Chapter 5: Journey to the Capital
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin traveled together to the capital to prepare for the metropolitan examination. This was a long journey; they needed to pass through countless towns and villages, enduring months of arduous trekking.
On the way, Zhou Jin and Fan Jin encountered various kinds of scholars. Some were also going to take the metropolitan examination, while others were traveling in other regions. They exchanged learning experiences with each other and encouraged one another.
The capital was a bustling city, completely different from their hometown. Here there were tall city walls, wide streets, countless shops and restaurants. Zhou Jin and Fan Jin were filled with curiosity and longing for this city.
In the capital, Zhou Jin and Fan Jin stayed in an inn. Many candidates from various regions lived here, and everyone gathered together to discuss the prospects of the examination and their own ambitions.
The metropolitan examination was a higher level than the provincial examination, and the competition was even more intense. Outstanding candidates from all over the country gathered in the capital to compete for the limited jinshi quotas. Zhou Jin and Fan Jin knew the difficulty of this examination well.
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin reviewed every day at the inn, asking each other questions and discussing problems. They cherished every minute and hoped to make full use of this time to improve their level.