When they arrived at the gate, however, Gongzi did not disperse.

  Then a man came forward, bowing his hands and saying: "Now that we are all successful candidates, our bond is not shallow. Although tomorrow we will be summoned to the imperial court, we must celebrate tonight. However, we cannot drink excessively. I am unworthy, but I wish to invite all of you elder brothers to join in the celebration."

  Fang Xin looked up and saw that it was Cao Fei Bo, who topped the list of tribute scholars this time.

  This person's article, Fang Xin doesn't know, but as for the tone, it's not necessarily top-notch, however that's just normal. Only by using jade-like intentions can one grasp some subtleties. If everyone in this world were like this, then this world would have long been an abnormal world - let's just forget about learning other skills and focus on fortune-telling instead.

  Everyone present nodded in agreement and said: "That's right, that's right!"

  August is a golden autumn, and it's time to congratulate the new jinshi. Outside the capital, there is Bibo Lake, formed by the convergence of tributaries from the Liujiang River, stretching 16 miles long, with misty waves rippling in the spring and autumn seasons, especially renowned for its beauty.

  Of course, along the river, they are all brothels. However, not many brothels can have several floors and a large boat that can accommodate hundreds of people at once. Those with flower boats that can accommodate dozens of people are relatively more common, while ordinary brothels only have small boats that can accommodate a few people.

  Sixty gentlemen, naturally had to board the painted barge. As soon as they arrived at the destination, they already heard the sound of silk and bamboo instruments. The singing girls were on the deck, singing a welcoming tune, their skirts fluttering, smiling and charming, turning around with elegance, bringing great joy to the gentlemen.

  "Gentlemen, it is our honor that you have come to our Dongxiao Pavilion!" A woman in her thirties stepped forward to greet them.

  Sixty scholars, immediately went up to the second floor of the painted barge. Only then did they realize that this space was extremely large, with a spacious great hall that could accommodate over a hundred people. After everyone had taken their seats, Cao Shibei said: "Fellow students, I have a proposal! Since it's already noon and we've only eaten some noodles, I suppose none of you are full yet. Shall we start the banquet now?"

  The gentlemen naturally did not object, in fact they just tasted a mouthful of the noodles. Someone just took a bite and shouted that it was good.

  Since that's the case, let's have a feast immediately. Actually, all the dishes are already prepared. A moment later, beautiful maidservants like clouds came up with sumptuous wine and dishes. Cao Fei Bo followed the rules and asked each of the tribute scholars to take their seats one by one.

  This ranking is very heavy, first of all. The first class has ten people as the center, secondly, it's the second class, and thirdly, it's the third class. However, within each class, consideration is also given to the order of names and age, which is very thoughtful.

  Banquet. Naturally, it is a single-seat system, with one table per person.

  However, after a while, some charming women entered the scene and sat down with them. They not only served as waitresses pouring wine and serving dishes but also as beautiful playthings to be toyed with at will. Lin Lei

  More than a dozen geishas floated out from the side door like colorful butterflies, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the drums.

  Among them, a woman sang and danced lightly, her voice sweet and charming, with a unique charm that captivated everyone. They all cheered and shouted "good". Fang Xin looked somewhat puzzled and asked: "Who is this girl?" Li Nian said with a smile: "It seems you don't understand the ways of the flower and willow, you should come more often in the future. This is Liu Yanwen, one of the three top courtesans of Dong Xiao Pavilion. Being able to invite her to perform on stage is also a way of showing respect to our local face." Below him, Gong Shi Zhi Cheng chuckled as he spoke.

  "I'm really not sure, please enlighten me, brother Qian. Who are these three big red cards?" In this world, the social atmosphere is open and free, and literary men take pride in being romantic and elegant, drinking wine and playing with beauties is indeed a refined thing, so Fang Xin can naturally speak freely about it.

  "Yanwen Liu and Ziyuan Luo were equally famous, their names shaking the sixteen-mile green waves, but Yulin Yu was even more exceptional. Yanwen Liu and Ziyuan Luo were pillars of the Dongxiao Pavilion, but the Upper Bright Tower, Lower Eternal Tower, and East Screen Pavilion also had red plaques with rivals. Only Yulin Yu, whether in appearance or talent, could surpass all the others, she was the number one of the sixteen-mile green waves lake. Just a casual glance at her was worth a thousand pieces of gold!" Qi Zhicheng said with relish.

  "Oh, but she's just a woman after all. What makes her think she can hold herself up in such a grand manner? This Kyoto is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, what makes this woman think she can stand out like that?" Fang Xin asked, which meant: "This woman is just a prostitute, what makes her so arrogant?"

  "It's true, among the imperial relatives and high-ranking officials in Kyoto, even they can't use force. I wonder how this wind blew. Qi Zhicheng was also puzzled and said: "I heard she is very close to Prince An, maybe it's because of his protection?"

  Fang Xin was skeptical. The grandeur of Kyoto was such that even the king himself could hardly cover the sky with one hand, and if this woman was truly a national treasure, it would be difficult to keep her safe.

  But that's enough said, for now the crowd is on a boat listening to music, reciting poetry and composing essays. Among the tribute scholars, they became familiar with each other through this, after all, in the future they will be serving in the same court, and their relationship as fellow students of the same year can also develop into a valuable personal connection.

  However, although everyone was very happy, the next morning was the day of the imperial audience, so an hour later, all the tribute scholars had dispersed, and no one was drunk - if they were affected by tomorrow's imperial audience, it would be a disaster.

  They returned to the inn, but saw everyone busy moving. Zheng Chengyi and Fang Xin were dumbfounded at this sight, and their earlier excitement also dissipated.

  When they returned to the dormitory, they saw Zhu Mingyi and Zou Lixing, both of whom had packed their things and were waiting to say goodbye before moving out.

  "Why are you two so fast?"

  "There's no way, the imperial court has an order, those who have not been selected must move out of the post house tonight, rather than waiting to be rushed out and losing dignity. Otherwise, we can leave now." Zhu Ming seemed to have recovered, he smiled and said: "The two of us are waiting, just wanting to bid farewell to you two."

  Although the sun is shining brightly, the whole inn feels gloomy and desolate, a sense of sadness and disappointment fills every person, even every courtyard - every year, three thousand people take the imperial examination, but only sixty pass, the other two thousand nine hundred people are all going to return from where they came.

  "Brother Zhu, don't worry about it, there's luck in the examination hall, come back in three years and you'll surely pass." Fang said comfortingly.

  "Haha, in less than three years, I'll be ready to live in the Imperial Capital. I've already found a house and some fellow students to live with, right in Dongkangfang, East Imperial City. The environment is pretty good." Zhu Mingyi said with a smile, then bid farewell with a bow.

  Zou Lixing didn't make a sound, only forcing a smile. Fang Xin noticed that his expression was somewhat off, so he paid extra attention and found some things to do before sending Zheng Chengyi away and talking to him.

  The two of them walked for a while before Zou Lixing suddenly said, "I'm going back to my hometown tomorrow and probably won't be coming back to the capital to take the imperial examination again."

  Fang Xian remained silent, and then heard Zou Lixing sigh and say: "Actually, in talking with the three thousand scholars from all over the country here, I have a feeling that those who can come here are all the best of their province or county. Even in our own institute, there are more than half of the people whose literary talent is above mine. Now, taking the exam with gritted teeth, it's just to try one's luck, hoping to pass. Now that I've failed and my name is not on the list, I'm clear-headed again. Besides, coming to Beijing once costs as much as what my brother earns in a year, how can we do this every time? My brother has a wife and children too!"

  "Fang Xin could only say, 'Zou brother, why worry about the land and money? A gentleman has a duty to give away wealth. Moreover, we are friends. Just come to my house and take it. Next year, read more and you will surely pass.'"

  Zou Lixing shook his head, his tone dim and said: "If it's just for the money, if it's just that I'm talented but temporarily unlucky, then I'll take it with a thick face. But I have limited talent, every day studying hard, in the past few years even reading until vomiting blood, now this level, I've already done my best, and thinking of making progress is difficult, even if there's money to go to Beijing, once every three years, it's also a waste, really waiting for this elusive luck? Among the three thousand candidates who go to Beijing every three years, which one doesn't have luck and numbers, when will it be my turn?"

  This, Fang Xin truly had nothing to say. Indeed, Zou Li Xing's bitterness in reading books was truly the first in Jiang Fu. He deeply knew that every book he read was brought about by his mother and wife's hard work and sacrifice, and also deeply knew how much his older brother had sacrificed for him. Thus, he had once read to the point of vomiting blood, a degree which had already reached his limits, and further reading would be in vain.

  "What will you do when you go back?" Fang Xin asked.

  "After all, I am a scholar, so I will go and take the ninth rank of instructor. It should still be possible. The court treats scholars generously, and I don't fear losing face. In the future, teaching students is also a great virtue. If one studies successfully, after several decades, being able to write a book can also be considered establishing a reputation." Zou Lixing's spirit shook, saying: "I only know how to read books, if it were some other official position, I fear I wouldn't be able to do it, so following this path is relatively better."

  In the great Chu, schools were established, and at the county level, there were educational officials. They basically taught two people, with an official rank of junior ninth grade, instructing one person, with a regular ninth-grade rank, managing the studies of middle school students in the county, also presiding over the examination of children.

  At the prefectural (municipal) level, there is one Prefectural School Inspector, of rank 7, and at the provincial level, there is one Educational Commissioner, of rank 5, subordinate to the Ministry of Rites.

  Zou Lixing was a juren, in one prefecture, there were fewer than six or seven counties, and more than ten counties. Therefore, it is not difficult to supplement the ninth-grade county teaching instructor. However, according to the rules, once supplemented, they cannot take the imperial examination again, and promotion is very difficult. Some people may only be promoted to a seventh-grade academic official in their old age, which is also one of the reasons why many juren are willing to stagnate rather than supplement this official position.

  Fang Xin listened and sighed, then took out a letter worth 50 taels of silver and said: "Zou brother, don't pretend to be poor. I know you're currently penniless and on your way back home, the journey will also cost tens of taels of silver. Moreover, there's still an illness that needs to be treated. Even if you return home, becoming a government official is not easy, and even small matters require spending some silver. It's better for me to decline."

  Zou Lixing did not decline this time, but instead accepted it and said thank you.

  In fact, he has been penniless until now. If he had won the Gongshi award, he wouldn't have to worry, as there would be many people willing to lend him money. However, this is not an option for him now, after all, he is in the capital city, not his hometown.

  Really no money, how to go back? So he took it down, after taking it down, some shameless, said a few words, and bid farewell.

  Watching him leave, Fang Xin felt a bit sentimental, but also somewhat relieved. After all, Zou Li Xing had not yet reached the end of his rope. Some people knew they didn't have great talent or background, yet still hoped to get lucky, so they kept taking exams for dozens of years - what was the point of that?

  Even if I'm lucky enough to succeed in the future, life will be over, what's the point?

  Zou Lixing's move is wise to some extent.