The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

On the first day of going to the provincial school, Zhang Ping'an got up early and washed up thoroughly. It is always better to be early than late. It only takes a quarter of an hour to walk from home to the provincial school.

The provincial school is also divided into outer, middle and upper dormitories. Freshmen are usually assigned to the outer dormitories, and students with excellent academic performance can be promoted to the middle dormitories and then to the upper dormitories. The age and academic progress of students in each class are relatively consistent. There are positions such as professors, school principals, and instructors who are responsible for teaching and management.

Zhang Ping'an was assigned to the outer dormitory, which was full of new scholars this year. Because it was still early, there were only two or three people there when he arrived at the classroom.

After sitting for a while, people gradually arrived. There were about thirty people in one class.

Most of them were young people, no one was particularly old, and they all wanted to achieve something in the imperial examination. Before the professor arrived, they started exchanging names with each other. Zhang Ping'an quickly integrated into the group, especially with a scholar named Yuan sitting next to him. He got along especially well with this scholar, who had a very big head, sparse hair, and a shiny forehead. To be honest, he was not good-looking, but he spoke very interestingly and was not pedantic.

"My surname is Yuan, my given name is Zi'ang, I am from the provincial capital, and I am the Sun Shan of this year's college entrance examination, hehe." Yuan Xiucai was not ashamed of Sun Shan, but proud of Sun Shan and felt that he was very lucky.

Zhang Ping'an was not stupid either. He thought what Yuan Xiucai said was quite interesting, so he followed up with another question: "Yuan Xiucai, then you are very lucky."

Yuan Ziang said proudly: "I am indeed lucky."

As soon as he finished speaking, the professor in charge of the class came in. He looked to be about forty years old, not tall, thin, and with an ordinary appearance. However, he had a rather elegant temperament and was neat and tidy.

After the professor sat down, he introduced himself as usual. His surname was Han, and his name was Wendao. He was a deputy tribute student in the provincial examination in the 18th year of Ningwu. In the future, he would be responsible for teaching the classics courses in the outer residence. Only then did Zhang Ping'an realize that not all the students in the provincial school were Juren.

The so-called deputy tribute students are scholars who are on the deputy list in the provincial examination. The deputy list is an additional list in the provincial examination, that is, thirty more are selected in addition to the admitted main list. If you want to become a juren, you still need to take part in the provincial examination again.

The establishment of the secondary list aims to provide certain recognition and opportunities for those candidates who failed to enter the main list but performed well. Although their status and treatment are not as good as those of the candidates on the main list, they still have a certain social influence and status.

Overall, it is a very regrettable thing. Usually, candidates who are on the secondary list will continue to take the exam, but it is hard to say whether they can pass.

In the first class, Professor Han did not rush to teach. Instead, he first gave a general introduction to the situation of the provincial school, as well as the specific class arrangements of other professors and teachers in charge of various courses in the outer school. He spoke in great detail. From this, it can be seen that Professor Han is a very responsible teacher.

After Professor Han finished his brief introduction, he took two sips of tea before continuing slowly, "The road to the imperial examination is long and arduous. You have only just achieved the first level of scholar status. You must know that each subsequent level, from Juren to Jinshi, becomes increasingly difficult. Don't think you can relax once you've entered the provincial academy. The number of places is limited, and they only accept talented and hardworking students. Therefore, there will be a final examination every six months, and those who fail will be expelled from the academy."

The thirty or so scholars below looked at each other in bewilderment. It was also the first time that Zhang Pingan realized that one could not continue studying forever just by entering the provincial school.

Professor Han ignored the expressions of the students below and continued seriously, "So if you want to come to the prefectural school to spend your days, you'd better pack up and leave as soon as possible."

Under Professor Han's sharp gaze, all the scholars stood up and saluted, saying, "I am devoted to learning and dare not waste my time."

"Well," Professor Han stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, sit down!"

Zhang Pingan wiped a cold sweat from his heart. This old man is really capable. He gave me a warning in the first class.

Professor Han then talked about some things to pay attention to in the outer dormitory and then the get out of class ended. It was already noon and we could go to the cafeteria to eat.

"Mr. Zhang, let's go to the cafeteria to eat together. I know which dishes in our school are delicious," Yuan Ziang said with a smile.

"Okay," Zhang Ping'an replied with a smile. He didn't know anyone in the provincial school anyway.

The two of them went to the cafeteria together. Yuan Ziang really knew everything about the dishes in the cafeteria, and the chef who served the food seemed to know him. The dishes he served to the two of them were the best, obviously more than those for other students, and with more meat and less vegetables.

"Mr. Yuan, are you a relative of the chef who distributes food in the cafeteria?" Zhang Ping'an asked curiously.

"No, they are not relatives. My father is the mayor who manages the East Market. Our canteen has to go to the East Market to buy goods every day. I am just doing my father a favor. Anyway, ordering more dishes will not make them go bankrupt," Yuan Ziang said with a smile.

"Oh, I can't tell," Zhang Ping'an joked. Although the mayor's position is not high, it has a lot of benefits. Food is the most important thing for the people. Just ask the common people. There is no day when they don't eat.

"Hey, Mr. Zhang, stop teasing me," Yuan Ziang said, rubbing his forehead and laughing, "In the provincial school, my father, a small official, is not even worthy of respect."

"Your family should be well-off, but you..." Zhang Ping'an was speechless as he looked at Yuan Ziang's hair.

"Well, this is a family hereditary disease. My father and grandfather are both like this. No matter how many hair growth remedies I try, they don't work. I'm used to it," Yuan Ziang said indifferently.

Zhang Pingan really likes dealing with classmates with personalities like Yuan Ziang. He can say whatever he wants to say without any hesitation, and he doesn't have to bother trying to figure out the meaning behind the other person's words.

"Mr. Zhang, let me tell you, when we were sitting together and talking just now, I felt like we were a good match. I'm determined to make you my friend," Yuan Ziang said while eating.

Zhang Pingan said with a smile: "Mr. Yuan, it seems like we've known each other for a long time!"

"Hahaha, that's exactly what I mean," Yuan Ziang laughed.

After finishing their meal, the two of them took a walk around the Fuxue before returning to the classroom. Fuxue covers a large area, and the flowers and plants are well tended. With the pavilion, rockery and flowing water, the scenery is quite nice.

"I'll take you to Lingbo Lake some other day. The scenery there is more beautiful." Yuan Ziang was used to seeing it. His elder brother also studied in the provincial school, and he came in to play often, so he didn't think it was a big deal.

"Okay," Zhang Pingan replied.

The afternoon class was the official start of the class. A scholar named Feng was given the lecture on the Four Books. As expected of a senior who had survived the provincial examination, he quoted from classics and spoke eloquently. He was also very familiar with the examination questions of previous years and could analyze them based on the examination questions. The class lasted for two hours and ended as soon as the get out of class was over.

No wonder no one drinks water in class, and the teacher only takes a sip of tea. Who can resist drinking water?

Zhang Ping'an went home only after he had taken care of his three urgent needs.