Chapter 202 1/3

The provincial examination consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days.

Candidates entered the examination hall on the 8th, 11th, and 14th, and left on the 10th, 13th, and 16th. Each session required candidates to stay in the examination hall for two nights, though they could return home for one night in between.

The examination booths in the examination hall were extremely small and cramped. During these days, candidates had to eat, drink, and relieve themselves in these booths, which was naturally very uncomfortable.

People who were not physically strong might not survive the nine days of examination.

Additionally, those with poor mental states would also struggle to endure it.

Mr. Li, despite being quite knowledgeable, gave up on taking the provincial examination because he couldn’t maintain his mental composure.

According to Li Qingzhi, every year there were candidates who broke down in tears during the provincial examination.

The entry time for the provincial examination was not as early as the county, prefectural, and academy exams, but candidates still had to arrive early at the examination hall to queue for inspection.

Li Qingzhi waited in line for a long time before it was his turn for a body search.

The body searches were conducted by minor officials and yamen runners dispatched from the government office.

Some of these officials were decent and conducted the searches honestly according to regulations. However, a few yamen runners, encountering older scholars dressed plainly, were rude and arrogant, deliberately messing up their belongings and dirtying their food.

Fearing disqualification from the provincial examination if they caused trouble, these scholars did not dare to get angry and could only endure it. This emboldened the yamen runners to act more recklessly.

There are always some people who, given a little power, exhibit the worst of human nature.

Li Qingzhi was unlucky; the person who searched him was one of these individuals. Fortunately, because he was young and well-dressed, with decent writing materials, the searcher was afraid of offending him and was relatively polite.

But immediately after, the searcher was harshly scolding the elderly scholar behind Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi liked people, but such individuals were really unlikable.

After entering the hall, Li Qingzhi found his assigned booth.

His booth was poorly located, near the latrine.

With so many people crowded together, the smell in the examination hall would become unbearable after a few days, especially near the latrine.

This odor would undoubtedly affect the candidates’ condition.

However, this didn’t include Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi used his “golden finger” to temporarily adjust his sense of smell so he couldn’t smell the odor.

In fact, even if he could smell it, such a minor inconvenience was nothing for someone like Li Qingzhi who had survived the apocalypse. But if he could avoid smelling it, why not?

Coincidentally, shortly after he sat down, Du Yongning sat opposite him.

The two were somewhat acquainted, and Li Qingzhi smiled at him.

Li Qingzhi remembered that Du Yongning was somewhat fastidious and couldn’t stand the smell of the latrine. But today, Du Yongning was in a good mood and returned Li Qingzhi’s smile.

They weren’t upset about their poor seating, but some candidates around them were dismayed to find themselves near the latrine, looking like they had lost their loved ones.

Li Qingzhi sighed inwardly, knowing that those whose mindset was unstable would likely not perform well in the exam.

Li Qingzhi saw this, and so did Du Yongning.

Seeing the gloomy faces around him, Du Yongning felt a sense of pride.

A year ago, he would have been very distressed to find himself in such a position, but now…

He was fearless.

After reading about biogas pits in a book by a certain recluse, he decided to experiment.

His family initially opposed it, but he used the provincial examination as an excuse, saying he wanted to acclimate himself to the smell of the examination hall in advance.

Hearing this, his family didn’t stop him, and during his experiments with the biogas pit, though he vomited several times, he eventually adapted.

Of course, he was too embarrassed to tell anyone about this experience, so the scholars in the provincial capital didn’t know.

In any case, he was now unafraid of the latrine in the examination hall.

It was just a bit smelly, so what? He even brought a sachet with him!

The test papers were soon distributed. After seeing the questions, Li Qingzhi began “writing” his essay in his mind.

After “writing” it, he considered how to layout the essay on paper, ensuring it looked neat and the words were clear and well-integrated.

After making all the necessary preparations, he calmed his mind and began writing each word meticulously.

His handwriting was exceptionally beautiful, with each word in its proper place, forming a coherent whole…

Li Qingzhi managed quite well in the examination hall. Though sleeping in the booth was uncomfortable due to his height, he could manage even without sleep.

Time flew by, and on the third day in the hall, they were finally released.

Li Qingzhi felt he reeked! The latrines in the examination hall became increasingly unbearable over time. He couldn’t understand how the young master Du Yongning managed to endure it.

Leaving the hall, he saw more people waiting outside than there were candidates inside. Some wealthy families had hired sedans and carriages. Of course, some scholars from poorer families had only a relative waiting, and had to walk home.

Jin Xiaoye had hired a sedan for Li Qingzhi.

“I don’t need to ride a sedan,” Li Qingzhi said.

“It’s already hired,” Jin Xiaoye said, pushing him into the sedan and urging the carriers to head to their residence.

Li Qingzhi opened the sedan curtain and looked back, seeing some candidates breaking down in tears as soon as they left the hall, while others fainted.

He sighed.

The imperial examinations were truly tough.

Compared to the modern college entrance exams, where top universities like Tsinghua and Peking University admitted over a hundred students from each province every year, and even more in some provinces, the imperial examinations were far more competitive.

In Jiang’an Province, known for its strong academic tradition, only a hundred candidates passed the provincial examination each time.

And the provincial examination was held only once every three years!

In some remote provinces, only forty or fifty candidates passed each time.

Thus, becoming a juren in this era was a remarkable achievement, often leading directly to an official position.

Li Qingzhi returned home, took a bath, and had a hearty meal.

Afterwards, he cuddled with Jin Xiaoye and had a good sleep.

The next day, he went back to the examination hall to queue for the second session.

Three days ago, most candidates looked in good spirits while queuing, but today, many appeared tired.

“Brother Li, you look great!” Du Yongning, looking haggard, squeezed over and expressed his envy.

Li Qingzhi, noticing Du Yongning’s weary face, was puzzled, “Brother Du, you didn’t seem so tired yesterday?”

Du Yongning replied, “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

In the examination hall, although his sleep wasn’t good, it was manageable. But last night at home…

He wanted a good night’s sleep to face the next exam session refreshed, but the more he thought about it, the less he could sleep, tossing and turning all night.

“Brother Du, relax,” Li Qingzhi said.

They exchanged a few words before entering the hall again.

The second session’s content differed from the first, but in other aspects, it was similar—just more grueling.

After the second session, some candidates were on the verge of collapse. Even Du Yongning looked as if he could fall asleep at any moment.