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

Zhang Ping'an knew that Master Luo was trying to comfort him.

It would be fine if he was the only one getting anxious and angry, but he didn't want them to get anxious too.

So after hearing this, he smiled and replied, "Uncle Luo, I understand. I believe that there will definitely be a day when I can see you all again. It's only a matter of time!"

After that, he asked again, "By the way, Ziwen, Ziliang and the others have been adapting to the new place they've been working in these past two days."

"I've adapted well!"

Speaking of this, Master Luo's face was full of smiles. He patted Zhang Ping'an's hand and thanked him: "If it weren't for your relationship, how could they have been able to work as errand boys in the sub-district office and the government office? Thank you so much!"

"Uncle Luo, you're too polite. They are in their teens, which is a good time to learn things. Which industry they enter will affect their future life. Men are afraid of entering the wrong industry. The old saying makes sense!" Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

"Given the current situation in Kaifeng, it's unlikely that they can continue their studies. I originally wanted to arrange for them to learn a craft, be it medicine or something else, but learning a craft is difficult and it won't be accomplished overnight. After much thought, I think it's better to let them work in the government office. Let them go there and see if they have talent in this area. If they can make it, that would be great. If not, at least they will have enough food and clothing!"

"That's great," Master Luo said with a gentle smile. "Within the government office, you can get two meals a day and a stable salary. It doesn't matter whether you make it or not, as long as you have a job. This is much more comfortable than the odd jobs they had before. Thank you for your trouble!"

"Of course I will do my best to help if I can," said Zhang Pingan.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhang Pingan stood up and said goodbye: "Uncle Luo, I have official business to attend to in the barracks, so I will go back first. You can live here with peace of mind. I have paid a year's rent. If there is anything urgent, send someone to the barracks to find me."

"Well, fine, then you should go back quickly. Official business is more important," Master Luo waved his hand quickly, "You have arranged everything well. There is nothing else to worry about!"

"Well, I'm leaving now," Zhang Ping'an said hello to Brother Luo again before leaving.

It is not a lie to say that something is happening in the military camp. Ever since the last meeting when Commander Yang Zhong got really angry, the atmosphere in the military camp has become a little tense.

Military regulations are also much stricter than before.

Zhang Ping'an didn't want to get into trouble at this time, so it was better for him to keep a low profile and behave himself.

He will not be careless about the matters under his jurisdiction, whether military or civil affairs.

Time flies, and nearly half a month has passed. This day, Chibao finally brought good news.

"Sir, people... people... people have been found!" After receiving the news, Chi Bao immediately ran over to report, and he couldn't help breathing heavily while speaking.

Zhang Pingan was stunned for a moment when he heard this. After a moment, he stood up excitedly and asked, "Did they really find them? How are they doing now?"

After eating and catching his breath, he continued, "Sir, I really found it. I dare not lie to you. I found it in a shack thirty kilometers outside the city. It's not a good life for refugees. I'm just barely surviving. I'm still alive."

The implication is that life is very bad.

"Well, as long as they are alive, it's good enough. Where should we settle them now?" Zhang Ping'an sighed after hearing this and then asked.

"They have been arranged in the inn. I thought of letting them have a full meal first and then wash up. Then you can go and identify them. If they are really your people, we can see how to arrange them appropriately next," replied Chibao.

The main reason was that the man was too dirty, with tattered clothes and a lot of lice on his body. If he met him like this, Zhang Ping'an might not feel good, so he made the decision after he had eaten his fill. He let the man rest in the inn first, and the two sides would meet again after he had taken care of himself.

"Okay, what you said makes sense. Let them eat and wash up first. They must have suffered a lot in the past few years," Zhang Pingan nodded.

"It's almost lunchtime, sir. Why don't you finish your lunch first, and then I'll take you there."

"to make!"

At lunch, Liu Sanlang learned about this and sighed that the few people were lucky. "I guess they have suffered a lot in the past few years. I will go with you later. I also want to ask how the people in my hometown are doing!"

"Okay, let's go together," Zhang Ping'an nodded, with no appetite.

After a moment, he put down his chopsticks and continued, "To be honest, I'm a little nervous now that I've found the person. I'm afraid to hear a series of bad news from my family, especially about my fourth sister and my second brother-in-law's family."

"Oh, Ping'an, to be honest, I'm also feeling happy and conflicted," Liu Sanlang said, putting down his bowl and chopsticks after hearing this. His two thick black eyebrows were wrinkled together and almost knotted.

Seeing that he couldn't eat any more, Zhang Pingan stood up and said, "Huh, let's go. We have to know the result anyway."

The two of them took a carriage all the way to the inn in the city.

The ones I picked for eating were of the same quality as at home and they looked okay.

"Sir, this way," said Chibao as he led the two men upstairs.

After a while, he walked to the door of the third floor room, knocked on the door, and said, "It's me!"

Suddenly there was a rustling noise from inside the door. After a while, someone came to open the door, but they only opened it a crack cautiously, with panic in their eyes.

At first glance, Zhang Ping'an recognized it as Xiaohu. Although he was much thinner and taller, the model was still there.

But the innocence and clarity in his eyes are no longer there, only a sense of vicissitudes.

"Our master is here. Come and recognize us. Open the door," said Chibao.

Only then did Xiaohu see Zhang Ping'an and Liu Sanlang standing next to him.

I was stunned on the spot.

"Xiao Hu, why are you standing there? Open the door quickly." An older voice came from inside the door. It was Uncle Daqiang.

With a "creak", the door was opened wide, and Daqiang saw two people standing at the door with imposing manners and well-dressed appearance.

All of a sudden, he felt like Xiaohu, as if he was frozen in place.

After a long while, he raised his hand with trembling lips. He wanted to say something but was choked with sobs and couldn't speak. He could only throw himself in front of the two of them and burst into tears, his cry full of sadness and bitterness.

Xiaohu also began to cry silently at this time and raised his sleeves to wipe his face.

Zhang Ping'an looked at Uncle Daqiang's withered white hair, sunken eye sockets, and wrinkled brown skin stuck to his skeleton, and could only sigh that life is impermanent.

When I was a child, the villagers had the impression that Uncle Daqiang was always very strong. Now he is old and has been worn out.

It makes people feel sad.

"Uncle Daqiang, I'm Ping'an. Next to you is my brother-in-law. Do you recognize him?" Zhang Ping'an calmed down and squatted down and said in a gentle voice.

Slowly help the person up.

Uncle Daqiang was still crying bitterly. He nodded frantically when Zhang Pingan asked questions, but he was choked with sobs and couldn't speak.