Chapter 206 Passing the Provincial Examination
Zhang Min'en rarely showed a faint smile: "Then thank you very much, young boss."
After discussing it with Zhang Min'en, Jiang Mi told her family about her thoughts. Su Yindi pursed her lips and said, "What can a little kid like him understand? Besides, he's an outsider after all, and outsiders can't be relied on. I think it would be better to find a relative to take care of him. My eldest brother is doing a good job. If he can't manage in the future, there's still my aunt and uncle. There are plenty of cousins over there. Why find an outsider?"
Neither Jiang Cheng nor his mother spoke. Liu He looked at everyone and said, "I have no objection. The eldest son is straightforward and honest. Now that his business is growing, I'm worried he'll be taken advantage of. We need someone shrewd to keep an eye on him. But isn't Min En too young? How can he command respect?"
Jiang Mi, however, was not worried about this issue: "That's his own problem. If he can't even win people over, he can only blame himself for not seizing the opportunity."
Su Yindi wanted to say something more, but seeing that no one objected, she didn't dare to say anything more. Her belly was already very big, and she would give birth in two months.
"The Lunar New Year is just a few days away. The epidemic has subsided considerably, and many people have recovered. Will my second and third brothers be coming home soon?"
Mentioning this, Mother Jiang smiled and said, "Yes, the results of the provincial examination will be out soon. I hope your two older brothers will be ambitious and bring honor to the Jiang family, and then have a good New Year."
Jiang Mi smiled happily: "I believe in my second and third brothers. No matter how well they did on the exam, in my heart, they are the best."
The next day, Jiang Mi heard the news of the results being announced. The Jiang family rushed over to see it, and even the county magistrate came to join in the fun.
"Greetings, Your Excellency." The people greeted the county magistrate warmly, and Zhao Decai greeted them with a smile, creating a very heartwarming scene.
"Our Shushan County is full of talented people. I am very pleased to see everyone doing better and better."
Jiang Mi asked anxiously, "When will the results be released?"
Someone in the crowd said, "We'll have to wait until the sun is halfway up. It'll be a while. Looks like everyone's ready. So many people have come today."
Jiang Mi looked at the bustling crowd and felt very gratified. Now that the medicine was no longer in short supply, everyone knew that Jiang Mi had saved them and was very grateful to her. If it weren't for their current financial difficulties, they would all have gone to the restaurant to support her.
"The results are out. The results are out."
Just then, several soldiers came from behind the crowd. Everyone quickly made way for them to come in. After the notice was posted, everyone crowded around to look at it.
Someone exclaimed, "The first and second place winners are both surnamed Jiang. That's amazing!"
"Could they be family? That must be a blessing from their ancestors."
"Isn't the Jiang family just the Jiang Family Restaurant? Good people are indeed rewarded. The Jiang family has done so many good deeds, and now they have produced two outstanding scholars. This is their good fortune."
Hearing everyone's discussion, Jiang Mi excitedly pushed her way forward and finally saw the list. Sure enough, the first and second place winners were her second and third brothers. She happily turned to her family and shouted, "Dad, Mom, my second and third brothers passed the exam!"
The Jiang family happily welcomed Jiang Xuan and Jiang Zhi back, as if welcoming two great heroes. The whole family was beaming, and even the waiters and chefs in the restaurant were all smiles.
"This is wonderful! Not only did you two make the list, but you also ranked first and second! This is truly a great joy for our Jiang family. I must go back and burn incense for your grandfather and ancestors, and tell them that our Jiang family has finally made something of itself." This was the first time Jiang Cheng had ever been so excited. This was the first time in so many years that their Jiang family had passed the provincial examination.
Jiang's mother rolled her eyes at him: "Alright, alright, it's just a provincial examination. People who don't know better will think you've passed the imperial examination with top honors. It's not too late to burn incense after you've actually passed the imperial examination with top honors."
Jiang Cheng wasn't angry when his wife scolded him; he was still all smiles, he was just too happy.
Jiang Mi was also very happy: "Second Brother, Third Brother, are you on vacation? Are you going to rest at home for a few days?"
Jiang Xuan said, "We have to go back after the New Year. The teacher said we should strike while the iron is hot and not be arrogant. This is just a small provincial examination and it doesn't mean anything. Besides, there are always people better than you and there's always something beyond your understanding. There are still the metropolitan examination and the provincial examination to come, and those are the most important."
As Liang Lan served the dishes to the table, she said, "These two are now successful candidates in the imperial examinations. If they don't want to continue taking the exams, they can become officials. We've also benefited from this."
Passing the provincial examination meant becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination). With two Juren emerging from Shushan County at once, Zhao Decai was overjoyed. This year had been full of misfortunes, but finally, something good had happened at the end of the year.
The food was laid out, and the Jiang family members all raised their glasses. The head of the family, Jiang Cheng, raised his glass and said, "Today, our Jiang family has a great joy. Regardless of whether these two boys can pass the provincial and imperial examinations in the future, I am already satisfied. This has brought honor to our Jiang family. When I go to the underworld, I can face our ancestors."
This time, Jiang's mother didn't interrupt him. After he finished speaking, everyone drank their wine together and then continued, "Yes, this year has been full of disasters and hardships. We have been able to overcome many difficulties thanks to our Honey. Honey has changed the most this year. It's as if she has grown up all of a sudden. In the end, as long as our family works together, we can overcome any difficulties and things will only get better."
“Yes, as long as we stick together, things will only get better.” Jiang Cheng put his arm around his wife, and the family clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
"Honey, why don't you say a few words?" After everyone sat down, Jiang Cheng called out Jiang Mi's name again.
Before her three older brothers could speak, Jiang Mi pointed to herself, looking puzzled: "Me?"
Jiang Yan waved his hand and said, "It's you. Although you are the youngest, you are indeed the treasure of our family. We are able to sit here today entirely because of you."
With the whole family looking at her, Jiang Mi actually felt a little embarrassed: "My brothers haven't even spoken yet, so how can it be my turn to say anything?"
Mother Jiang said, "We're all family, there's no need for so many rules. Alright, starting with the eldest son, you can all share your thoughts for next year."
Jiang Yan, being the eldest, thought for a moment and said, "Everyone says I'm slow-witted and straightforward, not suited for business. Well, I'll try to learn more about business. I don't expect to make a fortune, just avoid losing money."
Liu He couldn't help but laugh: "You're really something, you have no ambition at all."
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