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

Chapter 427: Imperial Examination

The imperial examination is also known as the "Spring Examination". It consists of three sessions, each lasting three days, for a total of nine days.

There are one exam each on February 9th, February 12th, and February 15th, and the exam will be held on February 18th.

It was a chilly spring day, and there was no curtain at the entrance of the examination room, which was a big test for the candidates' physical strength.

It’s much more difficult than the autumn examination.

I can bear the heat, but it’s really hard to bear the cold!

Finally, after Zhang Ping'an gave her a thorough explanation, Xu reluctantly removed some of the firewood and candlelight and replaced them with a normal-sized examination basket.

This time, Zhang Laoer and the housekeeper were there to send him to the exam.

After the exam basket was packed, the butler quickly placed the things on the carriage, then bowed and asked, "Old Master, Master, everything is packed, but shall we set off now?"

"Let's go now, it's almost time," said Zhang Pingan.

After saying that, he turned around and said to Xu and Qian Youyi in a gentle voice, "Mother, Youyi, I'm leaving. You should go back and rest. It's still early and you can still take a nap."

Xu replied, "Oh, I understand. Let's go, don't miss the time!"

There was a strong sense of anticipation and reluctance in his words.

Qian Youyi had experienced this kind of scene many times before. After all, her family had many successful candidates, so she was relatively calm. She only gently said, "Husband, don't be nervous. Do your best!"

Zhang Ping'an nodded, shook his wife's hand for the last time, then turned and got on the carriage.

Zhang Laoer and the housekeeper followed.

The driver raised the reins and shouted "Gee!" and the carriage slowly drove out the door.

It was the darkest time of the night and it was pitch dark outside.

But once you get to the street, you can see many carriages and horses with lanterns hanging under their canopies driving on the road.

They were all people who went to the Imperial Academy to take the examination together.

The sound of horse hooves "clatter, clatter" was endless.

When we got to the street in front of the Imperial Examination Hall, it became even more lively.

The number of candidates taking the exam and those accompanying them to the exam totaled several thousand people.

It seems that there are no fewer people than during the provincial examination.

They all held lanterns in their hands for lighting.

With the large lanterns and torches hanging at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall, one can vaguely see the people and shops around.

Zhang Pingan took a look and felt emotional. He was afraid that most of the pillars of the Southern Dynasty had gathered here today.

Although Zhang Laoer has experienced this kind of scene of sending students to take exams several times, he is still shocked every time.

"I hope our ancestors will bless me this time," Zhang Laoer couldn't help but look up at the sky and pray.

"Dad, let's go down. The carriage can't go in," Zhang Ping'an said after looking at the road conditions.

"Well, okay," Zhang Laoer replied.

The driver was smart. He pulled over and quickly took out a footstool to make it easier for the passengers to get off.

Zhang Ping'an had no use for this thing, so he jumped out of the car.

Then he turned around and supported Zhang Laoer: "Dad, please slow down."

"It's okay, I don't need help," Zhang Laoer waved his hands and said firmly, "I'm not that old yet!"

But when he stepped down from the footstool, Zhang Ping'an discovered in the dim light of the lantern that his father had a lot more white hair.

It was just a light gray before, but now it is completely half white.

His body is not as flexible as before.

The wrinkles at the corners of the eyes are very deep!

Looking at my father now, he is really old.

I hope I can pass the exam this time, so that my dad won’t have to work so hard to send me to the exam in the future, Zhang Pingan thought.

After getting off the carriage, they left the coachman there to watch the carriage, while Zhang Laoer and the housekeeper accompanied Zhang Ping'an to line up at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall.

The weather was cold, and many people were stamping their feet while queuing, and blowing hot air into their palms from time to time to warm their bodies, otherwise their hands would be frozen and how could they hold a pen?

Zhang Laoer was extremely relieved at this moment and praised: "Fortunately, my daughter-in-law is experienced and has already covered your shoes and inner clothes with mink fur. Otherwise, you would definitely be in pain right now."

"Mink fur is hard to find, so she asked her father-in-law and mother-in-law for help. After the exam, I will go to my father-in-law's house to thank him in person," Zhang Pingan said with a smile. He will remember this favor.

"That's what I should do," Zhang Laoer said with relief.

Zhang Pingan looked around the crowd, but didn't see anyone familiar. He didn't know if it was because it was dark and he couldn't see clearly, or if they were not lined up together.

It's quite a pity.

Everyone waited quietly until the hour of Yin, when the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened.

The housekeeper said excitedly: "Master, Master, the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall is open, let's line up quickly!"

At this moment, the surroundings suddenly became noisy.

Zhang Ping'an was dozing off in a daze, but he woke up instantly after hearing the words.

He quickly straightened his clothes and stood in line, ready to be searched.

Zhang Laoer also looked up and stretched his neck to look, took the examination basket from the housekeeper, and checked it carefully again. Only when he was sure that there was no problem did he feel relieved.

The body search in the imperial examination was much stricter than that in the provincial examination, and more yamen runners were dispatched.

Dozens of groups of people were divided to cooperate in the search.

There were also soldiers wearing armor and carrying swords to maintain order.

During the inspection, all clothes and hair must be undone, shoes must be taken off, and the body must be searched from head to toe, leaving no trace.

The food was squeezed until only crumbs were left, so this time Zhang Ping'an only asked Xu to prepare dry noodles and fried grain flour, which were convenient to eat and could satisfy hunger.

The body search took too long, and some weak candidates had their chests exposed, and when the wind blew, they sneezed continuously.

The people around were so scared that they stayed away for fear of being infected.

"Dad, you guys go back, it's almost my turn," Zhang Pingan said, quickly taking the exam basket when he saw that it was his turn.

Zhang Laoer handed the basket over and solemnly instructed, "Try your best on the exam. Don't worry or get nervous, okay? No matter what the result is, Dad is proud of you!"

"Yes, I know," Zhang Pingan nodded seriously.

Then walk forward.

After a while, it was Zhang Ping'an's turn. He was searched like the previous people and had to take off his clothes.

However, Zhang Ping'an was not wearing thick clothes, mainly mink fur to keep him warm, so it was relatively easy to search him. After searching his clothes, they quickly searched his body.

The bailiff felt him from head to ankle, making sure he had nothing hidden. Then he waved his hand and let him go: "Go in!"

The feeling of being molested was very unpleasant, as if someone had taken advantage of him. Zhang Ping'an quickly put on his clothes, took the examination basket, and followed the yamen runner who was leading the way inside.

I was lucky this time and got the middle position.

You won't be too close to the examiner and feel nervous, nor will you be too close to the stinky trumpet and be exposed to the stench.

The examination hall was used only last autumn. It was cleaned very cleanly and there was no leaking anywhere.

Being assigned to such an examination room is a good start!

Zhang Ping'an's mood suddenly brightened.