Chapter 56:
The second test is law, arithmetic, theory of filial piety, and finally a poem. Needless to say, the law is the recitation and understanding of the laws of the current dynasty. Song Cun has already recited the laws of this dynasty, so it is difficult for him.
The arithmetic test is all about the contents of "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic" and "Zhoubi Suanjing". There are three questions, one is about the Pythagorean Theorem, one is about proportional distribution, and the other is about profit and loss. The simplest, even so, is to guard against mistakes. After reviewing the questions, he finished the calculation on the draft paper and just copied it on the paper.
As for the theory of filial piety, that is, a passage from the "Book of Filial Piety" is intercepted and asked candidates to write an article.
Regarding filial piety, although he has different understandings, he can’t write it according to his true thoughts. The ancients were more sensitive to filial piety. Filial piety is greater than the sky. up.
Of course, even if he can't write according to his true thoughts, he can still write an article that is flattering and in line with the ancient people's filial piety.
After Song Cun finished writing the poem, all the papers for the second session were finished. Before it was time to hand in the papers, he stood up and stretched his muscles. Out of the corner of his eyes, he inadvertently glanced at the candidate in his sixties in front of him, and saw his cheeks flushed. , Scratching his ears and cheeks, he anxiously wrote and revised it on the draft paper, and revised it, but he couldn't write it right.
Not only the old man, several examinees drew and drew in the draft, looking left and right, sweating profusely, unable to find the answer, obviously stumped by the arithmetic problem.
When the time for handing in the paper is up, even if there are still questions to be completed, you can only hand in the paper. After handing in the test papers, a group of examinees groaned, all yelling why there were so many math questions in the exam, they didn't learn math at all, this time it's over.
Song Cunting felt sorry for them. The number of math questions in the previous township examinations was not large. There was no provincial exam for mathematics in the last homecoming examination. Many scholars spent most of their energy on the Four Books and Five Classics.
It is the same for many students of Guozijian. Unexpectedly, they took three mathematics exams in a row this time, but they stumbled on this. Of course, the imperial court will not test mathematics for no reason, presumably it needs officials in such a field?
The policy theory of the third test, with five questions, is relatively more difficult, and the test is basically about opinions on current affairs and politics.
The first question is "Euphratica euphratica focuses on the outside and emphasizes on the inside, and the Western Yuan Dynasty has its own arguments about the emphasis on the outside and the inside." This question is about the distribution of power, asking candidates what kind of national policy should be used to govern the country, and what kind of national policy should be adopted Governing the country, in fact, the emperor and ministers know better than anyone else, but they still choose this kind of topic.
I wanted to see what the students thought.
Song Cun sighed, the test questions are relatively sensitive, and it is also a question that needs to be answered carefully. The provincial examination is so aggressive, one can imagine how difficult it is to pass the general examination and palace examination.
Song Cun withdrew his mind and continued to read the question. The kings of many dynasties liked to strengthen the centralization of power. Song Cun believed that the emperors of this dynasty must have such thoughts in their hearts. Come out, as for some vassal officials and generals, they must like to put more emphasis on the outside than on the inside. Of course, they can't write it out if they can see it.
Leaving aside the selfishness of the emperor and his officials, Song Cun, as an examinee, would be wrong to answer this question with any emphasis. What's more, the emperor may not like a courtier who has no opinion and only flatters.
The examiner definitely didn't really want an answer when he asked the question. The examinee really wrote that the inside is light and the outside is heavy, even if the examiner's mind is hit, it will be over. As for how candidates answer the questions, it depends on their own level.
Song Cun thought of Su Shi's "Shangshenzong Emperor Book", which states that the power of each other is different, the court and the local government restrict each other, and the weight of power given is balanced with each other. Although it is difficult to achieve, this is the pursuit of ancient politicians.
He felt that neither party was pleasing, and both parties had to be taken into account. As long as he wrote from the point of view of relative importance, he would not be wrong. Thinking of the core of solving the problem, he started to draft.
The first question made Song Cun feel the bad taste of the examiners. After answering the question, he put down his pen, moved his stiff muscles and bones, raised his head and glanced around, and found that many candidates were frowning and thinking hard. I feel that many candidates have been stumped on the first question.
He rang the small bell, and was led by the yamen servants to the latrine, and solved his physical problems. After returning, he continued to read the next question.
Before finishing the questions, the old examinee in his 60s suddenly passed out in the examination room. The examination room was in chaos. Several yamen servants came over and carried the old examinee out. The invigilator looked at the other candidates and shouted loudly, "Don't look around."
When the examinees heard his work, they quickly lowered their heads to do the questions, not daring to make any more noise.
Song Cun continued to do the questions. The first question was more difficult, but the next few questions were relatively simple, and they were all about the content of the Four Books and Five Classics. The last exam was also three days old, and Song Cun finished all the theories in the first two days.
On the last day, after he got up to wash and had breakfast, he took out the draft and began to copy it. After a period of time, looking back at the original answer, he had new additions. After making corrections, he copied them carefully, and the beautiful pavilion style appeared on the paper. He copied more cautiously, and finished an article , Check it again, there is not a single word, and there is no alteration or dirt.
It is possible to hand in the papers in advance. After all the papers were copied, he checked it again and looked at the sky. It was almost time to hand in the papers. He didn't wait any longer and rang the bell to prepare to hand in the papers.
When the yamen servant came over and sealed his paper, he packed up the test basket and left the examination room under the yamen servant's leadership. On the way, out of the corner of his eye, he caught some examinees looking at him, but he didn't care, and went straight out of the examination room.
When he got outside the examination room, he found that he was not the first candidate to leave the examination room, and there were also candidates from the other side of the examination room. Song Cun couldn't help but feel a little sad when he thought of the old man in his sixties.
He is eighteen years old now, at the time when he is in good health, and the nine-day exam is also unbearable. When he leaves the exam room, his perseverance has dissipated, and exhaustion hits his whole body. He just wants to go home and get a good night's sleep Sleep.
Li Mu had already been waiting outside, when he saw Song Cun coming out, he quickly stepped forward, saluted, and said, "Master, the carriage is ahead."
Song Cun didn't say anything, and got into the carriage directly. After returning home, he soaked in the bathtub for half an hour. After washing up, Li Mu walked in and said, "Master, the meal is ready."
Song Cun nodded, sat at the dining table, and after eating and drinking, he said to Li Mu: "I'm taking a rest, don't bother me if I have nothing to do."
Staying in the examination room for the last day, he basically didn't have a good rest. His iron body needs to rest after a long time of work, not to mention that he is not iron.
Li Mu nodded, indicating that he understood.
Song Cun slept until noon on the second day, during which Li Mu came to visit a few times, seeing that the young master was sleeping soundly, and there was no other discomfort, so he felt relieved.
When the time came, the Young Madam told him that whether it was before or after the exam, he must always pay attention to the Young Master's body, especially after the first day of the exam, when one is tired and does not have a good rest, one is prone to illness, so be sure to take care of him. Can't be careless.
He also said that if he took good care of the young master this trip, he would tell him about his marriage and give him a betrothal gift.
Even if the young lady didn't say anything, he would take good care of the young master. Of course, when the young lady said so, he felt more grateful to the young lady and also had expectations for the marriage that the young lady said.
After Song Cun woke up, Li Mu brought out the food. After eating, Song Cun was not in a hurry to read, so he led the two servants and went out.
Walking slowly on the street, he saw a library, turned around and went into the library. There were some books in the library that he didn't have at home, so he picked them out and bought some local dialect books.
Finally, he bought some local tea, jewelry, and fabrics. After returning home, he began to write letters to Chu Mingjia, telling him about his situation here and the date of his return, and asking about the situation at home. After writing, he put it in an envelope. Then he packed up the things he bought and let Li Mu take them to the post station to send them back.
When Chu Mingjia received the package from Song Cun, it was already September. Aunt Li heard that her son had sent a letter back, so she hurried over to read the letter.
Aunt Li was illiterate, so Chu Mingjia told her about her beliefs. After listening, she smiled and said, "Okay, okay, then write back to him quickly, just say that we are all fine, and let him not worry about it."
Chu Mingjia nodded and said with a smile: "My husband also bought jewelry and fabrics, you can take a look."
Aunt Li was overjoyed again, thinking that since her son was in the mood to buy things, he would do well in the exam.
After sending Aunt Li away, Chu Mingjia picked up a Chinese script and read it contentedly.
Although the jewelry and fabrics are good, the storybook is more attractive to her.
Mrs. Liu looked at her and said, "You can't read the book for too long. Go for a walk after half an hour."
Chu Mingjia put down the notebook with a smile: "Auntie, my husband also bought you a gift, go and have a look."
Mrs. Liu lamented Song Cun's thoughtfulness, she smiled and said, "Have you bought it from your grandmother?"
Chu Mingjia smiled and nodded: "I bought it, I bought it all."
Madam Liu looked at her and joked, "Do you know the difference between Song Cun and others?"
Chu Mingjia said arrogantly: "He is my favorite, how can I not know?"
Madam Liu laughed.
It was already mid-September when Song Cun received Chu Mingjia's letter. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter paper. The letter was full of words telling him to pay attention to his body and not to think too much. They are good at home. He also said that his aunt came to accompany her on the second day after he left, and his elder brother often came to see them, which made him feel at ease.
Then he told him that although the eldest sister had a commandment, her life was very aggrieved, she might as well marry an ordinary person, and that she actually wanted to live a leisurely life, lying at home and reading a book. She will not get used to having more entertainment, and she is not as good at dealing with others as the eldest sister, she is very stupid. In the end, there was a saying that it doesn't matter if you don't pass the exam, and she doesn't care about any official wife!
Song Cun chuckled, because he was afraid that he would feel sad if he failed the exam, and comforted him in a roundabout way, because it was hard for her to make up such demeaning words about herself.
What else could Song Cun do after seeing such a letter? I can only tell her that it doesn't matter if you are stupid, anyway, I don't expect you to go out to socialize, even if you become the wife of an official in the future, you can still lie at home and read a book.
When Chu Mingjia received Song Cun's letter and saw what he wrote, he was really angry and funny. She said she was stupid, so she was really stupid? I don't even think about who she is for. snort! Regardless of whether he passed the exam, wait for him to come back and find him to settle the score.
I also read what he said later, even if you are an official wife, you can lie at home and read a book. She thought again, what she said was pleasing to the ear, so in order to be able to read the storybook, she decided not to settle accounts with him.
Mrs. Liu looked at her niece and Song Cun's letter, gritted her teeth with a smile, and shook her head secretly at the last sweet look. She didn't know what Song Cun wrote to her, which made her laugh at the same time.