Chapter 52 52 Roll Call

It was pitch black outside the window, but candles had been lit in the room.

Wei Guangde had been woken up by his mother. It was only the hour of Mao, which was probably around five or six in the morning in later times.

It was still early for dawn, but Wei Guangde had to get up, wash, eat breakfast, and prepare to go to the county government office to take the exam for this subject.

While he was eating, Wei's mother, uncle, and aunt sat quietly watching him eat, and didn't say anything encouraging. They had said what they should have said long ago, and they were afraid of adding pressure to little Wei Guangde.

When Wei Guangde went out with the exam basket prepared by his mother, the sky was still dark, without a trace of light, but the day that would determine Wei Guangde's fate in the Ming Dynasty had begun.

His uncle's home was not far from the county government office, but his uncle Wu Zhankui still prepared a carriage for him to travel.

As he got closer to the county government office, the number of modern science students gathered on the roadside continued to increase. There was still some distance to the government office, and the carriage could no longer move forward.

In fact, at this time, there were several carriages parked on the roadside. They were all carriages used by the county gentry to send their children to take the exam. They could only be parked on both sides of the road because they could not enter.

Wu Zhankui got off the car first, and then Wei Guangde got off with the exam basket and squeezed forward with his uncle.

Two servants cleared the way in front and quickly squeezed out the candidates in front. Even if someone looked back at them unhappily, Wei Guangde didn't care much. Didn't he see that there were two groups of people in front who were similar to them, all strong servants clearing the way in front and squeezing out the candidates who were blocking the way?

Soon they arrived in front of the gate of the county government. At this time, there were also several groups of people standing there. In addition to the candidates, there were also several people dressed as servants outside.

Wei Guangde found an open space to wait. The servants kept blocking other people outside to prevent them from getting close to Wei Guangde. His uncle Wu Zhankui was also beside him, but he seemed to see acquaintances and kept bowing to those groups, and some of the other side also returned the greetings.

Although my uncle is an official, he is only a military officer after all. In this era where civil officials are more important than military officials, my uncle often has to bend down a little when he is outside.

This is why my uncle's family is as busy as his own family for his nephew to take the exam. My uncle sincerely hopes that Wei Guangde can pass the exam.

Not to mention Jinshi, even if he is a Juren, Wu Zhankui can hold his chest high in Pengze County and not be afraid of any power in the county.

As the gate opened, a team of yamen runners stood up to block the way of the candidates. Before entering the examination room, they had to search and pick up, and then they could enter the examination room and find their seats according to the examination number issued when they registered to take the exam.

Pengze County is considered an upper county. Although it cannot be compared with some large counties, it is also better than most counties in the Ming Dynasty, so the tables and chairs for the exam can be prepared early, and candidates do not need to bring their own.

After the search and pick up began, my uncle Wu Zhankui just sent Wei Guangde to the door and slowly retreated, but this was enough for the yamen runners to see.

The search of Wei Guangde was carried out very quickly, at least in Wei Guangde's opinion, it was rather rough. He was allowed in after simply looking through his examination basket. Several others also entered at the same time, all of whom were among the groups of people standing near the gate like Wei Guangde before.

As for whether these searchers in front of the gate would search the remaining candidates in the same way, that was not something Wei Guangde needed to pay attention to. What did it have to do with him? Anyway, he didn't bring anything with him, so he was not afraid even if he was searched seriously.

After entering the gate, Wei Guangde was stopped by a clerk behind the gate. He looked at the admission ticket in his hand, and then took him to an open space next to him. He whispered to him about his examination location for a while before leaving.

At this time, Wei Guangde also noticed that the two sides of the corridor in front were full of examination tables. There was a paper lantern hanging next to each examination table, which naturally had the examination number on it, so that the candidates could find their seats more quickly.

However, Wei Guangde already knew where his seat was, just under the eaves of the lobby.

Although the county exam is a frequently held exam in the local area, there is no special exam room or tent. The exam is usually held in a larger open space in the county government office or nearby.

In the past exams in Pengze County, the open space in front of the county government office hall was chosen because it was large enough.

If the weather is good, it is fine. If it is windy and rainy, the candidates in the open space will be miserable.

In the county exam in February, the scorching sun may only be seen in the southernmost part of the empire. For most of the empire, it does not exist. In fact, it is just afraid of rainy days.

Under the eaves, it is not bad, although it is obviously a good day and it will not rain.

It is already light.

Wei Guangde stood for a long time. Behind him, there were already a lot of people standing, almost squeezing to the gate. At this time, the roll call began.

However, before the roll call, the long-known Tang County Master appeared in an official robe, causing some commotion among the waiting students.

County Magistrate Tang only encouraged the examinees standing outside for a few words, then turned back to the hall.

He didn't say much, but Wei Guangde heard it clearly, after all, he was standing in front. This county exam had five sessions.

In fact, the county exams in the Ming Dynasty were very selective, and the county magistrates could choose four or five sessions.

Wei Guangde didn't have too many ideas about the number of exams, and he could take any exam he wanted.

As County Magistrate Tang left, the officials began to call the roll, and all the examinees whose names were called had to stand up. Generally, five names were called and they were asked to enter the hall together.

Wei Guangde estimated that this call was based on the mutual protection relationship. After all, the five of them were protecting each other. They would meet each other when they were called. If there was a gunman, they would be able to find out. If they are discovered and do not report it, they will be unlucky if they are found out in the future. Follow Even sat down.

Before several groups of people were called in, Wei Guangde heard his name.

Although Wei Guangde may have been the last to register for this exam, but where is the relationship between his uncle and Wei Guangde, he doesn't know that his uncle also used money, and Wu Zhankui naturally won't tell him.

For many things, human feelings are human feelings, and what should be expressed should also be expressed.

"Wei Guangde, Lin Tianti and Liu Shizhen of Madang Town"

Hearing the name, Wei Guangde took a few steps forward and entered the venue. Then four people stood up quickly behind him, all of whom had been classmates for many years. When Wei Guangde saw them coming out, he slightly bent over and bowed his hands in greeting, followed by several others. Same action.

"The five of you protect each other, do you have anything to say now?"

The official who called the roll asked them. In fact, this was repeated several times before, that is, there was no problem in confirming the identity of the mutual protector.

No problem. If it is discovered later, there will be no room for explanation.

In response to the official's question, the five of them bowed and cupped their hands and said, "No."

"You guys go in."

The official glanced at them, leaned slightly and said, letting them walk into the lobby.