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

Restraining his excitement, Zhang Ping'an re-copied the court bulletin in the afternoon, read a book upstairs for a while, and left his shift when the time came.

After leaving the provincial school, he walked briskly towards Xiao Yifei's home. On the way, he passed by the market and bought some snacks.

Arriving at Xiao Yifei's door, Zhang Pingan raised his hand and knocked on the door. After a while, footsteps were heard in the yard. Xiao Yifei opened the door and saw that it was Zhang Pingan. He was very surprised and said quickly: "Pingan, why are you here at this time? Come in!"

Xiao's mother was cooking in the kitchen at this time. Zhang Ping'an went forward and greeted her, but he didn't see Xiao Yifei's wife, so she must be in the room.

"There's a lot of smoke here. Follow Yifei to the main hall and stay for dinner later," said Xiao's mother with a smile.

After Zhang Pingan entered the main room, he placed the snacks on the table and said cheerfully, "I have something to tell you. I was afraid you weren't home!"

"I have been working in the yamen recently and don't have to go out. Didn't I tell you before that the gate officer in our area appreciates me very much? Recently he also wants to promote me, so he used his connections to let me gain some experience in the yamen," Xiao Yifei explained.

After saying that, he pointed at the snacks and said unhappily, "Why are you so polite? You're here, but why did you bring snacks? Don't spend money next time!"

"This is for my aunt. I can't let a junior like me be impolite," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

After saying that, he took out the copied court report from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Yifei, saying, "Take a look at this."

Xiao Yifei took it and looked at it carefully with confusion. After a moment, his face changed from happy to sad.

Finally, he put down the official newspaper and sighed, "I don't know if my mother will let me sign up. She has always been strongly against me taking the imperial examinations. Otherwise, I would have taken them long ago when I was in Wushan County!"

When Xiao Yifei was five or six years old and became sensible, he had always been interested in learning martial arts. In addition, his father was a martial arts scholar and a county lieutenant. At that time, he admired his father very much and wanted to take the martial arts examination like his father.

He has been practicing basic skills since he was young. He could sit in horse stance for more than an hour without taking a break even when sweat was streaming into his eyes. He fell several times while learning to ride a horse, but it did not dampen his enthusiasm.

He was looking forward to taking part in the martial arts examination one day to show his skills, but when Xiao's mother learned of her son's idea, she strongly disapproved and even threatened to commit suicide.

He didn't understand it when he was a child, but he gradually understood it after he went to academy when he was in his teens.

The difference between legitimate and illegitimate children is not just talk. There is a huge gap in their identities and status. In addition, the legitimate mother is powerful, the father never cares about the affairs of the inner house, and the mother has no family members to rely on. If they make the legitimate mother unhappy, the mother and son will not have a good life.

He would always remember the sorrowful look in his mother's eyes. She touched his face with tears in her eyes and said to him, "Son, I'm sorry for having you born with the name of a bastard. But now there's no other way. Your eldest brother is destined to take the martial arts exam and inherit your father's legacy. As a bastard, you must not steal his limelight. Fortunately, although your mother is strong and ruthless, she's not a person with a completely bad conscience. As long as we behave properly, we can live in peace. You must be obedient!"

The sentence "You must be obedient" was like a curse, which made him lose all fighting spirit and he started to give up from then on.

Now that this great opportunity is right in front of me, it would be a lie to say I'm not excited.

But he had concerns in his heart.

Zhang Pingan patted Xiao Yifei's shoulder and comforted him, "I understand, but this is a different time now. The situation has changed. If you can succeed, it will be a help to your eldest brother. Besides, far away from your hometown, your mother's influence in Lin'an is also limited. It's impossible for her to do whatever she wants to you and your son like she did in the county."

As she was speaking, Xiao's mother walked into the main room with dishes and asked Zhang Ping'an to sit down and eat.

Seeing that his son didn't even pour a cup of tea for Zhang Ping'an, he scolded his son for not knowing how to entertain guests.

Xiao Yifei took a deep breath, mustered up the courage to hand the official report to his mother, and told her that he wanted to sign up.

Xiao's mother knew a few words. Her hand holding the official newspaper trembled slightly, and a complicated look flashed in her eyes.

After a long pause, she slowly spoke, "Son, if you truly want to take the exam, then go ahead and take it. I won't stop you. I didn't let you take the exam before because I was worried about displeasing your stepmother. But now you've grown up and have some skills. In today's world, having a degree will make life easier. I'll talk to your stepmother tomorrow."

Xiao Yifei couldn't believe his ears. His eyes were red, and he felt happy but also a little aggrieved.

Seeing this, Xiao's mother continued, "But you have to be mentally prepared. Even if you pass the exam, we must not show off. It's better to keep a low profile."

Xiao Yifei nodded and said in a hoarse voice: "Mom, don't worry!"

Zhang Pingan, who was standing by, was also sincerely happy for Xiao Yifei.

In the end, they didn't have the meal because Zhang Ping'an had to go to his brother-in-law's house later. It would be too late if he was any later.

After saying goodbye to Xiao's mother and Xiao Yifei, he hurried to his eldest brother-in-law's house.

When we arrived at Liu's house, the whole family was having dinner.

When Daya saw her younger brother coming, she quickly stood up and greeted him, "Ping'an, have you eaten yet? I'll get you a bowl."

Zhang Ping'an waved his hand. "Sister, please stop worrying. I'll go home to eat later. I came here mainly to tell my brother-in-law that the results have been announced today. It is confirmed that there will be a military examination this year. Tomorrow you should hurry up and bring your household registration card and travel permit to the government office to register."

Butcher Liu also supported his son's attempt to take the imperial examination, but Liu Sanlang had never been to school, so he was a little unsure. He said enthusiastically, "Ping'an, come, sit down and tell me. Sanlang wants to take the military examination. We definitely support him. However, he has never been to a proper school, so it's hard to say whether he can succeed. I'm worried that it will all be in vain."

"Uncle Liu, I won't sit down. I understand your concerns, but nothing in this world is foolproof. You can only know after trying. I have confidence in my brother-in-law. Besides, he has been preparing for almost a month. The county exam is in February, which is more than a month away. By the way, my former classmate in the academy, Xiao Yifei, is also going to take the military exam. I think the two of them can discuss more. Three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang. If my brother-in-law gets the title of scholar, he can also be exempted from taxes, and our family's life will be more relaxed," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

Liu Sanlang stood up and said seriously, "Thank you for your help. I'm safe. Thank you very much!"

"We are all family, let's not argue. I'm going back first. I will also fight for the provincial examination in August this year." Zhang Ping'an waved his hand and left.

After returning home, Xu and Zhang Laoer were very excited to hear the news. They always had an inexplicable confidence in their son, and felt that as long as their son took the provincial examination in August this year, he would definitely pass!