Chapter 934: Imperial Examination Hall

When spring comes and flowers bloom, the capital becomes more and more lively.

Candidates from all over the country who come to Beijing to take the imperial examinations, and young ladies from local areas who come to Beijing to be candidates, all gather in the capital.

The official post stations and inns in the capital are all full.

On April 9th, the joint examination begins.

The entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall is crowded with candidates from all over the country who come to take the imperial examinations.

There is a platform next to the door, and someone on the platform calls out the names. The soldiers check the physical characteristics of the people whose names are called, and then give them a stick before letting them into the Imperial Examination Hall.

After entering the Imperial Examination Hall, Gu Qing stood in the crowd with the examination basket, the bedding, and a bag, waiting for the soldiers to search.

It is called an examination basket, but it is actually a three-layered box woven with bamboo strips.

It contains pens, inkstones, paper, inkstones, water drops, nails, hammers, knives, fire starters, and candles.

Foot cloths, face towels, toothbrushes, and tooth powder are all there.

There were also rice bowls, teacups, tea leaves, moxa sticks, ginseng, sliced ​​bacon, ham, pickled vegetables, longan meat, rice, pancakes, roast chicken cut into pieces, eggs, and a small pot.

It took a long time before it was Gu Qing's turn. An officer signaled Gu Qing to take off his hairpin and clothes.

Gu Qing took off his hairpin, and his hair spread out and fluttered in the wind. Then he took off two of the three single clothes on his body, and the last close-fitting clothes were also untied, exposing his chest to the officers and soldiers for inspection.

In order to prevent smuggling, cotton-padded clothes and jackets are not allowed to be worn during the exam. Only single clothes can be worn. This year is not bad. It is already April and the weather is relatively warm. In previous years, the exam was held in February. If you only wear single clothes, even if you wear more clothes, you will freeze to death.

Gu Qing took off his clothes and shoes, and even took out the insoles to show the officers and soldiers.

Another officer next to him checked everything in Gu Qing's exam basket. The pancakes baked by his mother were torn open for inspection.

Quilts were not allowed to be brought in, fearing that there might be something hidden inside, so Gu Qing's bedding was two felt blankets, which were also shaken open at this moment, and there were also a number top, a number curtain, and a number curtain inside.

After checking, the officers and soldiers opened the bag on the ground again, which contained charcoal, which Gu Qing intended to use for cooking.

The officers and soldiers responsibly poured all the charcoal on the ground and used their waist knives to move it.

These officers and soldiers were the imperial guards assigned by the emperor, and they were the direct troops that followed the emperor from Donghai County.

Because it was the first time that such an important task was assigned, they were all checked very seriously.

It can be said that it was the most rigorous check since the imperial examination, and it was not known whether it was Gu Qing's luck or misfortune.

After the inspection, Gu Qing quickly put on his clothes and shoes, tied his hair, packed his things, put the charcoal on the ground into the bag, and then entered another door.

He saw that the low number rooms on the left and right sides were neatly arranged in rows.

Gu Qing went in and looked around, and soon saw Su Chen.

Su Chen was waiting for him, and when he saw him, he walked towards him quickly.

The two looked at each other, and Gu Qing asked, "Which room are you in?"

Su Chen showed him the signature in his hand, "Chengzi size number 3."

Gu Qing looked at his signature, "Dizi size number 6."

Su Chen sighed, "Fortunately, this number should be in the middle, not a bad number."

"Let's go, let's find a place to put the luggage first and settle it down first."

There are nearly 10,000 rooms in the Imperial Examination Hall, and there are people everywhere. Young people like Su Chen and Gu Qing account for more than half, and the rest are mostly middle-aged people, and there are even a few white-haired old men.

Many people gathered in groups of three or five, talking loudly.

The two were looking around for rooms, and suddenly a young man shouted happily, "Brother Su!"