Do you know: I, a commoner prime minister

Chapter 47 Respect

Joint guarantee, also known as mutual guarantee or guarantee, is a method of mutual guarantee and joint liability between candidates to ensure the authenticity of their examination qualifications and prevent cheating behaviors such as impersonation, proxy testing, and concealment of death.

The imperial examination system of the Great Zhou Dynasty required five people to act as a group to jointly guarantee the examination. They needed to obtain a guarantee certificate from the local government where their household registration was located, and only those with the guarantee certificate could participate in the examinations.

When Zhou An participated in the provincial examination, he had to act as a guarantor for the other participants.

The academy will make arrangements in this regard. After the students are divided into groups, they will meet and get to know each other, and then go together to obtain the guarantee certificate.

When entering the examination hall for the provincial examination, five people would enter together to ensure that there would be no impersonation or proxy testing.

"I heard that during the provincial examinations, the inns in Tongzhou City are full very early, and if you arrive late, you might not even be able to find a place to stay," Zhou Li said.

"Father, don't worry. My father-in-law said he has business in Tongzhou, so he won't be short of a place to stay," Zhou An said with a smile.

Zhou Li was relieved upon hearing this and instructed, "Your in-laws have really thought things through. You must not let them down."

"I understand," Zhou An nodded.

After the meal, the couple chatted with their parents for a while before returning to the left side of the courtyard.

"My lord, don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's normal to take the provincial examination several times before you pass," Shulan said, trying to comfort Zhou An, worried that he was under too much pressure.

"I know!"

Zhou An reached out and took Shulan's hand, smiling slightly, "I never thought I would pass the exam this time. I'll just treat it as getting familiar with the atmosphere of the provincial examination."

The provincial examination was several times more difficult than the county examination. The county examination lasted only three days and two nights, but the provincial examination required three sessions, each lasting three days and two nights, for a total of nine days and six nights.

There was a one-day and one-night break in between, and then we had to go in again.

The imperial examination was even more grueling, consisting of three consecutive sessions lasting nine days and eight nights. During this time, except for the convenience of others, one had to stay in the examination cell of the examination hall the whole time.

Zhou An had heard that the imperial examinations not only tested one's knowledge, but also the immense mental torment involved.

Many talented students suffer mental breakdowns under the pressure of exams, leading to poor performance.

"Yes, it's good that you understand, my lord." Shulan nodded with a smile.

Zhou An squeezed her hand and said, "Judging by the days, I should be leaving in a few days. You'll have to go through a lot of trouble at home."

"Don't worry, my lord, I'll take care of things at home!"

Shulan nodded firmly and said, "I will take good care of the house!"

"No need to be so serious, nothing serious has happened at home," Gu Ning said with a smile.

After returning to the courtyard, Gu Ning greeted Shulan and then went to the study to read.

There are few entertainment options at night, so people can only go out to listen to music or visit brothels.

Zhou An wasn't interested in these things, and he couldn't fall asleep if he rested too early, so he had developed the habit of reading a book before going to sleep at night.

After reading for a while in the study, Shulan and her maid brought over honey water and snacks.

Shulan took the tray, dismissed the maid, and carried it to her desk.

"My lord, I am not feeling well, so I will not be resting in the main room tonight."

Shulan gritted her teeth and said, "Let Chunliu serve you tonight."

"Um?"

Zhou An put down his book, reached out and pulled Shulan to his side, looking at her and saying, "Why are you saying this all of a sudden? Did your mother say something to you?"

"No, we've only been married for less than three months. Mother wouldn't be in such a hurry."

"It has nothing to do with my mother-in-law!"

Shulan quickly shook her head and explained, "My lord, the provincial examination is approaching, and I am menstruating, so I am afraid it will affect you."

Moreover, I fear I will not be able to share a room with you before you leave home, which is why I thought of having Chunliu serve you.

Chunliu was her personal maid who had grown up with her.

Generally speaking, a man's personal maid would often become a concubine.

A woman's personal maidservant, after accompanying her to her dowry, would serve her husband in her place when he was unwell.

The maidservants had contracts of intimacy, so they didn't worry about it affecting their status.

When she was unwell, she could have her maidservants serve her, which would also prevent her husband from going to the concubine's room.

Shulan still had some selfish motives. She thought that Zhou An didn't have any concubines and hadn't mentioned it when he was unwell before.

Now that Zhou An is about to go to participate in the provincial examination, she knows that her period will not be over before she leaves, which is why she brought up this matter.

"I don't believe in these things, don't overthink it."

Zhou An said sternly, "As for having Chunliu serve you, don't mention it again!"

Men, of course, want to have multiple wives and concubines.

Moreover, this was especially true in ancient times when things were reasonable and legal.

However, Zhou An has no such intention at the moment, and he would not take Shulan's maid as a concubine.

"If you don't want Chunliu to serve you, that's fine, but women are unclean during their menstrual period, and you have the provincial examination coming up soon, so I..."

"My wife!"

Zhou An said in a deep voice, "I told you I don't believe in these things. Don't overthink it. Go back and rest early."

In Zhou An's view, the idea that women's menstrual cycles were unclean was more like a form of protection for women.

If it's true that you can't have sex during your period, there will always be some people who want to try it.

There are many similar cases, such as the filth during childbirth.

People are naturally curious, but when it comes to their own destiny, most people won't do it, whether they believe it or not.

Seeing Zhou An's firm tone, Shulan didn't dare to say anything more, but her heart was filled with warmth.

She had always felt that Zhou An was different from others, and now she finally understood exactly why.

That is respect for her.

Although her father and brother treated her very well, some differences in their views were still unavoidable.

.........

The next morning, Zhou An was practicing with Shi Tou in the front yard when the gatekeeper came to inform him that someone from the academy had come to tell him to go to the academy that afternoon.

Zhou An immediately knew that they were going to form groups to jointly guarantee the supply.

The provincial examination was different from the county examination. The cost of participating in the county examination was very low. As long as one was a scholar, regardless of whether he could pass or not, he would participate in the county examination every time.

However, the provincial examination was different. Those who arrived in Tongzhou in advance would spend about two months taking the exam and waiting for the results.

The round-trip travel expenses and two months of food and lodging in Tongzhou would be a considerable expense.

Just like Zhou An, who was taking the provincial examination for the first time, the local government would provide some money.

However, the exact amount depends on the wealth of the local government.

Even if someone had the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination), they wouldn't participate in every provincial-level examination if their family's financial situation was average.

I will only take the exam when I feel confident in my abilities.

This makes it quite troublesome for test takers to find someone to jointly guarantee their admission.

The academy will arrange groups for them and sign the guarantee, assuming corresponding responsibilities, so there is no need to worry.

There was no rush, and Zhou An didn't mind, continuing his training.

After accepting the stone, Zhou An had it teach him how to forge.

He hadn't considered practicing martial arts, but physical exercise to improve his health was still very necessary.

After lunch, he took the stone and headed to the academy.

After Lu Wang was transferred, the new instructor took office after the New Year.

Because Zhou An did not study at the academy, he had never met him before, and only knew that his surname was Huang.

The matter of the joint guarantee was also handled by the academy's teachers, and Zhou An did not meet the newly appointed instructor.

"Brother Zhou!"

"Huai De!"

Inside the classroom, dozens of people were gathered, chatting in small groups.

Upon seeing Zhou An enter, several familiar faces greeted him with smiles.

Zhou An smiled and nodded, responding to each question.