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

"It's okay, these losses are normal consumption. You can just go to the household department to withdraw the money when the time comes," Zhang Pingan replied.

After saying this, he solemnly warned, "But the navy's training must not be relaxed. Report any problems to me at any time!"

"I understand! The weather is getting hotter and hotter, which is a good time for navy training. I will definitely keep a close eye on it," Director Mai replied with a bow.

Both sides were satisfied with the results of this naval exercise, and it was considered a successful conclusion.

As time went by, the fifth brother-in-law Fang Ziqi became more and more familiar with the affairs of the county government and gradually became Zhang Pingan's right-hand man.

He is very adaptable to the identity of a legal advisor.

At this time, a fast message came from Lin'an, saying that Wu Ya accidentally fell at home and had a miscarriage!

At this time, Wu Ya was already five or six months pregnant. After such a long period of pregnancy, she had already developed feelings for the baby in her belly. It was also her first child, so miscarriage at this time would be a huge blow to any mother.

Fang Ziqi was surprised and sad after receiving the letter, but he also felt torn. He had just sorted out all the things in Ci County, and selfishly speaking, he didn't want to go back.

For him, he can have a child at any time. He is still young anyway. It is normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Even if Wu Ya can't give birth, there are others who can. It all makes the same difference to him. They are all his children.

But if he doesn't go back, his father-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law will definitely have opinions about him. Apart from the relationship of relatives, if he serves others, they will be in charge of him, so he can't not go back.

Thinking of this, Fang Ziqi even felt a little resentful towards Wu Ya. Why did she have to have an abortion at this time when she could have done so at any other time?

The two of them seemed to have incompatible auras, and I didn't know how their horoscopes were calculated at the time, but this Wu Ya was obviously not good for him.

After weighing the pros and cons, Fang Ziqi made a decision and decided to go back to Lin'an to see Wu Ya, so that no one could find fault with him.

After Zhang Laoer, Xu, Zhang Pingan and others knew about this, they also felt it was a pity. The baby was already five or six months pregnant. If they could hold on for another two or three months, the baby would be born soon.

Fang Ziqi lowered his posture very low, and said with a sorrowful expression: "It's all my fault. If only I had brought Wu Ya with me to Ci County at that time, it would have been better. I never thought that with so many maids and servants serving us at home, such a thing would happen. Wu Ya has suffered so much. My poor child!"

Mrs. Xu wanted to scold him, but seeing her son-in-law like this, she felt embarrassed to speak. In the end, she could only sigh and say, "Alas, no one wants this to happen. When you go back, tell Wu Ya to take good care of herself and take good care of herself. You will have another child soon."

Zhang Laoer also said: "Your mother is right, and no one blames you!"

At this time, the infant mortality rate in most families is actually very high, so most people who encounter this situation think of having another child as soon as possible.

Mrs. Zhang and Old Man Zhang did not get involved in such matters. They just asked a few questions to understand the situation and then left it alone. Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings!

Yingniang felt a little scared after hearing this and touched her belly involuntarily. She still had nearly half a year before giving birth, so it seemed that she had to be extremely careful in the future.

The doctor said that her pregnancy this time was a one in a million miracle and there was basically no possibility of her getting pregnant again in the future.

This baby is so precious to her!

When Fang Ziqi was about to set off back to Lin'an, the court received a notice that they would be imposing labor service and collecting a portion of taxes in advance to be used for food and fodder supplies for the war on the front lines.

Ci County is a key area for taxation.

Now everyone in the county government office has to get busy.

Fang Ziqi cried out inwardly, "God is helping me!" He quickly seized the opportunity to express his loyalty, speaking with righteousness, "Ping'an, corvée and taxes are serious matters. How can I return to Lin'an for my own personal affairs at this time? No matter what you say, I must stay and help! I am deeply saddened by Wu Ya's situation, but the matter is done, and returning will be of no avail. I worry about the country as much as I do myself. For both public and private reasons, the affairs of the court must come first."

After saying this, without waiting for Zhang Pingan's response, he went straight back to the sixth room to help with the work.

The operation of a county basically depends on the six departments of the county government.

During this period, Fang Ziqi's ability to do things has been recognized by everyone in the six families, and he is also a close confidant of the county magistrate.

He was able to work like a fish in water in all the six rooms.

Zhang Ping'an didn't expect that his fifth brother-in-law would say such a thing. Now that the court had put such a big hat on him, he couldn't insist on letting his fifth brother-in-law return to Lin'an.

Otherwise it seems that the distinction between public and private is unclear!

After opening another court bulletin and reading it carefully, Zhang Ping'an learned about the current war situation.

The general who led the pacification of the South this time was from an old military family. In the early years, he was not given important positions because the court had been at peace for a long time.

After arriving in the south, he was unable to get the job of guarding the Cangwu River because he didn't know how to flatter and socialize.

They only have the reputation of being a military family, but in reality they have already fallen into decline. No one knows from which corner the court snatched this person out from.

Zhang Ping'an had hardly heard of this person when he was in Lin'an.

Fortunately, the result was good. Yuezhou has been pacified, and more than 10,000 rebels were killed, and more than 50,000 surrendered.

Yuezhou was officially recovered.

The next step is to continue moving south. It is estimated that it will not take long to completely pacify the south.

Zhang Pingan felt relieved when he saw this.

Right now, we have to collect taxes and arrange labor service as quickly as possible.

The content of this corvée labor was mainly divided into two categories. One was to build city walls, fortresses, and dig trenches, which was equivalent to wartime defense work. The other was to serve as a laborer and transport food, weapons, arrows and other military supplies to the front line.

Fortunately, the conscription for corvée labor this time was not severe and there was no danger. Although they said they were going to the front line to transport food and weapons, in fact they only needed to transport them eastward to the next supply point. Moreover, they only needed young and strong men between the ages of 20 and 30.

Not only are meals provided, but money is also given, so many people are very willing to do so.

It's not difficult to get things started.

On the contrary, it is more difficult to collect taxes. Right now is a time of panic. The court is at war, and the people regard food as if it were their own eyes.

It took a lot of kindness and force to handle the matter.

The consequence is that there are fewer street vendors on the county streets and business is even slower.

Everyone is tightening their belts to get by.

There are also beggars who come all the way from other places to beg for food.

Compared with other places, Ci County is close to the sea, so the situation is relatively good, at least people won’t starve to death.

In this situation, Zhang Ping'an, after careful consideration, decided to temporarily set up a porridge stall to distribute porridge. He calculated that the county government's granary was enough to last until the autumn harvest with some left over.

This kind of porridge distribution is not to fill the people's stomachs, it can only be regarded as keeping them alive.

The rice grains in the porridge can be counted with one hand, and the surface is so clear that you can see your reflection in it. Sand is also sprinkled in it, which is a last resort. After all, it is human nature to take advantage of others, and we must prevent some people from taking advantage of the situation.

In this way, people who are not struggling to survive will not come to drink this porridge, and the porridge can be left for those who really need it.