Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

Zhang Shouren was greeting guests in the front yard, his voice already hoarse from shouting.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued to greet guests.

"Manager Zhang, congratulations!" A man in his forties walked in, holding a scroll painting in his hands. "I am from the Zhao family in the south of the city, presenting this painting and calligraphy. Your younger brother is very talented and has a bright future ahead of him."

Zhang Shouren took the scroll, unfolded a corner, and found it to be a painting titled "Kui Xing Pointing at the Dipper".

He quickly rolled it up, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Master Zhao, you're too kind. Please come in, please come in."

His wife, Zhang Wangshi, stood at the back gate, directing the maids and several other women who had come to help prepare the feast. She wore a newly made pomegranate-red jacket, a silver hairpin in her hair, and face powder, making her look several years younger than usual.

"Aunt Wang, add two more rows of teacups to the main hall. How's the food preparation in the kitchen?"

Madam Wang poked her head out from the kitchen and said, "Reporting to Madam, the chicken, duck, fish and meat are all prepared, but we don't have enough manpower and we can't keep up with the workload."

Madam Zhang frowned. "Go to the alley entrance and hire two more old women who know how to cook to help. Today is a big day, and we have many distinguished guests. We can't keep them waiting."

Mrs. Wang responded, wiped her hands, and ran outside.

Several horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts were already parked at the alley entrance. They had green curtains, blue curtains, and oilcloth roofs, all lined up in a long row. The drivers squatted against the wall, basking in the sun and chatting idly.

"The fourth son of the Zhang family is truly capable; he passed the imperial examination at the age of sixteen."

"That's right. I heard that the examiners in the state all praised him, saying that his essays were well written."

"The Zhang family was originally just a middle-class merchant family, but they've really made a fortune this time. If Zhang Silang passes the imperial examination, he'll become an official appointed by the imperial court."

"Tsk tsk, other people's ancestral graves are emitting green smoke, while ours are emitting dry smoke."

A burst of laughter, followed by a sigh.

More and more guests arrived. The main hall was full, the flower hall was also packed, and there were still twenty or thirty people standing in the corridor. Zhang's father had a dozen or so long tables borrowed and set out in the courtyard, covered them with red tablecloths, and set out bowls and chopsticks.

Zhang Shijing, the cousin who temporarily took over as steward, had already lost his voice from shouting, so his younger cousin Zhang Shixian took over calling out the names.

"Old Master Ma has arrived!"

"Manager Zhu from the cloth shop has arrived!"

"He Lan's head has arrived!"

He Lantou walked in, carrying a jar of wine sealed with red paper. He cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang's father, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhang. This is a newly arrived Yuezhou vintage wine from the dock, a farewell gift for Scholar Zhang."

Mr. Zhang glanced at him. "He Lantou is very kind. Sit down, sit down."

After saying this, he didn't accept the gift, but turned around and exchanged pleasantries with Old Master Ma.

He Lantou awkwardly placed the wine jar aside, looked around the corridor, and wondered where there was a place to sit. He had no choice but to stand, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

The banquet was set out. The eight-immortal table was laden with dishes—chicken, duck, fish, and meat—everything imaginable. Guests toasted each other, and compliments flowed like a river.

"Uncle Zhang, your son has already passed the provincial examination at such a young age. He will surely pass the provincial examination in the spring."

"Old Zhang is so lucky! His fourth son is the most promising; could he be a literary star descended from heaven?"

"The Zhang family has virtuous ancestors; this is a reward for their accumulated good deeds."

Mr. Zhang raised his wine glass and went from table to table offering toasts. He had drunk quite a bit; his face was a little flushed, but his steps were still steady.

At first, he had some concerns, after all, many of the people present had wealth and connections that the Zhang family could not compare to.

However, as several wealthy families offered their compliments, his voice grew louder than usual, and he smiled more often. "I thank you all for your kindness on behalf of Si Lang. When Si Lang returns from the capital, I will invite you all for drinks again."

Zhang Shouren followed behind his father, his face aching from smiling so much.

He drank no less than twenty cups today, and his head was a little dizzy, but he dared not stop, nor did he want to stop.

Zhang's mother sat on a round-backed chair in the women's section of the backyard, with Zhang Wangshi standing behind her to serve her.

Several shopkeepers' wives gathered around, first congratulating Zhang's mother, then exchanging pleasantries with Zhang Wangshi. One praised Zhang Silang for his success, while another complimented Zhang Wangshi on her ability to manage the household.

"Mother Zhang, has your fourth son found someone yet?" A round-faced woman approached. "My niece, Xiao Qi, is fifteen this year. She's pretty and good at needlework. If you're interested, I can put in a good word for you."

Mother Zhang smiled gently, "Si Lang is still young, let's talk about it after he returns from the provincial examination."

The round-faced woman chuckled awkwardly upon hearing this, "That's right, that's right."

Zhang Wangshi's eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but purse her lips.

The commotion lasted for nearly two hours before the guests gradually dispersed.

The main courtyard and backyard were a mess. There were leftovers on the table, wine stains on the floor, and dozens of empty wine jars piled up in the corner. Several old women were clearing away the dishes, and several women were wiping the table and sweeping the floor.

Mr. Zhang sat in the chair in the main hall, his smile still lingering.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh.

Zhang Shouren walked in, sat down on the chair next to him, and rubbed his temples. "Father, how many people came today?"

Mr. Zhang thought for a moment, "There are at least a hundred of them."

"How much money did you receive as gifts?"

Mr. Zhang glanced at him, then pulled a gift list from his sleeve and slapped it on the table.

Zhang Shouren took the items and his eyes widened in surprise. "Two hundred and twenty-three strings of cash, one hundred taels of silver? Plus ten bolts of silk, three paintings and calligraphies, twenty-eight jars of wine..."

He read the gift list twice, then once more, and grinned. "Father, the gifts we received today are probably worth four hundred strings of cash. With Silang passing the imperial examination, the Zhang family's reputation will be established."

Father Zhang picked up his teacup and sipped it carefully. "Si Lang has passed the imperial examination. Now our Zhang family's reputation is on a completely different level. Business in the shop will be much easier from now on."

Zhang Shouren nodded repeatedly, "Father is right. From now on, who will dare to look down on our Zhang family? Even Magistrate Shen will have to give us some face! Huh? Father, why hasn't anyone from the county government come to offer their congratulations?"

Mr. Zhang put down his teacup, his face darkening. "The county government? I hadn't even noticed until you mentioned it."

Zhang Shouren nodded. "Yes. Si Lang passing the imperial examination is the biggest event in the whole county. Magistrate Shen, Registrar Gu, and County Lieutenant Xu—shouldn't they all come to congratulate him? Why did only that dog He Xiaoyi show up?"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang's father slammed his hand on the table. "Eldest son, think about it. Fourth son passing the imperial examination is a joyous occasion for the Zhang family. But we have already severed ties with Third son."

"In just a few months, he's been promoted from a lowly clerk to a high-ranking official. I heard even Registrar Gu values ​​him highly, and he even drove Kong You'an away! He's a rising star in the county government now. If it were you, would you target Fourth Brother or Third Brother?"

Zhang Shouren was taken aback. "Father means..."

"Sanlang has been working in the county government for many years and knows everyone there. It's not necessarily a sign of disrespect that the county government officials don't come to see Silang after he passed the imperial examination."

Zhang's father paused for a moment, then said, "I'm afraid someone over there left a message telling them not to come. After all, Silang only passed the provincial examination and became a Juren, not a Jinshi."

Zhang Shouren frowned. "Sanlang? He wouldn't dare!"

"Alas, it's all my fault for misjudging him." Zhang's father leaned back in his chair. "Si Lang has passed the imperial examination; he must be feeling terrible. It's only natural that he wouldn't let anyone come to congratulate him."