Chapter 840: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 840: Deceiving the Scoundrels (1)
Unlike the provincial exams, the imperial examination (Hui Shi) took place over three days per session, with a total of three sessions spanning nine days. One month later, the results would be posted at the Imperial Examination Hall, and the top one hundred candidates would be awarded the title of "Gongshi" (official scholars). If all went as expected, these top one hundred would participate in the palace examination, held seven days after the results were posted. The palace exam, personally supervised by the emperor, was considered the "grand examination for selecting talents."
During the palace exam, the emperor would assess the candidates based on their performance and determine the final rankings. The top three were awarded the titles of "Zhuangyuan" (first-place), "Bangyan" (second-place), and "Tuanhua" (third-place), with each being granted the title of Jinshi (successful candidate). The second group, consisting of seventeen candidates, would be granted the title of Jinshi as well, while the third group, with eighty candidates, would receive the title of "Tongjinshi" (same as Jinshi).
Candidates in the top two groups could directly be granted official positions, with a high likelihood of staying in the capital. However, candidates in the third group would need to undergo further assessments before receiving official posts. If fortunate or with good connections, they could begin at a county magistrate's position in a rich region. Otherwise, they might be sent to a remote and impoverished area or forced to start as low-ranking officials, with little hope of advancement.
For this reason, some ambitious and self-assured scholars would rather fail and try again in three years than settle for being ranked as a "Tongjinshi." Without the right support, many could only achieve mid-ranking positions in their later years and would never achieve greater success.
Although Mo Yan had confidence in her father and believed he would at least be ranked among the second group, she knew that the outcome of the exam was uncertain. All she could do was ensure he was fully prepared and shielded from negative influences, so he could perform at his best.
The pills packed in the wooden boxes were highly effective, made from medicinal herbs she had obtained from her spatial storage, mixed with spiritual spring water, and then crafted by Master Du, a renowned physician. The potency of these pills was ten times stronger than those made from ordinary herbs.
After sending her father off, Mo Yan remained busy. She used her magic to cast a Dreaming Charm on the villagers, then transported bundles of fruit saplings from her space and gathered enough people to plant over one hundred thousand saplings on more than twenty mountains.
These saplings weren't simply planted in random holes; the land was carefully divided according to each mountain’s terrain, creating shapes like flowers, animals, and even human faces. When the fruit trees bloomed in spring, the mountains would look like vast floral seas from above, with scenes like children chasing dogs or young women picking flowers. In short, each mountain would have its own distinct beauty, and in two years when the trees were fully grown, the springtime bloom would be an extraordinary sight!
The effort spent digging these tree pits wasn’t for fun. This sprawling orchard, stretching for miles, was far larger than any other in the capital, and Mo Yan was determined to make the most of it. With proper development, it could be a huge money-making venture, a testament to her foresight and hard work.
Looking at the twenty or so design drawings on the table, Li Xiu gasped in admiration. "Yan Yan, these drawings are beautiful! When those fruit saplings bloom next year, it will definitely be even more gorgeous. I can’t wait to see it!"
Mo Yan smiled, "It won’t be long. The fruit trees will bloom next spring! By the year after, we’ll find ways to promote this orchard. It should attract a lot of people who want to enjoy the flowers. We can charge them an entrance fee and earn money while relaxing at home. And when the fruit is ripe, we can let those young ladies and gentlemen who don’t know a thing about farming experience the joy of picking fruit. That way, we’ll make another profit."
Li Xiu nodded in approval. "That’s a great idea! You’re so clever, Yan Yan. We can earn a small sum from the flower viewing and fruit picking, and then a big sum from selling the fruit and making wine. It’s perfect! With such a beautiful flower mountain, rich families will definitely want to come!"
Li Xiu paused, then added, "Since you’ve been around wealthy families, you must know that many ladies enjoy outings in the spring. I think we could build small courtyards at the foot of each mountain and sell them to these noble ladies. During the flower viewing season, they might even host flower parties, bringing their friends along for poetry and appreciation. We could make a lot of money from that too!"
(The End of This Chapter)
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