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

After Lin Junhui and his entourage went on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions, they kept in touch with Zhang Ping'an and the court to exchange information.

So Zhang Ping'an knew that they had already left Loulan and were very close to Yumen Pass. They would definitely arrive in three to five days at most.

What's more, this mission was very successful and can be said to have returned with honor.

Not only did it make the Silk Road open again, but it also made the flags of the people shine across the country, which will be recorded in history by historians.

A few days ago, Zhang Ping'an was still excitedly arranging people to prepare for the welcoming ceremony at Yumen Pass. He didn't expect that this incident would happen now, and now the ceremony and specifications of the welcoming ceremony will have to change accordingly.

He was also happy for Lin Junhui from the bottom of his heart, as all his efforts over the years finally paid off.

Time passed quickly, and on the fourth day, spies reported that Lin Junhui and his group had reached thirty miles outside Yumen Pass.

At this time, Zhang Ping'an had already arrived at Yumen Pass and rested there in advance, just to meet several people in person for the first time.

He knew how difficult their mission was.

"Okay, got it," Zhang Ping'an nodded, then looked up at the sky. It was still early.

It is estimated that Lin Junhui and his team will be able to enter the city this evening.

So he ordered Chibao: "Go tell General Xu that the arrangements can be moved out in advance. I estimate that Brother Lin and his men will be able to arrive before the city gates close in the evening."

"Yes, sir!" After eating, he turned around and left with a vigorous look.

He was also happy for Lin Junhui and his group.

Being able to come back safely is better than anything else.

The closer it got to evening, the more restless Zhang Pingan became. Finally, he had no choice but to go to a teahouse near the city gate, go up to the second floor, ask for a private room, and wait while drinking tea.

Summer and autumn are the best times for business. After the Silk Road was reopened, there was higher security, so naturally more merchants came to do business.

They are often very well-informed.

The people coming and going at the city gate are basically caravans leading camels, some entering the city, some leaving. It is bustling and prosperous.

The crisp sound of camel bells makes the city gate even more lively.

General Xu was now very much at home in Yumen Pass. Knowing that Zhang Ping'an had arrived, he came to the teahouse after finishing his work.

He poured himself a cup of good tea and said with a smile, "Why didn't you call me when you had good tea?"

"Aren't you busy? Besides, you have always loved drinking. When did you ever like to drink tea?" Zhang Ping'an glanced at him sideways.

General Xu wasn't embarrassed by his revelation. He raised his hand to shield his eyes, staring at the yellow sand clouds in the distance outside the gate. "It's almost time. I think it'll take another quarter of an hour! Sir Zhang, you're really not nice. At first, I didn't know they were on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions. I thought they were just an ordinary merchant caravan. Luckily, I didn't offend them and even made a good relationship with them. Otherwise, Sir Lin would be my immediate superior now, and it would be hard for me to work under him."

"Don't worry, even if you don't have a good relationship with them, he won't bother with you. I know Brother Lin. He is not a petty person. What he values ​​most are subordinates who can get practical work done. You just fit the bill," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile after taking a sip of tea.

General Xu jokingly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, "Then I'm relieved. I just happen to meet all the requirements."

This is also a living treasure. People who live transparently can always make themselves happy.

Zhang Pingan raised his eyebrows and lazily didn't respond.

The two of them just sat indoors, drinking tea by the window, and there was a unique sense of tranquility.

Not long after, the orange-red sun set on the horizon, just in line with the saying "a lone smoke rises straight in the desert, a round sun sets over the long river."

The scenery is magnificent!

Lin Junhui and his companions returned to Yumen Pass against the setting sun.

There are also Green Bean Eyes, Green Bean Eyes’ wife, Maodan, Li Yue, and familiar faces are getting closer and closer.

Although their faces had become a little rough, Zhang Pingan still recognized them at a glance.

General Xu guessed what he had just seen from Zhang Ping'an's expression, and the two of them hurried downstairs together.

Let the guard of honor welcoming at the city gate move.

When Lin Junhui and others entered the city, they didn't want to be treated specially and were prepared to queue up.

As a result, I saw Zhang Pingan standing in front of me with his hands behind his back.

"Welcome home!"

Lin Junhui felt a surge of warmth in his heart, caught off guard by the warmth. He then raised his voice and waved back, "Let's drink together tonight. Don't leave until you're drunk!"

"And me!" The green-eyed girl grinned and waved from behind, unwilling to be left out.

"Uncle!" It was Maodan's voice.

It took some time to check the documents at customs.

Fortunately, it gets dark very late in the northwest during summer and autumn.

This welcoming ceremony was finally used.

Later, even other uninformed people and merchants cheered after hearing about it.

The Hu people were good at singing and dancing, and the atmosphere was very lively. Some brave girls even threw fruits and vegetables in the street to express their love.

Lin Junhui's more than one year in the frontier was not wasted. He waved his hand generously to indicate that he had started a family.

By the time everyone sat down at the reserved restaurant, it was almost an hour later.

After meeting again after a long separation, everyone had a lot to say.

Even Li Yue, who used to be not good at speaking, became talkative.

"It's true that the environment changes people!" Zhang Ping'an praised with a smile.

Then he raised his glass again, "Come on, drink!"

"Drink, and don't go home until you're drunk!" Green Bean Eyes was the first to respond positively. Probably because he had suffered a lot, his figure was still as thin as before he left, and he didn't gain weight.

He was a cheerful person to begin with, and he became even more cheerful after his trip to the Western Regions.

Zhang Pingan felt that he was really suitable for diplomacy in modern times, a natural talent!

But Fusi didn't let him drink any more. She pointed at her stomach, her green eyes drooping, and she waved her hand, begging for mercy: "We'll fight again when we get back to the capital!"

Zhang Pingan saw that something was wrong and asked in surprise, "Are you going to be a father?"

"Hehe, yes, I'm a step behind you, brother. Your little Yu'er can already read 300,000, but my son hasn't come out yet! But, good things are worth waiting for, it doesn't matter if it's a little late!" The man with green eyes touched his chin, with a rare look of embarrassment on his face.

"You should have told me earlier. My sister-in-law has been ill for several months. Can her body handle it? Do you want to find a doctor in the city to take her pulse?"

The green-eyed man's face was filled with the pride of becoming a father, and he waved his hand: "Oh, I'm not that squeamish. The accompanying doctor checked it out and said the fetus is very stable. It's only three months now, so it's not very obvious yet. The baby will be born in the spring of next year!"