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

"That's good now. Liu Ya has established a firm foothold in the Yu family. I feel relieved too," said Xu, overjoyed.

Zhang couldn't help but smile as well.

News of Yingniang's birth had to be promptly sent to Lin'an. After all, she was the daughter-in-law of the eldest wife, so naturally she had to tell them about it to see how the full moon banquet would be arranged.

With servants serving her, she ate well and slept well. In addition, she felt relaxed after having a son. During her confinement period, Yingniang gained a lot of weight in just a few days. The child also lost the wrinkled and red appearance when he was just born, and grew up to be white and tender, with arms like lotus root nodes. It was obvious at a glance that he was being well fed.

Li, the eldest wife, was naturally happy after receiving the letter. After all, there is no such thing as too many grandchildren, as they are all her own blood.

I originally wanted to take my husband and son to Ci County to visit Yingniang and her newborn grandson, pick them up and bring them back to hold a full-month banquet in Lin'an.

Who knew that just before leaving, Mei Zi also had an attack and it took a day and a night for her to give birth to a daughter.

Although Li was a little disappointed, she could still accept it because Mei Zi had already given birth to a son.

Conditions are better now. Unlike in the countryside, women have to go to the fields to work after giving birth. Not to mention the full confinement period, Mei Zi still has to stay in the confinement for half a month. In this regard, Mrs. Li still has some sense.

Mrs. Zhang and Old Man Zhang are not here, so there is no one to help, and the third house cannot be relied upon.

It is most important to be attentive when taking care of a new mother and a baby. You can't put all the pressure on Erzhu's wife.

After weighing the pros and cons, Li had no choice but to write back to Xu, explaining the situation. After Mei Zi had finished her half-month confinement, she would take Dazhu and Zhang Lao Da to Ci County to bring Ying Niang back.

This happened by coincidence. Although Xu was angry after receiving the letter, she could only wait for her sister-in-law to come and pick her up in half a month.

After knowing this, Zhang sighed, said nothing, and continued to smoke her water pipe.

Zhang Pingan naturally wouldn't say anything. Having more people to eat was no big deal for him.

He is now preparing to promote Annan rice. Seeing that Annan rice is growing well in various places in Ci County and is fully able to adapt to the climate and soil conditions here, Zhang Ping'an believes that if Su Erlang's intercropping method can be added, the grain harvest next year will surely increase significantly.

Now Ci County is a merger of three counties. As long as we see results from large-scale planting in Ci County, it will be a natural thing to promote it nationwide.

This matter is really thanks to Green Bean Eyes.

But this person really couldn't stand being talked about. As soon as Zhang Ping'an thought of Green Bean Eyes, Green Bean Eyes returned to Ci County the next day.

He has become much whiter and fatter than when he just came back from going to sea. It is obvious that he has been gaining a lot of weight in the past two months. He also has some of the green bean eyes he used to have in the Imperial College.

"I've been staying at home for over two months, and I'm so bored," said Green Eyes, fanning himself and crossing his legs. "Did you miss me after not seeing each other for so long?"

Hua Wanli knocked on the table and said helplessly, "Stand properly and sit properly. Can you please sit down and talk properly?"

"Well, just sit however you are comfortable. Why are you so picky?" The man with green bean eyes rolled his eyes. He couldn't stand Hua Wanli's nagging like an old mother.

"Seeing that you have become white and plump again, I know that no one needs to worry about you. Why do we need to worry about you?" Zhang Pingan joked.

After that, he asked seriously, "Are you going to go out to sea again this time?"

Green Bean Eyes nodded and replied, "Yeah, that's right. I've rested enough. It's boring to play at home. I might as well make another trip before the New Year. This time I won't go far."

"Or are you planning to go to Goryeo as planned?"

"No, go to Luzon," replied Green Eyes, shaking his head.

"Why did you change your mind again?" Zhang Pingan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"It's that Lord Zhou again. I found out after I returned to Lin'an that Lord Zhou had contacted my father and wanted our family to take a boat trip to Luzon. Since it's not far away and Lord Zhou is very popular in the court now, my father didn't want to offend him, so he agreed. Now I'm the only one who's free at home, so I have to go," replied the man with green eyes, spreading his hands.

After saying that, he remembered something and slapped his head. "Oh, right, that Fatty Wu you told me about last time, I asked around and found out he's from the Wu family in Jiaozhou. I'm planning to have him go with me on this voyage. His family has been sailing for generations and has a lot of experience at sea. He knows a lot about these overseas bird languages ​​and can communicate well. Having him help me should make things a lot easier."

"How can you let a grown man like that do chores for you? Will he be willing to do that?" Hua Wanli said casually.

"Why wouldn't he be unwilling? A phoenix without feathers is no better than a chicken. The situation of the Wu family is also very complicated. I can't explain it to you in a few words. Anyway, if I go and tell him, I can guarantee that he will be willing. Although going to sea is dangerous, if you give it a try, you may have a chance to turn things around. Genuine businessmen are actually gamblers. He will go," said the man with green eyes confidently. This is the instinct of a businessman, which is engraved in his bones.

"It seems that Lord Zhou is very persistent about this matter. I hope he can get what he wants this time," Zhang Pingan said thoughtfully.

If we can really find these high-yield crops, it will indeed greatly alleviate the food problem.

Just like that, a few days later, Green Bean Eyes persuaded Fatty Wu to go with him, and the two of them set sail to Luzon again with their entourage.

Lieutenant General Zhou also assigned an elite team to escort them.

Several days later, my aunt Li, who had not been seen for a long time, came to Ci County with Zhang Lao Da and cousin Dazhu, and brought a lot of gifts. Although they were not very expensive, they were considered to be very polite.

One was to thank Xu for helping take care of Yingniang for so long, and the other was to take Yingniang and her grandson back to Lin'an.

The weather is neither too cold nor too hot now, which is a good time to travel. Besides, we have to hold a full-moon banquet, which cannot be held in Ci County. It is right to go back to Lin'an.

Xu accepted the gift, said a few words to vent her anger, and then took a few people to the delivery room in the back alley.

Li laughed dryly a few times and didn't say anything back. After all, she had taken advantage of him, so it was normal to be criticized a few times.

When she saw Yingniang and her grandson, Li knew that the mother and son were being well taken care of in Ci County.

"Oh, there are wet nurses and maids serving here. Thank you for your hard work, second sister-in-law. Yingniang looks a lot fatter," Li said with a smile.

Then she went to hold the child again: "My dear grandson, let grandma hold him. He is so handsome, white and chubby, just like your father when he was a child!"

Dazhu, standing aside, couldn't help but smile and touched the child's face, saying, "Mom, look how big this child's eyes are. He looks smart."

"Yes, he will be as successful as his uncle in the future. I will send him to school when he is old enough," Li said with a smile, holding the child.

Xu stood aside. To be honest, she felt a little sad. She felt that after taking care of the child for so long, the child was still someone else's. She would soon take the child back to Lin'an. She felt like a peach had been picked and felt a little uncomfortable.

Alas, I still hope that my daughter-in-law will get pregnant soon. After all, it is better for the child to be my own!

Yingniang felt a little nervous and reserved after Li came in. She knew that her mother-in-law was here to take her and her son back to Lin'an.

The time she spent in Ci County was the most relaxing and happiest time she had in recent years. The food and accommodation were good, and she didn't have to worry about other people's faces. She could also learn a skill. Compared with Lin'an, it was like heaven and earth.

To be honest, she didn't want to go back, but she also knew that this place didn't belong to her.

After a moment's silence, seeing that her mother-in-law and husband were teasing the child, she stood up and put the packed things together so that they would be easier to take with her when she left.

After almost a month of care, her body is almost recovered and she can do simple things that don't require much effort by herself.

In the evening, after the family finished their meal together, they were about to go back to their rooms to rest. Zhang tapped the pipe in her hand and said calmly, "Wait a minute, I have something to discuss with you."

"What's wrong, mother?" asked Xu.

After everyone returned to their seats, Zhang looked at Li and said, "Eldest wife, I've thought about it today and I think Yingniang should stay with me in Ci County. First, she's learning the skills of a midwife now. If she goes back to Lin'an, she'll only learn half of it, so it's a waste of time. Second, the child is still young, and Meizi has a baby over there. We don't have much space at home, so it would be difficult to take care of them if we go back. Third, I'm old, and Yingniang has been with me for a long time. I'm used to her serving me. Let her stay in Ci County. When I leave, I can let her go back. What do you think?"

It was said to be an inquiry, but seeing Zhang's self-righteous and domineering look, what else could Li say.

She was a little reluctant, but she didn't dare to contradict him, so she could only politely refuse: "Mom, this is not good, it will disturb my second brother and his family too much!"