All the candidates who participated in the provincial examination were scholars who had passed the county-level examination. This examination was very important to them. Passing the provincial examination meant that they would pass the provincial-level examination and thus enter officialdom, starting a glorious life.
Zhao Xian was originally very intelligent. He passed the imperial examination at the age of fourteen and became a scholar. Later, he participated in the imperial examinations many times, but failed each time, which led to the depletion of his family's wealth and his family becoming impoverished.
More than twenty students from Wufang Academy participated in the provincial examination this time. Most of them came here because of the famous teachers in the academy and studied hard.
Before participating in the provincial examination, these students had to take the imperial examination in order to qualify for the provincial examination.
Several people from our village participated in this year's provincial examination. They all obtained the title of Xiucai in the past two years and are all quite young. Among them, Ouyang Nan is only eleven years old, making him the youngest candidate. The teachers at the academy have high hopes for him.
When Ouyang Nan first arrived in Shuixian Village, he was only eight years old. In the blink of an eye, three years have passed. Over the years, Ouyang Nan has worked hard and is determined to become a useful person to repay Zhao Xian.
This is the second year of cotton promotion, and the planting area is very wide. It is now the cotton harvesting season. After the villagers dry the harvested cotton, they send it to the textile workshop, where cotton purchasing points have been set up and there are people in charge of purchasing it.
Because the government introduced measures stipulating that the cotton promotion period would be three years and no taxes would be levied during this period, farmers were very enthusiastic about planting cotton, and the proceeds from selling cotton belonged to the cotton growers.
At that time, one mu of cotton could yield more than 100 jin. If four or five mu of cotton were planted, after deducting the planting costs, at least ten taels of silver could be earned.
Back then, ten taels of silver was enough to marry two wives in the countryside.
In fact, most villagers in Shuixian Village have some money. Girls from the surrounding villages would love to marry into Shuixian Village. As long as you are a young man from Shuixian Village, it is not difficult to find a wife, and you don't need to spend any money.
The busy farming season of more than ten days has finally come to an end. It is now the beginning of autumn. It is still a bit hot during the day, but the nights are much better and not as hot as before.
A few days later, the students took the preliminary examination to qualify for the provincial examination. The examination was very competitive, and more than half of the candidates failed. Even so, ten students from Wufang Academy participated in the provincial examination this year.
It was remarkable that an academy could have ten students participate in the provincial examination. At that time, a county could only have twenty or thirty students participating in the provincial examination, and Wufang Academy had ten of them. What kind of concept is that?
After the provincial examination came the provincial examination. In ancient times, the provincial examination was usually held in the cool month of August. There were three sessions, held on the 9th, 12th and 15th of the month, for a total of nine days.
During the exam, candidates could only stay alone in their cells, with the doors locked. They ate and slept in these cells and were only released after the exam was over.
Furthermore, candidates undergo a rigorous body search before entering the examination hall to prevent them from cheating.
In early August, Zhao Xian prepared to go to Huizhou Prefecture to handle several important matters.
First, Zhao Xian and Li Xue went to pay their respects to the newly appointed Shen Yong. Next, they asked him to take Master Qin to the capital and go to the Fourth Prince's mansion to propose marriage on behalf of the Zhao family and welcome Princess Li Xue.
That's only one thing. There was another important matter: sending Ouyang Nan to Huizhou to participate in the provincial examination.
At this time, Huizhou Prefecture was overflowing with students from all over the country, and with many others accompanying them to the examinations, the prefecture was already packed with people.
Zhao Xian and his group arrived ahead of time, but they were already too late. Some students who were preparing for the exam had arrived a month or two earlier and rented houses in Huizhou Prefecture to study and prepare for the exam.
At this time, the prices at the inn changed every day, and Zhao Xian did not plan to stay at the inn. Instead, he planned to rent a house to live in.
In Huizhou Prefecture, as long as you are willing to spend money, you can rent any kind of house.
However, Zhao Xian was not a spendthrift. He rented a house in a slightly remote area of Huizhou Prefecture. The environment there was nice and very quiet, and no one bothered him.
This year's provincial examination was the first time that Wufang Academy sent someone to participate. Ruan Fang also came to escort them to the examination. In addition to Ouyang Nan, two other scholars from Shuixian Village also came to participate in the provincial examination. Zhao Xian arranged for these people to be together so that they could take care of each other.
The courtyard was quite spacious, and the group didn't feel crowded after moving in. To allow the three scholars to make good use of these few days to review their studies, Ruan Fang volunteered to cook and take care of logistics.
After settling things here, Zhao Xian prepared to go to Huizhou Prefecture to pay his respects to Governor Shen Yong.
Seeing the governor was not as simple as seeing the county magistrate or the prefect. One had to first submit a memorial stating the reason for the visit. The governor would also need to see who was visiting, what the purpose of the visit was, and whether it was necessary to receive them.
As a provincial governor, one held an important position in the officialdom in ancient times. They were not only leaders of local administration but also the emperor's eyes and ears and assistants.
The governor had a lot of responsibilities, including supervising the behavior of local officials, handling local government affairs, coordinating relationships between various parties, and maintaining national stability and prosperity.
It can be said that the governor is a comprehensive official, responsible for multiple affairs including politics, military affairs, and diplomacy within his jurisdiction. Therefore, the governor is very busy with daily affairs, and it is not easy for ordinary people to meet him.
Given Zhao Xian and Li Xue's identities, it shouldn't be difficult for them to meet Shen Yong.
The two men led Master Qin to the reception area. After inquiring, the yamen runners learned that the two were Marquis Zhengyang and a princess of the current dynasty. They dared not neglect them and did not ask them to submit any memorials. Instead, they went directly to report to the governor.
Shen Yong has been in Huizhou Prefecture for a month now, and he has worked very hard to get things sorted out here.
He has already drafted several memorials and plans to go to the imperial court in a few days to finalize some important matters.
Before going to Beijing, he planned to visit Narcissus Village to pay his respects to Zhao Xian and Li Guang.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Xian and Li Xue came to Huizhou Prefecture to see him at this time. He hurriedly put down his work, straightened his clothes, and asked the yamen runners to lead the way to see Zhao Xian and Li Xue.
In the reception hall, Shen Yong saw the two men, as well as Master Qin standing to the side.
Shen Yong knew Master Qin. When Li Guang defeated the barbarian troops and passed through Qing'an Prefecture on his triumphant return, he took Master Qin out of prison. At that time, Shen Yong was the prefect of Qing'an, and he personally handled the matter.
Shen Yong stepped forward and bowed to Zhao Xian and Li Xue.
"Your humble servant Chen Yong greets Marquis Zhengyang and the Princess."
“Your Excellency, there’s no need for such formalities. It’s been so long since we last met. Congratulations, Your Excellency,” Zhao Xian said.
"Congratulations! I never expected that Marquis Zhengyang and the Princess would grace Huizhou Prefecture with their presence at this time."
After Shen Yong finished speaking, he looked at Master Qin and said, "Master Qin, how have you been?"
Master Qin quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply to Shen Yong, and said:
"Greetings, Your Excellency Governor. My family and I live in Narcissus Village, under the care of Marquis Zhengyang, and we are living very well."
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