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

Early the next morning, Zhang Ping'an and his elder brother-in-law went to Huichuntang together. They went there early, and it was just noon when they arrived. The medicine boy at Huichuntang had just taken down the door panels.

Liu Sanlang stepped forward, bent down and asked, "Please...I'm here to see Doctor Chen...Doctor Chen. I had acupuncture from him two days ago."

The medicine boy looked up and recognized him immediately. It was the first time they had seen such a tall and strong patient. He was deeply impressed. So he said politely, "It's okay. Please sit in the front hall for a while. I'll go to the backyard to call Doctor Chen out for you."

After asking, Liu Sanlang turned around and smiled innocently, saying to Zhang Pingan, "Ping'an, I... let's sit and wait for a while."

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "It's no problem!"

The two of them sat in the front hall for a while before Doctor Chen came out from the back. After sitting down, he asked in confusion, "I heard from the medicine boy that you came to see me, but acupuncture is no longer necessary now. Patients just need to take the medicine at home and practice speaking more."

Zhang Pingan bowed and said with a smile, "Doctor Chen is a good doctor of the time, and he also has a kind heart. He is truly a warm and caring person. I came here because of his reputation, and I came here with my eldest brother-in-law to express my gratitude."

After saying that, he took out the thank-you letter he had written the night before and unfolded it, apologetically saying, "This is a thank-you letter I wrote the night before. It should have been framed before being sent to you, but we have to take a boat back home at noon today, and we really don't have enough time. If you think it's okay, Doctor Chen, you can accept it as a souvenir."

Doctor Chen was only fifteen or sixteen years old. He was praised so seriously by Zhang Ping'an, and looked at by Liu Sanlang's sincere big eyes. He was so embarrassed that his face turned red. A sense of pride suddenly surged in his chest. He felt as if he was emulating his predecessors Bian Que and Hua Tuo, practicing medicine to save the world.

However, he still had to be humble in his words, not letting others think he was too arrogant, so he waved his hand and replied, "I'm not yet worthy of being the Spring Warmth of the Apricot Forest, I still have a lot to learn. You two are so thoughtful. This is not only the duty of a doctor, but also the fate between me and Brother Liu. I will treasure this thank you letter, don't worry!"

After saying this, he solemnly rolled up the thank-you letter and put it on the table.

Zhang Ping'an shook his head in disapproval. "Doctor Chen, you're far too modest. Age is not the only thing that matters. A famous scholar from the past once said, 'A doctor who is not kind and compassionate cannot be trusted; one who is not intelligent and rational cannot be appointed; one who is not honest and upright cannot be trusted.' I think you possess some of these qualities. Given time, you will surely become famous in Yingzhou City."

Doctor Chen felt like he had met his mentor, and excitedly bowed and said, "May I know your name, little brother? Although you are still young, you have a keen eye and do not judge people by their appearance. This is very rare. My surname is Chen, my given name is Jianqiu, and I am sixteen years old."

"My surname is Zhang, my name is Ping'an. I have lived in Shuanghe Town, Wushan County, Ezhou Prefecture for generations. I am fourteen years old and have recently come to the provincial capital to take the exam," Zhang Ping'an replied with a smile.

Doctor Chen smiled upon hearing this and said, "I know you're here to take the exam. Last time your brother-in-law asked me to come over and treat you because you couldn't wake up after the exam. I wonder what the result is now?"

"I was lucky enough to make the list and pass the exam," Zhang Pingan said modestly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jianqiu clapped his hands and exclaimed in admiration, "To have achieved the title of scholar at such a young age, Brother Zhang is truly a talent. I can only sigh that I am inferior to him!"

"Thank you very much," Zhang Ping'an said with a bow, "Actually, I came here today because I have another matter I would like to ask Brother Chen for advice on."

"Oh? Feel free to tell me," Chen Jianqiu asked curiously.

Zhang Pingan thought for a moment before speaking slowly, "It's like this. I have a sister and a sister-in-law. They've been married for over three years, but for some reason, they haven't gotten pregnant. My family is very worried. I'd like to ask if there's any good prescription to cure infertility?"

"Uh..." Chen Jianqiu said in embarrassment, "Brother Zhang, to be honest, I'm not good at psychosis and may not be able to help you with this. But if your family is willing to come to the provincial capital, maybe there is a way. I can ask the elders in my clan to help with the diagnosis and treatment."

Although Zhang Ping'an was disappointed when he heard this, he also knew that he could not force it. Everyone has his own destiny, so he smiled and said, "It's okay. I'll go back and talk to my family and hear their ideas, and then see if I should come to the provincial capital. If I do come, I'll ask Brother Chen to help introduce me."

Chen Jianqiu smiled and said, "Of course!"

The two of them seemed to hit it off immediately, and they chatted for another half an hour. After Chen Jianqiu re-diagnosed his brother-in-law and found no problems, Zhang Pingan prepared to leave: "Brother Chen, we have to rush to the dock to catch a boat at noon today, so I won't bother you any further. We'll meet again someday."

Chen Jianqiu was still eager to chat, but he also understood. "Brother Zhang, we're destined to meet again. You're about to board the ship and I don't have much to offer in return. Wait a moment, I'll get you a few packets of realgar powder. It'll help you repel snakes and insects on the way. It's our Huichuntang's secret recipe, and you can't buy it anywhere else."

After saying that, he got up and went to the backyard, and soon came back with two paper bags.

Zhang Ping'an and Liu Sanlang expressed their gratitude again before leaving.

Only after they were far away did Liu Sanlang scratch his head and say, "Ping'an, you...you two are talking, I don't quite understand what you two are saying. If all scholars...speak like that, it would be too tiring!"

"Hahaha, you'll get used to it," Zhang Pingan laughed.

Liu Sanlang stood behind, scratching his head and muttering, "How can I get used to it?"

When the two returned to the inn, Zhang Laoer had already packed his bags, and they were going to go to the pier together after lunch.

They were about to go home, and everyone was very active. After having lunch early, they called a taxi to the dock. Master Yang yawned all the way as if he had not woken up yet. Zhang Ping'an even saw that the eye boogers in the corners of Master Yang's eyes were not washed clean, and he didn't know whether he had washed his face or not.

The August sun was scorching, and although everyone didn't walk much, they were sweating all the way. They finally got on the boat to lie down and rest. Ever since they had dinner together at the night market last time, Jiang Yaozu regarded Zhang Ping'an as his close friend and specially changed seats with others to sit next to Zhang Ping'an.

Unfortunately, Zhang Pingan is too hot now and just wants to be quiet and not talk.

Lin Junhui and Tan Yaoqi were the last to arrive. After Master Yang confirmed that everyone was there, he lay down and went to sleep with peace of mind.

After a while, the boatman started to move. Qingsong Academy could not afford to book such a two-story boat. The second floor was a private room, and the first floor was all large bunk beds. They had to wait until everyone was present before they could leave.

This time, everyone bought some dried tangerine peel in advance, and their seasickness was much better. After Zhang Ping'an said hello to his father, he fell asleep.

They went downstream and arrived at Ezhou Prefecture in half a day. It was already late at night, so they rushed into the city before closing the gate and found an inn to stay in.