Li Lanzhen escorted Zheng Sanwang back to Sifang Restaurant.
Let him study with Han Mingxiang and the others.
She hurriedly went out again, walking quickly towards the north gate of Youzhou City.
It's located about two or three hundred meters from the north gate.
She saw it: two yamen runners with knives leading more than 20 people carrying luggage and baskets.
Li Lanzhen came to find them.
These are the people standing in front of them, who were assigned to the Valley of Forgetfulness, now called the Village of Forgetfulness.
She caught up with the two constables on duty, and seeing that one of them was the same constable who had helped them with their household registration procedures, she nodded and smiled at him.
"Wait a moment, gentlemen."
Hearing the shout, the two stopped and placed their hands on the hilts of the knives hanging at their waists.
"Is there something you need?"
One of the officers recognized Li Lanzhen and smiled at her.
"Oh, I see. Your household registration was handled by our Secretary Zheng."
What do you need us for?
Li Lanzhen said, "My lords, the matter is like this..."
She recounted how they left the Valley of Forgetfulness.
However, it was not mentioned that he found the place himself and brought supplies to everyone.
"So, gentlemen, I still have the key to our family's cave here, and I would like to hand it over to the village chief of this village."
After you bring them there, they can stay in one of the caves west of Forget-Worry Village.
This way, we won't cause any disputes, and you can resolve the issue more easily. You can then hurry back and report back, right?
The same officer nodded and smiled.
That's exactly how it is. Every time they take a new couple to a village, they always encounter various obstacles and troubles.
Some fights even break out, resulting in deaths.
"Alright, thank you very much. Give me the key."
Another official called for the village chief to step forward.
When Li Lanzhen gave the officer the key, she also slipped a two-tael piece of silver into his hand.
The constable was a clever man; he recognized the money as soon as he touched it and casually put it into his sleeve pocket.
After calling the village chief over, tell him.
"You should thank this auntie. She used to live there. Her cave is big, and she gave you the key so you can move in right away."
Moreover, once you 20 people go through that cave to the west, all the caves will be yours.
"Take the keys first, and I'll make the arrangements when we get there."
The constable understood perfectly: since Li Lanzhen knew their clerk, it meant she also had connections with their prefect.
Why not do her a favor?
It's obvious that the old village chief of Wangyou Village is incompetent and drove people out.
It seems that she gave the key to teach the old village chief a lesson.
Why wouldn't I do it? After completing this task and getting some benefits from this aunt, I'll return and report back to Secretary Zheng.
Oh, he touched the silver in his sleeve pocket and found that he had also received some loose silver!
Led by the old village chief, the group thanked Li Lanzhen repeatedly before leaving.
Li Lanzhen added another sentence behind them.
“Village chief, you have a large number of people, and you were assigned here by the Youzhou City government, so you have a legitimate reason to do so.”
And two police officers will take you there.
So be more assertive and don't feel like you're a newcomer living under someone else's roof.
Be tough in everything you do! Only when you are strong can you face any difficulties without fear and protect your wife, children, and parents!
After saying that, he turned around and walked back happily.
Hmph, the old village chief is being dishonest, he's just adding a little something to your bet, you're welcome!
The two constables and the group of men led by the village chief still did not understand what Li Lanzhen meant.
When they entered Forget-Worry Village and encountered some trouble, they suddenly realized the meaning of Li Lanzhen's words.
Because of Li Lanzhen's words, these 20-odd people were able to take control of their own destiny and avoid being manipulated or oppressed by others.
Every household is living a very good life.
This was the day Han Mingxiang and his children participated in the scientific expedition.
Li Lanzhen didn't know if their scientific expedition would mean they wouldn't return for three consecutive days, or if they could return every day.
She learned from television, movies, and other materials that in ancient times, those who participated in imperial examinations would stay in a small room for three consecutive days.
Later, Han Mingxiang explained it to her.
Those who wish to take the Xiucai and Tongsheng examinations do not need to stay there for three consecutive days.
They would go in the morning and return in the afternoon, and this continued for three days in a row.
So Li Lanzhen only prepared lunch for them.
Water cannot be brought in, so the spiritual spring water cannot provide them with any assistance.
She racked her brains and mixed some flour with the spring water.
Roll them into noodles and hang them outside to dry.
Then cut these noodles into segments about one finger long.
Wash and chop the vegetables to make dried vegetables.
Prepare a three-day serving for six people, take out a large bowl, pour in some spring water, and then add soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and sesame oil.
Then, slowly add the cooked wheat flour into it to make a paste, then cut it into small pieces and dry them on the outside to make seasoned cakes.
Manager Hua also made thorough preparations.
They had a small hand warmer specially made by a blacksmith for each of them, and each person also carried a few pieces of silver wire and charcoal.
Each person receives a large ceramic bowl.
At noon, they would put a ceramic bowl on a hand warmer, add water and bring it to a boil, then add noodles, chopped vegetables, and a seasoning block.
A bowl of fragrant noodles is ready.
Manager Hua arranged for three people to drive a horse-drawn carriage to pick them up and drop them off every day.
Li Lanzhen also had to go with them every day to watch them undergo the examination. Only after they went in would she return and then go to pick them up in the afternoon.
Han Shunde watched them leave every day with longing, feeling very envious.
He and his wife only had two children, Han Zhaoxiong and Han Shulan.
When Han Shulan was born, his wife suffered a difficult childbirth and was unable to recover properly. Later, due to natural disasters and man-made calamities, she was not getting enough to eat, which made her even weaker and unable to conceive.
After Han Zhaoxiong and his wife had their granddaughter, a natural disaster struck. The adults were starving, and the child was born very weak.
If it weren't for his wife and daughter-in-law taking such good care of him, he probably would have died long ago.
Look at these children, they're all qualified to take the preliminary imperial examination!
But then I thought, life is so good now, my daughter-in-law should get pregnant soon.
We'll let him study and take the imperial examinations for the first degree.
He thought to himself with delight, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his face.
Li Lanzhen picked them up on the afternoon of the first day.
When Han Mingxiang came out, she was still full of vigor and high spirits.
However, Han Yinan, Zheng Sanwang, Han Qingfeng (Gou Dan), Su Chen, and Han Zhi (Han Dazhong's grandson) were somewhat nervous and uneasy when they came out.
After getting into the carriage and leaving, Han Yinan clung tightly to Li Lanzhen's side.
Li Lanzhen patted his hand, "Alright, it's okay. If you pass the exam, all the better. If you don't, it's alright too."
Now that you've gone through this, you'll know what to do. With experience, you'll definitely pass the next exam.
The children breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Li Lanzhen's words.
Han Mingxiang chuckled as she looked at them.
"That's true. Don't worry, as Master Xu said, your studies are all fine, but you might suffer a little in terms of handwriting."
Because you started learning later, you have less time to practice calligraphy.
It doesn't matter if I don't pass the exam.
Practice your calligraphy diligently, and you'll surely pass the imperial examination next time!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com