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

"There's no rush. Let's take things one step at a time. Let's go to Zhoushan to see your wife tomorrow," said Zhang Laoer.

Zhang Pingan talked about his plan again. When he was about to return to the capital, he would go back to his hometown to worship his ancestors.

Zhang Laoer's thoughts stirred when he heard this, and he leaned over to ask, "Are we going back to Lin'an in the future? To be honest, your grandparents have been talking about returning to their roots for a long time. If we go back to our hometown to worship our ancestors, I guess they will have to go with us. If they move, your uncle and aunt's family will have to go with them, not to mention your third uncle's family. We need to figure out a plan for how to deal with this matter."

"The court will soon issue a notice requiring those who return to their hometowns to return half of their ancestral property. Although we don't have much ancestral property back home, land is cheap right now. If they have some savings, they might as well buy some and hoard it. Becoming a wealthy man or a small landlord would be great. As long as I'm still around, no one in their hometown will dare to bother them. It's up to them to choose."

"Well, the eldest wife's family is fine. I guess your third uncle and his family must want to go to the capital with them. Ever since I heard that you were appointed a second-rank official in Beijing and were coming back to visit your family, your third uncle has come to my house several times to test my opinion." Zhang Laoer pondered.

"It's all Ma's fault," Xu continued. "Ever since Ping'an became successful, they've been taking advantage of us. Now that Ping'an has become a high-ranking official, they must be leaning on us."

"I haven't completely established my foothold in the capital yet, and I can't make any mistakes before taking office. My third uncle is not a bad person, but I'm afraid he will get into trouble due to a moment of confusion. I think it's better to let them stay in Lin'an or in their hometown first. I will talk to grandma about this, and it would be better for her to restrain my third uncle's family," Zhang Pingan said in a deep voice.

"That's fine, I feel at ease knowing your grandma is doing it," Xu nodded.

"Are grandpa and grandma in good health now? I will visit my uncle and third uncle's house tomorrow morning, and then go to Zhoushan."

"Your grandfather's health is not very good, but your grandmother is in good health. They are both very long-lived. They go to the river every day to play mahjong with other old men and women. I think it's no problem for this old lady to live another ten years," said Xu with a smile.

After they chatted and laughed for a while, Xu urged her son to wash up and go to bed.

"You must be very tired after such a long journey. Let's talk slowly and go to sleep first."

When Zhang Ping'an finished washing and returned to the bedroom, he found a little pink ball sitting on the bed.

"Xiao Yu'er, your grandma said that you usually sleep alone. Why don't you go back to your own bedroom?" Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

Xiao Yuer rolled over on the bed when he saw his father coming in, then said, "You haven't been home for a long time. I was afraid you were scared sleeping alone, so I came to keep you company. How about that? Am I being filial enough?"

"I am afraid?"

"Well, yes, I am a brave man, it's not that I'm afraid," he said with an expression in his eyes that said, "Come and praise me."

Zhang Ping'an softened his heart instantly. After half a day of conversation and observing his son's words and actions, he found that although his son was naughty, he was not a bad person at heart and was willing to listen to others.

He has become what he is today mainly because everyone pampers, gives in to and indulges him, which has led to him not having a clear sense of right and wrong, and not knowing how much impact and consequences his seemingly random behaviors will bring to others.

Now he was just glad that the child was still young and there was still time to correct him.

Therefore, Zhang Pingan did not rush to refuse, nor did he start a fight. He just asked, "You are only five years old and you are already a brave man. If your father is twenty-three and still afraid to sleep, wouldn't he be a brave man if it got out? Do you want others to look down on your father?"

"I didn't," Xiao Yu'er scratched his head, realizing that his words were somewhat inconsistent. After struggling for a while, he said, "Okay, Dad, you are a brave man, but...but what if I want to sleep with you?"

Looking at his son's twinkling eyes, Zhang Pingan rubbed his son's head and looked him in the eye seriously. "Of course you can. If you have any ideas, you can tell me directly. But you can't force others to follow your opinions. Do you understand? There are always people better than you. Not everyone will agree with you."

"Oh," Xiao Yuer hated being lectured the most, and he became listless all of a sudden.

"Okay, go to sleep!"

There is a long way to go, let’s take it one step at a time!

He was not prepared to be a kind father, so he let the kid be free for two more days.

The father and son had a good night's sleep.

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an suddenly felt that he could not breathe. When he opened his eyes, he found that his son had pinched his nose.

Seeing Zhang Ping'an open his eyes, Xiao Yuer quickly hid his hands behind his back guiltily.

"Little rascal!" Zhang Ping'an patted his son's butt and got up.

Servants came in one after another to help with washing.

It was good that Xiao Yuer was not in a bad mood when he woke up. After breakfast, Zhang Pingan went to his uncle's house.

Later, Zhang Lao Da and Zhang Lao San bought houses next to each other and became neighbors again.

So there is no need to run back and forth.

In the carriage, Xiao Yuer recognized the road to his great grandfather's house and said unhappily, "Dad, why do we have to go to the great grandfather and the third grandfather's house? Their house is so small, the toilet is so smelly, and the children there have runny noses all day long. They are so dirty and filthy. I don't want to go."

There was a lot of disgust in his words.

Zhang Ping'an remembered that the house of his uncle and third uncle was indeed a bit small before, but since they bought a new house, it must be better than before.

This is considered a good family in Lin'an.

"You can't compare our family with other families. There are so many people in the world. Not everyone can live in a big house, ride in a carriage, and be rich and well-fed since birth. You should be thankful that you were reborn. When your father was born, our lives were not as good as those of your great-grandfather and third uncle's families now. When I have time, I will take you to the south of the city and you will know how big the gap between people is," Zhang Pingan replied calmly.

Ignoring his son's disgusted expression.

Xiao Yu'er curled his lips and said proudly, "Who made me lucky? My grandparents always say I'm lucky, and other people say the same."

"Are you still feeling proud?" Zhang Pingan glanced at his son indifferently.

Xiao Yu'er originally thought that this was nothing, but looking at his father's expression, he felt a little ashamed for some reason, and his reply was not so confident, "Isn't it?"