Chapter 206
The ox cart disappeared at the foot of the mountain. Guaizai's eyes reddened. He turned back, hugged Zhao Ger's leg, and said sadly: "Daddy, Guaizai miss father. Father goes for long long, Guaizai will miss him lots oh!"
Zhao Ger patted his head: "It's alright, father will be back very soon. Do you remember you promised father yesterday that you wouldn't cry? A real man keeps his word. Is Guaizai a real man?"
"... Yes." Guaizai's tears 'whooshed' back in: "Guaizai have little bird, Guaizai naturally is real man. Guaizai no cry. Guaizai can endure. With father not here, Guaizai is the only man in house. Guaizai must be brave and strong, must protect daddy and Brother Xiao Feng."
Guaizai felt the weight of his responsibility deeply. Moreover, he thought about how Fang Zichen was going to take the exam. If he passed, he would become a xiucai. Once he was a xiucai, the top scholar title could not be far away.
And once the top scholar title was achieved, becoming a high official would surely follow soon after.
He was a little man determined to become an official's son. Now, for the sake of realizing his dream, his father was leaving his hometown, toiling hard to take the imperial examinations. He really shouldn't cry.
Xiao Feng stroked his head: "Good, Guaizai go, go with, with brother to, to dig, dig wild vegetables?"
Guaizai nodded. "Guaizai will go. Guaizai is the best at digging wild vegetables."
The family grew few vegetables, and there wasn't much work to do. The ducks were even slaughtered by hired help. Zhao Ger's original intention in keeping Xiao Feng at home wasn't to find someone to do chores. Now that many wild vegetables had grown in the mountains, tender and fresh, Xiao Feng thought of picking some. They could eat a little themselves, and if there was more, they could send some to Jiaojiao's family in town.
Vegetables sold in town weren't cheap; this could save quite a bit of silver.
...
The academy exam was held twice within a three-year cycle, with each administration consisting of two separate testing sessions. While the core subjects tested were similar to those of the earlier county and prefectural exams, the questions were far more challenging.
[To earn the lowest official scholarly rank of xiucai, a candidate, universally known as a tongsheng regardless of age, was required to pass three-stage examination sequence held in the prefecture: first, the county exam for qualification; second, the prefectural exam for further screening; and finally, the decisive academy exam administered by a provincial commissioner, with success in this last stage alone granting the xiucai degree and the right to advance to higher provincial-level examination]
It was like junior high school exams still testing language, math, and English, but by high school, while still testing language, math, and English, the content was different.
The grading and invigilation were overseen by the Educational Commissioner, who was appointed by the emperor from among Hanlin Academicians.
The first session was easier than the second, and the number of candidates admitted was also higher. When the results for this session were posted, they were displayed as a "Draft List." This list used circles to mark the seat numbers of those who passed, but it did not reveal their names.
After the second session's re-examination, the sealed names were opened. All tongsheng who passed the academy exam were officially titled as Xiucai, thus obtaining Official Recognition. While a tongsheng had only one foot in the door, a xiucai had formally entered the scholar-official class. Xiucai had privileges such as exemption from corvée labor and certain taxes, the right not to kneel before the county magistrate, and protection from arbitrary punishment.
Xiucai were categorized into three ranks. Those who achieved the highest scores in the examinations were designated as Linsheng (Stipend Students). They received a regular monthly grain stipend from the government. The next rank was Zengsheng (Supplementary Students). They did not receive the government grain allowance. There were limited, fixed quotas for both the Linsheng and Zengsheng positions. The third rank consisted of Fusheng (Attached Students), who were newly enrolled affiliate scholars.
Achieving first place in the final session of the county, prefectural, and academy examinations was commonly called the Xiao Sanyuan (Little Triple First).
Last time at the yamen, Fang Zichen had knelt twice, feeling utterly aggrieved. Earlier, when educating his son, he had said that a man has gold under his knees, and should only kneel to heaven, earth, and parents. That day, after returning from the yamen, Guaizai asked him why he had knelt to that old uncle, asking if that old uncle was his father.
Fang Zichen was mortified on the spot. To him, this was no different from a slap in the face. He could only steel himself and say that the man was the county magistrate. He was currently a tiger at the foot of a plain, and had no choice but to kneel when meeting an official. Once he passed the imperial examination and became a high official, the county magistrate would have to kneel to him then. A man must know when to bend and when to stand tall.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don't bully the young for being poor.
[三十年河东，三十年河西 (sān shí nián hé dōng, sān shí nián hé xi): lit. thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; fig. fortune and circumstances are constantly changing and unpredictable]
This time, he was aiming for Xiao Sanyuan.
Last time, riding in the carriage had jostled him half to death. This time, it was much better, perhaps because the first time was unfamiliar, the second time familiar. Just as they entered the city gate, he saw Li Yisheng under the gate stretching his neck and looking around furtively, like a thief.
"Little brother..." Fang Zichen waved to him. Although Li Yisheng had squinty eyes, his eyesight was quite good. He spotted him immediately and rushed over. The two embraced on the official road.
Li Yisheng sighed emotionally: "You've finally come. Since we parted last time, a year has passed. Times have changed, the stars have shifted, things are different, and people have changed. Looking at you now, I almost dare not recognize you."
Fang Zichen pushed him away: "... Read more books when you have time."
"Ai, I was just saying that casually. That's how it's written in storybooks, I thought it was quite touching." Li Yisheng took his baggage: "Let's go home. I've already arranged for a meal to be prepared."
It was the same room as last time. Li Yisheng said: "The academy exam is about to begin. Knowing you were coming, I had the room cleaned beforehand. The quilts have also just been aired in the sun."
Fang Zichen didn't know how to write the word "polite," but he did have some manners: "Thanks, brother."
"Don't be polite," Li Yisheng put an arm around his shoulder: "Let's go eat."
They didn't go to a restaurant. Recently, a large number of examinees had flooded into Yuanzhou. Outsiders were everywhere, and restaurants and inns were even more packed. The exam was tomorrow. Thinking that Fang Zichen had come from Fu'an Town and the journey must have been tiring, Li Yisheng decided not to go out.
There were quite a few dishes, but when they started eating, no one else seemed to be coming. Fang Zichen blinked: "Your cousin and second aunt aren't staying here?"
Li Yisheng said: "They didn't come."
"Oh!" Hearing a hint of schadenfreude in his tone, Fang Zichen said: "Your cousin didn't pass the prefectural exam last time, did he?"
"Mhm!"
Fang Zichen slapped the table: "I knew it! Someone who was carried out of the exam hall, how could they possibly pass? A useless fool, and he dared to look down on me."
Li Yisheng frowned: "You heard all those things my second aunt said?"
He thought it was unlikely. His second aunt's mouth couldn't spit out ivory; her words might not be half profane, but they were extremely unpleasant. Fang Zichen had an impulsive temperament and was used to being pampered. Li Yisheng understood that Fang Zichen knew perfectly well when to hold back and when to confront. Regarding Second Aunt Li, Li Yisheng knew Fang Zichen looked down on her. If he had heard her remarks, he would most likely have fired back on the spot.
Fang Zichen shook his head: "Didn't hear. But it was written clearly in her face."
Li Yisheng felt a bit regretful: "You saw it, why didn't you scold her a few times?"
"What's the use of scolding? I'm not that kind of person," Fang Zichen said with a sincere face: "I speak humbly and respectfully. If I were to argue with someone like her, I would surely have no chance of winning. I prefer to use ability to slap faces."
Li Yisheng: "..."
He almost believed it.
Judging by appearance alone, Fang Zichen's first impression was of extreme, handsome flamboyance, looking like someone from a prestigious family.
Most scions of prestigious families were refined, elegant, and graceful. But Fang Zichen... Li Yisheng felt he himself was no match for him. If Fang Zichen were to engage in a war of words with Second Aunt Li, she probably wouldn't last two rounds before losing miserably.
After the meal, Old Master Wu came looking for him. They had corresponded earlier, and Old Master Wu had originally wanted Fang Zichen to stay at his residence, but Fang Zichen had been too embarrassed to go.
He'd heard Old Master Wu had several grandchildren. If he went, he'd have to bring gifts.
Cheap items couldn't be given. If he had to give each one a gold lock, he'd rather sleep on the street.
The family was currently very poor. There was simply no way he could come up with that kind of money.
Old Master Wu came this time mostly to advise him on some matters to note, exam points, and some insights.
Fang Zichen muttered, feeling it was a bit late to talk about this now.
Old Master Wu's eyes widened. He had never met Fang Zichen without getting angry. He had done some mental preparation before coming, telling himself not to argue with a junior. Having taught for most of his life, he had seen all sorts of playboys, but no one had Fang Zichen's ability to leave him speechless and half-dead with anger every time.
The biggest taboo in the examination hall was excessive pressure. Fang Zichen had just finished the prefectural exam in the tenth month. Taking the exam now was really too rushed. Old Master Wu had advised him to wait another two years to gain more experience, but Fang Zichen refused. So now he had to say: "Take this exam as an opportunity to gain experience. Don't be nervous."
"I know, I'm not nervous at all."
Fang Zichen was stating a fact. He was a top student. Before transmigrating, taking exams was almost like eating—daily quizzes, monthly tests. He had experienced all kinds of exams, big and small, and was thoroughly accustomed to them.
Just like eating, who gets nervous about eating?
Definitely not possible!
He knew his own situation. Old Master Wu, however, thought he was 'putting on a brave face.' He comforted him some more, then told him some rules of the examination hall.
"Have you finished reading all those books from last time?"
"Finished," Fang Zichen said.
Old Master Wu nodded: "Good, then you have some grasp, at least you won't hand in a blank paper."
Fang Zichen felt belittled, but after thinking about it, decided not to say anything.
The prefectural exam required a xiucai and villagers as guarantors, while the academy exam required a Linsheng as a guarantor. The guarantor procedures were similar to those of the prefectural exam and county exam.
Old Master Wu had already taken care of it all for him.
The academy exam spanned six days in total, divided into two sessions of three days each, with a three-day rest period between them. In earlier years, similar to the prefectural exam, candidates were required to bring their own food.
But now it had changed.
In the past, examinees would bring charcoal, rice, and other supplies to cook for themselves inside the examination compound. While these scholars could compose essays effortlessly, they could hardly be relied upon for any practical task.
Those from farming backgrounds, even if they hadn't done it themselves, had at least seen how to cook rice. Those from wealthy families, however, were a different matter. Many had never stepped foot in a kitchen—some might even mistake rice for salt—as they were accustomed to servants attending to their every need day and night. There was even a rumor about a young master from a rich family who, unable to relieve himself, demanded his servant to help suck it out.
Who knows if it's true or not, but "Of a hundred useless things, the scholar is the most useless" is not unfounded.
[百无一用是书生 (bǎi wú yī yòng shì shū shēng): lit. Of a hundred useless things, the scholar is the most useless; fig. Scholars are impractical and lack real-world skills.]
A few years ago, someone taking the exam in the provincial examination hall cooked porridge himself. When trying to put out the fire, he mistakenly poured oil onto the flames, causing flames to shoot up and burn his exam compartment. The compartments were built closely together from wood. Moreover, during the exam, the main gate was tightly shut. The incident was sudden, and everyone was unprepared. In the end, it was said many people died in that fire.
After that tragedy, to prevent similar accidents and to allow candidates to concentrate fully on their papers, the authorities took over the provision of meals.
Each morning, a bowl of porridge and a steamed bun. At noon, two meat buns, a boiled egg, and a bowl of soup. The evening meal was the same.
Coming to take the exam wasn't about enjoying luxury. Expecting lavish meals was impossible.
Therefore, Fang Zichen didn't prepare much. After submitting his household registration information and confirming it was correct, the official wanted to search him.
A temporary small hut was set up outside the examination compound. Candidates had to go in and strip naked for inspection. This was one good point about Yuanzhou. It was said that in some places, officials were inhumane and didn't even set up a hut; candidates were required to strip completely for inspection out in the open street.
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