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

After Zhang Ping'an came out, everyone in the yard seemed to be busy, but they were still observing him from the corner of their eyes. Xu pretended to be casual and walked to her son, whispering, "Son, didn't you say your shoes weren't warm enough? I'll put some cotton in for you, and you can go inside and change your shoes."

After saying that, she pulled her son into the west wing, closed the door, and then continued to ask in a low voice: "Son, what did your grandma say to you?"

I knew it was because of this.

Zhang Pingan replied in a low voice: "Nothing was said. Just let me go to the county tomorrow to ask around. Mother, why are you sneaking around like a thief? Why are you closing the door in broad daylight?"

After saying that, he walked over and opened the door. Outside the door, Daya, Erya and Sanya were all helping to peel peanuts, with unconcealable worry in their eyes.

"Sister, where is your brother-in-law?" Zhang Pingan asked.

Daya smiled and said, "He went to chop wood with Brother Dazhu. There are a lot of dead branches in the woods to the west of us. Let's chop some wood while the weather is good. It will be useful for our family in case it rains or snows again."

"My brother-in-law is a guest. Why did you let him go to work? I want my brother-in-law to accompany me to the county tomorrow," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

"He's free anyway, so don't worry about him," Daya said nonchalantly. "That's what I was thinking. It would be good to have your brother-in-law go with you. He'll have company on the road. Besides, he has to go to the county school to ask about classes. It's not fun to just take money and do nothing."

Erya continued, "Yes, our child's father is worried too. If the road wasn't so difficult, he would have wanted to go to the town to ask. Classes usually start on the 16th day of the first lunar month, but it's been a few days and there's still no definite news."

Erya wanted to go back to the county the most. In the county, she could be free with her children and no one would bother her. She could make her own decisions about everything and could also do some small business to earn some money. Together with the monthly salary her husband earned from his night patrol at the academy, the family could live a comfortable life in the county.

San Ya said sarcastically, "Yes, my eldest brother-in-law and second brother-in-law both have jobs at the academy, and they can even get paid for their holidays. It's not like my family, where life is very hard!"

Xu hated listening to San Ya's talk the most. When she heard her words, she scolded her, "Didn't your family get dozens of taels of silver when the family property was divided? You also have farmland to farm. How can you be so miserable? There are many people who are suffering more than you!"

San Ya curled her lips and said nothing, but she was actually not convinced in her heart.

After he finished speaking, Dazhu and Liu Sanlang came in carrying two bundles of firewood. Zhang Pingan told him about going to the county town together tomorrow. Liu Sanlang nodded and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you at home tomorrow."

Seeing that they would not get any definite news today, Daya and the others did not stay any longer and said goodbye and left.

Zhang Pingan handed the silver that Liu Shuisheng had asked him to bring back to Erya and instructed her, "Shuisheng was worried that his family would have a hard time, so he didn't keep a single cent and asked her to bring it all back. Second sister, take it back to your uncle and aunt Liu."

Erya nodded: "Okay, don't worry!"

Before leaving, Daya secretly gave Xu a dime of silver: "Mother, take this silver. You always bring me so many things when you visit me. It's too wasteful. Don't bring me so many things next time. There are so many people in the family, and we can't eat much. It's better to save the money for my younger brother's education. If he is well, I will be well too."

Xu looked outside the door and made sure no one was watching before quickly taking it and putting it in her arms. She said with relief, "Daya, you are thoughtful. You understand the difficulties of being a parent."

Daya smiled and said, "I don't have much money, mother, please don't think it's too little. I'm leaving now."

Xu sighed and didn't keep any more food. She packed some food for each of her three daughters, and gave the largest portion to Daya, saying, "Your eldest sister has many children."

Erya said nothing, and said cheerfully: "The two naughty boys at home are lucky to have such a good meal. It's still my mother who loves her grandchildren."

After taking it, San Ya said lightly, "Thank you, mother," and then got on the mule cart of her eldest sister's house.

The atmosphere at home was very depressing because of the issue of who would go to serve in the army, so Zhang Ping'an simply went to Jinbao's house to get some fresh air. Jinbao had written three or four storybooks in the past six months, and they sold quite well. His family didn't want the money he earned, so they were not financially tight.

Jinbao has no other hobbies except eating. Now that he is rich, he has put a lot of snacks in the study. Zhang Pingan took a bag of preserved fruits and ate a piece. It was very sweet.

"I finally know why you gained weight again in the past six months," Zhang Pingan poured a cup of tea and rinsed his mouth.

Jin Bao scratched his head sheepishly: "Hehe, I like to write while eating. It helps me to have more ideas. Besides, my parents and grandparents all say that I look better when I am fatter."

How thick must the filter be? Zhang Pingan smiled helplessly, forget it, just be happy!

The next morning, Zhang Laoer drove a mule cart with his son to the town. Liu Sanlang was already waiting at home, with a bow slung over his back and seven or eight arrows in his quiver.

"Oh," Zhang Pingan raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, where did you get the bow and arrow? It's not cheap!"

Liu Sanlang smiled innocently and said, "I didn't buy it. Master Yang made it for me. But I prepared the ox horn and tendon. It's not safe when I'm out, so I brought it with me for self-defense."

"I didn't realize Master Yang had this skill," Zhang Pingan said with a smile, "Come up quickly!"

Only then did Liu Sanlang get on the mule cart and it drove all the way to the county town.