Jang Wen invited Song Zhi to have some fun with him.
However, he felt a little embarrassed since he had just arrived.
He was not familiar with them.
Moreover, he had just met Fang Tong and Jang Wen.
He refused politely, "I think I'll pass."
"Brother Song, you don't have to stand on ceremony."
"I … don't."
"Everyone here is here for this year's general examination. It's fate that we meet here. Brother Song, why don't you come with me? We're just friends."
"I …" Song Zhi was speechless.
He did not know how to refuse.
Jang Wen was about to continue.
Fang Tong interrupted, "Alright, Jang Wen. Brother Song has just arrived and is not used to it. Don't make things difficult for him."
Jang Wen had to give up, "Alright! I'll go first. You should come too. Don't just sit here and drink tea. "
"I know."
Jang Wen cupped his hands at Song Zhi, "Brother Song, I'll go first."
"Okay."
After Jang Wen left, Fang Tong pulled him to sit down and said, "Brother Song, don't stand on ceremony."
"Am I?"
"We're here to discuss knowledge. If there's anything we don't understand, we can ask each other."
"You're right, Brother Fang." Song Zhi smiled and asked in confusion, "By the way, who initiated this poetry competition?"
"I'm not sure. I heard that … it's a big shot."
"Oh!"
Fang Tong seemed to think of something and asked, "By the way, Brother Song, have you become a disciple of any official?"
Disciple!
This question poked Song Zhi's sore spot.
He said, "I've just arrived in the capital and don't know any officials yet. So, I haven't become a disciple of any official. Besides, I'm just a poor scholar. I might be kicked out before I can even enter the door of those officials. How can I afford to be a disciple? "
Song Zhi smiled bitterly.
It was a sad story! Every three years, students would come to Gao Dinglai in the first half of the year to try to find an opportunity to get close to an official of the court. It would be best if they could get close to an official from the Ministry of Rites. After all, the invigilators and examiners were all officials from the Ministry of Rites. It would be good to know one.
Getting to know one of them was one more way! If one was lucky enough to be recognized by an official and be accepted as a disciple, he would have one foot in the imperial court and would be favored.
To put it bluntly, it was through the back door!
Therefore, many students racked their brains trying to get to know a few high officials and nobles, and they didn't even hesitate to use silver to pave a path to an official's career.
Even if it was all for naught!
And at all costs.
But —
There were also students like Song Zhi.
First, no money!
Second, no power!
Three … no luck!
They came from humble backgrounds and lived at the bottom of society. They did not have the means to stand out!
Only hard work! When Fang Tong finished listening to him, he was deeply moved. He sighed and said, "Brother Song is right. How could people like us know any big shots? He might not even be able to get close to those adults. Come to think of it, I have taken the exam twice. From six years ago until today, I have failed twice.
Leaderboard. But I can't accept it! Hopefully this year … I'll be able to make it onto the list! I will be able to return home in glory. "
Six years!
He took the test twice.
If it were Song Zhi, he probably wouldn't be able to achieve such perseverance.
It was truly admirable.
Song Zhi said, "Brother, you have persevered for six years. I am not as good as you."
"But I'm afraid no one will be able to understand the bitterness within. If I don't pass this year's exam, I probably … won't come to high school again."
"Brother Fang, don't be discouraged. We'll definitely succeed this year!"
His reassuring tone was hard. Fang Tong smiled. "I'll be counting on your auspicious words then." After taking a sip of tea, he continued, "People like us are not like those rich heirs of famous families. They are born with a golden spoon in their mouths, so their starting line is higher than ours. If we want to stand out … we can only rely on our own abilities."
。”
"…" Song Zhi smiled bitterly.
However, Fang Tong's expression darkened. He stared at the tea in front of him. "But sometimes, even if you rely on your own ability, you might not be able to achieve meteoric success."
His tone was filled with helplessness!
Sigh!
As the saying goes, money makes the world go round. With money and power, one would be able to obtain everything. Although the imperial examinations were very strict and strict, making it impossible for people to take advantage of any loopholes, everyone was well aware of what was going on in the dark!
It's fine if you don't say it!
The two of them did not continue this topic.
The more they talked, the more uncomfortable they felt.
Then they chatted about some trivial things.
After a long time.
At this moment —
A noise came from not far away!
Hearing the sound, they saw some students gathered in a group. What were they looking at?
Huh?
What happened?
Then they heard a man's voice coming from the crowd. "If someone can match this poem, the twenty taels of silver will be his."
Twenty taels of silver!
For those poor students, it was a huge sum of money.
Song Zhi craned his neck to look in that direction. He saw a man standing in the middle, swaying.
The man was dressed in purple luxurious clothes made of high-quality satin, with an expensive jade pendant on his waist.
It could be seen that his status was not low.
He held a writing brush in one hand and rolled up his sleeves with the other. In front of him was a big table with a piece of paper on it. He had just finished writing a line of words.
It was too far to see what he was writing.
When he heard that voice, Fang Tong's face instantly darkened.
"Why is it him?" he whispered.
Song Zhi happened to hear it.
He turned his head and asked, "Brother Fang, do you know that person?"
Fang Tong shook his head hurriedly.
He denied, "No, I don't."
Obviously, he was lying.
Song Zhi was not stupid, but he would not get to the bottom of it. So, he let it go.
The man in purple asked the crowd again, "What's wrong? No one can match it? It seems that no one can take the twenty taels of silver. "
The crowd looked at each other and stared at the poem on the table.
There was a lot of discussion.
It seemed that they could not think of a good poem to match!
Song Zhi was very curious. He craned his neck to look, hoping to see the poem written by the man on the paper. However, it was too far away and someone was blocking his way, so he definitely could not see it.
When he was thinking about whether he should go over and have a look —
Fang Tong, who was opposite him, had already stood up and walked over.
Song Zhi watched him go over. He sat on the chair and hesitated for a while.
Then he followed him.
He walked into the crowd.
Fang Tong found Jang Wen, who was also watching. He nudged him with his arm and then looked at the man in purple satin. He asked softly, "Why didn't you tell me that he was here?"
Jang Wen lowered his voice and said, "I forgot to tell you."
"You …"
"It's okay. We haven't seen each other for six years. Who would mention the past?"
Fang Tong's face darkened. He asked again, "So … he is also here for the general examination this year?"
"Yes! Don't you think it's strange? "
It was indeed strange!
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