The next day, Xu Jin took a leave of absence for half a day in the afternoon, and went to the county government with Old Man Yu to handle the house transfer deed, and the two sides settled the silver on the spot, because it was a direct transaction between the buyer and the seller, so the intermediary fee was also saved, counting the house price and deed tax, Xu Jin spent a total of fifty-two taels of silver.

So, Xu insisted that the net worth of his classmates had changed back to a little more than eight taels of silver, and then he would renovate the store a little, and the remaining money was afraid that it was just enough to turnover, so I hope that the market will open smoothly and make money, otherwise I can only drink the northwest wind.

Because there was time left for Old Man Yu to vacate the house, the two parties agreed to complete the handover before the sixteenth day of the lunar month at the latest, so during the next period of time, Xu Jin settled down to study in the academy.

Time is inadvertently passing away, and the flavor of the New Year in the county is getting stronger and stronger.

In the twelfth year of Zhengde in the Ming Dynasty, on the 14th day of the lunar month, Xu Jin ushered in the second light snow after crossing to the Ming Dynasty, and also ushered in the first monthly routine examination of Xinjiang Academy. Starting from the 16th of the lunar month, the college will have an annual vacation, and the school will reopen on the 16th day of the first month of the second year, and the holiday will last for one month.

On the afternoon of the fifteenth day of the lunar month, Zhao Jiaoxi frowned tightly in Yile Hall, and there were eight articles made by Xu Jin in this routine examination on the desk, and the score rating was only "middle and lower", in other words, at this level, he could not pass the county examination at all.

Originally, before the exam, Zhao Mengyang was still full of confidence in himself, a new disciple, but who knew that the result of the exam was a big surprise. Xu Jin's trial poems and strategies are well written, and they have all received a "top" rating, but the eight-share article only got the "middle and lower", and the main thing to look at in the scientific examination is the eight-strand text, and even the Jingyi can't pass it, even if the score is high, don't think about passing.

At this time, Xu Jin walked into Yile Hall, came to Zhao Jiaoxi's desk and stood still: "Master Zhao, are you looking for a disciple?" ”

Zhao Mengyang nodded: "Xu Jin, this is your article for this routine exam, what do you think?" ”

Xu Jin glanced at the "middle and lower" of Zhu Bi on the scroll, although he had been mentally prepared, he was still a little embarrassed, and said, "The disciple is ashamed!" ”

Zhao Mengyang tapped the paper and said: "As a teacher, I am not afraid to say it directly, if you come back after the year and take the regular exam in January, your article is still at this level, or sharpen it for a while, and then take the county exam the year after tomorrow." ”

Although Zhao Jiaoxi said it tactfully, the subtext is obvious: With your current level, you are not qualified to participate in next year's county exam.

Xu Jinxiao has a good psychological quality, and at this time, he couldn't help but have a fever on his face, and nodded: "Keep in mind Master Zhao's teachings, the disciple will redouble his efforts." ”

Fang Xingsheng, who was sitting at the adjacent table, sneered: "The imperial examination relies on scriptures and righteous articles, and poetry couplets and so on are just small paths, no matter how good they are, they will not be useful." ”

Xu Jin was in the limelight at the last cold meeting, Fang Xingsheng was ridiculed behind his back, and he had already held his breath, and now he finally found an opportunity to demean Xu Jin, so he naturally won't let it go.

Zhao Mengyang's face suddenly gloomy, as the so-called own children can fight by themselves, but others can't touch them, Fang Xingsheng sarcastically mocked Xu Jin in public, Zhao Jiaoxi naturally didn't do it, and said lightly: "Xu Jin, your current level of Baguwen is indeed difficult to pass the county exam, but for the teacher, you only started to contact this aspect at the beginning of the month, so it is reasonable to get the "middle and lower", it is the so-called shame and courage, I hope that you can not relax during the holiday period, and strive to catch up." ”

Fang Xingsheng was suddenly choked speechless, Xu Jinruo only came into contact with Baguwen at the beginning of the month, and it has only been half a month now, and it is indeed good to be able to take the "middle and lower" level, and he also knows the level of his classmate Guo Baichuan very well, he has never passed the college examination in his life, and his own level is limited, how can he teach a high-level disciple.

"You take the paper back, reflect and summarize it yourself, well, and this is your senior brother Wei Yuanzheng's routine examination article, take it back and study it." Zhao Jiaoxi handed both volumes to Xu Jin.

Xu Jin glanced at the scroll of the senior brother Wei Yang, but when he saw the word "Shang" marked with a red pen on it, he couldn't help but sweat, the senior brother deserved to be the test master.

The ancient marking method does not give specific scores, and generally only gives grades, which are: upper (upper upper, upper and lower), middle (upper middle, middle and lower), lower, and the score is lower than "medium" means failing.

"Yes, students remember!" Xu Jin took the two volumes and withdrew from Yile Hall, secretly clenching his fists.

Xu Jin was about to go back to the lecture hall, and when he passed by the Moxiang Pavilion, he saw a group of students from the inner house, who were discussing the routine examination papers they had just sent back, and one of them was that Li Chen.

"Brother Li, this article has won "up and down", and the ranking is even higher than someone in the upper house, hey, the head of the county exam next year is none other than Brother Li! ”

"I wish Brother Li the first place in the county trial!"

Li Chen obviously did well in the exam this time, and all his classmates were complimenting him. Li Chen was modest, but he couldn't hide the color on his face, and his ugly face was raised high.

Xu Jin was about to walk over, but Li Chen in the pavilion saw him and shouted: "Isn't that Xu Dingding, who won the leader of the Cold Elimination Literary Association?" Everyone is discussing the article of this example exam, why don't you come in and talk about it? ”

Xu Jincai arched his hand and said, "There's still something to do!" "Go on.

"Why do you want to refuse people thousands of miles away, what you are holding in your hand is the paper of this routine exam? Wouldn't it be just right for everyone to see and learn! ”

Xu Jin didn't have a bird for him, and walked away.

"Hey, this Xu Jin is too blind, he doesn't even give Brother Li face!"

"He is the leader of the Wenhui, and the mountain chief has praised him, I heard that at that time, the mountain chief also joked that the county respected him as the head of the case!"

Li Chen sneered contemptuously: "As far as Xu Jin's level of Jingyi is concerned, he wants to win the first place in the county test, dream, do you know what score he got in this routine test?" ”

The scholars suddenly became interested, and hurriedly asked: "Brother Li has an inside story, don't sell it!" ”

Li Chen snorted and spit out two words: "Middle!" ”

"It's just in the middle, even I'm not as good!"

"I didn't expect Xu Dingding's poems to be so good, but the article was a mess!"

"Cut, what's the use of a high level of poetry, the head of this county test is none other than Brother Li!"

Li Chen stood proudly, although Xinjiang Academy is not a county school, but it represents the highest level of teaching in the county, Shangrao County over the years of the county examination, most of them are out of the Xinjiang Academy, so in Xinjiang Academy to get the first place, it is very likely to become the county examination.

……

On the night of the fifteenth day of the lunar month, light snow fell again in the lead-gray sky, and the snow chips drifted into thousands of homes like elves, making a small cracking sound.

The living room in the front yard of the Fei family is warm, the charcoal fire in the small red clay stove is booming, and there is a pot of wine on the stove, and the aroma of wine overflows.

Fei Hong, Fei Cai, and Zhao Jiaoxi sat opposite each other, with all kinds of dried fruits on the table and a plate of peanuts.

"Mengyang, now that there are thieves rampant near Leadshan County, and the public security is extremely poor, do you really plan to return to your hometown for the New Year?" Fei Cai asked with a worried face.

Zhao Jiaoxi and Fei Cai are fellow villagers and friends, and they are Jinshi in the same year, they are extremely familiar with each other, tomorrow the academy will be on holiday, Zhao Jiaoxi plans to leave for the New Year in his hometown in Leadshan County, so he specially came to Fei Mansion to sit down and talk tonight.

Zhao Mengyang took a sip and said helplessly: "There is a high hall at home, how can there be a reason not to return to the hometown for a son!" ”

As the so-called filial piety comes first, Fei Cai no longer persuaded when he heard this, and reminded: "Then Brother Mengyang should be more careful!" ”

Zhao Jiaoxi nodded: "I can reflect on myself, but you have to be more careful, King Ning's anti-intentions have been revealed, and he hates you to the core, and I am afraid that he will poison you again." ”

Fei Hong said calmly: "There is Lao Mengyang to remind, but Shangrao County is where Guangxin Mansion is located, the wall is high and the city is deep, and there are thousands of households not far from the city, even if King Ning is arrogant, he will never dare to send thieves to attack Shangrao County."

A few days ago, the old man received a letter from Governor Sun Sui, he had already asked for troops, believing that the banditry in Leadshan County would be pacified soon, and Governor Sun had also secretly made arrangements, and King Ning should not dare to act rashly. ”

Zhao Jiaoxi said happily: "Fortunately, there are people of insight such as Governor Sun to control the elbow, otherwise King Ning would be even more lawless." ”

Fei Cai sighed: "However, I am playing all day long, pampering traitorous ministers, if I listened to my eldest brother's advice that day and did not allow King Ning to restore the three guards, why would I be today." Fei asserts here that King Ning will rebel one day! ”

Fei Hong coughed lightly and said, "Zihe Shenyan!" ”

Fei Cai took a sip of the wine glass and took a sip gloomily, and after careful calculation, he and King Ning were brothers-in-law, because both of them married a daughter of Lou Liang, a great Confucian in Shangrao County.

It is precisely because of this relationship that King Ning wanted to persuade Fei Hong to agree to his restoration of Sanwei through Fei Cai, who was a cabinet scholar at that time and had a lot of power in his hands. However, Fei Cai understood the righteousness and did not go along with King Ning, but supported his eldest brother Fei Hong to obstruct King Ning's restoration of the three guards.

Because of this, King Ning hated Fei Hong and Fei Cai's brothers very much, and let the traitorous ministers slander Fei Hong, saying that he used his power for personal gain and left his cousin Fei Cai in the Hanlin Academy as an official.

Fei Hong was forced to be helpless, so he simply resigned and did not do it, and Fei Cai was also angry and resigned with his eldest brother to return to his hometown.

The three of them were silent for a moment, and Fei Hong diverted the topic and said: "Mengyang, the old man heard that Xu Jin is now under your door, and he became a sensation as soon as he entered the academy, and not long ago he won the leader of the Cold Cooling Literary Association. ”

Zhao Jiaoxi nodded and said: "That's true, Xu Jin's thinking is quick, and his poetry talent is beyond doubt, but he doesn't dare to compliment his level of scripture and righteousness!" ”

"Oh, what do you mean by that?" Fei Hong hurriedly asked, he had a very good impression of Xu Jin, and on the boat that day, Xu Jin and his wife helped a lot, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they saved dozens of members of the Fei family, so he was naturally grateful.

Zhao Mengyang shook his head and said: "In this month's regular examination, Xu Jin's trial poems and strategies have all been graded, but only the Jingyi article has passed the middle and lower grades. ”

Fei Hong and Fei Cai couldn't help frowning, this level can't pass the county test!

"I heard that Xu Jin was only a child in the village before, I am afraid that the level is limited, with Brother Mengyang's knowledge, and careful teaching in the future, Xu Jin will definitely be able to improve by leaps and bounds!" Fitzer Road.

Zhao Jiaoxi smiled bitterly: "Zi Hexiu has to wear a high hat, I don't have the ability to let Xu Jin pass the county exam next year, not to mention the start of annual leave, I will only come back from Leadshan County after the year, and I can only rely on himself for this month!" ”

Fei Hong pondered for a moment and said, "Zihe, you ask Maozhong to invite Xu Xiaoyou to sit at home tomorrow!" ”