kingnovel Chapter 503 Convinced
Chapter 503 Convinced
"Thank you for your teachings, Grandmaster. I will keep them in mind."
After saying that, Yuan Qing stepped aside and stood next to Lu Xu.
Lu Xu had just arrived from the county seat and had only just heard that there was an error in the rankings, not that Yuan Qing was at fault. He smiled and said, "I knew you wouldn't keep me waiting for long."
Yuan Qing also smiled. "Since Brother Lu is at the top of the list, if I'm not in second place, wouldn't that be a betrayal of the 'tacit understanding' we've built as classmates over the years?"
Tao Tixue, who was about to continue reading the names, heard this and asked curiously, "Why, are you two also ranked first in the academy?"
Before Yuan Qing and Lu Xu could reply, Shen Jing said sarcastically, "That's right. Whether it's monthly classes or quarterly exams, they both rank the same."
Tao Tixue twirled his beard and smiled, "It shows that they are both well-educated. You don't have to be jealous. You should take them as your role models."
Shen Jing had just spoken too hastily, without thinking at all. It was only after he had spoken that he remembered he was in front of Tao Tixue. However, as the prefect's son, he was not intimidated. He bowed and said, "I will remember the Grandmaster's teachings."
Then, Tao Tixue continued to read out the names of the high school entrance examination candidates. Those who had seen the list before checked silently in their minds and found that they had indeed moved back one place, and there were no other surprises.
After the roll call was over, the clerks posted the names of the top ten candidates, Cheng Mo, publicly. This time, almost all the candidates rushed to Yuan Qing's paper, vying to see what kind of essay it was, so Tao Tixue had to accept it even though his shortcomings were exposed.
When the candidates saw the three red circles on the first question of the Five Classics, they were all surprised that Tao Tixue was so optimistic about this article!
Glancing at the paper of Lu Xu, the top student next to him, he only had two circles on the first question on the Five Classics.
After reading the whole article, the candidates who were previously indignant fell silent, especially the candidate who was taking the Shangshu position.
Although there is a saying that there is no best in literature, when there is a big difference in level, it is still possible to tell the difference at a glance.
Compared with Yuan Qing's article, some people even think that what they wrote is a piece of shit and is completely unreadable.
Some who acted with integrity immediately approached Yuan Qing and bowed, "Brother, you are truly talented. I am truly convinced. To be honest, I thought your second place was a Grandmaster, and I am trying to make up for my previous mistake."
Now that I have read your masterpiece, I realize how shallow my knowledge is. I have underestimated both your talent and the breadth of your mind."
Yuan Qing hurriedly returned the greeting, "Brother, you are too kind."
The man said, "I'm not being polite. Your writing is like a mirror reflecting everything, revealing both beauty and ugliness; it's also like a spring flowing out of a mountain, naturally forming a piece of writing."
After this person, several more people came forward to talk to Yuan Qing. Yuan Qing remembered that Song Ying was still waiting, so he hurriedly made an excuse to go home and left, even canceling the celebration party with his classmates.
Seeing this, Shen Jing hurried to follow.
After the main examiner left, the candidates who could not seek advice in person began to carefully study Yuan Qing's paper again, comparing their own college entrance examination essays with it to see where they were lagging behind.
The more he pondered, the more he could not help but admire the exquisiteness of the article. A classmate from Jiahu Academy said sarcastically, "It's not surprising that Brother Yuan can write such a beautiful article. It would be surprising if he couldn't. Who is his master? The former Wu Tixue."
Wu Tixue was a famous scholar in the Shangshu field. It was said that during the palace examination, even the emperor praised his essay highly.
"It turns out that a good teacher produces good students!" Many candidates felt better. It was not that they were dumber than Yuan Qing, nor that they did not work hard, but that they had not met a good teacher.
Fuqian Street, teahouse.
Looking at the two people who had returned, Song Ying smiled and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Yuan."
Yuan Qing, who had been pretending to be calm, suddenly blushed. He thought of their previous agreement. If he passed the examination and became a scholar, they could get engaged.
"Sister, you're only focused on congratulating him. Have you ever thought about how I, a failed candidate, feel?"
Looking at Shen Jing's face full of resentment, Song Ying hurriedly comforted him: "You are still young. Study for another year or two and take the exam again. You will definitely pass."
From this angle, Shen Jing didn't feel comforted and said, "Yuan Qing is two years younger than me."
"Uh..." Song Ying thought for a moment and changed his perspective. "No matter how fair the exam is, the people who grade the papers are still human. Humans have preferences, and with preferences, it's impossible to be completely fair. Maybe your writing style just doesn't suit Tao Tixue's taste."
Shen Jing smiled broadly, "This is a good consolation."
"He just doesn't have enough skills. There's no need to make excuses for him." Yuan Qing said mercilessly.
Shen Jing: "...Is there any friend like you? You're so polite to others, but when it comes to me, you just stab me in the heart with a knife, right?"
Yuan Qing looked at him and asked, "Do you want to hear lies?"
Shen Jing was silent for a moment, then said, "Forget it then."
The results were released, and Xi also said that Song Ying had achieved the purpose of coming to the capital this time, so she could rest assured. She said, "It's getting late, so I'll go back first."
After a pause, he looked at Yuan Qing again, "What about you? When will you go back?"
Without waiting for Yuan Qing to answer, Shen Jing said, "The Grand Master has to rush to Mahu Mansion to preside over the next college entrance examination. His schedule is very tight. I'm afraid Brother Yuan will be busy these two days. There are many things to do next.
I have to offer tea to the Grand Master and pay homage to him as my disciple, and determine the status of master and disciple; there is also the matter of going to school. By the way, Brother Yuan, do you plan to go to the county school or the provincial school?
If you choose the prefectural academy, then we can live together in the prefectural city and continue to live like before... No, I didn't pass the exam, so I still have to go to the academy."
As he spoke of the latter part, Shen Jing became sad again and had a sad face.
His mood changes so much that even Song Ying was speechless.
Yuan Qing seemed accustomed to this and said, "I remember that there is only one place for a stipend student in the prefectural school. Lu Xu is the top candidate, so he will definitely choose the prefectural school. If I also choose, I can only be an additional student. I will choose the county school."
"You gave up the provincial academy for a place on the government stipend?" Shen Jing was incredulous. "Brother Yuan, when did you become so short-sighted?"
The treatment of students on government stipend is indeed better than that of students on additional scholarships, but the benefits of a provincial school are hard to buy even with money.
The Shunqing Prefecture School had a professor who was a Jinshi graduate, while the teachers and instructors at the county school were all mediocre tribute students or juren graduates, and their knowledge was far inferior to theirs.
Moreover, the provincial school not only has a rich collection of books, but also regularly invites famous scholars to give lectures, which is of great help in improving knowledge.
Yuan Qing was also helpless. "The six dou of rice that the stipend students receive every month is very important to my family."
Shen Jing fell silent for a moment. According to regulations, the government should give 6 dou of rice to the students every month, which is now directly converted into 5 taels of silver per year.
This may not be a big deal for a wealthy family, but for a poor farming family, it is the family's expenses for several months.
Moreover, the students on government academy can also act as guarantors for candidates in the boy's examination, which is also a considerable income.
He thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Brother Yuan, I still suggest you choose the prefectural school. The chances of a prefectural school paying tribute are twice as high as those of a county school. As for the money, I can lend it to you first."