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

"Who are you?" the little boy asked after looking Zhang Pingan around while sitting in the servant's arms.

"Everything is based on first come first served. I asked you the question first, so you should answer my question first," Zhang Pingan said slowly.

"Huh, why should I reason with you?" The little boy rolled his eyes.

He waved his hand again as if to shoo away a fly and continued, "Hey, I think you look quite good, like you've drunk a belly full of ink. I don't want to bully you, so go away!"

"Oh? So you know that you are bullying people?" Zhang Ping'an's tone suddenly became sharp and he asked back.

"So what if I bully people? My uncles said that if anyone makes me unhappy, I will bully them back. I can't hold my anger in!"

"You are quite good at taking advantage of your power to bully others," Zhang Ping'an shook his head, feeling speechless towards this naughty kid. He wasn't angry at all, but he also wanted to teach him a lesson, otherwise this naughty kid would only become more lawless in the future.

Then he said, "What if I say I will intervene? If a son is not disciplined, it is the father's fault; if the teaching is not strict, it is the teacher's laziness. If you insist on bullying others, then I will have no choice but to go to your house. It is a good opportunity to get to know your father, your grandfather, and your uncles, who you mentioned. Maybe they are even acquaintances. Oh, by the way, judging by your age, you should have already begun to learn. And your teacher, I must also pay him a visit and tell him about your actions!"

"You! How dare you go to my house to complain? This is a mean act. Let me tell you, my father and my grandfather are very powerful, and so are my two uncles. They are both very fierce. They love me very much. Be careful or you will suffer the consequences!"

It was obvious that this was the first time the little boy had met someone who wanted to go to his house. He was a little surprised, then he put his hands on his hips and said fiercely.

Zhang Ping'an could see that he was a bit weak inside and was not very happy about people coming to his house.

So he said more seriously, "I'm not complaining. Didn't you ask us first if we knew who your father and your maternal grandfather were? I just wanted to go get to know them."

"Humph, you are simply unruly people. Lai Fu, tell them who my father is and who my grandfather is!"

The servant called Lai Fu was more perceptive than a naughty boy. He could see that Zhang Ping'an looked very impressive and was definitely not someone to be messed with. He probably had a background.

In addition, after the capital was moved, the aristocratic families also moved north back to the capital. Without their important backers, they naturally did not want to cause trouble.

So he whispered, "Young Master, they are all people who have been rolling in the mud. Why should we bother with them? It will only lower our status. Besides, the master will be back soon. You have been worried about it. If things get out of hand at this juncture and the master finds out, I'm afraid he won't be happy. Why don't we just let them go? If we are really angry, we can deal with it in a couple of days. What do you think?"

When the first two sentences were said, the little boy didn't take it seriously. When he mentioned that the master was coming back, he hesitated. Touching the gift he had just bought in his arms, he hesitated for a moment, and then he said with a big hand: "Forget it, forget it, you have some truth in what you said. Let's let them go. It's a good deal for them. Let's go!"

After saying this, he snorted heavily in the direction of Zhang Pingan, with an expression of magnanimity on his face.

Zhang Pingan shook his head when he saw this. If this was his son, he would definitely teach him a lesson.

Liu Sanlang was also somewhat amused and confused by what he saw: "He may not be very old, but he has a big temper and is quite pretentious. In comparison, I find that Donkey Egg and Cat Egg were quite obedient when they were young!"

"Isn't it? But they are still children after all. They will leave after being scared a few times," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

The two of them got back into the carriage.

First send Liu Sanlang home, and then return to Zhang's house.

Liu Sanlang was still a little worried about his second son, Maodan. "That brat Maodan is so unreasonable. I already told him that I would submit a petition to the court to request leave to visit my family, but he ran off to the camp outside the capital to sign up for the army. Now there's no way to come back with me, let alone go back to Wushan County to worship our ancestors. I don't know when the next time I can visit my family is. Sigh!"

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Maodan is quite sensible. Besides, he is already fifteen, and it is time for him to start a family and a career. He has longed for military life since he was a child. Let him go and try his luck. With you and me looking after him, nothing will go wrong."

Liu Sanlang was actually just tough on the outside but soft on the inside. He just muttered a few words and was not really angry. Although he was very tall, he had a kind fatherly heart. When the children were young, Daya always played the villain and he played the hero.

After hearing Zhang Ping'an's advice, he stopped nagging and just said, "Only when you have a child can you understand the heart of a parent! Forget it, let him go to the camp and fight for a while!"

While they were talking, the Liu family arrived.

The family bought a new house in recent years, and this is the first time Liu Sanlang has returned to his new home.

After ordering his servants to knock on the door, Liu Sanlang actually became unusually nervous. This is probably what scholars call being homesick!

Zhang Ping'an ordered people to take out the gifts they brought so that they could distribute them to everyone later. Although he was just passing by Liu's house, he had to go in and say hello.

After not seeing your relatives for a few years, it is only right to bring some gifts when you visit them.

It was a maid who opened the door. When she heard that Liu Sanlang had returned, she hurriedly opened the door wide and called out, "Old Master, Old Madam, Master, Madam, and Young Madam, look who's back! It's the Third Young Master!"

To be honest, this shouting made Liu Sanlang a little confused. It was the first time he heard someone call him the Third Young Master!

Zhang Ping'an adapted well and walked into the yard with his servants at ease.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw my eldest sister coming out, patting her clothes and combing her hair. Her hurried steps stopped when she saw Zhang Ping'an.

"Sister, I'm back, and so am my brother-in-law. These are the gifts I brought for you. They are all specialties from Beijing," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

Although I haven't seen her for a few years, my elder sister hasn't changed at all. Except for her more luxurious clothes, her eyes, facial features and appearance are still the same.

After being stunned for a moment, Daya wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, crying and laughing, and just looked at Zhang Pingan.

After a moment, he choked up and said, "Little brother, you are finally back. Your family has been looking forward to seeing you every day!"

"Sister, don't cry. We are back safely, aren't we?" Zhang Ping'an was excited, but his tone was calm.

As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief from his arms and walked over to wipe his elder sister's tears.

Liu Sanlang's eyes were red as he stood behind.

"I'll do it myself," Daya said as she took the handkerchief.

Then he walked over and took the bag from Liu Sanlang's hand naturally, looked out again, and asked, "Dad, didn't Maodan come back with you?"

"No, this brat is joining the army in the camp outside Beijing. He has training every day. He is a new recruit and cannot take a long vacation. When you go to Beijing, I will take you to see him," Liu Sanlang said with a smile.

"Oh, sure!" Daya replied, then smiled and shook her head. "He's wanted to join the army since he was a kid and become a general in the future. Now his wish has come true. Let him go!"