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

"Mom, it's good that we can leave the city now. Fortunately, Doctor Fu is willing to help. Otherwise, we can only leave it to fate and don't know when we can leave," Zhang Pingan explained.

Xu disagreed: "Even without his help, we can still leave. It's just a matter of waiting a few more days. But now that we can leave the city, why don't we go directly to the provincial capital?"

Everything was still unknown, and Zhang Pingan didn't want to say any more: "Mom, just listen to me, let's get out of the city first!"

Zhang Laoer said decisively, "Sanniang, listen to your son and leave the city first. Quickly pack your things!"

"Oh, I see," Xu replied. Although she was still unhappy, her husband and son both agreed to go out first, so she had no choice.

"Dad, what do you think we should do about Fourth Sister?" Zhang Ping'an hesitated. Selfishly, he certainly wanted to take Fourth Sister and Brother-in-law with him, but the Sun family had a large family, and Fourth Brother-in-law was a highly respected man in the family. Without knowing clearly what had happened, it would probably be difficult to ask the couple to go with them, not to mention in such an undignified way.

Zhang Laoer had obviously thought of this as well, and said calmly, "They're living well in the county and won't leave with us. Go to the Sun family now to give them a heads-up and give your fourth sister some private money. That's all. What happens next depends on your luck!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was some confusion in Zhang Laoer's eyes.

Xu heard the conversation between the two, put down her things, sat down and asked, "What? You want to give Si Ya some private money? Why? Why?"

"Mom, we don't know when we can return to the county town after we leave. My fourth sister is pregnant now, and the Sun family has many people. It's always good to leave her some money to support herself," Zhang Ping'an replied.

Xu really wanted to knock open the father and son's heads to see what kind of mess was inside. If she wasn't managing this family, the money would have been gone sooner or later. "It's not that I'm cruel as a mother, but look around here, where in the surrounding area are you seeing people paying money to marry off their daughters and then leaving them with some private money? Isn't that a huge loss? I raised her and didn't expect much in return, but instead she wants to suck my blood. How can this be right? I don't agree, you're not allowed to give it to her!"

Zhang Ping'an didn't want to argue with his mother. He had money anyway, so he said, "Forget it, just listen to mother. I'll go first!"

"Oh, that's right," Xu laughed.

It was already past noon and time was running out. Zhang Ping'an drove a mule cart and went directly to the Sun family with some things that he couldn't take away at home, to leave for his fourth sister.

Seeing his brother-in-law coming over again, and bringing so many things with him, Sun Liujin couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Ping An, why are you here today? Didn't you go back to the capital?"

Zhang Ping'an's face was solemn. "We were originally planning to return to the prefectural city, but the city gates are sealed again. Now we can only enter but not leave. We have been in the county town for two days and can't leave. We just found a way to use our connections to leave the city."

"That's great, but I guess it won't be closed for long. Aren't we still recruiting soldiers now? The city gates have to be opened eventually." Sun Liujin didn't think there was a problem.

There are some things that Zhang Ping'an cannot say too clearly. What if nothing happens, what he said would be considered treasonous. Even if they are relatives, Zhang Ping'an cannot take the risk. Just like the letter left by Mr. Fan, he can only hint at it. Whether he can understand it depends on the individual.

"Maybe, but I always feel uneasy. Several families I know have some status in the county, but now they have all gone to the provincial capital, so I think I should leave the city as soon as possible. I plan to cross the river with my parents to live in the south, and I am here to say goodbye today," Zhang Pingan said slowly.

"Goodbye?" Sun Liujin sat up straight in surprise, thinking he had misheard. "Did I get it right? Are you moving the whole family?"

Zhang Pingan nodded: "Not bad!"

Sun Liujin frowned and asked, "Why? You're living well here, but what about all the other people at home? Are you going to give up the legacy left by our ancestors? Are you going to give up your studies?"

In this era, very few people would move their families unless there was war, famine, or career advancement. Sun Liujin really couldn't understand it.

But he wasn't stupid. After a brief thought, he asked, "Are you afraid something might happen because we're recruiting soldiers right now?"

"That's part of the reason," Zhang Pingan nodded.

Sun Liujin soothed him, "Ping An, you're just making a fuss out of nothing. We're a land of plenty, just across the river from Jiangnan. It's a thoroughfare connecting nine provinces, and there hasn't been a war for over a hundred years. Conscription is normal. We haven't had any conscription for decades. If the north doesn't have enough troops, they naturally have to draw from the central region. Don't overthink it!"

Zhang Pingan knew it would be difficult to convince his fourth brother-in-law, so he just said, "Fourth brother-in-law, I understand what you mean. But whether I'm overthinking it or not, our family is definitely going to live in Jiangnan. If things are peaceful later, we'll come back. If not, you can go to Jiangnan to look for us. Maybe we can get together again one day. Oh, and where is my fourth sister? I probably won't be able to see my nephew being born, but as an uncle, I have to give her a red envelope."

"Hey! You...you!" Sun Liujin sighed. Why is this brother-in-law so timid?

When Si Ya came out and heard about this, she was shocked and panicked. She asked anxiously, "Why? What will I do if you leave?"

As he spoke, tears started to flow!

Zhang Ping'an felt a pang of sadness when he saw this. He looked up at Sun Liujin and asked tentatively, "How about Fourth Sister and Fourth Brother-in-law, you two come with us?"

Sun Liujin was in a very bad mood. He had hoped that he and his brother-in-law would support each other in the future and strive to get him an official position. But now that he was gone, what support was there for him?

"Ping'an, if you ask me, you are really overthinking it. Do you really have to leave?" Sun Liujin tried to persuade him to stay.

"Yes, we have to go," Zhang Pingan nodded.

"Ah!" Sun Liujin sighed again, "Then I can only wish you safe journey. There's no way I'm leaving. My family has lived here for generations, and I think life is pretty good now."

Zhang Ping'an had expected this answer, so he didn't force it. After sending his fourth brother-in-law away, Zhang Ping'an quietly handed two ingots of silver to his fourth sister.

Si Ya looked up in surprise, tears still stained on her face. Zhang Pingan made a gesture to silence her and finally said, "Si Ya, this money is for you to keep. Don't take it out unless it's absolutely necessary. Don't tell even your brother-in-law. Take care of yourself. I'm leaving!"

"Little brother," Si Ya chased out and cried.

"Go back, I'm leaving," Zhang Ping'an waved his hand and drove the mule cart back to the inn.

Zhang Laoer and Xu had packed up their things. Wu Ya and Liu Ya each carried a small bag. After Zhang Ping'an saw that nothing was left behind, the family drove to Doctor Fu's house.

Doctor Fu was quite reliable. He found an old woman who made up the dead to dress up everyone simply. They applied thick lime powder on their faces and painted ink on their fingernails. After they looked like they were real, he let everyone lie on the cart.

Zhang Ping'an was the last one to lie down, next to Zhang Laoer.

Watching several people being pushed away by the cart, Doctor Fu stood there, stroking his chin thoughtfully, as if he was thinking about something. He always felt that the Zhang family knew something that he didn't!

At that time, people believed that dead bodies were unlucky. If they were transported during the day, they were afraid that the body would come back to life, and if they were transported at night, they were afraid that it would be haunted. Therefore, they would usually choose to transport the body to the charity cemetery outside the city at dusk in the afternoon.

In addition, Brother Fu worked in the Medical Department and was in charge of this job. He was familiar with the people guarding the city and had some face. The people guarding the city used their scabbards to lift the white cloth, took a symbolic look at it, and then put it down.

Everyone left the city smoothly, and Brother Fu even helped to send the mule out.

Regardless of the other party's intentions or his behavior and character, he was indeed of great help in this matter. Zhang Pingan bowed solemnly and said, "Thank you, Brother Fu!"

Brother Fu was a sturdy young man with a handsome appearance. He didn't look much like Medical Officer Fu. He smiled and said, "You're welcome. I'll need your help when I go to the capital city later. It's getting dark, so you should leave quickly!"

Zhang Ping'an then turned around and left with his family.

Now they only had mules but no cart frame, so it would take a long time to walk back. It was getting dark, so Zhang Ping'an took his family and walked seven or eight miles forward to find a village to stay overnight.