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

Chapter 151: Drunken Immortal Tower Treat

"Doctor Fu, you see, I told you that you and my son were destined to be together. Now he's back," Zhang Laoer laughed loudly, insisting on keeping the boy for dinner.

Zhang Pingan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Doctor Fu, it's been a long time since we last met. I'm honored to have you visit my humble home. I've been grateful for your support of our medicinal materials business over the past few years. You must stay for dinner today."

After saying that, he followed Zhang Laoer to welcome the people to the main hall.

Doctor Fu came to visit today in order to see Zhang Ping'an and establish a good relationship with him, but he was not there. He sat patiently for more than half an hour and drank a bellyful of tea. He wanted to come again tomorrow, but now that the real host was back, he naturally would not leave, so he followed the two people back to the main hall.

Zhang Lao Da, Zhang Lao San's family, and San Ya's family came again tonight. However, knowing that the visitor was an important figure from the yamen, everyone sat in the yard and chatted, which made the main room seem less cramped.

It was also the first time that Zhang Laoer felt that his family needed to move to a more respectable house, otherwise his son would be associating with respectable people in the future, and the shabby house he rented in the poor alley was too embarrassing and brought shame to his son.

After returning to the main hall, Doctor Fu greeted him, "When you and your father arrived in the county a few years ago, you were still a tiny child. In just a few years, you've grown into such a handsome man. To be honest, our two families are actually very close. You and your son, please don't call me by my title; it seems distant! Ping'an, I'm two years older than your father. From now on, you can just call me Uncle Fu."

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "Uncle Fu, you are right."

Doctor Fu stroked his beard and smiled, "Well, that's right! Today, I heard from my colleagues in the household registration office that you went to the government office to apply for the scholar's certificate and exchange your household registration certificate. Why didn't you come to say hello to me? Of course I have to come and congratulate you on such a big event."

Zhang Pingan knew that these were just polite words, but he still smiled and said, "Uncle Fu, this is my nephew's oversight. I'm sorry, I will come to apologize someday."

Doctor Fu waved his hand and smiled, "Alas, everyone makes mistakes sometimes, so it's not worth apologizing for. But I heard from your father that you guys are going back to your hometown to have a wedding banquet in a few days. You have to save a seat for me when you go. I'll go and ask for a glass of wedding wine and share in the joy."

Zhang Laoer laughed and said, "Of course, of course."

"Uncle Fu, of course there will definitely be a place for you at the table, but it's dinner time now and my humble abode is simple, so why don't we move to the city and let my father and I entertain you to show our hospitality. You have contributed a lot to the family business in the past few years. My father often reminds me to remember your kindness, otherwise our family would not have the good life we ​​have today, and I could not afford to continue my studies, let alone pass the imperial examination to become a scholar. I, your nephew, will remember all this in my heart, and if I can make some progress in the future, I will definitely repay you," Zhang Ping'an said sincerely.

Doctor Fu would definitely not be impressed by the simple meals at home. Since we have to do things perfectly, it would be better to go out for dinner, which would also be a courtesy.

Zhang Lao Er also echoed: "Brother Fu, you must give this face."

Doctor Fu was very satisfied with the attitude of the father and son. He didn't show off in front of him just after passing the examination, otherwise he would have plenty of ways to deal with them.

In the past few years, Zhang Laoer has always been servile in front of Doctor Fu, and Doctor Fu has never looked at this person straight in the eye. Who would have thought that a good bamboo shoot would emerge from the bad bamboo? Now it seems that both the father and son are smart people, and they can still make friends. Don't treat them like this in the future.

After thinking about this, Doctor Fu laughed heartily, holding his belly. "Oh, Brother Zhang, you're being too polite. What's the point of talking about giving face? We're just family, going out for a simple meal together."

Zhang Laoer heard that this meant he agreed, so he smiled and said to his son, "Ping'an, go out and ask your uncle and your third uncle to go out to dinner with the guests, and tell your mother that she doesn't have to cook for us tonight."

"Hey," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

He went out to greet Xu, who was both excited and nervous. She had lived for over 40 years and had never seen an official. After wiping her hands on her apron, she went back into the room and secretly took out a ten-liang silver ingot, stuffed it into her son's pocket, and said, "I don't know if your father has enough money. If not, you have to pay him. Don't lose face, understand!"

Zhang Pingan nodded: "Mom, don't worry, I know what to do."

Zhang Lao Da and Zhang Lao San were flattered when they heard they were going to accompany the official for dinner. Zhang Lao San was a little better, after all, he was smooth-talking and worldly-wise. Zhang Lao Da was extremely nervous, not wanting to go but having to go. Li rolled her eyes at this and said anxiously, "You are a hopeless case. What a great opportunity!"

Finally, the few of them drove to Zuixianlou, the best restaurant in the county. Zhang Laoda had never seen such a luxurious restaurant before and didn't dare to step in. Zhang Laosan was a little better off. He had seen it when he was carrying goods in the provincial capital, but had never been in it. He could only pretend to be calm and followed his nephew in.

Doctor Fu was quite familiar with the place. After entering, he calmly told the waiter, "Give us a private room on the second floor."

The waiter bowed politely and called out, "Okay, everyone, follow me!"

Everyone followed him up to the second floor and unexpectedly ran into Tan Yaoqi and his group coming down the stairs on the other side. Tan Yaoqi took a quick look and confirmed that it was Zhang Pingan. He shouted, "Brother Zhang, what a coincidence! You're here for dinner too?"

As he spoke, he was waving the same fan he always used to do.

Zhang Lao Er and his companions stopped and waited when someone greeted them. Zhang Pingan walked forward, smiled, and bowed, saying, "Brother Tan, what a coincidence."

In fact, the two of them are not that familiar with each other, but since Tan Yaoqi has already called him his good brother, Zhang Pingan can only take advantage of the situation.

"Thank you for the realgar powder the day before yesterday. Are you here to entertain the guests?" Tan Yaoqi asked indifferently.

"That's right, these are all my uncles and elders," Zhang Pingan gave a brief introduction.

Tan Yaoqi didn't care. He raised his head and told the waiter, "This person's bill will be put in my name."

Then he turned around and said, "Brother Zhang, I have something else to do, so I'll be leaving first. We'll see you another day."

Zhang Pingan nodded: "You go ahead and do your work."

It's really a coincidence. I saved another meal money today. Zhang Pingan shook his head and laughed in his heart.

After they sat down in the private room, Doctor Fu asked, "Wasn't that Mr. Tan, the nephew of County Magistrate Tan?"

Zhang Pingan nodded and replied, "Exactly. He was my classmate in the academy. We happened to go to the provincial capital together to take the imperial examination this time, and we both passed the exam."

Doctor Fu laughed heartily upon hearing this, "So you're both born in the same year. It seems you two have a deep connection. Who knows, maybe you'll even take the provincial examination together in the future!"