xuewen, tell me!"
Han Jinye glanced at Han Xuewen, then looked at Yan Hong sarcastically: "Mr. Hu, a classmate of Mr. Shen in the private school, came to the private school yesterday and wanted to accept Yan Hong as his apprentice."
Han Jinxiu looked at Yan Hong suddenly, "You want to take someone else as your master?"
Yan Hong frowned: "I have a master."
Han Jinye snorted, "Since you know you have a teacher, why do you still compete to show off in front of that Mr. Hu? You just want to abandon my father and take someone else as your teacher."
Yan Hong didn't look at him, but said to Han Jinxiu: "I won't take others as my master. I have a master."
Han Jinxiu still believed in Yan Hong's character. She turned to look at Han Jinye and said in a deep voice, "Don't talk nonsense without any basis. Not to mention that Yan Hong is Daddy's apprentice, we should trust Daddy's vision. Let's just say that we have been with Yan Hong for such a long time. Do you think he is the kind of person who betrays his trust?"
Han Jinye snorted again. He was furious when he heard that Mr. Hu wanted to take Yan Hong as his disciple. He didn't think too much about it. He endured it for the sake of Master Shen. After leaving the school, he didn't have such a good temper towards Yan Hong.
"People go to high places and water flows to low places. My father is just a scholar, and Mr. Hu is a juren. Now a juren wants to take him as his apprentice. Even if he doesn't agree, he will probably be tempted." Han Jinye said confidently.
Yan Hong's face was gloomy: "I didn't expect that Junior Brother would see me like this. I, Yan Hong, was the one who betrayed Master in order to climb higher."
Han Jinxiu frowned and looked at Han Jinye coldly: "What's wrong with you? Did you take gunpowder?"
Han Jinye looked at Yan Hong's indifferent face, feeling a little guilty, but still insisted: "Didn't Mr. Hu ask you to come back and reconsider? If you can firmly reject him tomorrow, I will believe in you."
Dad has spent so much time and effort on Yan Hong, he can't let others take advantage of him and snatch his apprentice away. Besides, his father is going to take part in the provincial examination, and he may pass the exam this time.
Yan Hong just said: "I won't take others as my master."
The master regards him as his own son, and he is not an ungrateful person. If he takes someone else as his master, even he himself will look down on himself.
The next day, after breakfast, the three of them went to the school. Han Jinxiu said worriedly, "Be careful with your tone when you reject them. You still have to study in the school, so don't offend the teacher."
Yan Hong felt warm in his heart and nodded gently: "Don't worry."
Han Jinxiu was relieved about Yan Hong, but she was worried about her troublesome brother. Thinking of this, she looked at Han Jinye and said seriously, "Let Yan Hong handle this matter himself. Don't interfere. Got it?"
Han Jinye said lazily: "I know, sister."
Han Jinxiu watched them leave, still feeling somewhat worried. She only hoped that her father could pass the imperial examination this time, and then even if he offended Mr. Hu, it wouldn't be a big deal.
When they arrived at the school, Yan Hong was called out by the teacher. Han Jinye looked at his back and narrowed his eyes.
Mr. Hu looked at the student in front of him and liked him more and more. This boy was not only pleasing in appearance, but also smart and willing to study hard. He had such solid knowledge at such a young age. It should be no problem for him to take the examination for a student. In a few years, he might even pass the examination for a juren, and even a jinshi.
He was a juren, already old, and had long given up on taking the imperial examinations. If he could teach a jinshi, it would be a blessing for him. He stroked his beard and asked with a smile, "How are you thinking about it?"
Yan Hong said: "Mr. Hu, I have a master."
If you have a master, you cannot take others as your master.
Mr. Hu blew his beard and glared, his body shaking with anger, and he shouted, "Why didn't you tell me yesterday?"
Yan Hong smiled bitterly and said, “You should have given me a chance to speak yesterday.”
Mr. Hu snorted: "Who is your master?"
He knew all the successful candidates in Tongyang County, and he wanted to see which successful candidate had snatched away the apprentice he had chosen.
Yan Hong said: "My master is a student in the county school and went to Yangcheng to take part in the provincial examination."
Otherwise he wouldn't be able to come to the private school to study.
Mr. Hu glared again: "Is your master a scholar?"
Yan Hong looked at him and said, "Master, if you pass the provincial examination, you will no longer be a scholar."
Mr. Hu waved his hand. He knew several outstanding students in the county school. He asked, "What is your master's name?"
Yan Hong said: "Han Ze!"
Mr. Hu frowned: "I haven't heard of it."
Since he had never heard of him, he must be averagely talented. Every time there was a provincial examination, it would be good if the county school could produce three successful candidates. Even he had never heard of Han Ze, so he must have no hope of passing the provincial examination this time.
Yan Hong didn't say anything. The fact that Mr. Hu had never heard of his master's name didn't mean that his master was not well-educated and couldn't pass the imperial examination. On the contrary, he had great confidence in his master.
Mr. Hu looked at Yan Hong with regret, "Why did you become his disciple?"
Moreover, he even took a scholar as his teacher. What a pity, really such a pity. If he met Han Ze, he would definitely give him a good talk. He is misleading this young man. He is a potential Jinshi. How could he take a scholar as his teacher
The author has something to say: I feel like you guys are so evil that you actually planned to lock me up in a dark room! ! ! !