My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 374 Imperial Examination
On the eighth day of February, tomorrow is the first exam, but according to the rules, you have to enter the exam one day in advance, so today is the day when candidates from all provinces enter the exam room.

Zhao Zhitian got up before dawn, and then checked his test basket, which contained pens and inks and other things for the test. Although he had already checked them yesterday, in order to prevent any omissions, he checked them again in the morning.

This test basket was already very worn out. His wife bought it for him when he took the imperial examination for the first time. He thought it would be useless after just one or two uses, but he never expected to use it until now.

Looking at this dilapidated test basket, Zhao Zhi also sighed again, because before every time he took the imperial examination, his wife would repaint his test basket, at least it looked beautiful, but maybe she forgot this time, and it turned out The paint on the test basket was peeled off, revealing the broken bamboo strips inside.

"It doesn't matter, anyway, I will use you for the last time. If you fail the exam again this time, then go to help someone as an assistant. After all, you have to support your family!"

Zhao Zhi whispered, then solemnly closed the lid, and opened the door with the test basket.

"Yo, brother Zhao, you're finally out!"

Unexpectedly, at this moment, a wing room on the opposite side also opened, a young man came out, and pretended to be surprised when he saw Zhao Zhi.

I saw this young man in his 20s, with a medium build and handsome appearance, but the frivolous smile on his face made people feel unhappy.

"Brother Bai!"

Seeing this young man, Zhao Zhi cupped his hands reluctantly, and was about to leave with the test basket after speaking.

But this brother Bai walked forward with a smile, blocked Zhao Zhi's way, and said, "Brother Zhao, don't rush to leave. It's my first time to participate in the test, and I really don't know what to do. You have a lot of experience, why don't you give it to me?" How about I talk about the rules of the test?"

This young man surnamed Bai talked about "brother", and also said that Zhao Zhi was experienced, obviously he was making fun of Zhao Zhi's failure to succeed.

Zhao Zhi's complexion is also very ugly. This young candidate is named Bai Jing. He passed the examination in his 20s, and he is quite talented among the candidates entering Beijing. It is said that he has a high chance of high school in one fell swoop.

But this Bai Jing is talented but has no morals. The two rented on the opposite side, but he didn't like Zhao Zhi, and he often ran against Zhao Zhi verbally. Because of this, Zhao Zhi was reluctant to go out before, even if he had an exam today, he would go out early , but unexpectedly met him.

"The exam is coming soon, and I have to rush to the exam room, so I won't bother Brother Bai!"

Zhao Zhi said that he wanted to bypass Bai Jing and get rid of the other party's entanglement.

Unexpectedly, Bai Jing stood in front of him again and said with a smile: "Brother Zhao, it's still early, why rush to the examination room? Besides, you have participated in so many exams, this time is not bad!"

"you……"

Hearing Bai Jing's naked ridicule, Zhao Zhi also turned pale with anger, his gray beard trembled slightly in the early morning night, if it wasn't for fear of delaying the exam, he really wanted to slap him hard.

"Bai Jing, don't bully people too much!"

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Hu Hong, who drank with Zhao Zhi the day before yesterday, came out from another side room and scolded angrily.

This courtyard is divided into a dozen small rooms, most of which are rented by candidates who are coming to Beijing to rush for the exam. Although the conditions are not good, they are better than cheap.

"Yo, brother Hu is really loyal, what's the matter, do you still want to hit someone?"

Seeing Hu Hong's angry appearance, Bai Jing felt a little timid in his heart, but he still insisted on asking.

"A shameless villain like you, I'm afraid I'll get my hands dirty if I beat you!"

Hu Hong snorted coldly and said again.

"Who are you calling shameless? Don't be shameless, old guy!"

Bai Jing was also angry, and immediately pointed at Hu Hong and cursed.

Hu Hong had a bad temper, and immediately raised his hand to hit someone, but was grabbed by Zhao Zhi who was next to him, and then ignored Bai Jing's scolding, and forcibly pulled Hu Hong out of the yard.

Looking at Zhao Zhi and Hu Hong who left, Bai Jing snorted coldly and said, "It's really bad luck to live with two old guys who have tried and failed!"

That's right, the reason why Bai Jing repeatedly troubled Zhao Zhi was because he felt that living with Zhao Zhi would bring them bad luck.

Hu Hong was dragged out of the yard by Zhao Zhi, but he still shouted angrily: "Brother Zhao, why are you dragging me? Today I must teach that boy surnamed Bai a lesson!"

"Brother Hu, we are all scholars, wouldn't it be insulting to gentlemen to fight?"

Zhao Zhi persuaded patiently.

"But that kid is simply too bullying. If you don't teach him a lesson, I'm afraid he will just push his nose even more!"

Hu Hong said angrily again.

"Today is a big day for the exam. If you get injured in a fight, wouldn't it delay the exam, then our three years will be in vain."

Zhao Zhi persuaded again.

Hearing Zhao Zhi mentioned today's exam, Hu Hong calmed down, and finally Zhao Zhi persuaded him a few more words, and then accompanied him to get the exam basket, and then they went to the exam room together.

There are three examinations in total, namely the ninth day, the [-]th day and the [-]th day of junior high school, but they have to enter the examination room one day in advance and leave the examination room one day after the examination is over. Therefore, the examination time in these few days is also very tight.

Candidates not only need to prepare pens, inks, papers and inkstones for the exam, but also prepare food and bedding. During the exam, all the candidates' eating, drinking, and sleeping must be settled in a small room, and the conditions are very strict. hard.

But these examiners have been preparing for this imperial examination for many years. Even like Zhao Zhi, he spent most of his life on the imperial examination, so this bit of hardship is nothing at all.

Soon the three exams ended, and when the last exam was over, Zhao Zhi left the exam room with heavy steps.

Although the exam was over, Zhao Zhi didn't feel relaxed at all. On the contrary, he was a little more depressed than before the exam. Because the exam questions were difficult this time, he felt that he didn't perform well. , I'm afraid it will hang again this time.

"Brother Zhao, how did you do in the exam?"

At this moment, Hu Hong chased up from behind and asked Zhao Zhi.

"No, how are you?"

Zhao Zhi shook his head with a wry smile, and then asked Hu Hong.

"It's the same for me. The question this time is too difficult. What did the examiner think? They came up with such a difficult question!"

Hu Hong said angrily.

"Forget it, there is still more than a month before the list is released, let's wait patiently."

Zhao Zhi said helplessly, according to the rules, the exams are held in February, and the rankings are usually released in April. At that time, the apricot blossoms are in bloom, so it is also called the apricot rankings.

Neither of them did well in the exam, and neither of them wanted to talk, so they went back to the residence together, only to find that Bai Jingzheng and a few young candidates were discussing the topic this time, and seeing their complacent looks, it seemed It is very sure to be on the list, which makes the two of them even more frustrated.

(End of this chapter)