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

Pan Shibei smiled and stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Hello, uncle and aunt. Please take a seat. The teacher will be here soon. I have already arranged everything for the apprenticeship banquet."

After that, he explained to Zhang Pingan, "Your second brother may arrive a little later. He has been absorbed in studying an ancient inscription these past two days."

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "It's okay. It's still early. I'll sit for a while."

After saying that, he walked to the chair next to Zhang Laoer and sat down. It was the first time for his parents to enter such a wealthy family, and they didn't know what to do with their hands and feet. Sitting next to them would make them feel more at ease.

Zhang Laoer and Xu stood up straight and tried their best to maintain a correct posture so as not to embarrass their son.

Pan Shibei, a gentle man, sat down beside him and started chatting with his newly minted apprentice. "Don't be shy, just treat this place like your own family. Although the teacher looks very serious, he's actually quite good-tempered, aside from his high expectations of our studies. These fruits and snacks were all picked up fresh yesterday. This tangerine is pretty good, try it, it's quite sweet."

It is indeed difficult to eat fresh fruits in winter, so Zhang Pingan took two from the plate, peeled them and handed them to his parents.

Seeing how easygoing the young man was, Zhang Laoer and Xu felt much more relaxed. They smiled and said, "What a handsome boy! Thank you!"

Pan Shibei smiled and said, "Uncle, aunt, you're welcome. We're all family from now on. Just call me Shibei. I'm already twenty-five years old, and my child is five years old."

Mrs. Xu was surprised and said, "Oh, I didn't realize you were already in your twenties. Is the baby a boy or a girl?"

"He's a naughty boy," Pan Shibei replied with a smile, his face showing a doting expression, and it was obvious that he loved his son very much.

"Good job, kid. You will study and take the imperial examinations like you in the future," Xu said with a smile.

Zhang Pingan spent some time with this senior brother and could feel that this senior brother must have a very good family background. His words and deeds were very graceful. He was also handsome and had an easy-going personality. He did not have the domineering air of a child from a wealthy family. It was hard to imagine that such a person would have a bumpy career.

Mrs. Xu was originally in a very nervous mood, but seeing that her son's senior brother was so easy-going, she couldn't help but chat with him for a few more words. Pan Shibei was also very patient and not at all impatient. The two of them chatted very well and the atmosphere was not dull.

Just for this reason, Zhang Pingan felt that this senior brother was a good person.

After more than half an hour, Han Juren arrived at the living room. As soon as he entered, he exchanged pleasantries with Zhang Laoer and Xu, and apologized, "I'm really sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. There are so many people visiting during the first month of the year. I just had a guest come in and I had to entertain him for a while before sending him away. Please forgive me for my inattention."

Zhang Laoer quickly waved his hand and said, "It's okay. It's still early anyway. It's fine for us to sit down and eat something. Besides, our safe senior brother Shibei has been chatting with us the whole time."

Before this, the most powerful person Zhang Laoer had ever met was Doctor Fu. This was the first time he had met a scholar face to face, and he forgot all the greetings he had just prepared.

Fortunately, Han Juren didn't mind at all. After asking everyone to sit down, he said, "There are still a few guests who haven't arrived yet. Once they are here, we will begin the apprenticeship ceremony."

Zhang Lao Er, as the elder, nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

"I don't like noise, so I only invited three or five close friends to the apprenticeship banquet today. Everyone should be casual and don't be restrained," said Han Juren.

After that, he introduced to everyone, "This is my eldest disciple. His surname is Pan and his name is Shibei. You have just met him. He is a scholar of the 26th year of Ningwu. He is very knowledgeable. He failed the provincial examination twice. He is currently working as a deputy officer at the Hebo Office."

Zhang Laoer exclaimed, "He's already an official at such a young age. That's incredible!"

Pan Shibei said modestly, "Uncle, you are too kind. I just make a living. I plan to take the provincial examination again in August this year. A scholar should have a good reputation."

Zhang Pingan said with a smile: "Then I would like to wish my eldest brother success in the imperial examination!"

Han Juren was quite confident about his eldest disciple's performance in the provincial examination. Upon hearing this, he stroked his beard and smiled faintly, saying, "If nothing unexpected happens, Shibei will be able to pass the provincial examination. His knowledge has already reached a high level."

Just as he finished speaking, Professor Han came in, led by a servant. He smiled and continued, "If Shibei hadn't eaten something bad during the provincial examination three years ago and contracted intestinal sand, he would have been a juren long ago."

Pan Shibei and Zhang Pingan stepped forward and saluted, "Hello, Professor Han!"

Professor Han narrowed his eyes and smiled broadly: "Okay, everyone, please sit down. That kid Wenchang hasn't arrived yet?"

Pan Shibei said helplessly: "He is studying an ancient inscription and has almost forgotten to eat."

"This kid," Professor Han also shook his head.

Soon, three more guests arrived. They were all good friends of Han Juren and also worked at the government office. One of them, a chubby middle-aged man, said, "Brother Zizhan has accepted another proud student. We are so envious!"

Han Juren said calmly, "It's not easy for you to recruit students. There are many students out there who want to learn from you."

"I'm old and don't have the energy anymore, so let's just forget it," the middle-aged fat man waved his hand.

Several people sat down together to drink tea.

Han Juren called Zhang Pingan and said, "Ping'an, come here. I'll introduce you to these uncles."

Zhang Pingan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I pay my respects to the uncles."

Han Juren introduced them one by one: "This is your Uncle Deng, a colleague of mine, a fellow provincial examiner, and the head of the prison."

It turns out that this fat man is actually the warden of the prison, in charge of prison affairs in the prefecture and counties. It is true that you cannot judge a person by his appearance. He looks smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, but Zhang Pingan knows that a prison warden cannot manage well without some tricks.

"The man next to me is my good friend and chess partner, Mr. Dongnan," Mr. Han continued, introducing the slightly older, thin, middle-aged man next to him.

"The last one is your uncle Han. He is my cousin and colleague. He works as the director of the Salt Transport Bureau in the government office," said Mr. Han.

Zhang Pingan had a general understanding of the three people and went forward to greet them one by one. The apprenticeship banquet was a happy occasion and everyone had a relatively easy-going personality. He gave each of them a jade pendant as a greeting gift.

After the ceremony, the servant brought in a thin young man, who was about twenty years old and had a scholarly air. However, he had heavy dark circles under his eyes, which was obviously caused by staying up late for a long time. He did not look very energetic.