The imperial examination, seemingly a one-time test that determines one's fate for life, is actually far more complex than just an exam. To achieve a higher admission rate and obtain a higher ranking, one must start taking action at least a year, or even several years, before the exam.

  Chen Ke and Song Duanping traveled to Sichuan, visiting famous scholars and paying respects to renowned individuals. How could they not have had such plans in mind? Now that they are already disciples of the current literary world's leader, Hanlin scholar Ouyang Xiu, they naturally do not need to exert themselves to pay visits anymore; all they need to do is focus on reading books.

  Chen Ke returned to Sichuan this time for four reasons: first, to reassure his younger sister; second, to calm himself down; third, to handle the procedures for "entrusting Yongkang Prefecture"; and fourth, to move house.

  What is called "Jiying" in modern terms, is... Gaokao immigrants. In the Song Dynasty's imperial examination system, there were three levels: Xie Shi (County-level exam), Gong Shi (Prefecture-level exam) and Dian Shi (Capital-level exam). The previous level was the foundation for the next one, so theoretically speaking, only those who passed the Xie Shi held in their local area had the qualification to go to Bianjing (the capital city) to take part in the Gong Shi.

  For example, all scholars in Shu had to go to Chengdu to take part in the imperial examination.

  But this involves the issue of "quota"... The so-called "quota" refers to the number of people accepted... The quota for each province is fixed, so the number of participants in the imperial examination of the Song Dynasty has always been fixed.

  But the Song Dynasty valued education, and to encourage people to read books, Emperor Zhenzong even advertised himself... The idea that "all things are inferior, only reading is superior" had deeply entered the hearts of the people. As a result, the number of readers increased year by year, but the number of places for imperial examinations never increased, leading to cruel competition during the imperial examinations, where thousands of horses and soldiers rushed across a single-log bridge.

  Once it's gone, although it can't be said that everything will be easy, the four aspects of life being in harmony is enough to bring happiness to tears.

  Although according to the regulations, students must take the exam in their hometown province, the imperial court also allows conditional exceptions for taking the exam elsewhere... For example, officials in the capital whose hometown is 2,000 miles away from the capital are allowed to have their sons and younger brothers 'take the exam by proxy in a nearby prefecture'; another example is that those who live far away from their hometown and have lived in the capital for a long time are allowed to take the exam at the Imperial Academy in the capital city.

  What are the benefits of taking an exam in the capital? Think about it and you'll know later. The Song Dynasty's policy towards the capital was even more tilted, exceeding that of later generations. For example, within Bianjing City, three exams were held simultaneously... Guozijian examination, Kaifeng Prefecture examination, and Bietou examination.

  Three types of examinations targeted different groups... The first was for students studying at national universities; the second was for native citizens of Kaifeng Prefecture; and the third was for those who had not obtained an official position through imperial examination but wanted to participate, as well as sons of powerful families. Added together, their admission rates were far higher than those in local areas.

  In addition to reducing the difficulty of imperial examinations, scholars migrating to Bianjing can also obtain unparalleled educational resources in the capital. As the saying goes: "The state's method of selecting officials is that those who are not jinshi (a high-ranking official) cannot hold beautiful offices; Those who are not good at writing poetry and policy essays cannot be jinshi; Those who do not study in the capital cannot write good poetry and policy essays." Moreover, the examiners for the provincial exams also live in the capital, which is more conducive to scholars grasping examination information.

  In the past, the proportion of those who passed the imperial examination and became jinshi through the capital's route was at least 40% and as high as 50%... This is far higher than the passing rate of more than 20% in various states, which shows the high quality of education in the capital.

  Chen Xiliang was a government official in the capital, and Meizhou was thousands of miles away from the capital. Therefore, Chen Ke's brothers could handle the household registration in the capital and legally participate in the "Bie Tou Shi" examination. Song Duanping originally didn't have the ability to do so, but he made a meritorious achievement at Kunlun Pass and became a Chengfeng Lang of the eighth rank... Although it was an honorary position with no actual workplace, not only did he receive a salary, but he also had the qualifications to participate in the "Bie Tou Shi" examination.

  Although they can take the exam in Beijing, they still need to be delegated by their local officials and pass the review of the judges. They also need to obtain a mutual guarantee document from five fellow examinees before they can register for the exam in Beijing. That's why they had to return to Sichuan this time.

  By the end of the year, all the procedures were completed, and Song Duanping discussed with Chen Ke when it was good to set off. At this time, Su Xun said: "Don't be in a hurry, let's go together!"

  The two were shocked at the same time, thinking that your family also has a Beijing household? This is hidden too deeply? Su Laoquan disdainfully said in his heart: "Do you think I've been running around in the capital for nothing? To say, Su Xun has fallen fourth or fifth times before and after, although he himself gained nothing, but he had already figured out all the ways of the imperial examination.

  In the seventh year of Dazhong Xiangfu, the imperial court issued an edict: 'For those who are outstanding and exceptional, permission is granted to summon officials from the capital to serve as guarantors, with no more than three people guaranteed.' In other words, certain qualified officials were allowed to recommend up to three people for examination in the capital, which was also legal.

  Su Xun had a good relationship with Lei Zhi, the governor of Sichuan, and had thought to ask him for a recommendation. However, Chen Ke later ruined this plan. But it didn't matter, as Su Xun's reputation in Sichuan was already rising due to his several outstanding essays. He had already reached a higher level... Zhang Fangping, the governor of Yizhou and pacification commissioner of Liangshu, if he could get his recommendation, then his two sons would not have to go to the capital for the imperial examination, but would instead become famous throughout the land, with one foot already in the door of the capital's scholarly circles.

  In the autumn, San Su went to Chengdu and met Zhang Fangping. He presented his works along with those of his father and son. After reading them, Zhang was said to have been instantly amazed by their talent, believing they would surely become famous throughout the land. Not only did he return the gifts that the three had prepared for him, but also gave them 200 taels of silver as travel expenses for their trip back to Sichuan to take the imperial examinations.

  What's more, he wrote to Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu and Mei Yaochen, solemnly recommending the 'king-assisting talent' of Shu... The first one, Mr. Han, returned to the capital as Deputy Envoy of the Bureau of Military Affairs, while the latter two were high-ranking officials in charge of the literary education of the Great Song Dynasty.

  At that time, Su Xun was also worried. He heard that Zhang Fangping had conflicts with Han Qi and Huan Yangxiu, and didn't know if he would hit a snag.

  Zhang Fangping was the top minister of the Song Dynasty, and his experience was like a book. He naturally understood Su Xun's concerns and smiled: "You can directly deliver these letters to their homes, and they will definitely treat you with courtesy. After reading your articles, they will also believe what I said." He paused and continued: "During the Qingli period, they implemented new policies aimed at enriching the country and strengthening the people, which I agree with. However, I disagree with some of their methods. As for their character, I still admire them; they are all good people, and of course, I am also a good person." He said this with a smile, then turned serious: "I recommended you to the court as a talented individual, without any personal feelings involved. They will necessarily do the same..."

  The demeanor of famous ministers during the Qingli years is indeed hard for later generations to match.

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  This time leaving the river is different from last time, and it may be a long time before returning, so naturally want to handle family matters well.

  This time Chen Ke returned, Chen Xiliang specially instructed to bring Liu Lang to the capital as well. Firstly, the whole family can reunite, and secondly, it's also good for supervising his studies. As Si Lang was going to take the imperial examination in the capital, the house became vacant. The house would collapse if no one lived there for a long time, so Chen Ke simply sold it to Pan Mujiang.

  The house is easy to deal with, but the trouble is Chen's bonds and shares... Although they didn't deliberately operate, over a decade or so, they have grown bigger and more complicated. Roughly calculated, there are about 100,000 yuan in total. It will take a lot of effort to sort out, and it's unknown when it can be cleared up.

  He didn't have the patience, more than half a year ago, he had already packed up the account book, put it in a box and handed it over to his younger sister.

  It wasn't until they were about to leave that he remembered to ask, and was met with a coquettish glance from the little sister: "You're such a careless boss, getting our housekeeper laughed at for an entire year."

  "It was originally like that, what's so funny?" Chen Xiao smiled and squeezed onto a chair with her, Little Sister blushed and stood up: "The door is still open..."

  "I'll go close the door." Chen Ke jumped up and went to close the door, then turned back and said: "Now we can finally be intimate, right?"

  "First listen to me report." The little sister jumped away like a rabbit and laughed: "But I didn't embezzle a single penny from you!"

  "What's mine is yours, what's yours is mine." Chen Ke knew the girl was shy and wouldn't dare to come during the day, so he sat down with a sullen expression and said: "I don't care about anything else, I just ask, how much money can you bring?"

  "Sixty thousand yuan." Little sister said: "For more than half a year, I have been helping you to cash out, and there are still many opportunities that are not suitable, or people who really have difficulties. I will continue to ask for it next year."

  "With so much money, even if it's changed into silver, it would be several hundred taels, right?" Chen Ke scratched his head and said, "How can we carry it?"

  "It's good that you thought of it early." Little sister said: "I asked Li Yuanwai and others, and they had a hard time getting the silver out."

  "Travel expenses?" Chen Ke stared with wide eyes: "Can't we leave Sichuan?" Last time they left Sichuan, they only brought silver, and it was all spent by the time they reached Kunlun Pass. Fortunately, Di Qing rewarded each of them with a bag of golden beans.

  "It was also Li Yuanwai and others who told me that in the capital city, there is a 'Jiaozi Exchange Bureau' where merchants from Shu can exchange their jiaozi for gold, silver, and copper coins."

  "That's about right."

  "Also, I've exchanged two hundred taels of silver for you. Half of it is made into one-tael pieces and the other half into one-qian pieces. As long as you don't drink expensive wine, it should be enough for you to get to Beijing."

  "Hey." Chen Ke smiled wryly: "With your dad keeping an eye on you, what else are you worried about?"

  "There's nothing to worry about." Little sister suddenly covered her mouth and smiled: "I heard that the capital is full of famous courtesans and talented scholars, you mustn't lose to my brother."

  Chen Ke heard this and couldn't help but smile bitterly. How could I compare to that legendary ladies' man? Even foreigners who wanted to borrow his sperm had to make an appointment in advance.

  Perhaps it's the social atmosphere, but Song Dynasty women had a nonchalant attitude towards their husbands visiting brothels or keeping concubines. They managed men like they would manage snot, which isn't a beautiful story, but rather a laughing stock, such as the River East Lion Roar...

  As soon as he thought of "River East Lion's Roar", Chen Ke couldn't help but laugh. Seeing his unusual expression, his younger sister asked with concern: "What's wrong?"

  "It's nothing..." Chen Ke shook his head and smiled, not wanting her to worry. But in his heart, he secretly sighed... The Liu family, this time they arrived in the capital, will definitely have to face...

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