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

The group changed their route again and headed to the experimental field in a mighty procession.

Tian Guan and the steward had just received the news and hurried out to greet everyone.

Lord Zhou waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite. Take us to see the fields."

"My Lords, please come this way!" Official Tian bowed and saluted.

Zhang Ping'an walked beside Lord Zhou and pointed to the fields in the distance. "Lord Zhou, the fields ahead have just finished their autumn harvest. After re-ploughing and fertilizing the land, we're now preparing to try a new crop of seeds. They're still in the breeding stage. They're the Annan rice my classmate and good friend brought back from overseas trade with a small country."

"Well, I heard Commander Zhou mention it a few times. It's hard to say whether this batch of seeds can adapt to the land and weather in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. However, among the several experimental plots you divided before, it is said that one can increase the yield by about 30%. Is that true?" Lord Zhou asked sideways.

"Reporting to the lord, it is true. The field with the best results has increased its yield by nearly 80 kilograms, and the field with the second best results has also increased its yield by more than 30 kilograms. I plan to promote the seeds to various villages and towns under Ci County during the spring sowing next year and give it a try. If the yield can really increase stably by such a large amount, it will also allow the people below to have more full meals," said Zhang Pingan.

"That's a good idea," Lord Zhou praised after hearing it.

Everyone came to the field where the crops were being cultivated. At present, only a shallow layer of green sprouts had emerged, and no difference or changes could be seen.

Mr. Zhou squatted down and pinched the soil in the field with his fingers, then put it to his nose and sniffed it. Then he stood up and said, "You've taken good care of it!"

The imperial envoys who were accompanying him smiled in a sly manner and said, "I didn't expect that Lord Zhou is not only proficient in both civil and military affairs, but also understands farming."

Mr. Zhou put his hands behind his back and smiled faintly, "I'm from a farming family. It's not surprising that I can farm. When I was a kid, I even helped my dad plant rice."

"Haha, I forgot that Lord Zhou was originally from a farming family," an imperial envoy laughed.

The other imperial envoys also had ambiguous expressions, but none of them responded.

Everyone continued to move forward to the warehouse to check out the seeds.

Lord Zhou placed the seeds from each plot in his palm, carefully examining and comparing them. After a long pause, he clapped his hands and ordered his attendants to pack a copy of each seed and take it away. He said, "Lord Zhang, for next spring's sowing, you should vigorously promote this seed. Whether it's color, size, or plumpness, the seeds from this last plot are extremely rare and clearly superior to the others. Let's first test the results in Ci County. If the effect is still significant, the court can consider large-scale promotion throughout the south next year!"

"As you command," Zhang Ping'an replied with a bow.

"Well, but you have to keep a close eye on the Annan rice issue and not let your guard down. Food is the foundation of a country and the top priority!" Lord Zhou said solemnly.

"I understand!" Zhang Pingan replied.

After making another full circle around the experimental field, everyone returned to the county town.

They had originally planned to have dinner at a restaurant, but Lord Zhou refused, saying that they were tired today and could just eat at the inn. Of course, the others had no choice but to agree.

Master Qian waited until the end, stroking his beard, before speaking with a smile, "Everyone, please return to the inn first. I have to go back to the county government office with my nephew-in-law tonight for dinner. My third brother asked me to bring a lot of things to Ci County for him and his wife. I can't take these things to the next county!"

"Hahahaha, Old Qian, your family is really prosperous. You have relatives wherever you go," an imperial envoy joked.

Mr. Qian also laughed and joked: "That's right! Old Ding, you can't envy it!"

As they chatted and laughed, Lord Qian got into Zhang Ping'an's carriage naturally without any abruptness.

When they arrived at the gate of the posthouse, they exchanged greetings and then parted ways.

Zhang Ping'an took his cousin back to the county government office.

At this time, the normal time for off-duty had long passed, and Hua Wanli and others said goodbye and went home.

The other followers were also sent away by Zhang Ping'an.

This cousin made an excuse to follow him back to the county government office. Zhang Ping'an guessed that he must have something to tell him, so naturally it would be best if the two of them had a private conversation.

Sure enough, after confirming that there were no outsiders around, the uncle slowly spoke, "I've heard from my third brother before that you've done a good job in Ci County. This inspection is indeed true. You do have some skills."

"Sixth uncle, thank you for your compliments," Zhang Pingan said modestly, "If my hospitality was not good enough this time, I hope you will forgive me!"

"The reception you received this time was very courteous, there's nothing to complain about. Besides, with Lord Zhou accompanying us, we can't be too extravagant. We should keep everything simple. I've been mentally prepared for all this," said Uncle Qian, waving his hand.

After saying this, he looked at Zhang Pingan sharply and said, "Don't you have any questions about this southern tour?"

Zhang Pingan pondered for a moment and replied, "There are a few things I don't quite understand. I hope my uncle can give me some pointers!"

"Tell me about it," said Uncle Qian.

"There are two main reasons. First, Lord Zhou is obviously a military general now, but he can travel as one of the imperial envoys in this southern tour, and he is in a leading position. This is a unique precedent since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty. Second, my father-in-law used to be very opposed to any involvement between me and Lord Zhou, but this time I feel that ministers like you, my cousin, who come from aristocratic families, have a relatively harmonious relationship with Lord Zhou's colleagues. This..." Zhang Pingan hesitated and did not continue.

"You want to know why we, the aristocratic families, and the eunuch party seem to be on the same front, right?" Uncle Qian put down his teacup and looked up to ask.

"That's right!" Zhang Pingan nodded.

"You're right. That's what I want to tell you today," said Uncle Qian. "Lord Zhou has already reached an agreement with several of our great families. The imperial court is now focused on the Northern Expedition. We expect the first Northern Expedition to begin by the end of this year or early next year. Let's test the waters first!"

"So what my father-in-law wants you to say now is that the court has changed its stance and the aristocratic families have also changed their positions. I can let go and build my political achievements first, right?" Zhang Ping'an analyzed.

"You're only half right. I want to remind you that the aristocratic families' stance hasn't changed, it's only temporarily," said Uncle Qian. "Although your rank as a seventh-rank county magistrate isn't high, the elite navy is stationed in your territory. You must pay close attention to their every move and never take it lightly!"

Seeing Zhang Ping'an's thoughtful expression, Uncle Qian paused before sighing and continuing, "Alas, this is the only option at the moment. The country is in tatters, the imperial court is in a corner, marching and fighting are not our forte, and those barbarians and rebels in the north are even more difficult to deal with. Add to that the frequent movements on the front line, and the ship of Daxia is leaking everywhere. If we ignore it and continue to fight among ourselves, it will sink sooner or later!

No matter what, we must first drive away those northern barbarians before discussing other matters. You must know that those who are not of our race must have different hearts. We cannot hand over our ancestors' kingdom to outsiders!"

"I understand, son-in-law," Zhang Ping'an nodded.

"I remember Jiang Fengping was your classmate in the provincial school, right?" Uncle Qian suddenly asked again.

"Yes, exactly!"

"You should be careful in the future and try not to associate with him. His father relies on the military power in the front line and is ambitious. He has long been noticed by people with ulterior motives. I guess their family is like a grasshopper in autumn and will not be able to jump for a few more days," said Uncle Qian, stroking his beard and sneering.

Although Zhang Ping'an was surprised in his heart, he still agreed calmly.

Then, Uncle Qian talked about some other things that happened in the court, which were difficult for Zhang Ping'an at his level to understand.

To sum up, there is one meaning: Lord Zhou is now at the peak of his power, the eunuch party has extensive influence and is deeply rooted, and the aristocratic families are unable to resist it. In order to avoid his edge and to avoid the conflict between the snipe and the clam, the fisherman will gain the advantage, and the two sides will temporarily reconcile.

The eunuch party and the royalist faction are represented behind Lord Zhou. Now that Lord Zhou and the various aristocratic families have reached a brief reconciliation, they are preparing to work together to march north, expel foreign races, wipe out the rebels, and restore the unity of the country.

Among them, expelling foreigners is the top priority.

The aristocratic families now just want to use Lord Zhou's side as tools to regain their lost territory. It is hard to say what will happen in the future.

Both sides may cross the river and burn the bridge.

So on the surface, the relationship between the two sides is still acceptable.

Zhang Ping'an was a little at a loss for words: "Lord Zhou is extremely intelligent and foresighted. Would he be willing to be used by others?"

From what he has seen, Lord Zhou is not someone to be trifled with!