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

"You said that if I can help, I will never refuse," Zhang Pingan said seriously.

"This time when I return to Beijing, I don't really want to go back to the local office. If possible, I would like to seek an official position in the capital. I'd need you to help me connect with some important people." Lin Junhui did not hide anything and directly expressed his thoughts.

Zhang Pingan was puzzled. "You are a fifth-rank official in the local area now, with real power in your hands. If you are transferred back to the capital, I'm afraid..."

Lin Junhui certainly understood. "I know there are many nobles in the capital. If I were to be transferred back to the capital, a fifth-rank official wouldn't mean much. But only in the capital can I be promoted faster. Now my father-in-law is old, and my brother-in-law is useless. I can't rely on him anymore. He might even be a drag in the future. I have to plan ahead. Of course, the most important thing is that there are no capable people in the clan to serve as officials. It's still too thin. I have to take over. Do you understand?"

"Oh, it's hard for you," Zhang Pingan patted Lin Junhui's shoulder. He knew that Lin Junhui always attached great importance to family and many of his choices were based on family.

"Don't worry, I will do my best to help you!"

"Thank you very much," Lin Junhui also patted Zhang Pingan on the shoulder.

As a friend of many years, there is no need to say much. He even understands me better than my closest relatives in the clan.

……

As time goes by, the New Year atmosphere becomes more and more intense.

Zhang Ping'an was not just talking when he said he would help Lin Junhui make connections. He was now in the emperor's favor and had taken on an important task, so he still had a certain status in the court.

To a greater or lesser extent, every official had to give him some face.

He also carefully helped Lin Junhui analyze the various vacancies to see which one was suitable to be taken.

Therefore, Lin Junhui's journey went smoothly. Although he spent a lot of money, he felt much more at ease.

Before we knew it, Laba Festival had passed.

The prince got married on the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month at the end of the year. The whole country celebrated and reduced taxes.

Needless to say, the capital was an important place, and with the atmosphere of the New Year, the wedding was extremely grand and received the blessings of all the people.

During such a joyous occasion, the Second Prince, who was quietly sent to Daxiangguo Temple for meditation, naturally did not cause the slightest splash.

In the following years, the second prince was forgotten by everyone.

Zhang Ping'an also attended the prince's wedding in person. Everyone from top to bottom was very satisfied with this marriage. The prince himself was dressed in the joy of a groom and looked even more handsome and heroic.

Zhou Ziming, who was sitting at the top, also showed a rare sincere smile, as if he was just an ordinary loving father.

Not long after, the positions of the two concubines were decided. Lord Guo really got his wish come true. He became the father-in-law of the prince and was barely a member of the royal family.

Although he tried his best to suppress the joy in his heart, a sense of complacency still showed through.

In the Privy Council, people were no longer as polite to Zhang Ping'an as they used to be.

There was no need to make a big move. After all, the emperor was still there, and he was only a second-rank official. Most of the time, they would just be minor things that annoyed people.

But it also made Zhang Pingan suffer in the workplace for the first time.

Ever since he experienced bullying in Lin'an Academy, Zhang Ping'an knew that once someone has a prejudice against you, it is useless to give in.

The only way is to remove it.

So he was also quietly waiting for the opportunity.

In a blink of an eye, more than ten days have passed and it is New Year again.

This year's New Year's Eve dinner in Beijing was more sumptuous than in previous years, but the house was too big and there were too few hosts, so not even one table was full and it still seemed a bit scant.

Xu couldn't help but sigh. Zhang Pingan knew what she was thinking, but he could only pretend not to know. He picked up some dishes for his parents and son and said, "The chef has been preparing it all day. Come and try some!"

"Dad, you eat too," Xiao Yuer clumsily picked up some food for his father, but he was happy.

"Dad is already half full at the imperial banquet in the palace. Don't worry about me, just eat." Zhang Ping'an touched his son's head. Because of the festive atmosphere, his eyes were much softer, not as stern as usual.

Zhang Laoer was a man, so he was much calmer and advised, "Yes, eat it all, eat it all!"

After dinner, Xu went to rest first, and the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren kept watch on the side.

With the sound of firecrackers at midnight, the fifth year of Jianxin arrived.

Zhang Laoer finally made it to the early morning, and after setting off firecrackers with everyone else, he went back to sleep.

But Xiaoyuer is still very excited and in good spirits!

"Dad, can you take me with you when you go to the temple to burn incense tomorrow on the first day of the lunar year?"

"There are too many people in the temple and there is nothing fun to do."

"But I'm bored," Xiaoyuer blinked his big eyes with an expectant look on his face.

This is like his mother. His eyelashes are like crow feathers, thick and long, making his eyes look very bright.

Xiao Yuer also knows that his father likes this and often acts cute.

"Then should Dad send you to play with cousin Donkey Egg and cousin Cat Egg? Or should I send you to the Qian family? There are many children in the Qian family. It's not that Dad doesn't want to take you, but there are really a lot of people in the temple, and there are many vendors. It's very messy, and there are a lot of beggars. Kidnapper likes pretty kids like you the most."

Zhang Ping'an knew very well that his son was bored and his house was empty. Compared with other wealthy families, his family did have fewer people.

But he didn't want to scare his son by beating the beggar. Recently, there have been many cases of kidnapping and selling children during the New Year in the capital. He had heard about it in the Privy Council and had to be on guard.

"I don't want to go. My cousins ​​Donkey Egg and Cat Egg are grown up. They don't want to take me out to play and always give me perfunctory treatment. I'm tired of staying at the Qian family's. I just want to be with Dad during the New Year. And Dad, you will protect me," Xiao Yuer said crisply with his head tilted.

Seeing his son's expression about to cry, Zhang Pingan thought about it and couldn't bear it. He spread his hands and compromised, "Okay, there's nothing I can do about you, but you are not allowed to run around. You must listen to your father. If you get kidnapped, you won't be able to find your father!"

Let’s arrange more guards tomorrow, Zhang Pingan thought.

Xiao Yuer smiled after hearing this, but there was not a single tear in his eyes. It was just thunder without rain.

After the little trick succeeded, his eyes curved into crescents.

He knew that his father loved him the most, and when he went to school, he could show off to his classmates.

No one’s father is as good to him as his father, hehe, Xiaoyuer smiled secretly!