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

This afternoon class was the beginning of serious classes. In fact, the teachers all knew the previous test results and were well aware of each student's level. However, during the class, the teachers only taught according to the teaching plan. The teaching speed was more than three times faster than that of the private school, and the content was also more in-depth.

Zhang Ping'an understood this point very well. Those who could choose to study in the academy all had certain ideas about the imperial examination. However, the imperial examination was a process where thousands of troops crossed a single-plank bridge, and the fittest survived. In addition to diligence, talent was also important. This was a screening process, and it was impossible to expect the teacher to take care of all students at the same time.

After the class, Zhang Ping'an's hands were sore from copying and he had no time to concentrate. However, he benefited a lot from it. This was his first time to learn eight-legged essay.

The characteristic of the eight-part essay is that the format is fixed. It requires candidates to write according to certain formats and rules, including eight parts: breaking the topic, continuing the topic, starting the lecture, getting started, starting the section, middle section, back section, and closing section. Each part has specific requirements and word limits.

A major feature of this examination system is that candidates are required to thoroughly understand the textbooks and have strong comprehension ability.

One class lasted an hour, which was much longer than the current class time. When the teacher announced the end of get out of class, most of the students ran to the toilet because they were really holding it in.

Zhang Ping'an was fine as he didn't drink much water during lunch, but Jin Bao and Liu Shengyuan couldn't hold it in any longer. Fortunately, there were six or seven stalls in the academy's toilet, so they got their turn after waiting in line for a while.

"Huh", Jinbao breathed a sigh of relief after coming out of the class and vowed: "I will never drink so much water at noon again."

Liu Shengyuan nodded in agreement.

"Okay, let's go back," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

Where there are people, there is no shortage of gossip. In less than a quarter of an hour's break, the fight in the cafeteria at noon was exposed clearly, and Xiao Yifei's identity was also exposed. It turned out that his father was actually the county lieutenant of the county. Although his rank was not high, he was still a local tyrant in the county. Xiao Yifei was a second-generation official.

Jin Bao couldn't help but gossip, and whispered to the person sitting behind him, "Then why didn't he go to Bailu Academy?"

The person sitting at the back table was a short man with a pointed chin and triangular eyes, who looked a bit wretched. In modern TV dramas, he would be a definite villain. He rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, "He is not a legitimate son, but just a bastard's son. His mother is a singer of very low status. There are legitimate sons in the family, so how could a bastard like him get the chance to stand out? The other person who fought with him today was the bastard's son of the historian. If people with such status don't pass the imperial examinations, their lives will be like this, no different from ordinary people."

Zhang Pingan took another look at the man sitting at the back table and asked, "I wonder what this classmate's name is? I didn't seem to see you in the cafeteria. How do you know so much about this?"

The little guy chuckled twice and proudly replied, "My name is Lin Junkai. My former classmates gave me the nickname 'Gossip Girl'. There's nothing I don't know about our academy."

After a pause, seeing that Zhang Pingan and the others did not continue to ask, he secretly complained that they were not understanding, and then pretended to be casual and said, "The headmaster of the academy is my third grandfather."

This really shocked them. When they first enrolled, they had heard other students talk about the headmaster of Qingsong Academy. He was said to be a gentle, elegant, and suave man. How could this grandson from the next room be so hard to describe?

Seeing the distrustful looks from the others, Lin Junkai's face flushed with anger and he shouted, "What are you looking at me with? I'm a genuine member of the Lin family."

"Yes, yes, he is indeed a genuine member of the Lin family. Even now, he still hasn't memorized Mencius and the Book of Rites. He really is a disgrace to the family. He is a disgrace to the family!" Someone nearby came over and made a noise.

"You! Lin Junhui!" Lin Junkai was furious.

Zhang Pingan understood. There were actually quite a few classmates in this class who had backgrounds. Lin Junkai and Lin Junhui had names that differed by only one character. They were probably brothers or cousins.

Jin Bao was a bit confused and interrupted, "Huh? I haven't even learned the Book of Rites yet. It's normal that I can't memorize it. Only smart people like Ping An and A Yuan have learned the Five Classics. I've only learned the Four Books so far."

Lin Junkai rolled his eyes again when he heard this: "You got in through the back door, so what's there to say? You didn't get in by yourself, so you can get in just by writing some random things!"

Jin Bao's face turned red when he heard this. He didn't say anything and turned around and sat down silently.

Zhang Pingan said calmly: "Classmate, please be kind!"

Just at this moment, the teacher who was teaching the second class came in and started the class.

The teacher who taught this class was also surnamed Lin. He mainly taught "The Doctrine of the Mean". I don't know if he was a relative of the dean. He had a very kind personality, but he loved asking questions, and his questions were very profound. Most of the students in the classroom could not help but lower their heads, for fear of being called on.

Jinbao's head almost hit the table.

"A gentleman follows the Way, but if he gives up halfway, I cannot help myself. A gentleman adheres to the doctrine of the mean, withdrawing from the world without regret, only a sage can do this. Who can explain this?" Master Lin said, picking up his teacup and taking two slow sips. Seeing that no one stood up, he glanced around and called on someone, "Lin Junkai, you come and explain it."

Lin Junkai stood up, scratching his head and face, and stammered for a long while before saying, "A gentleman of high moral character follows the doctrine of the mean, but gives up halfway... I can't persevere, but I won't stop... A gentleman follows the doctrine of the mean, the doctrine of the mean... Even if he lives in obscurity and is unknown to the world, he will not regret it. Only a saint can do this. The meaning of this passage is... is..."

"Okay, sit down! Lin Junhui, you come and solve it." Master Lin did not ask any more questions, because he knew he could not get the answer.

Lin Junhui clearly had something on his mind. He stood up and confidently replied, "This passage tells us that the doctrine of the mean we rely on isn't for fame or profit, but simply to conform to the Dao and return to our own nature. Nature is what Heaven has given us, and we don't do it for others to see. Therefore, we must be cautious and self-disciplined. We are aligning ourselves with our nature and the Dao of Heaven. Even if no one knows, I won't regret it. Only a saint can do such a thing."

Master Lin nodded in satisfaction: "Well, very good, sit down!"

This answer was similar to what Zhang Ping'an had in mind, but since it was just his first day at the academy, he still didn't understand the situation and didn't want to rush into the limelight. The saying "the first tree to stick its head out gets shot" applies to every era, especially for someone like him who had no background or connections. He had to be more cautious, otherwise he might become the target of bullying.

After a busy day of study, you will feel deeply exhausted. Only by walking on the tree-lined path after school can you relax your eyes and mind.

When they reached the bend in the path, Liu Shengyuan said, "I have to go back to the dormitory. I can't go with you. See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow!" Zhang Ping'an and Jin Bao waved goodbye to Liu Shengyuan. Then they went straight home. They had already agreed with their family that morning that they could just walk back.