The Little Lucky Girl.

Since the village school opened, many children in this village, as well as some from neighboring villages, have entered a learning mode! The school is divided into three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A is for children with a certain level of reading foundation—smart and outstanding; Class B is second; and Class C is for children with no prior knowledge who are just beginning to learn.

Zhu Daru went back and forth between school and his residence every day. His grandson was also assigned to study at school! On this day, school was over at 12:00 PM! Zhu Daru walked with his grandson along the village path! When the villagers saw him, they all greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Master Zhu!"

"Good, good, good!"

Days like these passed in a flash, and in the blink of an eye it was time for Brother Su Qing, his cousin, and his cousin to take the imperial examination!

During this period, the brothers have all been advised by Zhu Daru, so they are confident about taking the examination for the scholar degree!

The examination for the title of scholar was divided into three sessions: the county examination, the prefectural examination, and the academy examination. The county examination was the first of the tongshi examinations, presided over by the county magistrate, and only those who passed it could qualify for the prefectural examination. The prefectural examination was held in the prefecture that governed the county and presided over by the prefect. After passing the prefectural examination, one could take the academy examination. After passing the county and prefectural examinations, one would be awarded the status of tongsheng (a student), which allowed one to take the academy examination. The academy examination, also known as the zhangshi (a chapter examination), was taken by tongsheng in the county or prefecture and presided over by the provincial governor of education. Those who passed the examination were called shengyuan (a student), commonly known as xiucai (a scholar) or xianggong (a scholar).

The national scholar admission is only about one name. So it is not easy to pass the exam!

"A scholar is one who passed the academy examination." The academy examination was the first stage of the imperial examination, and those who passed it were called scholars.

The admission rate for scholars is usually relatively low. The total number of admissions nationwide is around , and the admission rate depends on the number of applicants. It can be as low as one out of dozens or as high as one out of hundreds!

Scholars enjoyed a variety of privileges in ancient times. First, they were exempt from two corvee duties, meaning their family members could reduce heavy physical labor and thus improve their quality of life. Second, they were exempt from paying the public grain tax, which freed them from the burden of paying it. Furthermore, they could legally keep slaves, a symbol of status at the time. Under Dafeng law, scholars enjoyed certain exemptions from punishment, meaning they enjoyed certain protections under Dafeng law. Scholars could also open private schools in their local area, teaching students, thereby both imparting knowledge and providing answers while earning an income. Finally, scholars enjoyed privileges in clothing, being able to wear specific clothing to indicate their status.

In ancient times, scholars also enjoyed exemptions from taxes and corvee labor, the ability to meet officials without kneeling, and the need for letters of introduction when traveling. For example, scholars were exempt from population taxes and some land taxes, significantly reducing their financial burden. Furthermore, scholars did not need to kneel when meeting officials, only bowing, demonstrating their social status. They did not need letters of introduction when traveling, a status symbol at the time. Scholars could also open private schools and earn a living by teaching, providing an additional source of income.

In ancient times, scholars also enjoyed elevated social status and certain political privileges. For example, they enjoyed a voice in the county. They joined literary societies, formed alliances with other scholars, and shaped the county's public opinion. Furthermore, scholars could be hired by the county or selected by officials to handle paperwork or serve as legal advisors, further enhancing their social status and influence.

A scholar could own 100 to 200 mu of tax-free land! On average, each county could only produce five scholars per year, but the Dafeng court gave each county 20 scholar quotas each year!

Su Qing is in Sujia Village today. She saw Zhu Daru working hard to help his brothers with their studies. She plans to make a delicious meal for him today!

Su Qing woke up early in the morning and went to the county town to buy food. He first went to the clinic and invited his master, uncle, and uncle to close the clinic early in the afternoon and return to Sujia Village for dinner! "Master, uncle, uncle, you three should go back early today! I'll make something delicious!"

"Okay, okay, what delicious food did my good disciple make today?"

"You'll know when you get back!"

"Girl, I've been wanting to eat the food you cook for a long time! The food I've eaten lately has been too bland!" said Doctor Lu.

"Hey, Uncle Master, didn't the kitchen cook any meat for you?"

"I made it, I made it! It's not as delicious as yours!"

"Yes, nephew! I have never eaten the food you cooked before. I thought other food was delicious. But after eating the food you cooked, those food were too bland and tasteless! If I don't eat it, I will be hungry. If I eat it, it will hurt my stomach! Haha!" said Doctor Chen.

"Alright then! You three old men should close up shop early and go home today!"

"okay!"

"Then I'll go buy some ingredients!"

"Go! Go quickly!"

Su Qing left the clinic, got on a carriage and headed straight for the market! The market was bustling in the early morning, with vendors shouting from time to time!

Ying San parked the carriage in a small alley and accompanied Su Qing to buy vegetables! There were vegetable sellers, fish sellers, and all kinds of food at the market. Su Qing bought a few black carp and grass carp! Suddenly, he saw someone selling crabs, which were quite big. "Uncle, how much are these crabs?"

"Fifteen cents a pound!" said the middle-aged man.

Su Qing looked at the crabs and found that most of them were male! Seeing that Su Qing hadn't answered yet, the middle-aged man said timidly, "You can make it cheaper!" The middle-aged man was still hoping to sell the crabs to buy medicine for his mother!

"Uncle, I want them all. Can you weigh them for me?"

"Okay, thanks, little girl! You really helped me out a lot! I was waiting to sell the crabs to buy medicine for my mother! If you want them all, I'll give you a discount!"

"No, thank you, uncle! How much silver do you need to pay? It's not easy for you! But you can take your grandma to the Weimin Medical Clinic! The medicine there is cheap and works immediately!"

"Okay, thank you, little girl!" The middle-aged man weighed it and said, "Little girl, it's 30 kilograms in total, 450 coins!"

"Okay!" Su Qing pulled four hundred and fifty copper coins from his purse and handed them to the middle-aged man! Then he and Ying San turned and left! Ying San was carrying crabs! Su Qing went to buy pork belly, lean pork, spare ribs, pig's trotters, large bones, two large elbows, pig offal, and a large pig's head! He also bought some shrimp and went back!

Arriving at the Su family's courtyard! Su Qing instructed Ying San to burn the hair off the pig's head with fire, then scrape and clean it! Su Qing cleaned the pig's offal! After all the ingredients were cleaned! Su Qing put the pig's head, offal, trotters, and two large pork elbows into a large pot, added the marinade ingredients, and began to stew!

Then, prepare and fillet the fish! Make boiled fish and pickled fish! Clean and cut up the crabs, coat them in cornstarch, and deep-fry them! Make spicy crab!