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

After a few days, the busy farming season arrived and the whole family had to go to the fields to help, including Zhang Pingan. However, Xu secretly told him not to work too hard, as there were so many people in the family and they couldn't rely on him. The sun was very hot, and she even put a straw hat on him, fearing that he would catch a heat stroke.

After the whole family worked for more than twenty days, the grain was basically stored in the warehouse, and everyone could finally take a break. This year was a good year with good weather and no disasters. However, Zhang Ping'an saw that the adults in the family did not seem very happy. Even Old Man Zhang, who didn't care about anything, frowned and smoked more.

While eating, Zhang Ping'an couldn't help but ask: "Dad, what's wrong with you? We have harvested so much grain this year, why are you still worried?"

"You're just a kid, just eat your meal properly. Why are you asking so many questions?" Xu said angrily, not wanting her son to know too many bad things.

"It's okay. If you're safe, I won't ask. But I have something to say. The children are all grown up now, and it's time they understood the difficulties of life," Zhang Laoer said in a deep voice. "Although the harvest this year is good and we haven't suffered any disasters, the taxes collected by the government are getting heavier. In previous years, we could still bear it, but this year it's almost doubled. I'm afraid we won't be able to make much money. Just being able to make a living is good enough."

"Alas, life is much harder now than before. In previous years, we could save some money by selling grain and live a comfortable life. Now, we work hard all year round and can only make ends meet." Xu also sighed and continued, "At least our family has a skill, which makes us a little better than the average family. But life is long, and your brother still has to go to school, so the expenses will be huge."

"Don't worry too much. Dad, my eldest brother and my third younger brother have discussed it. We won't buy a house this year. Keep the money for now. We don't know how our lives will be like in the future, so we can't touch the money easily. Mom also means the same thing," Zhang Laoer comforted.

It would be best if she could continue to live in the west wing. A blue brick and tile house is bright and spacious to live in. If she were to build a house of her own, she could only build one with mud bricks, Xu thought.

"But my sister-in-law will definitely not be happy. It was agreed that the old house would be given to the eldest wife, and Dazhu got married in the house built in the backyard. Now Erzhu is also getting married soon. My sister-in-law will definitely hope that we can build our own house as soon as possible to vacate the west wing."

"My parents are still here. It's useless if my sister-in-law is unhappy. Mom said that the world is not doing well now and money can't be touched easily. Let's wait for two years. After all, we have a big backyard. When Erzhu gets married, we can help build another one," Zhang Laoer replied. Although he doesn't seem to talk much, he actually has plans in mind.

"Oh, that's great. I thought so before, but I felt that my sister-in-law wouldn't agree. Then it would be more decent for Daya and the others to get married in the old house," Xu said happily.

Zhang Ping'an also frowned when he heard this. Increasing taxes is not a good sign. The decline of every dynasty must have begun with increasing taxes. The people's lives are difficult. As time goes by, the contradictions intensify and they will rise up in rebellion, starting the cycle of a new dynasty.

"Why are you frowning, little boy? After all, you have your parents here. Our family is well-off. There are many families in the village that are worse off than ours. What are you afraid of?" Mrs. Xu smiled and tapped her son's brow.

"Mom, I'm grown up now, don't poke my face," Zhang Pingan covered his face.

"Okay, okay, you're grown up now, mommy won't poke you anymore," Xu laughed, the little adult look was so funny.

A few days later, the family had some free time after paying taxes. Zhang Laoer asked around among his acquaintances and decided on a teacher named Luo. That morning, he took his son to become his disciple.

Mr. Luo lives in Luojia Village, which is in front of Zhangjia Village. It is not far away, only a quarter of an hour's walk. Luojia Village is closer to the town. Although Mr. Luo has only passed the exam to become a student, it is enough to enlighten the children in the countryside.

Zhang Laoer was mainly attracted by this teacher's good temperament and patience in teaching students. He was not as serious as other teachers who would slap students on the hands at every turn. After all, his son was still young, and he was afraid that a teacher who was too serious would scare the child.

Today was not a formal apprenticeship, so Zhang Laoer brought two pieces of meat. Xu specially made a new set of clothes for her son, and dressed him neatly. The navy blue clothes made the child look very energetic. Xu stretched the clothes and was very satisfied.

Zhang Ping'an arrived after a short while on his donkey cart. Mr. Luo's house was also made of blue bricks and tiles, with a persimmon tree in the yard, which was currently in full bloom. The entire yard was well-maintained, with many flowers and plants planted.

An old man opened the door, asked the father and son to sit down, and then went to deliver the message.

After a while, Master Luo came to the main hall. Zhang Pingan looked at the master, who was at least fifty years old, about the same age as his grandfather, with gray hair and wearing a long gown. He had the temperament of a scholar, was gentle and polite, and spoke slowly and appropriately.

"How old is your son this year? He looks less than seven years old, right?" Mr. Luo asked after picking up the teacup and taking a sip.

"Mr. Luo, my son is five years old this year. He just celebrated his fifth birthday in July," Zhang Laoer replied with a smile.

"Oh? Then why were you sent to school so early? Usually, boys from farming families start learning at the age of seven or eight, and some are even ten. If he is too young, he might not be able to sit still," Mr. Luo asked slowly.

"To be honest, I also think the child is a little young, but my son has been smart since he was young. He could speak when he was half a year old. He is also sensible and not a naughty child. We, as his parents, are afraid of delaying his development, so we want to send him to school early," Zhang Laoer said honestly.

"Well, I'll recite a few lines of the Three Character Classic to see if the child can keep up. If he can remember them, he can stay. If he doesn't have any comprehension, it won't be too late to send him here in two years. It will be painful for the child to go to school too young," Mr. Luo said after thinking for a while.

"Chengcheng, you are right. I'll listen to you," Zhang Laoer nodded in response.

"When a man is born, his nature is good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different. If not taught, nature will change. The way of teaching is to be specialized." Mr. Luo read very slowly. After finishing reading, he looked into Zhang Ping'an's eyes and asked, "How much do you remember? Recite what you have remembered."

"When a man is born, his nature is good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different. If not taught, nature will change. Teach... teach... I don't remember the last sentence", Zhang Pingan tilted his head and recited, but he didn't recite it all. This should be enough for their first meeting.

"Not bad, not bad, your memory is good," Luo Fuzi stroked his beard and said with a smile, "We are still on vacation. Classes will not start until after the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can go back and prepare your things for school first, and then come back to school after the Mid-Autumn Festival. I have copied the books myself, so you don't need to buy them for now. However, you will need pens, ink, paper and inkstone. The tuition is two taels of silver per year. You can bring your own food or eat in the school. If you eat in the school, it is 200 wen per month."

"Okay, I'll take the kids to buy some next time we go to the market. Master, we live nearby, so I'll ask his sister to bring food over." Zhang Laoer replied with a smile, feeling that he had accomplished something great.

It was still early when the father and son returned to Zhangjia Village. They ran into Jinbao at the village entrance. Jinbao followed them and climbed onto the donkey cart. He said, "Ping'an, what were you doing this morning? I looked for you but you weren't there."

"My dad and I are going to find a master, and I'm going to study!"

"Ah?! Then you won't be at home anymore, what should I do?" She started crying as she spoke, "Wuwuwu Ping'an..."

Zhang Pingan: I just went there to study...