He Yun was the son of a peasant family. Though his physique was not strong, he loved to study.
Whenever he had free time, he would study literacy with an old gentleman in the village.
As for what books he read, He Yun did not know.
Because he had never seen books from beginning to end. The characters he learned were written on the ground with a wooden stick, forcing him to memorize them.
He had not bought any bamboo slips either, as his family's financial situation made them unaffordable.
Moreover, most of his daily time was not spent on reading and writing, but on helping his parents cultivate the fields.
Therefore, his studies could only be considered a pastime.
In his life, he had never imagined that he could become an official.
The knowledge he acquired was partly because he truly enjoyed it, and partly to help his family calculate taxes and determine how much grain they needed to pay.
His participation in the imperial examination this time was purely on a trial basis.
Upon his return, his parents could not help but inquire.
"How was it? How did you do on the exam?"
"Probably… not well? Although I felt I answered many questions correctly, I heard that many people answered all of them correctly. Compared to them, I am far behind!!"
He Yun felt there was a significant gap between himself and those who answered all questions correctly.
Even though he had answered some questions correctly, those correct answers were insignificant compared to others.
Hence, he was a little dejected.
Fortunately, his parents did not mock him but comforted him, saying:
"It's alright, if you really want to pass, we will work harder, and you will surely pass next time!!"
"No need. Since I didn't pass this time, I won't try again. I will stay home and farm with you, Father and Mother. As long as we are diligent, we will be able to support ourselves in the future!"
Although He Yun desired to become an official, he was also willing to be filial to his parents.
Therefore, he felt there was nothing wrong with staying home and farming, and his parents would not object to this.
However, while his parents said nothing, others gossiped.
"Hey! Isn't that He Yun? I heard he went to take the imperial examination yesterday. How did he do?"
"How could he have done? It was just a formality, wasn't it? He's a mud-legged peasant like us. How could he possibly pass the exam and become an official?"
"Exactly! Not everyone is destined to be an official. A mud-legged peasant will remain a mud-legged peasant their whole life and cannot possibly turn things around to become an official!"
"He Yun, stop dreaming! Your life is meant for farming!"
Becoming an official was the dream of many, but deeply ingrained class consciousness prevented them from believing it.
They did not think that an ordinary farmer like themselves could achieve success and gain official ranks without fighting on the battlefield.
Therefore, many unpleasant words were blurted out.
Even He Yun's parents' faces turned grim, and they eventually had a heated argument with these people.
Their neighborly relations with some individuals were directly shattered.
This made He Yun very sad and also bewildered.
However, his parents comforted him, saying:
"It's fine, don't pay attention to their words. We just need to live our own lives well!"
"Don't worry about the exam either. If you failed this time, there will be a next time! As long as you want to try, we will support you!!"
These words caused He Yun to break down in tears.
He knew that the argument today had a significant impact on his parents, yet under such circumstances, they still fully supported him.
Such parents were worthy of his lifelong repayment.
In the days that followed, although He Yun spoke little, he worked even harder.
He wanted his parents to have a better life.
This diligence continued until ten days later, when the results were posted.
"You don't need to go to the fields today. The imperial examination results are being posted today, go and take a look!"
"I won't go. I want to help Father and Mother farm!"
"We can farm anytime, but the posting of results is today. What if you pass? What if you pass, and we can enjoy blessings with you!"
"Then… I will go and take a look!"
He Yun actually wanted to go and see. Persuaded by his parents, he indeed went.
However, upon arriving at the place where the results were posted, he found it crowded with people.
The most conspicuous among them were a group of wealthy young masters.
They led a group of servants, occupying the most prominent positions.
Their presence was the focal point of everyone's attention.
The wealthy young masters who dared to appear here at this time were all confident in themselves.
Therefore, each of them was spirited and spoke with great authority.
Especially when some of them saw people like He Yun, still covered in dust, appearing there, they could not help but speak with disdain:
"I really don't know what a bunch of mud-legged peasants are doing here. Standing with them really lowers my status!"
"Haha! They are here because they expect to pass!"
"Them passing? That's pure wishful thinking. I can confidently say that the majority of the spots in this examination will be taken by us. As for those mud-legged peasants, for even one of them to pass would be a gift from heaven!"
Upon hearing this, many servants immediately chimed in agreement.
The contempt in their eyes was evident.
Many people lowered their heads upon hearing such words.
Compared to these wealthy young masters, they indeed felt inferior.
However, they did not leave but continued to wait.
Soon, the people posting the results appeared.
"This imperial examination selects a hundred people directly. That is to say, only the top hundred will have the chance to become officials!"
"Therefore, the list posted today will only contain the names of the top one hundred!"
"However, the top ten scorers of this assessment will need to go to Xianyang for the next round of assessment to see if they possess greater talent and can become higher officials!"
"All expenses for travel, accommodation, and food in Xianyang will be borne by the imperial court. The top ten only need to take the exam!!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd was in an uproar.
Going to Xianyang for assessment, the mere mention of it felt like an immense honor.
Being able to become a higher official was something they all yearned for.
Therefore, countless people began to pray at this moment.
"I hope I can be in the top ten, I hope I can be in the top ten!"
"I answered so well, the top ten must be me, the top ten must be me!"
"I want to go to Xianyang, I want to go to Xianyang!!"
Amidst the prayers of the crowd, the list of assessed candidates was unveiled.
The first list posted was for the top ten.
This was the list that attracted everyone's attention.
"First place, Han Xin? Who is Han Xin? Who is Han Xin?"
"Second place, He Yun? Who is this He Yun?"
"Third place, Li Xin, who is this Li Xin?"
...