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

Brother Liu said politely, "Aunt, we've been very close for a long time. If it were suitable, I would have told Dazhu when we signed up that we would go together. However, the government requires excellent water skills, which is difficult for Dazhu. Besides, this job requires traveling far away, so it will definitely not be as comfortable as staying at home. Don't worry, I'll get familiar with the canal transportation later, and if there is a good job, I'll tell Dazhu."

Li felt a little disappointed when she heard this, but after thinking about it, it was a good idea. She would earn less money at home and live in peace. So she smiled and said, "Okay, you will have a good job in the future to help Dazhu!"

"That's for sure," Brother Liu nodded in response.

"Brother Jiang Sheng, let me toast you," Dazhu said with a smile, holding up the glass.

Both of them were generous men and drank a glass of wine in one gulp.

Zhang Pingan also stood up to toast everyone present, thanking everyone for their concern. The meal was very lively.

It gets dark late in the summer, and it is still light when we finish our meal, with the sunset glowing in the sky.

After everyone had eaten their fill, they sat in the yard, drinking tea and enjoying the cool breeze. Everything seemed so peaceful. In this chaotic world, Lin'an seemed like a paradise.

"By the way, Jinbao, tomorrow morning I'm going to the provincial school to visit Master Lu. Although he is not my teacher, he taught me a lot. It is necessary for me to visit him after the exam. Then I'm going to find Lin Junhui and Xiao Yifei. We'll have a meal together. We all graduated from the same county and the same academy, so we shouldn't be strangers to each other," Zhang Pingan said lazily.

Jin Bao hesitated. "Why don't you go eat with them? Then I'll go when you meet Xiao Yifei alone. Lin Junhui doesn't seem that familiar with him, and he often says polite things. We're not in the same circle, so I feel uncomfortable."

Although they were old enough to get married, no one would treat them as children anymore. However, apart from some hardships he had suffered while fleeing, Jinbao had not really suffered from the long-term hardships of life. After settling down in Lin'an, he regained his optimistic nature and always kept a childlike heart. He had not learned and did not want to learn the tricks of the world. Zhang Pingan understood him and respected him, but this time was different.

"Do you think I really just let you go for dinner?" Zhang Ping'an whispered.

"Ah, what else?" Jinbao asked puzzled.

"I invited you and Xiao Yifei to have dinner with Lin Junhui because I wanted him to find you two a good job. Xiao Yifei is already a military scholar now. No matter whether he can pass the military examination in October, at least he has a reputation. It is not difficult to find a job, but it is difficult to find a good job. Otherwise, you will go to the front line and serve as cannon fodder. It will be much better with Lin Junhui's help. And you, I heard from your mother that you have never been able to find a marriage partner who is neither high nor low. It will be easier to find a marriage partner with a decent job. We are from the same hometown and have a school friendship. Lin Junhui is a good person and should be able to help. Don't be too concerned about face," Zhang Pingan analyzed carefully.

"Should I give him a gift?" Jin Bao scratched his head in confusion.

"It's just a meal. Giving gifts would seem too polite and distant. Things may not be done immediately, but if you show up and let others know, others will be able to help you. If you don't do this when you have free time and come to ask for help at the last minute, who will care about you?" Zhang Ping'an said earnestly.

He looked at his cousins ​​and his eldest and second brothers-in-law in the yard and said helplessly, "At least you have some face with him. You went to a college, so this is easy to do. My eldest brother-in-law, second brother-in-law, and cousins ​​haven't received much education. It's hard to find them good jobs. I can only wait until I succeed in the future and then think of a way. If I can pass the imperial examination this time, everything will be solved. Alas!"

Jin Bao understood that it was for his own good, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go with you tomorrow!"

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an slept until dawn, which was a rare occurrence. In fact, he woke up before dawn. His biological clock had formed a habit, and he just didn't want to get up and just wanted to stay in bed.

Mrs. Xu knew that her son was very tired, so she didn't urge him.

When Zhang Pingan got up and went to the yard to wash up, Xu said gently, "Breakfast is warm in the pot for you. Go and eat it!"

After Zhang Ping'an washed up and had breakfast, he said goodbye to his mother and said he would be back late tonight.

Mrs. Xu was very confident in her son and knew that he was sensible in doing things. She nodded to show that she understood.

After Zhang Ping'an went out, he called a car to go to the provincial school. When he passed by a dim sum shop on the way, he specially bought a lotus seed ice cream to bring to Mr. Lu. Eating lotus seed ice cream in summer is the most refreshing and heat-reducing, not sweet or greasy. Zhang Ping'an also accidentally learned during class that Mr. Lu likes to eat it very much, but it is very expensive!

When he arrived at the provincial school, it was just after the hour of Si. Zhang Pingan went straight to Master Lu's study. The attendant opened the door and said with a smile, "Come in quickly. The master has been waiting. He guessed that you, Mr. Zhang, would definitely come today!"

After attending classes for so long, the attendants became much more familiar with speaking to Zhang Ping'an.

Zhang Ping'an walked into the study and saw Master Lu sitting at the desk reading a book with a calm expression. He quickly bowed to him.

Mr. Lu put down the book, looked up and smiled faintly, "Sit down!"

His tone was gentle, and it was obvious that he was in a good mood today!

Zhang Ping'an smiled and handed over the lotus seed ice cream, saying, "Master, I bought your favorite lotus seed ice cream, just right to relieve the summer heat."

Mr. Lu's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he praised, "You're thoughtful! By the way, how was the exam? Can you still remember your answers?"

Zhang Pingan sorted out his thoughts on answering the question at that time.

After listening to this, Master Lu twirled his beard and pondered for a moment before saying, "Well, your answer is not bad. Judging from previous years, you will definitely be on the list, and even have a good ranking. However, this year there are quite a few children from noble families in the north. They all have famous teachers and scholars teaching them at home, so I am not sure about their level. The result is hard to predict. However, the road to the imperial examination requires perseverance. You are intelligent and willing to work hard, so don't worry too much!"

Zhang Ping'an nodded in agreement. After finishing the exam, he felt relieved. Now he didn't want to think too much about it and just wait for the results. The main reason he came here today was to thank Master Lu for his teachings during this period.

After chatting for more than half an hour, it was time for lunch.

Master Lu smiled and said, "Let's stop here for today. If there are any good results after the results are announced, please let me know. It's a pity that you can't accept me as your teacher!"

Zhang Pingan felt that everything had a cause and effect. If he had not become a disciple in the provincial capital, he might not have been able to reach Lin'an City. He did not care too much about this.

After getting up and saying goodbye, he went to the north of the city. Xiao Yifei's house and Jin Bao's house were very close, only separated by three alleys. It was just right for him to have lunch at Jin Bao's house, and then the three of them would visit Lin Junhui together in the afternoon and have dinner together.