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

There are many retired bigwigs in the officialdom. Although they have no official position or rank, they still have great influence.

As a thousand-year-old capital, Xi'an naturally has such people.

The most famous among them are the Hongnong Yang family and the Longxi Li family.

The Yang family's ancestral home is Hongnong County. Throughout the dynasties, promising sons and nephews of the family have served as officials in the court. In addition, they have been intermarrying with the aristocratic families in the Guanlong area for hundreds of years, and now they have become one of the top families.

When Zhou Ziming founded the country, the Yang family in the northwest region was the first to support it. It can be said that their vision was very sharp.

The Li family is a descendant of the royal family. They have been a powerful family in the Guanlong area for thousands of years. Therefore, they are more arrogant than the Yang family in their bones, but now their power is slightly inferior to that of the Yang family.

The three of them were going to Mount Zhongnan to visit these two senior officials who were behind the scenes in the officialdom.

The accompanying officials didn't understand what was going on at first and thought that the group really went to Mount Zhongnan to enjoy the scenery.

I didn't understand until I got to the thatched cottage.

I secretly sighed that few of them knew how to behave as human beings and be officials. No wonder they left home early and didn't see the officials and gentry in the city. It turned out that they wanted to spend their time on more valuable things.

You have to know that the real big shot in Xi'an City lives in that thatched cottage, and small characters like him are rarely seen on weekdays.

"The old seniors really know how to choose a place. It's early winter now, and there are clouds, pine waves, streams, and temples here. It's really beautiful. It's a good place to stay healthy," Qian Jie exclaimed with a smile.

Along the way, the surrounding roads are clean and flat, and the environment is quiet and elegant. It is indeed a good place for retirement.

"As the saying goes, 'mountains overlook the Wei River, and green peaks pierce the distant sky', the Zhongnan Mountains are majestic and stretch out, and the natural terrain constitutes the climate dividing line. The timber, water, food and medicinal materials here grow better than elsewhere," the accompanying officials said with a few flattering words after hearing this.

Everyone in Xi'an knows that this is a good place, but only those who are rich and have free time are suitable to live here!

After hearing this, Zhao Renzhi curled the corners of his mouth without saying anything, thinking to himself, I don’t know how long these old guys want to live by choosing such a secluded place.

Zhang Pingan came with the intention of visiting sincerely. He didn't want to curry favor with anyone, after all, his home was in the capital, but he still had to do the courtesy.

Even if we are not on good terms, we cannot make enemies. He has already arrived in Xi'an, and it would be rude not to visit him in person.

The mighty dragon can't overpower the local snake!

"Eat your fill. Go ahead and hand over our business cards. We'll be there shortly," Zhang Ping'an turned around and ordered.

Originally, he should have sent the visiting invitation yesterday, but Zhang Pingan was really afraid that these old guys would make fun of him and play Tai Chi, so he simply paid a visit under the pretext of sightseeing, which was not too abrupt.

After a while, he came back on horseback after eating, followed by a young boy dressed as a servant and riding a donkey.

After seeing the few people, the young boy came down politely and bowed, then said: "My old master asked me to come and show you the way."

Even though he knew the identities of several people, his tone was neither humble nor arrogant, and his eyes were bright. It was obvious that he was a domestic servant who lived a good life.

The seventh-rank official position in front of the prime minister is not just talk.

Several people followed the young boy, and when they got close to the thatched cottage, they dismounted and walked away as a sign of respect.

After arriving at the house, another servant came to help tie the horse and take the gifts from the attendant.

The young boy led the group inside, saying, "You're lucky to have come here. My old man just returned from visiting someone else. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to see him!"

"Then it seems that we are destined to meet." The official continued with a smile, not speaking disrespectfully just because the other party was a servant.

After entering the main hall, they saw an old man with white hair and beard sitting at the head of the hall. He had white hair but a youthful face, and a rosy complexion. It was obvious that he was well-maintained. Several people hurriedly saluted: "Juniors Zhang Ping'an, Zhao Renzhi, and Qian Jie pay their respects to Senior Yang!"

"The little boy has just reported to me, please sit down, you're welcome," the old man said without putting on airs, politely letting several people sit down.

Then he pretended to recall the past and said to Qian Jie, "If I remember correctly, you are the second son of the Qian family, right? I even drank your full moon wine when I traveled to Lin'an in the early years."

Qian Jie smiled and said, "Sir, I am the second oldest among my brothers. When I was home, my father often mentioned you."

"Hehe, it's amazing that your father still remembers an old guy like me. Alas, I'm old now, and few people remember to visit me now."

The old man then looked at Zhao Renzhi and revealed his identity and origins: "You are the boy from the Zhao family in Zhuozhou, right?"

Zhao Renzhi's mind moved, and he stood up and said respectfully: "Senior, I am from the Zhao family of Zhuozhou."

"Haha, sit down, sit down, don't be shy. I have been in seclusion for a long time. Since you are willing to visit me, just call me senior. Today, let's just chat about family matters." The old man raised his hand and motioned for him to sit down.

Finally, he looked at Zhang Ping'an, "Then this must be the husband of the second daughter of the Qian family. I have long heard of your talent in this northwest. That's why the Qian family favored you and betrothed their daughter to you. His Majesty also favored you and gave you a crowning ceremony and a given name. You have risen to prominence at such a young age and have a prosperous official career. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed a handsome man!"

"Senior Yang, you are too kind. I am really unworthy of it," Zhang Ping'an said modestly as he stood up and bowed.

After a few words, it was known that Elder Yang already knew the origins of several people.