Chapter 43
Liu felt that they had already brought honor to their ancestors, and everyone would fawn over them when they returned. She could also take the opportunity to go back to her parents' home and enjoy the limelight in the village.
"Before my third brother left, he told me that everything should be prioritized for the shop from now on, even during the Spring Festival in the county. We need to take care of the shop. What's the point of going back if the family isn't all there?"
"Don't think the boss will go back; that's impossible."
After finishing speaking, Old Man Wen leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat distressed. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu lowered her head.
During this time, the family members tacitly avoided mentioning Wen Chuanzong, and no one forgot about him. He was currently nowhere to be found, and he hadn't sent any letters back. No one knew what he was doing over there.
His brothers also had grievances against him, since he was the one who said he would go out and take the exam to bring the whole family a better life.
But later, it was Wen Chuanzong who complained that his brothers were useless and that they would affect his future. He said it through Xiuyu, but no one was stupid.
"Don't think about it anymore, go to sleep. We're both this old now. To put it bluntly, every year we live is a reward from God."
When Old Man Wen blew out the lamp and went to bed, he lay motionless on the bed, his dark face showing unconcealed worry.
It is said that a mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles, and the same is true for a father. They are both sentimental people at heart. Wen Shi is alright, but Wen Chuanzong really made the old couple sad.
At midnight, in the prefectural city, Wen Shi suddenly woke up. Once he was fully conscious, he got out of bed without hesitation. Looking at the person sleeping soundly beside him, he quietly put on his clothes, covered her with the blanket, and seeing that there wasn't much charcoal left, he added some new charcoal. He then placed two pieces of burning charcoal in the hand warmer next to him, put on his black cloak, and walked straight out.
He arrived earlier today than yesterday, so he might not be able to see the old gentleman, but arriving early and ranking higher gives him a better chance.
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Wen Shi set off again with a torch in hand. The cold wind was truly biting, but thankfully it wasn't snowing. He was dressed warmly, and his cloak added to his comfort.
Wen Shi walked steadily with a determined expression toward Mr. Huang's academy.
Wen Shi didn't know if his efforts would yield good results, but he knew that without hard work and striving, there was definitely no chance.
He arrived earlier than last time, and there were even fewer people at the academy gate. Apart from a few carriages, one of them was brightly lit, and the sound of reading could be heard coming from inside.
He squatted by the door, his eyes completely expressionless.
The warm hand warmer gradually became warmer, the sky gradually brightened, and the temperature rose. By noon, Wen Shi looked at the few people in front of him and felt somewhat confident.
If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to see him today.
In the afternoon, after the students finished school, the main gate was immediately opened, and the butler came out to call for people again.
Half an hour later, snowflakes began to fall from the sky again, and Wen Shi stood up straight and remained motionless.
"Go in."
Seeing a man dressed in silk come out dejectedly, Wen Shi heard the steward's words, took a breath, turned around and stepped into the academy.
This place is called an academy, but it is actually a three-courtyard house that the old gentleman bought and converted. The front and back are completely separate. The back is where he lived, while the front courtyard has been modified. Wen Shi followed a servant into the house, glancing at every corner of the courtyard out of the corner of his eye.
The garden is arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner. Even in the cold winter, it is not bare. You can see some plum blossoms in full bloom every few steps.
After passing through the artificial hill and pavilion, he was soon led to the door of a house, the residence of a wealthy family. Seeing it in person, it was even better than in the books. He recalled that when he went to the county government office for a banquet, this house was built even better than the county government office.
"This is the master's study."
After the servant finished speaking, he took a few steps back. Wen Shi secretly took a breath, turned around, and went to knock on the door.
"Come in."
A strong, resonant voice rang out, and Wen Shi was momentarily stunned. He quickly reacted, pushed open the door, and was greeted by a wave of warmth. Wen Shi hurriedly closed the door behind him.
He looked at the old man sitting in a chair not far away and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
I had assumed he was an elderly man with white hair, but he looked quite young. His hair wasn't completely white, his complexion was rosy, and his eyes were bright. He was noticeably younger than his peers.
Mr. Huang glanced at the young man not far away, picked up the teacup beside him, and said, "No need for formalities."
Hearing this, he straightened up.
"Please have a seat."
Wen Shi nodded and sat down in the chair at the lower end.
How many years have you been in school?
The old man stroked his beard and asked.
"Including this year, it has been eight years."
Wen Shi is twenty-one this year. He ran away to study when he was thirteen.
“Some people start their education at eight years old and become scholars by the age of twelve, which takes only four years. But you took eight years.”
Seeing the old man's nonchalant attitude, Wen Shi then said, "My parents and grandparents were all farmers. With a large family, we had to stop working many times to earn tuition and living expenses. Sometimes, we would spend half the year doing odd jobs for others."
"Then why don't you earn more money for a couple more years and then go straight to school? Studying on and off like this, I'm afraid you won't learn anything solid."
“I have met several teachers in the past, some of whom were very good and were willing to teach me in private. When I was young, I did not consider all aspects of the issues. I only thought that I could not give up and that I should study if I could.”
Wen Shi recalled the teachers he had met while studying in the town, and couldn't help but feel a little moved. All the teachers he had met along the way were quite good, except for that Teacher Liu.
"I have a lot of academic pressure, I have to write at least ten articles a day, can you finish that?"
The county school could only admit a maximum of two essays a day. Wen Shi's mind worked quickly. Although he thought it was a bit outrageous, he still nodded.
He came sincerely to become a disciple and did not complain about the hardship of studying.
"Alright, go to the next room. There's pen and ink there. Write ten articles in a bit, and let me see how good your writing is and what your insights are."
"If you become an official in the future, and a case arises in your jurisdiction where two poor old farmers seriously injure each other over a dispute over a small plot of land, how would you handle it? How would you sentence them?"
After Mr. Huang finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair.
This question is actually not difficult. Many students are not ignorant of the law; what they don't understand is why they have to write ten essays.
Some scholars from wealthy families were even more puzzled, quoting classical texts at length before leaving in anger.
Some scholars from ordinary families wrote quite a lot, but few were able to successfully meet his requirements. Some even felt that he was deliberately making things difficult for them. Even those who gritted their teeth and completed the task ended up writing very perfunctorily and carelessly.
As for the person in front of him, he didn't have high expectations; this was just the beginning.
Mr. Huang had the confidence, the ability, and the fame. In his retirement years, he chose to resign from his official post and return to his hometown to live out his days. Afterward, he opened an academy, not to make money.
If he were attached to wealth, there would be no need for him to resign and retire to his hometown. He could stay in the capital and, with his robust health, work for another three to five years without any problem.
He doesn't consider money or family background when accepting students; he mainly looks at their character and talent. The students he selects receive almost no tuition or gifts, making it cheaper than the county school.
Having navigated the officialdom for many years, he knew all too well that money made the path easier, but if you were an incompetent fool, you wouldn't last long, and might even face death in the future. Those whose virtue did not match their position would surely suffer calamity.
In his heart, he wanted to help those students from rural families who, like himself, came from poor backgrounds, were talented, and were willing to work hard to improve themselves.
The imperial examination system has only existed for a few years. Without a solid foundation, it is really difficult for students to enter officialdom. Opportunities are not something everyone can encounter, nor is it something everyone can find to appreciate. Most people can only rely on themselves.
Unfortunately, he had seen many students from farming families, but after passing the imperial examination and becoming a scholar, quite a few became complacent and stopped there.
The path to the imperial examinations is long, and this is only the beginning. However, some people have already become complacent with a stable life and lost the motivation to strive. To be honest, even if these people eventually enter officialdom, they will not achieve great success.
Civil officials undergo just as much training and tempering as military generals, mostly psychologically. The struggles in the court are no less intense than those on the battlefield, and personal qualities, knowledge, patience, and character are all very important.
"Ten articles, not one less is acceptable."
Wen Shi suddenly thought of the student who walked out crying that day. He nodded and left calmly.
The servants in the courtyard were already used to it. As soon as Wen Shi entered the next room, someone would run out to call the next person.
The small room was well-equipped with writing brushes and ink, and neatly stacked sheets of Xuan paper were arranged to one side. There was also an incense burner on the table. The paper was white and clean, and the ink had a pleasant fragrance, quite different from the one he used before. He naturally knew that these things were not cheap.
To some extent, the Huang family has changed its allegiance. The old gentleman has returned to his hometown, but most of his family members are in the capital. If nothing unexpected happens, they will become an official family for generations to come.
This is naturally his goal.
Wen Shi took off his cloak, ground ink and took out paper with practiced ease. He pondered for a while and began to analyze and handle the case from all aspects, from the deepest to the shallowest. He was completely focused and very serious.
He wasn't very proficient in the law; his foundation was actually quite weak before. After going to the county school, he worked very hard and made some progress, but he still couldn't say he could recite it fluently.
After careful consideration, he wrote with effortless grace. His excellent handwriting was naturally due to the earnest teachings he received from the old master when he first began learning calligraphy.
Regardless of one's level of education, beautiful handwriting always makes a good impression.
Three hours later, it was pitch black outside, and the sky was completely dark. Wen Shi finished writing the last article and rubbed his slightly sore wrists.
The only saving grace was that I hadn't been too tired from copying books.
On the small table, ten sheets of rice paper were already filled with his writing, the characters neatly arranged, waiting for the ink on the last sheet to dry completely.
Wen Shi carefully checked each article to make sure there were no typos before carefully putting them away and leaving.
Is the old gentleman still in his study?
"Please wait here, I'll go and inform them right away."
When the servant finished writing down what he had seen and heard, he was stunned for a moment before striding away. Wen Shi wasn't too surprised. He stood in the courtyard, looking up at the faint stars in the sky, his expression complicated.
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