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

Zhang Pingan saw that there were already enough dishes, and Steward Wang looked distressed, so he smiled and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Steward Wang. Brother Guo knows my taste best, so let's serve what he ordered!"

Upon hearing this, Steward Wang breathed a sigh of relief, his smile widening as he said, "Mr. Zhang, you're too polite. Steward Guo and I are usually brothers in private, and we have a very good relationship. Steward Guo's friends are my friends, so please forgive me for any inadequacies in my hospitality!"

This was both a test and brought the two closer together.

Zhang Ping'an thought that after all, others had spent money to treat him to a meal, so he smiled and said a few words to give him some face.

Manager Wang was very measured in his words and actions, and had good tact, so he was not annoying at all, and the chat we had was quite pleasant.

After a while, the dishes came up. They looked delicious and smelled very appetizing. The chef’s cooking skills were quite good.

Steward Wang, as the host, picked up the teapot and poured tea for the three people. He then greeted them warmly, "Mr. Zhang, Steward Guo, I would like to offer you a cup of tea instead of wine. Knowing each other is fate. I will drink first as a token of my respect!"

After saying that, he drank the tea in one gulp.

Zhang Pingan and Guo Jia also drank out of courtesy, and after a few rounds of toasts to each other, the three of them began to eat.

Most of the dishes ordered by Guo Jia were Hubei cuisine, with thick juice, thick starch, strong taste and pure flavor, which instantly reminded Zhang Ping'an of several restaurants in his hometown of Ezhou.

It is a rare opportunity to eat the food of my hometown in Lin'an, thousands of miles away!

Because they only ate the food and not drank any alcohol, the meal went by much faster. Half an hour later, the three of them finished. Manager Wang called the waiter to settle the bill. After hearing the bill, although he was mentally prepared, he still couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth slightly.

Seeing this, Guo Jia stifled a laugh and said, "I'm really sorry that Manager Wang spent so much money today. I'll definitely let Guo treat us some other time if we have the chance!"

Zhang Ping'an saw through Guo Jia's thoughts at a glance, and he must be secretly happy at the moment!

Wang Guanyi said generously, "It's just a meal. It's worth treating you two."

After paying the bill, the three of them left the restaurant.

It was already noon and there were not many people on the street except for the vendors doing business.

Manager Wang was a manager of a higher rank than a small manager like Guo Jia. Guo Jia had just asked for leave from him and was going to visit Zhang's house in the afternoon to sit and have a cup of tea. Manager Wang naturally approved it with a wave of his hand!

After leaving, Manager Wang bowed to Zhang Ping'an and said goodbye before leaving, "If Mr. Zhang needs me in the future, please come to the post station to find me."

Zhang Ping'an bowed and thanked him.

Then he led the mule and took Guo Jia to the carpenter's shop to order a subframe. It was a good time to take a walk after dinner to help digest the food.

"You and Manager Wang don't get along very well, right? That meal just now was not cheap," Zhang Ping'an teased.

Guo Jia held his stomach and said lazily, "That old fellow always takes advantage of his seniority to get his subordinates to treat him to a meal. I finally got the chance, so I have to help him clean out his purse!"

Then he said in frustration, "Oh, Ping'an, I'm so full. Please walk slower! I just ate so much just to see Manager Wang's face turn green with anger but unable to lash out. I accidentally overate and ended up being the one who suffered. It's not worth it!"

"Hahahaha, you deserve it! Confucius said that you don't need to worry about being full when eating. Wait, I'll buy you a bowl of hawthorn water to help you digest the food," Zhang Ping'an laughed.

It seems that Manager Wang has made Guo Jia very angry. It is rare to see Guo Jia like this, and Zhang Pingan couldn't help laughing.

After drinking the hawthorn water and walking for a while, Guo Jia felt much better when he arrived at the carpenter's shop.

Zhang Ping ordered a boxwood carriage frame with a carport, which has openable window panes on both sides. It can be used as is in the summer, and can be equipped with curtains in autumn and winter to protect against wind and rain.

After finishing this matter, the two returned to Zhang's house together.

Guo Jia insisted on buying two boxes of snacks to take with him on the way, and Zhang Pingan couldn't persuade him, so he had to let him go.

When I got home, Xu had already returned with a smile on her face, and she looked in a good mood.

Seeing Guo Jia, whom he hadn't seen for many days, coming over, he was also very enthusiastic. He was busy boiling water and making tea, and said with a smile: "You came at the right time today. Tomorrow, my family will be moving to the east side of the city, near the north. Come to my house for dinner tomorrow night!"

Guo Jia quickly took the teacup and said with a smile, "Thank you, Auntie. Ping An told me that I will definitely come tomorrow!"

"Well, you guys chat, I'm going to go out and pack my things first," Xu replied with a smile on her face.

Zhang Ping'an guessed that his mother must have been reassured by the matchmaker today, and he couldn't help but think of his fifth sister's marriage again. He still wanted to help his fifth sister try harder.

He casually said while drinking tea, "Brother Guo, you've established yourself in the post house now, and have achieved some success. Men and women should get married when they are old enough. Isn't it time to think about the important things in life? After getting married, you can have a small family, which is better than you being alone?"

Guo Jia didn't even think about it, raised his hand to stop the conversation and said: "No, I think it's good to be alone now, so don't bother with the girls from good families!"

The attitude seems very resolute.

Zhang Pingan was choked up and didn't know what to say. He could only sigh in his heart that the two of them were not destined to be together and changed the topic.

Guo Jia is an excellent friend. He has unique insights, is humorous, and is reliable in his work.

Before they knew it, they were chatting until dusk, and Zhang Laoer came back, covered in dust.

Xu quickly fetched some water and asked them to clean it.

Guo Jia then realized that it was getting late, so he stood up and said goodbye, "Ping An, it's getting late, I have to go back. I have to be on duty today. Let's talk over dinner tomorrow night!"

Zhang Ping'an knew that he had something to do, nodded, and saw Guo Jia out. In the afterglow of the setting sun, Guo Jia quickly walked out of the alley and away.

"Son, this is the big blue mule you bought today," Zhang Laoer asked after washing himself clean.

As he spoke, he walked around the mule with a happy look on his face.

"Yes, I bought it at the cattle and horse market today. One car is not enough for our family, so I bought a mule. This is more convenient," Zhang Pingan nodded.

"Well, it's pretty good. This mule is a good buy, but I've been looking at it for a long time and I always feel that it looks a little familiar," Zhang Laoer thought with his head down.

"Have you seen it?" Zhang Ping'an asked with a smile.

Zhang Laoer thought for a long time but couldn't remember anything, so he shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He said, "Oh, by the way, I paid the balance for the new house this morning and got the title deed. The craftsmen did a good job, and we've rested it as you said. It's hot now, so a night of drying is enough. I also paid the carpenter shop to make a Juren plaque, and it will be delivered tomorrow morning. Let's get up early and move tomorrow."

"Have you told your two sons-in-law to help? It would be best if we could move everything in one trip," Mrs. Xu continued.

Zhang Laoer nodded and said in a deep voice, "I greeted both of their families when I passed by them on my way back. Youcai even waited at the door and said he wanted to help, but I refused. We have a mule cart at home, so we have more than enough people."

"Oh, that's good," Xu was very happy to hear that. Moving was a big deal and she couldn't wait any longer.

In the evening, Mrs. Xu did not cook. The whole family went to Zhang Lao's house for dinner, as well as Zhang Laosan's house, and everyone had a great time together.

The dishes prepared by Mrs. Li today were richer than usual and the portions were larger. Everyone enjoyed the meal and Mrs. Zhang also had a rare smile on her face.

It seems that the days are getting better and better.

Have a good night's sleep!

The next morning at dawn, the whole family got up and had almost packed up their things. Zhang Laoer and Zhang Ping'an put the large items on the mule cart, and everyone could carry the small items on their shoulders later.

It was only after I moved that I realized what it meant to have a broken home worth a fortune.

After a while, my eldest brother-in-law Liu Sanlang and my second brother-in-law Liu Husheng also came over. They brought a basket of breakfast in a lunch box, which was egg and scallion pancakes and white rice porridge.

"My mother thought that you would not make breakfast since you were moving today, so she discussed with Aunt Guihua and asked us to make breakfast and bring it to you. We will set off after we finish eating," Liu Sanlang said with a simple smile.

"Oh, that's so thoughtful. I said I would go out and buy some after I move in," Xu took it with a smile.

The egg pancakes were cooked with a lot of oil and tasted delicious. Zhang Laoer and his friends quickly finished their breakfast with rice porridge.

After eating, Liu Sanlang picked up a few larger bags from the ground and walked out first, followed closely by Liu Husheng.

Zhang Laoer and Zhang Ping'an drove two mules, while Xu and Wu Ya and Liu Ya only had to carry the lighter bags.

Everyone headed towards the east of the city.

Half an hour later, everyone arrived at the new house.