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

Every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, people go to Daxiangguo Temple to compete to light the first incense stick, hoping for a good omen.

Firstly, Zhang Ping'an didn't care about this, and secondly, he couldn't grab it anyway. After all, it was just a matter of taking turns, so he didn't bother with it.

The next morning, after getting up, having breakfast and packing up, he took his son on a leisurely carriage ride to Daxiangguo Temple.

Xiao Yuer was in high spirits along the way. He lifted the carriage curtain and stuck his head out to look around.

Zhang Pingan gently pulled his son to sit down and asked, "What did you promise Dad last night?"

Xiao Yuer chuckled and tilted his head, "It's too lively outside!"

"I'll show you around carefully after I come back from burning incense. But you should stand and sit properly. Have you forgotten everything the teacher taught you so quickly?" Zhang Ping'an has always been very persistent on this point.

Xiao Yuer then sat upright and stopped looking around.

We soon arrived at Daxiangguo Temple.

There were more people than expected, and the entrance was so bustling that it was difficult to park the carriage.

Zhang Ping'an carried his son down and the two of them walked in together.

Abbot Yuantong was presiding over a blessing ceremony at the door. There were many onlookers. Zhang Pingan took a casual look and went in.

Once I entered the yard, it became much quieter, and I met many colleagues of similar age.

In this situation, it was inevitable to stop and chat for a while. Xiao Yuer bowed and called people in a very obedient manner. After they left, he whispered to Zhang Pingan: "Dad, why do you have so much to say? There are so many acquaintances. We have to chat every time we see them. When can we go to burn incense? Oh, adults are really troublesome!"

"Have you been wronged?" Zhang Ping'an glanced at his son.

Xiao Yuer shrank his neck and stopped doing anything rash.

After burning incense, you can ask for divination and interpret the divination. Since Zhang Ping'an had already done it several times, he did not ask for divination this time. Instead, he went to the next yard and prepared to ask Master Xuankong for a talisman for his son.

"Huh?" Zhang Ping'an was surprised when he saw the monk behind the table.

Then he walked up and asked, "Master, is Master Xuankong, who was originally here to interpret the divination, not here today?"

"Amitabha, benefactor, Master Xuankong passed away half a month ago," the middle-aged monk replied after chanting the Buddha's name.

"Passed away?" Zhang Ping'an repeated, and after receiving a positive answer, he was silent for a moment.

Then he continued, "To be honest, Master, I have a close relationship with Master Xuankong. I wonder where his grave is? I'd like to find some time to go and pay my respects, thus fulfilling our connection."

It was a perfectly normal question, but the middle-aged monk hesitated after hearing it. He looked up at Zhang Pingan and said, "Master Xuankong's tomb is in the back mountain, but it's a secluded place. If you really want to go, I can send a young monk to lead the way."

"Thank you for your help, Master," Zhang Ping'an nodded, donated some incense money, and said nothing more. He planned to find time to pay homage after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

When we met before, I felt that Master Xuankong was still in good health. How could he suddenly pass away in just half a year? It is really sad.

Xiao Yu'er touched the amulet on his neck, then touched his father's, and suddenly laughed happily, "Mine is newer than yours, Dad!"

"Wear the amulet well and don't throw it away because you think it's troublesome," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile, scratching his son's nose.

"I know," Xiao Yuer responded crisply, suddenly looking around and silently clamping his legs together, "Dad, I need to pee!"

Zhang Pingan had noticed it long ago and walked to the back with his son, "The toilet is this way!"

Although Xiaoyuer is young, he has a strong sense of shame and never urinates in front of others. No matter whether he is urinating or defecating, he must go to the toilet and use clean and soft toilet paper.

Although Xu felt it was pretentious, her family had the means and she loved her grandson, so she always made thorough preparations.

I asked my servants to take some away when I went out just now.

"Dad, just wait for me at the door, don't come in!" Xiao Yuer pushed Zhang Pingan to wait at the door.

Zhang Ping'an also knew that his son was particular, loved cleanliness, and that it was not a bad thing to have a sense of shame, so he agreed with a smile.

Xiao Yuer ran to the toilet with toilet paper in his hand.

Taking advantage of this gap, Zhang Pingan thought of Master Xuankong's matter again, and always felt that it was very sudden.

At the same time, he thought of the abbot Master Yuantong. Although the incense of Daxiangguo Temple was becoming more and more prosperous, he often provided porridge to help poor people and beggars on weekdays, and was quite famous for his kindness.

However, most of the monks in the temple looked much more ferocious than those he had seen in Lingyin Temple.

He doesn't look like a monk who eats vegetarian food and chants Buddhist scriptures and has no desires or requests. Instead, he looks more like a gang thug wearing Buddhist robes.

There must be something fishy about this Daxiangguo Temple.

But why did the emperor suddenly send the second prince to Daxiangguo Temple for meditation?

Zhang Ping'an thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out.

I looked up at the toilet and found that my son had not come out for a long time.

I couldn't help but shout, "Xiao Yu'er, are you okay?"

No one responded.

Zhang Pingan frowned and immediately took Xiaohu to push the door in. He pushed the door but it wouldn't budge. "Xiao Yu'er, are you in there?"

Still no one responded.

"What's going on?" Xiaohu wanted to lie down and take a look.

"Kick the door open!" Zhang Ping'an made a prompt decision and ordered.

The wooden door was useless, so the two of them kicked it twice and it opened.

Apart from the toilet paper scattered around the pit, there was no one inside.

Xiaohu panicked: "Where's Xiaoyu'er? Why is he gone?"

They were waiting at the door and never left, and no one came over during this time, so it was impossible for them to miss it.

Zhang Ping'an was also a little panicked, and even felt his heartbeat stop for a moment, but he quickly calmed down, knowing that there was no point in panicking.

I looked around and made sure there was no one there.

He ordered, "Xiao Hu, take my token and report the case to the Jingzhao Yin Yamen immediately. Have them carefully check all the vehicles and pedestrians entering and leaving the city. Also, have Chi Bao go to the Qian family to inform them and ask Xiao Yu'er's uncle for help. He has many connections in all walks of life and will be able to get the latest news from the gangs as soon as possible. They won't be able to escape the city in such a short time."

The window was wide open and a lot of things around it had been stripped off. It was obvious that the person had been taken away through the rear window.

Xiao Hu nodded hurriedly after hearing the order. After running a few steps, he turned back and asked worriedly, "Brother Ping An, what about you? Are you okay here alone?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'm going to find Abbot Yuantong now and ask the monks in the temple to help with the screening. I hope it's still in time," Zhang Ping'an said calmly while lifting his clothes and walking quickly.

At this time, the blessing ceremony had just ended. After hearing about it, Abbot Yuantong showed great importance and cooperation. He immediately asked the welcoming novice monks at the door to reduce the flow of people in and out so that he could conduct a careful search.

Some pilgrims were very cooperative, while others complained and refused to cooperate.

The young monks were extremely busy.