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

After a brief greeting, Zhang Ping'an welcomed everyone into the yard and arranged them next to Jinbao's house so that they could get to know each other and have something to talk about.

The homecoming banquet was held with great fanfare, but the Zhang family courtyard could not accommodate so many guests. Only those with close relations and status could enter the courtyard and sit down.

The rest were mats set up on the rice field at the door.

Now the only guests left who have not arrived are County Magistrate Weng and his entourage. As the local bosses, they will definitely be the last to appear. Zhang Ping'an also expected this and was not in a hurry.

Although the dishes had not been served yet, there were still plenty of fruits, snacks and tea on the table, and the servants were coming and going to refill the half-empty plates.

At a glance, there were crowds of people coming to congratulate, and people whether familiar or unfamiliar were chatting enthusiastically with each other.

It is really lively and the scenery is beautiful.

Second Uncle Liu and Third Uncle Liu were secretly pleased that they could enter the yard for the banquet. This showed that they had a close relationship with the Zhang family and Zhang Ping'an did not treat them as outsiders.

At the same time, I also feel a glow on my face.

The younger generations in the family had been severely criticized by Uncle Liu Er and Uncle Liu San, but now they had come to their senses and joined in the conversation with everyone else at the table, no longer looking depressed.

But the Liu family are people who know how to do things in moderation. After Uncle Liu and Uncle Liu sat down, they considerately asked Zhang Pingan to greet other guests and not to be polite.

Liu Shengyuan and Luo Fuan also said, "Don't be polite with us. Go and get busy. We just want to talk to Jinbao. It's nice to eat some sunflower seeds and chat."

Zhang Pingan didn't have time to say anything.

At this time, County Magistrate Weng, County Magistrate and other people from the county government office also arrived with drums and gongs, attracting everyone's attention.

The group also prepared generous gifts for Zhang Pingan, including silks, pens, ink, paper, inkstone, gold and silver jewelry, etc., which were simply dazzling to everyone.

The sounds of envy and praise are endless.

Zhang Ping'an bowed and greeted Uncle Liu Er, Uncle Liu San and others before leaving.

After walking a few steps forward and stopping about ten steps away from the threshold, he told a few of his older nephews and those who had eaten to go and greet him.

In ancient times, officialdom was strictly hierarchical, and interactions between superiors and subordinates, especially in semi-public and semi-private occasions such as the Homecoming Banquet, were full of subtle etiquette.

Zhang Ping'an's official position was much higher than County Magistrate Weng's, so he could not open the main gate wide as he would to welcome his peers or superiors. He could only go down the steps to greet him and then welcome him out.

Generally, you can send close nephews or housekeepers to greet you at the door. Otherwise, it would be a lowering of your status and become a laughing stock in the officialdom.

When colleagues learn about this, they will not only not praise this act of tolerance, but will instead accuse them of lacking etiquette.

Chen Yang and several other children from Erzhu and Dahe's families are now in their teens and have all married and become fathers. Under appropriate circumstances, Zhang Ping'an will intentionally train his nephews more so that they can stand on their own in the future and allow the family to continue to prosper and grow.

Zhang Chenyang was the oldest among the nephews and was not shy. He had experienced this kind of scene several times since Zhang Ping'an returned from the north. As soon as the carriage stopped, he immediately stepped forward with a smile and bowed to greet him: "Welcome to the meeting, Master Weng. Please come in quickly. My cousin has been waiting for a long time!"

Lord Weng smiled and praised him before getting off the carriage and filing in with his men. Upon seeing Zhang Ping'an, he immediately quickened his pace, bowed, clasped his fists, and prepared to salute, saying respectfully, "Your humble servant greets you, sir. Congratulations on your glorious return to your hometown. The elders and villagers of Wushan County are all honored to have you here."

Zhang Ping'an was prepared to have a good relationship with County Magistrate Weng, so upon hearing this, he took a few steps forward and quickly supported County Magistrate Weng to show his closeness.

Then he smiled and said, "Why be so polite, Magistrate Weng? Please get up quickly. This is a private dinner at home, there's no need to be so restrained."

"Thank you, sir," County Magistrate Weng bowed again, then introduced the attendants and the gifts they had brought. "You have met these people before, sir, at dinner at the county yamen. They have taken leave today to accompany me here to congratulate you. As a courtesy, I have also brought some small gifts. It's not much of a token of respect, but please accept them, sir. Otherwise, we will be uneasy!"

The few people following behind were very tactful and bowed in agreement.

Not accepting gifts would be a slap in the face.

"You are all the pillars of the Great Zhou. Don't be polite. Please take a seat." Zhang Ping'an nodded and stepped aside to invite everyone to take their seats, which was considered to be giving enough face.

Lord Weng walked away while refusing, "Please go first, sir. How dare this humble official overstep his bounds?"

Push-pull Kung Fu has existed in China for five thousand years.

After Zhang Ping'an politely declined several times, several people finally took their seats, which took quite some time.

Liu Sanlang was originally very impatient with this, but now he has gotten used to it. After County Magistrate Weng and his companions sat down, they became polite to each other and greeted each other.

Practicing Tai Chi can be said to be an essential skill for officials.

Now that all the guests had arrived, the feast could begin. The village chief and his men set off firecrackers at the door. After a burst of crackling sounds, the servants began to serve the dishes one after another.

"Sir Weng, don't underestimate us because we are in the countryside. The dishes cooked by the chef are pretty good. The ingredients are all purchased freshly from the county town by people I sent to. Some are also specially found and sent by Sir Du from the prefectural city. You won't find them easily. Top-quality ingredients often only require the simplest cooking methods to make them very delicious. The key to eating them is freshness," Zhang Ping'an greeted.

"Your Excellency is absolutely right. Lord Du is so thoughtful. I must try them carefully, haha." County Magistrate Weng was also very considerate. He tasted them one by one and commented on each one.

Although the village chief and the elders sitting at the table were not in a position to interrupt, they felt their blood boiling. County Magistrate Weng's affirmation and his respect for Zhang Ping'an made them feel the difference again.

The Zhang family is really different now.

These days have been like a dream. How come Zhangjia Village has suddenly sprung up?!

One elder even pinched his thigh secretly, shaking with pain, but he had to endure it and pretend to be calm.

I don't want to be underestimated by people in the county government.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, County Magistrate Weng asked, "Sir, I heard earlier that you were planning to rebuild the ancestral home, renovate the ancestral hall, and establish a clan school. How is the progress now? Could you please dispatch some personnel to help?"

"Well, I do have this plan. I have already instructed people to purchase the wood, stone and tiles. We will choose an auspicious day after the banquet to start construction. As for the clan school, my house is the first one at the entrance of the village, and the location is very convenient. I think it would be better to build it opposite my house. What do you elders think?" Zhang Pingan replied after pondering for a moment, and also told the elders the truth.

Zhang Ping'an was the only one who paid for it, and he had the highest status, so the elders naturally had no objection and all agreed that the entrance to the village was a good location.

So the location of the clan school was decided.

Although Zhang Ping'an has some selfish motives, this position is indeed not bad.

County Magistrate Weng is a thorough person. Since he asked this question, he is ready to help.

No matter how politely Zhang Ping'an refused, he still insisted on sending someone to help tomorrow.

"Sir, your home visit leave is limited and cannot be delayed. These people are not working here in vain. They can have food and get paid. How great is that? In fact, you have found a way for them to make a living. There is nothing wrong with that."

After some arguing, Zhang Pingan finally agreed.

The banquet was divided into two meals a day, one at 9:00 a.m. and one at 5:00 p.m. Zhangjia Village was bustling until dusk, when the guests gradually dispersed. Everyone was very satisfied with the meal.

The laughter of children and the cheerful chatter of adults at the banquet blend together, accompanied by the sunset sky, giving a feeling of peaceful time.

County Magistrate Weng also said goodbye and left. He would not come to the banquets tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Most of the people who came later were neighbors.

Before leaving, County Magistrate Weng signaled to Dazhu, Erzhu, and the others behind him with his eyes, and said with a smile that was meaningful: "The Zhang family is a family of filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, and trustworthiness. The county government is currently in need of people with such good moral character. If you could arrange for one or two people to come and help, that would be great."

"Of course," Zhang Ping'an nodded, thinking to himself that County Magistrate Weng was indeed very thorough in his work.

The matter was settled tacitly.