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

Chapter 435: Examination Results (Part 1)

The announcement of the results of the imperial examination is also known as the "Apricot List".

The name comes from the fact that the results of the imperial examination were announced during the season when apricot flowers bloomed, hence the name "Apricot List". The admitted candidates were called Gongshi, and the first one was called Huiyuan.

Only after becoming a Gongshi can one be eligible to take part in the palace examination.

The palace examination is the highest-level examination in the imperial examination. It is presided over by the emperor himself and will not eliminate candidates. It will only rank the candidates admitted in the joint examination and divide them into three classes. Three people in the first class will be awarded "Jinshi Jidi", several people in the second class will be awarded "Jinshi Chuan", and several people in the third class will be awarded "Tong Jinshi Chuan".

Therefore, when the results of this imperial examination were announced, those who passed were only tribute students, and they had to wait until six days later and pass the palace examination before their ranking as jinshi could be officially determined.

However, since there was no elimination in the palace examination, as long as one was on the list, one would at least have the status of "Tong Jinshi", so many dignitaries and wealthy businessmen were often keen on finding a son-in-law from the list.

It can be regarded as identifying potential stocks in advance.

Zhang Laoer and Xu got up early, asked the maid to prepare breakfast, and asked the servants to clean the courtyard carefully.

If someone comes to announce the good news, the neighbors will definitely come to congratulate you. A clean and bright house will at least leave a good impression on others.

Although Zhang Ping'an didn't like the crowded atmosphere, the announcement of the examination results was a very meaningful event for those who were taking the imperial examination. It would be a pity to miss it, but he had to go.

Fortunately, he had plenty of money now and had servants following him. He had already booked a teahouse on the street in advance, so he just had to sit there and wait.

At that time, the messenger who announces the good news will read out the names and rankings of the people on the list as he walks. The servants can also go and see the list without having to crowd in front of it.

Much lighter than before!

Mrs. Xu was obviously anxious. Seeing that her son had almost finished eating, she urged him, "Ping'an, go quickly. Don't be too late. There will be more people there!"

Zhang Laoer also urged silently with his eyes. He never liked to procrastinate in doing things.

Zhang Ping'an looked under great pressure. He raised his head to look at the dawning sky again, calmly ate the last bite of the pancake, wiped his hands, stood up and said, "Dad, Mom, I'm done eating. I'm leaving now!"

"Hey, go quickly," Xu said hurriedly.

Zhang Laoer's face also showed uncontrollable excitement and worry.

He originally wanted to go with them, but firstly, he was really old and was afraid of being squeezed by the crowd. It would be ugly if he got hurt. Secondly, the family also needed men to take care of things.

The whole family persuaded him, and he finally gave up!

Waiting at home for the servant to come back and report.

After Zhang Ping'an left, the old couple couldn't sit still and kept walking around in the main room. Zhang Laoer even felt so hot that he was sweating all over and his neck was uncomfortable. He only felt more comfortable after loosening his collar.

His eyes kept looking out the door!

Qian Youyi couldn't persuade him, so he just ignored it and drank tea calmly.

Aunt Rong next to her seemed a little anxious.

If Zhang Ping'an were still at home, he would be extremely anxious because of his parents' actions.

Normally, the teahouse opens at noon, but knowing that today's situation is special as it is the day when the results of the imperial examination will be announced, they opened an hour earlier.

When Zhang Ping'an arrived, the shop had just opened its doors to welcome customers and the fire had just been lit. It would take a while to make tea!

The servants who followed him went to the list on their own accord and waited for the results to be announced.

There were many people like Zhang Pingan who came early, and the teahouse was almost full in a short while.

Zhang Ping was settled in a seat by the window on the second floor with a wide view.

Looking towards the Ministry of Rites, I saw a large crowd of people, most of whom were dressed as servants. Some of them were idlers in the city who came to ask for money after seeing the list.

"Wow, Ping'an, you came early." Green Eyes and Hua Wanli went up to the second floor and saw Zhang Ping'an sitting by the window.

The three of them had originally agreed to look at the list together, so it was just right for them to keep each other company.

Although Green Bean Eyes knew that he was not well-educated and had little hope of making the list, he had already taken the exam and came to check the list with the mentality that he might get lucky.

It would be better for me to give up sooner so that I don’t keep thinking about it!

"Don't mention it. My parents are very anxious and can't sit still at home. It's better for me to go out early and come here to sit and wait," Zhang Pingan smiled helplessly.

"Me too," Hua Wanli said with a smile, "My mother and grandmother were very anxious and burned incense and prayed to Buddha at home early in the morning. I had asked an uncle from my family to come with me, but Brother Ge happened to pass by my house in his carriage and gave me a ride, so we came together!"

Just at this moment, the waiter came up with tea and dried fruit snacks.

Zhang Pingan said, "It's still early, let's have a cup of tea first!"

"Oh, I wish the results would be announced sooner so that I can settle down sooner. Otherwise, my father will still have unrealistic hopes for me. It's so troublesome!" said the man with green eyes, supporting his head and looking out the window.

Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Huh?" and pointed at the teahouse across the street. "Ping'an, look, isn't that Brother Lin? There are a few people with him, all of them are well-known young masters from aristocratic families in Lin'an City!"

Hua Wanli glanced at her and then looked away, showing little interest. "Just by looking at her attire, I can tell she's not the same kind of person as us. The Xuezhuxuan across the street is not even on the same level as the teahouse we're sitting in."

Zhang Ping'an stuck his head out and took a look. He knew the seven or eight people who were traveling with Lin Junhui, but he was not familiar with them.

They are indeed all sons of prominent families, and are the legitimate sons carefully cultivated by their families. They are the kind that do not even bother to go to the provincial school. They have famous teachers at home to provide one-on-one guidance. Each of them can be called an outstanding child of destiny.

It must have taken a lot of effort for Lin Junhui to be able to play with these people.

After a while, Zhang Ping'an saw his two brothers-in-law also went to the opposite side, and there were three or five people around them chatting and laughing.

Green Bean Eyes lamented, "Ping An, why don't you make an appointment with your brother-in-law to look at the rankings together? That way I can use your connections."

Zhang Pingan was speechless: ...What should I do if I am disliked?

In the end, he could only say with a mixture of amusement and anger: "Drink your tea! I'm not a baby. I can't follow my two brothers-in-law around every day. Besides, we're in different circles, so there's no need to force myself to fit in!"

Hua Wanli agreed: "That's right, although connections are important, you can't have no bottom line at all. If you always follow others and flatter them, they will look down on you."

Green Bean Eyes waved his hands: "Forget it, forget it. I can't argue with you. If I keep talking, I'm going to become one of those flatterers!"

"The main reason is that the gap between our circle and others is too big. If we pass the imperial examination, our circle will naturally be different in the future," Zhang Pingan saw it very clearly.

While the three of them were chatting and laughing, a few more people came up from the second floor, all of whom had reserved seats in advance.

Zhang Ping'an also met several classmates from the provincial school.

After everyone got to know each other and exchanged greetings, they simply put the tables together and sat together, which made it quite lively.

Among them was a classmate named Gu, who was probably too nervous. He drank a lot of tea and kept running to the toilet downstairs.

Zhang Ping'an was worried that he would faint from nervousness before the results were announced!