Chapter 245: The College Examination is about to begin
Zheng Hongwen studies in the morning, goes out to attend a poetry reading in the afternoon, comes back to chat with Sun Shan in the evening, and then continues studying.
I got a lot of information from outside.
In addition to knowing many of the students who took the provincial examination this time, I also knew students from previous years.
From Zheng Hongwen's words, it can be seen that he has gained more than the last time he came to Zhangzhou Prefecture and understands the imperial examinations better.
Zheng Hongwen traveled between various inns, and more importantly, he wanted to find out who would be the chief examiner of this college entrance examination.
I want to know the examiner's background, personality, way of dealing with people, and what kind of writing style he prefers.
Sun Shan once wrote to his eldest cousin in the provincial government to ask if he knew the chief examiner of the Zhangzhou Prefecture Examination.
My cousin said that the new academician had just been transferred here, and he didn't know what kind of writing style he liked.
All I know is that the academician was a former censor and that he was of upright character.
But this is only his superficial temperament. His true temperament is still unknown. Some officials are very pretentious, and unless you are close to him, you don’t know what he really likes.
At the same time, based on my personal experience of taking the examination for the scholar, I suggest that you should not pay too much attention to the writing style that the examiner likes.
Because it is too difficult for an individual to change his writing style temporarily, and the cost outweighs the gains.
Finding out who the examiner is is mainly about knowing what he hates and avoiding writing articles that he hates.
The academy examination still emphasizes basic knowledge and proficiency in the Four Books and Five Classics. As long as you are not aiming for the top spot, you don't have to deliberately please the examiner in terms of writing style.
Sun Shan followed the advice of his eldest cousin He Shujin and planned to write in the plain and simple style that he was good at in the college examination.
Zheng Hongwen continued to inquire about the news outside, while Sun Shanlei stayed in the yard reading a book without being disturbed.
Sun Bomin asked a little worriedly: "Shanzi, are you still dizzy and nauseous?"
The weather was too hot a few days ago, and the temperature remained high. Sun Shan felt nauseous while reading a book. He quickly drank a glass of mint water and lay down on the bed to sleep.
Sun Bomin came in to check and was shocked, thinking that Sun Shan had fainted.
Because that period was Sun Shan's reading time, he would definitely not lie down and sleep.
Sun Shan quickly said soothingly: "Dad, I'm much better now, don't be nervous, I'm fine."
Actually, there is still something wrong. My head feels dizzy and my heart feels stuffy. Sometimes I feel very uncomfortable.
Sun Shan suppressed his discomfort and pretended nothing had happened. He really didn't want to make Sun Bomin and Hong Xiucai worry.
Sun Bomin looked at Sun Shan's complexion and found it was okay, not as serious as in the past few days, so he felt relieved.
He said to Sun Shan, "I'll go to the clinic and get some medicine to relieve the heat. You can bring it into the examination room and soak it in water to drink."
Sun Shan hummed, nodded and said, "Father, you need more. Hongwen and the others also need it."
Sun Bomin smiled and said, "Okay, everyone take it in. It will be useful when needed, but it's best if it's not needed."
After Sun Bomin finished talking to Sun Shan, he hurried to the clinic, thinking that he had to prepare early in case the number of students increased and the demand for medicines in the clinic could not meet the demand, which would be terrible if he could not buy any at that time.
As the college entrance examination draws closer, students from all over the country gather in Zhangzhou Prefecture.
At this time, Hong Xiucai restricted Zheng Hongwen and others from going out, and arranged for Uncle Hong to work as a security guard in the yard.
Hong Xiucai said earnestly: "The closer we get to the college entrance examination, the more accidents happen. Don't go out. Read books in the yard these few days."
Mr. Hong thought that he had already met enough candidates and understood enough situations, so there was no need for him to go out again to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Where there are people, there is the world, and where there is the world, there is love, hate, and vengeance.
Even if you don't offend others, you are afraid of being implicated.
His candidates were advised to stay in the yard and not cause any trouble.
Zheng Hongwen and others understood Hong Xiucai's good intentions, especially Mr. Xiao Hong, Huang Zhiyuan, and Qin Shaofeng who had experience in college examinations.
They have more or less heard stories about candidates' open and covert fighting and life-and-death struggles.
Moreover, the closer it gets to the college entrance examination, the more friction there is among the candidates, the more solemn the atmosphere becomes, and no one likes anyone.
They came to take the exam, not to cause trouble, so they stayed in the yard obediently and studied with Sun Shan.
Among all these days, Sun Shan only went out a few days ago because he had to go to the government office to handle the examination procedures.
The academy examination is similar to the prefectural and county examinations, and one also has to draw a portrait.
Sun Shan must be present in person.
After completing the formalities, Sun Shan and others went to the vicinity of the examination venue and found that the examination venue was in the same place as the provincial examination, so they were not so worried anymore.
As the exam approached, Sun Bomin arranged for a doctor to come. As usual, except for Sun Shan, everyone else was healthy and active.
The doctor warned Sun Shan that he was weak, so he was not hurt after two days of exposure to the sun, while others were fine. He told him to be careful and not to walk around, as he might get heatstroke.
Sun Bomin nervously asked Sun Shan if he could enter the examination room.
The doctor would not give an answer and said some ambiguous words. In conclusion, it was up to Sun Shan to decide whether to go in or not.
Sun Boming and Hong Xiucai were worried and looked unhappy.
Sun Shan puffed up his chest and said confidently, "Father, Master, I'm fine. I just haven't adjusted yet. I'll be fine in a few days."
What else can I say except this.
Sun Shan even stood up and jumped a few times to prove that he was fine and to reassure Sun Boming and Hong Xiucai.
It’s just that sometimes the weather is too hot and stuffy, and my chest feels stuffy, so I don’t want to read.
Sun Shan planned to start doing the test questions as soon as he entered the examination room and received the test papers.
If it's too hot and uncomfortable, take a good rest.
Continue doing it in the evening.
Anyway, he was not lying in bed unable to move, and he felt that there was nothing wrong with him, so he insisted on entering the examination room.
Mr. Hong didn't dare to say anything, and Sun Boming didn't dare to say anything even more.
Both of them thought that Shanzi seemed to be fine, and since they were already here, they would be unwilling not to go in and take a test.
Everyone has a chance of luck.
Sun Boming took Zheng Hongyuan to Zhangzhou Temple to ask for talismans for each candidate. Of course, Sun Shan's also had an additional blessing of peace.
In Sun Bomin's eyes, nothing can compare to Sun Shan's health, not even fame, wealth and power.
August 17th is the day of the college entrance examination.
Finally before the exam, all the candidates knew who the chief examiner would be.
The academy examination was presided over by the academician appointed by the emperor, who was also called the academician, the academician, the master, etc.
The academic administrator is roughly equivalent to the current provincial education director, who is responsible for education management in the entire province, including but not limited to the formulation of education policies, allocation of education resources, and supervision of education quality.
The academician was usually selected by the imperial court from among the officials of the Hanlin Academy.
There is no fixed rank for the academician. It could be the second rank or the fifth rank.
The chief examiner this time was Wei Yuanxi, a fifth-rank official.
But although his rank is relatively low, he is the Censor-in-Chief.
The governor was very respectful when he saw him and did not dare to provoke him.
If you dare to offend him, I will return to Beijing to file a complaint in no time.
Sun Shan had no idea about the personality of this academician.
Through inquiries from Zheng Hongwen, Hong Xiucai and others, as well as letters from his eldest cousin, it was rumored among the people that he was a successful candidate in both the imperial examinations and a member of the Hanlin Academy, and that he was an upright and honest person who handled matters impartially and selflessly.
The provincial education commissioner would first preside over the academy examination in the prefecture or state where he was stationed, and then preside over the examinations in the remaining prefectures and states in turn.
Therefore, the time of the college entrance examinations in different prefectures is not the same.