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

Three hours later, the morning's written test ended and Clerk Cui collected the papers.

He said to the applicants, "Everyone, the first half of the exam is over. The second half will be discussed in person by Magistrate Sun."

He looked at the sky and said with a smile, "Everyone, let's have lunch at the government office first, rest for a while, and wait for the meeting this afternoon."

After saying that, he asked someone to take a dozen applicants to dinner.

The applicants looked at each other, wanting to ask something but not daring to.

I was afraid that if I asked, it would cause dissatisfaction among the government officials. After all, I had come here to apply for the job in every possible way and was very eager to get it.

Although the guano workshop was located in a remote rural area, the wages were high, the benefits were good, there were many holidays, great power, and a better reputation. Most importantly, they could often see the county magistrate and his high-ranking officials and get to know them, which was very tempting for them.

I racked my brains to solve the questions in the first half, and I was almost paralyzed and collapsed. After so much hardship and painstaking effort, I finally finished the test paper, and I was exhausted.

Thinking of the meeting with Magistrate Sun in the afternoon, everyone felt dizzy.

At this moment, they were actually told that they had food to eat and could rest. Emma, ​​when did the government become so considerate?

So considerate that they couldn't believe it.

Don't go into the government office whether you have a reason or not. If you have to go in, you have to pay money to get in.

Today, I have already thought of some "groundless" excuses for the government to make them pay for the job application, such as the examination paper fee, the wear and tear fee of tables, chairs and benches, and the labor fee of the accompanying personnel, etc.

I didn’t expect the first half to go so smoothly. I could just come in alone and take the exam directly without having to pay any money.

Now they even provide meals, could this be a scam?

Everyone stood aside, not daring to move.

Seeing that they were not following, Clerk Cui said in confusion, "Everyone, follow that young man. He will take you to dinner. After dinner, you can rest for a while before the second half of the meeting. Eat quickly and don't keep Lord Sun waiting."

It was Big Head Dog who led everyone to dinner. He said cheerfully, "Everyone, follow me. After dinner, our master will call you in for a meeting. The one with the highest combined score from the exam and the meeting will be hired as a workshop manager. Everyone, you'll have to behave well later."

At this time, a middle-aged man mustered up the courage and asked awkwardly, "Young man, do you want to pay for your meal?"

Emma, ​​if you have to pay for meals, you might as well go out and buy a pancake to fill your stomach.

Anything related to the government office is in short supply and extremely expensive.

The middle-aged man was afraid that if he ate a meal at the government office, he would lose his entire fortune.

Big Head Dog didn't think there was anything wrong with asking this question. He still smiled and replied with a five-star service, "Uncle, it's free. You've come all the way here to apply for this job, it's hard enough, why would we ask you for money? Everyone, please feel free to eat. We adults are very easy to talk to and won't charge."

When you go out, it is always a good idea to ask more questions, as you might be afraid of a trap ahead. So Big Head Dog replied to the uncle very patiently.

Hearing that it was free, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Including the spies called over by County Magistrate Wang.

I only knew that I was here to do the exams and negotiate the salary, but I didn't expect that I could even have food to eat.

Emma, ​​I really came to the right place to apply for this job.

So the interviewee couldn't help but look forward to the exquisite and delicious meals in the yamen.

I followed the big-headed dog happily to the corridor in the back kitchen.

When he saw the food in the yamen, he was greatly disappointed.

I thought it was some delicious food, but it turned out to be just plain rice. My expectation was in vain.

Today's meal was prepared by Big Head Dog because Nanny Wang and Mrs. Xia were busy cooking for their own master.

In line with Sun Dali and Gui Ge'er's idea of ​​"thrift and diligence", in order to save money for Sun Shan, Big Head Dog only made a meal that could fill his stomach: a bowl of sweet potato rice + a small plate of pickled cabbage + a few chopsticks of oily vegetables + a bone soup made entirely of bones.

The big-headed dog said cheerfully, "Everyone, if you don't have enough rice, there's more here. If you want more, just help yourself. If you don't have enough soup, there's also more here. If you want more, just help yourself."

After saying this, he left in a daze.

As a kitchen helper, Big Head Dog has a lot of chores to do, so he has no time to chat with everyone.

The applicants were eating, but Sun Shan and his group had eaten earlier and were now looking at the test papers with full stomachs.

Speaking of the application rules, Sun Shan originally planned to look at the papers first. Those who were suitable would stay and proceed to the next round of interviews. Those who were not suitable would be asked to finish their meal and leave.

I only saw a dozen or so people applying for the job, and after thinking about it, I realized there would still be plenty of time after interviewing everyone, so I just put everyone on the interview list.

This can also prevent you from missing out on talented people because of poor performance on the test paper.

Sun Shan was helpless about this, as it was completely different from his original recruitment plan.

I thought there were so many talented people that I could carefully select them. But in the end, the talent dwindled and there was not much room for selection. I had no choice but to include all the short people in the selection range. So that I could choose the tall ones from the short ones and barely meet the recruitment KPI.

The only people who graded the papers in the first half were Sun Shan, County Magistrate Wang, Chief Secretary Wu, Inspector Liang, and Instructor Deng.

Originally, it was none of Teacher Deng's business, but Sun Shan had always been on good terms with Teacher Deng, so he asked him to come and help.

As for Teacher Deng, upon hearing that there was a job opening for a supervisor and that there would be a test paper, he immediately became interested. Without a word, he left his students and happily came over to check the test paper.

After a cursory glance at all the applicants' papers, Instructor Deng said in disappointment, "Sir, these people's handwriting is terrible. If they can't even write well, how can they manage a workshop?"

Everyone couldn't help but look at Teacher Deng with helplessness.

It seems that Teacher Deng is selecting talents for the imperial examinations, not business talents.

Only a Confucian businessman could have good calligraphy. How could the locals in a remote and poor village like Yuanlu County compare with those outside?

Teacher Deng is just being too optimistic.

Looking at the papers with a sigh, Instructor Deng said again, "Sir, I think it would be better to go to Chenzhou Prefecture to hire a manager. The dozen or so candidates here today are really limited in their abilities."

As he spoke, he covered his forehead with his hands, just like a student with a headache in school.

Everyone continued to look at each other and pursed their lips helplessly.

County Magistrate Wang, Chief Secretary Wu, and Inspector Liang this time turned their attention to Sun Shan.

It was as if he was saying, "Master Sun, what are you doing? Why invite Teacher Deng? He's a well-known nerd, only suitable for working in the school. How could he understand business? Asking Teacher Deng to come here is a complete nuisance!"

Sun Shan pursed his lips expressionlessly and looked back.

His eyes seemed to be saying: Everyone, I was wrong. I will definitely not invite Teacher Deng over next time. I completely miscalculated this time. Please forgive me!