mesbooks Chapter 174 Letter from Home
Chapter 174 Letter from Home
Professor Han started the class after giving some words of encouragement. The class content mainly revolved around the course and results of several major epidemics since the founding of the People's Republic of China and related current affairs policy issues. It can be seen that this epidemic has deeply inspired Professor Han.
After class at noon, Zhang Pingan was about to go to the cafeteria with Yuan Ziang to eat, but unexpectedly, Professor Han called him and said, "Zhang Pingan, come to my study later."
Zhang Pingan and Yuan Ziang looked at each other in confusion. Yuan Ziang asked curiously, "Why did Professor Han look for you?"
Zhang Ping'an was also unclear and shook his head. "I don't know, but Professor Han looks fine, so it shouldn't be a bad thing. I'll go to the toilet first, and then go find the professor. You go eat first!"
"Okay," Yuan Ziang nodded and left with the others.
Zhang Pingan bowed after entering the study. Professor Han said with a pleasant face, "No need to be polite. Please sit down!"
"Do you know why I'm looking for you?" Professor Han asked after taking a sip of tea.
"I don't know," Zhang Ping'an shook his head honestly.
"In fact, among the more than 30 students in the outer dormitory, you are neither the most outstanding in academics nor the most talented, but I am very impressed by you. Do you know why?" Professor Han asked again, stroking his beard.
Zhang Pingan still shook his head and replied, "I don't know." But he was very curious in his heart and looked at Professor Han waiting for an explanation.
Professor Han sighed softly before continuing, "I've been teaching at the prefectural academy for ten years. I've seen talented students, and I've seen students with great academics, but they don't necessarily go very far. You have a kind of energy and tenacity. You're diligent and talented, and you know when to act and when to retreat, and you're willing to take responsibility. That's what I admire about you. If it were ten years ago, I would have definitely accepted you as my last disciple."
Zhang Ping'an's heart moved, and he asked, "Then why can't you accept me as your disciple now?"
Professor Han sighed again, raised his head and said, "I'm already over forty, and I have no intention of taking the imperial examinations anymore. I guess I can only teach in the prefectural school as a deputy tribute student for the rest of my life. Your future as my teacher is limited."
Zhang Pingan opened his mouth to speak when Professor Han raised his hand and interrupted him, "Listen to me."
Zhang Ping'an had no choice but to keep quiet. Professor Han continued, "After the epidemic incident, I can see that you are a man with a plan for success. You are a rare and good material for an official position. So I want to recommend a good teacher to you. Of course, I also have selfish motives. The teacher I want to recommend to you is my cousin, who also passed the provincial examination in the 15th year of Ningwu. He is very knowledgeable and currently works in the government office. He has some background, but his personality is not very easy to get along with. Whether you can succeed in the end depends on how you fight for it."
Zhang Pingan was suddenly hit by a pie falling from the sky. He felt dizzy and dazed for a moment before he stood up and saluted solemnly, saying, "Thank you, Professor Han. I will always remember your great kindness!"
Professor Han smiled faintly and said, "You don't have to rush to thank me. I told you, it's not certain whether it will succeed or not!"
"No matter whether it succeeds or not, your help in introduction is already a huge favor. I will never forget it for the rest of my life," Zhang Ping'an said solemnly again.
"Okay, go back. I'll let you know when the time is arranged," Professor Han waved his hand.
Even after returning to the classroom, Zhang Ping'an still couldn't calm himself down. He felt anxious and worried, and even worried that there might be a trap, although he might be overthinking it.
Yuan Ziang slapped Zhang Ping'an on the shoulder and said with a smile, "What are you staring at? What does Professor Han want to see you about?"
Zhang Ping'an didn't intend to speak out, as the matter was still unfinished. He just asked politely, "It's not a big deal. By the way, is Professor Han from the prefecture? How's your family situation? I've been taking classes with Professor Han for so long, but I still don't know much."
Yuan Ziang looked around and saw that there were no people around before he whispered, "Professor Han is from the prefectural capital, but the Han family's main branch is in Yingzhou, the provincial capital. The Han family in the prefectural capital is a branch, and it can be considered a scholarly family, but there's just one thing..."
Zhang Pingan urged in a low voice: "Why are you so secretive? What else is there? Tell me!"
Yuan Ziang then continued, "There's one thing. The Han family doesn't seem to have much luck in getting into officialdom. In the past thirty years or so, the Han family has produced two Jinshi (Jinshi) scholars, three or four Juren (Juren) scholars, and over twenty Xiucai (Xiucai) scholars. But the highest official currently accorded is only an eighth-rank official in the Experience Department."
Zhang Ping'an asked doubtfully, "Aren't there two Jinshi scholars? The lowest rank a Jinshi scholar can be assigned is a seventh-rank county magistrate, right?"
"He resigned from his job and is now unemployed at home. My father said that he probably resigned because he couldn't continue working," Yuan Ziang explained in a low voice.
"This..." Zhang Pingan didn't know what to say.
Yuan Ziang disagreed and whispered, "Being in the officialdom is different from studying. You need a good background, but you also need to be a good person. Both are indispensable. My aunt could have found a good family to be her legal wife, but why did my grandfather let her go to the Lu family as a concubine and a stepmother to a young boy? It was because the Lu family had a good background and hoped to help my father. This is a tacit understanding. Unfortunately, my aunt didn't do well and didn't give birth to a son. Now she has no say in the Lu family."
"This..." Zhang Pingan didn't know how to respond.
Seeing Zhang Ping'an's expression, Yuan Ziang curled his lips and said, "Don't be so surprised. This is a very normal thing."
Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "I understand."
"By the way, it will be my sixteenth birthday in a dozen days. My father will hold a birthday party then, and you must come to the party," Yuan Ziang suddenly thought of the birthday party.
"Okay, I will definitely go," Zhang Pingan nodded in response.
The afternoon class was about law. Half a day passed in a flash. After saying goodbye to Yuan Ziang at the gate of the prefectural school, Zhang Pingan walked home.
Whenever a person walks alone on the road or sees new food, he always thinks of Jinbao. As long as Jinbao is there, there will always be a lot of fun around him.
When they got home, Xiaohu came to open the door. Wuya and Liuya were helping to cook in the kitchen. Xiaohu opened the door and whispered, "Brother Ping'an, go check on Auntie. The post station sent a letter this afternoon. The situation at home is not good."
"Do you know what exactly happened?" Zhang Pingan asked with a frown.
Xiao Hu whispered back, "My aunt's parents both contracted the disease and died."
What? Zhang Pingan was anxious when he heard this and ran to the main hall. Xu was wiping her tears in the main hall. She must have cried all afternoon and her eyes were swollen. Zhang Laoer was beside her, whispering comforting words.
"Dad, Mom, I heard that my grandparents passed away. What happened? Let me see the letter," Zhang Pingan said anxiously.