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

Zhang Laoer asked, "Master Luo, what about the remaining academies?"

Master Luo looked at the expressions of the crowd and continued, "Let me first talk about Qingsong Academy and Wenzhu Academy. These two academies are similar. They were both founded by Juren (a successful candidate in a juren degree program). Most of the teachers there are scholars, with some Juren (a successful candidate in a juren degree program) occasionally teaching there. They have certain connections and connections in the county. The academic atmosphere in these two academies is also relatively good. The majority of students are from common people and scholarly families. I would also recommend that you apply to these two academies. The tuition fee is not too expensive, ten taels a year, and it includes accommodation but not food."

After hearing this, several parents nodded, feeling that this was barely within a reasonable range and acceptable.

"The remaining Jingui Academy has the cheapest tuition, five taels per year, and includes room and board. Students here are mostly from less-privileged families, so the academy's academic standards are very strict. Most of the classes are taught by scholars, and the only courses offered are the Four Books and Five Classics related to the imperial examinations. There's no such thing as the Six Arts of a Gentleman, and there are relatively few extracurricular literary gatherings. And most importantly, students need to sign an enrollment contract with the academy upon enrollment. If you don't pass the imperial examination within ten years, you'll have to refund the room and board fees for your time at the academy, calculated at two taels per year."

Jin Bao's father was quick-witted and asked directly the core question: "Don't many students in this Jingui Academy have a mentality of giving it a try? Moreover, the students will be very tired under the heavy pressure. I guess not many students can persist in studying for ten years."

Master Luo nodded and said, "That's right. That's why this academy has some students dropping out every year. This leads to a strong recruitment campaign and a lot of friction between students."

Zhang Pingan understood that this was a bit similar to some closed middle schools in his previous life, where students only studied for the college entrance examination and classmates were all competitors.

"These are the situations I know. You still need to inquire about the details and see where they will go to study. Don't delay the children, cough cough..." As Mr. Luo spoke, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief and started coughing. He really looked like he was in very poor health.

"Master, are you okay?" Everyone in the room was worried.

Luo Fuzi waved his hand: "It's okay, it's just an old problem, you don't have to worry about it."

Because Master Luo was running out of energy, everyone in the room said goodbye and left without staying any longer.

Luo Fuan's father warmly invited everyone to his home for dinner. "Today is the last day for the children in school. They have been studying in the Luojia Village school for so many years. I am the host, so it is my responsibility to treat everyone. Let's all go to my home for a simple meal. Don't be disgusted by the simple food."

Zhang Laoer, Jinbao's father, Liu Shuisheng's father, and Liu Shengyuan's father all tried their best to decline. The villages were not far apart, and they didn't want to trouble others too much.

However, Luo Fuan's father and Luo Fugui's father were too enthusiastic, and the two sides argued until their faces turned red and their necks became thick. Finally, Luo Fuan's father said that if anyone didn't go, it would mean they looked down on him. There was really no way, so Luo's father dragged him over.

This was the first time anyone from the school had visited the Luo family's home. The Luo family's six-room, blue-brick, tiled house was surrounded by a large courtyard. The house was relatively new, likely built within the last twenty years. Not far from the house was the Luo family's oil mill, and the aroma of sesame oil could be smelled from afar.

Before he even entered the door, a little girl came out from the yard and came forward to call out to Luo Fuan's father in a crisp voice: "Dad! Are there any guests at home?" After calling out, she looked at everyone curiously.

This should be Luo Fuan’s sister. The brother and sister look very similar, both have big round faces.

Luo's father said cheerfully, his belly sticking out: "Big sister, these are your brother's classmates, as well as their elders. Hurry up and tell your mother that we have distinguished guests. Tell her to make tea and cook. Cook whatever delicious dishes we have at home."

After saying that, he slapped his forehead and continued, "Oh, right, we still have to go to the oil mill to call your grandfather back. Hurry up!"

"Hey!" The little girl ran away quickly.

Zhang Ping'an looked at the little girl and thought she looked very much like the sixth sister in the family. He guessed that she might be even younger. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Luo Fuan, your sister looks a lot like you and has a similar personality too."

Luo Fuan curled his lips and replied, "They just look alike. She's usually very fierce at home, while my younger sister is more gentle."

After saying that, he excitedly pulled everyone into the yard: "Come in quickly, I'll get you some delicious food. Last time we went to the market in town, my dad bought a lot of preserved fruits, cakes, and my favorite pine nut candy."

There were two pomegranate trees planted in the Luo family's yard, and a tea table was placed under the trees. Luo Fuan asked everyone to sit down next to the table, and then went to the room to get food.

After Luo's father welcomed several of his son's classmates into the main hall, as soon as they sat down, Luo's mother came out from the kitchen with a tray of dried fruits and greeted them warmly, "We are very rare guests. Please feel free to eat something first. I'll pour you some tea. Let's sit down and chat for a while, and then we can eat. We have two stoves at home, so we can cook quickly."

Zhang Laoer and the others exchanged a few polite words before Luo's mother busied herself with pouring tea. Then she brought a tray of dried fruit from the kitchen to the pomegranate tree and called out to the children, "Eat some too! Don't be polite. Just treat it like your own home."

Luo's mother has the same big round face as Luo's father. She speaks in a high voice and you can tell that she is straightforward and not the kind of person who is shy.

Zhang Pingan quite likes dealing with elders like this.

Several people stood up and thanked Luo's mother again. Luo Fuan brought out a bunch of food from his room and pushed Luo's mother to cook: "Mom, don't worry about us, let's chat for a while, you go and cook, we don't feel comfortable with you here."

Luo's mother patted her son on the back twice in annoyance and said, "You little heartless boy, stop pushing me. Let me go cook!"

The elders walked away, and they only let go after talking. Liu Shuisheng took a few pieces of candy and put them in his mouth, saying vaguely: "Luo Fuan, your home is much better than mine. Your home is full of the smell of oil, while mine smells like fish. After living here for a long time, the smell will never be washed off my clothes."

Luo Fugui replied softly, "It's okay. I don't smell it much normally."

Liu Shuisheng waved his hand: "Anyway, I have a good nose and I can smell it. I will live in the city in the future and will not farm and raise fish in the village. There is no great prospect there! Having my elder and second brothers at home is enough for me."

Zhang Ping'an asked curiously, "Have you decided what you want to do after you stop studying? Have your uncle and aunt discussed it with you?"

Now only Liu Shuisheng had decided not to continue his studies. The others were also concerned and asked, "Yes, Liu Shuisheng, have you decided what to do after you stop studying? You don't want to farm or raise fish, so are you planning to find a job in town or the county?"

Liu Shuisheng raised his head proudly: "Neither, I'm going to the capital to find a job!"