CH 2

Today is the day for the county exam to select Child Scholars. Fang Yun is a candidate, but he is full of despair about his future.

Fang Yun is a typical poor scholar.

Those aristocratic families, famous families, prominent families, and even the top students of the Confucian Academy, they do not have to worry about food and drink, nor do they have to worry about their family's livelihood, but Fang Yun does.

They can go directly to the best schools and academies, but Fang Yun cannot.

They can hire any teacher they want and consult them whenever they want, but Fang Yun cannot.

They can buy any books they want, such as annotations, commentaries, collections, etc., even without buying them, but Fang Yun cannot.

For poor scholars like Fang Yun, just being alive is already difficult enough, and being able to read some books is already the limit. As for what it means to be on the gold list, to have a brilliant youth, and to have a wonderful life, they are all beyond the scope of poor scholars.

Fang Yun involuntarily clenched his fists.

Later, Fang Yun realized that he was in dire straits, and the most critical issue now was not worrying about his family's reaction after his death, but survival.

Just last night, the original Fang Yun was beaten to death by four masked men on his way home.

"Who wanted to kill that Fang Yun?"

Fang Yun quickly thought of the only possibility.

Before Qingming Festival, Fang Yun had taken his child bride sister Yu Huan to the Wuhou Temple fifty miles away to burn incense, praying for Military Marquis Zhuge Liang to bless him to pass the county exam and become a Child Scholar.

On the way back, they met a man riding in a carriage.

The man smiled and asked for directions to Wuhou Temple, and Fang Yun politely pointed the way.

Who knew that after thanking Fang Yun, the man started chatting and introduced himself as Liu Zicheng, a talented scholar who had passed the county exam three years ago, and he was from the famous and prominent Liu family in the capital city. His elder brother was very remarkable, he was the number one scholar in last year's Jiangzhou county exam, that is, the top scorer.

Being from a famous family alone was not a big deal, but all the scholars in the capital city knew that the Liu family in Dayuan Prefecture had a distant relative with great power, the Left Chancellor Liu Shan, who was the head of the four cabinet ministers in Jing Kingdom's internal cabinet. He was a loyal minister entrusted by the former emperor, and some even said that half of Jing Kingdom's officials were Liu Shan's former students and friends.

Fang Yun's biggest wish was just to pass the county exam and become a Child Scholar. As for becoming an Accomplished Scholar by passing the prefectural exam, it was a dream that was beyond his reach. Liu Zicheng, who was polite and extraordinary, was an enviable Talented Scholar, so Fang Yun was completely unprepared and answered whatever Liu Zicheng asked.

Afterwards, Fang Yun asked Liu Zicheng how to take the county exam, and Liu Zicheng imparted his knowledge generously. Fang Yun was extremely grateful.

When Fang Yun learned that Liu Zicheng had been to one of the Three Great Sacred Places, "Book Mountain," and even climbed to the second floor, Fang Yun respected Liu Zicheng even more.

Later, Liu Zicheng asked his carriage to send Fang Yun and Yu Huan home. The two scholars talked happily along the way, and even called each other brothers.

That night, Liu Zicheng stayed at Fang's home and talked all night by candlelight, making Fang Yun even more grateful.

The next day, Liu Zicheng left twenty taels of silver and a letter, saying that he felt a kinship with Fang Yun and hoped that Fang Yun would accept the silver. If he really did not want to accept it, he could return it after he passed the county exam.

After reading the letter, Fang Yun thought that Liu Zicheng was a true gentleman. However, he gave the silver to Yu Huan and asked her to keep it. He was determined not to use someone else's silver.

But Yu Huan said that Liu Zicheng seemed to have ulterior motives, and Fang Yun was so angry that he rebuked Yu Huan for thinking the worst of a gentleman.

Later, Liu Zicheng came a few times and gave Fang Yun some books, and their friendship deepened.

Yu Huan had said twice that she did not like Liu Zicheng, but Fang Yun rebuked her both times, and she never said it again.

Until one day, when Yu Huan went out to buy vegetables, she encountered some ruffians. Liu Zicheng happened to pass by and used the power of the Treasures of Literature, the "Mountain and River Brush," to kill more than ten ruffians with a sword, saving Yu Huan and making Fang Yun grateful to tears.Just half a month ago, Liu Zicheng talked about Fang Yun's attitude towards Yu Huan, even pointing out that Fang Yun's family background would only harm Yu Huan.

Fang Yun also felt indebted to Yu Huan, saying that he was sorry for her, so even though his relatives had been persuading him, he did not enter the bridal chamber with Yu Huan. He vowed to marry Yu Huan in a grand manner once he passed the imperial examination.

Liu Zicheng asked Fang Yun how confident he was in becoming a Child Scholar. If he wanted to be successful, he had to at least become a Presented Scholar. How confident was he in becoming a Presented Scholar?

Fang Yun fell silent.

So, Liu Zicheng said he was willing to take Yu Huan as a concubine and was willing to offer a dowry of two thousand taels of silver.

Fang Yun looked at Liu Zicheng in surprise, but still did not realize Liu Zicheng's true intentions.

Just then, Yu Huan came out and explained what had happened.

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It turned out that every time Liu Zicheng came, he would deliberately flatter and get close to Yu Huan. Yu Huan said this, but Fang Yun did not believe her. So, Yu Huan tricked Liu Zicheng, saying that if he could persuade Fang Yun, she would marry him as a concubine.

Liu Zicheng fell for the trick, Fang Yun suddenly woke up, cursed Liu Zicheng, and threw out the silver notes and various things that Liu Zicheng had given him.

Liu Zicheng became angry and threatened Fang Yun that if he did not sell Yu Huan to him as a concubine before the county exam, he would make sure Fang Yun could never become a Child Scholar in his lifetime.

Fang Yun remembered Liu Zicheng's words. "Giving face but having no shame! This young master wanted to make a good story by taking Yu Huan as a concubine. Liu Zicheng helps poor scholars, and the poor scholar entrusts the beautiful child bride to him! I have already told my brother that I will marry a beautiful concubine. If he likes me, I can give her to him. If you don't agree now, how can I face him! If Yu Huan does not agree before the county exam, don't blame me for using force! In Jing Kingdom, my family has the final say!"

After saying this, Liu Zicheng left with a laugh. Fang Yun could not forget Liu Zicheng's laughter and Yu Huan's words. "I, Yang Yuhuan, was born into the Fang family, and my death will be the Fang family's soul!"

However, there was deep helplessness, sadness, and even a hint of despair in Yang Yuhuan's eyes. That Fang Yun was only ashamed and moved, but now when he thought back to the scene at that time, Yang Yuhuan had a kind of tragic heroic spirit!

Fang Yun felt a headache, touched his head, and let out a low groan. He had been hit on the head.

"Since I am still alive, Liu Zicheng will definitely continue to seek revenge! I can't escape now. The only way is to become a Child Scholar through the county exam. With fame and status, he will never dare to kill me in Jixian! The Child Scholar is only equivalent to 'reserve talent,' while the Accomplished Scholar is the basic talent, so the county exam is the simplest, only testing 'Please the Holy Words' and 'Poetry.' As for 'Classics' and 'Policies,' they will be tested later."

"The imperial examination in the Holy Academy mainland is different from ancient China, but since I'm already here, I'll just have to accept it."

Fang Yun thought to himself, walking out of the alley. His injuries were too severe, his whole body was in pain, and his clothes were soaked, making him feel particularly uncomfortable. But he gritted his teeth and persisted.

As he walked out of the alley, Fang Yun met a familiar person,  Duan Hu, who was four or five years older than him and worked with him at a restaurant.

Fang Yun was about to smile and greet him, but Duan Hu hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Go home and see. Something happened at your house."

Duan Hu wanted to say more, but the boss of the auspicious Ji Xiang restaurant, who was five steps away, shouted, "Little Hu, are you itching for a beating? Go buy some vegetables. If you're late, I'll break your legs!"

Duan Hu sighed helplessly, made a gesture to Fang Yun to be careful, and left.

Fang Yun did not expect that something had happened at his own home. He did not have time to argue with the restaurant boss and quickened his pace.But who knew that the shopkeeper Zhen would gloat and shout, "I told you three years ago that I could buy your Xi Shi of Jiang State and you could study . Now look at you! You can't even get a penny with the Lius from Dayuan Prefecture watching you! We only have two prominent families in our county, and neither of them is a prestigious family. The Liu family is a prestigious family, and they don't spare anyone. Look at all the injuries on you. Did the Lius do this to you?"

Shopkeeper Zhen, dressed in a green official's robe and a black melon hat, was in his early forties, with one wife and two concubines, and was a cruel person. Because his surname and the word "needle" have the same sound, the waiters in the restaurant call him "Needle-Eyed" behind his back.

Once, Fang Yun saw that Yang Yuhuan was too thin and weak, so he stole some leftover meat from the customers and wanted to give it to her. However, Shopkeeper Zhen found out and snatched the meat away, throwing it on the ground and kicking it to the dogs in the courtyard.

"Not even for you! Give it to the dog!" Shopkeeper Zhen sneered at Fang Yun.

Fang Yun still remembered the contemptuous look in Shopkeeper Zhen's eyes when he spoke.

Fang Yun suppressed his anger and continued walking forward.

Shopkeeper Zhen gloated, "Do you think I hired you as a waiter because you're capable? It's because of my interest in Yuhuan. Unfortunately, Yuhuan is obsessed and always keeps her distance from me, so I took it out on you. Since you offended the prestigious Liu family, I can't afford to provoke them. You're fired!"

Fang Yun stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at Shopkeeper Zhen coldly. "Then please pay me the remaining wages," he said.

"You offended the prestigious Liu family, and my restaurant may be targeted by them. I'm not asking you to compensate me, but you still want your wages? Get lost! If you dare to come to my Lucky Restaurant again, I'll break your dog legs!" Shopkeeper Zhen glared at Fang Yun viciously.

Fang Yun stared back at Shopkeeper Zhen in anger and said, "I remember your words. You owe me wages today, and you will pay me back a thousand times in the future!" Then he left.

"Fool, talking big without fear of losing face!" Shopkeeper Zhen sneered and went into the restaurant.

Fang Yun gritted his teeth and walked quickly, wanting to go home and see what was going on, and then take his brush and ink to take the exam. If he couldn't become a Child Scholar, Liu Zicheng would undoubtedly make a second attempt within three days!

As long as he became a Child Scholar, Fang Yun would be temporarily safe. Even if Liu Zicheng was a prestigious family, he wouldn't dare to kill a Child Scholar in Jixian County.

Fang Yun didn't care about the eyes of passers-by, and as he walked, he digested the new memories he had acquired. He found that there was a big difference between Holy Origin Mainland and ancient China. With the emergence of talent and the chaos caused by the Demon Barbarians, practicality obviously prevailed.

For example, scholars here usually write in regular and running scripts, but when they use "paper discussions," they will use simpler cursive scripts to complete them quickly, resulting in the continuous simplification of cursive scripts over hundreds of years.

The imperial examination system here is also very different. The imperial examination system on Earth began in the Sui Dynasty, but here it began in the Han Dynasty, seven to eight hundred years earlier. Moreover, the imperial examination is not held every three years, but every year.

Holy Origin Mainland is also much larger than China, with a total of ninety states, and each state is equivalent to a province.

Fang Yun quickly realized that his extra memories not only included memories of Holy Origin Mainland, but also some books he had never read before, such as "The Complete Collection of Ancient Palace Examination Papers," "Spring and Autumn Annals of Gu Liang," "Guide to the Perplexed," "Zhu Xi's Five Classics and Language Categories," "Three Character Classic," "Complete Tang Poems," and so on.