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

Anyway, today's incident was a close call.

The most urgent and pressing issues for Zhang Laoer and Xu are their livelihood and the marriage of their two daughters, especially Wu Ya. If next year passes, she will be considered an old maid.

"Oh", thinking of this, Xu could only sigh deeply and comfort herself to take it one step at a time!

The next day, Zhang Ping'an got up early and went to work at the yamen. When he arrived at the yamen, he unexpectedly saw Lord Zhou standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth.

"Good morning, Lord Zhou," Zhang Ping'an quickly bowed respectfully.

Mr. Zhou glanced at him and nodded slightly. "A new batch of accounts will be moved over today. Please be careful."

Zhang Pingan quickly agreed.

In the busyness, lunch time came unknowingly. Zhang Ping'an overheard other people chatting in the cafeteria. They said that Wang, the matchmaker in the east of the city, had the best reputation for matchmaking and was not like other matchmakers who just matched people for money.

The end of the year is also a good time to ask matchmakers for help, and everyone wants to ask Matchmaker Wang to help find a partner.

Zhang Ping'an's heart moved when he heard this. His fifth sister was getting older now, and he could see his parents' worries. He had just arrived in Lin'an and didn't have many acquaintances there, so just waiting was not a good idea. If matchmaker Wang was reliable, it would be a good idea to ask the matchmaker to help find one.

The accounts of the Caoyunsi seemed endless. Zhang Ping'an had just finished sorting out one pile and before he could even catch his breath, two more bundles came in.

After finally finishing his work, Zhang Ping'an went home and told his parents about this.

Xu's eyes lit up and she said, "If this matchmaker is reliable, that's not bad either. It's always been the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Your fifth sister really can't afford to delay!"

Zhang Laoer also said: "Let's find a matchmaker to help us find one first. We don't have many connections in Lin'an. If we just wait and see, it will take forever."

"Okay, then I'll buy some things and visit Matchmaker Wang's house tomorrow," Xu said straightforwardly, with great initiative.

During dinner, Zhang Ping'an discovered that there was a plate of braised meat on the table. Although it was not much, it was enough to surprise him. The main reason was that the braised meat smelled fragrant and had no meaty smell at all. It was obvious that a lot of spices were added. The price must be not cheap, and his mother would not be willing to buy it.

"Who sent this?" Zhang Pingan asked.

Xu smiled and said, "Guo Jia sent it. Didn't he separate from us at the inn? He went to the posthouse and found a job with food and lodging. These are leftovers from other nobles. He picked out the clean ones and wrapped some in oil paper for us. This kid is really thoughtful!"

Zhang Ping'an was even more surprised when he heard this. Guo Jia had been at the inn for less than three days, but he could still get such delicious food. It was not easy!

Although they are leftovers, it depends on the situation. Not to mention the leftover braised meat, even the leftover radishes and vegetables will not be wasted because someone is watching them.

"How are my uncle and the others?" Zhang Pingan chatted casually.

"I heard that they have all found odd jobs to do to make a living. They have savings and food they brought with them, so it's not too difficult for them," Xu replied.

After dinner, everyone went to bed early.

The next day, Xu carefully prepared some gifts and went to Wang the matchmaker's house in the east of the city.

Matchmaker Wang lived in a small alley in the east of the city. The yard was not big but very tidy. After Xu knocked on the door and went in, she explained her purpose. Matchmaker Wang looked Xu up and down, asked her to sit down and talk to her. She nodded and shook her head from time to time while she talked about her daughter's situation.

"Your daughter is indeed not young anymore, but there are still many young men of the right age in Lin'an City. It's just that you just arrived and I don't know her background. I'm afraid your family background is average," Matchmaker Wang said bluntly.

Xu quickly said, "We don't ask for him to be rich or powerful. As long as he has good character, lives a down-to-earth life, can earn money to support the family, and is not a burden to the family, that's enough."

Matchmaker Wang smiled and said, "Okay, I do have a few suitable candidates here. I'll go and check them out. But matchmaking is not something that can be done in a day or two."

Xu thanked him repeatedly, saying she understood. She left the gift and went back home to wait for news, feeling a lot more relieved.

At this time, Zhang Ping'an was so busy in the yamen that he was dizzy. The accounts he brought in became more and more complicated. Not only were the handwritings blurred, but there were also missing pages and corners. It took a lot of effort to sort them out, and Lord Zhou also asked him to complete them within a deadline.

Zhang Ping'an had no choice but to go to work at dawn every day, work by the light of an oil lamp, and go home only after it was completely dark. This high-intensity work lasted for more than ten days before it ended.

When Lord Zhou's entourage came to inspect the results for the last time, their eyes were filled with admiration. They said that Zhang Ping'an had only spent more than half a month to sort out all the accounts of Lin'an City's Canal Transport Bureau for the past ten years. He was truly an amazing person!

Originally, Zhang Ping'an was not paid for this job, as he had already paid with his boat ticket. However, at the end of the job, Lord Zhou still rewarded Zhang Ping'an with ten taels of silver, which was considered a recognition of his work.

Zhang Ping'an felt a sense of accomplishment when he took the ten taels of silver. With this money, he could improve his family's life and buy some new winter clothes and quilts for his parents and sisters.

After returning home, he gave the silver to Xu, who was very happy.

Seeing that the matter of the yamen had come to an end, Zhang Pingan packed up and went to the Lin Mansion to visit Lin Junhui the next day.

After all, they are classmates and they used to have a good relationship. Seeing that the other party has some say in Lin'an City, it would be a waste not to cling to this strong supporter. Besides, he can't just sit back and enjoy all the benefits. He has to make a living and plan for the future.

Following the address left by Lin Junhui some time ago, Zhang Pingan arrived at the Lin Mansion in the east of the city. He discovered that this house was more luxurious than the Lin Mansion in Wu'an County, and it was obvious that it cost a lot of money.

Zhang Ping'an came to the door and handed over the visiting card. After reading the visiting card, the doorman was very polite and bowed, saying, "Mr. Zhang, please come in with me. My young master has already informed you that if you come to visit, he will take you in directly."

Then he led Zhang Ping'an into the mansion, through the corridor, and came to the flower hall for receiving guests. He ordered the maid to bring tea and snacks, all of which were extremely exquisite. Then he went to the backyard to report.

After Zhang Pingan sat for a while, Lin Junhui came over. Seeing Zhang Pingan, his face showed surprise, "Ping'an, long time no see!"

"Brother Lin, long time no see. Thank you for your help some time ago, but I was too busy those days, so I only came to visit you today. I hope you can forgive me," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

The two men exchanged a few pleasantries and sat down. Although they had not seen each other for more than half a year, Lin Junhui had changed a lot. He was full of energy and vigor. After chatting for a few sentences, Zhang Pingan learned that Lin Junhui had gotten married a few months ago. Now he worked in the government office. Although it was a sinecure, he dealt with all kinds of people and had quite a few connections in the city.

Zhang Ping'an stated his intention, hoping to find a suitable position in Lin'an City. Lin Junhui pondered for a moment and said, "Ping'an, forgive me for being blunt, but you don't have much background in the city. Lin'an City is full of all kinds of people these days, and the government is too deep for you. I think it would be the safest and most respectable for you to work at the provincial academy. Furthermore, I heard from my father-in-law that the emperor is likely to hold an imperial examination next year, so you can calm down and study hard at the provincial academy. It's a good opportunity."