Chapter 1035: Chapter 1034: Autumn Examination

After disembarking from the ship, the two scholars thanked everyone profusely and, knowing that Song Chongjin had not yet secured a hotel room, eagerly invited him to stay with them.

They had already reserved a courtyard with several people, so squeezing in two more wouldn’t be a problem.

Song Chongjin, insisting he had his own lodgings, managed to politely decline.

Arriving at the place recommended by Imperial Doctor Du, it was indeed a small courtyard, peaceful amidst the bustle.

It was clean and fully equipped.

An elderly couple who managed the property quickly prepared hot water and a meal upon seeing Song Chongjin and Yang Zongbao arrive.

Once Song Chongjin was settled, he went out to meet those close classmates from Changqing Academy.

Yang Zongbao already knew which hotel they were staying at and led him directly there.

Seeing Song Chongjin, the classmates breathed a sigh of relief. With exams approaching, they feared he wouldn’t make it since he had returned to the countryside, missing it would mean another three-year wait.

Seeing him in person now, they were reassured.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Song Chongjin learned that Qingzhou Prefecture was indeed bustling, nearly all inns were full, and many households had also rented out rooms.

More scholars were expected to arrive, and some might have nowhere to stay, ending up lodging in temples outside the city.

These Changqing Academy classmates didn’t arrive late but still couldn’t book any good lodgings, daily comings and goings nearly prevented any peaceful study.

Upon hearing this, Song Chongjin generously invited them to his courtyard, offering peace and quiet.

No outsiders would disturb them, allowing for study and mutual discussion—it could hardly be better.

Everyone knew Song Chongjin was sincere, not just offering empty words; his invitation was genuine.

However, understanding the courtyard was borrowed from Song Chongjin, they agreed to study there during the day and return to the inn at night.

Though bustling, inns had their advantages too, namely a source of various news.

The group agreed that with more studying together during the day, Yang Zongbao, experienced and shrewd, paid Five Taels of Silver to the elder couple managing the property for additional meals, as compensation for groceries.

The couple, delighted with this unexpected bonus, agreed wholeheartedly.

Each day they prepared clean meals, for which the classmates were both grateful and embarrassed, ultimately pooling together some Silver as a fee for meals.

Though Song Chongjin didn’t mind the small expense, he knew his classmates weren’t ones to take advantage.

He accepted it with a smile.

Soon it was August the ninth, marking the start of the Autumn Examinations.

The examinations spanned three sessions on August ninth, August twelfth, and August fifteenth, each lasting three days.

Although August remained hot during the day, evenings began to cool with night breezes.

For fear of cheating using concealed notes, candidates weren’t allowed to wear padded clothing.

Wang Yongzhu had inquired beforehand, and with Old Granny Zhang’s experience, early preparations were made for Song Chongjin, including several single-layer robes for the cooler nights to prevent catching cold.

Oilcloth was prepared to shield against wind and rain in case of inclement weather.

Each examinee had to bring their own food, and because of the heat, it was risky to bring cooked meals, lest they spoil within a day.

Most brought provisions to tide them over for a few days.

The old woman from the courtyard adeptly made dried pancakes, thus sparing Song Chongjin the trouble.

In addition to bringing his own mushroom sauce, Song Chongjin also packed two taels of tea leaves, a small red clay stove, a small teapot, flint, and a small basket of charcoal.

Upon entering the examination room, there was a designated place to put the stove and teapot for boiling water.

Initially, Song Chongjin hadn’t planned on bringing these himself, but Wang Yongzhu insisted, having heard the academy’s water came from a shared tank of uncertain cleanliness.

Drinking unsafe water could upset one’s stomach and jeopardize everything.

It was better to be cautious and avoid any potential issues.

Song Chongjin agreed upon hearing this, acknowledging the wisdom and prepared everything Wang Yongzhu listed.

As he queued to enter the examination venue, Song Chongjin initially thought carrying such a large basket was excessive but upon seeing his surroundings, realized he was naive.

Others had brought bedding, some carried frying pans with cooking oil, salt, and soy sauce, resembling a cook-off rather than a Graduate examination.

Some brought young servants and maids, everyone typically carrying large baskets, as they were to stay for three days and two nights.

Families with means spared no expense, nearly moving their household inside to ensure their candidate was duly supported.

Families of modest means also did their best, bringing treasured dried pancakes they seldom enjoyed.

Yang Zongbao escorted Song Chongjin to the entrance of The Imperial Academy, where a few meticulous clerks thoroughly checked belongings, confiscating any disallowed or banned items.

Song Chongjin, open and honest, submitted to inspection, reminding Yang Zongbao, “Uncle, come pick me up in three days.”

After a thorough check, Song Chongjin carried nothing disallowed or banned, and was granted a number badge for entry.

Inside, using the badge number, he located his room, fortunately neither too far forward nor back, shielded under a tree from the sun.

Setting down his belongings, Song Chongjin first arranged the stove, kettle, and such, then scattered the snake and insect repellent medicine given by Imperial Doctor Du, arranged his writing tools, fetched a pot of water, and waited while quietly seated.

When time arrived, the gates of The Imperial Academy closed tightly, guards thundering like wolves secure the area, ensuring no one could enter or leave.

Within the rooms, examiners distributed paper to each candidate, then proceeded slowly past each room showing exam questions to them.

Throughout The Imperial Academy, apart from the examiners’ footsteps, the silence was palpable, candidates focused intensely, fearing missing even a single word of the exam questions.

Once examiners had completed their round, some candidates began grinding ink and laying out paper to start answering.

Song Chongjin, however, did not rush; first, he transcribed the questions onto draft paper, contemplating thoughtfully while his hands remained busy.

He lit the stove, poured some water from the kettle for later ink preparation, then placed the rest on the stove to boil, grinding ink while awaiting the water to heat.

When the ink was ground, the water had boiled; he placed two pinches of tea leaves, releasing a fragrant aroma, clearing the mind.

The enticing tea aroma caught the eyes of patrolling examiners; even some candidates, unable to resist, peeked out and were admonished back inside.

With an unhurried manner, Song Chongjin brought the teapot to the table; after a moment of consideration, he began writing intently.