This is the story of Lin Jiguan, a poor scholar who struggles through the brutal imperial examination system and eventually passes the provincial exam to become a juren. A reader with a deep thirst for knowledge but little money, Lin Jiguan endures the county, prefectural, and academy examinations before finally earning the title of xiucai. But that's only his ticket into officialdom. The real challenge, the provincial exam, is just beginning.
The bond between Lin Jiguan and his elder sister is a warm thread running through the entire book. She is his closest family, and her worry, hopes, and ultimate joy make up the most moving scenes in his struggle. Whenever Lin Jiguan studies hard in his study or anxiously waits outside an examination hall, his sister's presence and words give him tremendous support.
Zhang Sheng, another juren, embodies a turning point in Lin Jiguan's fate. He witnesses the dramatic change in Lin's status and treatment after he passes: from being ignored to becoming someone everyone tries to curry favor with. When Lin falls on hard times, Zhang also offers him a helping hand, showing the esteem accorded to jurens in ancient society and the interests bound up with their status. Like Fan Jin's ecstatic reaction to passing the exams, Lin Jiguan is suddenly transformed from an ordinary man into one of the elite.
The book focuses not only on Lin Jiguan's personal struggle, but also vividly portrays the rigor and allure of the Ming and Qing imperial examinations through his interactions with his sister, Zhang Sheng, and others, as well as its detailed explanations of the examination system. It shows that the imperial examinations were far more than simple tests: they were a crucial path that determined a person's fate and enabled them to rise through the social ranks. Open this book to share Lin Jiguan's moment of glory, and marvel at the brutality and temptation of the ancient examination system, which surpassed all expectations.
"Sister, I passed the national examination, let's watch the flowers bloom together" is based on the warmth of ancient times and tells a touching story of a poor student and her sister supporting each other. The elder sister is as tough as cattails and gives everything she has for her younger brother; the young man is grateful and takes fame as his promise. The plot is delicate, from the hardships of living in poverty to the title of gold medal, it not only has the fireworks of life, but also is full of the deep love between brother and sister. The writing is warm and healing, and is suitable for readers who like slow, delicate, and affectionate readings.