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

The Ezhou Wharf seemed much smaller than Zhang Ping'an had imagined.

I used to think that the big ships docked at the pier were particularly grand and magnificent.

But now it seems just so-so, far inferior to Lin'an and the capital.

It even felt a bit dirty and messy, and because it was hot, the smell was not pleasant, with a fishy and damp smell.

"Are we already at my hometown?" Boss Zhang muttered to himself as he stood aside, feeling a sense of unreality.

"Yes, we're home!" Zhang Laoer sighed, his eyes slightly moist.

"This pier seemed quite big in the past, but now it looks dirty and shabby!" Zhang Laosan said to Zhang Laoer after looking around.

"It has always been like this, it hasn't changed much. It's because we have seen more and broadened our horizons after going out that we look down on the docks in the provincial capital!" Zhang Laoer said with a smile.

Zhang and Old Man Zhang were supported by their grandchildren as they looked around, their eyes filled with excitement and trance. After a while, Zhang said, "Alas, it's finally time to return to one's roots. A son doesn't despise his mother's ugliness, and a dog doesn't despise his family's poverty. I think it's great!"

Most of the great-grandchildren were born in Lin'an. They were used to the prosperity and bustle of the capital city, so it was naturally difficult for them to get used to Ezhou Prefecture all of a sudden.

Especially Xiaoyuer, who has always been very delicate, and Zhuzhu and other girls, silently covered their noses with handkerchiefs.

He didn't say anything unpleasant or complaining, which shows that his family education is good.

Everyone was reminiscing about the hard times of the past, each one talking at once, when they were suddenly interrupted by a voice filled with laughter and flattery from afar: "Oh, Master Zhang, Master Liu, you made it so hard to find me. I'm sorry for not welcoming you. I'll drink three cups of wine as punishment!"

As he spoke, the man ordered his men to come forward and help with the luggage, etc., and was very enthusiastic.

Zhang Ping'an was not too surprised to see this. As a second-rank civil official, and his elder brother-in-law as a fourth-rank military officer, when they returned home, local officials passing by, such as the prefect and the magistrate, were indeed required to lead their subordinates to greet and receive them according to etiquette, and arrange for them to rest in the post house.

The person who came to greet us today was Du Zaiqing, the prefect of Ezhou Prefecture. He was in his early thirties, with regular features and dressed neatly.

Unlike the middle-aged and fat appearance of most officials, he looks very clear-headed.

If his tone wasn't so flattering, just looking at his appearance, he would be very consistent with the current impression of honest officials held by ordinary people.

Du Zaiqing was visibly startled when he saw Liu Sanlang, but he quickly adjusted his expression and complimented him, "Sir Liu is indeed as the rumors say. He is naturally powerful and a rare military talent. I have long admired him!"

"Thank you, Lord Du!" Liu Sanlang bowed in return.

"Oh, let's not just stand here. Come on, get on the carriage and go to the government office first to welcome you all." After Du Zaiqing exchanged a few words of greeting, he saw that everyone looked a little tired, so he tactfully stopped and invited everyone to get on the carriage quickly.

Zhang Ping'an's rank is much higher than his, so naturally there is no need to cater to him too much, just be a little polite.

But when getting on the carriage, he pretended to be unintentional and looked carefully at the group of officials following Du Zaiqing.

As it turned out, I was not mistaken, there was indeed an old friend.

Zhang Pingan had a premonition that since he returned to the provincial capital, he would meet many old acquaintances one after another.

I don’t know how everyone is doing.

What seemed hateful to the other person in the past, now think about it, it is actually human nature, after all, people will be reincarnated!

At least he was nice to himself.

At this time, Tan Yaoqi was standing in the welcoming team of officials, and his mood was indeed complicated and indescribable.

The younger brothers who used to follow him and flatter him have all become second-rank officials, but he is still working as a seventh-rank official.

The gap is so big that it really takes time to digest.

He was a little hesitant before, suspecting that they had the same name and surname, and thought it couldn't be such a coincidence.

Now that he had seen it with his own eyes, he had no choice but to accept this reality.

Jealousy is inevitable.

But after experiencing the beatings of life for so many years, he had long since learned how to behave and control his emotions. He was also many times better than before in dealing with people.

Of course, I won't show this jealousy at this time.

He did not even rashly come forward to recognize each other and call each other brothers in front of a group of colleagues.

I just want to take it one step at a time and see what the other party's attitude is first.

If the other party wants to pull him out, he will definitely take advantage of the situation and cling to the relationship tightly.

If the other party pretends to have amnesia and doesn't know him, he won't have the audacity to be annoying.

Even if you can't please this kind of high-ranking official, you must never annoy him!

After thinking about these seventeen or eighteen things in his mind, Tan Yaoqi followed the team to the government office without saying a word.

In order to please Zhang Ping'an, Du Zaiqing put some thought into the banquet. The dishes looked simple, but the ingredients were actually very precious.

This meal alone would probably cost an ordinary family of three generations living together enough to cover their living expenses for two or three years.

Taking into account the presence of children and female relatives, there was no singing or dancing during the banquet, but the sound of stringed instruments was indispensable.

When toasting at the banquet, Liu Sanlang also recognized Tan Yaoqi.