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

"When did this happen? I haven't heard of any conscription in the capital. Besides, our court has a hereditary system of military households. Even if there are not enough soldiers occasionally, we recruit them from the cold and bitter north. We are located in the central part of the country, a land of fish and rice, so we only need to pay the exemption silver," Zhang Ping'an asked with a frown.

"Yes, we have never recruited soldiers here since I can remember, but this time it is a mandatory requirement from the higher-ups. The head of the village came to our house yesterday evening and asked us to submit the list as soon as possible. Those who served before February must gather in the county. I was so worried that I couldn't sleep the whole night. It's a good thing that you are back. I was planning to come and ask you and your father, but you must have been very tired from the journey, so I barely made it here today," Zhang Daqiang said with a long sigh.

He is a grandfather now, and he just wants to live a stable life. Moreover, although he has no great prospects, he knows that the imperial court's conscription is not a good thing.

"That is to say, the village head is still notifying each village, so what is the specific conscription system?" Zhang Pingan said seriously.

Zhang Daqiang couldn't help but take out his pipe, stuffed a handful of tobacco into it, and lit it before saying in a hoarse voice, "For every man between fifteen and fifty, one man will be taxed for every three men in each household, two for every five men in each household, and only sons will not be taxed."

"So cruel?" Zhang Pingan frowned when he heard that.

"Yeah, I didn't expect that after decades of no conscription, they would be so harsh right from the start," Zhang Daqiang replied, taking a puff of his cigarette, his mouth bitter. He continued, "But you're a scholar, so you can exempt two people from military service. If I remember correctly, there should be eight people in your family who meet the age requirements, so one more person will be enough."

"Is there no other way, such as paying money?" Zhang Ping'an asked.

Zhang Daqiang shook his head. "I've asked about this method before, but the village chief is adamant. This time, he's not asking for money, he's asking for people."

Zhang Ping'an had a vague premonition that this conscription was closely related to the emperor's death. Looking at the happy villagers in the yard, Zhang Ping'an felt heavy in his heart.

"Uncle Daqiang, don't worry. You are only eighteen today and there is still time before the end of the month. Tomorrow I will go to the county to ask my classmates and find out the exact news. This way we will have a clear idea and know how to deal with it," Zhang Pingan comforted after thinking for a moment.

"Okay, that's what I mean. I want you to help me find out. After all, you have studied for so many years, have achieved fame, and have a wide network of contacts. You are better than us country folk. Once you find out clearly, I will tell the villagers in detail," Zhang Daqiang nodded.

After a while, Jinbao came over with his parents and grandparents.

After Jin Bao scanned the crowd, he walked straight towards Zhang Pingan and complained, "Ping'an, you made me so sad. You didn't even tell me right away when you came back. Humph!"

Zhang Pingan rubbed his brows, and after easing his uneasy mood, he smiled and said, "Okay, you are already a grown-up, why are you still acting like a child? I was just about to look for you, but Uncle Daqiang came over and told me something. I was delayed for a while, and then you came over."

"Okay, I forgive you. How are you doing in the capital city?" Jin Bao said with a smile after sitting down.

"I'm doing well. I've got a new teacher and two new senior brothers. By the way, I also brought you a down jacket. Come in and I'll let you try it on," Zhang Ping'an replied.

"Oh, you brought me something. I'm glad you still remember me as your brother," Jinbao laughed.

Zhang Ping'an took Jinbao back to the west wing and took out the clothes. These were specially left over from when he was in the down business. The fabric was darker in color so that they could be worn for a longer time.

"Well, it's a little bigger," Jinbao said after trying it.

"We are still growing and growing fast, so we can wear it for a while longer," Zhang Pingan explained.

"Yeah, I know, hehe," Jin Bao chuckled and put the clothes away. "I'll wear them when we get back to the county town."

Zhang Pingan nodded. It was indeed too conspicuous to wear it in the village. It was unnecessary.

The two chatted about each other's recent situation in the past six months, and there was no sense of unfamiliarity. Jin Bao smiled and said, "I was not used to you leaving at first, but fortunately I have Xiao Yifei as my brother in need, and I have time to write my storybook. I plan to go to the capital to find you after the classes for the past six months are finished. I will find you a job then. Anyway, I am not cut out for studying for the imperial examinations, so there is no need to waste my tuition money."

"I support you. There are top talents in every profession. You don't have to study for the imperial examination. The most important thing is to live a happy life," Zhang Pingan said, patting his good brother's shoulder.

"Well, I knew you would support me!" Jinbao nodded and smiled.

"Come on, let's go out and have lunch here at noon today!"

Zhang Laosan had just bought some tofu and some other side dishes that he didn't have at home. He loved this kind of lively occasion the most and was chatting happily with the villagers in the yard.

Zhang Pingan smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the other villagers, then went over and asked, "Third Uncle, have you told Second Sister to come over for dinner today?"

It just so happened that he had to give the silver that Shuisheng asked him to bring to his uncle and aunt Liu.

Zhang Laosan took a break from his busy schedule and replied, "I told you, your second sister is helping her mother-in-law make lotus root dumplings. She'll be here soon."

However, the lively atmosphere in the yard did not last long. Soon, Daya and Sanya came back from the town, and the conscription was not discussed until tomorrow.

It turned out that in the afternoon yesterday, the town government also sent people to every street to notify the conscription. San Ya was impatient and could not sit still. She went to discuss it with Daya. After knowing that her parents and younger brother had returned, she followed them back to her parents' home today.

As soon as the mule cart arrived at the door, San Ya jumped out and shouted, "Dad, Mom, little brother, have you heard? We are going to recruit soldiers here. What should I do? My parents-in-law want my husband to go."

A single stone caused a thousand ripples, and the people chatting in the yard were immediately attracted by this explosive topic.