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

The announcement of the provincial examination results is a big event for the whole city. Even the peddlers and hawkers on the street know about it. It is truly the day to witness the success of a successful career.

Since Yin belongs to the tiger and Chen belongs to the dragon, provinces often choose to announce the results at Yin hour or Chen hour, commonly known as the Dragon and Tiger List, for good luck.

It is said that thirty or forty years ago, Lin'an chose to announce the results at Yinshi. However, because it was too early before dawn and there were too many people looking at the results, stampedes would occur every time the results were announced, and it was common for people to be trampled to death. Later, the newly appointed governor felt that this time was inappropriate and it was too unlucky to have people die every time, so the results were changed to Chenshi from then on.

So Zhang Ping'an planned to get up a little earlier today, at the hour of Mao, so there would still be plenty of time.

But Zhang Laoer and Xu Shi couldn't wait any longer. They tossed and turned all night and didn't sleep at all. They woke up their son at the hour of Yin.

"Dad, Mom, it's too early." Zhang Ping'an sat up in a daze and looked out the window. It was still dark and it was probably not even the hour of Mao yet.

Zhang Laoer sat on the bed and said, "Ping An, I heard that there will be a lot of people when the provincial examination results are announced. If we don't go early, we won't be able to get a good seat. We may not even be able to see it until noon. Let's go early. The sooner we see it, the more at ease we will be. If we pass, we can come back early to greet and announce the good news."

Xu also echoed: "Yes, yes, yes, listen to your father on this. Don't be lazy. It's only an hour or two early. I'll make breakfast. You can have a few bites and then hurry on!"

Zhang Laoer was feeling anxious now, his heart pounding. He had no appetite for breakfast and stopped Xu, saying, "It's still early, and we can't eat much either. You can eat by yourself. If we get hungry, we can buy something to eat from the stalls outside. Oh, and remember to prepare some extra money for the wedding. Don't be rude if we don't make it back in time."

"Oh, I know. Don't worry. I have exchanged a lot of small silver coins," Xu replied. She had prepared the wedding money two days ago. After all, her son had passed the provincial examination and became a juren. His status was different. She definitely couldn't just give the person who brought the good news a few copper coins. It was too petty!

I just hope I can really give this money away!

Zhang Ping'an couldn't fall asleep after being woken up by his parents. After hearing what they said and seeing how anxious they looked, he thought for a while and decided to get dressed and go check the list with his father. The sooner he saw it, the more at ease he would be!

When the father and son finished washing and went out, the sky was still full of stars, the moon was like a sickle, and the dew was very heavy.

Walking in the alley, it was as quiet as a chicken. Only the clattering footsteps of the father and son could be heard. Zhang Pingan couldn't help but smile. At this hour, the breakfast vendors probably didn't get up as early as them!

When they were about to leave the alley and passed by Liu's house, the courtyard door suddenly creaked open, scaring the father and son.

Liu Sanlang opened the door and stuck his head out and whispered, "Dad, little brother, it's me, Sanlang!"

Zhang Pingan also lowered his voice and said, "Brother-in-law, why are you still awake? Why did you open the door suddenly? It's scary!"

Liu Sanlang was afraid of waking anyone up, so he whispered, "Your eldest sister said that Mom and Dad won't be able to sleep tonight. You must get up early to check the list. Let me accompany you. I've been keeping an eye on the alley. Wait a minute, I'll have Daya come and lock the door, and I'll go with you."

"Dad, elder sister really understands you and mom," Zhang Pingan said with a low laugh.

"Your father is nervous, even more nervous than when he married your mother," Zhang Laoer did not deny it and said with a silly smile.

After a while, Daya came over to lock the door and told everyone to be careful on the road.

After the door was bolted, Zhang Laoer took his son and son-in-law and left for the Lin'an City government office.

When the results were announced, they were taken from the Imperial Examination Hall to the government office where they were hung, placed in a colorful yellow silk pavilion, and escorted by drums, music, ceremonial guards, and soldiers. It was a very grand ceremony.

So if you want to see the list, you have to go to the yamen.

After turning out of the alley, the few of them walked for a while, leaving the south of the city. When they reached the east of the city, they suddenly saw more people walking towards the yamen. They were walking in groups of three or four, talking as they went, all going to the yamen to see the list.

There are even vendors carrying baskets on their shoulders selling wontons and fried dough sticks along the road.

Zhang Laoer went over and asked for six pancakes, wrapped them in oil paper and put them in his arms, intending to wait for the others to eat them when they were hungry later.

"See, I told you that you weren't coming early," Zhang Laoer said with a smile. He had already inquired about it in advance, so it wouldn't be a mistake to come early!

"Dad, you are really foresighted," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile, and complimented him. He didn't expect that everyone would check the list so early. It was not like this before in Yingzhou. Besides, he thought that he would see it sooner or later anyway, and he could not escape whether he passed or not.

By the time we were almost near the government office, there were already more people there than on the day of the exam, and quite a few people were looking at the list.

Zhang Ping'an could also smell the faint fragrance of osmanthus. Since the results of the provincial examination were announced when the sweet osmanthus was in full bloom, it was also called the "Gui Bang".

Following the scent, I could see many women and young men carrying baskets weaving through the crowd, peddling osmanthus branches. There were even beggars carrying baskets, selling them very cheaply, just one penny a branch, and constantly chanting auspicious words: "May the young master be crowned on the list of the best laurels, and win the first prize in the imperial examination!"

I don't know where he learned this, but the business seems to be pretty good. Zhang Laoer is also tempted and wants to buy some to get good luck.

Liu Sanlang grabbed Zhang Laoer and said, "Dad, there are too many people here. Be careful not to get separated. I'll go buy it!"

After saying that, he ran towards the little beggar selling flowers with a "dong dong dong" sound, scaring the little beggar half to death. He thought that Liu Sanlang disliked him and wanted to beat him up. But Liu Sanlang pinched out two copper coins from his arms, pointed at the osmanthus flowers, and said, "Two!"

The little beggar then realized that he was there to take care of his business, and he quickly handed over two osmanthus flowers, congratulating him, "I wish you success in the imperial examinations and the top prize!"

Liu Sanlang returned to his original position contentedly, holding two osmanthus flowers in his hand. He handed one to Zhang Pingan and pointed to the one in his hand and said, "If I run into Lin Junhui later, I'll give this to him. It's not worth much, but it's for good luck. He shouldn't mind it, right?!"

The last sentence was a bit uncertain, and he scratched his head sheepishly after he finished speaking.

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "I won't mind, don't worry!"