The poor little girl who traveled through the book, her father was lazy, her mother was stingy, and

"It makes sense that the son of a wealthy businessman would recognize a farmer as his godfather."

"Do you think that if Granny Lin knew that the granddaughter she treated so harshly was actually a lucky girl, would she be furious?"

......

The villagers were talking at once and making a lot of noise.

The village head was annoyed and ordered them to go home, "Hurry up and go home. Have you pulled out all the weeds in the field? Or have you finished growing rice seedlings?"

-

Just when Li Shan and his men were busy, four messengers came beating gongs and drums and asking questions all the way from the beginning of the village to the end, and stopped in front of Lin Dajiang's door.

"May I ask if this is the home of Master Xie Yun?"

Lin Dajiang was sorting things inside and was not able to react for a moment when he saw the four newspapers.

Who is Xie Yun?

There is no such person in the village?

"Xie Yun? There is no such person!"

The four messengers looked at each other, wondering if they had taken the wrong path.

The four messengers were afraid that they had gone to the wrong house, so they quickly took out the book of good news and said, "Yes, it's Xie Yun, from Shanglin Village, Dayi Town, Jialin County. Is this Shanglin Village?"

Lin Dajiang then realized that the Xie Yun they were talking about couldn't be Ci'an?

"Yes, this is Shanglin Village. May I ask if you are here to announce the good news?"

"Yes, Xie Yun from Shanglin Village, ranked tenth in the provincial examination."

"Ci'an is a promising boy. Sir, I'll take you there." Lin Dajiang didn't even bother to wipe his hands, and hurriedly took the four messengers to the Xie family.

The messenger started beating drums and gongs again, walking from the Lin family to the Xie family.

Lin Xiaoman, Lin Jingzhe and others followed behind Baozi, and Goudan and a few other kids nearby also followed behind.

After hearing the news from the messenger, Wang Wan quickly called out Xie Ci'an. This was a great happy event, so she prepared a red envelope for each messenger.

"My fellow officials, please stay and have dinner before you leave."

"No, there are still a few families behind us who want to announce their good news, so I won't waste time."

The messenger happily took the wedding money, and then rushed to another place, knocking on the door along the way.

"Ci'an, you are amazing. How could you pass two exams in a row? You will have to take the college entrance examination next year."

Xie Ci'an nodded, "The college examination is held twice every three years, and there will be one next autumn."

At this time, the sharp-eyed Goudan noticed that the person who brought the good news was knocking on the door all the way to the village head's house, so he shouted, "The official has gone to the village head's house!"

Lin Dajiang was busy congratulating Xie Ci'an, but when he heard Goudan calling out, he hurried over to join in the fun.

Xie Ci'an and Lin Jingzhe could not sit still either. After all, they lived and ate together in Lin'an Prefecture and had developed a deep friendship.

Wang Wan rarely goes out, so she waved her hand and told Xie Ci'an to go.

In this way, a group of people walked towards the headman's house in a mighty manner.

Before he even arrived, Lin Xiaoman heard the sound of Lin Da's wife crying with joy.

"May our ancestors bless us, may our ancestors bless us, Yao Wen has passed the exam!"

Lin Xiaoman squeezed into the yard. Lin Zhuang's wife stood there in a daze, with no joy on her face. It seemed that only one person had won.

Yes, there were nine counties in Lin'an Prefecture, and each county had about a hundred candidates. Not only those who had passed the county examination that year, but also those who had passed the county examinations in previous years. For example, there were several large counties, and there were more than three hundred candidates who went to Lin'an Prefecture to take the examination this time.

At this moment, in the headman's house, except for the second wife who looked a little lonely, everyone else was very happy. Some gave the messenger red envelopes, fruits and peanuts, and even invited him to stay for dinner.

The messenger received the red envelope and said with the same words that there were other people waiting to report the good news.

As soon as the messenger left, Linzhuang's wife burst into tears and cried uncontrollably, "Why did Yaowen get the only one who got hit? Is Yaoguang still behind?"

"On such a happy day, what are you doing, second son?"

Lin Yaoguang thought that his knowledge was far inferior to that of his second brother, and his second brother was already ranked at the bottom, so it was reasonable that he did not pass.

"Mother, I am an unfilial son. I will study hard from today on."

The head of the village smiled and nodded, "You have studied hard for ten years, and now Yaoguang has only studied for six or seven years, so there is no rush."

Lin Zhuang also comforted his son, "Yaoguang, you are still young. It is already amazing that you can pass the county exam. You still have a long way to go. Remember not to lose your original intention because of a failure."

"I'll keep this in mind, son." Lin Yaoguang bowed.

Lin Xiaoman thought that Xie Ci'an had been studying at home since he moved to Shanglin Village, but even so, he still did better in the exams than Lin Yaowen who was studying at Mingyi Hall.

A farmer's son, although he had the devoted teaching of the teacher in Mingyi Hall, still had major flaws. He could not read widely, nor did he have enough money to support his study abroad. Memorizing the books at hand by rote was far from enough to continue to improve his level.

This was why she wanted to print the exam papers of previous years.

If they don’t have enough resources, they can make up for it with hard work. As long as they keep doing exercises, they can become “small town test-takers” and beat the kids from rich families.

Unfortunately, this method didn't work and the baby died just after birth.

But this is no longer a level she can reach. For her, it will be enough for her to work harder and harder and become a wealthy woman as soon as possible.

Xie Ci'an and Lin Yaowen were already congratulating each other.

We agreed to take the college entrance examination together next August.

Although Lin Yaoguang did not feel disappointed, he envied his second brother for being able to study with Xie Ci'an again.

Xie Ci'an's knowledge is the most outstanding among them. He always has different insights and ideas that they can't think of no matter how hard they try.

"Oh, our village has suddenly gained two more students. What a great joy!"

"Didn't the head of the village say that the village is building a school? When the school is completed, I will send my grandson to study there. Maybe he will become a scholar in ten years."

"Come on, your grandson is still a baby who can only drink milk. In ten years, he will only be ten years old. How can he be so capable!"

"Studying is not that easy. Yaowen and Yaoguang have studied for so many years, and they only passed Yaowen. Scholars take the exam this year and next year. They are still young, and they have to go to a place so far away from home to take the exam."

The head of the village is really happy today.

The second grandson passed the imperial examination and became a student. The money he had saved over the past few years finally made some money.

He waved his hand and said, "Yao Wen passed the exam and the banquet will be held!"

Lin Yaowen's face flushed, "Master, Ci'an ranked tenth in the provincial examination and there was no banquet. I won't do it either. I will go back to Mingyi Hall to study tomorrow."

Xie Ci'an reminded him, "If you and I pass the exam, we can go to the county school and study. You don't have to go to Mingyi Hall anymore."

It was the first time that the village head had heard of this. After all, there were few educated people in Shanglin Village, and even fewer who had passed the examination to become a Tongsheng.

"Can I really go to the county school?"

Xie Ci'an nodded.

Linda's wife asked, "The county school is so far away? Will Yaowen be able to adapt to it?"

Linda smiled and said, "Why not? When they went to take the exam, I barely helped them. Now Yaowen is already sixteen, not a kid anymore."

Xie Ci'an explained the benefits of attending the county school, "Aunt Lin, the teachers at the county school are more knowledgeable than those at Mingyi Hall in town. In addition, the books at the county school can be borrowed for free to students."

"Wouldn't that mean there would be endless books to read? I wouldn't have to spend money to buy books?" Linda's wife didn't expect that there would be so many benefits to entering the county school. Since there are benefits, she would definitely go. If you don't take advantage of it, you'd be a fool!

But isn’t the tuition for the county school very expensive?

Will the second son’s wife disagree in a weird way at that time?

Lin Zhuang's wife didn't dare to be angry for the sake of her father-in-law's face. She could only sigh frequently. Sometimes she blamed Lin Zhuang for following her and thinking that it might be Yaoguang who was with him now. Sometimes she blamed Yaoguang for not living up to her expectations.

The two daughters-in-law of the village head were one happy and one worried, but they were not worried at all about the village head's determination to set up a buffet.

How many years has it been since Shanglin Village produced a boy?

This year, two were passed at once.

"Big brother, go borrow some stools and chairs from the neighbors. Second brother, take out the fruits and vegetables to entertain the villagers."

"Village head, what stools can we take? We can sit on the doorstep or any stone to share in the good fortune."

Men, women, young and old from Shanglin Village came out and gathered in front of and behind the courtyard of the village headman.

Therefore, when a gorgeous carriage drove into Shanglin Village, the originally bustling village was now empty.

The yamen runner drove the carriage to the bustling part of the village and reported what he had seen to the people in the carriage, "Sir, this year, eleven people from Dayi Town passed the provincial examination, and Shanglin Village accounted for 20%. The courtyard in front is where the successful candidates are entertaining their neighbors.

The young master sitting in the carriage at this moment dared not say a word.

I don’t know what the county magistrate is planning.

Could it be that he has taken a fancy to something from the Lin family workshop again?

The carriage was exquisite and luxurious, with two delicate hollow bamboo-carved lanterns hanging in front of the door, swaying in the wind.

There were two tall and strong horses pulling the carriage, and four horse-riding yamen runners guarding both sides of the carriage.

You can tell at first glance that he is of great importance.

The originally lively scene became quiet, and the villagers all turned their eyes to the carriage.

Another big shot has come to Shanglin Village.

"Is the person in charge of the Lin family workshop here?"

The horse-riding yamen runner dismounted and asked, "Is Lin Dajiang, the head of the Lin family workshop, here?"

Lin Dajiang took two steps closer and recognized that the person who was speaking was the confidant of the county magistrate. He was among the people who followed the county magistrate around when he came to the workshop last time.

"Sir, I am Lin Dajiang. I didn't know that the county magistrate was coming. I am sorry for not welcoming you!"

County Magistrate Zhen and the young master, who were sitting in the carriage, walked out one after another and helped up the kneeling Lin Dajiang.

"This county is not wearing official uniforms. It is actually traveling incognito. There is no need to be polite."

Everyone in Shanglin Village reacted and knelt behind Lin Dajiang. Lin Xiaoman also knelt down reluctantly.

"Everyone, please stand up." As soon as the county magistrate finished speaking, Lin Xiaoman slowly stood up and found that everyone was still kneeling.

The villagers were kneeling in the mud with clean clothes on, their knees were stained with mud. They lowered their heads and did not even dare to look up at the county magistrate.

When Lin Dajiang, Xie Ci'an and others saw Xiaoman stand up, they also stood up.

If you meet an unreasonable county magistrate, you might be punished by him.

"Today, I went to Shanglin Village. As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the village, I met a messenger announcing good news. Shanglin Village has achieved good results in this provincial examination."

The head of the village was proud of it and thanked him with a smile: "It is because of your good governance that the scholars can concentrate on their studies without distractions."

"Li Zheng is a blessed person. Shanglin Village has changed a lot in the past two years!"

County Magistrate Zhen turned around and looked around. The villagers all lowered their heads and dared not move. There was silence all around.

This is no different from being in the county government office. It's really uncomfortable.

“I heard that the Lin family workshop hired many villagers from our village to work last year, and the county also wants to visit the workshop again.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Dajiang hurried forward to lead the way, "Sir, I will lead the way in front, please get in the carriage..."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by County Magistrate Zhen, "No need to mount your horse, just lead the way, and we will follow you on foot."

Then he added, "The two students who passed the provincial examination will also go with our county."

The corners of Lin Dajiang's lips twitched slightly. The county magistrate must be tired of riding in a carriage, so he came to this remote countryside for a private visit in disguise.

But on the surface he didn't dare to say much and led the way enthusiastically.

Xie Ci'an, Lin Yaowen and the Lin family who were named followed the county magistrate. The village head and his two sons also went to accompany them. Behind them, there was a group of villagers.

The villagers didn't dare to follow too closely, and followed behind at a distance. The noisy kids were told to keep quiet by the adults, and the scene was quite spectacular.

Currently, there is only the last batch of preserved eggs left to be shipped out of the Lin family workshop, and there is no one guarding the workshop except for two guard dogs.

Lin Dajiang took the initiative to explain, "Sir, the weather is getting hotter now, and preserved eggs will spoil easily if left for a long time. What you are seeing now is the last batch made ten days ago."

County Magistrate Zhen's real intention this time was not to visit Lin Dajiang. He casually looked around a few places, asked a few questions, and then suggested going to Lin Dajiang's house for a visit.

Lin Dajiang was flattered. It was an honor for his humble home to have the county magistrate visit him. It was a matter of glory for his family.

The head of the village could no longer sit still, and immediately asked his two sons to buy wine and vegetables, "Don't be stingy, buy good wine and more meat."

This is the honor of Shanglin Village, and we cannot neglect the county magistrate.

Only with the attention of the county magistrate can Shanglin Village develop.

The head of the village was well aware of this matter and was determined to entertain County Magistrate Zhen well and leave a good impression on him!

"Village head, there's no need to spend money..." It was the first time that County Magistrate Zhen experienced the villagers' simple hospitality. Hearing them buying wine and meat, it seemed too expensive.

Jialin County is a lower-level county. Even though it is located in Lin'an Prefecture, a land of fish and rice, many people still do not have enough food to eat and warm clothing. They just buy some meat during festivals to supplement the oil and water and think of it as eating meat.

"Sir, this is not a big expense at all. It is an honor for Shanglin Village to entertain you." The headman's thin and dark face was full of energy and smile.

Lin Dajiang also said, "Sir, if you don't mind, you can stay and have some simple food before leaving."

The young master echoed, "You may not know, sir, but the pickled fish and beggar's chicken at Ruyi Restaurant are both from the Lin family."

County Magistrate Zhen had eaten the sauerkraut fish at Ruyi Tower, which was delicious, thin, fresh, fragrant, sour and refreshing, and especially good with rice.

"Then it'll be hard work."

After getting the OK, Li Taohua went to the kitchen to get busy.

Linda's wife and Lin Xiaoman stayed in the kitchen to help.

Lin Dajiang, Lin Jingzhe, the young master, the village head and two new students accompanied County Magistrate Zhen in the Lin family courtyard.

Most of the time, County Magistrate Zhen was testing Xie Ci'an and Lin Yaowen. In addition, he also talked about the Lin family workshop.

County Magistrate Zhen's mother came from a prominent family and was the eldest daughter of an aristocratic family. The shops she came with as a dowry were all over the capital.

However, there was one restaurant that was poorly managed and was losing money every year. In order to please his mother and make her worry less about his marriage, he shipped sausages and preserved eggs directly to the restaurant in Beijing, and also gave away a sample of a "longevity" gift made of preserved eggs and sausages.

Who would have thought that just by selling preserved eggs and Chinese sausages, the restaurant, which had been losing money for many years, could turn around and become profitable.