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

It has been a long time since I came to the state school.

When Zhang Ping'an walked in, he actually felt a little emotional. The time he spent in the provincial school seemed like yesterday.

More than a year has passed, and Lu Fuzi looks older, but he is still in good spirits.

"It's amazing that you still remembered to post to me. Very good, it's not in vain that I taught you," Mr. Lu said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Then he asked, "How many days can you stay in Lin'an this time?"

"About three or four days, you will know everything about me, old man?" Zhang Ping'an sat down without any hesitation and poured himself a cup of tea.

"The circle of the aristocratic families in Lin'an City is so small, and your story is not a secret," Master Lu replied.

Then he glanced at Zhang Ping'an and said while drinking tea, "Your relationship with your father-in-law has become strained, right?"

"It's not that we have a falling out, it's just a temporary exile. When I become valuable in the future, our relationship will naturally get better, right?" Zhang Pingan did not hide it.

"Alas, the world is not at peace, and the people are not at peace either. But you don't have to worry too much. You are mainly responsible for logistics, and it is not your turn to fight in the battlefield. Besides, I think Zhou Ziming is not ordinary. It is hard to say what will happen in the future. Maybe he can really recapture the north in one fell swoop!"

"Oh, Master, you think highly of him?" Zhang Pingan became interested. "Come to think of it, I have some connections with Mr. Zhou, but his background seems quite complicated. Every time others talk about him, he is mysterious."

"It's a bit complicated, but he is capable. A fellow disciple of mine used to be the prince's tutor in the palace and also taught Zhou Ziming for a period of time. When we were chatting, he told me that Zhou Ziming is both civil and martial, and can bend and stretch. He is not an ordinary person," Master Lu said slowly.

"Actually, I'd say background isn't important. Confucius even said there should be no distinction between the classes in education. If he can truly recover the lost territory and support the country, he'll be a meritorious official, and his name will go down in history."

"Unfortunately, not everyone thinks like you." At this time, officials placed too much emphasis on background.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this. I wish you all the best. You came to see me today because you have something else to say. Haha, you never come to me for no reason," Mr. Lu teased.

"I really can't hide this from you, old man," Zhang Ping'an touched his nose and smiled.

"Originally, I had nothing to do. I just wanted to drop by and visit you. But before I left, my eldest sister came to the house and I learned that my eldest brother-in-law was also going to the front. He used to work in the Wucheng Military Department, but he was transferred to the front to serve as a ninth-rank Renyong Lieutenant. My eldest sister and three children were left at home. There must be a lot of trivial matters for an orphan and a widow. Not to mention other things, just the children's education is a problem.

The two children are already grown up, and I am worried about delaying their development, so I am thinking about whether I can arrange for them to study in the lower dormitory of the state school."

"Hey, I remember I saw the two boys from your eldest sister's family when you held the Juren banquet before. They were quite tall and strong. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to go to the lower residence, right?" Mr. Lu recalled.

"They are just tall, like my eldest brother-in-law. Actually, they are not very old. The eldest is only 12 years old, and the oldest is 20 years old. It is just right for them to go to the lower residence. We don't expect them to pass the imperial examination right away. The main thing is that the atmosphere in the provincial school is good, and they can be influenced by it," said Zhang Ping'an.

"Okay, since you asked me, I will definitely help with this matter. I will take care of them when they come, don't worry," Mr. Lu thought for a while and replied.

"Thank you very much. I will ask my brother-in-law to bring the two boys over to kowtow to you and offer you tea." Zhang Pingan was a little moved.

Master Lu waved his hand and said, "I'm not just doing this for you. You and your child's father are both going to the front lines to defend our country. It's because of these people on the front lines that we can live so comfortably in Lin'an. Of course, we have to take care of our families. It's also something I can do my best to do!"

It has to be said that Zhang Pingan benefits a lot from every chat with Mr. Lu.

Many of Mr. Lu's ideas are very modern and his thoughts are very open-minded, which is something that most scholars do not have.

Zhang Pingan went to the Liu family after leaving the provincial school. After telling his eldest sister about this, Daya was also very happy: "That's good. I don't have to worry about the two boys' studies anymore!"

Liu Sanlang knew that it was very difficult to get into the provincial school, and that his brother-in-law must have put in a lot of effort. He expressed his gratitude to him in a lot of ways, but he really didn't know how to express his gratitude.

"Okay, don't thank me. I have an appointment with Lin Junhui to have tea at his house this afternoon. I'll leave first. You can come to my house for dinner tonight," Zhang Ping'an said and got on the carriage.

However, before going to the Lin Mansion, he first made a detour to the Luo Mansion, where his classmate was assigned to work in the Ministry of Personnel. Although this person did not rank high in the examination, his family had strong connections and he also ranked second in the palace examination.

Zhang Ping'an had a good relationship with him at the time. He was a cheerful person and easy to deal with. Zhang Ping'an wanted to try through him to see if he could transfer his brother-in-law to work with him.

After the two met and exchanged greetings.

Classmate Luo said, "I really didn't expect you to go to the front. Actually, I'd really like to go. My family is a family of military commanders, but unfortunately, neither my parents nor my grandmother agreed."

There was a sense of regret in his words.

After Zhang Ping'an finished explaining his purpose, Luo Tongxue agreed without hesitation: "It's not a difficult matter. I'll ask my colleagues to transfer your brother-in-law to your side. But do you know where you're going?"

"I know, go to Yangzhou," it's all on the transfer order.

"Yangzhou is the first stop. Now the main force is in Ancheng. We have crossed the Cangwu River and belong to the northern territory. Although the two sides have temporarily ceased fighting, I think the situation is not good and they can't hold on for too long. Take care of yourself," classmate Luo said seriously.

"By the way, maybe you can meet my father and brother by then. Please give them a message from me, saying that everything is fine at home!"

"Okay, no problem, thank you very much!" Zhang Pingan said with a fist salute.

"We are classmates and of the same year. I just want you to help me and I will help you. Why be so polite? Come and have some tea," classmate Luo greeted.

As it was not appropriate to leave right after meeting someone, Zhang Pingan insisted on chatting with this old classmate and drank two pots of tea before saying goodbye and leaving.

Before leaving, classmate Luo patted his head and said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, do you still remember our classmate Gu Gengren who failed the exam? He's also in Ancheng now. He was exiled there by his family. He's not a good person. Don't pay any attention to him!"

"Okay, I'll remember it!" Zhang Ping'an nodded.

Then he went to the Lin Mansion.