Zhou Xing copied a book for a day, not to mention supper, he didn't even eat lunch. Fortunately, He Chujun knew him, so he didn't eat dinner outside. Instead, he bought some cooked pigs and a few big pancakes for their supper.

Although He Chujun's background was stronger than Zhou Xing, his parents died early and his family business declined. Fortunately, his family still had hundreds of acres of fertile land, which was managed by his wife in his hometown. Originally, in his family's situation, he was a small landlord in the countryside, but the prices in Chang'an were too high, so his life was tight, otherwise he would not have rented a house in Zhou Xing's house.

At this time, the sky was completely dark. He Chujun lit the oil lamp in his room and sat with Zhou Xing in front of the small table while eating and chatting. Zhou Xing said embarrassedly: "Brother He, you rented a house with me, but you still often invited me to dinner, which really made me feel bad."

"Haha~, Hongda, you are so arrogant. We are friends, and I am older than you, just treat me as your elder brother. Taking care of you as a younger brother is also what I should do!" He Chujun laughed generously. He likes to make friends, and although Zhou Xing is young, he is extremely smart and studies hard, so he is very optimistic about Zhou Xing.

Hongda was the character Zhou Xing. He was originally young and had not yet reached the time to take the character. However, after meeting He Chujun, the relationship between them became deeper, so He Chujun helped him get the character Hongda, hoping that he would become the main hall of Hongtu in the future and have a clear career.

When Zhou Xing heard He Chujun's words, he was moved and even had a little hot eye. After all, no one cared about him so much after his parents passed away, which made him feel urge to cry. However, the man did not let the tears easily. Finally, he bit the cake in his hand hard, and then forced the tears in his eyes back.

"By the way, I heard that the Imperial College students are assigned some official positions every year. With Brother He, your talent, you can definitely get a good official position, right?" After a while, Zhou Xing suddenly asked.

"The Imperial College will indeed assign official positions to graduates, such as being a county magistrate, a minister of a government office, etc. Although they are all small officials at the bottom, as long as they have outstanding abilities, they can be promoted in the future." He Chujun nodded at this time and said, although the Tang Dynasty had already had the imperial examination, the territory of the Tang Dynasty was too large, and the officials selected from the imperial examination could not meet the needs of the Tang Dynasty at all, so the Imperial College was also used as reserve officials.

"I really envy you, I have no need for imperial examinations to become an official. Unfortunately, my family is extremely poor and I have no protection from my ancestors, so I can't get into the Imperial College." Zhou Xing first showed an envious expression, but finally said with a little disappointment.

Not everyone can enter the Imperial College. There are 300 students in the Imperial College. Generally, only officials or noble children can enter. Moreover, the prison is divided into six subjects. Children of different grades of officials learn different subjects. For example, the highest grade of Imperial College is only accepted for the third grade or above and the descendants of the nobles. The second grade of Imperial College only accepts the fifth grade or above and the descendants of the county and county princes. It can be said that the rank is very strict. He Chujun has the help of his father and old friends, so he can only enter the four schools to study.

Seeing Zhou Xing's appearance, He Chujun smiled indifferently and said, "Hongda, don't be too disappointed. In fact, the Imperial College is not as good as before. And I have decided that even if the Imperial College is assigned an official position, I will not want it. Instead, I will participate in next year's imperial examination and try to learn how I can learn it!"

"Why, Brother He, why don't you go smoothly, but instead compete with others for the imperial examination with slim hope?" Zhou Xing was shocked when he heard He Chujun's words, and then asked, "You must know that the competition for the imperial examination is very fierce every time, especially the Jinshi exam, and the number of people admitted each time is very small. Although He Chujun is talented, he definitely has no confidence in winning it.

"Haha, Hongda, you don't know. There are two main reasons why I decided to go to the imperial examination and take the most difficult Jinshi exam." He Chujun smiled again at this time, "The first is that the current Imperial College is different from the past. In the early days of the Tang Dynasty, the gap between officials was huge, so the Imperial College students can also be assigned a good official position. However, in recent years, our Tang Dynasty has gradually stabilized, and the needs of officials are limited. The best official positions have been taken away by officials from the Jinshi class, and the Imperial College students can generally be assigned to remote places to serve."

When he said this, He Chujun paused for a moment and then said, "It would be fine if he was just a good position to be taken away, but now the officialdom regards the imperial examination as the right way, and he discriminates against officials who are not from the imperial examination. Even his promotions in the future are affected. It is far less smooth than those from the imperial examination. It is precisely because of the above that I decided to take the imperial examination path. Although it is a little difficult ahead, it is to lay the foundation for the future."

"So that's the case, Brother He, your eyes are long-term!" Zhou Xing couldn't help but exclaim after hearing He Chujun's words. He likes to chat with He Chujun because the other party has experience and knowledge and can tell many things he doesn't know, such as these official things. If He Chujun hadn't told him, he would probably have to rely on himself to explore a little bit in the future.

"Haha, there is no long-term vision, but just make the choice that is most beneficial to me." He Chujun smiled again when he heard Zhou Xing's praise, "By the way, Hongda, do you have any plans for the future?"

"I? What are my plans? I just hope to read more books. I don't expect to be a test of the imperial examination. After all, my talent is too different. Now I just hope to find opportunities to enter the officialdom in the future, even if I start as a minor official. At least I will not waste my hard study for the years." Zhou Xing said with a self-deprecating smile at this time.

Speaking of which, Zhou Xing asked himself that he was not stupider than anyone else. Even if he knew him, he praised him for his quick thinking and a good material for studying. However, no matter how good the material is, he would not have much success in the future. Not to mention anything else, Zhou Xing felt that he was far inferior to He Chujun. Moreover, He Chujun was not from a noble family, but later he went to the Imperial College to read many books. He could not even compare with He Chujun, let alone those noble families.

Seeing Zhou Xing so pessimistic, He Chujun couldn't help but sigh, but then he cheered up and motivated the other party and said, "Hongda, don't be too pessimistic. Our Tang Dynasty is in a prosperous era and requires a large number of talents in all aspects. I heard that two years ago, the bank of the son-in-law Li Xiu needed a large number of scholars. These people started to be minor officials when they entered the bank, but later with the expansion of the bank, many people were promoted to officials. It is said that the bank will expand in the future, and the officials inside also have a bright future. I think Hongda, you can try it!"

When Zhou Xing heard He Chujun mention the bank, his eyes lit up, but then he said embarrassedly: "Actually, I knew about the bank recruitment last year, and I also went to try it out, but they thought I was too young and didn't accept it at all."

"Haha~, you were only thirteen years old last year. It was indeed too young, but you don't have to worry. The bank must have many people. You are very talented and smart. As long as you are two years older, you can definitely go in. In addition, I heard that the bank has high requirements for math. It just so happened that a friend of mine has a copy of "Mr. Li's Arithmetic" by the prince-in-law. I will borrow it for you in two days!" He Chujun couldn't help laughing when he heard Zhou Xing's words. Zhou Xing was not only young, but also had poor food. As a result, he was thin and small, and looked more like an eleven or twelve-year-old child. Naturally, the bank would not accept him.

When Zhou Xing heard He Chujun's words, he smiled embarrassedly. The pessimism just now was wiped out, but he was still a little unwilling to accept it. After all, every scholar has a dream of imperial examinations in his heart. Unfortunately, the reality is too cruel, which makes him have to give up his dream. Starting from a minor official is the most suitable path for him.

He Chujun and Zhou Xing were having a meal and chatting. During this period, Zhou Xing also asked the other party about some questions he encountered when he was studying. He Chujun also answered one by one. It was not until almost two o'clock that they dispersed. Zhou Xing also returned to his room to rest in the dark, but when he was lying on the bed, he couldn't help but remember the conversation with He Chujun today.

"Just officials are just minor officials. When you have a stable income in the future, you will have money to buy books. Then you will squeeze out time to study, and maybe you will have the opportunity to participate in the imperial examination in the future." Zhou Xing finally said to himself, but despite what he said, he also knew that this hope was too small. After all, after becoming a minor official, he would definitely have endless things to do, so how could he have time to study? Moreover, the minor officials' income is not very high. For relatively expensive books, I am afraid he can't buy a few books a year.

Zhou Xing went to bed and fell asleep in the middle of the night. When he woke up the next day, it was already midnight. He Chujun had already gone to the Imperial College. The book he copied yesterday was also taken back by the other party. After all, the book was borrowed by He Chujun and he agreed to pay it back today. If it was delayed, it would also damage He Chujun's reputation.

Zhou Xing got up next time, cooked some brown rice porridge for himself, drank the pickles he had picked up, and then took out the book he copied yesterday and started reading it. Although the book had not been copied, it was better than nothing.
Chapter completed!