The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

The end of the year was approaching, and Sun Shan was officially sealed on New Year's Eve. Except for the personnel on duty, the remaining officials all went home.

Since eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and sleeping were all done in the yamen, all holidays were the same as no holidays at all.

It’s not good to live too close to the workplace, as there is no holiday atmosphere at all.

Nanny Wang had prepared the snacks for the New Year two days ago. Seeing the master sitting leisurely in the yard, she quickly took out a plate and put out some sugar rings, fried dough sticks, rice cakes and melon seeds.

He said with a smile: "Master, it's rare for you to have some free time. Come and have some cakes. You'll have dinner soon."

Sun Shan twisted a candy ring, took a bite, and found it crunchy. He praised, "Mammy, the candy rings are good. They are crispy and fragrant. The addition of chives makes them even more fragrant."

Although it is called sugar ring, it tastes salty.

Nanny originally wanted to make something sweet, but Sun Shan likes salty food, so naturally she made the dish based on Sun Shan's taste.

When Nanny Wang heard this, she smiled happily and said cheerfully, "As long as the master likes it, it's good."

After saying that, he proudly led Big Head Dog and Xia to the kitchen to get busy.

Sun Shan looked at Nanny Wang's back and felt that she was happier working in the yamen than in Sunjia Village.

Gui Ge'er and Sun Daren were putting up red couplets. "New Year, new atmosphere!" Putting up red everywhere would make the place even more festive.

Gui Ge'er said cheerfully, "Brother Shan, after we put up the couplets, we will worship the gods."

Sun Shan ate cakes and drank tea, looking relaxed and content. He nodded and said, "Everything will be arranged by Manager Wang."

The affairs of the government office were already busy enough, so Sun Shan didn't care about the affairs of the family. If he was needed, he would just stand up and act as a tool.

Sun Dali said with a smile, "I still remember celebrating the New Year in Nanjing. Back then, it was me and Gui Ge'er who put up the couplets together. I never thought our master would be so ambitious that he would now put up couplets here at the government office."

Back in Jinling, Sun Shan looked like he was about to die, but as time passed, he actually became an official.

Even the careless Sun Dali couldn't help but sigh when he recalled the scene.

Speaking of Jinling, Sun Shan asked, "Have you prepared New Year's goods for Brother Nan? Poor Brother Nan, it's New Year and he still has to work."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Sun Heitan said with a smile, "Master, Brother Nan is so happy. Steward Wang prepared a lot of chicken, duck, goose and pork for him. I guarantee that his mouth will be full of grease. It took so many years in Sunjia Village to come here with you to eat such good food."

Sun Dali nodded in agreement. "Master, don't worry. Anan will be just as happy celebrating the New Year in Big Bird Village. I promise he won't be wronged."

Everyone was talking and laughing while working.

After finishing his office documents, Mr. Zhang came over to chat with Sun Shan.

Every festival makes us miss our families more, especially during the Chinese New Year, we naturally think of our families.

Master Zhang said, "I don't know how the children are doing at home. My wife and I are not here, and I don't know if they know how to burn incense to our ancestors."

No one wants to leave their hometown, but in order to make a living, they have to separate from their loved ones.

Fortunately, the children in the family are all grown up, so Master Zhang and Mrs. Xia can rest assured.

Speaking of home, Sun Shan also missed home.

He sighed and said, "I don't know if things are going well at home. The more I read, the less time I have at home. Oh, I hope everything is going well at home."

After almost a year in Yuanlu, Sun Shan had only received one reply letter from Sunjia Village.

This terrible communication efficiency is really driving me crazy.

However, Peng Damu from the neighboring province has received three replies.

Oh, so depressing.

I don’t know what happened to Grandma, Dad, Mom, Sister Yun, Little Fatty, and Hu Ming.

Sun Shan was most worried about the old man's health.

Sometimes I think that it doesn’t matter if I don’t receive any letters. What I fear most is receiving bad news.

There is also the little fat girl, who is obviously a troublesome girl. Sister Yun has suffered a lot.

Only the tiger's roar makes people feel at ease. The little kid is very sensible.

Although Gui Ge'er was also concerned about his wife and children, he was even more worried about Sun Shan. He quickly said, "Brother Shan, everything must be fine at home. Don't worry. If anything happened, we would have received the news long ago. Sister Yun is at home and will definitely take care of you. Brother Shan, don't worry."

When Sun Dali thought of the several bone-turning dragons at home, he felt only angry, not missing them.

He said with a smile: "We have the village chief in Sunjia Village, so how can we be bad? The village chief has a tight rein on everyone in the village, so how can we dare to be bad?"

After saying this, everyone laughed again.

Butler Wang also came back from outside.

During this Chinese New Year, the busiest people are Nanny Wang and Butler Wang. They are busy running around and are almost dizzy.

Steward Wang came over carrying a basket of fresh lotus roots and said, "Master, these are the lotus roots that Mr. Zhong's mother just sent over. She said they were given to Mr. Zhong when he was working for a landlord. They had a lot of them, so she sent some over."

Widow Li didn't say what Mr. Zhong was busy doing at the landlord's house.

I just thought lotus root was quite expensive, so I sent it to the government office.

Sun Shan asked, "After accepting it, did you return the gift?"

Steward Wang quickly said, "Master, we've got some bacon. At first, the scholar's mother refused to take it, but later she accepted it because it was raised by the master."

After spending a long time with Sun Shan, Manager Wang gradually understood the rules of Sun Shan's gift-giving.

Valuable items can be accepted, but cash is absolutely not accepted.

Rich people can receive more gifts, while poor people have to give corresponding gifts in return, or increase the amount of gifts they give in return.

Butler Wang felt that his master was taking the path of "robbing the rich to help the poor".

The rich can exploit the poor harshly, but the poor need to be helped appropriately.

Sun Shan smiled and said, "Alright, some gifts can be accepted, but some must be returned. Butler Wang, you did a great job."

I don't know who spread the rumor that if you eat the pigs raised by the county magistrate, you will be able to pass the high school entrance examination like the county magistrate.

Even if an illiterate pawnshop owner eats the pigs raised by the county magistrate, he will become smarter and more clever than before.

Look, many people came to give gifts, all hoping that Sun Shan would give them a piece of bacon in return.

If he received the pork as a return gift from Sun Shan, he would smile happily.

When Sun Shan first heard Nanny Wang tell him this rumor, he was speechless.

Such seemingly plausible rumors are often the most widely spread and are believed by the people the most.

Sun Shan's mind flashed, and he immediately thought: Should I raise pigs on a large scale next year and sell them under the name "Jinshi Pigs"?

And they take the high-priced route, selling exclusively to wealthy families. Maybe they can make a lot of money.

Sun Shan's pitiful little treasury might be replenished.

Sun Shan shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

After a while, the door gods and couplets were pasted.

Nanny Wang had already prepared the offerings, and Sun Shan led everyone in burning incense and offering sacrifices.

Even if we are in a faraway place, we must pay tribute to our ancestors so that they can bless us.

Gui Ge'er immediately transformed into Su.

While burning incense, he murmured: "Ancestors of the Sun family, come and eat the tribute. After eating, bless the descendants of the Sun family to have a bright future, step by step promotion, prosperous career, and smooth sailing. Grandfather, come and take the tribute, bless the grandchildren to have abundant wealth, rapid rise to prominence, promotion and wealth..."