When Zhao Shouzheng saw that the test question was the one he had practiced for a whole month, he was naturally overjoyed and almost laughed like a pig.

Now his confidence naturally increased. He ignored the first question and went to read the two questions of "Four Books" and the four questions of "Book of Rites" that he had chosen. As the saying goes, when good things happen, one feels refreshed. Zhao Shouzheng had been practicing for more than 20 years, and Zhao Jin taught him all the key points of writing. With the right time, right place and right people, he was able to write the following articles brilliantly.

It was not until after noon on the third day, when he had copied all six articles, that he started writing again. He copied the article "Zi Gong Asked about Government" that had been lingering in his mind directly onto the paper.

Then he handed in his paper with full confidence, and reunited with Hua Shuyang and Wang Wuyang, and walked towards Zhao Hao and others who were waiting outside the Imperial Examination Hall.

"How is it?" Although Fan Datong did not enter the examination room, he was very concerned about the performance of the candidates.

"Don't mention it. I didn't expect such a difficult question." Hua Shuyang said with a depressed look on his face, "If I had known it was so simple, why would I have read so many useless articles?"

"Yes, it's even easier than the county and prefectural exams. It doesn't show my level at all!" Wang Wuyang also complained: "If I don't pass the exam, it will be troublesome..."

A candidate passing by heard the first half of his sentence and thought it was an excuse for a poor student, and was about to laugh. But when he heard the second half of his sentence, he almost fell to the ground.

This is the Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall, known as the cemetery for students!

The difficulty of passing the imperial examination for students in Nanzhili is the highest in the country! Anyone who can pass the imperial examination here must have a very lucky family. But this guy still keeps saying that he wants to take the imperial examination. Could it be that he has gone crazy in the call room?

Unexpectedly, he heard his companion say, "Don't even think about it, the first prize will definitely be mine!"

The candidates were completely speechless. Fearing that the madness might be contagious, they quickly stayed away from these two lunatics.

Zhao Hao listened to their boasting with a smile, but he would not criticize them today.

This is the time when the spirit is full and we are ready to make a final push to win the first prize. How can we not make a push and instead lose it? !

After entering the restaurant and eating, Zhao Hao sent his father to the room to rest, then he smiled and said, "Is everything okay?"

"No problem." Zhao Shouzheng smiled tiredly and fell asleep.

~~

Although the rankings were almost determined after the first round, we still had to be careful in the next two rounds. It is said that there was also an old senior who wrote an excellent article and was even published as a model article. But he wrote a mess of official documents and was rejected several times. It was extremely miserable.

After a good sleep, the candidates gathered their energy and set out again to enter the Imperial Academy to take tests on essays, judgments, imperial edicts, decrees, memorials and other applied writings.

This is to test whether the candidates have the basic requirements for being an official. Although it is not as strict as the eight-legged essay, if you make a mistake, you may still be dismissed.

But this is not a problem at all for Zhao Shouzheng.

Because he had taken the exam many times, and when Zhao Liben was an official, he had to copy documents for his father. Therefore, compared with ordinary candidates, his advantage is very obvious.

Then, on the 14th, I left the examination room and took another nap. On the 15th, I took the third examination, which consisted of five questions on classics, history, and current affairs. This was to examine my views on maintaining peace and stability in the country. What did a scholar who studied all day know about national affairs? Most of it was just nonsense. As long as you didn't violate taboos, no one would care whether you wrote well or not.

On the 18th, the candidates, who had been completely exhausted, staggered out of the Imperial Examination Hall in a state of half-humanity and half-ghostliness. They had been able to hold on at first, but after the exam, they were completely exhausted.

Zhao Hao quickly asked someone to support the three staggering candidates, put them into sedan chairs and carry them back home.

On the way, he heard thunderous snoring coming from the three sedans in the carriage. He was secretly shocked and once again strengthened his resolution not to suffer this torture.

After returning home, the three candidates fell asleep immediately. It would probably take them several days to recover.

Fortunately, after the exam, they are completely fine and just have to wait for the list next month.

~~

It was not until this time that Zhao Jin told Zhao Hao that he had received a letter from the Ministry of Personnel, promoting him to the position of Secretary of the Imperial Household Department in Beijing.

"What rank is the Minister of Taipu Temple?" Zhao Hao was a little confused for a moment.

"Sixth rank." Zhao Jin replied softly.

"Oh, isn't this a double promotion?" Zhao Hao smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Congratulations! We have to celebrate!"

"Alas, it's just Bi Ma Wen, there's nothing to celebrate." Zhao Jin smiled bitterly and said, "I've been waiting for so long, and this is the compensation I've been waiting for. It seems that the court thinks I'm too old, so they gave me a sinecure to live on in."

"No." Zhao Hao hurriedly comforted him: "Brother, you will be of great use in Beijing this time. The so-called Taifu Temple Secretary is just a step for transfer. You will definitely not stay in this position!"

"Okay, I appreciate your kind words." Zhao Jin just vented his frustration for a while, then smiled again and said, "Actually, I am obsessed with you. Just think about it, I was a thief who could only eat porridge a few months ago, but now I have been rehabilitated and promoted to Beijing. What else can I be dissatisfied with?"

"It's just human nature. Brother is not a saint. There's no need to be so hard on yourself." Zhao Hao consoled with a smile.

Most of Zhao Jin's peers were promoted to the third rank or above, and there were also some who were promoted to the first and second rank. Zhao Jin was fine when he had no hope before, but now that he has regained his official status, he will unconsciously compare himself with them.

"Brother, why don't you wait for my sister-in-law and nephew to come over and meet up before going to Beijing together?" Seeing that his brother was still depressed, Zhao Hao changed the subject.

"I'm afraid it won't work. I'm about to leave." Zhao Jin shook his head and said, "It's been 20 days since I received the imperial decree. If I delay any further, I'm afraid I'll be reported by the censor for negligence and won't even be able to serve as the Horse Guard."

"That's right, brother, business is more important. You just go to Beijing to take up your post, and I will take care of the family matters for you." Zhao Hao took charge of everything, which made Zhao Jin feel very warm.

"I won't be polite with you, my dear brother. Fortunately, your uncle will be going to Beijing for the imperial examination soon, and then our family will be able to meet again." Zhao Jin held Zhao Hao's hand tightly, and seemed to have great confidence in Zhao Shouzheng.

"It seems that my elder brother should buy a bigger house." Zhao Hao said with a smile: "I heard that officials in Beijing are poor. I will prepare a generous gift for my elder brother. I can't let my elder sister-in-law and nephew suffer any more."

"I have already benefited a lot from you. It is not appropriate for me to take more money from you." Zhao Jin said modestly.

"What's the difference between you and me, brothers? What's mine is yours," Zhao Hao waved his hand and pretended to be generous. "Besides, I've earned so much. If you don't spend it, who will?"

"Haha, my dear brother, you are really my brother..." Zhao Jin looked at Zhao Hao, and all the depression in his heart disappeared. Suddenly, his eyes turned red, and he said reluctantly: "I can get to know you and make friends with you when you are in trouble. What else can I be dissatisfied with?"

"This is even more of a blessing for me." Zhao Hao also shook Zhao Jin's hand tightly.

~~

Three days later, Zhao Jin boarded the official ship at Jiangdong Wharf, and Yu Peng also accompanied him north.

Before leaving, Zhao Hao quietly gave Zhao Jin an envelope and told him to open it when he encountered something important that he was hesitant about in the future.

Seeing that he was serious, Zhao Jin didn't take it lightly and kept the envelope close to his body.

Zhao Hao also told Yu Peng to take good care of his elder brother, and to send a message back if he didn't have enough money.

Then the three of them said goodbye in tears.

After watching the official ship sail away along the Yangtze River, Zhao Hao turned around.

Fatty Tang had been waiting in the distance. Seeing this, he rushed over impatiently, speaking incoherently and intermittently in his excitement:

"Sir, Sir... The details of opening the sea have finally been announced, and only one port, Yuegang in Fujian, has been opened..."

"Also, no seagoing vessel is allowed to go to Japan. If anyone goes there without permission, they will be charged with collaborating with Japan!"

"Moreover, the number of ships in each of the East and West Oceans is limited to 44 per year. Anyone who goes out to sea without permission will be charged with collusion with the Japanese!

"Those who fail to return after setting sail will be charged with treason, even if they have all the necessary documents!"

"Sir, you are right. We kept opening the sea, but in the end, only a crack was opened..."

Zhao Hao, however, remained calm. He pushed Fatty Tang away, avoiding his spit, and asked, "What's the price of the silk?"

"The news came this morning, and silk merchants all over the city went crazy..." Fatty Tang said with a look of joy, "I haven't had time to inquire about the price yet, but it will definitely be cut in half."

ps. Second update, please give me monthly votes and recommendation tickets~~