I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1604 Lord Sun is clearly a capable and competent official.

Sun Shan and the Wang family had a good meal and drinks, and then Sun Shan left with a pile of generous gifts.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Sun Shan, who didn't want it, was forced to accept it, as he couldn't leave without it.

As soon as Sun Shan left, Old Master Wang rushed next door to find his sister: "Sister, Lord Sun agreed so quickly, which proves that our Yangyazi is a fine piece of jade. Hehe, Lord Sun wouldn't agree to an ordinary person."

Aunt Wang, not knowing Sun Shan's character, thought that what Old Master Wang said was absolutely right.

He nodded with satisfaction: "Yangya will study at the county school from now on. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask Lord Sun for help."

Although I am not familiar with Lord Sun, from the two meetings between Yang Yazi and him, as well as that letter of advice, I know that Lord Sun is a kind and generous person, and his scholarship is also top-notch.

"If Yang Yazi could study under Lord Sun, I would be even more at ease."

Old Master Wang comforted her, saying, "Sister, take it slow and let's discuss this further. Lord Sun has many shortcomings, but he has no complaints about students' education."

Lord Sun usually spends his days either handling official business at the yamen, tending to the rice paddies, or teaching at the county school. Yang Yazi, studying at the county school, has many opportunities to see Lord Sun and can better seek his guidance.

Aunt Wang breathed a long sigh of relief: "Alas, it's all the fault of the teachers in the capital who misled my son Yangya. The teaching in the capital is much better than in Chenzhou Prefecture. Who knows what they're teaching? It's all so nonsensical."

As for the imperial examinations, how could a woman like me know anything about them? I thought that if I found the most learned person in Chenzhou Prefecture to teach Yangyazi, he would surely learn a lot.

When I got there, I realized that Yang Yazi's knowledge was seriously lacking, which kept me up at night.

Grandpa Wang comforted her, "Sister, don't worry. Yang Yazi is still a young boy, very young. He caught up with her later."

Aunt Wang said with even greater concern, "I wonder how well the brokers in the capital are doing? They'll be back in a few years for the imperial examinations. What if they all end up relying on brokers?"

Old Master Wang shook his head and said, "Sister, don't worry. Didn't we send a letter? I believe your nephews and the others will handle it well. Right now, we should focus on Yang Yazi; he'll be there to keep an eye on things."

What could Aunt Wang do? She could only take care of her little grandson.

As for those in the capital, they are too far away to be of any use, and even if they wanted to teach them, they couldn't reach that far.

Looking at Jingyang, Aunt Wang kindly instructed, "Yangya, you will be studying at the county school from now on. You may not be used to it at first, but you will get used to it gradually."

Grandpa Wang readily agreed, "Make yourself at your maternal uncle's house, don't be shy. Yuanlu County can't compare to Chenzhou Prefecture in terms of liveliness. It's quiet and peaceful, which is good for studying."

Jingyang quickly bowed to Old Master Wang and said, "Thank you, Uncle. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Grandpa Wang chuckled and took Jingyang's little hand, shaking his head and saying, "We're family, no trouble at all."

He muttered to himself: "The first generation is close, the second generation is distant, and the third and fourth generations are over."

The Wang family feared that after Granny Wang passed away, it would be difficult to maintain their ties with the Jing family. Heh heh, things are different now. The Jing family's son is studying at the county school; they can use these few years to cultivate good relationships among the younger generation.

Of course, it would be even better if that young man Yang took a fancy to the Wang family's daughter.

In this way, the relationship between the Wang family and the Jing family will continue to improve, and they can rely on this powerful backer for decades to come.

County Magistrate Wang also dragged his two eldest grandsons into the mix.

He instructed them, "You two, study hard at the county school. Next time you take the exam, you must pass, understand?"

The two Sun Shan candidates avoided eye contact with Magistrate Wang, because they truly lacked confidence in passing the exam next time.

The two didn't think they were cut out for studying, so they just coasted through school and dreamed of taking over their father's business when they grew up.

Since Jingyang returned, their school life has become exceptionally difficult, with the strictness at home increasing from Level 1 to Level 10.

Nowadays, people are either at home or at school. If they go out to play with their classmates, they will definitely be beaten when they come back.

The two sons of the Wang family couldn't wait for Jingyang to pass the imperial examination and return to the capital.

That way, they won't have any comparisons or feel hurt.

Wishes are beautiful, but reality is harsh. Jingyang is not the legendary model student or outstanding student.

Hearing that passing the imperial examination at the county level was a distant dream, he had no choice but to seek help in desperation and return to Yuanlu County to study, hoping to curry favor with Sun Shan, a scholar who had passed both the county and provincial examinations.

They were merely incidental, accompanying the students as they came back to study.

Father said that we need to cultivate a good relationship with Jingyang, after all, Aunt is not young anymore, and if the Jing family is not connected by this bond, the Wang family will be in a lot of trouble.

When Magistrate Wang saw his two grandsons stammering and not saying anything, he realized they were talking.

He narrowed his eyes, a hint of anger in his voice, and said, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

The two boys immediately replied, "Grandpa, we will try our best."

County Magistrate Wang nodded in satisfaction.

At the same time, he secretly cursed Madam Wang, hating himself for marrying the wrong wife, whose children and grandchildren were all bad at studying.

When it was just Aunt Wang and Jingyang together.

Aunt Wang repeatedly instructed: "You must remember what your cousin Xing said. Don't be afraid of losing face, and ask if you don't understand. Lord Sun, a farmer's son, had a much harder time studying than you. He was able to make it through, and you certainly can too."

Jingyang said firmly, "Grandma, I understand."

Aunt Wang added, "Although Lord Sun is not particularly handsome, nor is he the kind of refined scholar described in legends, he is definitely a man of action. The fact that he wrote to me truthfully about your situation shows his sincerity."

Aunt Wang finally met the legendary Sun Shan.

Although his grandson had described it several times and he had a general impression of it, he was still very surprised when he saw the real person.

They were completely different from the young people and intellectuals she had imagined.

If Wang Gu Po didn't actually know that Sun Shan was only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, she might have mistakenly thought that Sun Shan was almost forty.

Oh dear, he does look impatient.

However, seeing the dark-skinned Sun Shan, Aunt Wang felt relieved.

Living a life of luxury may look good, but behind it lies the fact that one does nothing, which is why they are so comfortable.

Sun Shan's dark, sturdy, and aged appearance suggests a hardworking and conscientious nature.

It was learned that Sun Shan would occasionally go down to the fields and find bird droppings as fertilizer.

From this limited glimpse, Wang's aunt concluded that Sun Shan was a hardworking official.

Whether he was corrupt or not, Aunt Wang would certainly consider him corrupt, but the fact that Yuanlu County was able to eat under Sun Shan's rule shows that he was a capable official.

It will only benefit Yang Yazi to learn from him in the future.

Aunt Wang gave Jingyang all sorts of instructions.

Meanwhile, Sun Shan returned to the backyard of the yamen with generous gifts.

As soon as I stepped inside, I saw the chubby girl lying limply on the ground.

Sun Shan: ? ? ? ? ? ?

Su snorted coldly: "Shanzi, ignore her. Fatty doesn't want to drink plain porridge, so she's pretending to be dead."

Sister Yun stood firmly behind Madam Su.

She accused, "Exactly! Who eats strong-flavored food instead of bland food while recovering from an injury? If she weren't injured, I would have given her a good beating already."

The little girl's eyes were red, and tears streamed down her face. She weakly called out, "Daddy, Xiaoxiao is hungry..."

What could Sun Shan do? He could only pretend he didn't see it.

He hurriedly put down the gifts and went to work in the front yard.

I'm afraid that if I just glance at it again, I'll soften my heart.