Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 63: Master Zhao's eloquence

At the end of Chongwen Street, there is a large mansion with three entrances and three exits.

It covers a vast area and is decorated in a luxurious and elegant style. It stands out from the crowd in the entire Chongwen Street.

This is the residence of the wealthy businessman Liang Mancang.

His family has lived in the capital for many generations, and his generation is already the fourth generation.

After several generations of hard work, although the Liang family cannot be said to be the richest, they are still considered to be well-off in this huge capital city.

Liang Mancang is 48 years old this year. When he was 30 years old, he had a son. He thought it was Fu Rui, so he named him "Liang Bangrui".

Who would have thought that the child was weak and sickly, and contracted tuberculosis at such a young age. After the doctor examined him, he predicted that he would not live past the age of 20.

Liang Mancang had a son in his middle age, how could he be willing to see his son off at an old age?

Therefore, he paid a large sum of money to the doctor to treat his son.

Unfortunately, the effect was minimal. Seeing his son's body getting weaker day by day, Liang Mancang was extremely anxious. Just at this time, the princess was choosing a son-in-law, so he came up with an idea.

Just after dawn that day, Liang Mancang and his wife got up early, walked to the Guanyin statue enshrined in their home, knelt on the yellow cushion, clasped their hands together and begged: "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, please bless our Bangrui, keep him healthy and help him get through this disaster."

"We both wish to live the rest of our lives in seclusion, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures."

As they spoke, their voices choked with sobs and two hot tears welled up in their eyes.

Afterwards, the two of them kowtowed three times before standing up.

Mrs. Liang was weak and almost stumbled and fell. Liang Mancang quickly reached out to support her.

Mrs. Liang stood up, looked at her husband, pointed at Guanyin Bodhisattva, and complained: "It's all because of you, you bastard. When you were young, you did so many deceitful and evil things. This is the retribution for Bangrui."

"Give me back my son, give me back my son"

Liang Mancang grabbed his wife's hands, tears streaming down his face, and said, "It's all my fault, it's all my fault. As long as Bangrui's illness can be cured, I am willing to spend all my wealth and do good deeds every day to atone for my sins."

As they talked, they hugged each other tightly and burst into tears.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall, and then the butler came to report: "Master, Master Zhao is here."

"Hurry up and bring Rui'er here." Liang Mancang's cheeks flushed and he shouted excitedly.

After a while, the four of them crowded into the hall.

The first person sitting in the seat was the lady of the Liang family. On the left of the two of them sat a young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a pale face and sunken eyes.

On the right side, sat a middle-aged man dressed as a Taoist priest.

He was about forty years old, with a thin face, bright eyes and a few wisps of goatee on his chin.

When the breeze blows through the hall, his beard flutters, giving him a somewhat immortal-like air.

"Master." After sitting down with the etiquette of host and guest, Liang Mancang immediately bowed and pointed at his son and said, "Can my son really be saved?"

Master Zhao pretended to be slightly angry and shouted, "Since you asked me to come here, why are you asking this?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I made a mistake." Liang Mancang shook his head repeatedly and said, "As long as the master can save my son, I am willing to give away all my wealth to thank you."

Master Zhao smiled and shook his head, acting like a hermit: "Money is just a thing outside of the body. If you indulge in it blindly, it will only ruin your own practice."

Look, look, what is a master?

This is a master.

Liang Mancang looked at his wife proudly, then turned his head and looked at Master Zhao and asked, "I wonder how Master Zhao plans to save my son?" Master Zhao smiled and said, "Didn't we ask your son to participate in the princess's selection of a son-in-law?"

"Yes."

“This is the cure.”

"Ah?!" Liang Mancang was puzzled. The three people in the room also widened their eyes and motioned for Master Zhao to continue.

"Think about it, the princess is a descendant of a royal family, and she carries a trace of dragon energy. If she marries your son, as long as that trace of immortal energy is transferred to your son, any disease can't be cured?" Master Zhao smiled and explained in an orderly manner, "Secondly, your son's disease may be beyond the reach of mediocre doctors outside, but the imperial doctors in the palace must have a better treatment plan."

"Again, once you are chosen as the princess's consort, your family will become a royal family, like a carp turning into a dragon. Your future prospects will be completely different."

"Yes!" Liang Mancang stamped his feet and danced with joy, saying, "This is a sure win."

"I know your business. Is your son's life more important, or your business?" Mrs. Liang frowned and said with raised eyes.

Liang Mancang scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. Just as he was about to explain, Liang Bangrui next to him suddenly flushed and started coughing violently.

"Cough cough."

"Rui'er!" The couple screamed and hurried forward to pat their son on the back.

Master Zhao took a look, shook his head, took out two amber-colored pills with a faint fragrance from his arms, and whispered, "This is the elixir I brought down from Mount Longhu. Give it to your son first."

When the three heard the name "Longhu Mountain", their eyes widened instantly.

Liang Mancang took it with trembling hands, then took out two silver notes worth one hundred yuan and handed them to Master Zhao: "I know you have no interest in money, but you must not refuse this money."

Master Zhao took it reluctantly.

"Don't worry, sir. If my son is chosen as the prince consort, I will go to Longhu Mountain myself to build a Taoist temple for you. Rui'er, why don't you thank us quickly?" Liang Mancang said softly.

"Thank you, Mr. Guo." After taking a pill, Liang Bangrui felt much better.

"No need to thank me. I traveled here only because I had a connection with your young master." Master Zhao shook his head and explained his intention to leave. "Now that the secret has been revealed, I must return to Mount Longhu as soon as possible, otherwise there will be disaster."

Having said that, he bowed and hurried out of the Liang Mansion.

After some twists and turns, Master Zhao came straight to a secluded teahouse.

After his name was announced, Master Zhao was led to a private room.

Inside, a man in a black round-necked shirt was half leaning on a chair. It was Han San.

"Master San San." Upon seeing Han San, Master Zhao hurriedly bowed with trembling hands.

"Is everything done?" Han San asked with narrowed eyes.

"It's all done. I've persuaded this family and they're planning to spend a huge sum of money to grab that position." Master Zhao said with his hands hanging down.

"Did they give you money?"

“Yes.”

Han San stood up and yawned when he heard the voice. Master Zhao knew what this meant.

With trembling hands, he took out two silver bills from his arms and handed them to Han San.

"Oh, this bastard is quite generous. You, a liar who sells fake medicine, also gave two hundred taels of silver?" Han San saw it clearly, shouted, then took a ticket, smiled and patted Master Zhao on the shoulder, threateningly, "Now, take this silver, and after we leave the capital, neither of us will know each other, understand?"

"Understood. Understood."

(End of this chapter)