Chapter 477: Each Has His Own Plans
The man quickly closed the village gate and started to howl at the top of his lungs, "Chen Yi is back! The results of the imperial examination are out! Everyone, hurry to Shen Yi's house!"
Shen Yi, who was riding on a horse, almost fell down. He looked back at the man in shock and hurriedly sped up.
Ever since there was a dedicated gatekeeper at home, someone would come out to greet Shen Yi as soon as he arrived at the door. The reins would be handed to the other person, and he didn't have to worry about anything.
Su Tai was somewhat surprised to see him coming back so late at night.
Chen Yi, however, didn't care about that. He stepped forward and grabbed Su Tai's hand, suppressing his turbulent emotions. "Where is Chongrong? Have you rested?"
Su Tai shook her head. "The child is probably still reading and didn't lie down so early."
Shen Yi immediately took Su Tai to Shen Congrong's room.
As he walked, he said excitedly: "Our family's imperial examination results are excellent, and we can go to the imperial capital to meet the emperor!"
"Really? Oh! This is such a great joy!" Su Tai was overjoyed. She pushed open Shen Congrong's door and rushed to her son.
Shen Congrong was calm at a young age, but his eyes were full of confusion. When he learned that he had obtained excellent grades, he just smiled, and was not as excited as Su Tai had expected.
Su Tai was stunned. "Son, aren't you excited? You are only ten years old! You got top marks in the exam at the age of ten! Your cousin Tang Cheng is older than you, and he only got average marks in Lushan Academy!"
Shen Congrong's smile widened a little, but he was still mature and steady, "Mom, I am happy, but it is useless for me to be happy. The court will never let a ten-year-old child be an official. Even if I go to the imperial capital, I will just go to see the world."
Shen Yi touched Shen Congrong's head with emotion, "You can see it clearly, but you have achieved top grades at such a young age, which is still worthy of recognition. Dad will give you a big banquet to celebrate."
Shen Congrong blushed instantly, feeling very embarrassed, “Dad, there’s no need to be so grand!”
Chen Yi shook his head, "You don't understand. Dad doesn't want to be high-profile, but Dad is now the county magistrate of Zhaohua County. Everyone sees his every word and action. If Dad doesn't host a banquet, other families will not be able to celebrate, and it will offend people.
It's a matter of honor for the family anyway, so even if we throw a big banquet, everyone will understand, don't you understand?"
Shen Congrong nodded vigorously, "Dad, I understand! I know what to do!"
Su Tai said with a smile: "You are still young, watch and learn more, ask us if you don't understand, take your time!"
Looking at her eldest son who has achieved so much at such a young age, Su Tai feels as if she is a winner in life. At this moment, she finally understands why everyone likes to compare their children.
Shen Congrong couldn't stand his mother's eager gaze, so he quickly changed the subject, "Dad, where's my little brother? How are his grades?"
Su Tai blinked, patted her head in annoyance, and asked nervously: "Yes! I also have a son who has ended up like this! Shen Yi, where is our Yu'er?"
Shen Yi was amused, and replied slowly: “Yuer got an elementary grade in the exam, which is not bad!”
Su Tai let out a long sigh, her eyebrows relaxed, "I thought that brat was just going through the motions. Now that he can get an elementary grade, it's already a blessing from the ancestors! No! We have to go and burn incense to our ancestors and make them happy!"
None of the three people in the room thought it was inappropriate to say such things so late at night.
Before they could go to worship their ancestors, the servant came hurriedly to report, "Master, Madam, Young Master, the village chief and many villagers are waiting in the main hall."
The family of three hurried out to meet the guests.
The huge main hall was now crowded with villagers. Even an elderly man in his seventies came over with a cane. There were also women holding their babies, who were standing in the yard waiting for their turn because they were worried that the children would disturb everyone talking.
Shen Yi frowned and quickly asked the servants to take them to the wing room.
Chu Heng and Zhou Ran stared at Shen Yi nervously.
Shen Ying was so anxious that he couldn't sit still, and he spoke first, "Shen Yi, you said the imperial examination results are out, what's the situation? Did anyone from our village pass the exam?"
Shen Yi nodded.
Everyone was delighted, and their eyes looking at Shen Yi became brighter and brighter.
Shen Yi did not beat around the bush with them and took out a list from his arms, "This is what I copied back from the county government. The list of people who passed the exam is here. There are fifteen people with elementary grades, the youngest of whom is ten years old; there are seven people with medium grades, the youngest of whom is thirteen years old; there are three people with excellent grades, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Chu, and my Congrong."
“Hiss!” Everyone looked at Shen Congrong, as if he was the Wenquxing who had descended to earth, extraordinary.
Shen Ying smiled from ear to ear, "Not bad, not bad, our village school was not established in vain, so many people passed the exam!"
Seeing everyone happy, Shen Yi had to pour a basin of cold water on them, "The court has ordered that those with top grades must accompany the imperial envoy to the palace to meet the emperor, and the emperor will make arrangements. Mr. Zhou, Mr. Chu, and my family's Congrong will all go to the imperial capital, and the teachers in the village school need to be arranged separately."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into silence.
Shen Ying sighed helplessly, smiled, and said: "This can't be helped. Everyone should understand. I wish you two a bright future and a smooth career!"
Chu Heng and Zhou Ran stood up quickly.
"Thank you for the good words, village chief. But if we do this, we will be unfair to these children."
Chu Heng and Zhou Ran both looked embarrassed.
Shen Ying was open-minded, "It's okay! There are so many children in our village who have passed the exam, so there is no problem finding a teacher."
When the villagers reacted, they all breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely congratulated Chu Heng and Zhou Ran.
The two of them also felt relieved and said, "We will return the extra money to the village chief when we get back."
Shen Ying didn't care, "No hurry, no hurry."
As he said this, he looked at Shen Yi eagerly and asked, "How is it in Dongmen Village?"
Chen Yi shook his head helplessly, "I really can't remember so much. Tomorrow, the yamen runners will go to each village to report the good news. I guess there will be results soon. I only know that almost all the children of my father-in-law's relatives have passed the exam, some with good grades and some with average grades. In addition, Mr. Xi also got excellent grades, and Dongmen Village will also look for a new teacher."
Shen Ying was happy, "This is perfect, everyone is in need of a gentleman! Hahahaha"
Everyone stayed with Shen Yi for nearly an hour before dispersing.
Shen Yi called the village chief, Shen Ergou, the village chief's grandson Shen Xuan, and five other people who had average scores, and suggested: "The village school is no longer suitable for you. If you want to make a name for yourself and continue on this path, you can go back and discuss with your family and go to the capital to study."
According to the imperial envoy, the emperor is quite satisfied with the results of this imperial examination and will implement the imperial examination in the whole Lizhou next year.
According to the requirements, candidates who have obtained average scores can only take the exam again after three years. For them, time is very tight. If they can find a famous teacher to guide them during these three years, the probability of passing the exam three years later is very high.
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