Chapter 54 - 43: Related Parties
Other families take exams to become scholars for fame and fortune, but Xu Qing takes the exams purely for a more stable life avoiding labor duties. The starting points are different.
"Younger Brother Xu, why are you joining the fun?"
"I’m just leading two nephews, I’m familiar with the roads to the Government Office!"
Xu Qing did not mention that this ’old helper’ also needs to take the exams for fame, thinking it was not worth talking about. He regarded it as an ordinary matter; when the opportunity arises, he would sign up, close the shop for a day during the county and provincial exams, and take the test for child student and scholar, just to get it over with.
So whenever officials come to collect various miscellaneous taxes or conscript labor, he can proudly show his scholar title.
Look, high or low, I’m still a scholar!
...
On March 1st, drizzling rain fell on the eaves and streets. Despite the weather, many scholars holding oiled-paper umbrellas, or simply running in the rain, went to the Government Office to register their name and birthplace for the exams.
Xu Qing led two young men not much younger than himself, sheltering from the rain and queuing in the hall of the Government Office.
To be honest, there were quite a few people registering for the exams today—handsome and ugly, dressed in luxurious clothes or patched garments. The youngest, with a high ponytail and only eight or nine years old, was said to be a prodigy from Shuiyuan Academy, aiming not only for child student but also scholar!