Do you know: I, a commoner prime minister

Chapter 57 Joy and Worry

The two could only wait at a nearby restaurant while their attendants went to check the list.

Xiao Wu was Guan Yan's attendant. He had grown up with Guan Yan since childhood and could read.

Guan Yan nodded in deep agreement and said, "I think we should follow the example of the imperial examination and release the results; that would be much more convenient."

"How could that be? How would the special status of passing the imperial examination be reflected then?" Zhou An shook his head.

The results of the county-level, township-level, and metropolitan-level examinations were all posted directly, and candidates had to go and check them themselves.

The announcement of the results of the palace examination was different; the names would be called out outside the Donghua Gate.

Before taking the palace examination, candidates would be enthroned at their residence in Bianjing.

When the names were called out, there would be yamen runners waiting. After each name was called out, a yamen runner would go to the person's residence to announce the good news.

When the yamen runners announced the good news, they would shout out the candidates' names and rankings even when they were still some distance from their residences.

After the messenger leaves to announce the good news, people from the neighborhood will come to gather around and offer their congratulations.

"Too!"

Guan Yan looked expectant and said, "Master Han once said that only those whose names are called out at Donghua Gate are true men."

If one passes the provincial examination, one can go to the capital to participate in the metropolitan examination the following year. Even if one fails, one can still see the names being called at the Donghua Gate.

"Didn't Dekuan live in Bianjing for a few years? How come he didn't go to see it?" Zhou An asked in surprise.

Guan Yan shook his head and said, "When I went to Bianjing, the imperial examination had just ended. I stayed in Bianjing for more than two years and missed the next imperial examination."

"That's a bit of a pity, but with De Kuan's talent, he should be able to pass the exam this time," Zhou An said with a smile.

"Then let's take Huai De's good wishes!" Guan Yan laughed heartily.

The two chatted for nearly an hour before Shi Tou and Xiao Wu returned.

They were all disheveled and looked a little embarrassed, but their expressions were very excited.

"Young master, you have passed the exam!"

Xiao Wu exclaimed excitedly, "You're ranked seventy-third!"

"De Kuan, congratulations!" Zhou An smiled and offered his congratulations.

Although the provincial examination did not directly rank candidates, everyone except the top-ranked candidate, the Jieyuan, had the same ranking.

But all the test takers know that the position of their name indicates their ranking.

Thank you!

Guan Yan tried hard to control his excitement and said with a smile, "Shi Tou looks delighted; it seems Huai De also has good news!"

"Young master, you also passed the exam, ranking thirty-first."

Stone's voice was already loud, but it became even louder when he was excited, like a thunderclap in Zhou An's heart, leaving him unable to recover for a long time.

"Huai De, now you should say congratulations!"

Guan Yan said happily, "I knew that with Huai De's talent and learning, he would definitely pass the exam."

Congratulations to you both!

Zhou An snapped out of his daze and a bright smile appeared on his face.

He didn't have high hopes for this provincial examination, especially after learning that the essay questions were set by Hu Yuan, he completely gave up hope.

Zhou An didn't know much about Hu Yuan, but he had learned some things about him from Guan Yan.

Hu Yuan entered officialdom through the recommendation of Fan Da Xiang Gong, a relationship that was almost second only to that between father and son and teacher and student.

The relationships between fathers and sons, and teachers and students, are bound together by blood ties, kinship, morality, and etiquette, completely binding them together.

The relationship of recommendation is one where both parties suffer.

If the person making the recommendation makes a minor mistake, the recommender may not be held accountable.

However, if the person who made the recommendation commits a serious mistake, the recommender will also be held jointly liable.

Those who are recommended, once they enter officialdom, are essentially already labeled by the other party.

Therefore, in officialdom, unless there is mutual benefit, people will not easily recommend others.

And once a recommendation is made, it must be someone who shares the same ideals.

In his foreign policy, Lord Fan has always been primarily defensive.

Guan Yan had previously mentioned that Hu Yuan had assisted Fan Da Xiang Gong in arranging the defenses of the northwest of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After learning that it was Hu Yuan who set the strategy question, Zhou An understood that the real purpose of the question was to use Shang Yang's reforms as a pretext to discuss the long-standing problems of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

His article did not align with Fan Da Xiang Gong's defensive thinking, nor did it address long-standing problems or reforms, so it certainly did not suit Hu Yuan's taste.

Unexpectedly, not only was he on the list, but he also ranked quite high.

Thirty-one out of the top 100 in this provincial examination is already quite a high number.

"I never imagined that even Huai De could be overcome with emotion!"

Seeing Zhou An's excited expression, Guan Yan couldn't help but laugh and tease him.

He had only known Zhou An for half a month, but Zhou An gave him a very calm and composed feeling.

It seems like they don't care about anything, but it's not the kind of indifference that comes from being without desires or wants; rather, it's the indifference that comes from seeing through everything.

"Haha, I'm human too. It's perfectly normal to have moments when I can't control my emotions."

Zhou An laughed and said, "I'm so happy today, I'll treat Dekuan to a good drink at the Tofu House! After trying all the Tongzhou delicacies with you, I still think the Tofu House is the best!"

"Huai De is right. Of all the restaurants in Tongzhou, Doufulou is indeed the best."

Guan Yan first nodded in agreement, then shook his head and said, "However, the dishes at Doufulou are not suitable for drinking. If you want to drink, you should go to the upper floors."

The osmanthus wine served at Denggaolou is absolutely delicious, and its name is also very fitting. What do you think, Huai De?

"De Kuan's words are very good, let's go climb the tower!" Zhou An clapped his hands and cheered.

Having set their goal, the two immediately left the restaurant and headed to the top floor.

The tower was not far from here, but the two men and their entourage could not walk there.

"Oh, isn't this the third young master Guan Dekuan? I wonder if he passed the exam today?"

Just as the group of four arrived outside the Denggao Tower, they were greeted by several young men.

The young man leading the group held a folding fan in front of his chest in a flamboyant manner, fanning himself slightly.

Keep in mind that it's only early April, and the weather isn't hot yet.

Because of the provincial examination, there were many scholars in Tongzhou City, but I didn't see many carrying folding fans.

"My name is Guan Dekuan, but I'm not as 'rule-bound' as you."

Guan Yan said calmly, "But I'm sorry to disappoint you, I passed the exam by sheer luck."

"Isn't this just me being concerned about Brother Dekuan?"

When the young master heard that Guan Yan had passed the exam, his expression did not change. Instead, he smiled and said, "De Kuan had better be prepared. When I came here just now, I heard many scholars say that this year's imperial examination was unfair. If this gets back to the capital, the court may send someone to re-examine the papers."

Whether Brother Dekuan will still be on the list by then is hard to say!

"That's none of your concern, Li Laosan!"

Guan Yan, too lazy to waste words with him, called out, "Huai De, let's go!"

"Hmph, let you be smug for now. Wait until the imperial court actually sends someone over, then let's see if you can still laugh!" Li Mu sneered as he watched Guan Yan enter the restaurant.

The young men who came with him didn't dare to speak. Although they were trying to curry favor with Li Mu, they couldn't afford to offend Guan Yan either.

.........

Guan Yan requested a private room, ordered several specialty dishes, and sent the waiter away.

"Huai De, I'm sorry you had to see this!"

"What are you saying, Dekuan? It's just that with the hot weather, there are always flies and other insects that are quite bothersome!"

"Haha, you're right!"

"De Kuan!"

Zhou An put down his teacup and said, "Would the imperial court really send someone to re-examine the papers based on some rumors?"

There are always rumors about cheating during the imperial examinations, not just in the provincial examinations, but also in the county examinations in Qinghe County.

It's normal for scholars who repeatedly fail the imperial examinations to grumble.

However, unless the matter becomes exceptionally serious, the imperial court will be forced to investigate due to public opinion.

In reality, unless the investigation was conducted during the imperial examination process, it was very difficult to find any problems after the examination was over, and the imperial court was not very willing to investigate.