The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

The next morning, Sun Shan and others returned to the county town.

Xiao Yazi brought his elderly grandfather and grandmother to kowtow to Sun Shan.

Xiao Yazi said gratefully, "Thank you, sir. Thank you for not forgetting Xiao Yazi."

Looking at the thin and frail little Yazi, Sun Shan said comfortingly, "Good Yazi, take good care of Grandpa and Grandma, work hard, and your life will definitely get better."

Xiao Yazi looked at Sun Shan with red eyes and nodded seriously, "Sir, I know. I will work hard and take good care of Grandpa and Grandma. When I grow up, I will repay you."

Grandpa Xiaoyazi stepped forward, led his family to kneel on the ground, and kowtowed to Sun Shan: "Thank you very much, sir. Thank you for not looking down on my age and weakness. I will work hard and will not let you down."

Grandpa Xiao Yazi looked at Sun Shan with tears in his eyes and couldn't help getting excited.

What a capable and kind-hearted adult.

Da Niao Village is blessed, Yuanlu County is blessed, and their family is blessed too.

Sun Shan gently helped the old man up, patted his bony hands, and said encouragingly, "Old man, live well, and everything will be fine. Little Yazi is a good Yazi, and you will have good fortune in the future."

When the old man heard this, his eyes twinkled as he looked at Sun Shan and nodded heavily, "Sir, I believe you. If you say it will get better, it will definitely get better."

After leaving Da Niao Village, Sun Shan and his group rushed back to the county town at full speed.

The yamen cannot be without its leadership team, so they must rush back quickly.

The long journey under the stars and moon made the gentlemen and students miserable.

Teacher Deng looked at the students who were complaining bitterly, shook his head, and said to Sun Shan, "Sir, I heard from Scholar Wang that before the imperial examination, you took him to the toilet next to the imperial examination and made him take the exam in a simulated manner. Is this true?"

After Wang Jiaxing hosted the scholar banquet, he immediately ran to Chenzhou Prefecture to inquire about the situation and prepare for next year's "Yuelu Academy" entrance examination, so he was not on the trip this time.

Sun Shan nodded honestly and said, "Yes. This simulation will help Mr. Wang feel familiar when he actually takes the exam. And next to the toilet is the worst possible scenario for the exam room. Even if he encounters a foul smell, he'll be mentally prepared."

Teacher Deng looked at Sun Shan with sparkling eyes and said excitedly, "Sir, your method is excellent. By following the same format as the academy exam, candidates will feel at home in the examination room and will be able to take the test with ease. No wonder Scholar Wang did so well this time."

Teacher Deng actually wanted to discuss this issue with Sun Shan, but Sun Shan was busy with the bird droppings issue and he didn't feel comfortable disturbing him.

Now, while I'm back in the city, I can't help but come over to ask for your advice.

Especially when I see the students looking miserable, I feel that they need more training.

I was exhausted after walking such a short distance. No wonder I did so poorly in the college entrance examination.

In addition to a few scholars, many of those present were students and those preparing for imperial examinations.

Teacher Deng was so annoyed that he wanted to scold them.

They just went out for a while and they all looked like cowards. How can they take the imperial examinations in the future?

Thinking about how Wang Jiaxing was like this before, he only trained in the backyard of the yamen for a few months and made rapid progress after coming out.

Thinking of Wang Jiaxing's complaint that Sun Shan made him live next to the toilet during the mock exam, Teacher Deng couldn't help but discuss this issue with Sun Shan.

Should the county school students also take these mock exams a few times a year? And they must take them next to the toilets?

When it comes to mock exams, Sun Shan agrees, but the school probably doesn't have the conditions for it.

Sun Shan shook his head and said, "It's a good idea to test students according to the academy exam model. This way, students will be familiar with the process during the academy exam. However, the county school may not be well equipped. Large-scale testing would cost a huge amount of manpower and resources."

Teacher Deng's eyes darkened. What Sun Shan said made a lot of sense.

Not only are large examination halls required, but a lot of invigilators are also needed. Students also have to stay in the county school for every exam. Eating, drinking, defecating and urinating are also big problems. These logistical guarantees are necessary and difficult to support without huge manpower and material resources.

Unlike Wang Jiaxing, who was taken to the backyard of the yamen and left alone to eat, drink, defecate, urinate and sleep.

Teacher Deng said helplessly, "Your Excellency is right. The county school doesn't have the facilities to hold a mock exam with so many people."

Sun Shan said comfortingly, "Teacher, don't be discouraged. Although we may not have the conditions now, we may have them in the future."

After a pause, he added, "We can also select a few outstanding candidates preparing for the college entrance examination for training. If there are no conditions, we can reduce the number of people, and when conditions are met, everyone can come together. Don't be anxious, take it step by step."

Sun Shan suggested to Instructor Deng that the students be divided into classes.

It is divided into experimental classes and ordinary classes. Giving good resources to the experimental classes is a good way to increase the success rate and rank higher.

It’s just not fair to some students in ordinary classes.

Teacher Deng's eyes lit up, and he thought Sun Shan's suggestion was quite good.

Select the best students for intensive training so that some of them can be successfully listed first and the county can produce more outstanding talents.

Teacher Deng nodded repeatedly and said, "Thank you, sir. I understand what to do."

As for how to do it, Teacher Deng did not tell Sun Shan.

Sun Shan didn't ask.

As the "Minister of Education", Deng Xiaoping was responsible for handling educational issues. Sun Shan did not have the energy to manage all the affairs.

It was already evening when everyone returned to Yuanlu County.

After everyone entered the city, they continued to do what they had to do, each looking for their own mother and returning home.

As soon as Sun Shan entered the yamen's backyard, Steward Wang ran over happily, smiling broadly, saying, "Master, Master Jin has sent a letter."

Sun Shan was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and asked anxiously, "Is it a letter from my eldest cousin? Give it to me quickly."

As soon as Sun Shan arrived in Yuanlu County, he wrote a letter to his cousin He Shujin. More than half a year passed, but he still didn't receive a reply.

Now that there is finally news, Sun Shan is so happy.

My eldest cousin is a magistrate in Chongqing Prefecture. Do you know how he is doing in the officialdom?

Sun Shan still remembers that when he was little, he hoped that his eldest cousin would be made a marquis and become a prime minister, so that he would have someone to back him up.

It seems that it is very difficult to be granted the title of nobility, but it is very likely to be appointed as prime minister.

Steward Wang hurriedly handed the letter to Sun Shan and said with a smile, "Master, Master Jin not only sent you a letter this time, but also sent you some Chongqing specialties. Haha, you must try some of these Chongqing specialties later to see if they are delicious."

Sun Shan took the letter and said cheerfully, "A gift of goose feathers from a thousand miles away is worth more than the thought itself. My dear cousin, you are so thoughtful."

Sun Shan quickly opened the letter, glanced through it, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The cousin said everything was fine and told Sun Shan not to worry.

Seeing this, my heart can’t help but feel at peace.

I was happy to receive the letter, but I was also afraid that something might happen.

Knowing that everything was safe, Sun Shan was in a better mood to read the letter carefully.