Chapter 80 Sanyuan Celebration Banquet
On the second day after the results were announced, Shen Yichen went to his two teachers to report the good news.
They were not surprised that Shen Yichen was able to pass the exam, after all, it was a done deal. But to be honest, they were still a little surprised and proud to see that their student was able to pass the exam.
After announcing the good news, Shen Yichen did not go home directly, but waited in the alley next to Duke Cheng's Mansion, preparing to have a meal with Zhao Hongjie and other classmates to celebrate.
Because after passing the examination to become a scholar, Shen Yichen no longer needs to study in the outer courtyard private school, and it is impossible for him to go to the inner courtyard to study with the group of Zhu clan members.
This means that Shen Yichen will be parting with this group of classmates just like graduating.
When the younger brothers walked out of the corner door and saw Shen Yichen, they were naturally surprised and flattered him to the sky. Then they found a restaurant and sat down to eat and drink in the name of celebration.
After three rounds of drinking, everyone was slightly tipsy. Li Da put a hand on Shen Yichen's shoulder and said, "Brother, I may have to go first this time. I will go to the capital to take up a post soon. I don't need to learn those crappy articles anymore."
Shen Yichen had already known that Li Da was going to the capital to join the army, but he didn't know that the specific date would be set so soon.
Although my relationship with this guy hasn't been good for long, we have been classmates for several years after all. I don't know when we will see each other again, so I can't help feeling a little hurt by the separation.
"Then I wish you success in the future."
Shen Yichen didn't know what to say about these pretentious words, so he could only give his blessing.
At the same time, Zhao Hongjie also came over and said to Shen Yichen, "Yichen, didn't you recommend me to join the army and enter the North and South Pacification Division last time?"
"During this period of time, I have also made up my mind. I plan to go north with Li Da, and let my father use his connections to get into the Southern Pacification Division. The torture methods used by the Northern Pacification Division are not suitable after all."
Before Shen Yichen could answer, Li Da said dissatisfiedly after hearing it: "You are such a good general, but you are afraid of bloody scenes and dare not even enter the Northern Pacification Office. If you encounter a sea of blood and corpses on the battlefield in the future, you, Zhao Hongjie, will be scared to pee your pants, right?"
Maybe he was used to Li Da's tone, Zhao Hongjie didn't bother to pay attention to him. Anyway, there was no risk of getting beaten now.
"The Southern Pacification Division is also pretty good."
Shen Yichen did not stop Zhao Hongjie from joining the Southern Pacification Office instead of the Northern Pacification Office based on considerations of future prospects and power.
Everyone has their own aspirations. Some people are naturally weak and timid, and are not suitable for the spy agencies.
"But I can't bear to leave you."
When Zhao Hongjie said this, his tone sounded very depressed. In all these years at the outer courtyard private school, he only had Shen Yichen as a friend.
Going to the capital now means parting with even the last friends.
"It's okay. People always have to grow up on their own. The capital is a broader world. I also wish you smooth sailing in advance."
After saying that, Shen Yichen raised his glass, feeling that today's glass of wine was particularly bitter.
It was not until the faint moonlight spread all over the earth that a group of people came out of the restaurant, and everyone looked unhappy.
No one expected that the original celebration would turn into a farewell in the end.
"There is a long way to go, brothers. See you in the capital in the future."
At the time of parting, Shen Yichen behaved very freely and for the first time used the term "brothers".
"Of course we'll meet again in the capital. I'll be waiting for you to come to the capital to take the exam!"
Li Da was also a free and easy person, he never liked all kinds of pretentiousness, and he was very sure that Shen Yichen would pass the imperial examination and then go to the capital to take the exam, so they would not be separated for long.
"Well, Yichen, we'll see you in the capital later."
In comparison, Zhao Hongjie's personality is much more emotional, and his tone is slightly choked up.
Seeing them like this, Shen Yichen smiled, then waved his hand and turned away.
But after turning around, I suddenly felt a lump in my nose for some reason. Maybe I was still lonely inside. It was not easy to meet a few people to talk to, but I didn't expect that we would have to part so soon.
Life is long and the sadness of parting is only short-lived. Three days passed in a flash and soon it was the day of the new boss's celebration party.
On this morning, Shen Yichen put on a brand new scholar's uniform and a scarf on his head. According to the regulations of the early Ming Dynasty, the scholar's uniform was equivalent to the uniform of a ninth-rank official.
Of course, this was an early rule. When the number of scholars gradually increased in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, no one followed the clothing rules. Almost all scholars, regardless of whether they had achieved academic success or not, wore a long shirt.
The celebration banquet was held at the Educational Office. Sun Ding hosted the banquet and invited 120 scholars who passed the imperial examination, including 30 who were admitted as supplementary students.
That is to say, starting from the initial 3,000 candidates in the county examination, with additions and elimination, a total of about 8,000 candidates were selected, and 120 were selected. The probability of admission is between 1% and 2%.
Many people may think that this is not low, but we have to take into account that the overall literacy rate in the Ming Dynasty was only 10%. This is the data in the middle and late stages due to the promotion of novels and scripts. It would only be lower in the early and middle stages.
So this is why a mere scholar title can change one’s class status.
Hundreds of newly-appointed scholars were waiting in front of the Educational Office, but no one entered in advance.
It's not that the banquet time has not arrived yet or the government office has blocked them, but that they are waiting for someone. Only after this person arrives will the central door be opened to let the scholars in.
That’s right, this person is Shen Yichen!
As the top scorer in the college examination and also the top three in the middle and small examinations, Shen Yichen is the real protagonist of this banquet, and all the others are just there to accompany him!
"Haha, Shen Yichen is really arrogant. All the new scholars are here, but he is the only one who didn't come!"
One of the scholars couldn't wait any longer and started to complain.
"If you have the ability to pass the exam and become the first in the case, then everyone can wait for you."
When the other person heard this, he immediately made a sarcastic remark, saying that this is how the imperial examinations are these days, whoever gets first place is the boss.
Even if it is the palace examination, if you pass the imperial examination, you have to follow the new number one scholar obediently.
"Dong Hai, when you were in the court for the exam, did you look at Shen Yichen and see if he had the talent to win the first prize?"
A student from Zhaowen Academy who had also passed the examination for the title of Scholar was also getting a little impatient and asked Xu Donghai a question.
"I don't know, but he was the first one to finish the article."
After experiencing several rounds of attacks, Xu Donghai has become much more low-key from his previous arrogant tone. At least he dare not make up stories about Shen Yichen at will.
"Dong Hai, I feel like you're much more low-key now, why are you still so sure of Shen Yichen?"
After hearing this, the student of Zhaowen Academy felt dissatisfied. He was already full of resentment and wanted to complain about Shen Yichen with Xu Donghai to vent his dissatisfaction.
But looking at the other party, he no longer has the arrogance he used to have. Is he admitting defeat?
When Xu Donghai heard this, his face looked a little embarrassed. He didn't want to admit defeat to Shen Yichen, but the situation was stronger than him. What could he do?
In another corner, several familiar scholars gathered together to complain. They were students of Shangyuan County School, which was also considered a major school in Yingtian Prefecture.
"Xu Sheng, if Shen Yichen wasn't on good terms with the Grand Master, this first place in the case might have been yours. Why are you still waiting here for him to show off?"
The Xusheng this person mentioned was Qin Xusheng, the first person in the Shangyuan County case. Shangyuan County was the first county of Yingtian Prefecture. Even Jiangning County was divided from the former Shangyuan County.
In the past imperial examinations in Yingtian Prefecture, the top spot was basically held by Shangyuan County, but this year it was taken away by the dark horse Shen Yichen.
"Be careful with your words."
Qin Xusheng was still relatively cautious. He came from a poor family and did not have the same background as Xu Donghai.
Duke Chengguo is now at the peak of his career as an official. Even if he has a son born to a maid who is not included in the family tree, he is not someone that ordinary people can afford to offend, so he had better be careful with his words.
"What is there to be afraid of? Isn't this the truth? Someone has already dug it out. Shen Yichen's master Lin Zhen has been a close friend of the Grand Master for many years. It's hard to say that he didn't help him behind the scenes."
"Yes, although the case of cheating in the Chengguo Mansion was closed in an unclear manner, the fact that the examination questions were leaked is an irrefutable fact. We can only blame those Zhu clan members for being too lazy and stupid. If they could just remember two articles, they wouldn't have needed any bamboo stick craftsmanship."
Although the case of cheating in the imperial examination at the Chengguo Mansion was hastily closed under the power of Zhu Yong, the scholars were not stupid. If there was no one behind it, how did the test questions leak out?
Although Shen Yichen did not have any evidence to prove his involvement, he was still unable to sever his relationship with the Chengguo Mansion. In addition, after the college entrance examination, some people dug into his relationship with Sun Ding and found that there was also a connection with Lin Zhen.
Of course, this time the test was effective, and no one dared to speak out about cheating. However, many people still believed that the examiner's preferential treatment was true.
There were all kinds of discussions in front of the Academic Affairs Office, but soon they were interrupted by the sound of elegant music. At this moment, the vermilion middle door opened wide, and two rows of yamen runners walked out from inside, which meant that the banquet was about to begin, and the newly-appointed scholars who were waiting could officially enter.
Seeing the middle door open, some scholars subconsciously raised their feet and wanted to walk in, but soon found that no one moved beside them. Some of the quicker ones turned around and looked behind.
At the bottom of the stairs, a young scholar stood proudly, with a faint smile on his face. He looked at everyone and said, "Sorry, everyone, I'm late."
There is no doubt that the central door of the Education Office was wide open at this time just to welcome one person, and he was Shen Yichen!
Looking at Shen Yichen standing at the bottom of the stairs, most of the new scholars who were originally full of resentment now showed envy in their eyes.
No wonder there are titles such as "top winner" and "three first prizes" in the imperial examinations. The treatment of the top winner is extraordinary. Many scholars have never had the glory like Shen Yichen today in their entire lives.
The students were waiting and welcoming him at the middle gate. He was just a scholar. If he were to become the top scorer in the imperial examination one day, I'm afraid the whole world would look at him with awe.
