Transmigrated as a Peasant Baby Who is Pampered by All

Chapter 417: Chapter 261: Preparations (2)

Uncle Liu chuckled and said, ”There’s no need to take the exam several times. Last time I went back, I happened to meet their tutor in the theater, and the tutor talked about this matter.”

Every now and then, Uncle Liu would go back to stay for a few days and meet old friends, so encountering the tutor was normal.

”The tutor said that although Yu’er is smart, his education started late, and his foundation is somewhat shaky. Rather than barely passing the scholar exam now, it’s better to spend another two years preparing, so that next time getting a top ranking won’t be a problem.”

Jiang Yu was surprised: ”Grandpa Liu, did the tutor really say this about me?”

Uncle Liu nodded: ”That’s right. The hospital exams aren’t far off. If nothing unexpected happens, he should talk to you about this in the next few days.”

The college has many students who end up as scholars. The principal and the tutors take pride in this, and it enhances the college’s reputation.

Besides the number of scholars, rankings are also important. If any college’s student can get a top ranking, that’s even more impressive!

Starting from this point and considering that Jiang Yu is indeed still young, such suggestions are quite normal.

Jiang Yu thought seriously for a moment: ”If this is indeed the case, trying it out this year isn’t a bad idea.”

After all, he also wants to achieve a good ranking, as it will be a solid foundation for future county and even imperial exams.

Of course, that is assuming he can make it to that stage.

Jiang Hu listened to the conversation between the two. He wasn’t familiar with these matters and couldn’t join in, but after they finished, he asked: ”Uncle Liu, does the hospital exam require going to Fu Zhou?”

He always thought Fu’an Village was remote, and taking a carriage to Cheng County would take eight to nine days.

But Cheng County is even farther from Fu Zhou!

It’s said to take nearly twenty days! And that’s under the condition that the road is clear and smooth.

”Fu Zhou? So far away? Wouldn’t it take nearly two to three months?”

Second Aunt began to feel reluctant.

Just traveling would take forty days, the exams take nine days, and it’s necessary to go early to familiarize oneself, and take some rest from the journey.

After the exams, it would still take a few days to recover, and one can only return after the results are announced.

With that schedule, two and a half months is definitely required, not to mention three months.

”Don’t worry, young talents going to Fu Zhou for the exams are the pride of the county, and the County Magistrate gives special attention to this, sending government officials specifically to escort the scholars to Fu Zhou.”

Uncle Liu thought Jiang Hu and Second Aunt were concerned about Jiang Yu’s safety.

Xiaomi immediately realized that this wasn’t the case for her parents.

With a quick turn of her eyes, she thought of an idea: ”Grandpa Liu, can we go together with them? If someone is there to take care, Big Brother and Ze’er would be more at ease during the exams, right?”

If left to the government officials, at most they’d lodge in inns, eat in inns, amid a bustling crowd, which won’t allow for proper study or review.

Although Big Brother shouldn’t aim to pass the exam this time, focusing and prioritizing next time, yet the exam experience shouldn’t be too poor.

Mom and Dad surely think the same way. After all, it’s Big Brother’s first time taking the scholar exam. Whether he passes or not, it’s very important, and of course, they’d want to be involved right from the start.

It’s just that both of them are shy and embarrassed to say it.

Uncle Liu nodded with a warm smile: ”Of course there’s no problem. I think the whole family ought to go. Visiting Fu Zhou would be an eye-opener; it’s much more prosperous than our Cheng County.”

”You could drive a couple of carriages yourselves, and set off with the government officials. There’s no need to worry about safety on the road, and you can return together as well.”

Both Jiang Hu and Second Aunt were tempted, and upon seeing the children’s eager faces, they were convinced.

Jiang Hu calmed his mind and asked: ”Uncle Liu, do you know roughly when we might set off this year? We should prepare the household in advance.”

We have many chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs at home, and in two months, corn and sorghum should be ready to harvest. So plans must be made ahead.

This year, most of the farm work was done by hired help, so hiring people in advance wouldn’t be a problem.

Uncle Liu calculated the time: ”It should be within these half months. You can set out with peace of mind. I can’t handle much with these old bones, leave the house to me.”

It’s even better to have Old Master Liu overseeing things. With Uncle Liu at home, both Qixi and Aunt Yang would surely stay behind. They’re quite familiar with all kinds of work in the fields and at home, so it’s worry-free.

Then, the plan for preparation was thoroughly discussed.

Uncle Liu sat in the rocking chair, fanning the palm-leaf fan in his hand: ”Let’s do it this way. Since everyone wants to go, I’ll ask Ze’er’s mother to find someone to go to Fu Zhou early and rent a small courtyard near the exam location.”