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

Zhang Laoer knew that everyone was anxious, so he didn't even have time to drink tea and just told everyone what he had found out.

Everyone was also in a dilemma. "It would cost a lot of money to find someone to replace the person, and we would have to use our connections to change the household registration. How could ordinary people like us have such ability?"

"It depends on the choice of each family. I can try to ask someone to change the household registration. Although it may not succeed, it is better than waiting like this," said Zhang Pingan.

"Okay, now we have a solution. Think it over carefully before coming over. Don't treat our house like a teahouse and come here every day," Zhang began to drive people away.

Upon hearing this, the village chief and the elders left first, saying that they would come back after everything was discussed.

Liu Shuisheng's parents and elder brother Liu did not leave, mainly because they wanted to ask Liu Shuisheng about his situation in the provincial capital.

"Ping'an, I heard Erya say yesterday that Shuisheng asked you to bring back all the silver. He didn't have a penny left on him. What would he do if something really happened? The boss would just kick him away. What a silly child, how could he be so stupid?" said Liu's mother, wiping her tears.

"Uncle and aunt, don't worry too much. Shuisheng has been smart since he was a child. He will definitely be fine. At worst, he still has the key to the courtyard we rented in the capital. We still have a lot of food left in our house before he left. He will definitely not starve," Zhang Pingan could only comfort him.

"Oh, it's all fate. It depends on his luck," sighed Liu's father.

Brother Liu was a worldly-wise man, having experienced life outside, so he was calmer. "Ping'an, our family is in the same situation as yours. We've divided the family but not the household. There are eleven people who meet the age requirements, so four of them need to go. If, as you said, we can solve the problem with money, then we can use it. I'll go to the county town with you then."

"This will cost a lot of money, and it's hard to find people," said Liu's father worriedly.

"People die for money, birds die for food. You will definitely find it if you pay more money," said Brother Liu.

"On the way back just now, I discussed with my father and wanted to find someone from Lijiawa," Zhang Pingan did not hide it.

"Looking for someone from my mother's family?" Li was surprised. "That's not close!"

"Several villages near us are wealthy. Even the poorest families can make ends meet. Who would be willing to send their healthy son to serve in the army? Besides, they have to find someone of their own, so they can only look for someone in a poor place far away, which is faster," explained Zhang Laoer.

"That's right," Li understood and breathed a sigh of relief. At least they didn't have to send anyone, so she was very positive about this matter and suggested, "Why don't I go back today? It's still early now, and we should be able to arrive by dusk."

"It's too late to go back today. There are too many wild animals over there and it's not safe. Let's wait until tomorrow. You and the boss should go out at dawn," said Zhang.

"Okay, then I'll listen to you," Li replied.

"How about this, I'll go with my uncle and aunt tomorrow morning," said Brother Liu after thinking for a moment.

Li was more than happy to have more people and more companions.

After talking, Liu's father, mother and eldest brother Liu said goodbye and went back. Xu wanted to keep them for dinner, but was refused. Now that the matter had not been resolved, no one was in the mood to eat.

After the Liu family left, before lunchtime, Xiao Hu came running over to announce, "Brother Ping'an, uncles one and two, my father said he wants to hold a meeting in the ancestral hall and asks you all to go after dinner."

"Okay, I understand," Zhang Pingan replied.

"Then I'll leave. I still have to notify other families," Xiaohu said and ran away.

After lunch, several members of the Zhang family went to the ancestral hall. Almost everyone had already arrived.

Village chief Zhang Daqiang explained in detail the conscription and the information Zhang Laoer and his son had gathered in the county town. Finally, he said, "You two should work out the rules among yourselves. Tell me tomorrow night before dinner. If you've decided on a candidate, give me his name. Otherwise, if you're late and miss important matters for the court, you'll be beheaded."

An older man yelled, "Daqiang, stop scaring us."

Zhang Daqiang frowned and said, "Who scared you? This is what the village head has repeatedly emphasized. If you are not afraid of being beheaded, then don't report it."

Now the crowd was silent.

"Okay, that's all I want to say. Let's all go," Zhang Daqiang waved his hand.

When most people had left, Zhang Daqiang stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Pingan and his son and said, "Ping'an, our family needs to spend money to find a replacement. When you go to the county town to do business, remember to ask me to come with you!"

"Cheng, Uncle Daqiang, have you found the person?" Zhang Pingan asked doubtfully.

Zhang Daqiang nodded and said, "Someone has chosen one. I'll go over there next afternoon to take a look at the situation."

"Okay," Zhang Ping'an replied without asking any more questions.

Early the next morning, Li took Boss Zhang and Brother Liu back to her parents' home and did not return until the afternoon of the next day.

Seeing that everyone had returned, Ma quickly served tea and water, showing unusual attentiveness. After everyone had finished their tea, she asked, "Brother and sister-in-law, how are things?"

Li finished her tea, wiped the water stains from her mouth, and said, "It's done. Eight taels of silver per person."

Ma heaved a sigh of relief when she heard this and said, "That's not bad, this price is still affordable."

Mrs. Li was furious. She said, "You don't know. At first, they asked me for fifteen taels of silver per person. They were desperate for money, so I refused. It was impossible. They were buried up to their necks in the dirt and couldn't earn more than a few hundred coins a year, yet they dared to ask me for fifteen taels. Later, they bargained down to eight taels. I couldn't pay any more, and since we were in a hurry, I agreed."

Brother Liu continued, "It's good that it's done. It's okay if they spend some money. They were hoping to make some money from this to marry their son off!"

Ma was confused: "Who are you looking for?"

"We found a few old men who are almost fifty years old, and their teeth are almost falling out. It's really a bargain for them. Under normal circumstances, they would not earn more than eight taels in their entire lives," Li replied.