Once the old year is over, it is the new year.
The biggest thing for Tangli now is that Dabao and Xu Jue are going to take part in the county examination.
The county exam was the first step in the imperial examination. If one passed the county exam, one would be a student and could then participate in the prefectural exam. After passing the prefectural exam, one would be a scholar, and then the joint exam. If one passed, one would be a juren and be eligible to participate in the palace exam!
Passing the county exam allowed one to enter the county school, a government-run institution. Being admitted to a government-run institution brought honor to the entire family! In this small town, it was a matter of great prestige!
Although Tang Li knew that Xu Jue and Dabao had the ability to become future prime ministers, he still took this matter very seriously.
Which parent doesn’t pay attention to their child’s academic performance?
Before the county examination, Tang Li went to see Dean Guo.
Dean Guo handed two letters of recommendation to Tang Li.
"Xu Jue and Dabao can take part in the county exam with this letter of recommendation." Dean Guo said.
Tang Li knew that in order to take part in the county examination, he would need letters of recommendation from various academies, and each academy had limited places. It was said that Hongwen Academy had only three places, two of which were given to these two children.
"Thank you, President Guo." Tang Li said.
Tangli is sincerely grateful.
The child is talented, but he is not born with the knowledge of a prime minister. He needs many capable teachers to teach him bit by bit.
This teacher was the first teacher of Xu Jue and Dabao in their school life. He taught them everything he knew. Although he didn't teach them much later, it was because of his limited knowledge.
"Madam Wei, I had a dream last night. I dreamed that Xu Jue and Dabao both ranked in the top ten in the county exam!" Dean Guo said excitedly.
You know, no student from their Hongwen Academy has been admitted to the county school for four or five years.
If two of them could get into the top ten at once, he would be very proud!
Dean Guo was overjoyed and quickly called his wife to share the good news, and then...
His face became swollen.
Only then did he realize that it was a dream.
Very disappointed.
However, Dean Guo is still very confident in these two children. He has never taught such smart children!
"Dean Guo, your dream is not quite accurate." Tang Li said.
Dean Guo was stunned for a moment. Did Madam Wei disagree? Did she think those two kids were no good?
Although Madam Wei was the elder of the two students, Dean Guo was still unhappy. Dean Guo was protective of his students and did not like anyone doubting their abilities, even the children's parents.
"Dabao and Xu Jue are definitely the first and second." Tang Li said.
Dean Guo was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses and laughed out loud.
He loved to hear what Madam Wei said!
Yes, his dream was too conservative. Dabao and Xu Jue would definitely be in the top three!
If the first and second place students were both from his school, it would surely impress his old classmates.
Dean Guo felt so happy just thinking about it.
Dean Guo then introduced the situation and precautions of the county examination to Tang Li, and Tang Li wrote them down one by one.
After talking with Dean Guo, Tang Li left.
Outside the door, a boy of about fourteen or fifteen was waiting there. He was wearing washed-out clothes full of patches, and he was handsome and elegant.
Tang Li remembered him. He was a classmate of Dabao and Xu Jue. Sometimes when he came to the academy, he would see them discussing academic matters together. His name seemed to be Zhuo Shu.
Tangli smiled at him, and the boy responded quickly, his face flushed and a little shy.
After Tang Li left, the young man walked in and respectfully called out to Dean Guo, "Master."
Dean Guo nodded: "Zhuo Shu, what's the matter?"
"Master, I want to..." Zhuo Shu was a little embarrassed to speak, his fair face flushed. He gritted his teeth and said, "Master, I want to take part in this county exam. Can you give me a chance..."
Zhuo Shu knew that the academy only had three places for the county examination.
The teacher has to carefully select who to give each quota to, because the results of the county examination are related to the reputation of the academy.
He has already wasted three places in the county examination.
However, he was unwilling to give up...
He wants to try again!
Dean Guo looked at Zhuo Shu with regret.
"Zhuo Shu, you and Qi Yaowen were my two proudest students..."
Speaking of which, these two students were originally his pride, but one of them got a letter of recommendation from another academy just before the exam. After passing the exam, his reputation also belonged to the other academy, while the other one failed the exam for three years...
The former made him angry, and the latter made him regretful.
He didn't know what was wrong with Zhuo Shu. He usually performed very well, so why did he become like this when it came to the county exam?
Dean Guo's words made Zhuo Shu feel ashamed.
He feels guilty towards Master Guo!
"Master, please give me another chance. This is the last time. If I fail this time, I will go home and learn a craft." Zhuo Shu said.
Zhuo Shu felt that Dean Guo would definitely not give him the letter of recommendation. In fact, it is understandable. If he were Dean Guo, he would not waste the quota on a loser!
Dean Guo opened the cabinet and took out a letter.
"Actually, I have prepared it a long time ago. This third letter is for you, Zhuo Shu." Dean Guo said.
Zhuo Shu suddenly raised his head and looked at Dean Guo in disbelief.
"Master..." His eyes were wide open, with something shiny sliding inside, and he was very excited.
Dean, are you willing to believe him again?
"Take it. This time, I believe you will be able to pass the exam and bring honor to our academy!" said Dean Guo.
Zhuo Shu took the letter and held it tightly in his arms.
This is his last chance, and he will definitely pass the exam and live up to the teacher's expectations!
…
Time flies.
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of January.
The county exam is in early February, so you need to go and take a look in advance.
Therefore, Tangli packed up his things and set off for Hedong County with Dabao, Xu Jue, Erbao and Sanbao, the protagonists of this county examination, leaving Aunt Zhao at home to look after the house.
This county examination is extremely important to Dabao and Xu Jue.
This is the first big test in their lives.
Both of them put in their best efforts.
Xu Jue wanted to follow his father's last words to bring honor to the family and to repay his sister. Dabao wanted to make his parents proud of him, become a pillar of support for his parents and his younger siblings, and protect the whole family!
Both kids are ambitious!
So, after getting on the carriage, both of them were still reading.
The second baby usually talks a lot, but at this time he shut up and knew not to disturb his two older brothers.
Sanbao nestled obediently in Tangli's arms.
"Dabao, Xu Jue, the county exam is approaching, you should relax and stop reading. Your eyes are tired, so take a look at the scenery outside." Tang Li said, looking at the two young boys holding books.
Future Prime Minister, why worry about the county exam? Don't ruin your eyes by reading.
At this point, the two children put down their books and opened the curtains to see the scenery outside.
"Xu Jue, look, is that Zhuo Shu?" Dabao asked.
Xu Jue looked where Dabao pointed, and it was indeed!
Zhuo Shu was seen carrying a tattered bookcase on his back, walking forward step by step under the scorching sun. Was he going to Hedong County on foot?!
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