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

These words hit the heart of Du Zaiqing, he thought the same.

Everyone looked at Zhang Pingan with burning eyes.

Zhang Pingan smiled, knowing that it was difficult to refuse in this situation, so he did not refuse.

The waiter came over with pen, ink, paper and inkstone and waited by the side.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Ping'an wrote the three big characters "Encouraging Learning".

This is followed by a seven-character poem written in one breath.

Young people should not waste their good time.

I work hard with my pen by lamplight at midnight.

Ten thousand volumes open up the vastness of the world,

Read all the past, present and future through one window.

The firefly capsule once illuminated the aspirations of the ages,

An iron inkstone can make you famous all over the world.

When the results of the Spring Examination are announced,

Kyoto is full of flowers and horse hooves are light.

"Good!" Du Zaiqing was the first to praise.

The others, whether they were sincere or not, immediately followed suit and applauded.

Tan Yaoqi also followed suit with a few flattering words with mixed feelings.

"Where is Mr. Tan from? I felt he looked very familiar when I was having lunch. He looked like a former classmate and friend of mine. It's just that we haven't seen each other for many years, and things have changed, so I didn't dare to recognize him rashly." Zhang Ping'an suddenly turned his head and asked with a smile.

Tan Yaoqi's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and he suddenly felt nervous. After calming himself down, he quickly bowed and replied, "Your Excellency, I am from Jinling, but my ancestral home is Wushan County under Ezhou Prefecture, and I have lived in Wushan County for many years."

"Oh? You are from the same hometown as me? What a coincidence!" Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

Du Zaiqing thought about it and guessed that the matter was almost correct. He continued, "That's right. Look at my memory. I'm also confused. Ruxin told me before that he used to study at the academy in Wushan County. Which academy was it? Who knows, he might have been a classmate of yours, Master Zhang! This is really fate!"

Ruxin is the name that Tan Yaoqi took after he came of age.

"Qingsong Academy?!" Zhang Ping'an and Tan Yaoqi said in unison after hearing this.

"Yes, yes, that's right. It turns out you two are classmates! We have to have a good drink together later!" Du Zaiqing clapped his hands, seeming even more excited than the two main characters.

Zhang Pingan and Tan Yaoqi smiled at each other, which meant they acknowledged the relationship.

Other officials also looked up to Tan Yaoqi for a while.

The atmosphere was lively.

Liu Sanlang stood aside and watched, feeling a lump in his teeth. He still remembered how arrogant Mr. Tan was back then. How could their relationship be so good? He was even quite rude to him!

But he didn't take it to heart.

I just feel that time can really change a person!

When the party was almost over, everyone went upstairs and took their seats.

As Du Zaiqing said, the scenery is indeed very nice.

Even if it is not as good as Wangjiang Tower, it is still quite nice in the city. The restaurant is surrounded by lakes on three sides and it is not hot at all.

The lake is not very big, and there are scattered fishermen lighting lights to attract customers. Occasionally, the hearty laughter of customers can be heard.

The women and children had their own separate tables arranged for them, and had already been led by the waiters to take their seats.

Zhang Ping'an's box was full of men, so drinking was a must, and there were also musicians playing musical instruments and singing to liven up the atmosphere.

As the wine flowed, Du Zaiqing suggested, "Since Wushan County is Ruxin's ancestral home and he's familiar with the place, I think we should just give him the task of escorting you back home. Just let him visit his family on the way back home. He's also familiar with the officials below, so if there's anything small to do, just tell him to do it!"

"Haha, I'm happy to serve. I hope you'll give me a chance," Tan Yaoqi said with a smile as he recommended himself.

He understood what Lord Du meant by promoting him and testing Zhang Ping'an's attitude.

He should seize this opportunity.

Zhang Pingan naturally had no objection. Since he chose to acknowledge Tan Yaoqi as his classmate today, he had an attitude of friendship with him and was willing to help him.

Today, Tan Yaoqi is also worthy of his help.

After all, when he went to the capital, he would be out of reach of his hometown, so he would have to find a reliable person to take care of some small matters.

Tan Yaoqi is one of the good candidates.

So that was settled.

Later, Zhang Ping'an simply handed over the matter of buying a house and land for his family to Tan Yaoqi for help, and talked to him a lot during the meal.

The people sitting at the table were all smart people, so they naturally followed the topic.

Tan Yaoqi could already sense that it wouldn't be long before he would be able to get another promotion.

When the banquet ended, the moon was already at its zenith.

I have to go to the provincial school tomorrow as invited, and I can only set off back to the county town the day after tomorrow.

Therefore, everyone relaxed and slept until dawn the next day.

In less than half a day, all the matters concerning the purchase of the house and land were completed.

The price was reasonable and the location was good, which made Li and others very excited.

Zhang Ping'an only found out about this after he returned from the provincial school.

“It’s really fast!”

"That's right. It's easier to get things done if you have someone in the court!" Xu said with a smile while eating melon seeds.

"Why did you come back so soon today? How is the school going?" Zhang Laoer asked with some concern.

"It was burned to ashes a long time ago. They said they were rebuilding it, but they only put up a few frames. I guess they didn't have enough money. They invited me to write an inscription today, but they actually wanted to use my name to ask those wealthy businessmen for donations," Zhang Pingan said casually.

I feel a little sad, after all, this is the place I once longed for and worked hard for.

"Is this okay then?"

"It's okay, it's just an inscription," Zhang Pingan shook his head. "It's a good thing, after all. If it's repaired soon, talented students from poor families can start studying there sooner!"

After saying that, Zhang Pingan looked around and didn't see his son. "Where's Xiaoyuer?"

"He went to the Du family mansion," Xu said with a smile, "Madam Du invited me and your eldest sister and other female relatives to the mansion to enjoy the flowers. I used the excuse of a headache to avoid going, but your eldest sister couldn't refuse and went. Xiaoyuer was bored at the inn anyway, so she took him along!"

"Mrs. Du and her husband are really good at handling things," Zhang Ping'an shook his head and smiled.