How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Sweet osmanthus flowers were in full bloom in the yard, and the whole house could smell their sweet fragrance. And the day for the announcement of the results of the Autumn Examination was also called the Osmanthus List, which was announced when the sweet osmanthus flowers bloomed every year.

The whole family was waiting at home. Wang Yong wanted to use his connections to find out, but Zhang Zhou refused. His father had always been upright and rarely used his power for personal gain. Anyway, it didn't matter if he waited for the results to be announced.

"Second brother, aren't we going to check out the list?" Wang Qiuyu couldn't sit still and wanted to go out.

Zhang Zhou had a calm expression, confident in his plan, "Don't worry, if I win, the official will come to announce the good news."

Zhang Zhou was the only one at home who wasn't anxious. The others stood up and looked outside when they heard the gong. Da'an and Xiao'an also became nervous, barking outside at the sound.

"Second brother looks very confident?" Guan Xu couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Zhou said confidently: "I can't say for sure that I will be in the top few, but my name will definitely be on the list." Not only him, but the teachers in the academy were also very confident about his performance this time, and they were sure that he would be on the list.

Dong Xiaohuan paced anxiously, finally heading for the door. The gate had been open all day, but no one had come. She waited anxiously at the door, her gaze fixed on the alley entrance.

She didn't know how long it was, but it felt like an hour or two, before she saw two officials announcing the good news approaching, smiling and beating gongs. "Madam, is Mr. Zhang Zhou a juren?"

"That's right! Did he get it right? Did Zhang Zhou get it right?" Dong Xiaohuan couldn't wait to step forward.

"Yes, yes. Mr. Zhang is ranked third. Congratulations, Madam Zhang. Congratulations, Madam Zhang."

Dong Xiaohuan was so happy that she didn't even bother to explain that her husband's surname was Wang. She took out the red envelope she had prepared and stuffed it in. "Please come in and have a cup of tea, sir."

"I passed, I passed! Second brother passed! Second brother has become a juren!" Wang Qiuyu jumped a few times and ran into the house.

The others had already heard the noise and came out. Xia Chu grabbed Zhang Zhou's arm, overjoyed, "Second brother, second brother! Did you hear that?"

"I heard it." Zhang Zhou couldn't help but smile. Although he had expected it, he still couldn't hide his excitement after confirming it.

"Congratulations, second brother!" Guan Xu congratulated with a smile.

"Xia Chu, go and pour tea." Dong Xiaohuan brought in the announcer. The announcer would not stay for ordinary candidates, but he would give face to the top few candidates.

Xia Chu responded and quickly poured out some tea. The two herald officials had to go somewhere else, so they didn't stay long. They drank some tea, said some auspicious words, and left.

Scholars were not uncommon, but juren were rare. When the neighbors heard the news, they came to the house with gifts to congratulate him. Not only the neighbors, but even many wealthy businessmen who had heard the news came to congratulate him.

The Wang family's door had been open all day, and Zhang Zhou was exhausted after a long day of dealing with them. He declined most of the gifts, but kept the few he couldn't refuse.

Wang Yong originally wanted to ask for leave today, but the gang of robbers has not been caught yet. Two of them have evaded the intense search and there is still no news of them.

After a long day of traveling, he returned home and was cheered up when he heard the news that his son had been admitted to high school. He patted Zhang Zhou on the shoulder and laughed, "Good boy! Dad knew you could do it!"

"I'm so grateful to my parents. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to have this joy today." Zhang Zhou thanked his parents from the bottom of his heart. He hadn't thought about how long he would live at first. Who knew that his life would take such a long time? He would have a family, enter the academy, and finally reach the level of a juren.

Passing the imperial examination is the first step toward officialdom. Yet, many people never reach this point in their entire lives. Becoming a juren already means one is already a scholar. Among the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans, he has already reached the highest level.

Dong Xiaohuan didn't cook today. She took the money and booked a table at a good restaurant in the city. Since the children at home didn't like to go out, she added money and had it delivered. She greeted them cheerfully, "Eat, eat, let's eat something good today. Eat more, I ordered a lot of dishes."

Dong Xiaohuan went to inform her brother, and the next day her maternal grandparents came over. The old man held Zhang Zhou's hand, so excited that he didn't know what to say.

Afterwards, Wang Yong took his son to worship their ancestors. For such a great event that would bring honor to the family, they had to burn incense to inform their ancestors.

After finishing his work at home, Zhang Zhou went to work outside. First, the prefect hosted a banquet for all the students who had passed the imperial examination, and then he hosted banquets for the academy, classmates, and gentry, all large and small.

Dong Xiaomao went to Zhang Zhou's house several times but didn't see him. He wanted to register all the villagers' land under Zhang Zhou's name, which would exempt them from government taxes, but would also give Zhang Zhou some corresponding tribute.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhou said he would give an answer later. He had already considered this matter before. After passing the imperial examination, the land of his maternal grandfather would be registered in his name. However, since there were not many tax exemptions at the time, it was difficult to favor one over the other, so he did not agree to the other people's requests.

He now had 200 acres of tax-free land under his name, and after subtracting the 15 acres of land owned by his maternal grandparents, he still had plenty of space. However, he thought of Aunt Qingwu's farm, and such a good thing must be facilitated by those close to him first.

Jia Qingwu had already given the gift, but she seemed to have forgotten it. Sun Wujiu was also a juren, but his family had no relatives or land. Zhuangzi was also Jia Qingwu's dowry, so she hadn't thought about it for a moment.

It was only when Xia Chu came over to ask her that she remembered. Of course, she wanted it more than she could have. She had bought a hundred acres of land, and the tax was not a small amount.

Zhang Zhou asked his uncle to tell the village chief about the remaining 85 mu, allowing them to choose among the available places. Priority would be given to the lonely, widowed, and needy, with the rest being optional.

If the village chief understood some things, he would naturally include people who are on good terms with the Dong family.

The Dong family's status in the village has risen again. If Dong Dongdong can also pass the high school entrance examination, their family will probably become the best in the village.

After passing the imperial examination, if one is interested, one can transfer to a college in the capital. Zhang Zhou was still hesitating whether to participate in next year's spring examination. If he wanted to participate, now would be the best time to leave for the capital. Staying in the city was also possible; he could arrive before next year's exam.

But he hasn't decided yet whether or not to take the higher exam.

The other people in the family didn’t understand, and hadn’t even thought about whether or not to take the imperial examination, but Guan Xu knew.

Before he could rest, Guan Xu came to Zhang Zhou's room and asked, "Brother, do you want to continue taking the exam?"

Zhang Zhou shook his head. "I'm not sure yet. My eldest brother is not at home anymore. I feel uneasy if I leave again."

"Well, I'm still here, right? Big brother isn't far away, and Dad's in good health." Guan Xu had come because he'd heard the teachers discussing how their academy had produced two successful candidates. The other, who was at the bottom of the list, was about to leave for the capital to take the imperial examination. His second brother hadn't mentioned this at home, so he'd come to ask about it.

"Beijing's expenses are huge, and I don't want to add to the burden on my family. If I don't pass the exam next year, I'll have to continue studying. If I pass," Zhang Zhou glanced at his brother, "it will be difficult to come back."