Good luck with koi carp

Chapter 146 Township Examination 2
In the end, the number of candidates who walked out of the Gongyuan was almost equal to the number of candidates who were carried out.


Some of them suddenly fell ill during the exam, some could not stand the torture of the exam, and some simply exhausted themselves from the exams that lasted for several days and were temporarily unable to walk on their own, so they needed the help of soldiers to get out of the Gongyuan gate. .


In order to maintain the order of the provincial examination, and also to invigilate the candidates and prevent cheating, Nanhuai Prefecture dispatched an army of 3000 people to guard inside and outside Gongyuan during the examination.


Thanks to the presence of these people, otherwise there would be no one to take care of the candidates who either fainted or were temporarily unable to walk.


But it only stops at sending people to the gate of Gongyuan.


After leaving the Gongyuan gate, other things had nothing to do with them.


Fortunately, there were already a bunch of family members waiting for the candidates to appear outside Gongyuan. As soon as the door opened, everyone rushed forward to claim their family members. Those who found someone were picked up quickly and taken home to take care of them. Those who were not found were quickly taken home. Then he shouted at the top of his lungs and continued to search.


Since her home is close to the Gongyuan, Chi Li told her family from the beginning not to come over and crowd around to avoid any accidents. Over the years, there have been stampedes outside the Gongyuan gate, leading to tragedies.


So for the sake of safety, Chili made an appointment with her family to pick her up at a street corner a little further away from Gongyuan.


According to her current physical condition, she should be able to hold on until the exam is over and walk over on her own.


Before reaching the agreed street intersection, Chi Li heard the excited voices of her parents: "Li'er, Li'er, here, dad and mom are here!"


She heard the sound and raised her head, and sure enough, she saw her parents standing at the street intersection with happy and distressed faces, leaning out half of their bodies to wave to her, with their carriage behind them.


I wanted to take two quick steps and jump into my parents' arms, but as soon as I took a step forward, I remembered the smell on my body now, and was afraid that it would offend my parents. Chili slowed down and walked to about two or three meters away from her parents. It stopped when it was far away.


"Mom and Dad, let's go home,"


When I spoke, I realized that my voice was a little hoarse, probably from being tired these past few days.


"Okay, let's go home quickly. Li'er has worked hard too. Come home quickly to wash up, eat, and then have a good sleep."


Chi Xiucai himself has taken the Provincial Examination several times. Regardless of whether he passed or not, he knows very well what it will look like after taking the Provincial Examination. He was even unlucky enough to be assigned to pass next to a bad number. By the time he came out after the exam, he was completely in a trance.


Therefore, he understood his daughter's thoughts very well at this time, and stopped his wife from asking her to come forward. He only gave a look to the maids and wives who were following, and asked them to quickly help the young lady into the carriage.


"What are you doing?" Mrs. Xu was dissatisfied that her husband was preventing her from approaching her daughter.


"Children also need face, respect her consideration for us." Chi Xiucai was very embarrassed that his parents and wife could smell his odor. Although it was inevitable, he still didn't want to let his family members smell it. Smell it, and don’t want them to be smoked.


Chi Li was the only one on the carriage on the final return trip, while the Chi family and his wife sat on another carriage. Since they were all experienced, Chi Xiucai would naturally make full preparations and arrange for two carriages to pick up people. Basic operation, anyway, I don't have enough money to hire a carriage.


When she got home, Chili rushed back to the house to take a shower and change clothes almost without stopping. Hot water and other things were already prepared at home, just waiting for her to jump in and wash them.


Chili, who was soaking in the water, sighed comfortably, and then slowly slid down until the water covered her completely.


Gollum...


Strings of bubbles kept popping up, but Chili had no intention of getting up, and she wasn't afraid of suffocating herself to death.


Sure enough, she still likes the feeling of being in the water the most. Unfortunately, the space in the bathtub is still too small, and she can't stretch out even if she wants to swim. It's impossible for her parents to allow her to build a big pool (swimming pool) just to soak in cold water. , so Chili has basically never experienced the feeling of swimming and playing freely in the water since she came here.


There was a small pond with lotus flowers in the garden at home, but if she dared to jump into it one second, it would definitely attract countless screams the next second. Chili didn't want to scare her parents.


If there is a chance in the future, and if her family's conditions permit, she can ask her mother to buy her a hot spring resort. It's okay to have a hot spring bath without a swimming pool.


Chi Li took a slow bath while daydreaming.


She doesn't like being served when taking a bath. It's not because she's not used to it, but she just doesn't want to be disturbed when she can soak in the water to her heart's content. This is one of the few moments when she can relax herself.


The meals at home are also prepared, all hot and waiting for Chili to enjoy. Mrs. Xu also specially stewed a tonic soup for her daughter, adding a lot of Chinese medicinal materials to it to replenish her energy that was lost during the exam. .


Otherwise, it is said that candidates are the most precious treasures in the family?


During this period, Chi Li was almost taken care of meticulously by her whole family, with all kinds of inquiries and solicitude, for fear that she would feel uncomfortable and affect her performance in the next exam.


After only one day's rest at home, the second provincial examination began soon.


The second test is on the Five Classics, and will also test your official writing. There are four types, namely imperial edict, judgment, table, imperial edict. The minister drafts the edict for your majesty, the county magistrate writes the judgment, the memorial to the emperor, the announcement, etc. , all belong to the content of official writing that needs to be examined, and official documents used for various purposes also have different formats, so there must be no mistakes. In addition, a chapter on policy must be written. 1

The amount of questions is still not small, and the difficulty is much higher than the previous one. People don't dare to be distracted at all. Everyone is nervously doing the questions throughout the whole process.


What others fear most in the second test is getting the format of official documents wrong, but Chi Li is not afraid. Her excellent memory can help her remember various official document writing formats. She only needs to apply the format according to different question types and write it in an official tone. Just come out.


Of course, necessary rhetorical modifications are necessary. Even if the format is correct and the core of the topic is correct, if the content is mediocre, it will not be favored by the examiner.


Before the exam, each candidate was given a candle, which was used for late-night answering.


In the last exam, Chili answered the questions quite quickly and didn't use it. This time, she used the candle until the wax was almost gone, and she managed to finish all the questions.


When the papers were taken away, Chi Li was so relieved that she almost collapsed in her seat and couldn't get up.


"Knock knock..."


After a while, maybe seeing that she hadn't gone out, there was a regular knocking sound outside the dormitory door, and then an older female voice asked in a routine manner: "Can I help you get out?"


"Trouble."


It's not that Chi Li didn't have the strength to get up on her own, it's just that she felt like she was overusing her brain at the moment, and her head was dizzy. She was thinking about an exam coming up, and she didn't dare to joke about her body, and someone happened to be asking questions outside. , so he simply asked for help.


After hearing her reply, the mother-in-law standing outside the door of Chili's dormitory pushed the door open. Regardless of what the environment was like inside, she just helped Chili up and took her out.


The mother-in-law was very strong, but she was quite measured when she helped people. At least she didn't hurt Chili. Compared to the male candidates who were picked up and dragged away by the soldiers like chickens, she was pretty good. .


Chi Li also saw that there were many female candidates who were being helped out by their mothers-in-law like her. This was normal. Women were already more delicate, so it was not easy for them to survive the high-intensity exam that lasted for three days. They were asked to take the exam. After that, I walked out alive and kicking, no matter how hard I looked, I was forcing myself to do something difficult.


Haven't you seen that there are many male candidates who are too fragile and need help?


When she arrived outside the gate of Gongyuan, Chili thought that the mother-in-law who was supporting her would just leave her here and leave. She was already ready to stand firm and leave. Unexpectedly, she heard a question from the other party: "Girl, where is your family?"


"I made an appointment with my family to meet at Qiantou Street."


Realizing that the other party wanted to send Buddha to the West and send him directly back to his family, Chi Li naturally pointed in the direction politely.


Then the mother-in-law helped her to the Chi family couple. Facing the mother-in-law who helped her daughter, even though she knew that she was just fulfilling her duties, the Chi family couple still thanked her profusely. Xu also secretly He signaled to Mrs. Chen and gave him a small silver ingot as a thank you gift.


The other party squeezed the silver ingot and smiled with satisfaction: "If your daughter still needs help next time, you can come to me."


Chi Li glanced at it, not surprised.


She was so natural when asking someone to help her just now. Wasn't it because she knew that this person was willing to take her on this journey just for reward?


It's only one tael of silver, which is not much, and it's good for each other to be convenient.


The Chi family obviously thought so too. When sending her daughter to the carriage, Mrs. Xu specifically warned: "If you feel tired after the next exam, let someone help you out. It's just a little money. It's nothing. It's nothing." It's not like taking the exam every three years, my son's health is the most important thing."


"I know mother."


Chi Li responded, and then followed her parents home. They still took a bath, ate, and slept. After resting for a whole day to recuperate, she once again stepped into the gate of Gongyuan for the last time in this provincial examination.


The third test only tests policy theory, with a total of five questions, each of which is quite difficult.


One question in particular was very surprising.


The question is: Why do you think women should take the entrance examination?

Translated, it means asking you, what are your thoughts on the policy initiated by the empress this time to allow women to participate in the imperial examinations, and to answer this, write a policy essay.


When Chi Li asked questions for herself, she had already faced similar questions. After all, this matter was almost considered a major event in recent years, and it was the kind that could shock the whole country. There was no reason not to take the test.
However, this is a somewhat sensitive topic, and it is still being debated in the court, and it may not be used as an exam question.


Who knew it would appear, but Chi Li felt that it had the highest probability of appearing, but there was no such classic water control question in the examinations of all dynasties.


She also consulted a lot of information for this purpose, and tried her best to recall how various water control projects in modern society were carried out. She made sufficient preparations, but unfortunately it was of no use at all.


But it’s okay to miss the bet that often happens when placing bets in advance.


I'm taking an exam now, so I can't waste time.


Chi Li gathered her thoughts and decided to start with the "Women's Imperial Examination" question.


First of all, as a female student’s natural position and a vested interest in this policy, she naturally highly agrees with it, but she should not flatter the empress when writing it, as it would appear that she is not reserved enough, so she has to be tactful.


Therefore, Chili clearly expressed his support at the beginning of the article, and then began to use various aspects to demonstrate the merits of this policy. The court needed talents, and the source of talents should not be limited to gender. Both princes, generals and ministers Ning has such words, then you need to know that there are outstanding talents among women, they are waiting to be discovered, and they also have the determination to serve the court, the country, and the people...


Of course, everything has its ups and downs, and new policies are newly issued. There will definitely be some shortcomings in the implementation process, but these are small shortcomings that can be solved. Chili knows from her own personal experience. Put forward some practical and effective suggestions for improvement in a rather tactful way, lest the examiner think that the candidate is too judgmental and dislike her.


I was so excited that I accidentally overwrote and exceeded the prescribed number of words. Fortunately, it was just a draft. Chili went back and rechecked it, and at the same time deleted some parts, and polished the words, so that it could be written as written. Some of the euphemistic remarks became more and more obscure.


Some things just need to be understood after reading. There is no need to be too clear about it, even in the exam. After all, Chili cannot guarantee that she will not encounter the kind of examiner who opposes the implementation of this policy.


She still remembered the last time she was almost cheated.


After getting through this question, the other four questions seemed less tricky. Chili carefully reviewed the questions one by one and made sure that she had not grasped the key points wrongly before starting to write the answer. In the same way, she first made a draft, then finalized the final draft, and finally completed it. After final polishing, it will be officially written on the answer sheet.


Almost every question has to be written two, three, or even three or four times before it can be truly answered, so this process takes a long time.


As expected, Chili ran out of candles again.


Finally, by the end of the third exam, Chi Li felt like a salted fish that had been pickled to taste. It was not only dry and salty, but also unable to turn over.


This time I was really drained.


When the mother-in-law came to inquire again last time, Chi Li was helped out to find her parents again without refusing, and the other party also made a small amount of extra money, so everyone was happy.


Perhaps because there was no sense of urgency for the next exam, Chili almost fell asleep this time after arriving home. She didn't wake up for almost three days and two nights. The Chi family was so frightened that they hired a doctor twice in a row. After seeing her, the doctor just said that she was sleeping and that she was fine. She would just wait until she woke up and replenished her energy.


No one could see that Chili was surrounded by stars in her sleep, constantly pouring into her body, nourishing the soul hidden inside the body, and slowly increasing the rich and almost blinding merits of her body. Golden light.


After a long time, the light gradually converged and became silent.


Chili also woke up early on the third day.


She opened her eyes, and there was no chaos in her eyes from long sleep. Instead, she had the clarity and joy of having achieved success in seclusion.


Chi Li didn't expect that she could get so many merits all at once just by taking part in a provincial examination. She couldn't hold back her curiosity. She counted with her fingers and realized that the merits this time came from two aspects.


On the one hand, she actually changed the fate of the original owner and fulfilled part of his wish. On the other hand, it came from the policy paper she made during the examination about the women's imperial examination, which seems to be gradually effective in the future and benefit the majority of people who are interested in participating. Female students who took the scientific examination helped more women change their own destiny, and some of these people who changed their destiny later became good officials. While she benefited the people and accumulated merit for herself, Chili also followed Xiaoxiao. There was a little light on the ground.


This part of the merit gained can be regarded as an advance of the share that can be obtained in the future, but in fact it also means that certain things in the future will actually happen, but with Chi Li's current behavior, it is impossible to calculate it so clearly.


So after she roughly understood the reason, she did not continue to explore further, so as not to attract a backlash from heaven.


It will take some time to wait for the results of the provincial examination to be released. It is time for the autumn harvest of the family's fields. Not only Chi Xiucai, but also the Xu family can no longer stay in Fucheng to wait for the results to be released.


Because there is too much land at home now, both husband and wife have to look at it.


Seeing that both her parents were busy, Chili simply offered to go home with her to help. She was already so old and could help her parents with some things. She couldn't just be raised as a child and not give birth.


As for the release of the results, once the results come out, if she passes the exam, the government will naturally send someone to her home to notify her. If she fails, there is no need to think too much, so in fact, there is basically no difference in waiting in the city.


If that doesn't work, you can ask Chi Xiucai to ask Xue Zhangming to help keep an eye on his daughter's results. The two of them participated in the same provincial examination together, and Xue Zhangming lives in Fucheng. Is there anyone more suitable than him to help check the results?


No more.


So this important task was handed over to the other party.


It was just a casual thing. Xue Zhangming did not refuse the request from his friend. He also promised that as soon as the results came out, he would immediately send someone to Chi's house to inform him.


After Chi Xiucai thanked his friend, he packed up his things and returned to Dayan County with his wife and daughter.


As the carriage wheels rolled over the familiar streets, Chi Li lifted up a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out: "Nothing has changed at home over the years."


"What changes can there be? Isn't everything still the same?" Xu, who was riding in the same carriage with her daughter, asked her daughter with a smile.


Chi Li nodded when he heard the sound: "Yes."


Ancient times were no better than modern times, development was slower, and Chiliman had only been away for more than a year and less than two years. There were changes in his hometown in this period of time, but not much, at least not to the point where it could be clearly seen. .


I thought the way home would be the same, but unexpectedly, the carriage suddenly turned a corner and entered another unfamiliar street. Chili was confused and looked back at her mother: "Mom?"


"I forgot to mention that your father bought a homestead when you were just born. He wanted to build a big house for the whole family to live in. However, the family didn't have enough money at that time so they didn't build it. In the past two years, there have been many houses in the house. I've made some money, so I'm slowly building a new house, but I haven't officially moved yet, so I'll take you there to have a look today, and then choose a yard you like as a boudoir."


It was only at this time that Mrs. Xu remembered that she had not told her daughter about this. At this moment, she looked at Chili with an expression that said, "If there is anything else you are hiding from me, let's talk about it together." She couldn't help but point her funny. little head.


"That's it, nothing more."


"Oh." Her mother would not lie to herself. Chi Li let it go after hearing this, and then began to think excitedly about which courtyard she wanted to choose.


It is best to be near a water source or with an ornamental pond. Even if she cannot swim, the abundant water vapor will make her feel more comfortable.


The new house is a four-entry courtyard, much larger than the Chi family's original house. The interior is still exquisitely decorated and full of the graceful and elegant style of southern architecture.


It's impossible to say how luxurious this house is. The family is rich, but not rich yet, but it can be seen that her parents put a lot of thought into hiring people to build this house.


The interior decoration is full of warmth, and some places even have a bookish charm. You can tell at a glance that this is a harmonious, loving and cultural family.


The house was big, so it was quite time-consuming to walk around, but Chili still patiently walked around, even taking a look at the servants' room, and then announced that she wanted to live in the courtyard next to her parents.


In fact, at first glance, the yard was specially prepared for her.


The interior decoration is full of the atmosphere of a little daughter's home, and it is still the way Chili likes it. In addition, next to her bedroom, there is a large bathroom connected to it. There is actually a bathtub dug in it. It is not big, but it is bigger than a bathtub. It's three to four times wider, so it's absolutely comfortable to soak in, but it's more expensive to use firewood to boil water.


But Chili felt her parents' thoughts from it. It must have been that they saw their daughter's love for water, so they specially prepared this bath for her.


This time Chili was so moved that she couldn't even cry. She wiped her tears and threw herself into her parents' arms, truly feeling what it felt like to be pampered by her parents.


The original Koi Fairy had no father or mother, and only had one owner who would feed her some elixirs and treasures from time to time. The owner was not a gentle god, so she did not feel much love since she was a child, and could only feed her with elixirs every day. Wandering alone in the cold fairy pond, that's why she likes to make friends. Only with more friends can she always have someone to talk to. However, the existence of friends is good, but it still cannot replace some feelings.


For example, love from parents.


This love belongs to Chi Li. She is convinced that the person who likes water is Chi Li, and the bathhouse was only built for Chi Li. When she inherited the body of the original owner, she also inherited her fate. So her parents are also her parents, there is no difference.


You have to set a happy date for moving into a new house, and you have to invite acquaintances to your home for a nice meal.


It takes a lot of work to do this, and obviously the Chi family doesn't have the time now, but this does not prevent the family from moving into their new home in advance and starting to work on the autumn harvest after settling in.

　1. The content of the rural examination comes from Baidu Encyclopedia, and some of it is made up by the author.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)