Talk about the world of mortals in detail

On August 22nd, Qiuwei Gongsheng was preparing to enter.

Yi Shuyuan set up a bookstall on the street outside Gongyuan, where he sold not only the great principles written by sages, but also some so-called "miscellaneous books".

And he didn't use any new changes. He just changed his pale gray hair to blue silk, left a clear beard on his lips and chin, and wore his hair in a bun with a knot like the local scholar, which seemed to have changed his appearance.

There have been many Confucian scholars visiting Yi Shuyuan's bookstall these two days, and many books have been sold.

However, there were no people at the bookstalls at this time, and few people nearby were walking on the streets, because many people went to watch the excitement near Gongyuan.

That's right, it's just fun to watch. Every time before the imperial examination candidates enter the venue, they are searched and their belongings are searched. Some people who want to cheat but have no background will suffer when they are caught.

Beside the bookstall, Yi Shuyuan was flipping through a book by himself. While reading, he would occasionally lift the teapot to refill the tea cup on the small table.

Hui Mian will transform into a black and white cow-colored cat, lying on the table and licking its paws from time to time.

"Sir, it seems that selling books is quite profitable. This book has been open for a while, and there are so many people buying it!"

"That's because sir, I have a lot of books on my bookstall that they can't see. Besides, with the recent provincial examination, there are also many students coming to Pingzhou City. Can you take a look later?"

Saying this, Yi Shuyuan turned his head and looked at Hui Mian.

"But it's you who doesn't want to watch the fun?"

Hui Mian opened the cat's mouth and yawned, and the cat's tail swung behind him a few times.

"It hasn't started yet. I'll come over after you finish drinking this cup of tea."

Yi Shuyuan smiled and shook his head, flipping through the book and drinking tea. When the tea cup in his hand was filled with water, he looked to the side and saw that the cat on the table had disappeared.

Guiguo, recorded as the "Land of Jade Gui" in Dayong historical materials and old maps, is generally considered to be a place with a high level of etiquette and simplicity, which can also be said to be relatively self-contained.

Today's imperial examination system in Dayong has gone through several reforms, including Mingzong's drastic changes. It is based on the combination of local and central court, local and out-of-state officials randomly jointly supervise, and there is a separate direct admonishment post system for imperial examination candidates, as well as The emperor is nominally responsible for supervising the administration, but in the year of the imperial examination, inspection envoys may be randomly dispatched.

The relationship is complicated, and the supervision systems of all parties are not subordinate to each other. As long as the emperor is not too stupid, it is possible to commit fraud if he really needs to have good hands and eyes.

Today's imperial examination system in Guizhou is actually similar to that of the previous dynasty before the founding of Dayong. In name, the emperor appoints the examiner to preside over the examination, and local officials cooperate. As for the specific situation, it depends on luck and character.

Outside the Pingzhou Gongyuan, in addition to some old gods, there were also many officials to maintain order, and candidates from all over the place lined up on both sides.

"Hurry up, hurry up, everyone line up and come one by one!" "People outside, stay away, otherwise the sticks will make you retreat -"

"Okay, okay, candidates are ready to come forward!"

An official shouted loudly, and the surrounding streets were filled with people. The crowd was talking about it, creating a commotion.

On a rooftop outside, Yu Xinmei landed here with a gust of wind, and immediately spotted Zheng Yiming in the middle of the Gongsheng team.

"Meow~"

A slight cat meow sounded from beside her. Yu Xinmei subconsciously looked for the sound and saw a black and white cat sitting on the eaves of the roof not far away. The cat had an elegant posture and seemed to be aware that someone was looking at it. He even turned around and glanced.

Yu Xinmei smiled at Mao'er.

"Shall we watch it together?"

"Meow~~"

In front of the Gongyuan below, the candidates came forward one after another, two at a time. They were mainly searched by four officers, one at the front and one at the front. After the search, the two officers turned around and searched again.

The luggage and other items carried with them must also be spread out, and the four treasures of the study and papers must be checked. Even the pastries and other food carried are poked and opened with chopsticks to see if there is anything stuffed inside. It seems very strict.

Another candidate was found to have made a cavity under the inkstone and folded writings. He was immediately dragged out and served with sticks, and then dragged back to the county government office. At this time, the people watching the excitement were also excited.

Of course, most of the time no one is caught cheating, but officials can ask some candidates to tear off their clothes, and they can even ask them to undo their belts if they don't like them.

At this time, there are also some Gongsheng who angrily reprimanded the officials for insulting their elegance, and most of them were beaten, which was enough to make some good-hearted people laugh.

After the search is completed, the candidates move forward and need to draw lots to decide where their cubicle will be.

Yu Xinmei had already done this early on, so that the note in the compartment that she had tampered with would not be touched by ordinary people until she met Zheng Yiming.

After a long wait, it was finally the timid Zheng Yiming's turn to step forward and hand over the paperwork with both hands.

The official in charge of the scene sat behind the table, took the document handed over by the messenger, opened it, looked at it, and nodded.

"Search!"

The officer in front of Zheng Yiming had a serious look on his face. When he saw Zheng Yiming's somewhat subservient look, he immediately showed disdain. Not many of these so-called scholars were men, and he felt inexplicably uncomfortable looking at the one in front of him.

"Raise your hands! Untie your belt!" "Turn around!"

Zheng Yiming complied with everything he asked. The official beat him with a wooden stick, then smashed all the cakes he was carrying in his bag, opened the kettle and looked at it. Shaking it, the tea spilled out.

"Okay, okay."

The official urged, this one obviously took a while, the official snorted coldly.

"Let's go, draw lots!"

"Yes, thank you, officer!"

Zheng Yiming tied his clothes, looked at the packed bag, and reached out to grab a piece of paper from a bamboo go box that seemed to be one size larger.

On the roof over there, Yu Xinmei gritted her teeth slightly, and she almost attacked several times in anger, but she finally held back. At this moment, she finally stretched out her hand and pointed, just when Zheng Yiming grabbed the paper.

"Meow~~"

The cat turned back and called, as if she saw that the woman next to her was doing something, and Yu Xinmei smiled at the cat and waved her hand to her lips.

"Hush~~"

Zheng Yiming over there took out the paper and opened it on the spot, and the official read it and reported it.

"C-12!"

After shouting, there was a clerk next to him who wrote Zheng Yiming's name on the paper to prevent it from being replaced.

"Come in!"

Zheng Yiming took the note and bowed to both sides, then walked in with his bag, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. Even though he had been here once, he was still very nervous the second time.

There were also officials in the Imperial Academy, but they didn't care about the candidates who came in. Zheng Yiming found the exact position by himself, then spread the note on a corner of the seat, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he actually sat in.

It didn't take long, that is, two quarters of an hour later, all the candidates had arrived.

Zheng Yiming sat in his seat, anxiously waiting for the test questions to be revealed. The official who had just made things difficult for him walked by outside, checking the notes on the seats one by one, and Zheng Yiming lowered his head slightly and didn't dare to look at him.

"Hmph!"

The official snorted coldly, looked at the note and left.

Finally, the most difficult moment passed, and the test questions were finally revealed. It was an unexpected but reasonable question. One had to have a basic foundation in classics, but also had to combine the theme and quote classics to write political commentaries.

Zheng Yiming was a little restless at first. He just spread out the paper and pondered. Then a faint fragrance came, which calmed him down unconsciously. Gradually, he thought carefully and lively. He had a theme in his mind, and his writing became steady. Even his handwriting was much more beautiful than before.

Time passed, Zheng Yiming ate the crushed cake crumbs and drank the tea that had already cooled down. The pen in his hand almost never stopped. All the knowledge he had learned in the past was put into use today. When he wrote with feeling and confidence, the corners of his mouth could not help but rise slightly.

After writing the whole paper and checking it several times, Zheng Yiming found that it seemed to be early. The examiner had not urged him in the middle of the test, which meant that less than an hour and a half had passed.

Of course, Zheng Yiming did not dare to hand in the paper and leave early. He had to pretend until the sun set in the afternoon and the gong sounded in the Imperial Examination Hall. He handed in the paper and left like other candidates.

Yu Xinmei waited outside for as long as the Gongyuan exam lasted. She was relieved when she saw Zheng Yiming, one of the candidates, looking relaxed. She also subconsciously looked around, but the cat had already left.

Zheng Yiming was indeed very relaxed and happy. He felt that he would not do badly this time. He might have a chance to rank high. He was calm and confident when greeting other candidates.

It really fits the saying that strength is the foundation of confidence.

However, Zheng Yiming was short of money and refused some Confucian scholars' invitation to drink and have fun together. He walked alone on the way back to the inn. When he passed the corner, he was attracted by a place.

At the corner of Gongyuan Street, a ragged little beggar huddled in the corner and shivered.

Although it was autumn, it was not cold. It was even a little hot today. He might be sick.

People came and went on the street, but no one cared about a little beggar, including the two big beggars next to him.

Zheng Yiming couldn't help but stop. He walked closer to the little beggar. The broken bowl was empty. He thought for a while and took out two copper coins from his body and put them in. One of them was a five-yuan copper coin, which was not a small amount for Zheng Yiming.

"Dingling~" The copper coin went into the bowl. Before the little beggar could react, a big beggar rushed out and grabbed the copper coin.

"Alas! How can you be like this? I gave it to him!"

"Oh, sir, it won't be a waste to give it to him. He is seriously ill and can't eat or drink. He has no hope of living. Hehehe."

"Then give me the money back!"

Hearing what the scholar said, the beggar stood up and left without any intention of paying back the money. Another beggar also stood up and left, as if he was afraid of being cheated.

Zheng Yiming frowned, hesitated for a moment, took out the dry lotus leaf from his bag, which contained the leftover biscuit crumbs. He poured the biscuits in the dry lotus leaf into the broken bowl.

"I am also short of money, you can take these biscuits and eat them."

The little beggar seemed to have some reaction at this time. His hair was messy and long, covering half of his body. When he looked up, Zheng Yiming found that he was really skinny and naked.

"Thank you, thank you."

The little beggar said this, curled up to get the broken biscuits, stuffed them into his mouth little by little, and then grabbed a handful and stuffed them into his mouth fiercely.

"Slow down, slow down, there is still water."

Zheng Yiming took out the kettle to pour water into the broken bowl. The little beggar grabbed the bowl and drank it. After drinking it, he looked at Zheng Yiming, so he had to pour more water.

After the water was poured out, the little beggar hugged his body and shivered there. It seemed that only his hair could keep warm.

Zheng Yiming looked around, why are the people of Pingzhou so indifferent? If it were in Xiahe County, it seemed that no one would lend a hand to a beggar.

But Zheng Yiming used to be the kind of person who was helped by others. Now he really couldn't bear it, so he unpacked his bag again, took out a copper plate from a book, which was still a five-cent copper coin, and stuffed it into the little beggar's hand. in hand.

"Don't let others see it! Take it and finish the hot noodles!"

When the little beggar took the copper coins, he also stared blankly at the open book. There was also a note on it, which read "C-12 Zheng Yiming".

Zheng Yiming looked at the little beggar and looked down at the book in confusion. Could it be that this little beggar still knew how to read?

"Thank you, thank you, my benefactor."

"What kind of benefactor, alas!"

Zheng Yiming threw away the ridiculous thoughts in his mind, sighed, and finally left.