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

Zhang Pingan knew that this was the best outcome.

It has been a common practice since ancient times for soldiers to plunder after a city is broken.

There is even a saying that "the knife will not be put down for three days."

If it weren't for Lord Zhou's strict military discipline and his express prohibition of soldiers looting civilians, with the violation of the order being beheaded, I'm afraid the people in the city would be much more miserable than they are now, especially the women!

Women in this era have always existed as accessories. This is the popular perception, and even women themselves think so.

The root cause is actually mainly determined by productivity. Men dominate production, control the military and politics, and coupled with cultural brainwashing and the constraints of Confucianism, lead to the low status of women.

It's both sad and helpless!

Unless one day women have enough job opportunities to support themselves and show themselves like in modern society, and there is a relatively sound legal system to protect women's rights.

This situation may be improved!

"Okay, that's settled," Zhang Pingan agreed.

"Okay, then it's up to you. But you have to pick some good-looking ones for the camp. I don't want ugly ones," the bald old man said with a half-serious smile.

He never thought that Zhang Ping'an would disagree.

In his opinion, he had indeed made a huge concession!

If Zhang Ping'an still doesn't agree, then that would be bullying, and we might have to fight!

Nowadays, all industries in the county are abandoned, and there are no women in the military camp.

In the end, they managed to find a few eloquent women from among the people to do the job and act as official matchmakers to arrange marriages.

But marriage is not a random thing.

There were too many monks and too little meat, so sixty women with decent looks had already been selected to go to the military camp.

The remaining crops must be distributed first to those who were active in farming and relatively hardworking and conscientious.

Everyone has a rating, and they are ranked in the order of A, B, C, and D, starting with A.

There were two hundred couples matched for the first time, and Zhang Pingan also prepared something for each couple.

There is finally some festive atmosphere in the ancestral hall.

Not only that, all married men can be allocated corresponding houses.

After the renovation, the house is now habitable and much better than the previous one that was dilapidated, leaky and windy.

For a while, everyone was vying to be the best, hoping to be the official matchmaker next time.

I am both envious and jealous of the person who is designated as the official partner this time.

"My fellow citizens, ever since the rebels seized power, they have been as harsh as a tiger and as cruel as grass, leaving farmland barren and families separated. Now that our army has recovered, we will avenge this deep hatred for you!

"Nowadays, the population is dwindling, and official matchmaking is just beginning. Everyone's words and deeds are recorded, and this official has also seen them. Those who are active will be married first. All men who get married will be allocated a house to live alone. If they have one son, they will get two acres of land. If they have two sons, they will get four acres. And so on. Gentlemen will get it first," Zhang Ping'an stood on the high platform to encourage the people, and then announced loudly.

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like cold water splashing into a frying pan, and the people were boiling in an instant.

It was even more lively than the wedding of the official couple just now.

The importance of land to the people is self-evident.

The free distribution of land has been going on for at least three hundred years.

Ordinary people wouldn't even dare to think about such a good thing.

Most people still looked surprised and confused.

Zhang Pingan stood on the high platform and slammed the gavel, signaling everyone to be quiet. He continued, "There's no need to doubt. I guarantee that this decree is absolutely true. As I said before, the gentleman goes first!"

Some of the more intelligent people quickly knelt and kowtowed, shouting, "Thank you, sir! You are so wise!"

Zhang Pingan raised his hand and said, "Everyone, please stand up! I wish you all a happy marriage and a son soon!"

Only after saying the final words of blessing did Zhang Pingan leave.

Ruan San was tut-tutting at the side, praising the cleverness of this move. He nudged Liu Sanlang with his elbow and said, "Your brother-in-law is a master of his craft. He's born to be an official!"

Liu Sanlang didn't deny this and nodded in response, "In our hometown, Ping'an is the smartest one. No one in this town or in the surrounding area can compare to him. If only my two children were as smart as their uncle, I would sell everything I had to support them in taking the imperial examinations. But unfortunately, they're not cut out for it!"

"That's true. There are top talents in all 360 professions. I don't have much education but I know that I was born with talent and it will be useful. What should I be afraid of?" Ruan San was very optimistic.

Liu Sanlang glanced at Ruan San and shook his head. "You're not married, you don't have children, you don't understand!"

"What? You're trying to poke me in the heart, right? Are we still brothers?"

The two chatted for a while, and when the atmosphere was relaxed, Ruan Sancai looked around and put his hand on Liu Sanlang's shoulder and whispered, "Hey, seriously, Sanlang, how about we go and have some fun with those camp prostitutes tonight? Do you want to go?"

He made faces and looked lewd as he spoke.

After hearing this, Liu Sanlang shook off the hand on his shoulder and said seriously, "Don't come to me for this kind of thing. When I was taking the martial arts exam and learning martial arts, the master who taught me archery and horse riding was a retired veteran. He told me that there are three things I absolutely must not touch. The first is gambling, and the second is prostitutes. They are addictive and you can't get rid of them once you get involved!"

"Is it really that serious? It's not that serious," Ruan San said casually, touching his wrist.

Then I was curious: "What's the third one?"

"I won't tell you yet," Liu Sanlang replied seriously, and then persuaded Ruan San: "You'd better not go."

"Forget it, a man should enjoy life while he can. I'll find someone else," Ruan Sanhun said indifferently.

Looking at Ruan San's back as he walked away, Liu Sanlang just shook his head.

The days pass by like flowing water.

Since the official matchmaking, Zhang Pingan could clearly feel that the strong laborers in the county were working more actively and hard.

I have already been assigned an official position, and I hope that if I work hard, I will get more food according to my rating.

Those who haven't been officially paired yet are hoping to be rated A so that they can be ranked in the next official pairing.

The weather is getting colder and colder, and the buckwheat will be ready for harvest in a while.

Wrapped in a thick cotton robe, the old bald man looked at the falling leaves in the courtyard and said, "The weather is getting cold. I guess Lord Zhou will be leading his men to Huai'an soon. He will pass through Ze County when he arrives. If we work together to make Ze County a great place, we will definitely be praised!"

"Old Baldy, to be honest, the current situation really depends on your cooperation. I dare not take credit for it," Zhang Pingan said with a smile as he sat aside.

"Come on, let's not be so formal. I'm good at fighting, but governing the people is not my strong point. It has nothing to do with me," the bald old man laughed.

He spoke modestly but looked very happy. One could tell at a glance that he was deeply touched by the flattery.

Sometimes, even if it is just polite words, as long as they are said sincerely, the listeners will still be very happy!

This is the charm of language art!

After laughing, the old bald man continued, "But this winter is a bit bad. It's the lean season, so small groups of rebels are likely to invade. Although they won't cause any major problems, they are still annoying. Also, if a war breaks out on the front line, we will easily be implicated here. It's impossible for us to spend the winter peacefully."