Chapter 96: County Exam 2/3

For example, there was a household with two children, both clearly not yet fifteen. By slightly altering their ages, the clerks could change them to eighteen and twenty. As a result, that household would need to bear more corvée labor.

Such incidents were numerous.

After the original owner arrived in Chongcheng County, he chose to settle in Miaoqian Village and married Jin Xiaoye in a short time. This was because most of the people in front of the temple, including the village chief, were surnamed Jin. Even if the clerks wanted to manipulate things, they wouldn’t target the Jin family directly, and he could receive relatively fair treatment.

Now, Li Qingzhi wanted to become an official, to wield power, and to ensure that his family wouldn’t be trampled upon.

He also wanted to seek revenge for the original owner and his family.

Since he had used the original owner’s body, he had to do something for him.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed, and the day of the county exam arrived quickly.

At three or four in the morning, while it was still dark, there was a burst of noise from the county government, signaling the start of the day for the candidates to prepare.

Li Qingzhi had gone to bed early last night, so when he heard the noise, he got up from his bed and began to dress.

Although February in the north was still cold, February in Chongcheng County had already begun to warm up. However, Jin Xiaoye still prepared several sets of lighter clothing for Li Qingzhi.

As Li Qingzhi got dressed, Jin Xiaoye also got up and went to the kitchen to cook.

Today, she made glutinous rice, and she cooked a large pot… Li Qingzhi had a good appetite, and eating this would keep him full for longer.

While Jin Xiaoye was cooking, Li Qingzhi began to check his exam basket.

The so-called exam basket was actually a bamboo basket containing the pens, ink, paper, inkstone, and some snacks needed for the exam. When it was time for the exam, he would carry this basket in.

This exam basket was prepared by Zhu Qian for Li Qingzhi, and everything inside was quite complete. Li Qingzhi briefly checked it and then went downstairs.

Li Laogen, who had heard the noise, had also gotten up. He whispered to Li Qingzhi, “Ah Qing, you must do well in the exam!”

Li Qingzhi smiled and replied, “Dad, I will.”

Li Laogen rubbed his hands and added, “Should I accompany you to the exam later? I don’t know what the exam venue is like…”

Li Qingzhi agreed with a smile.

Both Li Laogen and Jin Xiaoye were awake, but the three children were still asleep… The three of them tried not to make any noise as they began to eat breakfast.

Li Qingzhi ate a bit more, and when he finished, there was another burst of noise, signaling that the candidates could go to the exam venue.

By now, it was probably around five in the morning, and the three children had already been startled awake. Li Qingzhi instructed them with a few words, asking them to wait at home, before setting off for the exam venue.

Jin Xiaoye and Li Laogen followed him by his side.

The exam venue was near the county government. When Li Qingzhi and his family arrived, it was packed with candidates and their relatives.

The list of registered candidates and their assigned seats had already been posted by the county government. There were over two hundred candidates participating in this county exam, most of whom were young teenagers under twenty.

Although nowadays there were many late-blooming scholars who still pursued the scholar’s degree even in their twenties, generally speaking, those who were still trying to pass the county exam in their twenties would switch to other careers.

“There are so many people,” Jin Xiaoye curiously looked around at the crowd.

Li Qingzhi also glanced around, and then he saw a peach tree reaching out from the nearby courtyard, covered with peach blossoms.

Most families in the city with courtyards would plant some fruit trees and vegetables in their courtyards. Now, the green vegetables were flowering, and the peach and plum trees were also blossoming, decorating the entire city beautifully.

Spring had already arrived.

Li Qingzhi couldn’t help but pick up a peach blossom and put it in his mouth.

Jin Xiaoye became anxious when she saw this. “What are you eating randomly for? What if you upset your stomach? The exam is about to start.”

Li Qingzhi looked at Jin Xiaoye innocently.

Jin Xiaoye said, “You are really something. How come you’re not in a hurry even when the exam is about to start?”

Li Qingzhi coughed lightly and whispered, “I have confidence in myself. No need to rush.”

Jin Xiaoye thought for a moment and said, “That’s true. You are so capable!”

When Li Qingzhi first told Jin Xiaoye that he wanted to study, she didn’t have much confidence in him. However, after a few months, Jin Xiaoye was certain of one thing—Li Qingzhi was indeed very intelligent!

Her judgment was really good!

As the two whispered, Jin Moli’s voice suddenly sounded, “Xiaoye, your man is really here to participate in the county exam?”

Jin Xiaoye turned her head and saw Jin Moli, Mr. Yao, and Yao Zhenfu.

Yao Zhenfu had lost some weight compared to last year, but he was still a bit chubby. Being shorter, he looked up at Li Qingzhi and said solemnly, “Li Qingzhi, you’ve only been studying for a few days. Why are you here to take the county exam? Isn’t this a waste of money?”

Li Qingzhi: “…”

Out of respect for Mr. Yao’s face, neither Li Qingzhi nor Jin Xiaoye said anything. However, Yao Zhenfu persisted, “Li Qingzhi, even if you have a good relationship with County Magistrate Guo and can pass the county exam, it’s useless if you can’t pass the subsequent exams…”

Li Qingzhi smiled and said, “You don’t need to worry about that, Brother Yao. I should be able to pass the provincial exam.”