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

"The Han family in the prefectural capital? Could it be the Han family that produced two Jinshi scholars?" Doctor Fu asked after thinking for a moment.

"That's right," Zhang Pingan smiled.

Doctor Fu's smile grew even more enthusiastic upon hearing this. He said, "I've heard of their family. They're considered a very prestigious family of scholars in the city. Although their family members don't hold high positions, they are very knowledgeable and have trained many prestigious students. Many students want to become their teachers."

At this point, Doctor Fu shook his head and smiled, "To be honest, I wanted our two boys to go to the Han family to study, but the Han family's apprenticeship requirements are extremely harsh, so we were not selected. You are lucky!"

"It's just luck. If Brother Fu and Brother Fu are still interested in continuing their studies, maybe I can help," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

"This is serious," Doctor Fu sat up straight after hearing this.

Zhang Pingan said solemnly, "Uncle Fu, our two families have known each other for over ten years. You have helped our family a lot, and I remember it in my heart. I have always regarded you as my uncle. If I can help you, I will do my best."

"Hahaha, good boy, I really didn't make a mistake about you. However, your brother Fu and the others are now working in the county government office. They are not young anymore and probably don't have the time to do this. But my grandson has some talent for studying. I plan to send him to the provincial capital to find a good teacher to continue his studies next year. I may need your help by then, so you are not allowed to refuse," Doctor Fu said tentatively with a big laugh.

"I will do my best to help you," Zhang Pingan said with a smile, bowing. After a pause, he continued, "I wonder if Uncle Fu knows that the city gates are now blocked and no one is allowed to leave the city?"

Doctor Fu frowned upon hearing this and said, "Oh? Is that true?"

Zhang Ping'an didn't know whether the other party was truly ignorant or pretending not to know, so he continued, "It's absolutely true. My father and I were about to leave the city for the prefectural capital yesterday, but we were stopped by the city guards. They said we were allowed in but not out. When I came back, I only asked for fifteen days' leave from the prefectural school. Now that the time is almost up, and I can't go back, I'm extremely anxious!"

"I really don't know about that. After all, there's nothing that requires me to leave the city," Doctor Fu replied after taking a sip of tea.

"Oh, now my father is so anxious that his mouth is full of blisters. The provincial school has an elimination system, which you should have heard about. If I don't come back for a long time, I'm afraid I will be expelled," Zhang Pingan sighed.

Doctor Fu nodded: "That's right, anyone would be anxious!"

"If I get expelled from school, I will definitely be ridiculed, and I probably won't be able to say anything in front of the teacher in the future." Zhang Pingan was helpless and continued to test the waters, "I wonder if Uncle Fu can think of a solution for my nephew!"

"Alas, I am of little influence and just a small medical officer. I really have no say in the county government. What's more, these are orders from above. I can't do anything about it. I suggest you just wait for seven or eight days and leave in early February," Doctor Fu looked very embarrassed.

Damn, Zhang Pingan cursed in his heart, you have a way to smuggle medicinal materials, how can you not get out of the city!

Zhang Pingan fished out a ten-liang silver note from his pocket and handed it over, saying modestly, "Uncle Fu, this is really urgent. Please help me think of a solution. It doesn't matter what method, even if it means going through the sewer."

Doctor Fu raised his eyebrows in surprise. "So urgent? My dear nephew, you are a scholar with a good academic record. No matter what, you can't go down that dirty path!"

"Alas, our ancestors studied hard, and what I'm doing is nothing compared to them. The workload in the provincial school is very heavy, and I'm afraid if I fall behind for a few days, I won't be able to catch up when I go back," Zhang Pingan sighed with an anxious look on his face.

"What do you know?" Doctor Fu asked tentatively.

"Ah, what do I know?" Zhang Pingan asked in confusion.

Doctor Fu still had a hint of suspicion in his eyes. After a while, he waved his hand and said, "It's nothing! Never mind. Since you're so anxious, nephew, I'll take a risk for you. We don't have to go through the sewers. We can just hide in the corpse transporter and get out. Your brother Fu happens to be in charge of this at the Medical Department. He's familiar with the city guards, so they won't investigate."

"Ahem, a corpse transport vehicle?" Zhang Ping'an almost spit out a mouthful of tea when he heard it. He almost swallowed it and choked and coughed.

Doctor Fu said disapprovingly, "It's better than going down the sewers. They're dirty and smelly. What's wrong with a corpse transport vehicle? It's a hundred times cleaner than the sewers. When the time comes, I'll have someone give you some makeup, change you to a clean vehicle, and cover you with a white cloth. It'll be perfect."

Zhang Pingan paused and said, "Thank you, Uncle Fu!"

"Well, we're all family, so why be polite? If you can help me, of course I'll help you," Doctor Fu said with a hearty laugh. He continued, "But first, you have to write me a letter of recommendation."

Old fox! Zhang Pingan cursed inwardly.

But now that I need help, I still have to smile and say, "No problem!"

After watching Zhang Ping'an finish writing the letter of recommendation and affixing his own seal on it, Doctor Fu asked, "When are you planning to leave?"

"Of course the sooner the better," Zhang Pingan replied, "but I still have a mule cart and a lot of luggage."

Doctor Fu thought for a moment and frowned. "I can find a way to have my eldest son send the mule out for you, but we can't get a car. Although the city guards look like veterans, they actually have very good memories. They will definitely remember who drove to the city gate within three to five months. We can't help you with too much luggage. You should pick out some valuable things to wear!"

In extraordinary times, extraordinary things need to be done. Zhang Pingan understood and said gratefully, "Okay, I'll do as you say!"

"Since you are in such a hurry, how about we do it today at 3 p.m.?" asked Doctor Fu.

"No problem, I'll go back now and let my parents make preparations," Zhang Pingan nodded.

"Okay, then come over later at 3 p.m.," said Doctor Fu.

"Uncle, I'll take my leave now," Zhang Ping'an stood up and saluted.

"Let's go," Doctor Fu waved his hand.

When Zhang Ping'an returned to the inn, Zhang Laoer had already returned and had prepared a lot of dry food.

"Oh," Zhang Ping'an sighed. He lost another sum of money, but fortunately there was a way to solve the problem.

So she forced herself to cheer up and said, "Dad, Mom, Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, quickly pick out some expensive clothes to wear inside, and then put on ordinary cotton clothes outside, nothing too eye-catching, the plainer the better. You can also put some dry food in your pockets. We will leave the city at 3:00 PM today."

"Are you going back to the capital? Son, you are really capable," Mrs. Xu smiled when she heard that.

"No, let's go back to the village and lie on the body transporter," Zhang Pingan said lightly.

"What?" Xu screamed!

Zhang Laoer frowned and said in a low voice, "What are you yelling about!"

"This is so unlucky," Xu said with disgust.