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

On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, Sun Shan received a pile of gifts. He hid the ones that were durable and valuable, waiting for an opportunity to sell them at Chenzhou Prefecture. The ones that couldn't be kept were distributed to the Sun family as food and clothing, as employee benefits.

There is only one master, Sun Shan, in the entire yamen's backyard. He doesn't need so much money for eating, drinking, defecating and urinating, so the employees get it for free.

Especially the Sun family guard, who was a young and strong man who ate like crazy.

As he ate the zongzi one by one, Sun Shan's eyes twitched, and Gui Ge'er felt extremely distressed.

Gui Ge'er said regretfully, "Brother Shan, it would be great if Uncle Min, Auntie Min, and Sister Yun were here. They have to eat these precious things, how can we eat them?"

People miss their families more during the holidays, and Sun Shan also missed his family.

So he asked, "Have you received any letters recently? I received a letter from home before the Chinese New Year, and it's been several months since the New Year. Why haven't they written to me yet?"

Of all the correspondence, Peng Damu was the most frequent recipient. Perhaps it was convenient for officials to exchange letters, especially in neighboring provinces.

As for letters from home, letters from my eldest cousin are not often received.

Gui Ge'er shook his head. "No, not a single letter. I don't know what's going on with the escort agency. I never receive letters from home."

Gui Ge'er firmly believed that Sunjia Village must have sent a letter, and there must be problems along the way.

It’s a pity that Yuanlu is located in a remote area. Not to mention being an official in Changsha Prefecture, even if you are an official in Chenzhou Prefecture, it would be inconvenient to exchange letters.

Sun Shan said helplessly, "Alas, the escort agency is unreliable. From now on, unless you find someone you know to help carry it, don't entrust valuables to others to avoid losing them."

Gui Ge'er said in great agreement: "Brother Shan, I understand."

Sun Shan then asked Steward Wang, "Steward Wang, has the gift delivery for Chenzhou Prefecture been arranged?"

Subordinates need to give gifts to Sun Shan, and Sun Shan also needs to give gifts to his superiors.

During several important festivals in a year, gifts had to be sent as courtesy to the prefect, the magistrate and other officials.

Sun Shan thought about it and decided not to give anything expensive or cheap, but something unique.

Find some Yuanlu specialties and a few boxes of time-honored pastries, and I guarantee that the gift will be neither outstanding nor inferior.

Steward Wang immediately replied, "Master, it has been arranged."

After a pause, he continued, "We have also arranged to send a return gift to Magistrate Shen of Mayang County."

When talking about Magistrate Shen of Mayang County, Sun Shan covered his forehead with his hands.

Since they met at a meeting in Chenzhou Prefecture a few years ago, County Magistrate Shen wrote to him every now and then, and the content was nothing more than talking about poetry, songs, and love affairs.

What could Sun Shan do? He could only reply politely.

After a few interactions, the two became familiar with each other.

This Dragon Boat Festival, County Magistrate Shen suddenly came to his senses. No, maybe it wasn't him who came to his senses, but his wife at home who understood etiquette and had given Sun Shan a gift long ago.

So Sun Shan had no choice but to return the gift.

Outsiders who were not in the know would have thought that he was familiar with County Magistrate Shen.

Sun Shan said appreciatively, "I trust you to do your job. Thank you for your hard work, Manager Wang."

Steward Wang was flattered: "Master, it's not hard, it's what I should do."

The Dragon Boat Festival came in a blink of an eye. Nanny Wang and Mrs. Xia lit sulfur incense in every corner of the yamen early in the morning, making the whole yamen filled with smoke.

Sun Shan felt as if he were cultivating immortality.

Sulfur incense burned during the Dragon Boat Festival

Wang Jiaxing's father and grandfather came to visit early in the morning and brought a few five-gun stream fish.

Sun Shan met with the father and son.

After all, they were the rare ones who did not buy fertilizer on credit, which shows that their character is much better than that of the main branch's County Magistrate Wang.

Sun Shan smiled and asked, "Grandpa Jiaxing, Dad Jiaxing, has Jiaxing come back?"

Father Wang shook his head and said, "No, the journey is long. I just wrote back and stayed in Chenzhou Prefecture for the New Year."

Grandpa Wang said worriedly, "My valet has been gone for over half a year now, and I don't know how he's doing. He wrote back saying nothing, except that he won't be back for the Dragon Boat Festival."

Sun Shan said comfortingly, "Don't worry, Jiaxing is already a scholar, and he will have his own considerations."

Father Wang shook his head repeatedly and said, "Master Sun, although Xingyazi is a scholar, he is not mature at all. I don't know if he gets along well with his classmates at the provincial school. Alas, there are always people better than you. We can keep an eye on him in Yuanlu County, but in the provincial capital, there is no one to watch over him. I don't know if he will get into trouble."

Sun Shan continued to comfort her, "We still have our cousin in Chenzhou Prefecture. If anything really happens, she'll definitely be able to help. Don't worry."

Poor old father, his son has been weaned for so long but he still feels like he hasn't been weaned yet.

Father Wang added, "After the Dragon Boat Festival, we must go to the capital to take a look before we can rest assured. This is the first time Xingyazi has been away from home for so long, and he won't feel at ease until he has seen it."

Sun Shan was stunned. Sun Bomin had been so concerned about him before. Worried that he wouldn't adapt to the school or be wronged, he had come all the way to see him.

Sun Shan looked at Father Wang in a daze. No wonder he felt so close to Father Wang.

It turns out that his expression of concern for his children is exactly the same as Sun Bomin's.

Sun Shan smiled and consoled him, "Father Jiaxing, Jiaxing is already an adult and will take good care of himself. Besides, he's in the prefectural school with professors and classmates, so he'll be fine."

Speaking of coming of age, Grandpa Wang suddenly said, "Sir, my pawnbroker is getting quite old and still hasn't gotten married. I'm worried."

He sighed and continued, "Sir, we plan to let him come back to get married and continue his studies. What do you think?"

Wang Jiaxing is also considered an older bachelor, so Grandpa Wang and Dad Wang are naturally worried.

I want to find him a marriage, so I want him to get married first and then continue his studies.

They were also afraid that Wang's son would become addicted to matters of sex and neglect his studies, so Father and Grandpa Wang really didn't know what to do.

Since Sun Shan is an experienced person, it would be best to ask him for advice.

Father Wang also said, "Sir, if we let Xingyazi come back to get married, will it affect his studies? He has already said that he wants to take part in the provincial examination next year."

To be honest, human energy is limited, so it is best to concentrate on reading and it is your responsibility.

We just need to analyze each case individually. If you don't get married at an older age, you will face more pressure and more public opinion.

Sun Shan suggested, "Now that you're looking good together, after next year's provincial examination, regardless of whether you pass or fail, you should get married. There are many other things to do in life besides studying. You can't just study all the time and not get married."

Grandpa Wang and Father Wang's eyes lit up again and again.

Grandpa Wang nodded repeatedly and said, "Master Sun is right, that's exactly what we plan. As soon as the provincial examination is over next year, we will immediately have the escort come back to get married, and next year we will have a big fat great-grandson to hold."

Father Wang said with a broad smile, "Yes, that's the best. Xingyazi has always been reluctant to get married, always using studying as an excuse. Haha, now that Lord Sun has said so, let's see what else he can say this time."

Sun Shan was embarrassed. It seemed that he didn't come to ask for advice, but to use him to put pressure on Wang Jiaxing.

Oh my god, Sun Shan felt so pitiful and became a tool again.