lcionline Chapter 357 Entering the Imperial Examination: No One Brings In
Chapter 357 Entering the Imperial Examination: No One Brings In
This spring is warmer than usual.
This is quite friendly to the candidates taking the imperial examination.
Although the clothes prepared by the Jiang family for the twelve candidates were all single-layer garments, they were made of solid materials and were of excellent workmanship. Wearing several layers of them would keep them very warm.
Wearing a single layer of clothing is meant to prevent candidates from bringing in smuggled goods, but in reality, this rarely happens during the exam.
After all, they had all passed numerous tests and achieved the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), so they were neither lacking in fame nor money. There was really no need for them to risk ruining their future.
Unless they are the kind of people who are irrational or who actually cheated to pass the provincial examination.
However, given that the provincial examinations involved very strict checks and body searches, this situation was only occasional.
At this point, the line of people entering for body searches moved very slowly, which shows how thorough the inspection was.
The Jiang family's examination basket still contained the same few items, which had become the standard equipment for Jiang family candidates.
Bamboo tubes, oilcloth bags, extra-large rainproof tarpaulins, and of course, all sorts of convenient and delicious pastes are indispensable.
At home, everyone was given a chance to try each type of paste, and each person could choose to bring more of one type based on their own taste preferences.
After about an hour, it was finally the turn of the Jiang family to enter and be inspected.
There were no mishaps, after all, the preparations were so thorough that the test takers kept a close eye on each other and never left each other's sight.
The clothes we wore were checked again while we were queuing to make sure no papers with writing on them were stuffed into them.
A dozen or so people even jumped around, but nothing fell.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jiang Changfeng and Jiang Changgeng finished their inspection and went inside.
After all, we must respect the elderly and care for the young. Although the Chiang family members are listed together, there is still a sequence in their birth order.
The arrangement is very simple and straightforward: from oldest to youngest, with the oldest at the front and the youngest at the back.
Therefore, Jiang Changfeng led the way, followed by Jiang Changgeng, and then Jiang Hao and Jiang Xiaoqi brought up the rear.
And you know what? They've all been pretty well-behaved; so far, not a single one of them has tried to sneak in any.
Jiang Xiaoqi didn't know if the ones in the next row were included.
After all, he and Jiang Hao had finished their check-ups and were about to go inside.
After the inspection, those who have finished their exams must take their exam baskets and cannot linger there. They must take their assigned number to enter the exam area and find their exam booth.
You can still come out and move around after you go in, but you can't go beyond a three-zhang radius around the examination hall.
However, once all the candidates were seated and the bailiff struck the gong, they could not move around freely.
If anyone moves around freely at this point, it will be considered cheating.
Of course, strolling around is out of the question. Where can't you wander off after the exam? Why make a fool of yourself in the exam hall?
The Jiang family's rally was not for nothing. Not only did Jiang Changqing and Landlord Jiang give speeches that day, but Jiang Xiaoqi also added a few points of attention before the meeting ended.
First point: Do not move around casually after entering the examination room. Even if the examination room allows it, go into the examination room first to tidy up, wipe off the dust and rest your feet.
(After queuing for so long, my legs were definitely sore.)
Secondly, try to answer the questions when it is fully light, and avoid using candles if possible. If you really cannot finish writing and must write by candlelight, make sure the exam paper is not too close to the candle, and always be aware of any wind; if it gets windy, extinguish the candle.
(Be extra careful with fire in dry weather.)
Thirdly: All completed exam papers must be thoroughly dried. The paperweight must not be put away before the exam papers are put away. After the exam papers are put away, they must be placed in a bamboo tube, sealed, and then put into a bag.
(If the exam paper is destroyed, your eligibility to take the exam is void; no one will be kind enough to give you a replacement.)
Fourth point: After entering the venue, regardless of whether it rains or not, lay out the tarpaulin first, to be prepared for any eventuality.
(Actually, Jiang Xiaoqi checked the weather forecast, and there really was going to be a precious spring rain in the next couple of days.)
Jiang Xiaoqi only added a few words at the end, but everyone listened very attentively to those words.
Jiang Changfeng and Jiang Changgeng no longer regarded him as an ordinary junior in the clan.
From library-like study rooms to endless exam papers, from exam preparation guides to rare and precious books, along with four very reasonable points of attention, strictly supervised exam baskets, and uniform clothing...
Oh dear, I have a feeling that the Chiang family is going to rise to power, especially in the next two or three generations.
Jiang Wenhai and Jiang Wenhao had practically watched Jiang Xiaoqi grow up, and they were quite close in the clan. Now, seeing the young boy making meticulous arrangements for everything, they were filled with emotion.
------lalalalalalala-------
All the candidates had entered the examination hall, and the daylight was already bright.
Before the exam papers were handed out, Jiang Xiaoqi boiled some water and made herself a cup of tea.
The soldier guarding the passage outside the examination hall glanced at it and thought to himself that this candidate had a good attitude, actually having the leisure to drink tea.
Can Jiang Xiaoqi say she's sleepy? Spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, summer naps, and three months of winter sleepiness.
The imperial examination was called the "Spring Examination" because it was held in the spring.
Feeling sleepy in spring is perfectly normal.
Drinking a cup of roasted black tea to refresh oneself is perfectly normal.
After all, they hadn't gotten any coffee beans yet. The system said there were coffee beans available for exchange, but the price wasn't right, so Jiang Xiaoqi ignored it.
Sigh~ You won't go poor from eating or dressing, but you'll go poor if you don't plan ahead.
“TUANG! TUANG! TUANG!”
The cup of tea was finished.
The gong finally rang.
The three calls are just a reminder to get everyone's attention and listen to the exam rules.
Before the exam papers were officially handed out, there were three more shouts of "TUANG! TUANG! TUANG!"
From the moment the gong sounded, the examination hall became even quieter. Although the officials in charge of distributing the exam papers were still constables, each constable was accompanied by a soldier. The two of them worked together to distribute the exam papers and supervise each other.
After the exam papers were handed out, some people couldn't wait to grind their ink, while others looked at the questions first.
Jiang Xiaoqi was the one who looked at the questions first, to get a general idea of what was going on. Although she knew she had a very low chance of winning, she still had to give it her all, right?
Only after doing one's best can one be qualified to accept one's fate.
I glanced at the questions; they were alright, not difficult.
Jiang Xiaoqi wasn't the only one with this idea.
At this moment, the Jiang family members exclaimed: "Oh dear, this question... seems familiar."
Although not exactly the same, compared with the hundreds of mock exams I've done before, I always feel like four words are floating over my head—"similar in effect but different in approach."
The more gods you worship, the more divine protection you will receive; the more practice tests you do, the better you will feel for them; and when you write, it will be as if the gods are helping you.
He pressed the exam paper under the paperweight before starting to grind the ink, swirling it in one direction until a pool of clear water became a pool of ink of just the right consistency.
Without thinking, he picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write with a flowing, snake-like stroke on the draft paper.
"Tick! Tick!"
Look, it's raining again~ Isn't that a coincidence?