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

Chapter 424: Battle on the Front Line

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Jiang, but I have already made an appointment with a friend and it is not convenient for me to go back on my word. Please forgive me!" Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

Jiang Fengping smiled upon hearing this, his eyes playfully saying, "Brother Zhang, am I some kind of ferocious beast? I've noticed you always reject me! I guess I'm still too proud!"

"I dare not," Zhang Pingan said hurriedly, with a helpless expression: "He was my former classmate in the Imperial College. You also saw him on my wedding day. It is really difficult to break my promise. I hope Brother Jiang will not blame me!"

He was indeed not lying about this. When they were paying New Year's greetings on the first day of the new year, he had already made an appointment with Hua Wanli and Luodouyan to go to the Ministry of Rites together to register.

But the original appointment was for the eighth day of the New Year.

He hadn't expected that the state school had so many options and they could register in the third year of junior high.

Jiang Fengping smiled and said nothing more. He got up and went out with the others to the cafeteria to eat.

A classmate who was on good terms with him came over and whispered, "Brother Zhang, you'd better be careful with your words in the future. Don't offend Brother Jiang. The war on the front lines is tense right now, and his father is a favorite of the court. Who knows, one day he might have to seek help from someone else!"

"Thank you, Brother Gu, for the reminder," Zhang Pingan thanked him.

He frowned and asked, "I heard my brothers-in-law talking about something at the dinner table yesterday. It seems there's some movement in the north, and they're trying to cross the river. Have you heard about that too?"

If everyone in the class knew about this, wouldn’t that mean the situation is very serious?

Classmate Gu's expression was more optimistic, and his focus was different. "This isn't a secret; it's just something everyone knows. Anyway, we can't defeat them all in a short time, so the Imperial Examination is more important! However, the current situation has greatly elevated the status of military commanders, while weakening the civil officials. This isn't a good thing for us."

After saying this, he shook his head and sighed: "Alas, I didn't catch up with the good times!"

Zhang Pingan was speechless...

But if he remembered correctly, the father and brother of this classmate seemed to be a kind of minister of remonstration, with no real power and just talking every day.

If the world really falls into chaos, this type of civil officials will be the most useless.

No wonder you sigh!

"It is not easy for a large army to cross the river. With the natural barrier of Cangwu River, the south should be safe for the time being. However, it is not a solution to stay in a corner like this. The imperial court will have to march north sooner or later, and then it will be our time to make achievements," another classmate continued.

The words were full of heroism.

This person's family is a family of military generals.

He knew more about the fighting on the front lines and spoke eloquently, "Those rebels and barbarians in the north have been eager to cross the river south since winter began and the river froze. This is the easiest time of the year to cross the river, but food and fodder are a problem. As long as the frontline defenders can hold out for a month, by the end of January, the ice will no longer be able to withstand the trampling of iron hooves, and they will be out of danger!"

"Brother Luo knows a lot and has profound insights," Zhang Pingan praised.

The other party replied with an expression that said "you know what's your stuff".

Others expressed sympathy, saying, "The north is nearly being ripped to shreds. How can the people concentrate on farming? When the country prospers, the people suffer. When it perishes, the people suffer. I've heard that some barbarians are uncivilized, eating raw meat and drinking blood, even using human flesh as dry food. How pitiful those people are!"

Zhang Ping'an's eyelids twitched when he heard this.

Classmate Gu, who had come over to answer the question first, shook his head and said, "Those untouchables, if they die, they die. What's there to be pitiful about?"

"You!" the man said angrily, "They are all originally our people of Da Xia. How can you say such conscienceless words? I am ashamed to be in the same class with you!"

After saying that, he walked away.

Leaving classmate Gu standing there, "What did I say? Wasn't I telling the truth? You act like a bodhisattva all day long, what's the point! Tsk!"

After that, he left.

This world is so divided, there are all kinds of people.

Zhang Ping'an was no longer in the mood to continue talking, so he got up and went to the cafeteria to eat.

After dinner, he drove the carriage to pick up Hua Wanli and Luodouyan, then went back home to get the household registration card, and the three of them went to the Ministry of Rites to register together.

"Your state school is so prestigious that you can enroll in the third year of junior high school," said Green Eyes, envious of this privilege.

"I just found out about it today, but as long as I can sign up, it's just a matter of time," Zhang Pingan smiled.

Hua Wanli is an optimist, he nodded and said: "Yes, it doesn't matter if it's a few days early or late!"

Green Bean Eyes glanced at the two of them, fanning himself and saying, "No, I just like the feeling of being treated specially. You don't understand!"

"Hahahaha", Zhang Pingan and Hua Wanli looked at each other and laughed.

The registration issue has been resolved, and the next step is to wait for the examination in February.

By around the tenth day of the first lunar month, many students from all over the south who had come to take the imperial examinations had already appeared on Lin'an Street.

It is said that the price of the inn near the examination center has more than tripled compared to usual.

Students with good connections would get together in groups of three or two to rent a small courtyard and hire a housewife to cook, which was more cost-effective than staying in an inn.

I heard that my aunt Li took a job as a cook and was paid quite well.

In a blink of an eye, it was the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

Big red lanterns were hung at the doors of every household.

Xu instructed the maids to prepare Yuanxiao early in the morning.

The significance of the Lantern Festival lies in its symbolism of reunion and happiness, and it embodies people’s beautiful expectations for their future lives.

The state school also had a half-day holiday that day.

Students can go out with their families in the evening to visit the Lantern Festival market.

I remember the last time I visited the Lantern Festival was when I was in the county town.

Zhang Ping'an wanted to take this opportunity to go out for a walk with his family.

Unexpectedly, no one wanted to go out.

Zhang Laoer's excuse was, "There's nothing to see. Don't we have lanterns hanging in our house? We have all kinds!"

Xu's reasoning was, "It's boring for just the two of us old people and you two to go out together. When we have grandchildren, we can take them out together. That would be more fun!"

Qian Youyi simply didn't want to join in the fun. It was so crowded and annoying!

Every time at this time, she found that there were a lot of people in Lin'an City.

Since no one wanted to go, Zhang Ping'an naturally didn't go either.

Well, that saves some trouble!

A dreamless night!

The next day, Zhang Ping'an went to the provincial school as usual.

After the morning class, the students went to the cafeteria in groups of three or four to eat.

Zhang Ping'an made an appointment with a tall man at the next table.

He was the classmate from yesterday whose family was from a military family.

The two of them were able to chat together, as one was willing to talk and the other was willing to listen.

The two of them had just sat down after getting their meal in the cafeteria.

Zhang Ping'an accidentally saw a figure who looked like an old friend.

I couldn't help but stand up excitedly.

The classmate looked up in confusion and asked, "Brother Zhang, what's wrong with you?"

"Brother Luo, I seem to see an old friend. Sorry, please enjoy your meal. I'll be back soon!" Zhang Ping'an said.