Chapter 247 Scholar
The county examination usually consists of four or five parts, which are decided by the county magistrate. The first part is the most important and is called the "main part". The examination content includes two essays from the Four Books and a five-character six-rhyme test poem.
The second exam includes an essay from the Four Books, the Book of Filial Piety or the Theory of Sexuality, and a dictation of about 100 words from the Sacred Edict; the third exam includes an essay from the scriptures or the Four Books, a regulated fu, and a test poem of five words and eight rhymes; the fourth exam examines the interpretation of the Four Books; the fifth exam has no fixed format, and candidates can choose scriptures, fu, or contemporary essays, but it must be completed within one hour.
Whether you can take part in the next stage of the provincial examination depends mainly on the results of the first exam. The next four exams are only for reference. As long as the results are not too bad, you can usually advance smoothly.
Zhang Xingjiu breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the test paper. The questions were not difficult. It was hard to say whether he could get the first place, but he would definitely pass it. He sorted out the answers in his mind first, and then started answering the questions on the draft paper.
After writing, he copied it on the answer sheet in neat official script. Zhang Xingjiu had practiced calligraphy for two whole years and spent most of his effort on this official script. Now his writing is neat, elegant and harmonious. At least he won't lose points for his handwriting.
After finishing the questions, there was no rush to hand in the paper. There was not much point in leaving early. It would be too unfair if the county magistrate was unhappy and directly demoted me.
Zhang Xingjiu observed for a while and saw that some people handed in their papers. The county magistrate had a relatively friendly attitude, so he felt relieved. He waited for a while and saw that several people handed in their papers. The county magistrate's expression did not change, so he picked up the paper and handed it in.
Perhaps because he had good calligraphy or because he was relatively young, the magistrate asked him a few questions in a friendly manner, and then with a stroke of his pen, announced that he had passed.
Zhang Xingjiu immediately felt relieved. As long as he passed the first round, the following rounds would be just a matter of getting by. Unless he made fatal mistakes like not avoiding taboos, he would basically have passed this county exam.
This was indeed the case. Only three days after the five examinations were completed, the examination results were posted outside the county government office. Zhang Xingjiu ranked fifth in the county and successfully passed the county examination.
Shou Pengfei felt a little sorry. "Since you can get fifth place, it means there is no problem with your knowledge. Maybe your answer was not satisfactory, or maybe someone asked the county magistrate in advance. Otherwise, you might be able to get first place."
Zhang Xingjiu was also a little disappointed. Who wouldn't want to get first place in an exam? And the first place in the exam was basically certain to pass the prefectural and academy exams and get the qualification of a scholar. After all, the prefect and the education commissioner had to give the county magistrate some face.
But it was only a little bit. Luck played a big role in whether he got the first place or not. If he didn't get it, then he didn't get it. Anyway, the fifth place could also go to the provincial examination. He was not going to be the protagonist in the imperial examination and had no obsession with winning six prizes in a row.
After celebrating for a few days with other admitted students, Zhang Xingjiu returned to Sanwei Bookstore and continued to study hard behind closed doors in preparation for the upcoming provincial examination.
Generally speaking, the prefectural examination is held two months after the county examination and is held in the prefectural city to which the county belongs. Zhang Xingjiu was lucky because the seat of Shaoxing Prefecture was in the city, which was not a good thing for the magistrate. "If you do evil in your life, you will be trapped in the prefectural city." It is inevitable that you will feel depressed if you are in the same city with the prefectural government. However, it is the best thing for the candidates.
Because it means that they don't need to set off in advance to the provincial capital to find an inn to stay in, which saves them the pain of traveling back and forth, the risk of acclimatization, and a lot of expenses.
The process of the prefectural examination is generally similar to that of the county examination. The registration process is similar and the examination format is also similar. The first exam is the most important, and as long as you pass it the first time, you can take the academy examination.
This time the prefect was a bit serious, so Zhang Xingjiu did not hand in his paper early. He waited obediently until the end of the exam before handing in his paper. The prefect did not express his opinion on the spot.
The five exams were over, and three days later, the admission results were posted outside the prefectural government office. Shou Pengfei and Zhang Xingjiu squeezed into the crowd and looked down from top to bottom. After reading a few lines, they found Zhang Xingjiu's name. This time he ranked tenth.
Shou Pengfei pointed at the name happily and praised, "Not bad, not bad. Our Shaoxing Prefecture has a strong literary tradition. It's not easy for you to rank tenth at such a young age! Keep up the good work and try to pass the college entrance examination in one go."
This time the interval was a little longer. The provincial examination ended in April and the academy examination began in August. Zhang Xingjiu was lucky because the academy examination was held twice in three years and he happened to catch it this year. If he was unlucky, he would have to wait more than a year.
The model of the academy examination was also slightly different. During the Qianlong period, in order to prevent the guarantors from taking bribes and cheating with the candidates, the process of "assigned guarantors" was added. After the prefectural examination, the list of admitted candidates would be divided into groups of five and allocated to a number of assigned guarantor students. This would be announced in advance and candidates must first request a recognized guarantor student and then request an assigned guarantor student. Only with the double insurance of recognized and assigned guarantors would they be allowed to take the academy examination.
The academic official called the roll and the students who had been guaranteed a stipend were watching nearby. If any candidate had any doubts, they would be investigated immediately or detained. In serious cases, the candidate would be put in shackles.
With Shou Pengfei stepping forward and requesting the recognition of the student on government scholarship, the process of sending a student on government scholarship went smoothly. This time, Zhang Xingjiu went back home early and asked Zhang Fuqing for money, but he didn't let him pay.
Zhang Fuqing paid this money willingly. He originally only hoped that Zhang Xingjiu could learn to read and do arithmetic, so that he could become a clerk in the future. Unexpectedly, he passed the county examination and the prefectural examination successively. If he passed the academy examination as well, he would become a scholar. How could he be reluctant to spend this little money at this time?
Even though people in later generations always call scholars poor, in fact in the countryside, being a scholar was already very impressive. As long as they were not too rigid and lived a little like a gangster, they could have enough food and clothing. As for being a juren or jinshi, how could ordinary people dare to even think about it?
In August, Shou Pengfei accompanied Zhang Xingjiu to Hangzhou to take the exam. Fortunately, the two cities were not far away, only more than 100 miles away, and it only took one day to get there by car. They stayed at the home of Shou Pengfei's good friend.
The academy examination is held in two sessions. The number of people admitted in the first session is one times the number of places for scholars. The results are announced in circles with seat numbers written on them but not names. This is called the "draft".
After the second re-examination, the sealed envelopes were opened and names were written. Those who passed the academy examination were called students, commonly known as scholars. They were considered to have achieved fame and entered the scholar-official class. They had privileges such as exemption from corvée, no need to kneel when meeting the county magistrate, and not being subject to arbitrary torture.
On the fifth day after the college examination, the admission list was announced. Zhang Xingjiu saw that his name was ranked seventh on the admission list, which was actually several places higher than that in the provincial examination.
Phew, now he finally has some social status. Zhang Xingjiu is beaming with joy. More than two years of hard work has finally paid off.
Now that my identity is somewhat secure and I have the ability to do something, what should I do? (End of this chapter)
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