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

"You guys have such a good relationship," Erya's mother-in-law Ge Guihua said enviously.

Mrs. Liu the butcher said cheerfully, "He only grows taller but not smarter. Maybe he did."

"Being able to eat is a blessing. I just hope my Jinbao can eat more," Jinbao's mother continued.

"Well, I think your Jinbao will be very lucky in the future. He was born with a round head and big earlobes. I guarantee he will have a smooth life," said Mrs. Liu the butcher modestly.

Next, the female members started praising each other.

There were a lot of people queuing at the city gate, and most of them had cars, which made the queue into the city very slow. It took nearly two quarters of an hour before Zhang Pingan and others came to the queue, and their attitude was very bad.

Fortunately, Zhang Ping'an took out his own travel permit and household registration card, paid the city entrance fee, and was quickly released.

The families of Zhang Lao Da and Zhang Lao San hurriedly walked forward with their bags, fearing that they would be detained.

The remaining few stores were a little slower, and the gatekeepers checked more carefully.

Uncle Xu was a little panicked. Ordinary people were most afraid of dealing with officials. Even though these soldiers guarding the city were not officials, they were the same in the eyes of Uncle Xu and others.

"Ping'an, you go in and wait for us," Uncle Xu shouted loudly.

"Don't panic, uncle. We'll be waiting for you here," Zhang Ping'an replied.

The soldiers guarding the city frowned and shouted, "Why are you shouting?"

Uncle Xu immediately became dispirited, shrank his neck, and dared not speak anymore.

Fortunately, there was no danger and everyone was released smoothly.

"That was a close call, my heart almost jumped out," San Ya said, patting her chest.

Qian Yongde rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, "Look at your petty attitude. You really haven't seen the world!"

He didn't even mention that he was also very panicked just now.

San Ya was unconvinced and said, "You've seen the world? You're just like me, the most you've ever been to is the county town."

"Hey, you're looking for a beating. You dare to talk back," Qian Yongde said in a low voice with a grin.

"Go ahead and hit me, try to hit me. My father, my younger brother, and my uncle are all here, let's see who will suffer." San Ya was not afraid at all and said with her hands on her hips.

After leaving the town where she was born and raised, San Ya was not afraid of being bullied because she was unfamiliar with the place and everyone was her family.

"You...I won't argue with you," Qian Yongde said angrily.

After entering the city, the driver asked, "Which inn are you going to? If you don't know any, I can recommend one to you."

Zhang Pingan said without a second thought, "Just go to the east of the city and drop us off."

The east side of the city has the best security. Although accommodation fees may be a little more expensive, nothing is more important than safety at the moment.

After entering the city, the streets on both sides became more prosperous. When passing by the food stalls, the aroma was so fragrant that everyone swallowed their saliva.

"Mom, I want to eat," Zhuzhu said crisply while sucking his fingers.

After Daya helped her daughter take her finger out of her mouth, she said, "Piggy, I've told you many times not to eat your fingers. Wait until we get to the inn and wash them before eating, okay?"

Although Pig Pig was disappointed when he heard this, he still responded, "Okay!"

When we arrived at the east of the city, we paid the fare and the driver left.

Everyone standing on the street looked at Zhang Pingan: "Ping'an, where are we going now?"

Zhang Pingan looked around and chose an inn with a clean-looking sign. He said, "Let's find a place to stay for the night. This is it!"

Zhang Laoer knew that accommodation in the provincial capital was very expensive, so he had told everyone in advance to try to sleep in as crowded a space as possible.

We are all frugal by nature, so there is nothing we cannot do.

After booking the room, the waiter led everyone upstairs: "This way, please. Hot water will be brought up in a moment."

"Thank you very much," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile. He took out a dozen coins and handed them over, saying, "Please go to Huichun Hall and ask for a doctor for me. My cousin seems to have a fever. It would be best if I could see if Doctor Chen Jianqiu is here. If he is, please ask him to come and tell him I am Zhang Ping'an from Wushan County."

"Okay," the waiter replied after taking the money and went downstairs quickly.

After sitting down in the room, Xu finally collapsed, pounded her lower back and said, "Finally, I can take a break!"

"Mom, you've worked hard. Have a cup of hot water first," Zhang Ping'an poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her.

Wuya and Liuya were in good spirits. The surprise of arriving in the provincial capital diluted the uneasiness of leaving their hometown. Now they all lay by the window and looked out secretly.

"Come and sit down. What does it look like to be lying by the window?" Xu frowned and scolded.

"Oh," Wu Ya stuck out her tongue and sat back, but she wasn't too scared.

Liu Ya pointed at the tall buildings shrouded in mist in the distance and said, "Little brother, where is that? It's so high!"

Zhang Pingan stood over to take a look and said with a smile, "That's Wangjiang Tower, right by the Cangwu River. When the time comes, we can take a big boat across the Cangwu River and reach the south."

Zhang Laoer continued, "Your younger brother once had a meal there with his classmates. Only those with academic achievements can enter. Money alone is not enough."

"So powerful," Wu Ya and Liu Ya said in surprise, and the image of the younger brother in their hearts suddenly became much taller.

Zhang Pingan corrected him: "Dad, I don't want someone with a good reputation, I want someone who is a scholar."

Zhang Laoer waved his hand: "Same idea!"

Mrs. Xu was also very proud: "My son is really amazing. If anyone knows this, they will be so envious!"

After saying that, he seemed to remember something and said, "Oh right, son, you've spent a lot of money on this journey. We can't be the only ones suffering. They have to contribute too!"

Zhang Pingan pondered for a moment and said, "Mom, this is what I think. On this journey, each family basically ate their own food. Later, when we went to Black Wind Ferry to take a boat, we also used mule carts from each family to pay for it. To be honest, it was my brother-in-law's family that suffered the most. They have the most carts. I mainly spent more than ten taels of silver on a few patrols when I was in the reed marsh. But I would have spent this money even if I wasn't with my relatives, don't you think? Plus, they don't have much money on them, so let it go. I also know the principle of helping in emergencies but not helping the poor. When we get a foothold in the south, we will definitely take care of our own families. Don't worry!"

Zhang Laoer also said, "Mother, I've considered what you said, but my son and I have the same idea. We're all alone and weak in the south, so we have to stick together with our relatives so we can quickly gain a foothold. Let's not worry about these small amounts of money for now. Otherwise, if others know we have money and still count it so clearly, it will make us look too stingy!"