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

Zhang Ping'an still remembered something, so he got up just after the hour of Mao the next day. He wanted to see Liu Shuisheng again, otherwise he didn't know when he would come to the city again. Moreover, he had promised Liu Shuisheng last time that he would definitely go to see him when he came to the city again.

Master Yang still has to find an escort agency to return to Wushan County, so he may not be able to leave today.

After Zhang Ping'an and his father brought it up, Zhang Laoer also supported it. Liu Shuisheng was not only a classmate but also a relative. He should say hello to him, but Liu Sanlang must be with him, otherwise he would not feel at ease.

Knowing that his father was worried, Zhang Pingan had no choice but to go out with his brother-in-law.

Shengxing Rice Shop near Baima Bridge was still the same as before and hadn't opened yet. Zhang Ping'an found a stall nearby and had breakfast with his brother-in-law.

After they finished their breakfast, a waiter came out to lower the door. Zhang Pingan walked up to him, smiled, and asked, "Little brother, could you please go in and call Liu Shuisheng for me? I'm his relative and I need to see him for something."

The man, still half asleep, turned his head to look at the newcomer. After a closer look, he said, "Did you come here in April? I remember you. Wait, I'll go in and call someone for you."

After saying that, he asked another guy to continue lowering the door panel and ran to the backyard.

Liu Shuisheng followed him out a short while later. He had just gotten up, and his hair and clothes were messy, untidy. When he saw Zhang Ping'an and Liu Sanlang, he ran over in surprise and said with a smile, "Ping'an, brother-in-law, are you guys ready to go home after the college entrance examination?"

Zhang Pingan nodded and smiled, "Yes, Master is still looking for an escort agency, so I took the time to come out and see you. Come on, I'll treat you to breakfast!"

Liu Shuisheng scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "Please wait for me for a moment, I'll go wash up and come out soon."

After saying that, he hurried back to the backyard and came back a few moments later with steam still on his face, "Let's go!"

The three of them found a breakfast stall a little further away. Liu Shuisheng ordered some noodles and fried dough sticks. While eating, he asked, "How did you do on the exam? You look like you passed?"

Before Zhang Pingan could say anything, Liu Sanlang proudly said, "Hit...Hit!"

"Good guy, you're really good. I said that you and Ayuan are both good at studying. What about Ayuan? How is he?" Liu Shuisheng asked, patting Zhang Pingan's shoulder excitedly.

"He went to take the exam with the people from the county school. We were not together, and we didn't live in the same inn. However, his examination room was near mine during the exam, and he was assigned a bad number, which must have had a great impact on his answers. Later, after the yamen runners announced the good news, I went to see the list, and he was not on it," Zhang Ping'an shook his head.

Although Liu Shuisheng felt regretful, he could accept it: "He is still young, he can take the exam again next time. After all, there are very few people like you who are so young and pass it again at the first try."

"Well, I was lucky. By the way, my father and others will definitely hold a banquet when I go home this time. Do you want to go back with us?" Zhang Pingan asked.

"I guess it's difficult for me to take leave here, but my elder brother can go back with you. He has been selling lotus roots at the dock recently, and the quantity is not large. I guess he will leave today. Otherwise, I will take you to the dock to find him, so that you will have company when you go back together." After saying this, Liu Shuisheng wiped his mouth and called a cart on the side of the road.

Liu Sanlang's eyes lit up when he mentioned the dock, but it was a pity that he didn't have enough time today, otherwise he really wanted to carry goods at the dock for a few more days. This job was more attractive to him than the job at the academy.

After the three of them arrived at the Fucheng Wharf, Liu Shuisheng walked towards a river boat alongside with familiarity and shouted loudly: "Liu Jiangsheng! Liu Jiangsheng! Liu! Jiang! Sheng!"

After shouting several times, a cursing voice came from the boat: "Liu Shuisheng, you are calling a ghost!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Brother Liu stuck his head out from the side of the boat. He was probably too busy selling goods to take care of himself. Brother Liu had a beard that was over an inch long and was wearing a dirty short-sleeved shirt. He looked very dirty, but his hearty voice was just like the Brother Liu in Zhang Ping'an's memory.

Liu Shuisheng cupped his hands into a trumpet shape and shouted towards the boat, "Brother, Ping'an has returned from the provincial capital after taking the college entrance examination. Aren't you going back today? You can go with them and keep them company. We can also go back for a drink later. Ping'an has passed the examination and become a scholar, hehe!"

Only then did Big Brother Liu pick his eye mucus and look at the remaining two people, surprised and said: "Oh, this is Ping An and Liu Jia Sanlang, right? Wait, I'm going down right away!"

After saying that, he got off the boat ladder. After a few people exchanged pleasantries for a while, Brother Liu said with a smile, "I'll pack up and go find you at the inn later. Ping'an has made a name for himself this time, so I'm definitely going to the banquet to share in the good luck."

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "That's great! What a coincidence! Then we'll wait at the inn!"

After talking with Brother Liu, the three of them went back. Liu Shuisheng had to go back to work. After all, he was still an apprentice and couldn't be too presumptuous. The two said goodbye reluctantly at the door of the inn, and they didn't know when they would see each other again.

When we returned to the inn, it was just past noon and Master Yang had already returned from the escort agency. He had agreed with the people there to set off after lunch.

Half an hour later, Brother Liu came over with a big bag on his back. He had obviously cleaned up, washed his hair and face, shaved his beard, and changed into a clean pair of shorts.

As soon as he entered the house, Brother Liu laughed heartily and said, "Uncle Zhang, congratulations! Your family truly has a new baby!"

Zhang Laoer was also very surprised to see Brother Liu. He liked dealing with cheerful young men like Brother Liu, so he became humble after hearing what he said.

After a simple lunch, everyone set out under the scorching sun to take a bus to the escort agency.

Zhang Ping'an originally thought that this trip would only escort his own academy group, but he didn't expect to see Liu Shengyuan and a group of people from the county school at the escort agency.

"Why are you here?"

They both asked at the same time.

After asking, they smiled at each other. Liu Shengyuan replied first, "We, the county school group, arrived in the city by boat yesterday afternoon. However, it was too late, so the escort agency arranged for us to depart today. I didn't expect such a coincidence!"

Zhang Pingan said with a smile, "That's why they say there's no such thing as a coincidence. We arrived yesterday evening, probably a little later than you. Master Yang was looking for an escort agency early this morning, and we actually found one."

"Yes, I was planning to go back and congratulate you again. I saw that you were on the list," Liu Shengyuan said with a smile.