HCB Chapter 1865 Tribute
Chapter 1865 Tribute
Seven years have passed, and Shang tide has never told Yu Hua that the rain-seeking was a lie, so naturally she won't in the future. Yu Hua has a big mouth and can't keep things to herself.
Shang tide stared at Yu Hua for a moment before saying, "Yu Hua, you're nitpicking. Last year there was a drought, but no one starved to death and there was no famine, which proves that the drought wasn't severe."
Yu Hua insisted: "Isn't a 50% reduction in grain production a serious problem?"
"The reduction in grain production by half was due to Hong Zhekai's efforts in water conservancy, which prevented the river from drying up. He also proposed building waterwheels and digging canals to irrigate the fields. Otherwise, there would have been a famine last year. This is all thanks to Hong Zhekai. Naturally, the son of a meritorious official should study at the Imperial Academy."
At this point, Yu Hua understood. "So, does that mean Big Eyes has no chance of getting into the Imperial Academy?"
Shang tide said, "It's not hopeless. As long as he works hard to pass the imperial examination and becomes a Xiucai, he will have a chance to enter the Imperial Academy!"
"Sigh! We've come full circle!" Yu Hua felt that everything she had just said was a waste of time!
"If he's a promising student, he'll amount to something sooner or later. If not, sending him to the Imperial Academy won't help!" These were the words of Cheng Feng. He had no expectations for Dayan; whether he succeeded or not was up to Dayan himself.
Upon hearing this, Yu Hua quickly got up. "I'll go find a bundle of candles to take to Dayan. Isn't he going to study at night? That means his room will be going to be full of candles from now on. But I think studying at night is useful. You Ning studies at the Crown Prince's residence at night, and he's very diligent. I heard he doesn't sleep unless he's studying at night!"
Cheng Feng was shocked and disbelieving, while Shang tide was so ashamed she couldn't face anyone!
Only Yu Hua believed Cheng Youning's nonsense. Not only did she believe it, but she also dared to spread it. Sure enough, Yu Hua said again, "Youning is preparing to take the imperial examination in March! Youning said he's sure to be among the top three. March will be here in the blink of an eye, and there will definitely be a big banquet. The guest list and dishes need to be prepared in advance. I have to get started now. This is extremely important and can't be taken lightly. I must prepare everything in advance. I'll let you see the menu after I've prepared it!"
Everyone in the room was stunned. Nothing was even confirmed yet! And they were already making preparations for a grand banquet? The imperial examination was still almost a month away! It wasn't even certain whether Cheng Youning could attend! How could Yu Hua take this so seriously!
Only Wan Baiqian dared to speak: "If one passes the provincial examination, it's practically a guaranteed spot in the palace examination, equivalent to obtaining the Jinshi degree. Passing the Jinshi degree changes one's social standing; if not a dragon among men, then close! But the metropolitan examination is different from the provincial examination. Thousands take the metropolitan examination, but only a hundred or so pass. You Ning is only eleven years old. Last year, he took the autumn provincial examination and ranked thirty-fifth. Isn't it too hasty for him to take the metropolitan examination this year? I think it's not too late for him to study hard for two more years before taking the metropolitan examination!" In Wan Baiqian's view, her nephew was just wasting his time. Why should a prince take the examination? This was just causing trouble!
Upon hearing this, Madam Wan put down her chopsticks, her expression very solemn, and her words were clearly the result of careful consideration! "You Ning's arrangement is very reasonable. All those who pass the provincial examination will participate in the metropolitan examination, and even if they don't pass, they can take it again the following year!"
Yu Hua chimed in again, "She won't fail. You Ning is studying very hard right now, reading day and night, preparing for the imperial examination in March! She absolutely has to pass!"
Madam Wan nodded slightly; she was satisfied with her grandson and with Yu Hua's arrangements. "Yu Hua has thought of everything!"
Cheng Feng and Shang tide exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly. Cheng Feng spoke first: "Mother, I think we shouldn't rush this matter. It's not too late to prepare after the imperial examination!"
Madam Wan shook her head, disagreeing. So many major events had occurred in the past few days, and this was the only good thing, especially since it involved her grandson. She had to take it seriously. "Wouldn't it be too rushed to prepare then? For such a joyous occasion, it's better to be thorough. Yu Hua is right, we should start making arrangements early!"
Cheng Feng feared that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. With the imperial examination just around the corner, his son was not only confined to the Crown Prince's residence but also spent his days at home playing with cats and dogs. It was uncertain whether he could even pass the imperial examination! How easy was it for him to become a tribute student?
Cheng Feng patiently advised, "Mother, passing the imperial examination to become a Gongshi is much harder than becoming a Juren. Didn't you hear what my sister said? There were thousands of candidates, but only about a hundred or so could actually become Gongshi!"
Madam Wan was naturally aware of all this, but she had her own considerations. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Mother knows it's not easy, but my grandson passed the provincial examination with a score of thirty-five. Getting a tribute student shouldn't be a problem!"
"That's not how it works," Cheng Feng quickly said. "Mother, the number of successful candidates in the provincial examinations isn't just from last year's autumn examinations. Every year, there are one or two thousand people who fail the metropolitan examinations. All of these people have to participate in the metropolitan examinations. Among these people, your grandson isn't just ranked thirty-five; he might be ranked three hundred and fifty!"
Cheng Feng wasn't trying to discourage the old lady; it was just a fact that quite a few scholars were begging for alms!
Madam Wan nodded again: "Mother understands these things. You Ning plans to take the imperial examination. We will support him. If he passes, all will be well. If he doesn't pass, he can take it again next year. It's no big deal!"
Some of the test takers have grown old and gray-bearded, yet they haven't given up. It's true that it's not a big deal if they don't pass, but preparing a banquet in advance is pointless if they don't pass. The main problem is that they've been preparing for a whole month with great fanfare, and in the end, Cheng Youning didn't pass the imperial examination. Not only has everyone's effort been wasted, but the old lady will definitely be disappointed!
Cheng Feng didn't have much confidence in his unruly son.
"Mother, I think we should wait until after the test, see how your grandson does, and then decide whether or not to prepare a banquet! We shouldn't rush into the banquet!"
Madam Wan was displeased by Cheng Feng's repeated obstruction. "Feng'er, do you really not think highly of my grandson?"
“Mother, it’s not that I don’t think much of your grandson, it’s just that this matter is a mix of hope and despair. Whether that boy is cut out for studying is another matter, but he doesn’t study hard. He spends his days wandering the streets, teasing cats and dogs. How many candidates preparing for the exam are like him? Whether he passes or not is still unknown!”
Madam Wan was even more displeased: "Didn't you hear what Yu Hua said? My grandson studies from dawn till dusk every day, he doesn't even have time to sleep! Doesn't such a child need to work hard?"
Cheng Feng was speechless. "Mother, how come you twisted those words? Yu Hua said that You Ning doesn't study at night or sleep, but that doesn't mean your grandson doesn't have time to sleep. Do you think he would allow himself to be sleep-deprived?"
No one knows a son better than his father, and Cheng Feng was confident in that. He didn't need to listen to anyone else to guess what his son was like; he could guess with pretty much the truth!
Madam Wan said, "Even if what you say is true, my grandson is still very hardworking!"
"Mother, do you believe your grandson studies hard?"
"Why don't you believe me, Mother? Yuhua just came back from my grandson's place. How could Yuhua lie? Yuhua is a very principled person; she has never uttered a lie!"