Chapter 351 Si Dan Passes the County Examination
With Zhao Sidan doing a live food broadcast to promote the food, how could the people around them resist?
Ten coins was equivalent to one-third of a day's wages, which most people could afford. Of course, they wouldn't buy a bowl each, but rather a portion for the whole family to share.
"Da Wang's mother, your cooking skills are absolutely amazing."
"The broth soaking the rice is so delicious! This meal was so satisfying!"
"I'm not full... burp, give me another bowl of millet porridge for one penny, I still have hard labor to do this afternoon."
Many villagers are willing to come and support the event, and it only costs them a maximum of twenty or so coins, which is within their means.
The Zhao family didn't prepare much, just about a hundred portions, and they sold out in less than half an hour.
"My God, we really made money!" Mrs. Sun took out the wooden box containing the money, her eyes shining. "So many copper coins, our family is going to be rich."
Grandma Zhao pushed her hand away: "We haven't even factored in the costs yet."
Actually, the main cost was the three catties of meat I bought in the morning, which cost more than seventy coins. I also bought more than twenty coins worth of tofu and bean sprouts. As for the bamboo shoots and wild vegetables, they were all dug up by my family on the mountain. The total cost was about one hundred coins. Apart from that, it was all net profit.
The wooden box contained a total of 682 copper coins, meaning a net profit of half a tael of silver.
The Zhao family members were all a little unsteady on their feet. They had earned half a tael of silver in just one noon. If they had sold it openly, they could probably have earned one tael. That would have made them two taels of silver in a day. They used to think that making money was too difficult, but it turns out that as long as you find the right way, making money can become very easy.
"Father, Mother, this business is worth doing!" Sun Shi took a deep breath and said, "I think the menu can be expanded to give everyone more choices."
Ms. Wen nodded: "The porridge and wild vegetable dishes are selling slowly, which shows that people are not willing to spend money on these foods that they can make themselves. We can add a few more kinds of meat..."
The Zhao family held another meeting.
Cheng Wanwan occasionally offered her own opinions, and from then on, the business officially began.
While the Zhao family was doing business, in mid-February, the four county-level examinations finally came to an end.
Although the county examination is only the first hurdle and there is still a small step to becoming a student of the lowest rank, the county will still send someone to specially notify and congratulate you.
That morning, Cheng Wanwan had just gotten up when she heard the sound of drums and gongs. Master Yuan, along with four constables, had come to offer their congratulations and first went to Master Yu's residence.
The villagers gathered around to watch.
"That boy from Master Yu's family is actually the top scholar in our Ping'an County."
What does "first in line" mean?
"If you get first place in all four exams, you're called the 'top scorer,' which basically means you're very impressive."
"..."
"Four Eggs is not bad either, he's made the list at such a young age."
"I heard that Ping'an County only takes the top 100 in this county-level examination, and Si Dan is the 99th."
"Oh my, Si Dan is really lucky."
"..."
Surrounded by onlookers, Zhao Sidan proudly puffed out his chest.
Although he was only ranked ninety-ninth, from today onwards he is a glorious student of the first level of the imperial examination, or rather, a half-student.
"Master Yu, Madam Sui, congratulations!" Master Yuan smiled and stroked his beard. "Will the two children take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the prefectural examination next month?"
After the county exam, the prefectural exam will be held immediately, around the same time as the provincial exam. Many students will put in their best effort to pass it all in one go.
Cheng Wanwan shook her head: "Si Dan has only been studying for half a year, his foundation is not solid, let's talk about it next time."
Zhao Sidan wasn't disappointed. He knew his situation well. He was able to pass the county exam entirely thanks to his older cousin and Master Yu's tireless teaching. To pass the prefectural exam, he would have to study hard for at least two more years...
“Xiao Zhan is planning to give it a try,” Master Yu said. “He’s young, so it’s okay if he fails; he can just take it as experience.”
Master Yuan nodded: "Many students have already gone to Huzhou. The magistrate was worried that you might not be able to find a place to stay, so he booked an inn in advance. When you arrive, go to the Yuelai Inn, give the magistrate's name, and you can check in."
Master Yu quickly waved his hand: "Our Yu family also has a place to stay in Huzhou, so we won't trouble you, sir."
“The Yu family lives in the east of Huzhou City, while the examination venue is in the west of the city. It’s too far, and it will be tiring for the children.” Master Yuan said with a smile. “Our young master is also going to take the exam, so we’ve arranged for Cheng Tongsheng and young master Yu to take the exam together. It’s no trouble at all. I have other matters to attend to in the city, so I’ll take my leave now.”
After Master Yuan and his constables left, villagers came to congratulate him.
Master Yu's house was besieged, and Cheng Wanwan's house was also besieged by Old Zhao's family.
"Oh my, Si Dan truly lives up to his reputation as the grandson of the Zhao family. He's only ten years old and he's already a half-successful candidate in the imperial examinations. He's really amazing!" Old Man Zhao said with great pride. "Come on, follow me to the Zhao family ancestral hall. We must tell our ancestors this good news!"
Grandma Zhao was overjoyed: "Grandma will cook you four eggs later, and you can try to pass the imperial examinations and come back with a degree."
Zhao Sidan said with a bitter face, "Four eggs are too many, I can't eat them."
He's no longer the kid who picked up eggshells from the ground and licked them. For the past six months, he's had an egg every day, and he's already had his fill.
Zhao Erwang leaned closer: "It's okay, I'll eat one for you."
Donghua licked her lips: "I can also help Brother Sidan eat one, or even two."
"You two gluttons, get out of here!" Old Mrs. Zhao blatantly showed favoritism. "Si Dan has done a great service for our Zhao family. These four eggs are a reward for him. If he can't finish them, he can eat them tonight. If he can't finish them tonight, he can eat them tomorrow morning!"
After Si Dan passed the county exam, Cheng Wanwan prepared a meal at home, inviting her family to have a lively gathering.
During the meal, Cheng Wanwan casually asked, "Zhao'er, when are you planning to go to Huzhou?"
Before Cheng Zhao could speak, Shen Zheng said, "The exam is on the third day of the third month, so we can go at the end of February. My father definitely won't have time to accompany me. Afu, you come with me."
Afu nodded. He was originally a pageboy, and he would go wherever the young master went.
Cheng Wanwan put down her chopsticks: "Then I'll go with Zhao'er."
Cheng Zhao was taken aback: "Second Aunt, there's no need, I can manage on my own."
“More people means more support,” Cheng Wanwan said. “There are too many things to handle when we go to Huzhou. You just focus on the exams, and I'll take care of the rest of the logistics.”
Actually, she wanted to visit Huzhou. First, to see the big city; second, to look for fruit tree seedlings, and if not, to buy them from the mall; and third, because she was preparing to start her glycerin business, she needed to go to Huzhou to understand the market.
Shen Zheng looked resentful. He shouldn't have suggested that Afu come along. Now that Afu was around, his aunt didn't care about him anymore.
Also, his dad is really useless. It's been half a year, and there's not a single step forward. If he really liked a girl, he wouldn't be dragging his feet like this...
Cheng Zhao was deeply moved. If he ever achieved great success, the first person he would repay would definitely be his second aunt.
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