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

By the time Zhang Ping'an had packed up and was ready to go out, the main streets of the county town were already crowded with tourists.

Chen Jianqiu, Green Bean Eyes, his fifth brother-in-law Fang Ziqi, Fatty Wu and others made an appointment with Zhang Pingan to go fly Kongming lanterns together.

At this time, I was standing on the side of the street and being pushed by people. I was sweating in the weather of the first month of the lunar year.

I finally breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Zhang Ping'an coming with his servants.

"Hurry up, the good spots will be gone soon. You are an embroidery girl, why are you dawdling?" Green Eyes was so anxious that he jumped up and down.

The two of them had a close relationship, and now it was time to leave the yamen, so Green Bean Eyes spoke without any scruples.

"Why are you panicking? It's still early," Chen Jianqiu said after looking at the sky.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile and bowed.

It was indeed that he was late.

After everyone gathered, they walked together in the direction of releasing the river lanterns.

Along the way are sheds that were built during the winter solstice in December last year and are hung with colorful lights.

There are many small vendors setting up stalls and shouting along the way.

Overall, there are more people looking than buying.

"Further ahead there are juggling and shadow puppetry performances, it's very lively," Fang Ziqi introduced.

He is still responsible for the preparations for the Lantern Festival.

Therefore, he knows all the fun things along the way.

Green Bean Eyes is a foodie, but he doesn't care about details. He is not very interested in guessing riddles, but likes to buy some special snacks from vendors along the way and eat them while walking.

Don’t forget to share it with others.

"Although the Lantern Festival in Ci County is not as lively as that in Lin'an, it is also interesting in its own way. At least you won't run into any annoying people," said Green Bean Eyes while eating.

"Why, have you met annoying people in previous years?" Zhang Ping'an walked around and asked casually.

"That's not true. In the past, I always met annoying people in Fengle Building. I couldn't drive them away, but I had to go. It was so annoying. Ci County is much quieter. I can buy whatever I want and eat whatever I want. No one cares about me," Green Bean Eyes replied vaguely while eating.

After hearing this, Zhang Pingan understood.

Fengle Tower is located on the edge of West Lake outside Yongjin Gate. It has a unique architectural style and there are long corridors connecting the buildings. At night, when the bright lights shine on it, the pearl curtains and jade screens, and the embroidered door brows shine and sway, it seems like a fairyland. It is the largest restaurant in Lin'an.

Because of its luxurious facilities and superior geographical location, it attracts many literati and wealthy businessmen to have a drink here.

Then you must go there during the Lantern Festival. The scenery is beautiful and it is a symbol of status. The house is always packed on the night of the festival.

Basically, the people I meet are acquaintances from the same circle. Some are my opponents, and some are not. I have to maintain a superficial harmony on the surface.

It’s indeed not comfortable!

One man's poison may be another man's honey!

Fang Ziqi was filled with envy after hearing this: "I wonder when I'll be able to make it to Fengle Building to celebrate the Lantern Festival. I'm not greedy, I just want a seat on the second floor!"

Green Bean Eyes wiped his greasy mouth before saying, "It's nothing special, just a little luxurious."

"I've only been to the second floor. The people I met there were all stronger than me. I had to act like a grandson all the time. It was so frustrating and boring!"

Green Bean Eyes said it nonchalantly.

But Fang Ziqi still yearned for it, smiled and did not argue!

After all, not everyone has the opportunity to be a grandson. People are divided into different classes since birth. What can we do?

In the past, people who guessed lantern riddles correctly would receive free lanterns, and the customs were similar in every place.

I don’t know if it’s because the market conditions are too bad this year and people’s lives are too difficult.

Now you have to guess five correctly in a row to get a lantern.

Green Bean Eyes grimaced after hearing this: "Wanli even asked me to help him guess two lanterns to take back, hoping for a good omen. I also want to take two back myself. Will the boss put a sack on me for guessing so many lanterns in a row?"

"Don't be weird, it's not that serious yet!" Zhang Pingan rolled his eyes and said with a smile.

The vendors who can set up lanterns on the main street are all quite powerful, otherwise they would not sell lanterns on the main street.

Zhang Ping'an walked towards a stall that he liked.

Green Eyes put away his sad face, fanned himself and followed with a smile.

Chen Jianqiu and the others looked at each other, then followed with a smile.

Zhang Ping'an was not prepared to let his boss bleed a lot of money. After guessing ten riddles in a row, he picked out two elegant lanterns and asked his servants to carry them.

The boss who sold lanterns knew that he had met an expert. Moreover, seeing that the customer was well dressed and had a lot of money, he was not unhappy. He took down the lantern and handed it to his servant with a smile.

He also enthusiastically recommended other gadgets on the stall.

These little gadgets may not look as expensive as lanterns, but they have higher profits, and you can make your money back by buying a few more.

Zhang Ping'an bought some and planned to send them back to his nephews and nieces to play with.

I didn't bargain much.

The boss was so happy that he smiled so hard that his teeth were showing!

Along the way, everyone gained a lot, and the servants who followed them were holding lanterns in their left and right hands.

When we arrived at the river, many people had already released river lanterns and Kongming lanterns, and the lanterns in the sky were rising higher and higher.

With expectations and blessings.

It lit up half the sky, it was spectacular!

There was laughter and joy by the river!

"The scenery is so beautiful. Hua Wanli really missed it by not coming here," said the man with green eyes, looking at the sky.

"My sister-in-law has just been diagnosed with pregnancy, and Aunt Hua and Grandma Hua are also here, so it's normal that she can't leave for a while," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

After saying that, he ordered his servants to buy some river lanterns and Kongming lanterns.

Green Bean Eyes said with a sour look: "You and Brother Hua are going to be fathers soon, but Brother Chen, Brother Wu and I are still single. You should ask your sister-in-law to keep an eye on us!"

"Stop complaining here. It's just your own fault for having high standards. Who can you blame? I dare not be your boss. But I can keep an eye on Jianqiu and Brother Wu for them," Zhang Ping'an scolded with a smile.

"Hey, it's different now. I no longer dream of being a son-in-law from a wealthy family. I envy you for having a wife, children and a happy home. As long as the woman is well-educated and has decent looks, it's enough," said the green-eyed man quickly.

Chen Jianqiu blushed a little when talking about her lifelong event, and said with a chuckle, "Let's talk about it later. I'm not in a hurry!"

Upon hearing this, Fatty Wu rubbed his hands, stepped forward, and said with a somewhat flattering smile, "As long as the woman is nice, healthy, and sensible, and doesn't mind that I'm a widower after being married once, I'm not picky. Please help me keep an eye out for her. I'll be very grateful!"

From here we can see the difference between businessmen and ordinary people.

Businessmen are best at seizing opportunities and places that are beneficial to them.

Zhang Pingan admired this proactive spirit and nodded with a smile, saying, "Okay, wait for my news!"

This Fatty Wu is a useful person. Although he has nothing now, it does not mean he will have nothing in the future.

He is a bit cunning, but generally speaking, his character is good.

Several people released river lanterns and Kongming lanterns one by one by the river.

Regardless of whether it is superstition or not, Zhang Pingan prays devoutly, hoping that his whole family can live a healthy and happy life.