They had arrived early, but the nearest inn had already been occupied, and the only one with a vacant room cost a tael of silver a night.

Lu Xu wanted to ask them why they had the courage to rob at the entrance of the mansion.

The charter boat and accommodation are all spent by Yan Junqi, Lu Xu naturally will not spend this unjust money, and Yan Junqi continued to look outside, and found a small shop in a narrow alley, this shop sells pastries outside, and the courtyard inside is cleaned up and rented, a total of three rooms, one has been rented out, there are two rooms left, the big one is three hundred wen a night, and the small one is two hundred wen, including breakfast and dinner, Lu Xu saw that the house was clean and the bedding was newly washed, so he rented the big one.

The big one is southward, the window is well lit, and Yan Junqi can still temporarily hold Buddha's feet and read a book again.

It was close to noon, and the proprietress asked if she wanted to cook for them. Lu Xu asked carefully, in the morning it was millet porridge and vegetable buns, and in the evening it was somen noodles, and they missed breakfast, if they ate it, the proprietress would cook noodles for them.

The last meal was eaten in the middle of the night, and Lu Xu was hungry early.

But finally came to the state capital, Lu Xu didn't really want to eat vegetarian noodles, thanked the proprietress, Lu Xu first turned out the money from the baggage, and pulled Yan Junqi to go to the restaurant.

"Let's go, I said that I want to inspect the state capital to eat, I will invite you to eat!"

Lu Xu invited guests, and when he went straight to them to find the inn, he saw the double-storey restaurant Baiyunju with the most conspicuous signboard and the most luxurious decoration on the road.

It was just noon, and Baiyunju was already halfway seated, Lu Xu and Yan Jun went up to the second floor together, sat by the window, and asked Xiao Er to recommend the signature dish.

Yan Junqi has never been in a restaurant for so long, so he understands that Lu Xu is reluctant to spend money in the restaurant, but when he orders food, he is straightforward.

Lu Xu ordered a good dish, and first asked Xiao Er to serve a pot of tea, free green tea, don't drink it for nothing.

From the window, you can see pedestrians passing by, and many students are passing downstairs to the front school to see the examination room.

After a while, Xiao Er brought the vegetables first. Lu Xu gave Yan Jun Qibu vegetables first, and when he tasted it himself, his eyes lit up.

This boiled vegetable is common, and it is a test of kung fu, the water is boiled, it is a test of the heat, this dish is very well done, the dish is just cooked, and it is crispy, and the juice of the seasoning is also very fresh and fragrant, Lu Xu floated on the boat for two days, and finally ate a dish that makes people appetize.

Lu Xu beckoned Yan Junqi to eat quickly, "The day after tomorrow, you entered the examination room, and you will be hungry for three days, hurry up and eat more." ”

Baiyunju's signboards are almost all steamed dishes, but Xiao Er strongly recommended roast chicken and roast duck, roast chicken is common, but roast duck is not common, there is no restaurant in Guanyang that sells roast duck, Lu Xu ordered one, curious if it is the way to eat Beijing roast duck. Xiao Erduan came to the duck, but there was no dough cake and noodle sauce, this duck is not as fat as Peking duck, however, the duck roasted with fruit wood, the duck meat has a woody fragrance, the duck skin is brushed with honey, and the duck meat is also marinated enough to taste, the meat is tender and soft, and it is juicy and soft to eat.

Lu Xu dismantled the duck in two or two, and gave Yan Junqi duck legs and duck wings first, "If Lu Rui is here, I will definitely like it." ”

Their Lu Rui likes to hold the bones and gnaw on the meat the most.

Lu Xu ate a meal quite deliciously, the boiled shrimp and duck were especially satisfied, as for the other signature fish belly, Lu Xu felt that the fish was not well selected enough, and there was a little fishy smell.

However, the chef's knife skills are very good, the fish fillets are cut thin enough, dipped in mustard, and served with shredded radish and tender ginger, which is also refreshing.

Although there is only steaming, roasting and cooking here, the traditional cooking skills are a little monotonous, but each is very well done, and it is no wonder that it dares to sell it so expensive.

Lu Xu ate with a round belly, and was about to settle the bill and leave, only to see Ma Ruoqi and them passing downstairs.

Lu Xu saw that they were still carrying burdens, and Ma Ruoqi was not in very good spirits, so he didn't call him, and walked back with Yan Junqi after settling the account, asking Yan Junqi to read and review early, he took out his luggage and clothes and packed them away, and packed all the things that Yan Junqi wanted to bring into the examination room into a baggage.

By the evening, the last room was also rented out.

In the evening, the proprietress cooked noodle soup, except for the first rented one, the remaining two rooms are two people who live, Lu Xu and Yan Junqi are from Guanyang County, the single one is from Wenqiu County, and the other two are from Chongning County, Wenqiu and Chongning are both north of the state capital, and Chongning is next to Shuozhou County, Lu Xu couldn't help but ask about the battle situation in Shuozhou, and the two scholars said: "I lost a city before, but now I have taken it back, I heard that General Fan is coming to Shuozhou." ”

General Fan is Fan Xiao, the uncle of the dynasty, is the most prestigious victorious general in their Daqi, Fan Xiao's name, even the gangsters in their village know, Lu Xu heard that Fan Xiao was coming, and his mood was a little calmer, Longxing's soldiers, eighty percent of them are going to support Shuozhou, but I don't know which military camp Lu Hui and Qiu Hu are in now, whether they are safe and stable.

The next day, Lu Xu didn't pull Yan Junqi around, but accompanied Yan Junqi to study at the homestay, no one took care of the meal at noon, asked the three neighbors, they didn't plan to eat, Lu Xu looked at the three guests, and counted him as the best, so he borrowed a basket from the proprietress himself, loaded the tableware, and went out to buy food.

Coming out of the alley, not long after walking along the street, there was a snack shop, Lu Xu bought a pot of wontons, two dumplings, and some fresh vegetables, ready to go back to blanch Yan Junqi to make a cold dish.

He passed by the grocery store and saw the boss setting up an umbrella on the side of the street, thought about it, and picked out a big umbrella.

"It's three days, who knows if it will rain, I don't think the test shed is built well, not even a roof, in case it rains, it will be troublesome." Lu Xu stuffed the umbrella into Yan Junqi's baggage.

Lu Xu went to a place with many candidates to inquire again, and listened to what others should and could not bring, so as to help Yan Junqi prepare.

During the three-day exam, in addition to bringing your own pen and inkstone, your own dry food, your own water, and your own bedding, many things are not allowed to bring-

Do not bring money to avoid bribing the examiner on the spot.

You can only bring two pens and one ink.

You are not allowed to bring paper, and it is considered cheating if you bring paper. Lu Xu heard that the whole exam was not given a scratch paper except for the papers, and the candidates could only hit the draft, and then answer it correctly over and over again, if you want to change it, I'm sorry, your paper is destined to be ugly, and the ugly paper is not eligible to be selected, so come back next time.

Food with peculiar smell is not allowed, which will affect the environment of the examination room.

Water can only be brought with clean water, and tea leaves are not allowed to be brought in case any candidates make cheat sheets on the tea leaves.

If anyone brings a quilt with a core, the officers and soldiers who inspect it are merciful and take out the core of the quilt on the spot.

Fortunately, there is no limit to the number of clothes, Yan's mother packed several robes for Yan Junqi, and Lu Xu also stuffed his blanket into it, it was already quite cold at night, who could stand it with a single-layer thin blanket.

On the day of admission, Lu Xu got up early to borrow a pot of hot water from the kitchen and poured Yan Junqi into the kettle.

"For three days, how can the raw water be clean, in case you get into trouble with your stomach, you still drink boiled."

I heard that during the exam, they had to be accompanied by an invigilator when they went to the toilet, and every time they left the examination booth, they had to stamp a red seal on the paper, and if there were too many red stamps, it would also affect the results of the examination room.

In case someone has diarrhea, it is equivalent to registering with the examiner.

It's miserable.

Lu Xu filled Yan Junqi's kettle and asked the other three candidates, "You either?" ”

The three candidates were stunned, yes, of course!

Lu Xu is younger than them, how could he be so thoughtful?!

Lu Xu also poured water on them, went to the street to buy fresh steamed buns and baked cakes for Yan Junqi, and also put some pickles in the steamed bread for Yan Junqi, and put two apples and a pear in the basket.

Carrying the basket, carrying clothes and quilts, Lu Xu accompanied Yan Junqi and three neighbors to line up outside the examination room to draw numbers.

Chapter 66: The Exam Begins

At the end of the day, the gate of the school field opened on time.

The officers and men came out of the school ground, spread out with their swords, and set up three posts on both sides of the school gate, two steps and one separation, to check the candidates' home documents.

Non-candidates can only be sent to the first post.

Lu Xu was carrying a basket, Yan Junqi was carrying a burden, and lined up outside the post, and the people behind saw Lu Xu holding an umbrella, and some people moved.

But at this time, the entrance has already begun, and when you enter the queue area, you can only enter and exit, and it is too late to buy it.

They came early, but it was Yan Junqi's turn, and it was already more than half of the hour, close to eleven o'clock, Lu Xu handed the basket to Yan Junqi, and without waiting for the officers and soldiers to rush, he automatically retreated outside.

Yan Junqi carried the basket and held the umbrella, handed the document of origin to the official who checked it, and after the official finished the inspection, he asked him a few questions with a calm face, drew a circle on the paperwork, and let him in.

Yan Junqi walked forward, and the second post checked the things he brought, and asked Yan Junqi to open the baggage, and the clothes, blankets, and bedding inside were all shaken open and checked, and not a single gap was missed, and then, his basket, kettle, and even baked cakes, steamed buns, fruits, and apples had a small dot on them, and they had to check them carefully to see if there were things stuffed inside.

Lu Xu stood in the crowd of people seeing him off, tiptoeing and watching nervously, for fear that he would accidentally bring something illegal to Yan Junqi.

After the inspection of the food, Yan Junqi's stationery box was also carefully inspected, the officers and soldiers poked around the wooden box with knives to check whether there was a mezzanine, Yan Junqi's new brush was also taken care of, and finally his umbrella, every time he checked something, there were officers and soldiers who asked fiercely "What is this", "What is it for", "Why do you want to bring this", Yan Junqi replied calmly, so that people could not see the slightest emptiness.

Lu Xu didn't know that the more things he brought, the stricter the inspection became, and the big basket he prepared for Yan Junqi was taken care of. But if Yan Junqi showed a little weakness, his things might be checked twice or three times, and if the officers and soldiers were really suspicious, they could throw his things out.

But Yan Junqi's attitude is too good, his face is well-behaved, and he is young, and after the routine inspection of the officers and soldiers, he is not too embarrassed for him.

Finally after the inspection, two moments had passed, and the people behind him were nervous and trembling.

After the second inspection, the officers and soldiers stuffed his things into the basket one by one, and the officers and soldiers carried them, and Yan Junqi was not allowed to touch his hands, and took him in for the next inspection.

The third way is about to enter the house to search, and if you don't do it, you have to strip naked for inspection, Yan Junqi stepped into the gate of the school and looked back at the crowd, and saw Lu Xu standing at the front of the crowd at a glance, waving at him.

Yan Junqi smiled at him and said silently, "I'm in." ”

Lu Xu clenched his fists and swung his fists, "Come on, Junqi!" I'll be waiting for you outside! ”

Yan Junqi nodded quickly at him.

Soon, Yan Junqi's figure disappeared, and Lu Xu slowly withdrew his hand and tiptoed into the courtyard in the crowd.

Yan Junqi entered the third post, because he was wearing a plain white cloth shirt, any ink spots could be seen immediately, the officers and soldiers who inspected only let him take off his coat and shoes, and after checking the inside and outside of the shoes, his hair, collar, cuffs and other places, to make sure that he was not entrained, no cheat sheets, he asked him to pack up the basket and go in.

Lu Xu looked forward to it, saw two or three people enter the courtyard of the school yard from the room, and finally saw a flash of white clothes.

He waved his hand at Yan Junqi's back, and slowly dropped his feet that were about to stand in a ballet posture, and there were still two and a half days.

The day after tomorrow, after handing in the papers, you can leave.

Sending Yan Junqi into the examination room, Lu Xu lingered outside for a while before leaving the school grounds.

Yan Junqi wants to take the exam, and he is also idle when he is idle, so it is better to go shopping and do market research.

The state capital is not a big city in Lu Xu's cognition, but the scale far exceeds that of Guanyang, and the Fang City that serves ordinary people is also incomparable to Guanyang County.

He was the only one left, Lu Xu didn't visit any more high-end restaurants, but patronized small shops one by one in different small streets, especially the snack bars with good business on the street, he was especially curious, and wanted to see what the people of the state capital usually ate and whether there was anything he could learn from.

In the examination room, Yan Junqi found a seat according to the drawn test number and put his luggage away. His position is not too good, he is under the nose of the examiner, and as soon as he looks up, he can see the examiner.

Yan Jun calmed down and put his clothes and bedding on the simple wooden bed, anyway, he didn't plan to cheat, he would be stared at if he was stared at.

The bed they slept on was made of old wooden planks, no more than a foot above the ground, and there was a uniform empty basket under the bed, and everything had to be put into the basket after the exam.

The bed was only five feet long and two feet wide, so narrow that even a half-grown child could not lie down. Yan Junqi leaned the umbrella against the corner of the table, put the burden on the table, untied the burden, took out the sheets to make the bed, put the basket containing food under the bed, and sat on the edge of the bed to close his eyes and recuperate.

Although the exam will officially start tomorrow, you are not allowed to talk or talk from the moment you enter. The invigilator guards were constantly patrolling the room, and if they saw someone talking to each other, they might drive people out of the examination room.

If the examiner finds out that two candidates next to him know each other, they will have to redraw the lot.

There is still half a day and a night, and there is nothing to do in the examination room, and this is the most difficult time, some people take out the ink to play, some people stare at the sky in a daze, some people simply lie down, and some people are uncertain, looking left and right. Yan Junqi closed his eyes and silently recited the book, panicked, and simply counted how many straws there were in the straw curtain that served as a wall.

The examination room was silent, and only the sound of candidates entering and walking could be heard, Yan Junqi heard that he was gathering the candidates left and right, and the candidates who shared a "wall" with him were probably nervous, and they began to scratch the bed board not long after they sat down. The sound of rustling is very annoying.

Yan Junqi lay down wrapped in two layers of blankets, and looked at the stars in the sky with his eyes open, he couldn't fall asleep after tossing and turning, only feeling that even the stars on the horizon were very noisy. He had insomnia until midnight, got up and opened his umbrella to block the light above his head and the outside world, locked himself in a small dark space, and slowly fell asleep.

Early the next morning, before dawn, Yan Junqi was awakened by freezing.

There was no sound in the examination room, and occasionally patrolling soldiers passed by with torches, Yan Junqi got up, took out his clothes from his baggage, put them on his body, put on four layers and lay down again to sleep.

The sky was getting brighter, and when the gong sounded in the examination room to get up, Yan Junqi slowly put away the umbrella and got up, and when he collected the umbrella, he suddenly found that the umbrella surface was a little damp.

Wake up, eat, pack up clothes, the second gong reminds them to clean up the table and bed, during the exam, the table is not allowed to put anything except pen and ink and inkstone, even the bed used as a chair must be cleaned up, only an empty plank remains.

Yan Junqi folded the blanket and put it in the basket under the bed, picked up a baked cake with pickled chili peppers and nibbled it. The chili pepper made his body warm up a little, and the person was more sober.

The patrolling soldiers passed by, Yan Junqi asked for water to wash his face, and rushed to the toilet before the second gong, and once the exam started, he would be registered and stamped when he left the examination room.

The second time the gong sounded, the examiner entered, and the patrol urged all the candidates to clean up the table and distribute the test papers.

Yan Junqi was in the front, cleaned up the desktop early, and waited for the hair curls while grinding the ink, if he waited for the patrol to roll the desktop, the bed and the extra things, they would all be confiscated.

A quarter of an hour later, the third gong is sounded, and all candidates are still listening to the examiner singing, and the fourth time the gong is sounded, the examiner sings the question for the second time, and the fifth gong is sounded, and all exams can be written and answered.

Yan Junqi had already started the exam, and Lu Xu had just gotten up.