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

The mutton in the county town is very different from the one in the town. It has a stronger taste and is made with pepper, Sichuan pepper and perilla. It tastes more fragrant and has no smell of mutton. Tofu and radish are buried under the pot. It is also delicious when mixed with rice with mutton soup. Jinbao and Luo Fuan both ate until their stomachs were full, but considering that they were being treated by others, they were very sensible and did not ask for more dishes.

After eating, everyone walked back to the inn and waited for the exam results of Jingui Academy the next day.

The next day, because there was no rush to take an exam, everyone got up a little later than usual. Zhang Laoer and Jin Bao's father went to the grocery store to buy some food and daily necessities. It was more cost-effective to buy common household necessities such as oil, salt, sauce and vinegar in the county town than in the town.

Passing by a cloth shop, Zhang Laoer took a fancy to a piece of sky-blue fine cotton cloth and wanted to tear off a few feet to make new clothes for his son so that he could wear it to the academy. But then he thought that he would have to go to the county town to rent a house in a few days anyway, so there was no rush. Buying too many things would be too eye-catching, so he gave up the plan for the time being.

When they returned to the inn, everyone had already packed up their things and were just waiting to go to Jingui Academy to see the results before going home. The most nervous among them was Luo Fugui. If he failed to get into Jingui Academy again, he would have to go to study in town. Being so proud in his heart, he found it difficult to accept this result.

Fortunately, the final result did not disappoint his efforts during this period. He was lucky enough to be admitted to Jingui Academy. Although he was at the last place, it was good enough that he was on the list.

Luo's father was also very happy. Although his son did not pass the exam, he was proud that his nephew passed. After seeing the result, he laughed and said, "Hahaha, my Fugui is really a lucky boy. It's good that he made the list. I'm sure he will be happy when he knows the result after he gets home."

Luo Fugui also smiled shyly and felt relieved.

Although Jinbao and Luo Fuan were not admitted and were in a low mood, they were happy for the others when they saw they were admitted.

Jin Bao said innocently, "When you guys start school, I'll come to the county town to find a job. Otherwise, it would be boring for me to be alone in the village when you're all gone."

Jin Bao's father laughed and scolded him, "You little rascal, why don't you stop studying and come to the teahouse to help your parents? Your sister is married, and the teahouse is in need of help."

"I don't want to," Jin Bao turned around and made a face at his father, then ran to sit next to Zhang Pingan.

The mule cart swayed along until dusk before arriving at Luojia Village. Then everyone went back to their homes. Jinbao was a little reluctant to leave: "Ping'an, I'll come to play with you tomorrow morning."

"Okay, school starts in August anyway, and I'm quite free for the next month or so," Zhang Ping'an replied with a smile. He felt reluctant to leave, but all good things must come to an end. If he went to the county town, he would have less time to see Jinbao, so he could spend more time with him during this month or so.

When Xu heard that her son was accepted into the academy, she was so happy that she wanted to tell the whole village about it. However, she was finally stopped by Zhang Pingan. She thought that when one becomes famous, there will be a lot of gossips, so there was no need to be so high-profile.

However, the family still had to say something. Ma felt very sad when she heard it. Erhe in their family stopped studying two years ago and went to work in the town. She was quite proud of it at that time, but now she is really not good enough compared to him.

It was fine for the others. It was a good thing to have a promising younger generation in the family, and they were all very happy. Zhang even specifically asked her eldest daughter-in-law Li to set up two tables in the main hall so that the family could have a meal together as a celebration.

Zhang didn't show any reaction at the banquet, but after the meal she called Zhang Ping'an to her bedroom alone, dug out five taels of silver from the closet for a long time, put it in Zhang Ping'an's hand, and said lightly: "Take it. We are an ordinary family, and we don't have much wealth. Give these five taels of silver to your father. It's the tuition fee that the family puts together for you. Don't tell anyone else. Go to school and study hard. Only by studying can you have a bright future."

"Grandma, I can't accept this. You and my grandfather still need it for daily necessities. You can keep the silver for yourself. My father has prepared it for me. You don't have to worry about it." Zhang Ping'an put the silver back.

"Just take it," Zhang put the silver back into Zhang Ping'an's hand and glared at him, "Your grandfather and I are both old men, we can only eat and drink as much as we can. We might die one day, so what's the use of this silver? Alas! I've lived my life in a muddle, and you're still young. You should read more and see more of the world, so that you can have a promising future and live a fulfilling life."

After saying that, he forcefully pushed Zhang Pingan out and closed the door.

Zhang Ping'an turned around and stared at the door in a daze, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. In Zhang Ping'an's mind, Grandma Zhang had always been strong, tall, unkind in doing things, and liked to smoke and drink. She was different from the women in the village. But now, Zhang was just an old woman who was almost sixty years old.

Ma had been staring at the main house. She guessed that the old woman must have given money to the second wife. However, the family relied on the second wife for growing medicinal herbs in recent years. Ma was not stupid. If a quarrel was made now, it would not benefit the third wife. Even though her teeth were aching, she did not jump out. She simply closed the door of the east wing and pretended to see nothing.

Zhang Laoer knew that his mother had given her son the silver but didn't say anything. He just nodded and said, "Keep the silver well. When you go to the county town, you can buy whatever you need."

Ever since the children at home started to study, Zhang Laoer discovered that Zhang liked scholars, especially promising scholars. Therefore, in recent years, she has paid special attention to Zhang Pingan among her grandchildren, and Zhang Laoer also feels particularly proud.

Mrs. Xu was also very proud and said with a smile: "Our son is so promising!"

Seeing that everyone was present, Zhang Laoer simply continued his plan: "I'll take you to the county town in a few days. We'll rent a house next to Qingsong Academy. It doesn't have to be huge, just comfortable and clean. I'll be able to help my son with his laundry and cooking. I'll just travel back and forth, dealing in medicinal herbs and looking for new businesses."

Xu was surprised and said, "Dad, we are really going to the county town."

Xu had only traveled between the village and the town all her life. Suddenly, she had to move to the county town. Besides a little excitement, she felt more panic.

"Well, I'm worried about letting my son go to the county to study alone, but his future is important, we can't delay him. It's best for our whole family to go to the county together. I still say that we will follow him wherever he goes in the future," said Zhang Laoer with a firm look.

Xu was a typical wife who obeyed her husband. She listened to Zhang Laoer on all the important family matters. Since the head of the household had already made the decision, "What about Si Ya's children? Si Ya is almost 14 years old. She has only been around for more than a year."