Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 229: Father Causes Trouble for His Son

Royal horse supervisor.

Liang Fangzheng faced Wei Xing who came to report the situation with a stern look on his face.

"...There is still no news from Deng Changen. We have looked for all the people in the capital who can make colored glaze, but no one can make colored glaze of that pure quality. They all say...it is simply impossible. No matter what method is used, it cannot be fired. And what Deng Changen fires is already the best at the moment..."

Wei Xing meant that even if we don’t believe Deng Chang’en now, we have to believe him.

Except for him, no one else can make something that imitates the appearance of "Huangshan Mica".

"What about the soap? Have you found out who donated it?"

Liang Fang glared at him.

Wei Xing continued to shake his head: "I can't find it for the time being... The merchants have checked themselves and have confirmed that it is not the Shanxi merchants who are responsible. If even Tan Ji said that it was produced in Huangshan, then the problem is most likely with the Huizhou merchants."

Liang Fang said angrily: "I don't believe it. Could it be that those two things popped out from the cracks in the rocks?"

Wei Xing asked cautiously: "Do you think we should take that step? Maybe... the best thing to do right now is to take that step."

"You mean to tie up Tan Ji and interrogate him?"

Liang Fang frowned when she heard that.

"You don't necessarily have to tie me up. Can't you please come back and discuss it?"

Wei Xing was very distressed.

Why do you, Liang Fang, shout for war and killing whenever you speak? Now we can ask Qin Ji for help, why do we have to make the relationship so awkward?
Liang Fang sneered: "It's clearly a life-and-death situation now, and you're still thinking about reconciling with him? That old man is devoted to assisting the prince, and he won't tell the truth even if a knife is placed on his neck... Do you think he will surrender if you give him a little favor? You're just dreaming!"

"Uh……"

Wei Xing was quite helpless.

He was thinking, wasn't this situation caused by you yourself?
You really dug a hole for yourself and jumped into it. You are really capable!

"Investigate further and make sure to find clues... Humph, I don't believe it. How long will this evil wind in February last?"

Liang Fang was angry, but there was nothing she could do.

Thinking back to the time when the yard at home was always covered with leaves that were blown inexplicably, I couldn't help but shudder, wondering if it was really so weird?

……

……

Lizi provincial government residence.

Zhang Luan was invited by Pang Qing alone, and Li Zisheng, as the host, went out to greet him specially, as if he was treating Zhang Luan as a national hero.

"Laizhan, I haven't seen you for a long time. I really miss you... I was too busy in the past few days and didn't have time to see you. I specially invited you here today. In addition to having a few drinks with you and chatting about family matters, I also want to hear your views on the recent situation in the court, and by the way, see if you have any new calculations on the secrets of heaven and other matters."

When Zhang Luan heard this, he knew that Li Zisheng was a man who would not release his eagle until he saw the rabbit. It seemed that he invited him here out of courtesy, but he actually wanted to continue to use him to curry favor with the emperor.

However, Zhang Luan was also quite helpless. After all, he still had to ask Li Zisheng, a big shot in front of the emperor, to help him arrange an official position.

Then the two of them sat down, and Pang Qing was the only one at the table.

Zhang Luan made his attitude clear as soon as he arrived, saying with regret: "I have also deduced the celestial phenomena recently, but unfortunately I didn't get anything out of it. It's a pity!"

Pang Qing smiled and said, "If you gain nothing, it means the weather is good, the country is peaceful and the people are safe. That's a good thing."

"Yeah."

Li Zisheng nodded with satisfaction and said, "No secret is the best secret."

Zhang Luan smiled, then took out something that looked like a brocade box from his arms and handed it over.

Li Zisheng took it in his hand and asked curiously, "I wonder...what is this?"

Zhang Luan said casually, "It's a little gift from me, a pair of binoculars."

"what?"

Li Zisheng's hands shook and he almost dropped the telescope. Fortunately, he quickly collected his thoughts and carefully placed the telescope on the table. Then he opened the lid of the brocade box, and there was indeed a telescope inside.

This was the one that Zhang Heling usually played with.

"Laizhan, what are you doing?"

Li Zisheng looked panic-stricken.

Zhang Luan shrugged and said, "Mr. Pang came to ask me about the telescope before. So, I asked someone when I had the chance, and finally got this thing from someone I know."

"you……"

Li Zisheng almost wanted to curse, and then he glared at Pang Qing fiercely, as if to say, look what trouble you have caused me?
This thing is related to the dispute between the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace and Liang Fang. The Emperor is watching silently behind the scenes. If this tricky thing falls into my hands, wouldn't it be like putting me on the fire?
Pang Qing looked aggrieved, as if to say, "Didn't you ask me to ask last time? Why is the responsibility now on me?"

Zhang Luan said quickly, "This item is made of leftover Huangshan mica, and the effect is not very good. I don't know what to do with it, so I give it to you, Minister Li. Whether you use it yourself or... give it as a gift to others, it's up to you."

"Haha, Lai Zhan, you don't have the best intentions."

After listening to Zhang Luan's words, Li Zisheng's anxious mood calmed down.

If this telescope was made from scraps, the effect would be different.

If given to Liang Fang, it might save Liang Fang's life.

If you don't want to save it, just don't take it out. Anyway, Zhang Luan himself will not tell anyone about the telescope.

Pang Qing smiled and said, "Such a treasure may really be related to the life and property of some people."

Upon hearing this, Li Zisheng rolled his eyes at Pang Qing again.

Do I need you to remind me?
Shut up!
"Laizhan, I don't know how to repay you for this generous gift."

Li Zisheng said gratefully, then he remembered something and said, "Oh, by the way, I heard that a few days ago, the two young masters in your house had a dispute with someone, and the matter was reported to the Military Affairs Department?"

Li Zisheng had not intended to say this before, but after receiving the gift from Zhang Luan, he brought it up casually, meaning to see if I could be of any help.

Zhang Luan seemed very surprised, and said hesitantly: "This... this matter... is hard to say... It was all my sons who caused the trouble. I only found out after they returned home that they had a conflict with the son of Peng Ge's family. It's really... a disgrace... Alas..."

Li Zisheng laughed and teased: "You didn't arrange this, did you?"

"I...I...how is this possible?"

After Zhang Luan finished answering, he couldn't help swallowing his saliva, thinking that you, Li Zisheng, are really good at asking questions and almost revealed the truth.

Li Zisheng said, "It doesn't matter if it was your doing. We are all family. The Peng family almost cheated you in the tribute matter. Even if you find someone to retaliate, it is the right thing to do. Everyone can understand."

"Alas, I am just a commoner. Even if I have an official rank, I am not an official. How dare I openly oppose the son of the elder? Are you tired of living? It's all because of those two useless bastards. They have been doing evil since they were young. I have already taught them a lesson at home." Zhang Luan could only tell the story according to the tone he had agreed with his son before, and asked nervously, "Is this matter serious?"

"Hehehe..."

Li Zisheng just stood there smiling, seemingly not caring at all.

Pang Qing also laughed, and then described the situation he had learned in a vivid manner: "What big deal could it be? In terms of power, the elder's family may be extremely powerful, but in terms of background, who can compare with you, Mr. Zhang? This time, the kid surnamed Peng suffered a loss, and he has been staying indoors until now. It is said that he is recuperating in the mansion."

Zhang Luan shook his head and sighed, "How about... I send someone to apologize? I can also let my two sons take the blame."

Li Zisheng glared and waved his hands, saying, "Hey, Lai Zhan, this is your fault. Since you and I are family, how can I not help you to deal with such a small matter? Not to mention that the Peng family has no movement, even if there is, I can suppress it!"

"Oh, thank you Minister Li for your help."

Zhang Luan hurriedly stood up to thank him.

Li Zisheng looked very satisfied.

It seemed that if he had helped Zhang Luan in the fight between the Zhang and Peng families, he could justifiably put away the telescope in his hand.

"Let's stop talking nonsense for now. Come on, let's get the table started. We can have a good chat while we drink..."

Li Zisheng greeted him warmly.

……

……

Zhang Luan returned home drunk, and it was already sunset.

Zhang Yanling did not go out that day. He was sitting there discussing the experience of beating people with his brother. It was basically Zhang Heling who was talking at length, and he just responded casually.

"father?"

When Zhang Heling saw his old father coming back, he suddenly became nervous and couldn't help but shrink his neck.

Zhang Luan came in, found a chair and sat down, smiling, "Son, the telescope was delivered, and Minister Li accepted it. He also mentioned the incident of you two beating up the young master of the Peng family, and told us not to worry, he would help."

Zhang Heling asked in surprise, "Dad, are you saying that Li Zisheng will personally help me beat people? That would be great, won't we be able to walk sideways in the capital from now on?"

Zhang Luan was furious when he heard this and he shouted, "What nonsense are you talking about? Who wants to help you fight? Don't you think carefully before you speak? Who is he to help you fight on the street? It's totally unreasonable! He just said he would help us settle the matter."

"Isn't this a good thing?"

Zhang Yanling's eyes lit up and he said with a smile.

"Ugh!"

Zhang Luan sighed, "I am worried that if he gives the telescope to Liang Fang, it will be bad for the prince. All the arrangements we made will be wasted. What a pity!"

Zhang Yanling didn't care. He shook his head and said, "The Crown Prince has made great contributions and has been recognized by His Majesty. What's the harm in giving Liang Fang a telescope? A telescope alone is not enough to reverse his disadvantage. On the contrary, it may make it even more difficult for him to get off the tiger."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Luan probably drank too much and his mind was a little unclear. He asked with bloodshot eyes.

"Dad, you should go and sober up first. I'm afraid you won't be able to wrap your mind around this if I tell you now. To put it simply, a telescope will not help Liang Fang. Instead, it will make His Majesty think that he has concealed the truth of the matter. Not only has he committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, but he has also refused to repent."

Zhang Yanling smiled.

Zhang Luan glared at his second son and yelled, "You look down on me, your father? Who said I don't understand? But, so...what?"

Zhang Heling couldn't help laughing and asked, "Dad, have you drunk too much? What do you understand? Don't pretend to know something you don't, and make people laugh at you!"

"Hey, you bastard..."

"okay."

Zhang Yanling interrupted the quarrel between the father and son and said, "If Liang Fang fails to accomplish the telescope, he only needs to admit his mistake to His Majesty. His Majesty will not do anything to him. After all, His Majesty still relies on him to collect rare treasures from the people. He is also a meritorious minister in His Majesty's mind, but it is suffering for the people.

"The problem is that if Liang Fang only brings a telescope to report to His Majesty, then the nature of the matter will be very different. Not only will he fail to complete the mission, but he will also try to save his reputation and deceive His Majesty again... In this way, His Majesty may give him an even bigger problem, and then it will be interesting to watch."

"Oh."

Zhang Luan made a sound of understanding, but his face was still full of question marks.

But he still pretended to understand, and said with a smile: "It's not difficult, I'll understand it as soon as I hear it... I'm going to go in and get some sleep first, don't bother me. That wine is really good, and that woman is even better..."

"..."

"..."

The two Zhang brothers were speechless at the same time.

From their old father's words, they vaguely felt that Zhang Luan was treated and enjoyed in all aspects of debauchery in the Lizi provincial government.

How willful it was that could make Zhang Luan say such heartfelt words after returning home?

……

……

After Zhang Luan finished speaking, he went into the room to rest. He could still hear Jin's complaining voice from inside.

Zhang Heling looked at his brother and asked, "What did Dad say just now?"

"did not hear."

Zhang Yanling pretended to be innocent and asked, "Brother, what did you hear?"

"He said that woman is awesome... Hey, which woman is that? What's so awesome about her?"

Zhang Heling looked like a curious baby.

"Oh, I don't know that... By the way, brother, you'd better not let mother hear what you said, otherwise she will definitely beat you." Zhang Yanling said mysteriously.

Zhang Heling's eyes widened, and he asked in confusion: "Mom didn't beat Dad, but came to beat me? Why?"

"Will mother fight with father?"

Zhang Yanling asked.

Zhang Heling thought about it carefully, then shook his head, slapped his thigh, and shouted, "Hey, our father is really good at causing trouble for his son. He flirts with other girls outside and talks nonsense when he comes home... Second brother, you must keep your mouth shut for your father. If you accidentally leak it, mother will definitely beat you up."

Zhang Yanling shrugged and smiled, looking completely indifferent.

(End of this chapter)