The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

After a while, Master Lin came in to class. He was surprised to see Lin Junhui there, but he didn't say anything and started the class at the usual pace.

After the half-day class in the morning, Lin Junhui looked calm on the surface, but he was actually very surprised. In less than two months, Zhang Pingan's academic level had improved rapidly. He could clearly feel that the gap between him and him was getting smaller and smaller. Judging from the performance in today's class, he would most likely make the list for the college entrance examination.

But Master Lin is his uncle, and he is very clear about his teaching level. This shouldn’t be the case!

"Well, have you figured it out?" Master Lin said lightly after seeing Zhang Ping'an go to the cafeteria.

"Could it be that he has some guidance from an expert?" Lin Junhui asked doubtfully.

Master Lin stroked his long beard and smiled mysteriously, but didn't answer the question. Instead, he said gently and coaxingly, "Don't always think that you are talented and can fish for three days and dry the net for two days. You must know that the ocean of learning is boundless, and diligence is the key to success, while playfulness is the only way to achieve success. Even if you pass the academy examination and become a scholar this time, if you continue like this, you will never pass the provincial examination. Are you willing to stop at a scholar in life? Watching people who were once far inferior to you go higher and further."

Seeing that Lin Junhui still didn't care, Master Lin frowned and said solemnly: "I can say this today. Although Zhang Ping'an's talent is slightly inferior to yours, as long as he has a good teacher to teach him, he will definitely be able to pass the imperial examination in the future. His achievements will definitely not be inferior to yours, because he has the tenacity and diligence that you don't have."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Lin Junhui is the eldest son of the Lin family's generation and is extremely talented. He sincerely doesn't want his nephew to be buried because of his arrogance and conceit. He thought that being good when young doesn't necessarily mean he will be great when he grows up. He has done everything he can, and the rest depends on God's will.

Watching his uncle walk away, Lin Junhui was stunned for a moment. But the pride etched in his bones made him feel no less capable than a peasant boy. "Hmph!" Then he'd wait for the results of the Imperial and Provincial Examinations. With that thought, he walked away.

Zhang Pingan didn't think too much about it. He felt that studying was becoming smoother and smoother. Many lessons that he thought were difficult before now seemed very simple. This meant that his knowledge had improved, which was something to be happy about.

When Zhang Ping'an returned home in the evening, Erya and Sanya had already prepared dinner. It was obvious that they had not found a house yet.

Xu was sewing shoe soles nearby with a gloomy face. The two boys from Erya's family were playing with stones in the yard in their open-crotch pants. They knew that their grandmother would scold them if they made any noise, so they were talking in whispers.

"What are you two doing? Come, let your uncle give you a hug and some candy," Zhang Pingan took out the malt sugar he bought at the entrance of the academy and handed it to the two boys.

The two children were well-educated. After taking the candy, they laughed happily and said, "Thank you, uncle. I love you the most."

After laughing, he quickly covered his mouth and secretly looked at his grandmother's expression.

When Mrs. Xu saw this, she rolled her eyes at them in anger and scolded them in a cold voice: "Grandpa and grandma are tigers, they can only eat people, what are they looking at us for? The food and drink you have had these two days were provided by me!"

"Mom, why are you saying this?" Zhang Pingan stopped talking, then put his two nephews down and patted their buttocks: "Go play!"

The two children ran back to catch stones.

At dinner, there was an additional dish of cold lotus root slices and lotus root powder, both brought by Erya and her husband.

Zhang Pingan tasted a piece of it and praised it: "Hmm, crispy and sweet, delicious!"

Erya smiled and said, "It's delicious, right? This is the new lotus root this year. I brought it here specially."

"It's indeed delicious! By the way, Dad, Mom, Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law, let me tell you something. I found a job for Second Brother-in-law at the academy. The salary is 800 coins per month, and he only needs to go and inspect the place at night."

Erya was surprised and said, "There is such a good thing?" Then she worriedly said, "But your second brother-in-law is not very strong. I don't know if he can do it."

Liu Erge was also surprised when he heard this: "It sounds easy, and the pay is high, but I'm afraid I won't do it well and will embarrass you."

Zhang Ping'an put down his chopsticks and said with a smile: "It's okay. What's there to be ashamed of? Second brother-in-law, you can try it first. If you can do it, then do it. If you can't, we can quit. I thought that this job will not interfere with your daytime business. Besides, you will have a farm holiday soon, and you can go back to your hometown village to help. It would be best if you can take care of both ends."

Xu was excited and said, "Son, can your father do this job? Eight hundred coins is a lot of money!"

"Mom, not to mention that my father has no time to do this, he has to go back to the village from time to time to collect medicinal herbs. Besides, he is old and can't stay up late. Health is the most important thing," Zhang Pingan said helplessly.

After that, he explained to Brother Liu, "Brother-in-law, I'm not saying that you can stay up late just because you're young. I just think this job can be a transitional job for you. At least you won't have a problem living in the county town. Later, when your business is successful, you can quit this job."

Erya and Liu Erge quickly said, "Little brother, of course we know this. You must have spent a lot of favors to get such a good job. We know what's good and what's bad."

After hearing this, Qian Yongde smiled and complimented: "Our younger brother is really capable. He can easily find such a good job for our second brother-in-law. I wonder if there is anything suitable for me to do. I am not picky. I can do any job."

Zhang Pingan shook his head: "Third brother-in-law, this matter today is also a coincidence. I just heard it mentioned by my classmate. I will help you keep an eye out for it later."

San Ya said sullenly: "Little brother, you are biased and only care about second sister's family"!

Zhang Pingan: ...helping is wrong?

"Third sister, there is only one job, what do you want me to do? I told you that I will help your husband keep an eye out for suitable ones later. Besides, the most important thing is that both of your families must quickly stand up on their own feet. You can't always rely on me and my parents!" Zhang Ping'an was angry at being inexplicably accused and said with a cold face.

Mrs. Xu was already furious after hearing San Ya's words. As soon as her son finished speaking, she stood up, hands on her hips, and cursed, "You ungrateful person! Our ancestors have a rule for thousands of years that a married woman is like spilled water. Your family didn't expect you to help them, yet you blame them for being partial. I am partial, so what? Your little brother is partial, so what? Get out if you can!"

Not feeling satisfied after scolding, she quickly reached out and pinched San Ya twice: "Why did I give birth to a useless person like you?"

"Mom, what are you doing?" Zhang Pingan pulled his mother to sit down.

San Ya started to cry.

After Zhang Pingan held his mother, he took out a handkerchief and handed it to San Ya to wipe her tears: "Third sister, don't cry, wipe your tears, this is not a big deal."

San Ya cried and complained: "You bully my family just because I didn't give birth to a son"!