The provincial examination results would be posted three days later.
The grading standards were led by the Grand Secretaries of the Imperial Academy, then reviewed by educational institutions at various levels.
Finally, the list of successful juren candidates would be compiled at the Imperial Academy, with the imperial court uniformly assigning positions.
Generally speaking, ordinary juren would be assigned posts nearby, serving as clerks in provincial armies or counties.
At the sub-yuan level, the central government would arrange deployments based on ability, placing candidates on standby for certain official positions.
As for jieyuan, they would all be summoned to the capital and directly appointed to seventh-rank positions with real authority.
Typically, these would be local county magistrate positions.
Or they might be assigned to departments suited to their particular talents.
For these children of the powerful elite, most were willing to serve in subordinate departments in the capital.
This required their fathers to pull some strings.
What Jiang-shi had mentioned earlier—that as long as he passed the juren examination, Song Jing could arrange for him to serve as a clerk in the capital—this was exactly what she meant.
Because there were too many juren candidates from Si Prefecture, and Sheng'an's quota was basically full, staying in the capital to serve without connections was simply impossible.
Of course, this wasn't something Song Shi'an needed to worry about at all.
Having transmigrated here, he was determined to rise above everyone else in this era.
The only problem he needed to consider now was just one thing.
Before the results were posted, he couldn't starve to death.
And right after leaving the Examination Compound, he encountered those two idiots Chunhou and Zhang Ji.
They saw him too, so Zhang Ji immediately shouted loudly: "Over here, over here!"
Having no choice, Song Shi'an walked over.
With those two was another person. The moment Song Shi'an saw him, he sensed a certain presence.
How to put it?
It was like during civil service interview exams, when you look at someone and just know they're incredibly capable.
"Who's this?" Song Shi'an asked.
The man stood tall with proper posture, well-proportioned features, sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. Though his clothing wasn't particularly luxurious, it gave an impression of being quite proper and clean.
"Let me introduce you—this is Wang Shuishan." Zhang Ji immediately said with a laugh, "Back in the day, his father held horses for my father in the army. Who'd have thought he'd become a county magistrate now? Pretty impressive, right?"
After being so obviously mocked in this introduction, Wang Shuishan showed not a trace of anger, maintaining his polite, faint smile.
"This is the son of the Sheng'an Magistrate, Song Shi'an."
Though Zhang Ji liked to throw shade within their little circle, he was very protective of their circle's prestige in front of outsiders.
"I've met Gongzi Song."
Wang Shuishan clasped his hands together and performed a very respectful bow.
After raising his head, he found that Song Shi'an had returned the courtesy with equal respect.
For a moment, he was somewhat stunned.
He knew the other party was an illegitimate son.
But still, this was the son of a third-rank official, while a county magistrate was only eighth rank.
His father might never interact with such a high-ranking official in his entire life.
"How did you do, jinshi-lang?" Zhang Ji teased Song Shi'an.
"So-so, just average." Song Shi'an waved his hand.
"Why don't we have Chunhou-xiong's uncle arrange for us to go to that whatever Huai Prefecture..." Zhang Ji couldn't keep his mouth shut, "and go be squad leaders together?"
"You little shit, always running your mouth."
Chunhou gave him a look.
"We're going to Zuiman Tower for drinks now. Wang Shuishan, join us." Zhang Ji smiled.
"Young masters, I have another appointment, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you." Wang Shuishan politely declined with a smile.
"Forget it then, let's go." Zhang Ji didn't press further.
"Everyone, Shuishan takes his leave."
Wang Shuishan once again performed a respectful bow.
Zhang Ji and Chunhou nodded casually, only Song Shi'an returned the courtesy without any trace of contempt.
This left those two rather puzzled.
Had this kid always been so polite?
What's he putting on an act for?
Only Wang Shuishan could sense the respect.
In his heart, an inexplicable sense of anticipation arose.
After leaving the group, he looked back that way with interest, observing.
Then he discovered that the three of them didn't continue together either. At a fork in the road, Song Shi'an waved goodbye to the other two and separated.
So he hurried to follow.
After catching up, he slowed his pace.
As he approached, he acted surprised: "What a coincidence, gongzi! You're taking this road too?"
Song Shi'an stopped, slowly turned around, looked at this standard system-insider handsome guy, and suddenly said: "You harbor great ambitions—why bother catering to those short-sighted, mediocre people?"
That one sentence immediately struck him speechless.
The smile on his face froze.
Then, in his heart, he fiercely agreed!
Completely, utterly struck to the core.
Those people were nothing but privileged by their family backgrounds, constantly looking down on this person and scorning that person, but actually mediocre and incompetent, shallow in their learning.
Who would want to associate with such people!
Song Shi'an's words completely resonated with Wang Shuishan, making him regard Song Shi'an as a kindred spirit.
Very simple—remember these fortune-telling scripts for men and it's enough:
You're a person who works hard and strives forward. You don't share common ground with the people around you, but you lower yourself to cater to them. These past few years might not have been smooth, but once you pass this hurdle, it'll be clear skies ahead.
For women?
You're someone who appears easygoing on the outside but stubborn inside, someone who would rather bottle things up than tell others. You're easily soft-hearted, but you've been hurt in relationships, so now you deliberately act cold.
Wow, so accurate, master!
Accurate my ass, I'll sell you health supplements when you're old.
"Actually, I'm not that familiar with Zhang Ji... just happened to run into them."
Moved in his heart, Wang Shuishan once again bowed to Song Shi'an: "Wang Shuishan, courtesy name Mucai, from Anhe Commandery."
"Song Shi'an, courtesy name Jingxiu."
"The moment I saw Jingxiu-xiong, I felt a sense of closeness, as if we were old friends who'd met many times before."
Normally, Wang Shuishan wouldn't say such things.
After all, the sons of high officials in Sheng'an naturally carried a certain arrogance.
Speaking this way, the other party could easily take offense.
But just now and even now, the other party's attitude clearly showed willingness to befriend him.
"I feel the same."
Song Shi'an smiled.
"Then might you join me for a chat?" Wang Shuishan took the initiative to invite him.
"A thousand gold pieces are easily obtained, but a true friend is hard to find. I was thinking the same thing." Song Shi'an hesitated, "But I still need to go home..."
"Shi'an-xiong."
Wang Shuishan interrupted, then spoke especially solemnly: "I have a room reserved at the Scholar's Inn. Please honor me by coming there."
OK, got my meal ticket until the results are posted.
………
"Ce'er, you're back."
Before the carriage reached home, Song Jing was already waiting with people.
"Father, Mother."
Song Ce performed his respects, then followed them through the main gate into the estate.
At this moment, Jiang-shi, crouching to the side, quietly asked: "Gongzi, where's Shi'an?"
"You bitch, how dare you ask?"
Because she opened her mouth, Madam Cui immediately started cursing: "If that beast of a son of yours dares return, I'll have him beaten to death with clubs!"
"He even dared to force his way through the main gate—is he trying to fight for the family inheritance?"
"As if he's worthy!"
"In this vast Song Estate, he won't get a single tile!"
Madam Cui glared viciously at Jiang-shi, wishing she could beat her to death with clubs as well.
Song Jing had to calm her down, telling her not to stoop to that level.
"As for him..."
Song Ce looked at Jiang-shi and said: "Before the results are posted, he probably won't be coming back."
"What? He thinks he can pass?"
Upon hearing this, Song Jing, who had been calming Madam Cui down, immediately exploded with rage—even more furious than Madam Cui. Pointing at the trembling Jiang-shi, veins bulged on his face: "And another thing—does that son of yours think passing the juren examination will settle this matter? Remember this, you remember this well—even if that bastard passes, don't even think about stepping through the Song Estate's gates. I swear it!"