Started as a thatched house and ended up as a female figure

On the night of August 10, the Cheng Mansion was shrouded in a deliberately created tranquility.

In the bathroom of Chunhua Garden where Cheng Wan lives.

Cheng Wan bathed in the misty hot water and almost melted on the wall of the tub.

"Look at the mosquito bites on my body. Why didn't those officials arrange for someone to sprinkle some medicine powder in the Imperial Examination Hall in advance? Isn't this torturing people and making them suffer?"

Old Mrs. Lin took a gourd ladle and poured warm water on Cheng Wan's shoulders, while complaining about the government's inadequate preparations.

"It's okay, grandma. It just looks scary. It doesn't itch anymore."

Cheng Wan closed his eyes, his voice sounding comfortable and lazy.

Next to Old Lady Lin, Wang touched the wall of a celadon bowl placed on a high stool.

Not too hot, not too cold, just right.

Wang patted Cheng Wan's arm to make him open his eyes, then brought the bowl to Cheng Wan and said, "Drink this soup."

Cheng Wan held the bowl close to his nose.

There is a hint of sweetness mixed with the medicinal aroma.

"Mom, what kind of soup is this?"

Wang helped Cheng Wan massage her other arm, her eyes were gentle and kind:

“For the tranquilizing soup, I specifically looked for a prescription from a doctor and watched the kitchen prepare it.

Drink it quickly, it will get cold soon."

"Thank you, mother!"

Cheng Wan raised his head and smiled sweetly at Wang, then gulped down the calming soup.

The warm soup slid down my throat, and my nerves, which had been tense for three days, relaxed a little.

Old Mrs. Lin poured another bucket of warm water on Cheng Wan's other shoulder. She glanced at Cheng Wan's comfortable little look, feeling both distressed and wanting to laugh.

"Just soak for a while longer and come out quickly. Drink the calming soup and have a good sleep tonight. You have to rush to the examination room early tomorrow."

"Got it, grandma~"

Cheng Wan held Mrs. Lin's hand and rubbed his face on her arm, causing Mrs. Lin and Wang to laugh.

That would be best.

The children are out fighting, while the family members are taking care of the logistics.

No one can live without each other...

I had a hot meal, took a hot bath, and had my family around me to ask about my well-being.

Cheng Wan's mental state has recovered by at least 90%.

When Cheng Wan appeared in front of Gu Yan, looking refreshed and energetic, even Gu Yan couldn't help shaking his head and laughing.

"Awan, you are very suitable for taking the imperial examination."

Ok?

Cheng Wan didn't quite understand what Gu Yan meant, but that didn't stop him from nodding seriously and saying firmly, "Yes! I'm very suitable for the imperial examination!"

Gu Yan was suddenly touched by Cheng Wan's cuteness. His Adam's apple rolled and a low-pitched laugh escaped from his throat: "I mean that you are in good health and your spirit recovers quickly."

With just these two things, I wonder how many candidates will be envious and jealous.

Cheng Wan blinked twice and nodded solemnly again: "Then I am indeed very suitable for the imperial examination."

Her physical fitness is not exaggerated, it is definitely God's favor to her.

Otherwise she would have died eight hundred times already.

Cheng Wan touched the ends of his hair.

Still a little damp.

"It's so late, why are you here?"

"When you get home, ask Butler Chen to find out about Jiang Shidu and the others. Butler Chen has found out everything.

He was supposed to report to you, but I missed you, so I took over his job."

Gu Yan took a cotton towel, walked behind Cheng Wan, and gently and carefully wiped the ends of Cheng Wan's hair.

Cheng Wan's eyebrows curved and she closed her eyes to enjoy Gu Yan's service.

"How is the result?"

“We were all affected to some extent by the heavy rain, but we all persevered.

Fortunately, no one got sick.”

Cheng Wan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved.

The provincial examination lasts for nine days and consists of three sessions, each of which is like a test of hell. If you can survive the first session, you have already taken a big step towards success.

……

On the morning of August 11, the heavy vermilion lacquered gate of the Imperial Examination Hall was opened again.

Cheng Wan carried the examination basket that was restocked with charcoal, food and ginger soup, and followed the crowd into this awe-inspiring and daunting examination room again.

The gazes of Gu Yan, Old Lady Lin and others followed him closely, filled with silent encouragement and deep concern.

Cheng Wan didn't look back, but his steps were a little more steady and firm than when he entered the first game.

Passing through the familiar courtyards and entering the dormitory area, Cheng Wan keenly noticed that the atmosphere was completely different from that before the first exam.

The air was filled not only with the smell of sweat and ink, but also with a stronger smell of medicine and a faint scent of illness.

More importantly, as far as the eye can see, some of the houses are empty!

Those empty number plates were exposed coldly, silently telling how many candidates were unable to step here again after leaving the venue yesterday.

Perhaps the freezing cold brought by the heavy rain completely broke them down, or the ordeal of the first battle exhausted their energy, or perhaps their physical foundation was too weak.

In short, those people's road to the imperial examination will temporarily stop here. If they want to take part in the provincial examination again, they will have to wait three years...

A chill passed through Cheng Wan's heart.

The imperial examination has never been just a competition of intelligence, but also a brutal test of physical fitness.

Those empty cells are a silent warning and a ruthless elimination.

Cheng Wan took a deep breath, walked steadily to No. 7 Hongzi, put down the examination basket, and began to make preparations skillfully.

……

The second exam started on August 12, which tested the Five Classics and official document writing.

The topics of the Five Classics are still difficult and obscure, and require extremely high levels of understanding and application of the classics.

The official document writing required writing a memorial about the "accumulated problems in granaries" in the capacity of a local official.

Cheng Wan combines the concepts of logistics management in "Friends of Military and Civilian Dual-Use Talents" with his observations on the malpractices of real officialdom, and writes in a clear and to-the-point manner.

Another three days and two nights of torture.

When the gong sounded on the evening of August 13, announcing the end of the second game, Cheng Wan's heart beat violently, and then he let out a long breath.

Walking out of the alley, Cheng Wan saw some candidates being supported by candidates from the same alley. Their faces were flushed and their breathing was rapid, and it was obvious that they had a high fever.

Many candidates had unsteady steps and dark circles under their eyes.

Cheng Wan felt heavy in his heart. The cruelty of the provincial examination was vividly displayed at this moment.

Being able to persist until the third game is already a huge test.

On August 14, the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there was already a festive atmosphere in Liangzhou City, but inside and outside the Imperial Examination Hall, the atmosphere was as heavy as lead.

Cheng Wan stepped into the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall for the third time.

This time, there are more vacant cells.

Less than half of the people made it to the third game.

The third round of the provincial examination tested essays on current affairs.

When the question paper was placed outside the fence by the official, Cheng Wan's heart beat faster for some reason.

Cheng Wan took back the question paper and unfolded it.

Guanzi's Theory of the Weight of Lightness and Heaviness

Guanzi said: "When the people have more than they need, they take it lightly, so the ruler should collect it lightly; when the people have less than they need, they take it seriously, so the ruler should distribute it seriously."

Question: How did the ancient financial managers strike a balance between "taking" and "giving"? If we were to reform the old ways and make new laws, what would we do to ensure that the country has abundant funds and the people are not in trouble? Please refer to the past and present and propose a strategy.

This question!

Cheng Wan's heartbeat quickened and his breathing became heavy.