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

Zhang Laoer handed the letter to his son and said in a deep voice, "It was written more than ten days ago. I guess he has been buried by now. At that time, the city gates of the prefecture were sealed and no one was allowed in or out. That's why the letter arrived just now. I just went to the post station this afternoon to inquire. Although the prefecture city is open to traffic, the county town gates are sealed again. Even if we rush back now, we can't enter the city."

Upon hearing this, Xu was even more heartbroken and burst into tears, sobbing, "Who could have imagined that my parents would be gone like this? They didn't enjoy much happiness when they were alive, and now they can't even go home to pay their respects. Oh, God, you are so blind! Good people don't get good rewards!"

Zhang Pingan bent down and hugged his mother: "Mom, please take care of yourself. As soon as we can enter the county town, we will go back to pay our respects to my grandparents."

When Old Man Xu and Old Lady Xu were alive, they were very kind to their daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. They especially liked Zhang Ping'an. Zhang Ping'an was very sad when he died of illness.

Zhang Laoer also comforted him, "Son, you're right. As soon as the county is unsealed, we'll rush back to pay our respects. My elder and younger brothers-in-law are at home. They've always been filial, so there's no need to worry too much. Don't cry anymore, or you'll tear your eyes out."

Xu tried hard to hold back her tears, wiped her tears, and sobbed, "Now I regret that I didn't treat my parents better when they were alive, wuwuwu." As she spoke, she couldn't help crying again.

"Mom, you still have dad and I by your side. We will accompany you back when the time comes, along with your fifth and sixth sisters. All of our family will go back." Xu was crying and hiccuping, and Zhang Ping'an quickly patted her back to help her calm down.

Zhang Laoer also helped by patting her back. The father and son comforted her for a long time before Xu finally calmed down.

Wuya and Liuya had already prepared the meal. Seeing that their mother had calmed down a little, they dared to put the meal on the table and whispered comfortingly, "Mom, don't be too sad. Your health is more important. Eat something first!"

The vegetable market has not yet fully recovered its former bustle, and there are no good dishes to buy. Wuya and Liuya stewed a pot of cabbage, radish and vermicelli, but because of the bad news from home, no one had much appetite, and Xiaohu ate the rice very carefully.

Zhang Laoer said worriedly, "More than ten days have passed. I wonder how your grandma and grandpa are doing at home. Sigh!"

Zhang Ping'an frowned and said, "Tomorrow when I go to the prefectural school for class, I'll ask my classmates to find out when the county gates will open. Then we'll go back as soon as possible."

"Okay," Zhang Lao Er nodded and said, "When we go back, we'll bring some more things home."

That night, until he went to bed, Zhang Ping'an could still hear the low cry of his mother next door. The most regrettable thing in life is that a child wants to take care of his parents but they are no longer around.

The next morning, Wu Ya and Liu Ya were making breakfast in the kitchen. Xu had been crying for half the night and her voice was hoarse, so she was still lying on the bed resting. Zhang Ping'an went to the bedroom to check on her before going out to class.

I left home a little late today. When I got to the classroom, Yuan Ziang, who was sitting next to me, was already there. Zhang Pingan sat down and said, "Brother Yuan, you are well-informed. I don't know when the gates of Wushan County will be opened. If you have any news, please let me know as soon as possible. I will be very grateful."

Seeing Zhang Ping'an's serious expression, Yuan Ziang couldn't help but sit up straight and asked, "Ping'an, what's wrong?"

"My grandparents fell ill and died more than ten days ago," Zhang Pingan replied in a low voice.

"Ah? How could this happen?" Yuan Ziang asked in surprise.

"The city gates were closed at that time, and our family only received the letter yesterday. My mother is very sad, and now she wants her family to go back and pay their respects as soon as possible."

Yuan Ziang nodded and said, "That's as it should be. Don't worry, I'll go home tonight and tell my dad. He's the most informed and will make sure he keeps an eye out for you."

"Well, thank you very much," Zhang Ping'an bowed and took out a handkerchief to wipe the table.

Seeing Zhang Ping'an wiping his hands and the table with white wine every day, Yuan Ziang said with heartache: "Ping'an, you are really wasting good things!"

"Safety first, understand?" Zhang Pingan replied with a faint smile.

"Well, but the white wine you brought seems to smell different from ordinary white wine," Yuan Ziang was a little curious.

"I have refined this liquor repeatedly, and its purity is much higher than that of ordinary liquor. It tastes spicier. In fact, the taste is more suitable for northerners. Southerners probably can't get used to it," Zhang Pingan explained.

"Are you interested in selling this recipe? Although there are good quality liquors now, there are only a few of them and the prices are ridiculously high. I think it is very suitable for people with middle-income incomes," Yuan Ziang commented.

Zhang Ping'an had an idea and said, "I'm willing to sell my son, but I don't have any good connections. I'm also afraid of offending people if I don't have a background." Nowadays, most big merchants have the support of officials behind them, so it's not that simple.