According to the county regulations, there are four county examinations, one every other day, and the results will be announced three days after the last one.
The reason for the one-day interval is that the examiners will conduct a preliminary screening of the test papers. Those with sloppy handwriting, many mistakes, and incoherent essays will be directly disqualified from participating in the next round.
The first day of the county examination is called the main examination, which is also the most important and difficult one.
However, Jing Li didn't feel any difficulty from Qin Zhao at all.
As for Chen Yan'an, he seldom came to the pharmacy after the county examination began, and no one knew how he had done in the exam.
"Are you worried about him?" Qin Zhao asked.
"I am a little worried..." Jing Li took a bite of the pastry and chewed it carefully, with his right cheek slightly puffed up. "I haven't had much chance to talk to him outside the examination room these days. I don't know if he did well in the exam. His mother has high hopes for him. If he fails again this time, will he be upset?"
Qin Zhao said, "He has taken three exams now, and he was not disqualified in all three. This proves that he should have done well. Don't worry, even though that kid is not a good student, I taught him anyway. A small county exam won't be difficult for him."
"A small county exam..." Jing Li was silent.
After these few days, he finally understood that the reason Qin Zhao acted so calm was not because he had a good attitude, but because he really did not take the county exam seriously.
Maybe this is what it feels like for a max-level player to massacre a novice village.
"Tomorrow is the last exam. Just ask him after the exam. Compared to these..." Qin Zhao raised his head from the book and looked at Jing Li helplessly, "I am more worried about you."
Jing Li blinked, took another bite of the pastry, and asked, "Why are you worried about me?"
Qin Zhao: “…”
His eyes moved to the several empty plates next to Jing Li. If he remembered correctly, the little guy had already eaten three plates of dessert, two bags of preserved fruits, and a sesame cake in the whole afternoon.
Although Jing Li's appetite will recover as the weather warms up, isn't this recovery too good
Qin Zhao was silent for a moment and shook his head: "Nothing, just eat less, it's almost time for dinner."
"I know..."
Jing Li agreed easily, and took the opportunity when Qin Zhao lowered his head to grab another dessert from the plate.
Qin Zhao, who saw everything clearly: "..."
The fourth session of the county examination ended in a flash, and Jing Li waited outside the examination room as usual.
At the beginning of the Shen period, the main door of the examination room opened and the officials placed cards.
By the last day, there were only a few dozen candidates left from the original hundreds. However, the number of people who handed in their papers early today was significantly higher than in the previous few days.
The reason is very simple. First, the last exam is not difficult and does not require so much time. Second, after reaching this point, the chance of being eliminated is not high.
County examinations usually have the most people eliminated on the first day, and the number of people eliminated decreases as time goes on.
If you can make it to the last round, at least 80% of you will pass the exam.
Everyone knows this rule and is no longer as nervous as in the previous few games, so their efficiency in answering questions will be much higher.
Jing Li looked around in the crowd and soon saw a familiar figure walking at the back of the group.
The expression on his face changed from anxious to happy. He took a step and was about to run over when he suddenly felt a slight pain in his stomach.
The pain was not severe, like being gently hit by a small hammer. It only hurt for a moment and then quickly returned to normal.
Jing Li rubbed his abdomen, feeling a little puzzled.
Did you eat something bad today
… This isn’t the stomach, is it
Could it be that I got a stitch in the side from standing here for too long
Today is the last session of the county examination. Jing Li has been fidgeting since lunch, so he simply arrives outside the examination room an hour early.
One hour is two hours. Jing Li didn't feel it when he was waiting, but now he felt his legs were a little sore from standing.
When Jing Li was delayed for a while, Qin Zhao walked up to him and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
He was too familiar with Jing Li and could keenly sense any slight change in the other party.
Jing Li didn't want to let such a small matter ruin his good mood after today's county exam. Besides, his stomach only hurt for a moment, and now he didn't feel any discomfort at all.
"Nothing." He shook his head, then thought of something else and added quietly, "... my legs are sore from waiting so long."
Qin Zhao: “…”
They have been together for so long, how could Qin Zhao not see what his little fish is up to again? He couldn't help laughing: "I told you long ago, just wait at home."
Jing Li did not answer. He lowered his head and stared at the floor tile at his feet in silence.
Qin Zhao couldn't do anything about him. He sighed silently and turned around: "Come up, I'll carry you back."
Jing Li happily climbed onto Qin Zhao's back.
"Grandpa Xue said we won't eat at home today, we're going to a restaurant."
Qin Zhao: "Okay."
Jing Li put his arm around Qin Zhao's neck and rubbed his cold face against his neck: "Is it heavy?"
Qin Zhao's mouth curved slightly: "Chen, have you gained weight again in the past few days?"
"..." Jing Li's smile froze for a moment, and he said guiltily, "No, no way... I'm not fat."
“No? But I feel here…” Qin Zhao raised one hand and patted Jing Li gently on the waist.
Everything is implied.
Jing Li said confidently: "It must be because he is wearing too much!"
Qin Zhao just smiled and said nothing.
This was meant to tease him. Jing Li had a small frame and was light, so he didn't feel heavy at all when he carried him on his back. However, perhaps because he had a good appetite recently, the little guy's waist and abdomen did look a little rounder.
This was what Qin Zhao discovered when he hugged him to sleep last night.
Of course, Qin Zhao wanted to make the man fatter, as he was too thin before.
Qin Zhao carried the man back to the pharmacy. After another hour, Chen Yanan also handed in his paper and went straight to the pharmacy.
"I've taken the exam for three years. If I fail again, my mother will beat me to death." This was the first thing he said when he arrived at the pharmacy.
Jing Li was helpless.
I thought his test anxiety would be better after the test, but he still looked like this. And it looked like he would continue like this until the results were announced in three days.
Qin Zhao said: "Go and persuade him."
"Me?" Ayi blinked doubtfully, and glanced at Chen Yanan who was sitting opposite him. "But I... I'm not very good at speaking."
"That's fine." Qin Zhao said gently, "We'll just look after the shop. You can go out with him. See you at the restaurant tonight."
Ayi nodded: "Okay."
They have been busy with the scientific examinations these days, and Ayi was worried that he could not help, so it was good for Qin Zhao to give him something to do.
Ayi walked up to Chen Yanan and lowered his head to say something to him.
The latter suddenly looked up, his expression full of surprise, and nodded repeatedly.
The two of them quickly left the shop. Jing Li sighed, "Don't you want to not care about their business? Why are you giving him the chance?"
Qin Zhao retracted his gaze and lowered his head to continue sorting out the accounts of medicinal materials: "I just think that his appearance is an eyesore in the shop."
Jing Li smiled lightly but didn't expose her.
Qin Zhao is really good to Chen Yanan.
Even though they had some unpleasantness in the past, Qin Zhao never took it to heart. Jing Li knew that he was not simply grateful for saving his life, he really regarded this person as a friend.
Sure enough, when they met at the reserved restaurant in the evening, Chen Yan'an had regained his former vitality.
He looked so smug that if you didn't know him, you would think he had won the first place in the county examination.
The next day, county government office.
In the study, the county magistrate and several legal advisors were reviewing papers.
Pei An, as the most trusted legal advisor of the county magistrate and also the examiner who set the examination papers, sat on the right side of the county magistrate and sorted and classified the examination papers handed in by other legal advisors.
The examination was not as simple as judging right or wrong. Each examination paper had to be read by all examiners present in turn. When an examiner thought the answer on the examination paper was acceptable, he would pass it to the next person, and so on, until everyone had read it and handed it to Pei An.
Similarly, everyone has the right to cut off the test paper.
If a candidate's paper is intercepted, he or she will have one chance to review it after the marking is completed. If there are still examiners who think that the paper is unqualified during the review, then that person will fail.
As for the test paper handed to Pei An, it was the candidate who had passed the county examination.
What he had to do, in addition to reviewing the test papers like other examiners, was to classify them and arrange their approximate rankings.
However, the ranking he made is only a reference. As for the final ranking, it is up to the county magistrate to decide.
Pei An slowly divided the test papers in his hand into two parts, good and bad. Before he finished, he heard his own county magistrate anxiously say, "Let me see these first."
Pei An answered "yes" and handed in the test papers that he thought were better.
The county magistrate flipped through the pages quickly.
Pei An looked at his movements, then at the other examiners below, and lowered his voice and said, "If you want to find Qin Zhao's test paper, I don't think it's among them."
The county magistrate stopped and asked: "All the examination papers have been covered with names, how did you know?"
Pei An said: "Of course it's based on my understanding of him."
He was well aware of Qin Zhao's talent. Although these test papers were better, few of them were outstanding and should not have been made by that person.
The county magistrate was a little surprised: "You think so highly of him?"
Pei An: "Isn't it the same for you, sir?"
"I'm just curious."
Qin Zhao handed in his papers at noon for all four exams, never delaying for a moment.
He was really curious about what this person would write.
However, the paper covering the names of the candidates could not be removed until the rankings were determined. Even if the county magistrate was anxious, he could not break this rule.
After hearing what Pei An said, the county magistrate stopped looking at the test paper in his hand and threw it back in front of Pei An: "Continue to mark the papers."
Pei An responded and continued to read the papers.
The county magistrate looked at him boredly and asked with a smile: "Pei An, why aren't you worried at all?"
Pei An asked: "What should I worry about?"
"Qin Zhao is just a commoner now, but he already has such a reputation. If he really passes the exam, I will definitely want to bring him into the government. In this case, won't your position as the first advisor be unstable?"
The county magistrate did not mince words when he said this, and those who were flipping through the examination papers in the hall all paused.
Being able to be the head of a county, the county magistrate must not be just a useless fool. He is very clear about the open and secret struggles among his subordinates. Not only is he clear about it, but he is also happy to see them fighting.
Keeping the best people is always in your own interest.
Pei An had worked under him for many years and could more or less guess what he was thinking.
Pei An shook his head and said, "Even if I do serious official business in the future, it's all for the adults. Whether I can gain the adults' trust depends on what the adults think. There is no point in worrying."
What's more, Qin Zhao had already promised him that he would not come to the county government office. That man behaved like a gentleman and would not go back on his word. And even without this promise, he did not think that Qin Zhao would be willing to stay here as a small legal advisor.
With that person's potential, he has a bright future ahead of him.
Pei An did not say these out loud. The county magistrate did not know what he was thinking and was pleased by his previous words, so he did not ask any more questions.
Pei An continued to pick up the next test paper, and just after reading two lines, he paused.
What you want comes true.
Pei An finished reading the test paper, took a deep breath to calm himself down, then stood up and presented it to the county magistrate: "Sir, this is what you asked for."
The county magistrate's eyes lit up and he hurriedly took it, first quickly skimming through it, and then reading it carefully a second time.
"Amazing, really amazing!" The county magistrate put down the test paper and exclaimed, "Master, you have a sharp eye. The county hasn't produced an essay of this level in many years."
Pei An nodded without saying anything.
The county magistrate stroked the black-and-white examination paper and said in an ambiguous tone, "With his talent, if he is allowed to pass the examination step by step, I'm afraid our small county office will not be able to accommodate him in the future."
Pei An's eyes moved slightly: "My Lord, what you mean is..."
Whether he can pass the exam or not actually depends on the county magistrate's decision. If he is worried that the county government will not be able to recruit him after he passes the exam, then he can just let him fail the exam.
But in this case...
"I hope you will be careful."
They were now sitting on a high platform, and they deliberately kept their voices low to ensure that they would not be heard by the people below.
The county magistrate looked up at him with an unhappy expression: "What do you think, Master?"
Pei An said: "That person is definitely not an ordinary person. Even if we force him to stay for a while now, we can't force him to stay forever. Instead of doing this, it's better to do him a favor."
The county magistrate understood what he meant and asked, "Do you think he will climb over my head in the future?"
Pei An lowered his eyes and did not answer, but the county magistrate could see that he agreed.
In fact, after reading Qin Zhao's test paper, the county magistrate had a rough idea in his mind. If this man really wanted to continue to take the exam, it would not be a problem for him to pass the imperial examination in the future. What's more, if he passed the imperial examination, he would be given an official title and a noble rank.
It is better to make friends than to make enemies.
The county magistrate thought through the pros and cons in an instant. He put the test paper back on the table and said with a smile, "We have talked so much. What if this test paper is not from Qin Zhao? That would be very interesting. He is not the only talented candidate this year. The top candidate in the county test three years ago, Yan Xiu, also took the test this year."
Pei An also laughed: "I dare to bet with you that this test paper must belong to Qin Zhao. How about betting for a banquet at Zui Xiang Lou?"
"Okay, let's make this the first case and see if it's Qin Zhao." The county magistrate smiled and said, "Hurry up and read the papers. Let's go to Zui Xiang Lou to have some fun tonight!"
On the day of the announcement of the results, Jing Li got up early and took Qin Zhao to the place half an hour in advance.
The announcement of the county examination results is also called the announcement of the results. On this day, a piece of paper covered with red silk will be posted in front of the county government office, with the ranking numbers of the fifty successful candidates written on it.
It’s not time for the results to be announced yet, but many people have already gathered in front of the county government office, staring at the paper with eager eyes.
Qin Zhao took a look and pulled Jing Li to a less crowded part of the street to wait.
It was not until the 4th hour that the bailiffs finally struck the gongs and drums and shouted, "Report the case!"
The red silk was taken off, and amid the loud noise of gongs and drums, the crowd immediately rushed forward, scrambling to find their own seats. The seven or eight yamen runners present almost lost control of the situation.
Fortunately, Qin Zhao and Jing Li were standing far away, so they were not affected.
The list of candidates for the imperial examination was different from other rankings. The positions of all the candidates were arranged in a circle, which was divided into an inner circle and an outer circle. Due to the writing method, the positions in the lower half of the circle were almost written upside down.
Only the first place in the case was written in bold red letters in the middle and could be seen at a glance.
While everyone was still twisting and turning to look for him, Qin Zhao had already retracted his gaze and hugged the person into his arms: "Now that you have seen it with your own eyes, are you satisfied?"
Jing Li hummed.
He was probably influenced by Qin Zhao's calmness. After seeing the case paper, he was not surprised. Instead, he felt that it was as it should be.
A familiar seat number was written on the first seat in the center of the desk.
—Number 086.
That was Qin Zhao's position.
Qin Zhao won the first place without any suspense, but Chen Yanan entered the inner circle with the 15th place, which can be said to be a rapid progress.
You know, this person was eliminated in the first round when he took the county examination last time.
Before everyone could figure out how to celebrate, someone else came from the county government.
"Congratulations Mr. Qin for winning the first place in the exam." Pei An smiled.
However, not every case chief can receive greetings from the county government. Only when the county magistrate is particularly optimistic about this person will he send his subordinates to express congratulations.
The person who came was not other yamen runners but the legal advisor, which further proved that the county magistrate valued the case.
Qin Zhao also understood this truth, so he led the man into the house and served him tea and snacks: "Thank you for making this trip, Lord Pei."
"No need to bother." Pei An sipped his tea and said, "My master values talent, so this is only natural. I wonder when Mr. Qin plans to go to the capital city?"
Qin Zhao: "We will set off tomorrow."
The registration for the prefectural city started three days after the county exam results were announced and lasted for ten days. Time was not tight, but Qin Zhao wanted to take Jing Li to the prefectural city for a stroll in advance, so he decided to set off after the results were announced a few days ago.
"Okay." Pei An pondered for a moment and said, "In fact, the county magistrate sent me here not only to congratulate you."
He took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Qin Zhao: "Please keep this, Mr. Qin."
Qin Zhao asked: "What is this?"
"A letter of recommendation from my master to the prefect."
Due to the anonymous system, the county magistrate's recommendation could not actually help Qin Zhao with his exam ranking, but with this, his life in the provincial capital would be much better.
The county magistrate was trying to show goodwill to Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao's eyes moved slightly, and he put away the letter: "Thank you, I understand."
Pei An did not stay long, and was about to leave after delivering the letter. Qin Zhao gave him some change, and Pei An took the money, said cheerfully: "I wish Mr. Qin win three prizes in a row", and then turned and left.
The next day, the two said goodbye to Xue Ren and Ayi and boarded the boat to the provincial capital.
It only takes two days to get from the county town to the provincial capital by going downstream, which is three days faster than traveling by land.
They were joined on the journey by four other people who provided mutual protection.
Yan Xiu won the second place in this county examination. Together with Chen Yan'an who ranked 15th, He Zhixing who ranked 39th, and another classmate of He Zhixing, they formed the four people who had to guarantee each other with Qin Zhao in the prefectural examination.
As for the two people who had guaranteed each other with Qin Zhao in the county examination, they all failed and have returned to the town.
The six of them rented the boat and sailed downstream, enjoying the scenery on both sides of the river.
As for the reward that Jing Li still owed Qin Zhao, Qin Zhao reluctantly agreed to wait until he returned to the village after Jing Li acted coquettishly and naughtily.
Qin Zhao fetched some clean water on the deck and was about to return to the cabin when he saw Yan Xiu standing at the bow, gazing into the distance.
The back figure looks... quite melancholy
"Don't pay attention to him." Chen Yan'an was a little seasick and was leaning against the deck to enjoy the breeze. "Let him be sad."
Qin Zhao asked: "What happened to him?"
"We have stepped on a sad land." Chen Yan'an said, "I heard that the Prince Rong had an accident near Jiangling Prefecture and his body was torn into pieces. Speaking of which, the time when the emperor announced to the world that Prince Rong had died was just before the imperial examination three years ago. No wonder this guy failed the imperial examination..."
"Shut up!" Yan Xiu shouted coldly without even turning his head.
Chen Yanan shrugged and said nothing.
Qin Zhao ignored him, lifted the curtain and walked into the cabin.
The boat was not small, and there were several wooden beds in the cabin for travelers to rest at night. Qin Zhao walked to one of the wooden beds, and saw a young man curled up beside the bed, holding a wooden basin: "Ugh—"
Jing Li had been feeling extremely uncomfortable since he got on board. He had already vomited several times, but now he couldn't vomit anything and just kept dry heaving.
Qin Zhao held him in his arms and handed the water to his mouth: "Drink some water first."
“Hmm…” Jing Li endured the churning in his stomach, forced himself to drink two sips of water, and leaned on Qin Zhao’s shoulder.
He just didn't understand, as a fish, why would he get seasick
Jing Li's face was pale and bloodless. He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said gloomily, "If I had known this would happen... I might as well have swum there by myself."
Qin Zhao: “…”
He gently stroked Jing Li's vest and whispered, "I just told the boatman that we will get off the boat when we reach the post station and rent a carriage for the rest of the way."
If Qin Zhao had known in advance that Jing Li was seasick, he would not have suggested taking the water route.
It will take two days to travel by water, and they have to rest on the boat tonight. Judging from the condition of his little fish, he wonders how uncomfortable he will be until tomorrow.
Qin Zhao couldn't bear to see him in such pain.
Jing Li no longer had the energy to speak and just nodded slightly.
After another half an hour, the boatman's voice came from the deck: "Sir, we are about to dock. Do you want to get off here?"
Qin Zhao led Jing Li out. There was a pier not far ahead. Behind the pier, a small path led to the deep mountains.
Qin Zhao frowned slightly: "Is there a post station here?"
"It's not a post station." The boatman explained, "There is an ancient temple up this path. The abbot is a kind person, and travelers often go there to stay overnight. You can stay there for one night, and tomorrow follow the monks from the temple down the mountain, and you will find a place to rent a carriage."
"If you don't stay here, it will be dark by the time you reach the next post station. There are bandits around here at night, so we dare not dock casually."
It was very unsafe at night in the deep mountains. After hearing what the boatman said, Qin Zhao did not insist.
He thanked the boatman, said goodbye to the people who were traveling with him, and made an appointment with them to meet in the provincial capital a few days later. Then he took Jing Li off the boat.
The boat continued to drift downstream and soon became out of sight.
Qin Zhao said: "Change back to your original form."
Looking towards the mountains from the dock, some glazed tile roofs can be vaguely seen between the layers of pine trees, and it seems that the distance is not very close.
Jing Li had been seasick for the entire day and was now feeling extremely uncomfortable.
Hearing Qin Zhao say this, he relaxed all over and immediately turned back into a little koi and fell into the water.
Qin Zhao put away his scattered clothes, dug out the small fish basket that he had originally given to Jing Li from his carry-on luggage, bent down and put the koi and river water into it.
"Luckily I brought this with you."
Qin Zhao picked up the fish basket and walked towards the mountain.
After walking for about an incense stick of time, Qin Zhao saw the gate of the ancient temple.
"Little fish, wake up." He called softly, but the little koi was curled up quietly at the bottom of the fish basket, sleeping soundly.
Qin Zhao smiled helplessly and was about to go to the roadside to wait for a while, but he saw the vermilion gate of the ancient temple was suddenly opened, and a young monk in a cassock walked out.
The young monk looked kind and bowed to Qin Zhao. "The old abbot came to me in a dream last night, saying that an old friend would come in the near future. It's finally here."
"Please follow me in."