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

Chapter 447 Unpredictable

The more chaotic the situation is, the more likely it is to be transferred to a local area.

You can stay away from court struggles, develop your own personal power, live in peace in a corner, hold real power, and be a local official. It is much better than staying in the Hanlin Academy!

Moreover, Ci County is not far from Lin'an, only about 200 miles in total, and a fast horse can reach it in one day.

Next to it is Wutang Bay, and going east out to sea is the vast East China Sea.

The local shipbuilding industry and commerce are very prosperous, and there are many fertile fields. Although it is a small place, it is an excellent place for an external job.

It is slightly better than Xiangshan mentioned by my fourth uncle Qian Yu.

I don’t know what went wrong that led to him being arranged to such a place.

In addition to confusion, Zhang Ping'an was also surprised.

It feels like being hit by a pie in the sky!

"Don't just stand there, hurry up and receive the order," the official from the Ministry of Personnel who came to deliver the order reminded.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping'an immediately kowtowed to express his gratitude, then raised his hands and carefully took the bright yellow imperial edict.

Then he signaled with his eyes to the butler beside him to prepare the silver and bribe the people who came to announce the decree.

These people are all of high rank and will be colleagues in the future. Small change is definitely not appropriate and they will look down on it. Doing so will only offend them.

You have to prepare real silver ingots.

The housekeeper had seen the world before in the Qian Mansion and knew the rules.

He quickly got up and went to the back hall. After a while, he bent down and came out with a tray on which were twenty small silver ingots weighing five taels each.

This gift is pretty good!

You can’t save any money!

Otherwise, these people from the Ministry of Personnel may not say anything on the surface, but when you really go to go through the procedures to take office, they will have plenty of ways to stop you and make you unable to speak out.

At the very least, you will suffer some humiliation, and at the worst, you will miss the handover time. Not only will you lose your future, but you will also be held accountable!

It is easier to deal with the King of Hell than with the little ghosts. That's the truth.

Seeing Zhang Ping'an being so understanding, the people who announced the decree relaxed their expressions a little and showed a bit of satisfaction in their eyes.

The leader signaled the people behind him to accept the silver.

His face was full of frankness.

After all, it wasn't even a bribe.

After everyone left, Zhang Ping'an helped his parents up.

Zhang Laoer and Xu carefully touched the imperial edict.

"This should be placed in front of the ancestral tablet and passed on to future generations to see. Only by studying can one have a bright future," Zhang Laoer said excitedly.

"Yes, yes, Dad, I understand. Don't get excited," Zhang Pingan quickly helped the man sit down on the chair.

After comforting him for a long time, Zhang Laoer finally calmed down.

Xu was relieved and asked about the appointment with a happy face: "Son, Ci County is not far from here. Your father, your wife and I will go with you."

Zhang Pingan didn't have time to reply.

Zhang Lao Er said firmly: "Let's go together!"

Xu also looked at her son with hope in her eyes.

"Dad, Mom, Youyi, this term of office will last at least three years. Fortunately, Ci County is not far from here and can be reached in two days. I am worried about you staying in Lin'an, so come with me to take up the post!" Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

"Hey!" Xu immediately smiled and responded loudly when she heard that.

Qian Youyi smiled faintly and said nothing.

That's how the matter was settled.

After finishing his work, Zhang Ping'an went to visit the teacher and classmates of the provincial school, and personally sent invitations to everyone, inviting them to his house for a banquet in two days.

Among them, Jiang Fengping said something that was a little puzzling: "Brother Zhang, I underestimated you in the past!"

"I wonder what you mean, Brother Jiang?" Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

Jiang Fengping shook his head, smiled, and said nothing. After finishing his tea, he changed the subject and said, "I will definitely attend your Jinshi banquet in person. What a coincidence, you and Brother Luo are having your banquet on the same day!"

"There's nothing I can do. My father specially picked this auspicious day," said Zhang Ping'an.

"Come to think of it, among this year's new Jinshi, there is a classmate named Pan Shibei who is your senior brother, right?" Jiang Fengping asked.

"Yes, he and I haven't seen each other for many years, and we just met again during this imperial examination," Zhang Ping'an nodded.

"Oh," Jiang Fengping said, "and then he went on to say, "He's not as lucky as you. I heard from my uncle that he spent a lot of money and made connections before he finally got a position as a county magistrate in southern Fujian. Otherwise, with so many Jinshi candidates piling up year after year, who knows how long he would have to wait for the next position!"

That is true.

Zhang Ping'an couldn't help either. He himself was like a clay Buddha crossing the river, and he really was powerless.

Moreover, the eldest brother was one of the top three Jinshi in this palace examination, and his ranking was very low.

According to the normal waiting process, it is difficult to wait for an officer.

Spending money and moving around does have an effect.

Later, when Zhang Ping'an visited Lin Junhui, he also mentioned this matter.

Upon hearing this, Lin Junhui strongly agreed with this approach and praised the head of the Pan family for his decisiveness.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Their family migrated south with no background or connections, and he's just a Jinshi. It would take him forever to get promoted and lead his family back to prosperity. Furthermore, the situation is changing rapidly, so it's better to settle it sooner rather than later. There are only benefits and no downsides. As for the money he spent, as long as he wants, he'll be able to earn it back one day!"

"Yes," Zhang Ping'an nodded, "My eldest brother's family was also a scholarly family in the provincial capital. After moving to the south, they fell into decline. The whole clan is counting on him now, and we will follow him to take office when the time comes." Zhang Ping'an was also very emotional.

At the same time, I was once again thankful for my good luck.

"Although Southern Fujian is far away from the political center of Lin'an, it is not too bad. Apart from the occasional invasion by the Japanese, it is generally stable," Lin Junhui commented after thinking about the situation in Southern Fujian.

"What about you?" Zhang Pingan continued to ask, "Your ranking is higher than mine, so you should have a good place to go."

Lin Junhui didn't hide it and said with a smile: "I'm going to the Ministry of War, but the imperial edict hasn't come down yet, so I have to wait for some time. I have to make arrangements for the people who are sent out first!"

"Congratulations, that's great," Zhang Pingan congratulated sincerely.

And a little sad: "After this farewell, if nothing unexpected happens, we will have to wait three years to see each other again!"

"Three years is not a long time, it will pass in a flash, don't worry about it," Lin Junhui comforted.

After leaving the Lin Mansion, Zhang Ping'an went to the inn to find his senior brother. The servants reported that his senior brother would be leaving tomorrow, so he wanted his senior brother to help him deliver a letter and bring some gifts to his teacher.