Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 215: Find a gap to drill (Subscribe)
Liang Fang's residence.

Because Deng Chang'en was going to help Liang Fang build a telescope, he was allowed to visit frequently and began to use his charlatan characteristics, trying to use Liang Fang as a bridge to communicate with the emperor and help him realize some political ambitions that he had not been able to realize before. The most important of these was to help him offer elixirs.

Deng Chang'en brought the "improved" elixir this time. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the elixir, he also specially asked Zhao Yuzhi to endorse it for him. This time he came with Zhao Yuzhi.

Liang Fang stared at Deng Changen and asked coldly, "Tomorrow is the day of the East Palace's wedding. At this critical moment, are you offering this elixir to His Majesty or the Crown Prince?"

Deng Chang'en heard the great dissatisfaction in Liang Fang's tone, and quickly explained: "Eunuch, do you still need to ask this? Of course it is presented to His Majesty.

"This pill can be said to be a concentration of the essence of the heaven, earth, sun and moon. It is carefully refined with more than a dozen kinds of immortal herbs. Ordinary people can prolong their lives after taking it. Saints like Your Majesty who are blessed by the purple aura can even achieve immortality."

"Is it as weird as you say? Why don't you go and offer it yourself, but come to our house?"

Liang Fang obviously also felt that this matter was unreliable.

Deng Chang'en sighed helplessly, "It's all because I'm not good at guessing the secrets of heaven, so your majesty has lost trust in me. I have a good elixir, but I can't present it to you."

"is it?"

Liang Fang sneered and said, "You'd better tell the truth in front of us. Otherwise, we will never casually hand over the elixir of unknown origin. If something goes wrong, no one can afford it... We still want to live two more days."

Deng Chang'en saw that even Liang Fang, who was desperate and seeking medical help from all directions, was so difficult to fool.

Then since Li Zisheng and Wan'an were unwilling to donate medicine for him, everything seemed reasonable.

This is……

Everyone is worried about him.

Deng Changen explained, "To be honest, I went to see Master Li and Elder Wan before, but Master Li rejected it in person. As for Elder Wan, after receiving the elixir, he first promised to present it to Your Majesty, but later he returned it without even giving a reason."

"Um!?"

Liang Fang looked a little puzzled and asked in surprise, "Wan An took your medicine and returned it to you?"

"Yes, I just can't figure this out no matter what... If he wanted to refuse, he could have just refused from the beginning, why did he add so many complications? Of course, it is also possible that he was instigated by Master Li and regretted it afterwards! Now no one will give me the opportunity to show my filial piety to Your Majesty, so I have no choice but to come to you, Eunuch Liang..."

Deng Changen looked aggrieved when he said this.

Look, I have a miraculous medicine here, but no one recognizes it. How can I not feel aggrieved?

Wei Xing, who had been listening attentively, could no longer bear it and said, "Master Deng couldn't find anyone to offer medicine to, so he came to find Eunuch Liang? If this is a good thing, why didn't you think of us from the beginning?"

Deng Chang'en said with a bitter face: "I didn't want to disturb Eunuch Liang's peace at first. But now... Alas!"

Liang Fang was originally very annoyed, but after hearing Deng Changen's "heartfelt words", she suddenly felt relieved for some reason.

Come to think of it, it makes sense.

Deng Chang'en never listed him as the best option from the beginning. It was only when he was desperate that he thought of using Liang Fang's relationship to get the matter heard by the authorities. Isn't this his natural ally?
If Deng Changen has many escape routes and many ways to win favor, then I simply cannot trust him.

On the contrary, now that both sides have common interests... and even with the addition of a series of Taoists such as Zhao Yuzhi who have fallen out of favor with the emperor, this alliance seems particularly important.

Liang Fang was silent for a while, and suddenly asked an unexpected question: "Your Majesty was seriously ill before, but I don't know how he was cured by the miraculous elixir?"

Deng Chang'en asked back, "Wasn't there a rumor earlier that your majesty was just suffering from a mental illness?"

Wei Xing sneered, "If heart disease is so easy to cure, what do we need you alchemists for? Master Deng, don't you know what happened in the palace recently?"

"I really don't know."

Deng Chang'en felt even more aggrieved, his wrinkled face full of pain and unwillingness.

When I think back to my glory days, I never received such treatment.
It’s so embarrassing!
Liang Fang was very satisfied with this answer and nodded, "It is rumored that after His Majesty asked the Immortal Master Li to test the heavens and found out that the dragon's body was fine, His Majesty miraculously recovered without any medicine."

"Ah? Is it really that exaggerated?"

Even Wei Xing couldn't help but be amazed, staring in amazement, "Li Zisheng's prophecy actually has such a miraculous effect?"

Deng Chang'en and Zhao Yuzhi seemed very puzzled.

It seems that you, Liang Fang, know everything. Why are you still asking how our emperor’s illness got better?
Testing us on purpose?

Liang Fang wanted to get back to the point and said, "Put aside the matter of the elixir for now. It is the right thing for us to do. If the telescope can be successfully manufactured, we will present the elixir to His Majesty. If it cannot be manufactured, our family will be killed and everything will be over. It will not make much difference whether the elixir is presented or not."

Deng Changen hesitated and said, "Eunuch, I think this elixir may be a good choice as a backup..."

Wei Xing said unhappily, "Master Deng, what you said is wrong. It seems that you are not concentrating on making colored glaze to replace Huangshan mica, but want to use your elixir as a substitute? His Majesty is asking Eunuch Liang for a telescope, not some elixir. Don't get the order wrong."

Seeing Liang Fang looking at him fiercely, Deng Changen patted his chest and said, "I understand, I understand. The reason why the elixir was sent here is mainly to let Mr. Liang know. Colored glaze is being developed. There are more than a dozen skilled craftsmen responsible for burning colored glaze. There will be results in the next two days."

……

……

Lizi provincial government residence.

Li Zisheng was busy all day, dealing with officials from the six ministries and various temples in the court. After work, he drank a lot of wine with others and was drunk when he went home.

At the door of the study, he wiped his face with a wet cloth while listening to Pang Qing's report.

"...Deng Chang'en has been very close to Liang Fang in recent days. It is said that he is looking for someone to make colored glaze. I heard from an insider that he wants to help Eunuch Liang use colored glaze to replace the legendary Huangshan mica, so as to build a telescope and help Eunuch Liang overcome the difficulties..."

Li Zisheng had just changed a piece of cloth soaked in hot water. Hearing this, he suddenly stopped what he was doing, turned his head and asked curiously, "Glass? What Glazed?"

Pang Qing explained: "It is said that Deng Changen discovered that Huangshan mica, an important component of the telescope, which is needed to make the lens, is very similar to the material of colored glaze, and the two may be related."

Li Zisheng threw the wet cloth in his hand to the ground in anger, and said angrily: "Why is he everywhere? Is he a member of our Taoist sect, or a charlatan? How come he even knows how to make colored glaze?"

"Master Dao, you know how powerful Deng Chang'en is, but His Majesty and the people in the court don't know this." Pang Qing said seriously, "Only by exposing his tricks can people know that he is simply cheating and deceiving people."

Someone came over immediately, picked up the wet cloth on the ground, and took away the basin together.

Li Zisheng said coldly: "Doesn't this guy want to be tied to Eunuch Liang? Then when His Majesty summons me tomorrow, I will help him and let His Majesty know about his great magical powers, hum..."

When Pang Qing heard this, he couldn't help laughing.

"But... Deng Changen said that colored glaze is similar to Huangshan mica. Is that true? Have you investigated it clearly?" Li Zisheng was still a little worried. "No one can tell for sure. In fact, even the origin of that thing has not been verified yet. Didn't the Taoist say before that this matter might be related to Zhang Honglu? How about... ask him?"

Pang Qing actually came here for this matter as well.

At present, probably only Zhang Luan knows whether colored glaze can replace Huangshan mica.

Of course, this was Li Zisheng's analysis. Zhang Luan never admitted on any occasion that this matter was related to him.

Li Zisheng thought about it seriously, but finally shook his head and said, "Don't call them. Tomorrow is the day of the East Palace's wedding. Everyone is paying attention to the Zhang family's every move. I don't want to get into trouble... You can go to the Zhang Mansion in person at night to find an answer. It will also be convenient for me to mention it to His Majesty when I enter the palace tomorrow."

"Yes."

Pang Qing bowed and took the order and left.

……

……

The street in front of Zhang's house was extremely lively that day.

The preparations for the Crown Princess's welcoming ceremony have been ongoing for some time, and tomorrow will be the day to test the final results. From the wide streets outside to the alleys inside, everything is decorated with flowers.

The Zhang family has only moved to the capital not long ago, so it should be difficult for them to find a decent place to stay. However, they now own a nice house. This seems to prove that the Donggong father-in-law's family has a certain strength, and outsiders will naturally weigh their opinions when they see it.

The officials in charge of preparing the prince's wedding felt that the preparations were going extremely smoothly. At least the welcoming venue was at the feet of the emperor, and the width of the streets and the surrounding cultural environment were very suitable for completing the grand ceremony without giving historians any handle to find fault with it.

The wealthy families living on this street, as well as the shops along the street, were very willing to cooperate with the court to complete the decoration. Some even paid out of their own pockets to do some icing on the cake, such as hanging lanterns and decorations along the street, hanging colorful flags in front of the doors, and hanging long colorful ribbons on the trees, etc.

The purpose is to get some good luck.

At the same time, it also gives face to the family of the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace... In the future, by becoming neighbors with the Crown Princess's family, perhaps I can get close to the royal family through this?
No matter how you look at it, you’re not at a disadvantage!
When Pang Qing arrived at the street outside Zhang's house, he felt refreshed.

It was completely dark, but the streets were still decorated with red lanterns and various colorful decorations, looking extremely fancy.

"If you don't know, you might think we've arrived at the Jiaofangsi."

Pang Qing couldn't help but sigh.

In the capital of the Ming Dynasty, perhaps only the street where the Jiaofangsi was located had such a lively nightlife.

……

……

Pang Qing did have a strong background, and even on the eve of the Crown Princess's wedding, he was still able to meet the Crown Princess's father.

The only difference is that the meeting place is not Zhang’s residence.

Even Pang Qing himself knew that it would be very inconvenient to visit now and it would be very easy for someone to discover him and report him. Then it might be known by the censors who heard the news and brought big trouble to his employer. So he tactfully sent someone to Zhang's house to inform him and arrange to meet and talk outside.

Fortunately, the Jinyiwei guarding the gate of Zhang Luan’s mansion was very knowledgeable and let him pass without stopping.

When Zhang Luan came out, he brought Zhang Yanling, who served as his military advisor, and Qin Yun, who served as his bodyguard.

Qin Yun looked a little disappointed at this time.

After all, this was the last day of his assignment. When the Crown Princess entered the palace tomorrow, his mission would be officially over. There would be no need for the Jinyiwei to guard the Crown Princess's residence in the Eastern Palace anymore, and he should go back to perform his job.

But during the days at the Zhang family, he fully felt the "influence and baptism of time" and felt that his outlook on life had been deeply influenced by the Zhang family. He didn't want to return to serve in the Jinyiwei at all.

Missing you so much!

"Mr. Pang."

At the door of a teahouse two streets away from Zhang’s house, Zhang Luan saluted Pang Qing with a smile.

The teahouse owner recognized Zhang Luan at a glance and greeted him with surprise: "Isn't this the old Taishan of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? The wedding day is approaching, how come you still have the time to come out?"

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "I came to your place to meet a guest. Thank you for your courtesy, store owner."

"You are so polite. It is really a great honor for us to have you come to our shop... Xiaoliu, please bring us the best tea. The prince is here. Our shop has been blessed with the dragon's aura."

The shopkeeper gave instructions to the back hall in surprise.

Zhang Luan hurriedly dissuaded him: "Don't bother too much, just normal tea will be fine."

"Yes, yes. I won't disturb your conversation. The tea will be served soon. Please wait!" The shopkeeper was very tactful and avoided this table first to avoid being an eyesore to Zhang Luan.

After everyone left, Pang Qing sighed, "Mr. Zhang is really kind to others. He is respected wherever he goes. I admire him very much. Okay, let me get down to business. I came here to discuss Mr. Li's affairs... Can I have a word with you?"

Pang Qing was obviously not very confident about Qin Yun, and his words clearly had a hidden meaning.

Qin Yun on the other side was also very sensible. He walked out of the teahouse on his own and left the seats at the table to Pang Qing and Zhang Luan.

Zhang Yanling came out with Qin Yun.

"Second Young Master, why did Butler Pang come to see your father?" Tan Yun asked curiously.

Zhang Yanling smiled and shook his head: "I don't know, it's not that I won't tell you, but I really can't guess... Captain Qin, haven't you seen your uncle recently?"

Qin Yun shook his head, and then said with shame: "My uncle is in a high position and has great power. Not everyone can see him. Besides, I... don't really want to visit him often."

"what happened?"

Zhang Yanling asked.

Tan Yun sighed, "In a large and deep mansion, there are intrigues and the people below are not as kind as imagined. Unless my uncle asks me to go, I will never take the initiative to visit him."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Yanling knew that it was easier for the King of Hell to deal with the little ghost than for him to deal with. Tan Yun must have been bullied in Tan Chang's mansion.

In fact, it is very easy to understand. Presumably, Qin Yun did not do very well in the Jinyiwei. Others thought that he had the support of his uncle, the Prime Minister, and was in great glory. But in fact, Qin Chang really took charge of the Silijian after Huai En left. Before that, Qin Chang's status was not very prominent, so his nephew naturally would not get too many conveniences.

Although he was promoted to the position of a hundred households of the Jinyiwei, Qin Yun did not have many opportunities to make money, and he certainly did not pay tribute to his elders at home. Naturally, he was not well received by the servants of the Qin Mansion because he only received rewards but did not pay tribute.

(End of this chapter)