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

The royal autumn hunting expedition was accompanied by an imperial kitchen and a dedicated logistics team.

However, the dining format and level divisions were very strict. For the royal family members in the palace, the imperial meals were exquisite and private, and were usually delivered to the imperial tent.

For officials and nobles, there are private kitchens separated by rank. They can ask their servants to get meals and eat in their own tents, or they can eat in a special dining area, which is more casual and free.

For the army and attendants, the food is generous and filling, without any extra requirements.

Even in the wild, the emperor's majesty and class differences can be fully reflected through eating.

According to Zhang Ping'an's rank, he could have asked his servants to fetch food and eat in the tent, but the incident just now was not very pleasant.

In addition, Zhang Ping'an had something to ask his son, so he took his son out and took the opportunity to get some fresh air.

Xiao Yuer was skipping and jumping on the grass holding his father's hand. He seemed to be in a good mood and was not affected by what had just happened.

From time to time, I would run into friends I just met while playing Cuju, and I would say hello to them.

News spread quickly in the camp, and a child raised his voice and asked, "Zhang Heming, I heard that you and Wang Qingtan were hiding in the stable just now, startled the horses, and were kicked by them. Are you okay?"

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine, I'm just about to have dinner with my dad!" Xiao Yuer also replied loudly.

"Didn't His Majesty just host a banquet for all the civil and military officials in the imperial tent? They've already had their meal, right? Why did your father want to accompany you to dinner?"

"Hehe, my dad is worried about me. He's afraid that I'll meet a frightened horse again," Xiao Yuer said with his head held high, looking very proud.

"Your father is so good to you!" The child was a little envious, and then, perhaps to save face, he added, "But I'm a few months older than you. I'm a big kid now. I don't need an elder to accompany me. I can just have the servants around! Let's play Cuju together again this afternoon?"

"Okay, I'll come find you after dinner," Xiao Yuer readily agreed and waved to the other party to make an agreement.

The dining place was not far away, and when the father and son arrived, there were not many people there. Most people had already eaten in the royal tent. Even the children mostly asked the servants to take the food back to the tent. Not many people came to eat in person.

This private kitchen mainly provides meals for officials of the third rank and above, so the food is very good.

It is not as refined as the one in the mansion, but it is still much better than the one in the clan school, with all kinds of fruits, vegetables and meat.

Xiao Yu'er wasn't picky about food, and playing cuju had really taken a lot of energy out of him. He finished two large bowls of rice and a bowl of white fungus soup before putting down his bowl and chopsticks. He wiped his mouth with a cloth and said, "Dad, I'm full!"

"Okay, then dad will take you out on horseback to help you digest the food," Zhang Ping'an said as he put down his bowl and chopsticks and stood up. In order to accompany his son for dinner, he just ordered a bowl of Tremella soup, but it was too sweet and he didn't drink much.

Xiao Yu'er was smart now and politely declined, "Dad, you're busy with government affairs, go and do yours first. I'm going to play Cuju with them, you don't have to worry about me."

"There's no government affairs to deal with during the autumn hunt, and there's no rush to play at this moment. Come on, Dad will take you horseback riding!" Zhang Ping'an didn't allow his son to refuse, and picked him up and left.

This time he was doomed. Xiao Yuer felt bad and knew that he was going to be scolded.

When the father and son went to the stable to get the horse, they met Li Yue again. He was checking the horses and looked very serious and careful.

It can be seen that he is a person who is very responsible for his job.

Xiao Yuer had a good impression of Li Yue, so he immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and called out to him.

Zhang Ping'an also had a good impression of this man and asked, "The situation was urgent just now, and I didn't have time to ask you. But I saw that you walked lightly and your martial arts skills seemed quite good. Could it be that you passed the martial arts examination?"

"Your Excellency, I am not talented and did not take the military examination. I was lucky enough to get this job thanks to the support of my family," Li Yue replied in a low voice, a little embarrassed.

"Oh?" This was really surprising.

Zhang Ping'an saw that he was dressed very ordinary, and at first he thought he was an official who had passed the military examination.

After chatting for a few more sentences, I found that he was not as stupid as he looked, he was just not good at speaking.

"I didn't expect that you and Brother Li are actually a family. He and I are of the same age and colleagues for many years. We have quite a connection. If you need help with anything in the future, you can come to me and maybe I can do my best to help." Zhang Ping'an's words were not polite.

He didn't have any deep thoughts at first, but when he found out that this person was Li Chong's cousin from a side branch, Zhang Ping'an suddenly felt that this person might be useful.

Although the Li family is a declining family, now with the emergence of Li Chong and Li Jin, it is clear that it has the capital to make a comeback.

Especially Li Chong, he always felt that this person was not simple.

So he doesn't mind showing more kindness.

When Li Yue heard his cousin's name, he felt a little proud of him. He waved his hands modestly and said, "I can't compare with Brother Chong. He is knowledgeable and talented. He comes from a family of bass. He knows how to deal with people and has a successful career. He has built his career entirely on his own. I can't compare to him."

"You can't say that. After all, he is much older than you, and you are still young. You can't tell what opportunities you will have in the future." Zhang Ping'an comforted the young man and spoke the truth.

In one's life, one doesn't need many opportunities, just seize one.

"Thank you, Master Zhang," Li Yue was encouraged, feeling secretly happy. He took the initiative to help lead the horses out and said, "These horses have been fed with hay and water just at noon. Master, feel free to ride them!"

Zhang Ping'an thanked him, carried his son onto the horse, and then climbed on nimbly.

With a "whoosh", he gently whipped the horsewhip and ran towards the northeast.

The gentle breeze and the feeling of galloping on horseback make people feel very comfortable. They just feel free and all their worries are forgotten.

As long as one is a man, there is no one who doesn't love horses, no matter how big or small. Xiao Yuer temporarily put his worries aside and smiled happily.

Gradually, there were fewer and fewer people around, with only a few guards following far behind.

Zhang Pingan then slowed down his horse and said slowly, "Tell me, what happened with Tan Ge'er just now?"

Xiao Yuer played dumb: "Ah? Dad, nothing's wrong!"

"We are the only ones here now, father and son. Are you going to lie to me?"

"Dad...", Xiao Yuer shouted.

After a long pause, he said, "He was jealous of how good you were to me, Dad, so he started saying bad things about me. He said I had no mother and that you were going to find me a stepmother. Of course I had to teach him a lesson!"