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

Several cousins ​​were also planning to join me on the trip, as they were going to take up positions at the county and prefectural governments respectively.

If he helps to take care of things in advance, they can save a lot of trouble.

There is also the matter of his fifth brother-in-law overturning the verdict. His aunt's family is no longer around, so if he appeals as the victim, he will have to go back with them.

When the third sister returned home, he saw that she looked well and her mood was stable and peaceful, and it seemed that she was satisfied with the marriage.

Although the process was tortuous, the final result was good.

Although Li and others from the first and third wives were reluctant to let their children and grandchildren leave them, now that Zhang and old man Zhang were still alive, they had to stay and take care of the elderly. They couldn't let the children stay in the small mountain village. For the sake of their children's future, they had no choice but to do so.

I feel both reluctant and relieved and proud.

Before leaving, Jinbao, Luo Fuan and Liu Shengyuan all came to say goodbye.

After this farewell, we really don’t know when we will see each other again, and everyone is reluctant to leave.

Luo Fuan said, "Ping'an, you have really made our town proud. Everyone in the surrounding area speaks highly of you. If the Master knew about this, he would definitely be very proud. You must take good care of yourself when you go to the capital. I won't see you off tomorrow morning when you leave. There will definitely be a lot of people there, and it will be difficult for you to talk. By the way, we don't have anything good at home, so I made some small items for the children to play with. It's a little gift from me, don't mind!"

As he spoke, Luo Fuan smiled and took out a cloth bag from the basket on the mule cart behind him. It was filled with various straw animals that he had learned to make and carefully painted. They looked lifelike and very cute.

Zhang Pingan took it and ordered someone to put it away carefully. Then he patted Luo Fuan on the shoulder and smiled heartily: "Then I won't be polite. Thank you!"

Luo Fuan heaved a sigh of relief when he saw this, and chuckled, "You're welcome!"

"Ping'an, we will have to go through so many mountains and rivers before we part, so I have prepared some farewell gifts for you. They are some wolf-hair brushes that I made myself. Take care on your journey!" Liu Shengyuan said as he stepped forward and handed over an exquisite wooden box. Inside the box, there was a whole group of wolf-hair brushes arranged by size and height, which could be used for children's enlightenment or adults' daily writing.

"Ayuan, you are so thoughtful!" Zhang Pingan bowed and thanked him.

Liu Shengyuan smiled and waved his hand gently. There was no need to say much about some sentimental words. The brotherhood could be interpreted through a glance. Everything was self-evident.

Zhang Ping'an was leaving, and Jinbao was the one who was most reluctant and felt the most uncomfortable. The two grew up together and were rarely apart. It was no exaggeration to say that they were friends who shared weal and woe.

At this moment, Jin Bao's eyes were red, and he tried hard not to let the tears fall. He choked and said, "Ping An, after so many years, I am still so useless. I think that after we separate, it may be difficult for us to see each other again in this life. I am really sad, but this time I can't follow in your footsteps. My parents are old, and grandma needs someone to serve her by her side. She can't do without someone. I know you have everything you need, and I just want to give you a word."

"You say!" Zhang Ping'an's throat also became stiff after hearing this. He was also sad, but he could not be as free as Jinbao. After hearing what Jinbao said, he could only force a broad-minded smile.

"I wish you a long life, good health, and a bright future!" Jin Bao said seriously. "I know there's nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it, but this journey has been exhausting for you. Learn to be more selfish from now on!"

"Okay, I understand!" Zhang Ping'an nodded with a sour face and a serious expression.

Jinbao understands him!

Finally, the four of them had dinner at Zhang's house and had their last meal together.

By the time they left, the moon was already at its highest point in the sky.

However, several families are busy packing their luggage today. As elders, they are always worried about missing something and like to check everything over and over again to feel at ease. Therefore, the Zhang family's new house is still very lively.

When they returned to their own yard, Zhang Laoer and Xu were still helping the servants check the luggage list and had not gone to bed yet.

Seeing his son's dejected look, Zhang Laoer handed everything over to Xu, walked up to him, patted his son on the shoulder, and asked, "Are you all gone?"

"gone…"

"All good things must come to an end. You are all lucky to be alive. Don't think too much about it," said Zhang Laoer with a sigh.

The father and son sat on the stone bench in the yard and fell silent for a while.

Zhang Laoer didn't urge him and just sat there with his son in a daze.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Pingan suddenly exclaimed, "What's that smell? Dad, are the osmanthus flowers blooming?"

Zhang Laoer sniffed carefully and smiled: "It really is, the osmanthus flowers are blooming, and they smell so good!"

As he spoke, he suddenly became energetic again. After standing up and dusting off his clothes, he pulled his son and said happily, "Come on, Dad will take you somewhere!"

"Where are you going?" Zhang Ping'an was stunned for a moment and then laughed.

"Don't ask, just follow me!" Zhang Laoer smiled profoundly, his face showing rare excitement and a hint of mischief, as if a child was about to do something bad behind an adult's back.

So Zhang Ping'an didn't ask any more questions and followed his father out the door and went straight to the old house.

Today, the old house has become a woodshed and a barn. It is dark and only a few servants who are on night watch are sleeping soundly against the barn.

Zhang Laoer didn't bother to disturb them. He went to the woodshed and found two shovels. He handed one to his son and said, "Here!"

Zhang Pingan quickly hugged the shovel in his arms, then realized what was happening and guessed, "Dad, are you going to dig something? Dig up daughter's red wine?"

"I can't hide anything from you," Zhang Laoer shook his head and smiled without denying it.

Then he waved his hand: "Follow me!"

With the help of moonlight, he could barely see the road. After walking a few steps, Zhang Ping'an followed his father to the osmanthus tree next to the old house.

"Let's start digging," Zhang Laoer said, then he spat on his hands twice, rolled up his sleeves and started digging.

Now he is no longer afraid that anyone will covet their jar of girl's red wine.

Seeing Zhang Pingan still in a daze, Zhang Laoer urged him again, "Hurry up, don't be in a daze!"

"Dad, you have a really good memory!" Zhang Ping'an looked at his father's enthusiastic look, what else could he say? He just spoiled him and started digging with him.

Although a long time had passed, Zhang Laoer naturally remembered clearly the location where it was buried. With the full cooperation of the father and son, they dug carefully for half a minute and finally found it.

"Hey, be careful, stop digging. I'll dig it out slowly, otherwise the jar will easily break, which is a pity," Zhang Laoer quickly put down the shovel after hearing a slight friction sound.

After saying that, he knelt down and dug up the soil bit by bit.

There are many servants in the house now, and he can actually let the servants do it, but he always feels that the meaning is different.

When they finally dug it out, Zhang Laoer's voice was trembling, as if he had seen a precious treasure that had been lost for many years and finally found it again. "This is really something that can be passed down from generation to generation. I can drink it when Xiaoyuer passes the imperial examination. I can't see that day far away!"