The daily life of a peasant girl taking the imperial examination

Zhuge Yunshu looked at the two stern-faced constables before him, hesitated for a long time, and then finally spoke:

"May I ask what business it is, Your Excellency?"

She tried to glean even the slightest hint from the constable.

"Miss Yun Shu will know when she arrives," the tall county yamen constable in the lead said, still expressionless.

Zhuge Yunshu: "..."

How ruthless!

There was nothing she could do; as a powerless nobody, she could only comply with their request and follow them to the county government office. Before leaving, she made sure to ask the innkeeper to inform Master Wang about his situation.

So as not to make them worry early in the morning.

Hey you two stern-faced constables, could you please slow down a bit and at least consider her being only eight years old?

Although running around isn't very tiring, it's a bit undignified to meet people in the sweltering summer heat while covered in sweat.

And so, when the two constables arrived at the county government office, located in the very center of the county town, they turned around and looked on in bewilderment, "Where is everyone?"

This was the first time in all their years on the job that they had lost someone.

With no other option, the two had to return the way they came.

When they saw Zhuge Yunshu, with his short legs and arms, struggling to catch up, they couldn't help but smile awkwardly, "Sorry, we were careless."

After all, in the past, those who brought the county government office to the county magistrate were all adults; this was the first time they had brought a little girl.

"It's alright, just go slower." Zhuge Yunshu said that she was magnanimous and wouldn't hold a grudge, since her short legs were her Achilles' heel.

I imagine she was a tall, beautiful woman with long legs in her past life (self-proclaimed). At 1.7 meters tall, she was quite tall for a girl. I just don't know if she inherited her height from her father or her mother in this life.

However, judging from her eyesight, her mother was only 1.6 meters tall, and she still hoped to look more imposing like her father.

And so, Zhuge Yunshu followed the two constables to the entrance of the county government office.

From a distance, you can see two stone lions on either side of the entrance. Further inside, on the east side of the gate, there is an enormous drum, which is the so-called "grievance drum".

Entering through the gate, one arrives at the first courtyard of the county government office. Zhuge Yunshu looks at the rows of houses on the east and west sides. She guesses that these houses are probably tax collection offices, since ancient times were based on an agricultural economy, and these houses were where the county government collected taxes and levies.

Looking at the busy figures inside, Zhuge Yunshu couldn't help but sigh, as an official in an ancient government office, he had to start work exceptionally early!

There are three gates on the north side of the courtyard entrance. The one in the very center is a relatively imposing main gate, even taller than the main gate, but it is always closed. There are two side gates on either side of it, but the west side gate is also locked.

Zhuge Yunshu followed one of the constables through the east side gate, which was clearly the gate that county government officials usually used to enter and exit.

And so, she was taken to the second courtyard of the county government office, which was the main hall.

This courtyard also has a row of rooms on the east and west sides. The doors of each room are marked with the names of the six ministries: the Clerk's Office, the Household Registration Office, and the Rites Office. These are probably the so-called six ministries. In the very center of the courtyard is a particularly tall hall, which is obviously where the county magistrate holds court and conducts cases.

You can tell from the picture of the sunrise over the sea behind the lobby.

Just as Zhuge Yunshu was thinking of taking a closer look, he was led by a bailiff through a small door on the east side of the main hall into the second courtyard of the county government office. This courtyard was much smaller than the main hall. Based on what he had seen in period dramas, he guessed that this was where the county magistrate handled civil disputes.

After passing through the second courtyard, they entered the third courtyard. Judging from the layout, this must have been the residence of the county magistrate and his family and servants. Zhuge Yunshu followed the bailiffs, turning left and right, and after passing through several small gates, they finally arrived at a relatively spacious back garden.

In the distance, inside a triangular pavilion, a dignified man in his forties, dressed in casual clothes, was sitting and drinking tea.

Upon seeing this, Zhuge Yunshu finally breathed a sigh of relief, having finally reached his destination.

Although this county government office was a series of courtyards, it was still much smaller than some of the county government offices she had seen in TV dramas in her previous life.

However, it must be said that the benefits for officials in ancient times were very good. If no one had led her out, she would have definitely gotten lost.

"Sir, the person has been brought here," the constable said respectfully, bowing.

Upon hearing the commotion, the magistrate gave him a look, and the bailiffs, being very perceptive, took their leave.

Zhuge Yunshu also stepped forward to bow and pay his respects, and was thus invited by the county magistrate to sit down and drink tea and admire the flowers together.

"..."

After silently drinking a cup of tea, Zhuge Yunshu could no longer contain himself and finally spoke:

"What is it you wish to do, sir?"

There was no other way; Master Wang and the others at the inn were waiting for her to return to Yunshui Town.

The magistrate stroked his neatly trimmed beard and looked at her leisurely. "I wonder how you, young friend, were able to compose such a well-reasoned and well-supported policy essay at such a young age?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yunshu's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly calmed down.

"Sir, I was born into a farming family and have worked in the fields with my grandparents since I was a child. So, in my spare time, I often heard them talk about the hardships they endured during years of disaster... Since you took office in Linxi County six years ago, the lives of the farmers have been getting better and better..."

After Zhuge Yunshu's sincere flattery, the magistrate's already stern expression softened considerably.

Indeed, from ancient times to the present, those in power have always liked to hear flattering words.

Seeing the magistrate's expression, Zhuge Yunshu continued:

"The student has always kept in mind his origins as a farmer, so he pays special attention to this aspect. Since entering the town school, he has spent his free time visiting the library or bookstores in town to look at books on this topic. Over time, the student has developed his own insights..."

Zhuge Yunshu meant to express that the essay she wrote for the first policy discussion on the day of the county school joint competition was the result of her long-term reading and accumulation.

The magistrate looked at Zhuge Yunshu, who was speaking eloquently, and carefully examined the eight-year-old child in front of him. His skin was dark, and he looked hardworking and able to endure hardship.

He had to admit that he was now somewhat envious of Zhuge Yunshu's parents. What kind of luck did they have to give birth to such a smart and sensible child?

"The reason I called you here today is to tell you that your policy essay has been submitted to the higher-ups, so don't spread it around until the order is given," the magistrate earnestly instructed.

Actually, he originally intended to claim the credit for himself, since he had been in the same position for two consecutive terms due to a lack of achievements.

But looking at the child in front of him today, his long-dormant conscience suddenly awakened.

Back in the day, he was an ambitious scholar. He passed the imperial examination at the young age of thirty, making him the envy of countless people.

What changed him? Perhaps it was the inaction he had in his official career, or perhaps it was the allure of fame and fortune that corrupted his mind.

Magistrate Shen looked at the extraordinary young girl before him again, pondered for a moment, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

—Actually, they can achieve a win-win situation!