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

Zhang Ping'an frowned when he heard this. Not to mention that he didn't need help right now, even if he did, since they were cousins, it was impossible for him to really order his cousin to do anything.

Besides, my cousin is old and it is time for him to get married. He has two older sisters at home who are about to get married, so it is not convenient for him to be with them.

Zhang Laoer was unhappy when he heard this and immediately frowned. There were still so many family members in his family who had not been promoted yet. What would the clan members think if he promoted the relatives outside the family? This would make things difficult for his family. If he really took Tianfu to the provincial capital, the clan members would dare to pack up their own younger generations and send them there as well.

Seeing that her husband and son clearly disapproved, Xu was about to politely refuse when Shen's voice interrupted, "Third sister and brother-in-law, you can't be partial. If Tianfu goes with you to the capital, then our Tianshou must go too."

These two are all relying on my family, right? They think I am picking up gold in the capital city. Xu was so angry that she put her hands on her hips and said, "Who said Tianfu wanted to go with us? What can Tianfu and Tianshou do there? My family's money is not blown by the wind. I don't have that much free rice to give them. Just stay at home and relax!"

Shen curled her lips, knowing that it wouldn't work. She just didn't want her eldest brother's family to benefit. She didn't feel disappointed at the moment, and said sarcastically: "If it's not possible, then it's not possible. You're talking so harshly, as if anyone wants to go!"

Xu Youde's request for help was met with no satisfactory result, and he felt embarrassed. He was unhappy and said with a sullen face: "Third sister, your family's threshold is getting higher and higher. We poor relatives can't climb up to it."

Xu didn't mean to make the relationship so awkward. It was all Shen's fault for interrupting. She got annoyed when she heard Shen's voice and got angry easily. She didn't know how to reply to her elder brother at that moment.

Zhang Laoer stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Brother, Sanniang just doesn't think before she speaks. That's not what she meant. But we really don't need any help right now. Besides, our family doesn't have any connections in the capital, so we can't find a suitable job for Tianfu. It would be good for him to work in the carpentry shop in town."

Xu Youde was still angry, and waved his hand in a rough voice, saying, "Alright, alright, brother-in-law, stop talking. You still have to go back to the village, and time is almost up. I won't keep you here. I don't think it's better to be relatives."

Zhang Laoer and Xu's faces immediately darkened upon hearing this. Wasn't this a naked threat? They had felt a little guilty just now, but now it was gone.

Zhang Pingan took the money and stuffed it back into his uncle's hands, saying calmly, "Uncle, this little money is a gift from my parents, please keep it! We are all relatives, and if we really encounter difficulties, we will definitely help each other. But I am still studying and don't have any great skills. It is impossible for me to take this person today and that person tomorrow to the provincial capital. Besides, there are so many people in the clan watching us. There are at least 70 or 80 cousins ​​in my family who are within the fifth degree of mourning. It would be unreasonable for me to take my relatives from outside the family but not my own family. You should understand this."

Xu Youde understood all this, and he knew that it would cause trouble for his younger sister's family. However, as parents, they would choose to turn a blind eye for the sake of their children. What if he succeeded in forcing them?

Seeing that Uncle Xu still refused to accept the money, Zhang Pingan placed the silver on the altar and continued, "My grandparents were very kind to our family when they were alive. If they were still alive, they would definitely not make things difficult for us. As for interpersonal relationships, since our family has become better off, my mother always brings the most generous gifts every time she comes to visit. It is because of these kindnesses that I feel I have a clear conscience. If you, uncle, have any thoughts about our family because of this matter and want to sever the ties of ties, we have nothing to say. You are the elder, and we will listen to you!"

"What do you mean? How can you talk like that, kid?" Xu Youde was unhappy. He just wanted to lose his temper and scare his third sister's family. He didn't say that they would no longer be relatives!

Zhang Laoer understood his son, and said in a deep voice: "I hope that you, brother, will not say these embarrassing words again in the future, otherwise we may not be able to continue to be relatives."

Now that his father-in-law and mother-in-law have passed away and this relationship is gone, Zhang Laoer has no scruples and will not indulge them.

Xu was in a dilemma, but she always listened to her husband and son, and finally just sighed.

Xu Youcai listened outside the door for a long time. Not only did his eldest brother fail to resolve the matter, but he made it worse. He hurried in to smooth things over. He took the silk money and stuffed it into his eldest brother's hands, saying in a smooth manner: "Brother, little sister, what's going on? I just went to the kitchen and told my eldest sister-in-law to make you some pancakes. I loved pancakes when I was a child. How...how did it become so awkward?"

Xu Youde then accepted the money and softened his expression. He said, "I'll ask your sister-in-law to prepare some return gifts for you."

With Xu Youcai's help in easing the atmosphere, they finally managed to save face, and neither side mentioned breaking off the relationship anymore.

Xiao Yu baked seven or eight pancakes and prepared some fried peanuts and walnuts as return gifts. Only then did Zhang Laoer drive the carriage and take his family back to Zhangjia Village.

After they walked away, Wu Ya muttered, "Why is my uncle like this?"

Liu Ya was also puzzled: "Yeah, I used to think my uncle was pretty good!"

Xu said anxiously, "Son, are you and your father really going to sever ties with your uncles' families?"

In this era, a married woman is like spilled water. If her parents pass away, it is not uncommon for her to not interact with her brothers from her natal family.

Zhang Pingan laughed and said, "How could that be? Dad and I are just laying out our bottom line and principles to prevent our uncles from making excessive demands in the future. They should be more restrained after this."

Then he turned to Wu Ya and Liu Ya and said, "My uncle isn't a bad person, but people are selfish and changeable. When they meet a capable relative, they will definitely want to help their family. It's human nature. My uncle didn't really want to break off the relationship just now. He just wanted to use this to threaten Mom and Dad into compromise. But now that Grandpa and Mom are gone, there are many things that can be handled without reservation. Just say it openly and show your bottom line."

Wu Ya nodded, somewhat understanding, and said, "So when cousin Juhua came to the county town, your parents and you gave in, right?"

"Yes, cousin Juhua has lived in the county town for so long, and my grandparents couldn't have been unaware of the reason. They must have acquiesced in it, so they didn't use very strong means to solve the matter at the time. Otherwise, they would have hurt my grandparents' feelings, and my parents wouldn't be able to interact with them in the future," Zhang Ping'an said with a faint smile.

"Son, how come you are so smart?" Mrs. Xu said with a pleased smile.

"Reading can make you wise, and you, mom and dad, have taught me well," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

He will not give in on matters of principle, otherwise he will only cause himself more trouble.