The candidates who took part in the spring examination this year had good luck. After the New Year, the cold winds were less severe. It is said that this was the least cold examination since the founding of the dynasty.
It is said that with the capital in Beijing, it is really a torture to hold the imperial examination every spring.
The Zhou family had a lot of experience in the Spring Examination, and everything was prepared years before the New Year. Even the reference materials for the younger generation in the family were prepared by the Zhou family.
This is the advantage of having a family. If there are officials in the family, especially those in the capital, when they go to Beijing for the imperial examination, they don’t have to fight for an inn to get a good rest, nor do they have to worry about food. They can sleep well and rest well. They can also gain experience privately, experience in answering questions, and experience in predicting the questions. This sets them apart from ordinary candidates.
For a family like the Zhou family, with a son-in-law who is the runner-up and the third-place winner, and a son who is a Jinshi, these are all unique advantages.
Therefore, the young men of the Zhou family were in good spirits and entered the examination room with full confidence, without any nervousness or anxiety at all.
Zhou Shuren did not ask for leave to deliver the money. It was the beginning of the new year and people all over the country were asking for money. Everyone wanted to get more money from the Ministry of Revenue, so Zhou Shuren was very busy.
Zhulan did go to see him off, and only after seeing her son and the young men from the clan enter the examination room did she feel relieved and return home.
Su Xuan and her mother-in-law were sitting in a carriage, and she was very worried about her husband. "Mom, the weather is so cold, I hope my husband won't catch a cold."
Zhulan, "Today's weather is good. Your father suffered a lot during the Spring Examination. He got sick a lot after the exam. Don't worry, Changzhi is in good health."
Zhulan was instead worried about the older young men in the clan. The older they were, the lower their resistance would be. However, at this point it all depended on fate.
Sometimes, luck is really hard to predict.
Su Xuan felt that she would not be able to eat or sleep well, so she stirred her handkerchief. Seeing her mother's calm face, she endured the pain and did not say anything else.
When Zhulan returned home, she saw Yang Wen and was very surprised. "You still remember to come back?"
This kid hasn't come back since he joined the navy, and he rarely sends letters. If not everyone has received the things she sent, she would have sent someone to check on him.
Yang Wen touched his head and said, "I haven't had any vacations. I just got one and I rushed back to see my great aunt."
Zhulan looked at Yang Wen with distress, "He has become darker and thinner."
This is not a lie, Yang Wen has really become darker, and although he feels strong, he has also lost a lot of weight. You can tell at a glance that he has suffered a lot.
Yang Wen's eyes were full of energy. "Grandma, I'm on the ship. I followed the ship around the nearby sea area and encountered pirates. If they hadn't run fast, they would have been sunk by artillery fire."
Zhulan heard that there was no boy who didn't like weapons. Seeing his excited look, she snorted, "How many days can you take a rest?"
Yang Wen was a little embarrassed. Even though his face was dark, he could still see that he was blushing. "I have a month off."
Zhulan was surprised, "So many?"
Yang Wen helped his great aunt walk while pulling out a letter from his bosom. His ears turned red. "I brought you a letter from Grandpa."
Zhulan was puzzled. Why didn't her elder brother write to her directly? She took the letter back to the main courtyard and opened it. She understood everything. "Have you read the letter?"
Yang Wen's voice weakened a little, "Yeah."
Zhulan smiled, "According to the date, your grandfather and his family should be arriving in the capital soon."
Yang Wen blushed, "Yeah."
Zhulan smiled and said, "Your grandfather is really worried about you. You should get engaged at your age."
Yang Wen's ears turned red again, and Zhulan stopped talking. This child is shy, so he should wait for his elder brother to come.
Yang Wen asked, "My cousin is taking the imperial examination today. He should have entered the city yesterday, but something delayed him."
Zhulan said: "Your uncle must be happy that you are thinking about him. You should stay at home and take good care of yourself these days. You will be able to see your uncle in a few days."
Yang Wen touched his face, which was rough from the sea breeze. "Good."
In the examination room, Chang Zhi had already received the examination questions. He quickly read through them, but then his mind was not on the questions. Instead, he was thinking about his neighbor. He just found out that his neighbor was the younger brother of the Crown Prince's concubine Liu, so naturally he was introduced by the other party.
This arrangement was really a coincidence. After the New Year, many people wanted to visit him, but they were all turned down by his family. There were also some people who sent him invitations, but they were also turned down by his father.
Chang Zhi pursed his lips. These people regarded him as a competitor. He was also a popular candidate in Beijing. He ranked second in the last exam. He didn't want any accidents to happen this time.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren got a headache when he saw Lord Li. He had been blocked for several days. He held the memorial and demanded money. "Sir, the Shangshu is here."
Don't block him at will.
Li Zhao touched the letter and said, "Do you think I am willing to bother you? The southwest border is unstable this year. The equipment of the garrison in the southwest should be replaced, as well as food, fodder and medicine."
Zhou Shuren, "Stop, it's impossible for you to ask me to take out so much silver at once. You argue with me, and I argue with you. There were heavy rains in the south last year, which destroyed farmland embankments and roads. These all need silver, and construction in various places also needs silver. There are many places that need silver, not just the Ministry of War."
Zhou Shuren's head began to buzz as he looked at the document for the approval of silver.
Li Zhao felt regretful and said, "Then give me the silver approved by the emperor first."
Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes in his heart. He just wanted to get more silver. "Here, send someone to get it tomorrow morning."
Li Zhao sometimes really likes Zhou Shuren, and sometimes really hates Zhou Shuren. When Xiao Qing was in control of the Ministry of Revenue, he could still dig out some silver from time to time. Now Zhou Shuren has changed a lot of rules, and everything has to be done according to the rules. It is difficult to get silver from Zhou Shuren.
Zhou Shuren sent Li Zhao away and took a long breath. Thinking about the money calculated by the Ministry of Works, his head hurt even more. He made a small fortune last year, but it was not enough for the Ministry of Works. But the Ministry of Works benefits the people, so he has to give it. The Ministry of War, which is supposed to be in the southwest because of the war, also has to give it. The navy cannot be left out, and there are many other things. It's a headache.
Go down, Shi Qing is in the Ministry of Commerce, he is in a sinecure position, and his current job is to summarize. Merchants have been registered one after another, and he is doing tedious and detailed work, classifying them bit by bit. Shi Qing has been doing this job since he joined the Ministry of Commerce.
Shi Qing was also hardworking, but today, Shi Qing squinted his eyes and flipped through the registration book in his hand. Then he stood up and found the registration book from a few days ago. He looked at the two merchants carefully and touched them. He had worked for the emperor for several years and had seen a lot, so he was wary of everything.
Holding two booklets, he wanted to ask for leave from Lord Zheng, but then he stopped. It was most convenient for him to be in the Hanlin Academy before, and it was normal for a scholar to enter the palace. Now that he was in the Ministry of Revenue, it would be difficult for him to enter the palace. It would be too suspicious for the emperor to summon him alone.
Shi Qing sat down again holding the book, sighed, and pursed his lips. He could not be seen in public from now on, so he could only wait until night time.