Chapter 5: The Prefectural Examination
April 2nd, the prefectural examination began.
Early in the morning, all the scholars preparing to take the exam had already gathered in front of the government office on East Street. The exam was held in the large courtyard to the right of the office.
The county magistrate, Xu Songwen, presided over this examination.
Luo Zijun had risen early. After having breakfast with his elder sister and brother-in-law, he was escorted to the government office by them. Along the way, his sister kept urging him not to be nervous.
“If you don’t pass this year, you can try again next year. You’re still young, no need to worry. After all, this is your first time, and you decided to take the exam quite suddenly, without much time to prepare…”
She then mentioned a neighbor who had taken over ten years to succeed, mainly trying to ease his mind.
His brother-in-law, Li Zhengshan, chimed in from the side, “Just treat it as an experience, and you might make some friends among the scholars.”
When the three arrived at the government office, they found it already crowded. Besides the candidates, there were their relatives and friends, as well as onlookers.
Luo Jiaorong suddenly ran into someone she knew.
Aunt Wang, who sold fruit on the neighboring street, had come with her whole family to accompany her nephew for the exam. Seeing Luo Jiaorong, she was surprised: “Jiaorong, isn’t that your brother? Is he sitting the prefectural exam today too? I thought he went to study medicine at the pharmacy?”
Luo Jiaorong smiled brightly and said, “He’s studying medicine, but he also likes reading, so he’s giving the exam a try.”
Her modest words were taken seriously by Aunt Wang.
She sized up Luo Zijun from head to toe and nodded, “Trying is good. Even if he doesn’t pass, it’s no problem. Hanging out with scholars might earn him some reputation. It’ll help when talking about future marriage prospects.”
Jiaorong’s smile faltered slightly.
Aunt Wang then pointed at a youth ahead and boasted, “Look, Jiaorong, that’s my nephew. He’s been smart since he was little, loves reading and calligraphy. The neighbors say he’s like the God of Literature descended. He’ll pass this exam with his eyes closed.”
Jiaorong glanced up. The youth was thin, with a slight hunch, and wore a sly expression as he sneaked looks at a woman’s shapely figure ahead. Compared to her brother, both in appearance and demeanor, he was worlds apart.
Aunt Wang continued bragging for a while before cheerfully walking away.
“Pfft!” After she left, Jiaorong curled her lip. “What’s there to be so proud of! That nephew looks more like a rat spirit coming out of a hole!”
Li Zhengshan told her to keep her voice down so no one would overhear.
Luo Zijun stifled a laugh and turned his gaze to the other candidates.
There were about thirty candidates, ranging from teenagers to men in their twenties and thirties, even two elderly men with white hair and beards.
Some people spent their entire lives unable to earn the title of scholar.
After about half an incense stick’s time had passed, a middle-aged man in a Confucian robe emerged from the government office and announced that the candidates could enter the exam hall.
The candidates lined up in front of the large courtyard to the right, one by one undergoing a search before entering.
“Zijun, don’t be nervous,” Luo Jiaorong said, trembling with anxiety as she tugged his hand while he queued.
Luo Zijun nodded silently and joined the line.
Soon the searches were completed.
Over thirty candidates entered the courtyard and found their seats according to their exam number cards.
Prefect Xu Songwen, accompanied by two examiners, arrived at the front stage of the courtyard.
He wore a scholar’s robe instead of an official’s uniform. Tall and well-maintained, with a broad face and no beard, he appeared to be in his forties. He carried no intimidating official aura, but rather exuded a refined and approachable demeanor.
Standing on the stage, he briefly explained the exam rules, offered some encouragement, and then announced the start of the exam.
The candidates had already prepared their ink.
Once the exam papers were distributed, they immediately began to read carefully.
Inside the courtyard, aside from the sound of flipping exam papers, there was silence.
Outside, the crowd was driven away by government clerks to a distant open space to avoid disturbing the candidates.
The prefectural exam was divided into two sessions.
Each session had three exam papers: one on literacy and sentence recognition, the simplest; one on basic arithmetic; and one on reading comprehension and essay writing, which required no ornate language, only clear expression to pass.
After all, this was just a preliminary exam.
Yet even this level of exam stumped many.
After scanning the papers, some candidates began answering immediately, while others frowned in thought.
The two elderly candidates, though knowing the answers, dared not be careless. They read each question repeatedly before carefully dipping their brushes, writing deliberately and cautiously, clearly nervous.
Luo Zijun finished reading the questions and began answering. He completed all three papers quickly.
Then he carefully reviewed them several times.
The questions posed no difficulty for him; the arithmetic problems were at a kindergarten level.
By this time, two candidates had already submitted their papers.
The time limit for both sessions was before late afternoon. Those who handed in their papers early could proceed directly to the second session.
After the two submitted, examiners came to distribute the second session’s papers.
Luo Zijun reviewed his papers once more before standing to submit them.
The papers were first handed to two examiners invited from the academy. After they reviewed and scored the papers, the papers were passed to the chief examiner, Xu Songwen.
The three graded the papers on the spot, so the results were prompt.
After submitting his papers, Luo Zijun faced the second session.
Again, three papers were given, similar in content to the first: literacy and sentence recognition, basic arithmetic, and reading comprehension with essay writing.
This time, the literacy and sentence recognition was more complex, requiring the candidates to write the meanings as well.
Luo Zijun finished quickly.
After three candidates submitted their papers and left the exam hall, he also stood to submit and prepare to leave.
At that moment, an examiner with a long beard under his chin on the right looked at him and asked, “Your name is Luo Zijun?”
Luo Zijun glanced at the nameplate before him and bowed respectfully, “Yes, sir.”
The man was Yang Kai, a teacher from Linfeng Academy.
Usually, only the chief examiner and the other two examiners could open the sealed papers to see candidates’ names after scoring.
Yang Kai had likely remembered Luo Zijun’s name after grading his paper, as he was the third to submit in the first session.
“Your answer to the last question in the first session was very interesting,” Yang Kai said, examining him. “Have you considered entering the academy?”
Generally, after passing the prefectural exam and achieving the junior scholar rank, candidates must pass the academy exam to become second-rank scholars before they can enter a prestigious academy to study.
At that stage, their social status would rise significantly along with many benefits.
Luo Zijun replied, “Of course I have.”
Yang Kai nodded and said no more, waving him off.
As Luo Zijun left, he overheard Prefect Xu Songwen laughing, “What, Brother Yang has taken a liking to this student? Planning to admit him exceptionally?”
Yang Kai chuckled, “I just found his answer to that question interesting. If he’s to be admitted, it will have to wait until he passes the academy exam. The two special admissions this year have already been given to others. There’s no chance for him now.”
Another examiner said, “I know those two; they’re the two prodigies from Tong County. Your Linfeng Academy is impressive, managing to beat West Lake Academy to the punch.”
Luo Zijun walked out and could no longer hear the conversation.