Chapter 455: Ying Yang, I'm going to Beijing to take the exam
After Sun Shan sent Qian's mother out, Qian Yingyang was so angry that he wanted to jump up and beat Sun Shan up.
Sun Shan said happily, "By the way, Yingyang. Are you going to continue to take the provincial examination, or study at the Imperial Academy?"
Those who passed the imperial examination were called "A-list", and those who passed the provincial examination were called "B-list". Anyone who passed the B-list and then became an official was called "two-list origin".
This background is very important. To be the education commissioner of each province, one must have this qualification.
The so-called "secondary list" of the provincial examination refers to the students who were not admitted but had relatively good grades or were outstanding in some subjects. They are listed on the secondary list. Those who pass the examination are called secondary list juren or secondary tribute students.
There are three ways to become an official in Daqian.
One type is Juren, Gongshi and Jinshi who passed the exams step by step and came from a family of imperial examinations.
One is from the Imperial Academy, a school.
One is born under the influence of imperial patronage.
These three ways of becoming an official are legitimate and will not be looked down upon or criticized.
Sun Shan took the first path at this time, passing the exams one level at a time. This was also the simplest and fairest way for the vast majority of the people.
Qian Yingyang was on the second place in the provincial examination and could continue to take the provincial examination or study at the Imperial Academy.
If you study at the Imperial Academy in the capital, you will be qualified to become an official after graduation.
However, there is an unspoken rule for this path, which is that it requires a lot of money. Generally, children from poor families will not take this path and would rather continue to take the provincial examinations.
Studying in the Imperial College was relatively simple, but if you wanted to graduate and get the chance to be selected as an official, you had to spend money on "communication".
Studying at the Imperial College is not a question of whether you want to or not, but a question of whether you need financial support.
Sun Shan believed that the Qian family had the financial resources, so he asked this question.
Qian Yingyang said distressedly: "I don't know either. I'm still thinking about it. These days my parents asked me if I tried my best in the exam. They also asked me if I could pass the exam next time."
Sun Shan also followed Qian's father and mother and asked, "Do you still have the confidence to pass the exam next time?"
Qian Yingyang said honestly: "Ashan, I'm telling you the truth. I really tried my best this time and used all I learned in the past three years. I really don't have confidence in the next exam."
Sun Shan understood that Qian Yingyang was evaluating himself and had a clear understanding of himself.
Qian Yingyang always ranked last in every exam at Yuelu Academy, but he really tried his best to make it to the second place this time.
Sun Shan asked again, "Yingyang, if you don't continue to take the exam, what will your parents say?"
Qian Yingyang said honestly: "My father said that if I didn't want to continue to take the exam, he would let me go to the Imperial Academy to study, and after graduation, I would use money to find connections to return to Duanzhou to become a minor official. My mother said the same thing. She thought it was better to return to my hometown and didn't want me to go out of town."
After graduating from the Imperial College, if you have money and connections, you can definitely make some moves and return to your hometown to become an official.
For example, you can return to the prefecture, city or county to work as a deputy, such as county magistrate, teacher, clerk, etc.
These deputy positions are generally held by locals.
If Qian Yingyang obtains the status of a student of the Imperial Academy, he can return to his hometown and become a local boss and a member of the local gentry.
It can be said that life is very comfortable, and the risks are smaller than being a high-ranking official.
At least you can be content with a small fortune.
Sun Shan didn't know what Qian Yingyang would choose, so he could only say consolingly, "Yingyang, you should discuss these matters with your parents, or find a relative who is familiar with the officialdom and the imperial examination to discuss them, and plan your future path well."
What Sun Shan wants to say is that continuing to study and take exams is not the only way out. Children from rich and powerful families can choose a different path.
For someone like Sun Shan, the only way to find a way out is to keep studying and taking exams.
Some people are born in Rome, while others work hard all their lives and die at the gates of Rome.
Sun Shan is obviously not the first type, but he also hopes not to be the second type.
Qian Yingyang and Sun Shan talked a lot about their future life plans and asked, "Ashan, are you going to take the exam or will you take it next time?"
What can we say about Sun Shan’s achievement?
It seems that there is no chance of passing the imperial examination.
Would it be better to experience ups and downs for three years and then study for another three years?
Sun Shan had thought about this question a long time ago, and said very firmly: "Yingyang, I want to go to the capital to take the exam."
Seeing Qian Yingyang's surprise, Sun Shan said with a smile: "Yingyang, I always feel that this time I am not at my normal level. I always feel that my level is higher. Hehe, besides, I am lucky. You see, I passed the college entrance examination and the provincial examination. Maybe I can also squeeze in the imperial examination. I am not pursuing the second-class Jinshi. I just want to pass the examination."
Sun Shan did not consider the first-class, second-class, or third-class Jinshi.
His goal is to pass the exam.
Sun Shan knew his own worth. The more he learned, the less he understood.
Sun Shan is just diligent, hardworking and self-disciplined.
He has neither a clever brain nor the potential for genius.
So the top three places in the imperial examination have nothing to do with him.
He is a gifted insulator.
He knew his own limitations and as long as he could make the list, he didn't care about being a Jinshi.
Qian Yingyang looked at Sun Shan and watched him speak. The sun was shining on him, and he felt that Sun Shan was brighter than ever before.
Qian Yingyang couldn't help but say, "Ashan, I support you in going to Beijing to take the exam. I believe in you."
After a pause, he continued, "Ashan, if you don't have enough money, I can lend it to you. But you have to pay it back."
Sun Shan was very moved when he heard the first part, but rolled his eyes when he heard the second part.
He snorted, "I borrowed the money based on my ability, why should I pay it back?"
Qian Yingyang was so angry at this that he flew up, and was ready to put a sack on Sun Shan. However, Sun Shan didn't give him a chance, and turned around quickly, dodged, and ran away.
The two chatted and laughed, and talked about Zhu Pengyun from Fujian Province, wondering whether he had passed the imperial examination.
Sun Shan left only after having dinner at Qian's house.
Qian's mother reluctantly said, "Ashan, come to my house often. I will make soup for you."
The next morning, Sun Shan was pulled out of bed by Sun Bomin, who said nervously, "Shanzi, come over here and try on your clothes. You will be attending the Luming Banquet soon. I heard that all the candidates will be there. It will be very lively. You must dress up well and don't lose to others."
Sun Shan looked at the sky. Why dress up so early in the morning?
The Luming Banquet is held in the afternoon.
Sun Bomin didn't think so, and quickly said, "You'd better go early, so as not to be late. If other candidates come, you will be the last one to arrive. It will give people a bad impression."
I heard from your aunt that not only the chief examiner is here, but also all the officials from Guangnan are here. They are high-ranking officials, and they cannot be kept waiting. Come and get dressed quickly. It is better to go early than late. It is better to wait there than at home."
Sun Bomin kept muttering and treated Sun Shan as a three-year-old child, completely forgetting that Sun Shan was a juren.
Sun Shan had no choice but to wash up and decide to go out and find a teahouse to have some tea instead of listening to Sun Boming talking non-stop.
Aunt Sun arranged a coachman, a servant and Gui Ge'er.
Sun Shan and his party set off.