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

Zhang Pingan didn't agree with what Xiao Yifei said. In his opinion, if you have connections, you should try to climb up the ladder appropriately, so as to avoid a lot of detours.

However, it is obviously not appropriate to discuss the value issues of both sides at this time.

Zhang Ping'an was puzzled. "Your family is quite reputable in the county. When you were studying at the academy, you could travel in a carriage. And as you said, when you arrived in the provincial capital, your stepmother was able to pay you gold to get information. You can't be considered poor, right? Why did you send you to work as a handyman at the post station? And how did you end up working on the grain transport ship?"

Xiao Yifei sighed deeply before replying, "You also said that she was my stepmother. She had always disliked me and my mother. Later, we had to flee and spend a lot of money. After we got established in Lin'an, she casually arranged a marriage for me. After I got married, she sent my mother and me away. I had to support my family, and since I had no official title, I first found a job at the post station to make do. Later, by chance, I met a gate officer on the canal. He was a nice guy, so I just followed him and started working. I was able to eat public food."

Seeing the worried looks in Zhang Ping'an and Jin Bao's eyes, Xiao Yifei smiled and said, "Hey, what are you looking at? Don't worry about me. I don't need anyone's pity. A real man can bend and stretch! You don't know how difficult it is to find a decent job in Lin'an now. Ever since the migration south, all the noble families have gathered in Lin'an. They brought a lot of people with them, and there are even more people with relatives and friends. There is no good work left for outsiders like me who have no background and no fame! And my job is not too tiring. I don't have to carry things and do hard work myself. Brothers haven't fallen to that level yet. I am mainly responsible for arranging things along the way, patrolling the cabins, managing the boatmen, and running errands on both sides."

"You're married?" Jinbao was surprised.

Xiao Yifei nodded: "Yes, but it's good to be married. At least there will be someone at home to accompany my mother. Otherwise, I really don't feel at ease going out!"

"Hearing what you said, it must be quite difficult to make a living in Lin'an," Zhang Ping'an frowned.

"That's quite difficult!" Xiao Yifei sighed. "Luckily, my stepmother wasn't too cruel and bought me two rooms. At least I have a roof over my head!"

After he finished speaking, Xiao Yifei finally reacted and raised his eyebrows and asked, "Are you going to Lin'an too?"

"Yes, we escaped all the way from Yuezhou. It has been a long time. Now we want to take a boat from Quzhou directly to Lin'an, which can save some time and energy. However, when we went to the dock today to ask, it seemed that it was quite difficult to take a boat. If it really doesn't work, we can only continue to walk to Lin'an," Zhang Pingan said helplessly.

Xiao Yifei was both happy and worried when he heard this. He was happy that after Zhang Pingan and the others went there, he would not be so lonely in Lin'an. But he was worried that it would be really difficult to make a living in Lin'an, and how to live with such a large family would be a big problem.

However, the most urgent task is how to get to Lin'an.

Xiao Yifei said, "The world is not at peace right now. I heard that the north is making moves and wants to cross the river. Therefore, they have to deploy defenses along the Cangwu River and send troops to garrison. As a result, the number of ships available inland has been greatly reduced. It is really not easy to take a boat now."

After thinking for a moment, he continued, "Master Zhou on our canal transport ship has some connections at the dock. If he's willing, he can definitely help."

"We have no relationship with him, why should others help us? We have a lot of people." Zhang Pingan saw it very clearly. If he had no relationship with others and wanted them to help him, it would be an exchange of interests. However, he didn't have anything that others needed at the moment.

Xiao Yifei picked up the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea for each person before continuing, "Don't worry, I heard that although you weren't the best at using the abacus when you were in the academy, you always ranked first in mathematics exams, and your answers were quick and good. Lord Zhou is the newly appointed transport magistrate, who fled from the north with a prominent family. He has a shallow foundation in the local area, and the grain transport is of paramount importance. The water is deep, and he may become a scapegoat if he is not careful. So Lord Zhou is looking for a capable accountant to help with the accounts so that he can connect with the grain magistrate. You fled from Yuezhou and have no connection with any faction. You are the most suitable. I will introduce you to him. With your intelligence and talent, there will be no problem!"

Seeing Xiao Yifei's solemn promise, Zhang Pingan did not refuse. He raised his glass and said with a smile: "Thank you very much. Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, your help in introducing me is a great favor. I will offer you a glass of tea instead of wine! I will treat you to a good feast after we settle down in Lin'an!"

Jin Bao also quickly raised his glass and said, "Yi Fei, thank you, I toast you too!"

Xiao Yifei waved his hand: "With our relationship, there's no need to be polite!"

Xiao Yifei did what he said and said goodbye and returned to the dock. He was worried that if it didn't work out, Zhang Pingan and the others would have to walk to Lin'an, and it would be troublesome if it snowed in the middle.

Looking at Xiao Yifei's back as he walked away, Zhang Pingan said, "I admire him very much. He is responsible and able to bend and stretch!"

Jin Bao didn't think too much about it. He just felt that Xiao Yifei had suffered. He sighed and said, "Why can't everyone live in peace and happiness?"

"Okay, don't think too much, let's go back to your room!" Zhang Ping'an stood up and said.