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

After politely declining his elder sister and brother-in-law's offer to keep him for dinner, Zhang Ping'an went home after explaining the matter.

When I got home, my mother, Mrs. Xu, had already put dinner on the table, and my fifth and sixth daughters were helping to put away the clothes.

Zhang Ping'an washed his hands, sat down and told his father about his recent visit to his eldest brother-in-law's house. Zhang Laoer agreed very much. He had only one son in the family, so if his son-in-law was reliable, he would naturally help more. In the future, his son would also be able to provide more help.

When talking about going to the provincial school to work, Zhang Laoer was a little worried, mainly because he was afraid that it would affect his studies.

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "Dad, don't worry. The work at the provincial school is easy, and there are a lot of books. There are so many famous scholars teaching there. I think learning will be more effective. I can also make more connections. It's beneficial and harmless. Of course I have to go!"

As his son grew up and had his own ideas, Zhang Laoer no longer objected.

On the next day, Zhang Ping'an got up early, changed into clothes of decent material, dressed neatly and went to the provincial school.

The provincial school is located in a secluded place in the east of the city. It covers a large area and is very famous. You can find the way there by asking people. It is easy to find.

After walking for nearly half an hour, Zhang Ping'an was sweating all over in the cold winter, and finally arrived at the provincial school.

After finding the gatekeeper and handing over his letter of recommendation, his identity certificate, scholar documents and household registration card, Zhang Pingan was allowed to pass. He found that the place was much more lively than he had imagined. Students came and went, full of vitality, and he could not feel any hardship or embarrassment in them.

It seems that the world is still peaceful and the country is prosperous.

The provincial school was very large, and even in the cold winter, the flowers, plants, and trees were well cared for. Zhang Ping'an asked around before he found the location of the library.

Because they had greeted him and knew he was a relative, no one made things difficult for Zhang Pingan even though it was his first day on the job, and there were only a few people in the library.

The biggest superior is the Secretary of the Library, a fat old man in his fifties. There are also two proofreaders, who are also in their forties and very old. The last one is a slightly younger man in his thirties who is the library manager. Zhang Ping'an does the same job as him, which is also a library manager, which is also a miscellaneous job.

The secretary of the library asked one of the proofreaders named Ye to take Zhang Ping'an to familiarize himself with the environment. The library has three floors, with a large collection of books. It is also well-known among the literati in Lin'an!

The proofreader named Ye was quite friendly. He stood up and showed Zhang Pingan around. After he familiarized himself with the environment, Zhang Pingan was arranged to go to the second floor to sort out books and classics, while Proofreader Ye went back to the first floor to drink tea.

This job is quite boring, but Zhang Pingan does it meticulously. He always wants to show off on the first day. He also realizes that this is a place for retirement and his colleagues seem easy to get along with. It should be easy to work here in the future.

During the sorting process, he accidentally discovered a long-lost agricultural book fragment, which recorded some unique farming techniques. It was an unexpected gain. If these techniques could be promoted throughout the country, it would surely help the people have a better harvest. Zhang Pingan silently noted the location and planned to find an opportunity to copy it.

This job is indeed not tiring, and the canteen provides meals that are enough to fill you up. After a busy day, Zhang Pingan sets out on his journey home feeling relaxed.

But when I got home, the atmosphere was not very good.

As soon as Zhang Ping'an stepped into the house, he felt that the atmosphere was not right. Xu was sitting at the kitchen door with a stern face, picking rice. There were small stones among the rice grains. If you didn't pick them out, you would accidentally bite your teeth if you ate them.

Then he looked at his father who was sitting in the corridor on the other side of the yard. His face was not very good either. He had a gloomy face and did not speak.

Wuya and Liuya were like quails, huddled in the main room, especially Wuya, who had tears in her eyes.

Zhang Ping'an hurriedly sat down and asked what was going on. Xu then told him the whole story. It turned out that Wang the matchmaker came again this afternoon. The conditions of the man she mentioned this time were not bad. He had two houses in the city and the skill of making lanterns. There were only two brothers in his family. They were hardworking and handsome.

Xu and Zhang Laoer were tempted. After asking which family it was, they wanted to take Wu Ya to see the couple secretly some time. However, Wu Ya was unwilling to do so. When asked why, she couldn't explain it clearly. She started to cry when asked more questions, which made Xu very angry.

Now that her son had asked about this, Mrs. Xu's anger flared up again. Pointing at the main hall, she cursed, "Do you think you're the Seventh Fairy from the Queen Mother's family? We don't have a house or a piece of land in Lin'an City. You're not young anymore. The man's family that matchmaker Wang mentioned this time is quite good, more than enough for you, and he's willing to work hard. If it weren't for your brother being a scholar, such a matchmaking family would have been offered to you. You don't even want to see them. What do you want to do? Can your parents harm you?"

Zhang Laoer also looked towards the main hall, he really couldn't understand why Wu Ya was unwilling. He also felt that this family was good. After all, marriage also required a good match. Given his family's current conditions, marrying into a wealthy family was out of the question!

Wu Ya didn't know what to say when facing the gazes of her family members. She had been an obedient and gentle person since she was young. She was so emotional that she couldn't help but cover her mouth and sob softly.

Mrs. Xu looked at her daughter's awkward expression and finally said angrily, "If you don't want to see each other, then don't see each other. It's up to your parents and the matchmaker. Just set a date and you can marry!"

"Mom, our family has always been quite open-minded about marriage. Let me ask first," Zhang Ping'an advised.

Then he walked into the main hall and sat down, then asked, "Fifth sister, have you seen that man? Do you think he's a bad person?"

Wu Ya sobbed and shook her head.

Zhang Pingan also didn't understand. It was abnormal not to even give her a chance. His mind raced and he suddenly seemed to understand why his fifth sister was unwilling.

I couldn't help but lower my voice and ask, "But do you already have someone in mind?"

Wu Ya paused her sobs, mustered up the courage to answer her younger brother's question, and nodded with a red face.

"Who is it? Do I know him?" Zhang Pingan continued to ask.

Wu Ya stopped talking and just shook her head.

Seeing that no more questioning would yield any results, Zhang Ping'an walked to the kitchen and sat by the stove to help light the fire. "Dad, Mom, since Fifth Sister is unwilling, let's not force her for now. A forced melon is not sweet. If we really force her to marry someone she doesn't like, she won't have a happy life in the future. Since she already has someone she likes, why not find out more and see if they're a good match? If so, we can let them propose marriage!"

Upon hearing this, Xu snorted coldly, "She's an unmarried girl who never leaves the house. Who could she possibly like?"

Zhang Pingan thought for a moment and said, "Mom, no matter what, it's better to find out first. Maybe they really are from a good family!"

Although Xu was dissatisfied, she also felt that her son's words made some sense, so she listened to his advice.

The family finished their dinner in relative peace. Afterwards, Xu said, "Sixth daughter, go wash the dishes. Fifth daughter, come with me into the room."

Liu Ya looked at her fifth sister with some worry, then went to the kitchen with a pile of bowls. Wu Ya followed Xu into the room nervously.