The eldest grandson of the Red Chamber

The days before the exam are both fast and slow, and the fate of Qiu Wei is just around the corner.Mingxu also gradually recovered. After personally experiencing the simulated exams in real situations, Mingxu felt that his whole body was much haggard. The exam dormitory prepared by his grandfather was even more difficult than the real Gongyuan.

After all, it is not a real examination room. The most emotionally uncontrollable thing in the whole nine days is loneliness. There is no one else except myself, and there is no sound. You can only judge the time by the light. After you stop writing, it is like going to jail.

Although the structure of the Gongyuan is the same, at least there are people in the same year of the exam, everyone can see each other's faces through the window, and there are invigilators patrolling the exam. The important thing is the atmosphere of the exam. It is a real exam room, not a prison cell.

"So you just stayed for nine days in a place that looks like a tribute courtyard but only has one test house?" Qing Rong asked curiously after hearing the complaints from her friends. There are many men from Qing's family who have served as officials, but they have never done this before. Minghou Sure enough, extraordinary people.

The day after tomorrow is the rural examination, and at this time, Qing and Ming are walking on the streets of the inner city of Yangzhou, chatting with each other about their current situation.

Because Yangzhou was originally the seat of the chief envoy, the two saved a lot of trekking, and they booked the same inn without letting their family members come to take the exam. As the exam was approaching, the city of Yangzhou became lively.Because there are only two days left for the rural exam, the inn is very noisy, and there are sounds everywhere, the sound of impromptu endorsement, the instructions of the family members who send the exam, and the scholars from remote areas who go to the city and are tricked into reporting to the government, etc. It's like a big drama Generally speaking, Ming Xu is really impatient to stay, and invites Qing Rong to come out for a walk, Qing Rong readily agrees.

"However, I was restless inside, and my grandfather's assignments were also stiff and confused, and my mind was not on it at all." Mingxu recalled the simulation, and felt that the upset state at that time was a bit inexplicable.

"Fortunately, I'm at home. I'll be in good shape for the exam tomorrow." Qing Rong said in relief.

"Probably not. Although it's a fake rural exam, I'm still hinting in my heart that I'm not real, and I still have some strength to spare." Mingxu shook his head. He's the on-the-spot type. Be steady.I just hope that tomorrow I can play it all, to the fullest.

"Don't mention this, I'm flustered, Big Brother Qing, why not talk about yourself, you really didn't come back until a few days ago, it can be seen that the time spent outside is very exciting."

"It's really interesting. What's rare is the people. I made a lot of friends when I went out..."

……

Mingxu listened to Qing Rong's stories about his travels abroad with great interest. Compared with his own parents, Qing Rong's experience was a little bit more like martial arts. .

One of them was talking and the other was asking, and they were having fun when they were suddenly stopped by someone.The person who came was wearing a black long gown, well-dressed, and looked upright, "You two gentlemen, stand for a while, I can see the two of you are dressed and talking, but they are here to participate in the provincial examination."

Ming Xu and Qing Rong looked at each other, and Qing Rong said, "This brother may as well be straightforward." Hearing this, the man smiled, and his fairly regular facial features showed a bit of glibness, "Two little brothers , Let's be smart people don't speak dark words, I have a way here." As he spoke, he pointed in the direction of the Gongyuan, showing a cryptic smile.

Ming Xu immediately understood what he meant, it was actually selling the questions and answers before the exam, it was indeed a scam that has been passed down from ancient times to the present, it is not funny to think of it.

Seeing Mingxu laughing, that person immediately became unhappy, pulled him to a corner, deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Little brother, don't believe me, to tell you the truth, I have an old cousin who works in the capital. His good friend is doing work in Mr. Bi's house. Both of them are scholars, so it goes without saying that Mr. Bi is the one."

Naturally needless to say, Mr. Bi’s name is Bi Yan, a native of Huainan, who was born as a Jinshi in two rankings. He has been in the ups and downs of the officialdom for [-] years, and has a high position. I won't go into details about idle jobs, but what's more worth mentioning is that Mr. Bi is the candidate for this year's rural examination.

It's fine if he doesn't explain it, but Mingxu wanted to laugh even more after this explanation, so he just laughed out loud, it's a clumsy scam, this scammer is here to ease his mood before the exam.Qing Rong couldn't help laughing, he patted the shoulder of the auction test question, "Brother, I'd better think it over before opening my mouth next time, at least I have to go on and on. The good friend works in the house, and then what? Brother may not I understand the rules of the official's mansion too well."

Anyone can enter the study room?How could a foreigner who was at most a second-class servant have the opportunity to see something that Mrs. Bi could not touch.

"Hey, haven't I finished yet? This old cousin has a good friend. Although he has a hard life, he has nothing to say about his appearance and figure. Even that young lady can't compare..." The liar They were still talking hard, but Ming Xu and Qing Rong were already impatient and left straight away.

Out of the alley, Qing Rong said with a smile: "Earlier, I heard from the elders in my family that every time before the imperial examinations, there were many people who peddled the questions. It seems that you and I are not very lucky, and we can't say well when we encounter such a thing." of."

"It doesn't necessarily mean that you say it intentionally. If there are no flaws, you will be suspicious." Mingxu said another possibility. After all, the ability of the people to make up their minds has never been underestimated. You can complete it yourself.

"There is some truth to it, it's just that, no matter how flawed the words are, believers will still believe them. If they don't believe it, they won't believe it even if they act like fakes." Qing Rong nodded.

"It's just taking advantage of people's luck, thinking what if it is true, but forgetting that it may not be one in a million." Ming Xu said with a smile. As for buying the real question, the probability of winning the lottery is even higher. bigger.

After going through this incident, Ming and Qing met two test paper peddlers one after another. The explanations were different, but there were obviously no loopholes.But Mingxu firmly believes that their ability to get the test papers is the biggest loophole, and he doesn't want to spend dozens of taels of silver to satisfy his curiosity.

Even so, Mingxu finally had the opportunity to see the true face of the so-called "real question".It turned out that the two returned to their residence after wandering around.

As soon as he walked to the door of the inn, he was stopped by a loud voice: "What a gentleman, don't tell me when you come back, and don't tell me when you come to the city. I'm waiting for you at the biggest inn in Yangzhou City, but you didn't see me." , this brother can't do it." The visitor was aggressive, but there was a small grievance in his words.

Ming Xu raised his eyes and saw that Hua Zhang, Qing Rong's good friend, was also studying at Lanting Academy.

"I was going to tell you that Brother Ming helped me fix a place to stay, so I didn't go to Mingran to live. But I went to look for you, but your family said that you were studying behind closed doors, and no one saw you. Why do you blame me?" Qing Rong shrugged, quite helplessly.

"Why don't you blame me for making me wait for a long time. If I don't see any guests, you won't leave a message?" Huazhang was still confident, and after waiting for two days, his anger was ruined.

"Brother Hua, come in and say, you're like a shrew blocking the door." Ming Xu reminded the group of people gathered around the inn to watch the excitement.He and Huazhang are both students of Lanting Academy, Ming Xu and Qing Rong have a good relationship, so naturally he is also familiar with Huazhang, and he speaks more casually.

"Xiao Mingzi, who are you calling a shrew? The last time I told you I haven't settled with you." Huazhang still refused to let go, but he walked towards the door obediently. Son.

"I want to live here too, Xiao Mingzi, hurry up and add an extra room, Brother Hua will sleep with you guys." Hua Zhang came to Qingrong's room and instructed Ming Xu.

"I ordered this room seven days in advance, do you think we can add more rooms now?" Mingxu looked at Huazhang as if he was looking at a mentally retarded person. The inn was full a few days ago, okay, what do you think about adding rooms now? Woolen cloth.

"Then change it with someone else. I have booked two rooms in Mingran Residence, and it won't hurt me to change it with me." Huazhang said and went out, going to the next door to discuss with someone.

Qing Rong caught her in time, "It's about to play, who will change it for you? Go back to your place honestly."

Huazhang was grabbed by the collar, curled his lips and rolled his eyes, "A man's heart is like iron, a man's heart is like iron." After speaking, he quickly changed his tone, smiling mysteriously, "Speaking of going on stage, I Here's something nice to show you."

Seeing Hua Zhang's humble expression, Ming Xu and Qing Rong looked at each other, and already had an answer in their hearts.

"Hey, what kind of eyes do you have? This is a good thing. I won't show it to him if it's so close." Huazhang took out a roll of paper from his pocket as he spoke. "Come, come, come and have a look, it cost me 50 taels of silver."

Qing Rong stepped forward and spread out the paper, "You haven't seen it yet"

"It's not waiting for you, how about it, brother, am I loyal enough?" Huazhang patted his chest and winked at Mingxu.

"It doesn't matter if you are loyal or not, there are a lot of foolishness, and you don't know if it's true or not, so it only cost 50 taels." Mingxu shook his head and sighed, the stupid son of a landlord's family.

"Thousands of money can't buy it, I'm happy. If I don't look at this miraculous topic, I'll be scratching my head." Hua Zhang didn't care about Ming Xu's ridicule, and bought it for 50 taels for peace of mind, not losing money.

So Mingxu understood that Huazhang also didn't believe in this so-called truth.That's right, if you really believe it, you won't use it to judge them. It has nothing to do with whether the relationship is deep or not, but this kind of thing can only be known by yourself.

"The compilation is decent, and it makes some sense when you think about it carefully. There is only one point. This compilation of the questions must have underestimated the rural examination." Qing Rong had already skimmed through the test papers, and couldn't help laughing.

"I really took it for granted, the topic is so easy to bet." Ming Xu leaned forward and looked it over, feeling helpless, if it was really that easy, how could he be better than the one from Qiu Wei? It is important, but the competition is much stronger, and there are very few winners.

This paper seller couldn't be out of good intentions to boost the candidates' self-confidence, Mingxu said with a smile, but then recalling the high price of 50 taels, he dispelled this unreliable idea.

"You two are both gods and men. I think it's okay. The title of this topic is reasonable. After reading this policy theory, let me write about the water control policy. In June this year, there was a flood in Guangzhou and Zhejiang. It is not impossible to write this .” Huazhang said and nodded, expressing his agreement.

"Just as long as you're happy." Ming Xu touched Hua Zhang's head, smiling kindly.

Qing Rong also smiled: "It can be seen that you didn't pay attention in class."

"Hey, if you two continue to do this, brothers have nothing to do." Hua Zhang patted Ming Xu's hand off, feeling a little annoyed.

"Don't do it, don't do it, I'm afraid people will laugh at you if you say it, so go away, go back wherever you came from."

……

After such a small episode, it was the day of admission to the township examination in a blink of an eye.Autumn has arrived, the gate of the Gongyuan opens, Ming Xu carries the prepared examination basket, and queues up with Qing Rong to wait for the examination to enter.