Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 26 Whose Background?

The news that the county government was hosting a banquet for Zhang Luan quickly spread throughout the town.

In order to show that he had a good eye for talent in growing the medicine, County Magistrate Song Qing naturally spared no effort to publicize it, and the news soon spread to the Zhang family mansion in the city.

After Zhang Yin heard the news from his housekeeper, he was so shocked that he stood up from his chair. "It's ok that County Magistrate Song doesn't know how to judge people, but why didn't he expose Zhang Laizhan's true identity after he arrived here? Why did he take it so seriously?"

The housekeeper said, "Master, now the city is saying that as long as you plant the medicine, you will not get sick anymore, and people are flocking to it. Why don't we plant one too..."

Zhang Yin was furious and shouted, "What nonsense! What kind of medical skills are passed down in the Zhang family? Others don't know about it, so why don't I know about it?"

As they were talking, Zhang Ning came in and said hurriedly, "Master, there was also a smallpox epidemic in my mother's family. It is said that our method of growing medicine has been passed on. Hejian Prefecture and the surrounding areas are all shocked by it. Some people even come hundreds of miles away to grow medicine... Even if we had some resentment before, we are a family after all. How can we easily overturn the folk sayings? Maybe we can give it a try!"

"What's this called?"

Zhang Yin paced back and forth angrily and ignored his wife.

The second son, Zhang Yue, came in hurriedly and said, "Father, it seems that my uncle has indeed received guidance from an expert. His method of growing medicine to prevent smallpox is unique. Otherwise, he would never have become such a great scholar who attracts the attention of the world."

Zhang Yin said angrily, "You don't need to tell me about the quality of the Zhang family's interpersonal relationships and friends. I can't stay here any longer. I have to go to the county government office!"

The housekeeper hurriedly said, "But... Master, the county government only invited the gentleman from the village outside the city. What reason do we have to come?"

"With the status of our Zhang family among the aristocratic families in Xingji, it is not difficult for us to enter the county government. I just want to question Zhang Laizhan face to face about what he wants to do! Why does he ignore the bright future that has been arranged for him and insist on doing such a deceiving act!"

"Yes, yes. I will arrange a car right away."

"No, it's only a few steps away. I can walk there."

……

……

Huizhou Trading House.

At this time, Manager Qin also learned that Zhang Luan was invited to a government banquet.

"Has Censor Chen left?"

Shopkeeper Qin asked in confusion.

Xu Gong respectfully reported: "In the past few days, Censor Chen has been investigating the granary case with all his strength, and he is not expected to leave yet. From the information I heard from the government, Censor Chen not only did not punish the student surnamed Zhang, but he even went there to plant the herbs himself, testing the law himself, and it seems that he believes in the student surnamed Zhang's behavior."

Shopkeeper Qin shook his head repeatedly: "Impossible, absolutely impossible! The Wang family has been famous doctors for generations, and their reputation as the best in the medical field is known throughout Jiangnan. There is no way Mr. Wang can be wrong about what he has predicted."

Xu Gong asked: "Then... maybe Zhang's eloquence deceived even the inspector? Otherwise... should we go and enlighten him?"

Shopkeeper Qin asked, "What is the current situation of smallpox prevention and treatment in the city?"

"Boss, there are some things... I don't know whether I should say them or not." Xu Gong felt embarrassed.

Shopkeeper Qin said, "You can talk as you like."

Xu Gong said helplessly: "We have hired a lot of farmhands at the dock. Strangely enough, none of the farmhands who have planted medicine have had acne. But those who have never planted medicine... have had sporadic cases recently... Now, no matter how strict our orders are... our men have gone to plant medicine... We can't stop them..."

Shopkeeper Qin was stunned for a long time before waving his hand: "Then let's observe it again... Could it be that Mr. Wang is wrong?"

……

……

At the same time, the county government was preparing a banquet.

County Magistrate Song Qing originally planned to invite Zhang Luan and Chen Yan to show off his achievements, but Chen Yan refused to attend to avoid suspicion, which reduced the luster of the celebration banquet. Before the banquet began, Song Qing heard a frightening piece of news.

"The Imperial Inspector of the Grain Transport Department led people to open the grain storage warehouses from Qing County to Cangzhou last night. They inspected six or seven places along the way and found that the grain stored in the warehouses was seriously insufficient, and most of the stored grain was seriously damaged by moisture and could not be transported to the northwest front. A local grain supervisor fled overnight and has not been captured yet."

Li Weishao was sweating profusely and looked very nervous.

Song Qing frowned and asked, "Open the granary? Do it overnight? Why didn't we get any news beforehand?"

Li Weishao sighed, "Perhaps the court was also afraid that the lower levels would commit fraud, so they carried out a surprise attack. But even so, someone still got wind of it in advance. It is said that the escaped grain supervisor wanted to set fire, but failed and fled in a hurry. The imperial censor has sent the Jinyiwei to arrest him."

Song Qing waved his hand: "This matter has nothing to do with me. I am not in charge of grain..."

"But... Sir, you have been involved in the local grain storage and relief work before, and according to the court rules, local officials are also responsible for supervising grain storage, and..."

"Besides what?"

Song Qingli glared at Li Weishao, as if to say, can you please say something nice?

Li Weishao said helplessly: "Before the Xingji Water Warehouse was distributing grain, you went there in person to greet them, and the Huizhou merchants also gave you a bribe of more than 200 taels of silver. Have you forgotten?"

Song Qing said in a hateful voice: "Even if this happened, so what? Could it be that someone dares to expose it? The Huizhou merchants?"

Li Weishao said, "I heard that a month before this incident, the local master Zhang had warned the Hui merchants who stayed in Xingji and refused to leave. The Sun family, a wealthy family in the city, wanted to take over the grain business, which was very profitable, but in the end they refused it and reportedly lost money to the Hui merchants. Everyone thought it was a joke at the time."

"Which Mr. Zhang?" Song Qing frowned.

"Who else could it be? Of course it's Mr. Zhang, the man who treats smallpox bravely and saves lives, the one you want to meet today." Li Weishao shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Is there any other Mr. Zhang in Xingji area who is as prominent as Zhang Luan?
Song Qing frowned for a long time before he asked in confusion: "How could he, a mere student, find out such a secret of the imperial court? Don't spread rumors."

Li Weishao said: "He is indeed just an ordinary student, but the Zhang family of Xingji is behind him... My lord, don't forget that his cousin was once the governor of Liaodong, and Chen Shangshu of Hejian Prefecture also had a close relationship with the Zhang family."

"That's it..."

Song Qing was a little annoyed. "I thought he was just a street thug who would do anything to gain fame and fortune, but I didn't expect he had such a strong background. It seems I was shortsighted."

"Sir, you are not short-sighted. It was you who gave him the opportunity to perform, and now it is time for him to give back... But in my estimation, it is not possible for a mere talent like him to know in advance that the court is going to check the grain reserves. Even if it is true that he can cure diseases and save lives, when it comes to omnipotent abilities, the Zhang family in the city has to be ranked first." Li Weishao said.

Song Qing asked: "What do you mean?"

Li Weishao explained: "The current leader of the Zhang family is the younger brother of the deceased Zhang Laozhongcheng. After all, Zhang Shengyuan is just a cousin... Since the Zhang family has a strong background in the court, you can definitely get in touch with the Zhang family and make friends with them. That way, no matter how this case develops, it will not involve you."

Song Qing said: "You mean, let the Zhang family come forward to help me?"

"Exactly."

Song Qing said, "Zhang's background lies in the students and officials he promoted during his time as the head of Liaodong and the Censorate. Now many of his students have been promoted to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. Since they spread the news in advance, they are most likely the instigators of this case, that is, the people who presided over the trial of the case. As long as they have a good relationship with Zhang, they will be..."

Song Qing suddenly realized: "As long as they can help say a word, this matter has nothing to do with me."

Li Weishao nodded heavily: "That's exactly what I meant."

Song Qing showed a delighted look on his face: "Xingji is really a Feng Shui treasure land for me... I thought no one in the court could lend a hand, but unexpectedly there is a Zhang family... Then it is not enough to just invite Mr. Zhang, we have to invite the head of the Zhang family."

Li Weishao smiled and said, "Your Excellency may not know that Zhang Yin, the head of the Zhang family, has come to the county government office to ask for an audience."

"is it?"

Song Qing said with satisfaction, "It seems that he also wants to communicate with me... This is to reveal the truth, but the fact that I have caught the attention of the senior officials in the court is enough to prove that my achievements in the past two years are acceptable... You should go and greet him and invite him to the table. I will treat him well."

(End of this chapter)