Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

The palace examination during the Dayu Dynasty was similar to the historical palace examination that Li Yu learned about in modern times.

The emperor served as the chief examiner and attended the palace examination in person. In the end, the emperor determined the top three candidates, that is, the emperor designated the top three candidates.

On the day of the palace examination, Li Yu and Lu Xuan sent Han Zheng, Lu Sheng and Qi Wangnian to the palace gate early to wait.

Han Zheng was the youngest person who passed the imperial examination this year, so as soon as he appeared, others recognized him.

Other tribute students came forward to greet him, and Han Zheng responded one by one.

Although he is young, his words and actions are not at all abrupt. On the contrary, what he says is meaningful and his behavior is impeccable.

There were several tribute scholars who had originally looked down on him, but after talking with him, they changed their contemptuous attitude and began to want to make friends with him.

Li Yu did not interfere with Han Zheng's daily friendships, but just watched quietly from the side.

*

After all, it was the most important exam, and the candidates all came early. Li Yu even saw Ji Shuo, who got the first place in the examination.

After not seeing each other for more than ten days, the arrogance between Ji Huiyuan's eyebrows became more and more obvious. He walked with his head slightly raised, looking like he looked down on everyone.

Li Yu took a look and then turned his gaze away.

She had heard about this person. He was from Beizhou Prefecture. His family had been farming and studying for generations. In last year's provincial examination, this person ranked first in Beizhou Prefecture. If he ranked first in the palace examination again, he would have won three prizes in a row.

He has the capital to be proud, Li Yu admits that, but Li Yu still doesn't like him.

She had seen talented people before, but only Ji Shuo was arrogant and conceited.

*

Li Yu was thinking when Ji Shuo suddenly came over.

He stared at Han Zheng and said word by word: "I will still be the first in today's palace examination."

Han Zheng lifted his eyelids and looked at him quietly, saying calmly: "Then we'll see the result in the palace examination!"

Ji Shuo: “…”

He wanted to say something else, but at this moment, the heavy gate of the palace not far away opened and they were about to go in.

Li Yu gave Han Zheng a few instructions and stepped aside.

*

Although 251 people were admitted in this joint examination, 254 people participated in the palace examination.

The three extra ones were those who had passed the last joint examination but were unable to take part in the last palace examination due to family changes.

There was a regulation in the Dayu Dynasty that those who were qualified to take part in the palace examination but were unable to do so due to important reasons could be postponed to the next time.

Everyone stood in two teams according to their scores and followed the Minister of Rites forward. The three extra people stood at the end of the team because of their special circumstances.

The team is arranged according to odd and even numbers, so even though Han Zheng is second, he still stands in the first row.

After everyone arrived at Chengtian Gate, they searched everyone and made sure they were fine before moving forward.

Mr. Su had already told Han Zheng about the process of the palace examination, so he was not nervous at the moment.

When the Chen hour arrived, all the candidates walked to the Fengtian Hall.

Han Zheng raised his eyes slightly and saw a man in a dragon robe standing in front of the hall. It was Emperor Tianyuan.

On the left and right sides of Emperor Tianyuan stood several officials in civil service uniforms.

*

Outside the palace, Li Yu took a carriage back to the store.

Everyone in the capital knew today that there would be a palace examination. During dinner, many familiar customers asked Li Yu about Han Zheng's situation.

A guest said, "He will take the second place in the exam, and he will probably be able to get the second place this time."

Li Yu smiled and replied: "The palace examination has not yet ended, so how can we know the result? But as long as he tried his best, I will be satisfied even if he is in the top three."

The guest said, "That's right. It's not easy to pass the imperial examination. As for the palace examination, you should relax and not put too much pressure on the candidates."

Li Yu nodded.

*

In the palace, Han Zheng and the other candidates paid homage to Emperor Tianyuan and then sat down in the Fengtian Hall.

Desks had already been set up in the hall. After the candidates sat down according to their rankings, the examiners distributed pens, ink, paper and inkstones.

In the previous dynasties, candidates had to bring their own pens, ink and inkstone for the palace examination. This dynasty attaches great importance to the palace examination, so students are no longer required to bring anything from home. Instead, the best pens, ink and inkstone are distributed on site, and each person is given a set. After the exam, they can take it away, which is considered a reward from the emperor.

There was only one policy question in the palace examination, which was set by Emperor Tianyuan himself.

Answer in one day.

This year's policy question was about taxes. Emperor Tianyuan asked the candidates what they thought of the current taxes, and how to increase tax revenue without increasing the burden on the people. Han Zheng wrote down the question, then took out a draft paper and prepared to make an outline first.

*

Emperor Tianyuan saw Han Zheng at a glance.

He is the youngest and calmest among all the candidates.

I heard that he is the brother-in-law of the owner of the Li Ji snack stall at the snack conference, and a disciple of Mr. Su. He only started preparing for the imperial examinations two years ago.

I wonder how he will answer this time.

There have been four imperial examinations since he ascended the throne, and this is the first time that a fifteen-year-old candidate has appeared.

He is looking forward to seeing his answer sheet.

*

After looking at Han Zheng, Emperor Tianyuan looked at other people.

He really liked the examination paper of the first place winner Ji Shuo, but this man seemed a little arrogant. When the candidates took their seats just now, he saw Ji Shuo looking at Han Zheng with hostility.

Could it be that these two had a feud before?

Unconsciously, Emperor Tianyuan's gaze became sharp.

Below, Ji Shuo sensed the majestic gaze from above, and his heart suddenly became excited.

The emperor is looking at him. This is a great opportunity for him to show his abilities!

Thinking of this, Ji Shuo straightened his back, trying his best to leave the best impression on Emperor Tianyuan.

*

The candidates basically spent the whole morning drafting their essays. At noon, eunuchs came to distribute food.

The hungry candidates will take some and eat it, while the healthy candidates will continue answering the questions.

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Han Zheng finished the draft, read it through to make sure there were no problems, and then began to copy it onto the answer sheet.

Emperor Tianyuan sat in the hall for an hour in the morning and then left. After lunch at noon, he walked into the Fengtian Hall again.

It would have been better if he hadn't come. As soon as he came, several candidates panicked and their original ideas disappeared completely.

Emperor Tianyuan had seen this kind of thing many times, and he walked away with a blank expression. Only the eunuch beside him shook his head.

Unless these students give exceptionally good answers, they will have no chance of getting into the top two.

Emperor Tianyuan walked up to Han Zheng unknowingly. Sensing his presence, Han Zheng's hand paused, then he continued answering the questions without changing his expression.

In fact, he was a little nervous, but the most important thing at the moment was to answer the questions, so he had to suppress his fear.

*

At the end of lunch, some candidates began to hand in their papers.

Han Zheng glanced at it and continued writing his own.

At 2:30 p.m., he put down his pen, read the answer sheet again, confirmed that there were no problems, handed it in and left.

I don't know when the wind started to blow outside and it was a little chilly.

Han Zheng held the pen, ink and inkstone and quietly followed the eunuch, passing through several palace gates and finally leaving the palace.

He has nothing to do for the time being and just needs to wait for the ceremony of announcing the imperial edicts in three days.

*

On the first day after the palace examination, Han Zheng helped Li Yu sort out the accounts at home. On the second day, someone sent an invitation to their home, inviting Li Yu and Han Zheng to attend a banquet.