CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 41: INSATIABLE GREED

The county examination is in February next year. The specific time will be announced by the county magistrate in January, allowing scholars to register.

Song Wei has left town school for many years. His former classmates have either moved to higher places or returned home to plow the soil, leaving only a familiar face, Xie Zheng.

He went to the Xie family, intending to ask Xie Zheng what articles were written in their session.

Since vowing in front of the Da Lang couple’s graves eight years ago not to participate in the imperial examinations, Song Wei has not cared about the examination topics. Over such a long time, the examiners must have changed multiple times, and each examiner’s preferences differ.

Regarding articles, Song Wei has his own insights. It’s not that he insists on writing according to the examiners’ preferences; he just wants to understand the current affairs through Xie Zheng.

Even though he is praised as a genius of Pingjiang County, compared to the noble sons of the Capital, he is still far behind.

Firstly, in terms of knowledge and vision, as a scholar from a small rural place, he cannot surpass the noble sons under the Emperor’s feet.

Narrow vision and limited knowledge mean the writings won’t appear distinguished and may even seem biased and extreme.

Such articles won’t stand out.

Xie Zheng understood Song Wei’s intention and handed him a few books, all summaries of political affairs since the enthronement of the current Holy Emperor, Emperor Guangxi.

Regarding Song Wei’s decision to participate, Xie Zheng was genuinely pleased, "I’ve long said that a talent like Third Cousin won’t be buried in a small place like Pingjiang County. Take the exam well next year; I’ll wait to join the provincial exam with you. With you there, I’ll be reassured."

Song Wei’s gaze fell on the books, and he casually flipped a page, "Don’t speak too soon. Whether I can smoothly enter the examination hall next year is still unknown."

Xie Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Dare you enter the exam without prior preparation?"

Song Wei only smiled without speaking.

Indeed, there was preparation, including bringing a capable young girl.

——

When Song Wei returned home, he saw Mrs. Zhou at the village entrance, grabbing Wen Wan by the sleeve, saying something anxiously.

Song Wei walked over, "Since mother-in-law is here, why not come to the house for a visit?"

Mrs. Zhou did not dare confront Granny Song at the Song family for no reason. She hadn’t expected to meet Song Wei here, feeling embarrassed, but considering her purpose for coming, she mustered up her courage.

"Well... Third Son, I have something to ask for your help."

Song Wei glanced at Wen Wan, seeing no significant reaction on her face, he turned to Mrs. Zhou, "What is it?"

Mrs. Zhou said, "I’ve been thinking, the lads at the Xie Family Private School are hopeless. How can Shunzi learn well with them? Can you help send Shunzi to the town school to study with Yuanbao? At a bigger place, with more disciplined peers, over time, Shunzi will become disciplined and certainly study well."

Song Wei had just returned from Xie Zheng, having heard a few words about Wen Shun.

The boy doesn’t like studying. Since enrolling, he’s been skipping classes or bullying other children, and he’s learned to steal things, hiding others’ pens and inks, making the kids cry.

Xie Zheng is quite strict in his teaching and has often used a ruler to hit Wen Shun’s palms and punished him to practice horse stance outside with books on his head.

Wen Shun felt wronged and cried at home, saying he didn’t want to study anymore because Mr. Xie would punish him at every turn, never punishing other children, deliberately targeting him.

For this, Mrs. Zhou blamed Xie Zheng, thinking that as just a failed scholar who had just opened a private school without much reputation, he was being arrogant. She worried her fine son would be ruined by him, thus coming to ask her son-in-law for help, intending to switch places. After all, with her son-in-law’s relationship, the private tutor at the town school would have to show some respect.

Song Wei glanced at Mrs. Zhou and said plainly, "The town school doesn’t teach literacy; it directly lectures. There’s an entrance exam, and if standards aren’t met, they may be sent back. If Wen Shun has no issues, I’ll pick a day to take him."

Hearing this, Mrs. Zhou was immediately speechless.