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

Liu Shuisheng shook his head: "I won't go back. I can't take such a long leave at the rice shop. You can just go back and say hello to my parents for me. And you can bring my wages back to my parents for me."

Zhang Pingan looked at the purse Liu Shuisheng handed over, estimating that there were seven or eight taels of silver. He only took five taels and handed the rest back. "Don't worry, I will definitely bring it to you. But you are all alone in the capital city, and you have no one to take care of you, so keep some money on you to keep you safe."

Liu Shuisheng shook his head and put the silver back without keeping a cent. He said, "I have food and shelter at the rice shop, so it doesn't cost much. But I'm worried about my family. According to our tradition, we would drain the pond and sell fish before the New Year every year, but the epidemic was so severe last year that we definitely didn't make any money. I don't think we'll make much money."

"Okay, then you take care of yourself. I'll leave you a key. We have rice, flour and oil at home. If you don't eat well at the rice shop, you can come here to cook for yourself. We will be back in half a month," said Zhang Pingan. He knew that although Liu Shuisheng looked cheerful at ordinary times, he was actually very family-oriented.

Liu Shuisheng refused at first, but after some hesitation he finally accepted the key: "Then I'll come over every few days to clean the house, otherwise it's easy to get dusty."

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "Okay, then please help me find a house."

Wuya, Liuya and Xiaohu were very happy to know they were going back. They helped to pack up. They also went to the market to buy some small items, which they wanted to take back to share with their families.

Xu baked a lot of dry biscuits, prepared pickles and dried meat, and brought a small pot so that they could at least eat something hot on the road.

The next morning, everyone got up early. After loading their things into the car, Xu said, "Shuisheng, we're going back now. You can stay here for the next few days and go back to work when the time comes. You can use the rice, noodles, and oil in the kitchen as you please."

Liu Shuisheng smiled and said, "Second Aunt, I know. You can go back without worry. Remember to bring me some homemade drunken fish and lotus root powder when you come."

"Okay, don't worry," Xu said with a smile.

"You used to hate dried fish the most," Zhang Ping'an joked.

Liu Shuisheng scratched his head and laughed, "This guy is born cheap. I used to feel uncomfortable just by smelling him at home. I've eaten enough of him, but now I can't eat him and I still miss him."

"Okay, Shuisheng, let's go. It will be too late if we don't leave now," Zhang Laoer said in a deep voice.

After the family got on the car, Zhang Pingan watched Liu Shuisheng waving goodbye at the door, and soon he disappeared after turning a corner.

I don’t know why, but I always feel empty and panicky in my heart, and I can’t help but grab the collar of my shirt tightly.

"Son, what's wrong with you? Are you not feeling well?" Xu asked when she saw him.

Zhang Pingan shook his head: "It's okay!"

After saying that, he opened the curtain of the car, stuck his head out of the window to get some fresh air, and then his frown relaxed.

At that time I thought it was normal, but who would have thought it would take years.

When everyone arrived at the escort agency, there were indeed quite a few people waiting there with large and small bags. Without exception, they were all wearing white mourning clothes. The government office had issued a funeral order yesterday, and most people knew that the emperor had passed away. Anyone who did not wear mourning clothes would be fined two taels of silver. No one dared to disobey, and all the white cloth in the cloth bags was sold out, making the big merchants smile with joy.

Zhang Ping'an's team consisted of eight bodyguards. It could be seen that they all came from relatively well-off families. Each family had a car, and they set off after gathering everyone.

There was no sun today, the sky was overcast, and the cold wind was biting. Everyone was wrapped up tightly. Zhang Ping'an and his companions also wore ordinary clothes they had picked up. They all understood the principle of not showing off their wealth when going out.

There were many people and vehicles coming in and out of the city gate, and some of the snow was trampled and melted, making the road look dirty. It became much better after leaving the city.

Looking around, all was covered in white snow, the ground a blanket of silver. A few crows sat on the branches of dead trees, cawing occasionally. The driver of a nearby carriage muttered, "What bad luck!"

It is winter now, so it is naturally impossible to sleep in the wild. The escort is very familiar with the route and has walked it dozens of times. He calculated the journey time and found farmers to stay overnight. It only costs twenty cents a night, which is not too expensive.

However, one must always be on guard against others. Zhang Ping'an discussed it with his father, and together with Xiaohu, the three of them took turns to keep watch. Fortunately, everything was safe in the end.

In this way, they did not return to the county town until the second half of the fourth day. Zhang Laoer and Zhang Pingan were extremely tired. The women in the family did not know how to drive the cart, so the three of them had to take turns driving the cart with Xiaohu. They also had to take turns to keep watch at night, and basically did not get a full night's sleep.

"Dad, why don't we go to my brother-in-law's place and rest for a night, and then go back to town tomorrow. It's too late to rush back to town now, and it's almost dark," Zhang Pingan suggested.

Zhang Lao Er also had the same idea, nodded and said, "Okay!"

So after separating from the escort agency, they headed east of the city. The county town had been badly damaged by an epidemic, and there were fewer people on the road. The couplets on the doors of all the houses had been changed to white, probably because they knew about the national mourning.

When I arrived at the gate of the courtyard where I had rented before in the east of the city, I found that it was locked. I wanted to ask the Li family next door, but I found that there was also a big lock on the door of the Li family next door. I didn't know whether they still lived there.

Zhang Laoer went to Jinbao's house again and found that the door was also locked.

Several people looked at each other, and Zhang Pingan said helplessly: "Well, let's just stay at the inn. I guess they have all returned to their hometowns."

Xu rubbed her lower back and complained, "Oh, this is the only way. My lower back hurts from sitting in the car for a few days. I can't even find a place to rest."

Zhang Lao Er then walked back into the city and found a fairly large inn. The innkeeper looked them over, making sure no one was sick or listless, before asking, "Would you like to have dinner or stay overnight?"

Zhang Pingan said, "Eat first, then check into the hotel."

"Okay, please sit inside," the waiter said enthusiastically.

There were not many customers in the restaurant at the moment, so the dishes were served quickly. When everyone was halfway through their meal, someone else came in through the curtain.

The shopkeeper asked, "Are you guys here to eat or stay?"

"Let's eat first, then go to a room and wash up."

"Okay, please come in!" said the waiter enthusiastically.

After the person entered the hall, Zhang Pingan realized that it was an old acquaintance.

The other party also noticed Zhang Pingan, stepped forward and greeted him with a smile: "Brother Zhang, long time no see!"

Zhang Pingan swallowed the food in his mouth before he stood up and saluted, saying, "Brother Li, long time no see!"