Chapter 219: Post-Exam Chat
So Sun Shan had to carry a bowl of top scholar porridge back to the school, put the food away first, and then find Hong Xiucai to report the results of the exam.
Hong Xiucai stroked his half-white beard, nodded and said, "According to what you said, it is very likely that you will pass. Don't think too much about it, go back and continue studying, there are still the provincial and academy examinations to take."
In fact, Hong Xiucai wanted to say something else: even if they failed, they should continue to study and prepare for the county exam next year. But the students had just finished the exam, so such auspicious words could not be said.
Sun Shan bowed, said "yes", took his leave from Mr. Hong, and returned to the dormitory.
Hong Jian saw him and asked with concern: "Ashan, why did you come back so late? How did you do in the exam today? Were the questions easy to do?"
Sun Shan looked at Hong Jian, poor Hong Jian.
Two years ago, I took the county exam for the first time, and I was full of confidence. I passed it. I traveled all the way to the prefecture to take the prefecture exam, but ended up ranking last.
From then on, I felt that I was not knowledgeable enough and did not dare to enter the market rashly. Firstly, my family did not allow it, and secondly, I had no confidence.
Sun Shan said very proudly: "Brother Jian, I have finished all the questions. The test is not difficult."
It was indeed not difficult. Apart from poetry and prose, Sun Shan felt that he had done quite well. If he did not get first place, he would at least get second place.
But I dare not say this out loud, because I often think that those who do everything right are either top students or poor students.
Sun Shan considers himself a top student, but is afraid that the truth is he is a poor student.
Now I can only say that I have done it all. As for whether I can get a high score or not, that depends on the county magistrate.
There were only 80 candidates in Huangyang County, so the county magistrate was not under much pressure at all in grading the papers.
Therefore, he should mark the papers carefully and not just skim through them and miss out on good ideas.
Hong Jian was stunned when he saw Sun Shan's radiant face. When did Sun Shan become so confident? Did he do really well in the exam?
Then he shook his head and didn't think about it anymore.
Ashan is younger than himself and has entered the examination room before, and is more confident than himself. Hong Jian thinks that he will definitely take part next year and strive to pass the provincial examination.
The next day, Sun Shan studied as usual.
The same thing went for Zheng Hongwen and Liang Can. They did not slack off and continued to study very seriously.
During lunch, everyone gathered together and talked about this and that, and eventually they talked about the county exam.
Zheng Hongwen said gloomily with a bitter face: "Ashan, I don't think I did well in the exam, ah!"
Sun Shan heard Zheng Dalang, his second brother-in-law, talking about Zheng Hongwen's situation yesterday, and asked curiously, "Brother Hongwen, why do you think so? Did he not finish the test?"
Zheng Hongwen shook his head and said, "I have finished the test, but I just don't think I did well on it."
Sun Shan understood that this was a lack of confidence in himself.
He said comfortingly: "Brother Hongwen, don't think too much. The exam is over. You can't think of any new tricks. It will only add to your troubles."
Sun Shan is not an optimist, but he is not a pessimist either. He is just like his writing, a very conventional person. However, after two lifetimes, he is still more open-minded than most people.
So I don’t take exams too seriously and won’t be too obsessed with them.
Zheng Hongwen glanced at Sun Shan and said in a distressed tone, "Ashan, you are still young and don't understand."
Sun Shan was speechless. He looked young, but his mind was not small. He said soothingly, "Brother Hongwen, you are not young either. You haven't got married yet."
This made everyone laugh.
Liang Can, the oldest student in the school, patted Zheng Hongwen on the shoulder and said, "Hongwen, Ashan is right. You have already taken the exam, so there is no point in thinking too much. Besides, you are still young and have many opportunities. Unlike me, if I fail this time, I will have to go home."
When everyone heard that Liang Can was going to terminate his studies and return home, even those who were not sad at first became sad.
Liang Shen didn't mind and said with a smile: "Hey, I'll get married when I go home, you should be happy for me."
When the classmate heard this, he no longer cared about the county exam and asked excitedly: "A-chan, who are you going to marry? Why haven't I heard you mention it before?"
Liang Shen shook his head and said, "I'm already 21 years old. If I don't get married, I'll become an old man. Hehe, you guys can come over to the wedding banquet then."
When everyone heard that there was going to be a wedding wine, they rushed to the bridal chamber to make a scene. The originally gloomy atmosphere in the school suddenly became cheerful.
In addition to imperial examinations, there are still many things to do in life, and getting married can be considered more important than imperial examinations.
Sun Shan continued to work hard and be a diligent farmer.
The county exam results will not be released until a few days later, and all the candidates have left is to wait.
Just as Sun Shan was about to take the lunch box back to the kitchen, Uncle Hong came up to him and said, "Shanzi, your father and mother are looking for you."
Sun Shan was stunned for a moment, then quickly ran to the dormitory gate and saw Sun Bomin and Su looking inside from the gate.
Sun Shan went up to them and asked, "Father, Mother, when did you come out? What do you want from me? Is there something wrong at home?"
Sun Bomin and Su had smiles on their faces. It seemed that everything was fine. Sun Shan was no longer worried.
Sun Bomin scratched his head and said honestly, "Dad and Mom thought you should have finished your exams in the next few days, so they wanted to come and see you."
Although their son told them not to come over to see, Sun Bomin and Su Shi still couldn't hold back and ran out as soon as the exam was over.
Su looked at Sun Shan carefully, touched his little face, and said with a smile: "Your uncle Hong just said that you just finished the exam yesterday, right?"
Sun Shan nodded: "The test is over."
Sun Shan never told his family when the exam would be, only saying it would be at the end of the month.
Sun Boming and Su estimated the time, so they chose to visit at the end of the month.
Su asked with concern: "How did you do in the exam?"
His tone became hesitant as he said, "Shanzi, it doesn't matter if you don't do well in the exam. Exams are not that easy. You are still young, so it's normal for you to do poorly. When you are older, you will pass the exam."
Sun Boming also thought so. Although he was very eager for Shanzi to pass the exam, he still had to accept the reality that Shanzi was too young and it was normal for him to not do well in the exam.
She comforted him and said, "Shanzi, your mother is right. You are still young. It is normal that you cannot pass the exam compared to others. Just study for a few more years and you will pass it."
Sun Shan understood what Sun Boming and his wife were thinking, and was afraid that he would be upset and unhappy because of his failure in the exam.
He shook his head and said with a smile, "Dad, Mom, I understand. We will know in a few days whether I can pass the exam or not. I will continue to study hard and work hard for future exams."
Sun Bomin and Su were relieved to see that their son had a calm and peaceful expression.
Sun Shan told Sun Bo and Su Shi about the process of the county examination so that they would have a general understanding of entering the examination hall.
I heard that it was the exam basket prepared by Zheng Dalang and his second son-in-law.
Su said with great satisfaction: "Then I have to thank my father-in-law. He works in the bookstore and knows all this best. It would be best if he could prepare it."
I thought it would be good for my daughter to marry into the county town, into a family of scholars, who would be able to help and take care of Shanzi.
Sun Bomin also thought so: "We are sorry for troubling our in-laws this time. We can remember the favor and thank those who helped us."
Sun Shan hummed, nodded and said, "Father, Mother, I understand."
After that, he said a few more words, brought Sun Shan some fried fish roe, pickled radish and other snacks, and then said goodbye.
The couple also wanted to go to Zheng's house to see Lixia.
Lixia's belly is getting big and she's about to give birth.
Sun Boming and Su thought that since they had come to the county town, they should bring some gifts to visit her, to show her parents' importance to their daughter and to make Lixia feel more confident.