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

The biggest difference after the formal class division is that we start to learn the Six Arts of a Gentleman.

In fact, people in ancient times did not just study hard. Older scholars, ranging from fifteen to sixty years old, basically had their own circles and would often organize literary gatherings, poetry gatherings, outings, flower viewing and other activities to communicate with each other.

This kind of activity is usually also a time to make a name for oneself, so scholars are very concerned about their reputation. It would not do well if they don't have any talent to show off when attending a party.

The Six Arts of a Gentleman include ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. These skills were considered essential for a gentleman in ancient education.

Etiquette, calligraphy, and mathematics are okay and can be learned in class. However, music, archery, and horse riding refer to music, archery techniques, and horse riding techniques respectively, which are not affordable for ordinary children. A most ordinary guqin costs more than two taels of silver. If it is a guqin made by a master in the previous dynasty, it can even be sold for hundreds of taels.

As for horses, there is no need to think about it. Ezhou Prefecture is located in the central region, and there is no place to raise horses within hundreds of miles. The local horses are all purchased from nomadic peoples such as the Jurchens and Tatars in the north, and then transported over long distances. Therefore, the price is very high, ranging from 60 taels to 200 taels.

Even in the training grounds of Qingsong Academy, there are only three or five ordinary old horses. Students from various classes in the outer, middle and upper dormitories take turns studying, and the horses basically have no time to rest, so they are not in good spirits and look listless.

Bows and arrows aren't cheap either. The price of a bow varies depending on the unit of tension and the type, from a few taels to tens to hundreds of taels. An arrow costs about 60 to 120 wen, and the price varies depending on the material the arrowhead is made of. As a result, the arrows used in archery practice are often reused, and some have damaged feathers, making them impossible to shoot accurately.

The Great Xia Kingdom has enjoyed peace for a long time, especially Ezhou Prefecture, which is located in a land of fish and rice. Most people live a decent life, and the trend of learning martial arts is not popular. Except for the children of officials, basically no one would consider learning archery. According to Zhang Ping'an's observation, even if the children of officials learn it, it is still unclear how good their skills are.

The teachers in the academy also recommend that everyone choose to major in one musical instrument, which is both elegant and can improve one's character.

For other students, archery and horsemanship classes were basically just a formality, as they would not use them in normal times and could not afford them anyway. However, Zhang Ping'an had experienced life in an orphanage in his previous life, and he always felt that it was better to rely on oneself than on others. It would never hurt to have one more skill, as it could help him protect himself at critical moments.

Especially if he achieved fame in the future, he might have to go out to study. Ancient times were different from modern times, and the risks of going out were extremely high. Therefore, Zhang Ping'an was very active in the archery and horse riding classes, which made the teacher, Master Wu, secretly complain. If the students were not paying attention, the teacher would naturally be even less likely to pay attention. Usually, Master Wu just muddled through these two classes, but now he met a student who was more serious, so he had to be more focused.

Fortunately, Zhang Ping'an grew up in the countryside and had good physical fitness. He had many livestock at home and was skilled in driving donkeys and mules. The horses in the academy were also docile, so it was easy for him to learn.

As for musical instruments, Zhang Ping'an chose a flute because it was cheap and easy to carry. If he had chosen a piano, it would not only be expensive but also difficult to carry around.

Zhang Pingan could afford this one himself. Jin Bao also chose the flute for the same reason as Zhang Pingan.

Xiao Yifei had no interest in any of these musical instruments, so he symbolically followed the crowd and chose the qin. Liu Shengyuan chose the guzheng. The first time he heard his husband play "High Mountains and Flowing Water", he was deeply attracted by the mellow and beautiful tone of the guzheng.

Originally, Zhang Ping'an wanted to ask a few people to go buy it together during their day off, but when he asked, he found out that Liu's father and Xiao's father had already bought it.

Zhang Ping'an had no choice but to take Jinbao to a musical instrument store and buy two bamboo flutes. Each flute cost thirty cents, which was indeed much cheaper than other musical instruments.

When Zhang Laoer heard that his son was studying the Six Arts of a Gentleman in the academy, he was extremely excited and said that the tuition was worth it. Before this, he didn't know what the Six Arts of a Gentleman were, but he knew about riding, archery and piano. For ordinary people, these were all luxurious hobbies.

Xu asked cautiously, "Son, what songs have you learned now?"

Zhang Laoer and Xu knew nothing about musical instruments and music, but since their son said he wanted to learn the bamboo flute, then the bamboo flute was naturally a good choice.

Zhang Pingan picked up the bamboo flute and said with a smile: "I'm currently learning the 'Nichang Qu' quite well. It was composed by the emperor of the previous dynasty. Dad, Mom, let me play it for you to listen to."

After adjusting the blowhole, he began to play. "Rainbow Skirt" is an elegant and refined piece, imbued with a profound classical beauty and a touch of literati. Its melody is gentle and elegant, flowing and graceful, capturing the image of Chang'e dancing gracefully on the moon.

After the song was over, Zhang Laoer, Xu Shi, and Si Ya were all completely absorbed in it. In their past lives, they had never heard any serious music. Every day, they thought about how to make money and fill their stomachs. Listening to music, something that wasn't just about eating or drinking, had nothing to do with them. But music had a way of reaching one's soul. Zhang Laoer was stunned for a long moment before he sighed, "It's so beautiful!"

Xu was also stunned. Thinking about the past few decades she had spent in the countryside, arguing with others over trivial matters every day, she found it quite ridiculous now.

"Dad, Mom, I want to learn the bamboo flute, too," Si Ya suddenly said.

Xu came to her senses and frowned, saying, "You're a girl, and you didn't learn needlework when I asked you to. Why are you learning the bamboo flute? That's something only scholars learn."

After hearing this, Si Ya puffed up her face and said nothing.

Zhang Ping'an thought that this was not a big deal. The flute was not expensive anyway. Fourth sister would have something to do at home to kill time. "Dad, the flute is not expensive. I can teach Fourth sister how to adjust the holes, breathe and play it when I come back from school. She can just practice the rest by herself. Now Fifth and Sixth sisters are not at home, and Fourth sister will be bored at home alone."

Zhang Laoer was silent for a while before saying, "Okay, then next time you have a day off, bring your fourth sister a flute. Just buy the cheapest one and let her learn to play it."

"Okay!" Zhang Pingan nodded.

The days were full and busy, and the winter solstice had flown by in a flash. The students at Qingsong Academy had been agitated for the past few days. The reason was simple: in two days, the annual academy competition would begin, and the venue would be the Bailu Academy's training grounds.

The so-called Academy Competition saw four academies jointly setting questions and competing in the Six Arts of a Gentleman, somewhat similar to a modern sports meet. While relaxing, students from different academies could exchange ideas, providing a great opportunity to network and establish connections, while also allowing outstanding students to shine.