Chapter 2171 It's time for the imperial examination again
Time flies, and autumn is about to begin, and the entire capital begins to become lively again, because the triennial imperial examination will soon begin.
This is the first imperial examination since Emperor Zhengde came to the throne. The emperor attaches great importance to this matter. At the beginning of the year, he had already informed the world through the Di Bao that the number of admissions this year would be nearly 200 more than before.
The total admission quota will exceed 700.
This can be regarded as the largest number of admissions since the Conceptual Imperial Examination.
You must know that in the past, the number of places for the imperial examination was only about 300. Later, with the increase in the Dongbang and the Ming Dynasty overseas customs provinces, the number of places was gradually expanded to about 500.
This time Emperor Zhengde approved an additional 200 places, which is obviously a kind of grace.
Because in the first year of Zhengde last year, according to past traditions, when the new emperor ascended the throne, in addition to granting amnesty to the world, he would also grant mercy to show his benevolence, justice and morality.
But Emperor Zhengde did not open Enke last year. There were many factors, the most important of which was that the imperial examination was coming in the second year of Zhengde, so there was no need to open Enke.
The imperial examination was a major event for the entire Ming Dynasty. It only happened once every three years. Every time there was an imperial examination, the entire capital would become extremely lively.
Talents from all over the Ming Dynasty gathered in the capital and wrote ink. They also left a large number of classic numerals, couplets and calligraphy in various parts of the capital.
At the same time, every imperial examination also adds a lot of new stories to the young and old men of the Ming Dynasty.
The story of a rich girl falling in love with a poor scholar and the poor scholar falling in love after high school has become a very cliched story. However, everyone still listens to it with gusto, and they all daydream about whether they can become the protagonist.
With the inscription on the gold medal list and the flowers and candles in the bridal chamber, you have embarked on a prosperous road.
There are also stories about a talented man and a beautiful lady in a brothel. The top star of Yihong Courtyard and Xiaoxiang Courtyard fell in love with a talented scholar. However, the evil madam never let her go, just to see what the scholar would do if she laughed at him.
In the end, when the scholar was in high school, the carp leaped over the dragon's gate and soared into the sky. In the end, the madam had to choose to let him go, thus leaving everyone with a beautiful love story.
There was also a poor scholar who came to the capital to take the exam. He was too poor to live in an inn and had to sleep on the street. Some kind people helped this scholar, not only letting him live in his own home, but also providing him with meals.
As a result, the scholar lived up to expectations, and after graduating from high school and becoming a high official, he rewarded his benefactor heavily.
There are so many stories like this, so many, that when it comes to the imperial examination, these stories are being told all over the capital.
The operas and operas in the theater were about the story of the poor scholar and the wealthy daughter. The newspapers also published the story of the scholar who worked hard to study. The story of the scholar was the most talked about among the neighbors.
In this era where everyone is inferior and only good at reading, stories about scholars are the mainstream of this era, and they are also the stories that everyone likes the most.
This time, an additional 200 places were added to the imperial examination, which also brought the number of people taking the imperial examination to an unprecedented 50,000. Many grandfathers in their fifties and sixties came tremblingly accompanied by their families.
Take the test.
Many people who had given up on taking the imperial examination were thinking of trying again this time because there were more places.
In addition, the transportation in Daming has become more convenient, with cars, trains, ships, etc., making it easier to go to Beijing to take the exam.
Also, the living standards of people in the Ming Dynasty have become higher. There are more people studying the new school and more people studying the old school than before.
These factors have led to more and more candidates taking the imperial examinations year after year. This year, an unprecedented 50,000 people came to the capital to take the imperial examinations.
In addition, some scholars who are full and have nothing to do also come to the capital to join in the fun and watch the excitement. It is estimated that there may be more than 100,000 scholars in the capital during the imperial examination.
There is no way, the transportation is so convenient now. The Ming Dynasty's trains have almost covered most provinces. Even the Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan areas in the southwest are connected by trains. With trains, it is very easy to get to Beijing.
In addition, there are cars, ships, motorcycles and other means of transportation, and cement roads are everywhere. If you have nothing to do, it would be nice to go to the capital to watch the imperial examination and feel the atmosphere. Anyway, it is now the Ming Dynasty.
There are no longer restrictions in this area, so you can go wherever you want.
Even ordinary people who have nothing to do can come to the capital to join in the fun and experience the atmosphere of the imperial examination.
Isn't it still hot summer? A large number of students from all over the Ming Dynasty have gathered here in the capital. In their words, they came to the capital in advance to familiarize themselves with the climate and living habits of the capital, so as not to
Unaccustomed to the environment.
In the past imperial examinations, there were always cases where some candidates performed abnormally due to acclimatization and ultimately regretted it for the rest of their lives.
After many exams arrived in Beijing, because it was autumn and winter exams, the weather was relatively cold. Some students from the south were infected with the wind and cold, and naturally they were unable to perform well.
There are also some candidates who are rushing so fast that they do not have a good rest and review, resulting in abnormal performance during the exam.
In short, there are various factors involved. If you come to the capital in advance, you can reduce the impact of this aspect. Come to the capital in advance to familiarize yourself with the climate of the capital. At the same time, you can prepare well in the capital with peace of mind and don't have to rush.
of.
There are many candidates who believe this, so every year a large number of candidates come to the capital several months in advance to prepare for the imperial examination.
Of course, for these scholars, social interaction is also very important.
This visit to the princes in the court, whether it is related or not, is also necessary to establish a relationship, whether it is a fellow disciple, a fellow villager, etc. In short, they all need to walk around more, and before leaving, they need to order some calligraphy and so on.
, these are all rules.
From now on, if you become an official in the government after high school, these are all paths, and they are also important ways to get promoted.
In addition, those who are from the same hometown and are from the same school, etc., who take the imperial examination together should move around more. Maybe they will go to high school together by then, and then they will be officials in the government. Of course, they will have to interact more with each other.
To support and help.
Anyway, for scholars in this era, reading is very important, and making friends and visiting friends is also very important. When you come to the capital in advance, you naturally have to walk around more, get to know more talented people from the Ming Dynasty, and the princes in the court.
wait.
This is why studying is very expensive.
Whether it's visiting senior officials in the court, eating with close friends, visiting brothels, going to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to listen to music, etc., it's all very expensive.
Not to mention anything else, visiting the princes in the court would cost hundreds of taels of silver depending on the level and position. Even with the development of the Ming Dynasty, the current market price has risen.
It's so powerful that I can't even get rid of a few hundred taels of silver, and it costs thousands.
If this is an important minister in the court, with a high position of power, the cost will be even greater, and it may be thousands or even thousands of taels of silver.
For children from ordinary families, this is simply unaffordable.
Also, the places where scholars go to get together are very expensive places. For example, going to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion to listen to music, have tea and drinks, etc., can cost dozens or even hundreds of taels of silver.
Anyway, it’s a place to spend money. If you don’t have money, you really can’t afford to study or have fun.
Many factors come together to make the entire capital become extremely lively when autumn has just begun here in the capital.
Everywhere you can see groups of scholars wearing long robes, holding fans, shaking their heads, chatting and talking.
At the same time, regular merchants have also begun to launch various activities, such as free meals and drinks for pairs, poetry gatherings, cocktail receptions, and the like.
However, for Hu Xiwen, who comes from an ordinary family, the reason why he came to the capital in advance to take the exam was to prepare well for the exam and strive to reach high school in one fell swoop.
Hu Xiwen is from Chengdu, Sichuan. His ancestors are not from Chengdu, but from rural areas in the mountains of Sichuan. Chengdu has developed rapidly since the train was connected, and it has also become the development engine of the southwest region, attracting a large number of people.
Go to Chengdu to work and settle down.
Hu Xiwen's parents also moved to Chengdu at that time, and made a living by working in Chengdu. Because the family has been farmers for generations, Hu Xiwen's parents also tried their best to send Hu Xiwen to a private school, hoping that he could be admitted to the college.
Official, shining on the lintel.
Hu Xiwen is also living up to expectations. He has been smart since he was a child and has a lot of talent in studying old school. He is only 18 years old now. Last year, he took the provincial examination for the first time and passed the high school examination. This autumn, his teachers and Sichuan's academic administration all think that he can definitely do it.
high school.
Although he is young, he is talented, literary and talented. The key is that he studies very hard. Now all the scholars who came to the capital with him have gone to visit relatives and friends, but he, Hu Xiwen, is still renting the house he rented.
Inside the house, I studied seriously and prepared for the exam.
Of course, this is also because he is short of money and cannot keep up with the consumption of those people.
In order to go to Beijing to take the exam this time, his parents handed over 100 taels of silver that they had saved for several years into his hands. This amount of money was not easy to spend in this capital city where every inch of land is precious, but if it was just for food and accommodation,
It will definitely be enough, so you have to be sparing.