Food bloggers made fortunes in ancient times

In early August, the provincial examination began.

Although Song Yan was busy at the farm, she was always worried.

Wei Taoer would occasionally look out the door while calculating on the abacus, and was obviously thinking about Gao Ruowang who was taking the exam.

On August 15th this year, Song Yuanshan still failed to make it back to celebrate the festival.

Song Yan slapped his forehead and decided to go to Guang'an Prefecture together to pick up Song Zhengdu who had just finished the provincial examination, and spend a reunion festival in Guang'an Prefecture.

The provincial examination consisted of three consecutive sessions, each lasting three days, with a one-day break in between, for a total of nine days.

Song Yan counted the days, and when they finished their last exam, it would be August 15th.

On the fifteenth day of August, it was not until the evening that Song Yan waited outside the Imperial Examination Hall and saw the exhausted Song Zhengdu and Gao Ruowang.

The two men looked pale, with dark circles under their eyes, and they were unsteady when they walked. It was obvious that they had been tortured by the nine-day and seven-night examination.

"Why are you so thin?" Song Yan quickly supported Song Zhengdu and turned to Wei Taoer and said, "Quick, take them to the car first."

Returning to the house that Song Yan bought, Song Yan asked people to prepare hot water and clean clothes, and asked the kitchen to cook nourishing chicken soup.

After taking a shower and changing his clothes, Song Zhengdu finally regained some energy and sat at the table sipping chicken soup.

"How did you do in the exam?" Song Yan couldn't help but ask.

Song Zhengdu put down the bowl of soup and smiled slightly, "Not bad. The topic of the policy paper is 'Strategies for quelling rebellions and pacifying the people'. I wrote down some ideas based on what I saw and heard during my study tour."

At this time, Gao Ruowang came out after washing up and took over the conversation: "The topic of this provincial examination is quite suitable for the current situation. It seems that the court is also troubled by the rebellions in various places and wants to find a good solution from the candidates."

Song Zhengdu was not optimistic about this: "It is easy to talk about it on paper, but difficult to implement it in practice. The power of the local vassal kings is intertwined and cannot be solved by a single imperial decree from the court."

"Besides, nowadays in the court, I'm afraid even those who really want to do something will have a hard time gaining a foothold."

Gao Ruowang sighed, shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I mentioned two items in the exam paper: 'lighten taxes and levies, and rectify the administration of officials'. After writing them, I felt that they were empty."

Song Yan picked up a piece of chicken for each of them and said, "Don't think too much after the exam. Have a good rest."

As for the results of the provincial examination, Song Yan was quite confident about Song Zhengdu. In the original work, Song Erlin was even able to struggle out of the quagmire and pass the examination and become a juren.

Now that Song Zhengdu is growing up in a better environment, with the guidance of famous teachers, and with the knowledge gained from traveling, it should not be difficult for him to pass the imperial examination.

No one else said anything else. Song Zhengdu and Gao Ruowang went to bed early after their meal and fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as they touched the pillow.

Three exams in a row have exhausted my mind, and being able to finish my meal with my eyes open is already the limit.

Song Yan also told others not to disturb them.

The results will not be announced until early September, and this period of time is just right for Song Zhengdu to rest and recuperate.

September 9th is the Double Ninth Festival.

This day is also the day when the results of the provincial examination are announced.

Although she was relieved, when the results were announced, Song Yan was still nervous and restless.

I almost poked the chopsticks into my nostrils while eating.

Seeing this, Song Zhengdu didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Don't worry, brother. The messenger who brings the good news will not arrive until noon."

"Oh! I know!" Song Yan put down his chopsticks and rubbed his face to sober up. "I'm just worried!"

Song Jiaojiao said confidently: "Second brother will definitely win."

Song Wanzhou also agreed: "That's right! Second brother is so knowledgeable, it would be strange if he didn't pass!"

Unexpectedly, just after finishing the meal, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from the distance.

Song Yan was startled and rushed to the gate of the courtyard in two steps.

I saw a team of officers coming with drums and gongs, and the leader was holding a big red bulletin, shouting: "Good news! Mr. Song Zhengdu from Yunshan County has passed the Guang'an Prefecture County Examination and won the first place!"

First place!

It turned out to be the top scorer!

Song Yan couldn't help but pinch her thigh.

"hiss--"

it hurts!

Not a dream!

"I won! I won!" Song Yan was so excited that she almost jumped up. She turned around and hugged Song Zhengdu, "First place! Well done!"

Song Zhengdu also showed a happy smile, but soon regained his composure, thanked the officer who brought the good news, and asked Song Yan to give him a generous reward.

The officers left happily, but the Song family's courtyard was bustling with activity.

Song Wanzhou pulled Song Jiaojiao and jumped up and down: "Second brother passed the imperial examination! Our family has a master who passed the imperial examination!"

At the same time, the Gao family.

Wei Taoer was impatient. She got up early in the morning and stood at the door, eagerly waiting for news.

Just after noon, the official finally arrived with the good news.

"Good news! Your master Gao has passed the Guang'an Prefecture provincial examination and ranked eleventh!"

Wei Taoer's heart finally settled down and her eyes instantly turned red.

He hurriedly took out his wallet to give a reward, but Gao's mother grabbed him and said, "Silly boy, the reward money is already prepared!"

The old lady smiled so hard that her teeth were showing and she stuffed the heavy silver coins into the officer's hands.

Wait until the official who brings the good news leaves.

Gao Ruowang stood there in a daze, as if he couldn't believe that he had actually passed the imperial examination.

It was not until Wei Taoer rushed over and hugged him that he woke up from his dream and hugged her back tightly.

"I won...I really won..." Gao Ruowang's voice choked with tears in his eyes.

Wei Taoer nodded vigorously: "I knew you could do it!"

Gao's mother wiped her tears and kept saying, "May our ancestors bless us, may our ancestors bless us!"

Gao Ruowang let go of Wei Taoer, turned around and bowed deeply to Gao's mother: "Mother, my son has lived up to your expectations."

Gao's mother helped him up and said with sobs, "Good boy, I'm proud of you."

Wei Taoer looked at this scene, feeling both happy and sad.

He knew how difficult it had been for Gao Ruowang along the way.

No matter the cold winter or the hot summer, he studied hard until three o'clock in the morning every night, just for the hope that one day he would be named on the list of successful candidates and bring honor to his family.

Now that we have finally achieved our wish, how can we not be moved?

Soon, the good news of Song Zhengdu's success in the imperial examination spread back to Zhangjia Village, and the whole village was shocked.

The Song family has a gentleman who has passed the imperial examination, which is a great event that brings honor to the family!

When Song Yan and his siblings returned to the village to pay homage to their mother, the village chief personally brought the clan elders to congratulate them. Song Yan had to set up a buffet for three days to entertain the villagers.

The Shu family had experience in hosting buffets, so Song Yan specially invited Shu's father and mother to host the banquet.

As soon as Shu's mother arrived, she took Mrs. Deng and Song Wanzhou to run around, arranging the banquet, receiving guests, and keeping everything in order.

Thanks to Shu's mother's help, otherwise Song Yan really wouldn't be able to handle this situation.

During the banquet, County Magistrate Fan came in person to congratulate, Prince Hui's palace also quietly sent people to deliver gifts, and some wealthy gentry came to visit.

For a time, the Song family's house was crowded with people.