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

Lord Guo knew that this matter was still in preparation, so he would bring it up at the court meeting from time to time, indirectly indicating that Zhang Ping'an was incompetent and inefficient.

It has been almost half a month since the court session started on the eighth day of the first lunar month.

Zhang Pingan sneered in his heart, but did not argue and just watched his performance.

If the person sitting at the top was a tyrant who was easily deceived by slander, he would definitely defend himself, but he knew too well who was sitting at the top, and saying too much would only annoy people.

Sure enough, Zhou Ziming frowned, his tone clearly unhappy: "Lord Guo has mentioned this matter many times and is so concerned about it. How about handing the task over to Lord Guo?"

"Uh..." Lord Guo choked for a moment, then quickly bent over and replied, "In my humble opinion, Lord Zhang is more suitable."

"Well, it's not a good idea to change people midway, so I'll order you to assist Lord Zhang from the side!" Zhou Ziming said lightly.

He is the principal and Zhang Ping'an is the deputy. It is undoubtedly embarrassing to ask him to assist Zhang Ping'an.

Many officials were secretly gloating and watching the joke.

It was only thanks to the prince that he said a few good words and was able to save some face.

Prime Minister Lu's eyes twitched as he watched. Ever since this daughter surnamed Guo became the Crown Prince's concubine and was diagnosed with pregnancy by the imperial physician two days ago, his whole mood instantly became several levels higher. Now he really didn't know his own name. He was too impatient!

Such a person is really useless!

Whether it is a dragon child or not, and whether he can live to adulthood smoothly, is still unknown!

Many people have the same thought.

After finishing his shift in the evening, Zhang Ping'an mentioned this matter while having dinner with his elder brother-in-law Liu Sanlang and Lin Junhui.

Even Liu Sanlang knew that "the principal wife hasn't gotten pregnant yet, how can the concubine get pregnant first? It's against the rules!"

Lin Junhui came from a family of scholars, and his father and brother both had concubines, so he didn't find it surprising. "Master Guo is such an ambitious man, so naturally his daughter wouldn't be too honest. That's normal. It's good luck that she's pregnant after just one month, but whether she can give birth safely is hard to say. The various shady tactics used in the imperial harem to compete for favor are no less than those in the officialdom. The Crown Princess's family may not be able to swallow this."

After saying that, he looked at Zhang Pingan with some concern, "You said before that you had collected a lot of evidence of Mr. Guo's corruption and bribery. Given the current situation, I'm afraid we'll have to wait a while."

"I have a good relationship with several censors in the court. I originally wanted to find an opportunity to hand over the evidence and let the censors impeach him, and also to test his strength. Now it is really not suitable. The prince will definitely protect him for the sake of the concubine. I can only wait a little longer." Zhang Pingan said calmly and patiently. He climbed up from the bottom, and the thing he had the most was patience.

"Alas, the charge of embezzlement and bribery is still too weak. If there is evidence that he formed a clique for personal gain, collaborated with the enemy and betrayed the country, then he will be guilty for sure," Lin Junhui shook his head with some regret.

Speaking of collaborating with the enemy, Zhang Ping'an and Liu Sanlang couldn't help but think of their old friend Guo Jia.

Although they had not confronted each other face to face, Liu Sanlang was very sure that the man was Guo Jia, there was no mistake about it.

A person's name and identity may change, but his eyes will never change.

After sending Lin Junhui back to the posthouse, Liu Sanlang hesitated for a while before finally asking, "Ping'an, do you think Guo Jia will stop the mission to the Western Regions? Given his status and personality, he certainly wouldn't be happy to see the Western Regions submit to the Great Zhou. Although he's now a vassal state of the Great Zhou, I can sense that he has ambitions, and great ambitions! Maodan'er keeps pestering me to go, and I'm really undecided. It's even more annoying than if I went myself. Sigh!"

"According to the news sent back by the spies, he has now successively married the daughters of the leaders of the eight major tribes on the grassland and Mobei. He has more than ten wives and will probably have a lot of children soon. He doesn't have many tribesmen stationed in the several city camps in Tongshi. They are far away and seem to be doing his job well and peacefully.

"But you're right, we all know him. He's not the type to indulge in pleasure and be satisfied with immediate wealth. Regardless of your stance, we can only say that we should pay more attention to him for now, otherwise it will be troublesome if the alliance between the two countries is destroyed." Zhang Pingan was very emotional when he mentioned his old friend.

No wonder I looked down on my fifth sister before. She has an extraordinary background and great ambitions!

After a pause, Zhang Pingan instructed again: "But this matter only needs to be known between you and me. Don't mention it again in the future. It will be troublesome if others find out!"

"I understand!" Liu Sanlang nodded.

"As for Maodan, the child is grown up, and I don't think he is the kind of person who would stay still. If he wants to go out and explore the world, that's not impossible. You can discuss it among yourselves."

"Well, okay. Let me ask the kids again, have you confirmed which people are going to travel?" Liu Sanlang asked with concern.

"At present, only the leader has not been determined, and the others are basically confirmed. Fifth brother-in-law is estimated to arrive tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Then we will welcome him together," Zhang Pingan did not hide it.

"Then the fifth sister is alone in the capital city?"

"She finally got pregnant, so she has to stay in her hometown to take care of the baby. She has her grandparents, uncles, and fourth sister to take care of her. There are also so many maids and old women. There will be no problem. It would be best to go to Beijing after the baby is stable." Zhang Ping'an thought of his fifth sister, and he felt relieved.

In terms of family background and knowledge, the fifth sister is definitely not worthy of the fifth brother-in-law, but life's encounters are so wonderful. The two of them are living a good life now, and there are no more problems.

When I got home, the food had just been served on the table.

Xu came forward with a smile and said happily, "Oh, Ping'an, we should have let Xiaoyuer practice martial arts a long time ago. Ever since he found a martial arts master to teach him, his appetite has obviously increased. He is no longer picky about food. He just came home from school and drank two bowls of white fungus porridge in a row, and he kept talking about eating meat. This is really unusual!"

"It's getting late, and Xiaoyu'er is still doing horse stance with his master in the backyard. Ping'an, go call him to the flower hall and eat first. Don't starve yourself!" Zhang Laoer was also very happy. He was happier to see his grandson eating so deliciously than he himself.

"Oh? This naughty boy has found something he likes to do. I'll go call him," Zhang Pingan said with great interest.

When I went to the backyard, I saw Xiaoyuer squatting in a horse stance with great effort, with beads of sweat on his face.

The martial arts master we invited would help correct the posture and movements from time to time.

"Okay, let's stop here today and eat first." When Master Wu saw Zhang Ping'an coming, he bowed from a distance and tactfully left the get out of class.

"Dad, you're here!" Xiao Yuer jumped up and dived into his father's arms.

Zhang Pingan took the handkerchief from the servant and wiped his son's sweat. "Are you tired?"

"Not tired, learning martial arts is very interesting!" Xiao Yuer said in a crisp voice.

"Learning is a gradual process. You can't become fat in one bite. Let's eat!" Zhang Pingan felt a sense of pride and satisfaction that his son had grown up.

When it was time to eat, Xiao Yuer ate every mouthful of rice and vegetable with great relish. He finished three bowls in a row and drank a bowl of soup. Only then did Zhang Ping'an realize that the child was really not picky about food now, and learning martial arts was indeed very useful.

Another good night’s sleep!

He was eating and came in to report after he was done. He whispered the news he had just heard into Zhang Ping'an's ear.

Zhang Pingan smiled, his mood obviously getting better. "When the heaven is crazy, there will be disasters. When people are crazy, there will be disasters. It's just a matter of time. Okay, I understand. Please help me send a letter to Censor Wu."

After saying that, he put down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "Dad, Mom, I'm done eating. Please enjoy your meal. I'm going to the study to get busy first."

"Hey, go ahead!" Xu waved her hand and didn't care.