Training the Heavens

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, an essay from the Book of Filial Piety or Sex Theory, and a dictation of about 100 words from the "Imperial Edicts"; the third exam consists of an essay from the scriptures or the Four Books, a regulated fu, and a five-character, eight-rhyme test poem; 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 or not one can participate in the next stage of the provincial examination mainly depends on the results of the first exam. The next four exams are only for reference. As long as the results are not too bad, one 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 in neat official script on the answer sheet. Zhang Xingjiu had practiced calligraphy for two whole years, and most of his effort was spent on this official script. Now his writing was neat, elegant and harmonious, and at least he would not lose points for his handwriting.

After finishing the questions, there is no need to rush to hand in the paper. There is not much point in leaving early. If you encounter the county magistrate who is unhappy and directly demotes you, it would be too unfair.

Zhang Xingjiu observed for a while and saw that some people handed in their papers. The county magistrate's attitude was quite kind, 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 much, 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 a fatal mistake like not avoiding taboos, he would basically have passed this county exam.

This was indeed the case. After the five exams were completed, only three days later, the test results were posted outside the county government office. Zhang Xingjiu ranked fifth in the county and successfully passed the county exam.

Shou Pengfei felt a little sorry. "Since you can get fifth place, it means your knowledge is fine. Maybe your answer was not satisfactory, or maybe someone asked the magistrate for it in advance. Otherwise, you might have won first place."

Zhang Xingjiu felt a little disappointed. Who wouldn't want to get first place in an exam? And the top scorer was almost guaranteed to pass the prefectural and academy exams, earning him the title of scholar. After all, the prefect and the provincial governor had to give the county magistrate some respect.

But it was just a little bit. Luck played a big role in whether he got the first place or not. It didn't matter if he didn't get it. Anyway, he could still take part in the provincial examination if he got fifth place. He was not going to be the protagonist of the imperial examination, and he had no obsession with getting six first places in a row.

After celebrating for a few days with other admitted students, Zhang Xingjiu returned to Sanwei Academy and continued to study hard behind closed doors to prepare 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, as the Shaoxing prefectural government was in the city, which was not a good thing for the magistrate. "If you do evil in your three lives, you will be in the prefectural city." It is inevitable that it would be depressing to be in the same city with the prefectural government office. However, it was the best thing for the candidates.

Because this means they don't need to leave in advance to go to the provincial capital to find an inn to stay in, which saves them the trouble of traveling back and forth, the risk of acclimatization, and a lot of expenses.

The process for the prefectural exam was largely similar to the county exam, with similar registration procedures and exam formats. The first exam was the most important, and passing it on the first try allowed one to take the academy exam. This time, the prefect was a bit serious, so Zhang Xingjiu didn't hand in his paper early, but waited until the exam was over before submitting it. The prefect didn't 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. After reading a few lines, they found Zhang Xingjiu's name. This time he ranked tenth.

Shou Pengfei happily pointed at the name 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 strive to pass the academy exam on your first try."

This time the interval was a little longer. The provincial examination ended in April and the academy examination began in August. This was because Zhang Xingjiu was lucky. The academy examination was held twice in three years, and he happened to catch up with the one this year. If he was unlucky, he would have to wait more than a year.

The format 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 "assigned guarantor" process was added. After the prefectural examination, the list of admitted candidates would be divided into groups of five and assigned to several assigned guarantor students. This would be announced in advance, and the candidates had to first apply for a recognized guarantor student, and then apply for an assigned guarantor student. Only with the double insurance of recognition and assignment would they be allowed to take the academy examination.

The academic official calls the roll, and the students who have been guarantored to take the stipend are watching nearby. If any candidate has any doubts, they will be investigated immediately or detained for examination. In serious cases, the candidate will be put in shackles.

With Shou Pengfei stepping in and asking for recognition and guaranty of the student, the process of sending a guarantor was passed smoothly. This time, Zhang Xingjiu went back home in advance 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, and become a clerk in the future. Unexpectedly, he passed the county examination and the prefectural examination in succession. 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?

Don’t be fooled by the fact that people in later generations always call scholars poor. In fact, in the countryside, being a scholar was already very impressive. As long as you were not too rigid and just lived a little like a gangster, you 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 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 a "draft".

After the second re-examination, the sealed envelopes were opened and names were written. The students 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 labor, no need to kneel when meeting the county magistrate, and no right to be tortured at will.

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 the provincial examination.

Phew, now he finally has some social status. Zhang Xingjiu smiled happily. More than two years of hard work finally paid off.

Now that my identity security is somewhat guaranteed and I have the ability to do something, what should I do?
(End of this chapter)