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

By the time all the details were finalized, it was already dusk, and it was almost time to leave the court.

Zhang Ping'an politely declined Jiao Yu's offer to keep him for dinner, and walked directly to the library with his fifth brother-in-law Fang Ziqi. After picking up Chen Jianqiu, they returned to the yamen together.

In addition, someone was arranged to take Fatty Wu to the post station.

In the car, Fang Ziqi was enthusiastic yet measured. He smiled and said, "So Doctor Chen is not only literate, but also a skilled doctor. I think it would be perfect for him to stay at the county government office and work there. Once you've recovered and it's convenient for you, you can consider returning home."

"This...this requires me to think about it for a while," Chen Jianqiu said hesitantly.

He was mainly afraid that he would have to leave after working for a short time, which would have a bad impact.

Zhang Ping'an tapped his index finger and thought for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "The work at the Medical Department isn't easy right now. I have to go to the surrounding areas for epidemic prevention and contact with patients from time to time, which is not conducive to recuperation. I think you should stay by my side as a legal advisor for the time being. It's not that tiring. It won't be too late to make other plans after I've recovered. I will definitely help you wherever I can!"

"Thank you very much, Ping An," Chen Jianqiu said with emotion.

"You helped me a lot back then. There's no need for us to be so polite. I'm just returning the favor," Zhang Ping'an joked, livening up the atmosphere.

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, and they were a little unfamiliar at first, but after exchanging greetings, they quickly regained the familiar feeling they once had.

"The main thing is that your family members were captured and separated at that time. You are not sure where they are now, not even whether they are in the south or the north. Finding them is bound to be a long task. You also know that the north is in constant war and the situation is not optimistic. There are also wars in some places in the south. It is better for you to stay here. I will help you find out first, which may be more effective," Zhang Pingan advised.

He thought Chen Jianqiu hesitated because she wanted to go back to her family right away, so she advised him like this.

Going back to the north now would mean a risk of death, and he didn't want Chen Jianqiu to take such a risk!

"I understand," Chen Jianqiu was stunned when he heard that. He couldn't help but clutch his sleeves tightly and sighed after a long while.

When they arrived at the back court, Xu saw Chen Jianqiu and didn't realize that they were the same person. It was only after Zhang Ping'an introduced them that she recognized the person.

"Poor thing, he has suffered so much," Xu exclaimed.

Then she quickly pulled the person to sit down and asked about his well-being. Xu had a very good impression of Chen Jianqiu's family. Of course, what impressed her even more was Aunt Chen Jianqiu's unique secret recipe for having a child.

After learning that Aunt Chen Jianqiu's whereabouts were unknown, Xu slapped her thigh and cried out to the heavens: "God is blind, good people don't get good rewards!"

Then he comforted her, "Doctor Chen, just stay here and take care of your health first. As long as you are safe, your livelihood will not be a problem. We can talk about other things later!"

"Thank you for your kindness, uncle and aunt," Chen Jianqiu bowed and expressed his gratitude.

After the servants brought the dishes, everyone started to eat dinner.

Zhang was filled with sympathy when she learned of Chen Jianqiu's plight. She encouraged him gently, "Those who survive a great calamity will surely enjoy good fortune in the future. Your good fortune is yet to come!"

Everyone welcomed Chen Jianqiu's arrival.

Only Fang Ziqi secretly began to feel wary.

As the saying goes, there can't be two tigers in one mountain. If Chen Jianqiu becomes the legal advisor, his status will definitely decline, and some of the power in his hands will be diverted away. He doesn't want that.

After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms. Zhang Ping'an took Chen Jianqiu to the study and had a cup of tea to help digest the food.

"Jianqiu, I wasn't able to ask you in detail while we were eating just now. What happened? How did you get captured by pirates again?" Zhang Ping'an said while making tea.

"Actually, I was completely confused along the way," Chen Jianqiu shook his head.

Later he recalled, “In fact, we had the opportunity to escape to the south by boat in Yingzhou at that time, but our family was so large and thriving that we couldn’t all leave at once. In addition, we had a lot of precious medicinal herbs and prescriptions that would take time to collect. My grandfather couldn’t bear to leave them, so he arranged for the women, children, and a few elders of the family to leave first, and the rest of us stayed behind to clean up and wait for the next group to leave. This back and forth delayed us, and we didn’t leave.

Fortunately, everyone in my family is a doctor. After Yingzhou City was captured by the rebel king Bai Chao, we were all captured and taken to the military camp. However, as military doctors, we weren't treated harshly. After entering the camp, my family was separated. Later, for some reason, I was chosen and assigned to be the ship's doctor. I followed the ship south, and you know what happened next. Their ship was robbed by pirates, and I was captured again.

"It seems that the North has actually sent people to the South, and their people are not limited to the North," Zhang Pingan frowned.

Chen Jianqiu nodded. "More than that, I suspect they have close ties with someone in the Southern Dynasty. They have maps of various coastal areas and docking points for supplies. They're planning to come south and contact someone. As for their specific plans, I'm not sure. There aren't many people on board, probably only sixty or seventy. Their martial arts skills are considered above average for a military camp. To be honest, if they were fighting on land, they wouldn't have lost so miserably and been captured so easily by pirates."

"I understand!" Zhang Ping'an nodded, then smiled and said, "What do you think of the position of Master? I saw you didn't give any response just now in the car. Do you have any concerns? With the relationship between us, if you have any concerns, feel free to speak up!"

"No, no, Ping'an, you misunderstood. I don't think the position of a legal advisor is bad. I'm just afraid that after I work for a while and find out where my family is, I'll have to leave, which will have a bad impact on you," Chen Jianqiu explained quickly when he saw that he was misunderstood.

Now he has no room for disgust at all. He is grateful to Zhang Pingan for taking him in and helping him at this time.

"That's fine. I was afraid you'd dislike being a legal advisor," Zhang Ping'an joked, then made the final decision, "It's settled then. Stay and help me first. I'll also help you find out about your family. We'll talk when I have some news!"

"Okay, fine! I'm grateful for your kindness!" Having said that, Chen Jianqiu didn't refuse anymore.

He hesitated again, "Well, it's just... I wonder if you could find a job for my friend. No wages, just food and lodging. He's a nice guy and has helped me a lot along the way. I definitely can't leave him behind."

"I understand. Let him work in the posthouse," Zhang Ping'an replied. For him, this was just a matter of opening his mouth.

In this way, Chen Jianqiu changed his career and temporarily became a legal advisor, and he was able to handle documents in a professional manner.

Zhang Ping'an wrote a long letter about his experience and his speculations and asked the post station to send it to Lin'an to his father-in-law, Minister Qian.

The issue of people in the court colluding with rebels must be taken seriously.

I wonder who this thief is?