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

Zhang Ping'an didn't know how to explain the whole story to his mother. Maybe even if he explained it to them, they wouldn't understand it, let alone comprehend it.

After crying for a while, Xu was tired, but because she cried so hard, she still couldn't stop sobbing.

Zhang Laoer sighed rarely, and his brows were furrowed with deep wrinkles.

Qian Youyi held the child and said nothing. This problem could not be solved by just asking her parents for mercy.

"Dad, Mom, it's a done deal. Don't be too sad. There's a temporary truce on the front lines now, and things are relatively peaceful. Besides, I'm a military officer with a certain rank, mainly responsible for logistics. It's not my turn to fight in the battlefield, so it's not as dangerous as you think.

You guys should go back to your room and rest first, and pack your luggage. After the handover is completed, I will take you back to Lin'an."

After Zhang Ping'an finished speaking, he ordered the servants to help the old couple back to their room.

Mrs. Zhang and Old Man Zhang were not happy either, but they were both quite old and were calm after all. They went back to their room without the help of servants.

When no one was around, Qian Youyi hesitated and said, "My father is trying to warn you. If you write a letter and apologize to him now, there might be a chance of a turnaround."

Zhang Pingan raised his hand to stop talking and said calmly, "If it's not this time, there will always be a next time. Your father has always wanted me to go to the front line to keep an eye on it. Besides, I didn't listen this time. He wanted to use this incident to control me and make me realize the situation."

Seeing that Zhang Ping'an had made up his mind, Qian Youyi stopped trying to persuade him and said with a calm smile, "Since you have made up your mind, then do as you wish. I believe in you!"

"We have many acquaintances in Lin'an. After I go to take up my post, you can live a low-key life. I think there will be no problems. But you will have to worry more about family matters in the future."

Zhang Ping'an was not worried about himself when going to the front line. Instead, he was worried that his family would have a hard time after he left, both the old and the young, and he was really worried.

"Don't worry. After all, I am the daughter of the Qian family. Ordinary villains dare not offend me." Qian Youyi was not worried about this.

"And seeing what my father did, he hasn't completely given up on you. After all, in-laws are the most powerful bond. As long as you're fine, we'll be fine."

Zhang Pingan understood this principle very well, he just didn't want to say it directly.

Regardless of whether the other members of the Zhang family accept it or not, this matter is a foregone conclusion.

Xu also started busying herself with packing her luggage.

When Chen Ergu and Old Lady Hua heard about it, they came over to help.

Stop by to visit and comfort.

"Fortunately, my niece-in-law Yingniang went back with the children last month, otherwise it would be even more difficult to deal with this large group of people, young and old," said Xu in a hoarse voice, looking dejected.

Although she has accepted the fact that her son is going to the front line, she is still very sad and worried at the same time. Swords have no eyes!

"I think Ping'an is a very blessed person. Don't be too sad. After Ping'an passes away, you will have to take care of the family. You must take care of yourself," Chen Ergu comforted.

"That's right. I see that your daughter-in-law is not in good health and can't handle the situation. Your grandson is still young. You and Ping'an's father have to cheer up," said Old Mrs. Hua.

She had been a widow for many years, so she was stronger and more realistic than the average woman.

"Well, I'll listen to you," Xu said, cheering up.

I have been in Lin'an for more than a year, and I have a lot of miscellaneous things. The things I packed up filled several carriages.

Three days later, the person who took over arrived.

Zhang Pingan took a look and found that it was an acquaintance.

"How about it, Brother Zhang? You didn't expect it to be me, did you?" the man laughed loudly.

Then he dismounted gracefully and threw the reins to the servant.

"Brother Li, it's you. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you in person. Why didn't you rest at Shili Pavilion? Please send someone to tell me so that I can send the second lieutenant to pick you up," Zhang Ping'an greeted him with a fist salute.

Then he made a gesture of invitation and said with a smile: "Let's go in and talk!"

It turned out that the person who was to take over was Li Chong, a classmate of Zhang Ping'an, who was also the winner of the last palace examination.

The two had met each other at the Qionglin Banquet and several poetry gatherings, so they were quite familiar with each other.

Li Chong has always given people the impression of being cheerful and not fussy about details. Although he is a civil servant, he has the style of a military general.

Zhang Ping'an once heard Lin Junhui privately comment that this person was rough on the outside but talented on the inside. He looked careless, but was actually resourceful and meticulous, and was a good material for being an official.

"I don't have so many rules. Why do I need someone to pick me up? If I had the time, I would have already arrived on horseback!"

Li Chong just waved his hand and replied.

"Hahaha, but I really didn't expect you to come to Ci County. I remember you went to work in the Ministry of Revenue?" Zhang Pingan asked tentatively.

"Well, the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of money and grain, which is boring. I couldn't stay there, so I got a vacancy through connections and was sent to Ci County," Li Chong said with a smile, waving his hands, making a fool of himself.

Seeing that the man was tight-lipped, Zhang Ping'an knew better and stopped asking questions.

A welcoming banquet was held for Li Chong.

At the same time, it is also an opportunity for other people in the county government to get to know their new boss.

County Magistrate Yang was in the most complicated mood. He had just gotten along well with Zhang Ping'an. Although Zhang Ping'an was a serious person and strict with his subordinates, this man did not cause trouble and also abided by the rules. Yet, it had only been a short time and he was replaced.

I don't know what this new boss is like.

As the saying goes, a new official has three things to do when he takes office, and this one is not so easy to deal with!

Li Chong didn't put on airs at the table and seemed cheerful and easy to talk to, but when talking about government affairs, he often hit the nail on the head.

After the meal, no one dared to look down on him.

After everyone arrived at the posthouse, Hua Wanli stood beside Zhang Pingan and whispered, "This man is very smart and should not be underestimated. I heard about him when I was in Lin'an!"

"Of course. Even a fool can't pass the imperial examination and become a successful candidate. He and I are of the same year and we have known each other for a few times. He has a good reputation. I don't know what role he played in this incident," Zhang Pingan replied, staring at the man's receding back.

"But one thing is certain: this person is definitely not coming to Ci County to cause trouble, otherwise Lord Zhou would not have agreed to let such a person come. His appointment must be the result of the game of power between both sides."

Hua Wanli frowned in confusion, "But the Li family has long since fallen on hard times. I heard they sold most of their assets. Although they're certainly better off than ordinary people, they're still not that impressive among the aristocratic families or in the court."

"A rotten boat still has three thousand nails. First of all, it's not easy for him to be a messenger. Maybe there are some entanglements behind it that we don't know about." Zhang Pingan just shook his head and smiled.

If he had not experienced the palace examination himself and knew the complex power relations behind it, he might have naively believed that everyone's ranking was based on their own strength.

"It's okay if it's him. This way, I can rest assured that you and Jianqiu can continue to settle down in Ci County."