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

The students studied conscientiously. If they needed to go to the toilet, they would just say hello to Uncle Liu in the yard. If they went too often, Uncle Liu would write it down and tell the teacher. Because Master Luo taught three classes alone, it was impossible for him to watch over them all the time. Uncle Liu would sit under the eaves in the yard during class to help watch over them.

It was a long time before Master Luo came back in and reviewed the students' work, following the same pattern as in the morning. This time, everyone had memorized the lessons well, and they also understood the stroke order, shape, and meaning of the characters from the afternoon lesson very well. Master Luo praised them a few times and dismissed the class. He also asked everyone to prepare 20 small wooden sticks and bring them back tomorrow.

Several people were very happy to receive the praise, and their enthusiasm for learning was even higher!

Luo Fuan, in particular, was extremely proud! "Let's go home first, see you tomorrow!" Then he ran away.

The remaining few people had to wait for adults to pick them up. Liu Shuisheng complained, "I told them I was old enough to walk back by myself, but my mother wouldn't let me. She said she would let me walk by myself when I'm older. Sigh!"

"There are a lot of beggars nowadays. My parents said that I must not walk alone. If I get kidnapped, I will have no choice but to beg for food," Jinbao said naively, not understanding. "Besides, it would be great if there is someone to pick me up!"

"Do you think I am you? I am seven years old," Liu Shuisheng said contemptuously.

"Okay, stop arguing. Liu Shuisheng, your second brother is here," Zhang Ping'an pointed to the classroom door. It was the big boy who had brought lunch to Liu Shuisheng at noon.

"What's so great about you, kid? Let's go! Shengyuan, your grandfather asked me to take you back with us. Let's go. Don't forget to take the lunch box," Liu Erge walked in and slapped Liu Shuisheng on the back.

"Be gentle, second brother, my classmates are still here." After saying that, he picked up his things and left. "See you tomorrow, Ping An, Jinbao."

"See you tomorrow!"

"Well, why hasn't my grandpa come yet?" Jinbao was a little anxious, stretching his neck to look towards the door.

As he was speaking, there was the sound of a donkey cart stopping at the door. Zhang Ping'an guessed that it was his father coming, so he asked Jinbao to pack up his things and go out together.

When I went out, I saw that it was indeed my father, and Grandpa Jinbao was also in the car.

"grandfather!"

"father!"

The two of them shouted and ran over. Although they hadn't seen each other for only one day and were not far away, it seemed like they had been separated for a long time and they missed each other very much.

"Hurry up and get in the car. I was about to go in to find you. How was your study today?" Zhang Laoer touched their heads and asked with a smile.

"That's great! The teacher even praised us," Jinbao said impatiently.

"Wow, the teacher praised you on the first day of class. Not bad, not bad. I'll buy you two some candies next time we go to the market," Grandpa Jinbao said with a smile. His grandson was really good. It seemed that he had made the right decision to study.

It was still early when they got home. Mrs. Xu first gave her son a handful of fried peanuts to fill his stomach. Then she sat beside him and asked expectantly, "Son, how was your first day of school today? What did you learn? Tell me about it!"

"Well, it's good. The teacher also praised us. We learned the Three Character Classic. Mom, I will recite it to you. 'When a person is born, his nature is good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different.' This means that when a person is born, his nature is good. Everyone's nature is very similar, but due to different living and learning environments, the differences become greater and greater. Therefore, people should study hard from a young age, learn to distinguish between good and evil, and maintain a good nature." Zhang Pingan said in a crisp voice, also wanting to make his mother happy.

"Oh, you really need to study hard. Look how reasonable these words are. In the future, you can also become a capable person like Master Luo. Study hard," said Xu happily. She rubbed her son again and went to work in the yard.

"Tsk, what are you so proud of?" Ma had been paying attention to Zhang Laoer since he drove out in the carriage. Now when she heard the sound of reading coming from the opposite side, her heart felt like it was being scratched by ants.

When Mrs. Zhang heard this, she called Zhang Ping'an over and said, "Ping'an, grandma can't thread the needle. I can't see clearly. Come over and help me thread it."

"Hey, here I come!" Zhang Ping'an ran to the main room, but unexpectedly, Zhang pulled him into the bedroom, fumbled in the cabinet, counted out ten copper coins, and said, "Take it. Go to the market tomorrow to buy some candy. Don't tell anyone else." As she said that, she touched Zhang Ping'an's hair and sighed, "Study hard, you know, only by studying can you have a bright future!"

Before Zhang Pingan could say anything, Zhang pulled him out again and said loudly: "It is only because the child has good eyesight. I am old and can't see clearly."

Zhang Ping'an was a little confused. Apart from the red envelopes during the Chinese New Year, he had never seen his grandmother give anything to her grandchildren. He still remembered that his grandparents had bought some fried dough sticks from the market before. Dahe and Erhe saw them and made a fuss about wanting to eat them, but their grandmother scolded them as debt collectors and gave them a scolding, so they could forget about eating them.

Over time, everyone knew that if they couldn't get anything from their grandparents, they would just give it up. So the children in the family didn't get close to Old Man Zhang.

However, Zhang Ping'an did not say anything. What was worrying was not the lack of wealth but the inequality. This matter could not be told, otherwise it would make it difficult for grandma. Although according to Zhang's personality, she would probably curse back.

When I returned to the west wing, I found that my aunt Ma had come over at some point. She looked me up and down with her sharp eyes and said, "Ping'an, why did your grandma ask you to come over? Did she secretly give you something good?"

"If you have a foul mouth, stop talking. Where did this toad come from? You can't drive it away even if you chase it away," said Xu angrily. She had just tried to chase it away for a long time but it just wouldn't leave. This Ma is really shameless.

"Hmph, I'm a toad, and your son is very nice, so he has to call me aunt, right?" Ma was also angry. The old woman had a lot of private money in her hands, and she usually didn't seem willing to give a penny away. She wouldn't give it all to the boy from the second wife, would she?

"I don't want to argue with you. My son still needs to study. I don't have time to chat. Please leave quickly. Your family doesn't cook anymore," Xu chased him away again.

"Don't rush me. I can walk on my own. Don't think you're so great because you have so many sons. My son Erhe also wants to go to school. Your family is not the only one." Ma stood up and crossed her arms and said, then walked out the door, adding, "I'll send him off tomorrow!"

"What? What's going on? Why are you imitating me? Your Erhe is so big now." Xu was stunned for a moment before she reacted. She stood with her hands on her hips and shouted at the east wing angrily.

Ma rarely responded.

"Mom, this is for you." After Ma left, Zhang Ping'an pulled Xu to the bedside and took out the money.

"Where did it come from?" Xu was surprised, and then she realized, "Your grandma just gave it to me!"

Zhang Pingan nodded: "Well, my grandma told me not to tell anyone."

"You can't tell me, it's enough for you to know it yourself," Xu replied, wondering in her heart, why did this old lady suddenly become so generous!

When it was time for dinner, Zhang Laosan came to visit as expected, and Zhang Pingan greeted him, "Uncle San!"

Daya and the others also called for help.

"So good!" Zhang Laosan praised him for a few words and then got down to business. He asked Zhang Laoer, "Second brother, I want to know which teacher Ping'an has hired to study and how much he is paying. Your sister-in-law has suddenly come to her senses and wants to send the child to school. Before, she tried to stop me from doing so. Although the child is a little older now, we only want him to study for two or three years and learn a few words, so that's fine."

"The one my family sent to is Mr. Luo, who is from Luojia Village. He gives him two taels of silver as a gift. Studying is a good thing, just discuss it with you guys. But many classes have started now, you have to hurry up, otherwise the children will not be able to keep up." Zhang Laoer did not hide it. Of course, he also hoped for the best for his nephew.

"Okay, then I'll take Erhe with you tomorrow and go take a look first," Zhang Laosan said decisively.

"to make."

Zhang Pingan: My cousin is going to study too?!