Chapter 85: The results of the provincial examination are announced, Song Ming warns

At the end of October, the results of the provincial examination are announced, and the government office will post a notice at noon. Those who pass the examination can enter and receive ten taels of silver.

After lunch, Jiang Ning and Liu Mingan walked leisurely to the government office. The place was already crowded, and it was completely different from the quiet and secluded place on weekdays.

"Why do I feel that there are more people than on the day of the examination?"

Jiang Ning looked at the crowds of people inside and outside, and stood at the outermost side with Liu Mingan, and asked curiously.

"I came to see the excitement. After all, it happens once every four years, and it is a big event." Liu Mingan had experienced this excitement when he came to the town with his father when he was a child, so he was not surprised.

"Then how can we squeeze in?" Jiang Ning looked at the crowd of people and felt worried.

Liu Ming'an smiled and said, "We don't have to squeeze in, don't worry!"

Sure enough, at noon, the official took a piece of paper with black characters on a red background and pasted it on the wall outside the gate. Before Jiang Ning and the others squeezed in, someone shouted loudly, "There are two people who are holding the post, Liu Ming'an and Wu Renjie!"

In an instant, the scene was in turmoil. Some people shouted, some cried, and some shouted that they didn't believe it. They squeezed to the front to take a look, and then left with a dead look on their faces.

One of them jumped three feet high when he saw the man in his thirties, clapping his hands and laughing non-stop, like a madman.

"Ah! I won! I won! Hahahaha..."

The woman beside him should be his wife. She burst into tears after hearing the news. She said excitedly: "I won, I won, it's great..."

This scene reminded Jiang Ning of the article "Fan Jin Passed the Imperial Examination" for no reason, and she felt a little sad.

At this time, the official who posted the notice looked at the crowd of people under the steps, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly: "Two examinees, please enter the yamen to collect the silver!"

"Me, me, me!" The man who was so happy that he was dizzy jumped and waved immediately.

The crowd separated a path for him. He was so happy that he trotted into the yamen with a flushed face.

"Jiang Ning, wait for me here." Liu Mingan squeezed Jiang Ning's hand, and when she nodded, he followed her into the yamen.

"Oh, this eunuch is so young!"

Those people seemed to be familiar with the man before, but had never seen Liu Ming'an. When they saw him coming, they were all surprised at his age.

"Yeah, why haven't I seen him before? Whose son is he?" someone else asked.

"I have seen him before, but he is not from the town, but from the village. He used to sell calligraphy and paintings at the bridge?" someone answered.

"Hey, hey, hey! As soon as you mentioned it, I remembered it, it's him! I didn't expect that there would be an eunuch from the village this year..."

Jiang Ning listened to them discussing Liu Ming'an, and her mood inexplicably improved.

Liu Ming'an entered the yamen and was led by Tang Shuli to the front of the court. Song Ming was standing there. Seeing him coming, he pointed to the paper on the table and said, "Write your name and put your fingerprint on it."

After Liu Ming'an did as he was told, Tang Shuli put ten taels of silver into a box and handed it to him, and reminded him, "There is an official document with an official seal inside, which can prove your identity as a judge. You can only take it to the capital to participate in the imperial examination. Keep it well and remember not to lose it."

"Thank you, sir!" Liu Ming'an bowed and saluted.

"You don't need to thank Judge Liu," Song Ming said lightly, and then he spoke casually, "When I saw your petition that day, I felt that someone who could write such a good hand would not be limited to a small Lingshan Town."

"Thank you, sir," Liu Ming'an replied politely.

"I have also read your county examination paper. It is brilliant and far-sighted. What is even more valuable is that you have a heart for the country and the people."

Song Ming looked at the young man in front of him steadily. There was a moment of trance in his eyes, as if he saw himself in the past.

"The Wu Renjie just now passed the imperial examination and his life was over, but you are different. Therefore, I would like to remind you a few words. When you enter the imperial city and are in high spirits, you must not participate in party disputes too early. Pretending to be deaf and dumb, crazy and stupid is the best strategy. Only by preserving yourself first can you have the possibility of displaying those ideals and aspirations in your heart."

Liu Mingan was startled when he heard this, raised his head and looked at Song Ming, but saw him pick up the paper on the table and go to the court.

Why would the county magistrate say all this to him?

Liu Ming'an was puzzled, and suddenly remembered some rumors.

This county magistrate seemed to be a talented and proud son of heaven, but he was willing to give up the high official position and generous salary in the capital, and asked to come to Baoji County to be the county magistrate, and he has been in office for eight years. Some people say that he did it because of his wife, and some people say that he wanted to repay his gratitude. There are many different opinions, and I don’t know which one is true.

"Hehehe..." Tang Shuli saw Liu Ming'an's doubts, and first smiled meaningfully, and then said: "Liu Juren, Lord Song is not a talkative person. What he said to you today, if you are interested, remember it; if you don’t like to listen, just ignore it."

After that, Tang Shuli turned around and walked towards Song Ming without caring about Liu Ming'an's reaction.

Until he walked out of the yamen gate, Liu Ming'an was still thinking about the county magistrate.

"Oh! Liu Juren, I wonder how old you are and whether you are married?"

Suddenly, a sharp woman's voice came from the side. Liu Ming'an was distracted and was startled. He turned around and found that it was a middle-aged woman with heavy makeup and a red handkerchief in her hand.

"Who are you?" Liu Ming'an was sure that he had never seen this woman.

"Oh, Liu Juren doesn't even know me, Shen Sanniang, but that's true. You only focus on reading sage books and it's normal that you don't care about other people's trivial matters. Otherwise, how could you pass the exam to become a judge at such a young age? Don't you think so? Hahaha..." The woman covered her lips with a handkerchief and said shyly.

Most of the people who came to watch the excitement in front of the yamen had dispersed. There were still a few people left. Seeing this scene, they kindly explained to Liu Ming'an, "Mr. Liu Ju, this Shen Sanniang is the most famous matchmaker in Lingshan Town. Normally, people who ask her to be a matchmaker can come to her doorstep. Now that she has taken the initiative to find you, I'm afraid that good things will happen to you soon. Hahaha..."

"Oh, yes, my Shen Sanniang's reputation is not blown out of thin air!" Shen Sanniang patted her chest with a proud look on her face, and then said to Liu Ming'an, "Mr. Liu Ju, you are young and promising, and good-looking. As long as you open your mouth, I promise to find you a beautiful young lady. After that, I'll do it... hehe..."

Liu Ming'an saw that Shen Sanniang's eyes were staring at the ten taels of silver in his hand, and he immediately understood that this matchmaker was interested in his money.

"Thank you, but it's not necessary." Liu Mingan refused decisively and walked away.

"Hey, hey, hey! Liu Juren, don't go..." Shen Sanniang raised her hand and grabbed Liu Ming'an's sleeve, and continued to chatter: "Liu Juren, have you heard of getting married first and then starting a career? There is a lovely person in this family, so

you can have peace of mind when you are out and about..." "Really, there is no need, go find someone else!" Liu Ming'an was unmoved and still refused.

Shen Sanniang was the best at judging people and serving them well. If Liu Ming'an yelled at her with harsh words and told her to get out, she would know her place and stop pestering him. But now seeing that this Juren had a good temper, she would naturally try to persuade him with soft and hard methods. If she succeeded, it would be a big deal.

"Liu Juren, please listen to me. I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice..."

Shen Sanniang's mouth was like pouring beans, and she didn't care how Liu Ming'an responded. She just kept pulling his sleeve and talking.

"Liu Ming'an!"

A cold female voice sounded. Liu Ming'an, who was pulling with Shen Sanniang, was stunned. He looked up and saw Jiang Ning standing not far away looking at them, with impatience in his eyes.

"Did you see it?" Liu Ming'an smiled suddenly, pointed at Jiang Ning and said to Shen Sanniang: "I already have a beautiful young lady at home, so don't bother with it."

Shen Sanniang looked at Liu Ming'an, then at Jiang Ning, and stayed there for a while. Liu Ming'an took this opportunity to pull out the sleeve that she was holding and went to Jiang Ning's side.

Coming to Jiang Ning's side, Liu Ming'an took her hand, hooked his fingers around her palm, and said with a smile, "Let's go home."