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

Chapter 438: Bringing Honor to the Family

"The bailiff is here to bring the good news," someone suddenly shouted, pointing at the corner of the street.

"Make way, make way," Zhang Laoer ignored etiquette and quickly pushed aside the neighbors and pulled his son to his side.

Zhang Pingan felt his father's hands were shaking, and he couldn't help but support Zhang Laoer, saying worriedly: "Dad, what's wrong with you? If you don't feel well, I'll ask the servants to help you go back to your room to rest!"

"No, it's okay, it's a little hot," Zhang Laoer said in a deep voice, pulling his collar, his voice trembling slightly.

Zhang Ping'an guessed that his father might be a little excited, so he ordered his servants to help support the man.

The team announcing the good news was getting closer and closer.

The sound of the gong became clearer and louder.

Zhang Laoer's breathing became faster and his hands tightly grasped the hem of his clothes.

The people who announced the good news about the imperial examination were two official yamen runners and four musicians playing gongs and drums, a total of six people.

This was a good job. Sometimes the reward was equivalent to a month's salary. Moreover, the winner lived in the east of the city, so the yamen runners naturally did their best to flatter him.

The leader arrived at the mansion and loudly confirmed, "Excuse me, is this the residence of Master Zhang Ping'an, whose real name is Zhang Ping'an, from Wushan County, Ezhou Prefecture, Huguang Province?"

"That's right!" Zhang Ping'an replied with a bow.

"Master Zhang, we are here to congratulate you. Congratulations to you for ranking 38th in the Lin'an City Imperial Examination in the third year of Jingcheng. This is your business card, please keep it!" The two yamen runners smiled and bowed in unison to congratulate.

"Thank you for your hard work, gentlemen," Zhang Ping'an nodded and took the business card, then signaled to the butler with his eyes to give him a reward.

The butler was a shrewd man. He immediately stuffed a purse into each of the six people who brought the good news. This purse was prepared in advance and was filled with small silver ingots, estimated to be about four or five taels.

The yamen runners felt even more satisfied after touching it, thinking that it was worth it for them to fight for this job among so many colleagues.

"Give...let me see," Zhang Laoer said in a trembling voice.

Zhang Ping'an quickly handed over the business card.

When Zhang Laoer was a child, he learned a few words from Old Man Zhang, but not many. After so many decades, he had almost forgotten them.

But ever since his son started school, he has kept his son's name firmly in his mind.

After unfolding the business card, the three words "Zhang Ping'an" were so conspicuous that they almost burned his eyes.

The name card is written on yellow paper, the same paper used by the Ministry of Rites to post notices, which means "getting your name on the list of successful candidates"!

After the yamen runners congratulated them, they prepared to start setting off firecrackers, which were distributed by the Ministry of Rites to every successful candidate.

Before it was lit, people from the crowd cried out in surprise: "Grandpa Zhang, are you okay?"

"Dad, what's wrong with you?" Zhang Pingan said anxiously as he supported his half-fainted father.

He quickly turned around and ordered the housekeeper: "Go and get the doctor!"

Zhang Laoer's face was flushed and his breathing was rapid. He was clutching his collar with one hand and holding the business card tightly with the other. Beads of sweat were rolling down his forehead, and he fell limp in Zhang Ping'an's arms.

His eyes were unfocused and he was making humming sounds with his mouth, but it was unclear what he was saying.

Zhang Ping'an quickly loosened his father's collar and fanned him to cool him down.

Let the crowd around disperse a little.

Seeing that Zhang Laoer looked a little better, he carried him back to the mansion.

When Xu saw this, her face turned pale with fear: "Oh my God, what's going on?"

"Dad is feeling a little unwell. The housekeeper has already gone to call a doctor," Zhang Ping'an said quickly.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Laoer grabbed his son's hand and pointed outside the door, looking anxious.

Zhang Pingan understood after a moment's thought. He felt angry and helpless, and consoled him, "Dad, don't worry. The servants are here to take care of us. It's okay. The person who brought the good news will leave after setting off the firecrackers!"

Zhang Laoer was still anxious! He patted his son's arm!

At this time, everyone at the gate looked at each other in confusion, saying, "Old Master Zhang is too excited. I wonder if he can make it through this!"

"I'd be excited too, that's normal," someone echoed.

The two yamen runners were just thankful that they had received the reward money, but they still had to go through the necessary procedures.

There was some lively noise in front of Zhang's house, with drums and gongs beating, and then people left after setting off firecrackers.

Soon, the doctor came.

Zhang Ping'an and Xu made way for the doctor to take their pulse.

"What's wrong, doctor? Is it serious?" Xu said anxiously.

After carefully taking the pulse, the doctor pulled out a roll of silver needles from his medicine box and replied, "It's nothing serious. The old man is so overjoyed that his mind is in a mess, his meridians are blocked, and his lung fire is rising. That's why he suddenly fainted. I'll give him acupuncture and prescribe two doses of tranquilizers. He'll be fine!"

After saying that, he began to give acupuncture.

Xu and Zhang Ping'an felt relieved after hearing this.

It was only at this time that Qian Youyi heard the news and rushed over, also with a worried look on his face. Fortunately, his father-in-law did not go to the scene to see the list, otherwise he would probably be even more shocked!

The doctor's medical skills were good. After the acupuncture, Zhang Laoer felt that his heartbeat had calmed down a lot and his speech became clearer.

"Thank you, doctor!"

"Old man, lie down and rest. Don't experience extreme joy or sorrow in the future," the doctor advised.

Zhang Laoer nodded, feeling a little embarrassed, secretly hating himself for being so disappointing.

Wait for the housekeeper to send the doctor out.

Xu then said with a smile, "Don't you usually seem quite calm? How come you suddenly fainted from excitement? You scared me to death!"

Zhang Laoer blushed slightly and changed the subject, saying, "Sanniang, quickly have the servants go get Mom and Dad, as well as Big Brother and Third Brother's families. We have to worship our ancestors tonight. This is truly a way to bring honor to our family!"

As he spoke, Zhang Laoer's eyes turned red.

Looking back on these eighteen years, it feels like a dream!

"Son, you really made me proud!" Zhang Laoer's emotions were churning inside him. He really couldn't rest, so he held his son's hand and said in a hoarse voice.

She wanted to get out of bed again: "I'm much better now, help me sit down in the main room!"

"Dad!" Zhang Pingan disagreed.

"I can't fall asleep even if you ask me to. I might as well sit comfortably," Zhang Laoer said, stroking his chest and assuring him, "I'm much better, really!"

Qian Youyi saw that her father-in-law was quite obsessed with it, so he advised: "Then go to the main hall and sit down to talk. I will ask the servants to boil the medicine!"

Several people returned to the main room.

At this time, the housekeeper said, "Master, a servant from the Qian residence came just now and brought a copy of the list. He also brought a message, asking you to go to the Minister's residence if you are free this afternoon to prepare for the palace examination."

Zhang Pingan took the list and nodded, "Okay, I understand."

After saying that, he opened the envelope, unfolded the letter and started reading.

One hundred and eighty people may seem like a lot, but when they are copied onto paper, they only take up three short pages.

Zhang Pingan saw Lin Junhui at first sight, who was ranked 16th.

The first place winner was Lu Huaixin, who was also a hot candidate for the top spot. He was from the Lu family of Fanyang, and it was said that some people in the gambling house were betting on him.

The second place is Li Chong, who also comes from a noble family and was one of the people who was with Lin Junhui this morning.

Looking closely, almost all of the first sixty people have some background.

Among the classmates at the provincial school, Jiang Fengping also made the list, ranking 42nd, which is a pretty good result.

When he saw the second page, Zhang Pingan opened his eyes wide in surprise. He saw that the first name on the second piece of paper was Pan Shibei!

Looking at the household registration source, there is no mistake, it must be the eldest brother!