Most of the scholars in ancient times passed the imperial examination. Only by having an official position can they make a fortune. In ancient times, some people relied on the imperial examination to change their lives. Therefore, many scholars studied hard for ten years just to go to Beijing to take the exam. . However, the selection system of the imperial examination system is strict. If you don't have super high talents, it will be difficult to get into the list. It is inevitable that many people will not be selected.
If you are a child of a housekeeper, you can still have food and drink if you fail to pass the exam. If you are a child of a poor family, if you cannot pass the exam and go to school, you will have to find another way to support yourself. How you support yourself depends on the situation. If your family has a business, you will inherit the family property and engage in business. This is considered a serious job, at least you will not be hungry or cold.
Another way is to be a teacher, open a private school, and teach children poetry and calligraphy. Although the income is meager, it is also engaged in academic matters. Most scholars are still willing to do this. If you become famous as a teacher, you can even join the government to teach the children of famous aristocrats. When the children become successful, the teachers will naturally develop accordingly.
Writing and pasting couplets during festivals is also what cultural people do. If you are accomplished in calligraphy, you can also make money by selling calligraphy and paintings. Tang Bohu is one of the four great talents. His paintings were very valuable at the time. However, things like calligraphy and calligraphy and painting need someone to understand them. In the eyes of people without knowledge, they are worthless. If someone appreciates the calligraphy and painting of a scholar, it will not be a problem to sell it at a good price to support oneself. No matter how bad it is, there are still people who work as bookkeepers in some shops. Lu Xiucai from "Wulin Gaiden" is a person in this industry. He helps some small shops to do the accounting, which is enough for him to eat and drink.