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

It was already evening when the whole family arrived home. Only Zhang and Old Man Zhang were there. Zhang was old, and her brother had a large family as well, so she didn't visit her brother that often.

Li's parents' home is far away, so she definitely can't come back today. Ma is probably staying for two more days because her parents' home is inviting her to stay. Ma has four older brothers and only one daughter, so she has always been more favored.

The whole family quickly washed up and prepared to rest. It was already dark at this time, and there was suddenly a knock on the door.

Zhang Laoer got up to open the door, only to see a monk wearing a straw hat and carrying a bundle. He was probably in his fifties or sixties, with a kind face, and he was accompanied by a little monk who was less than ten years old.

"Hello, who are you looking for?" Zhang Laoer asked curiously.

"Amitabha, hello, benefactor. I am traveling and passing by here. My little disciple is next to me. It is already dark when we get here. I would like to stay here for one night. I wonder if it is possible?" The old monk said, bending down and chanting Buddhist mantras.

"Ah, this..." Zhang Laoer hesitated. After all, this was a complete stranger and it was getting dark.

"We can just stay in the woodshed, we won't disturb you too much."

"Come in first," Zhang Laoer made way to let the master and apprentice come in first, took them to the main room, and poured them two cups of tea.

"Master chef, drink some hot tea to warm yourself up first," Zhang Laoer said politely, and grabbed two handfuls of fried peanuts.

In this era, conditions for monks were still very relaxed, and there were several small temples near Zhangjia Village.

"Thank you very much, benefactor. I am really bothering you. My Buddhist name is Xuan Jing and my disciple is Yuan Tong." The big monk named Xuan Jing expressed his gratitude again.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, Master Xuan Jing, you are too polite. We don't have anything good to offer you. I hope you don't mind. I'll go and tell my parents." Zhang Laoer waved his hands after hearing this. The big monk was too polite, but he still had to tell his parents about letting him stay overnight.

Then he walked to Old Man Zhang's door, knocked on it, and told him that someone wanted to stay overnight.

Old man Zhang married Zhang because Zhang came to his house begging and was noticed by the old lady. That was how they met. When he heard that the couple were a Buddhist master and disciple, he respected them very much. He got dressed and got out of bed with Zhang to say hello.

"Hello, Master Xuan Jing, have you had dinner?" Old Man Zhang and Mrs. Zhang greeted.

"Not yet, but we just need to drink some hot water, and we will beg for alms tomorrow during the day," Monk Xuan Jing stood up and said, and the little monk next to him also stood up, looking polite.

"Second brother, go call Xu over and ask her to make some dumpling soup to warm you up," Zhang instructed. She was a Buddhist and would go to the nearby Shuangfeng Mountain to burn incense every New Year.

"Hey, Mom, I'll go right away," Zhang Laoer replied.

"Old donor, you're welcome. It's really troublesome for you to light the fire and cook," Monk Xuan Jing quickly declined.

"Hey, it's not worth anything, Master Xuan Jing, please don't be polite," Zhang said with a smile.

After a while, Xu came over holding Zhang Ping'an. She was also very curious and wanted to put the child on the kang, but the child refused. The main room was not far away, so she brought him over.

"Mom, Ping'an is a noisy child and doesn't want to stay in the house, so I brought him here. Please hold him for me while I go to the kitchen to cook," said Xu.

"Okay, give it to me," Zhang picked up the child and placed him on her lap.

It was the first time for Zhang Ping'an to see ancient monks. The two men in front of him were dressed very ordinary, but the older monk had the demeanor of a master, with a pair of deep and wise eyes. When Zhang Ping'an looked into their eyes, he felt as if he could be sucked in.

A few people were chatting casually. Xuan Jing noticed that the baby opposite was always staring at him. The eyes were black, clear and clear. He couldn't help but feel a little fond of the baby. He smiled and said to Zhang, "Old donor, is this your grandson? Can I hold him?"

"Yes, this is my little grandson. I have more than a dozen grandchildren, and this is the youngest. Take a look," Zhang said with a smile, handing the child over.

Zhang Ping'an sat on the old monk's lap and smelled the scent of sandalwood, the same scent he used to smell in temples, but more refreshing.

After taking it, the old monk touched Zhang Ping'an's little hands and feet, then looked at his face carefully, and said to Zhang with a smile: "Old donor, your little grandson is a blessed one. I see that he has a full forehead, thick earlobes, clear hand lines, and bright eyes. He must be a smart and precocious child. Everything in his life will go smoothly. You have to cultivate him well."

"There is such a saying," Zhang said in surprise, sitting up straight.

Zhang Laoer and Zhang Laotou also listened more attentively.

"Donor, monks do not tell lies. I originally practiced in the Daguo Temple in the capital, and I often help pilgrims interpret divination and read fortunes. I can't be wrong about this face. This child must be a blessed person," the old monk said affirmatively.

"This, this, is this true?" Zhang Laoer was also very surprised and stuttered while holding the chair.

"Is this child going to study and become an official in the future?" Zhang asked curiously. She really couldn't think of any other way for him to succeed.

"Haha, the secret cannot be revealed," the old monk stroked his beard with his left hand and smiled without saying anything.

However, these words and actions made Zhang Laoer and Zhang Shi feel that they had met a master. Zhang Shi was relatively okay, but Zhang Laoer was so happy that he couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

At this time, Xu brought out two bowls of dumpling soup, which was made with two-layer flour and some cabbage, and a few drops of sesame oil. The aroma was fragrant, and it was considered a good way to entertain guests.

Zhang Laoer told the story again, and Xu was very happy after hearing it. Xu had always thought her son was good in every way, and now she was even more convinced that her son was extraordinary.

He was so happy that he ran to his own room and brought out a half-new quilt, and said politely, "Master Xuan Jing, I saw that the bedding you brought was too thin, so I brought you another one. Please don't mind it."

In fact, this is already considered good for a farmer's family. It can only be afforded by the Zhang family because they are well-off. Some families in the village even share one quilt with the whole family.

"Donor, you are so polite. How could we object?" The old monk took it and thanked him with a smile.

Zhang Ping'an watched this scene with a puzzled mind. Was he a charlatan, or truly an accomplished master? What a coincidence! He was the blessed one with a full celestial palace? But he couldn't speak now. Seeing his parents' delight, he figured it would be useless for him to say anything. He had nothing to lose, so as long as his family was happy, that was all that mattered.

After the master and disciple finished their meal, Zhang Laoer took the initiative to help clean up the woodshed. The woodshed had been renovated after the autumn harvest. There was a lot of straw and firewood in the woodshed for winter, so it was not too cold.

Zhang Laoer took out a bundle of new straw and spread it on the old wooden board. He then boiled a pot of hot water and brought it to the shower room for the master and apprentice to wash.

After all this hustle and bustle, everyone went back to rest.

But Zhang Laoer and his wife couldn't sleep for a while and talked in private, "Dad, what do you think the master chef meant by that? Our son will not go to Beijing to take the imperial examination and become the number one scholar like in the opera, right?" Xu pondered.

"I don't know either, but it will be a big deal in the future," replied Zhang Laoer.

"But our sons are twins and were born weak. Although we have grown their flesh back, it is a bit difficult for them to become generals. If they are not good at martial arts, they can only follow the path of literature," said Mrs. Xu after thinking for a while.

"Then... could it be Wenquxing? Someone who wants to make a living by writing? I think our son is smart." Zhang Laoer also thought about it and suddenly slapped his thigh.