Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 31 Are you drifting away already?

The Zhang family became lively again.

Originally, many villagers heard that Zhang Luan and his son had returned home early in the morning, so they wanted to find Zhang Luan to grow medicine. In their opinion, since Zhang Luan was the initiator of this acne treatment and epidemic prevention, he must be superior in medical skills.

There is such a powerful person in the village, who else can we ask for help if not him?

Most of the men in the village have gone to the city to queue up to grow medicine for their livelihood, but after all, many women and children cannot travel far, so it is just the right time for them to come and ask for medicine.

Who would have thought that Zhang Luan would return home in a hurry and then take the government carriage back into the city, saying that he was going to attend a banquet hosted by the county magistrate, and then come back to grow herbs for his fellow villagers.

Jin had placed tables, chairs and benches at the door of her house as Zhang Luan had instructed.

Zhang Luan, who was worried about something, had planned to ask all the men and women in the neighborhood who could grow medicinal herbs to plant some on his way home. However, as soon as his carriage arrived at the village entrance, he heard that people from several nearby villages had all arrived. Both sides of the road were filled with people greeting the carriage, and he was overwhelmed.

"Master Zhang, we are from Cangzhou next door. We heard that you were coming back today, so we came to wait for you just after noon. Do you think it would be convenient for you to go to Cangzhou with us? The boats and carriages are ready, and we are just waiting for you at the gate of the government. We will definitely treat you with good wine and delicious food, and we have prepared a generous thank-you gift for you."

"Master Zhang, we are from Hejian Prefecture..."

Zhang Luan had been treated coldly at the county government office and had a very unhappy meal. Only then did he realize that he had become famous and that there was an endless stream of people coming to him for medical treatment.

"This one……"

Zhang Luan was surprised to see that even the government of the prefecture city had sent people to invite him to treat illnesses, but a look of pride and complacency appeared on his face.

At this time, the carriage stopped at the door of the house. The father and son got off the carriage. Zhang Luan was tidying up his clothes. Zhang Yanling quickly stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Thank you all for your kindness. My father just came back from treating a disease and saving people. He is very tired and needs to rest for a while. He is not going anywhere for the time being."

Zhang Luan took a look and thought, wow, my son has grown up and actually rejected the invitation from the government office on my behalf?
Who gave you the courage?

Before Zhang Luan could say anything, Zhang Yanling had already taken his old father's hand and walked through the crowd into his own yard.

"what are you doing?"

Zhang Luan looked at his son with a stern face.

Zhang Yanling said sternly, "Dad, don't always think about making money by treating illnesses. Going to the capital is the top priority right now... Don't worry about why. If we can't go, it will delay our family's bright future. Do you listen to me or not?"

Zhang Luan hesitated for a moment and sighed, "Son, it's not that I don't want to go to the capital, but what can I do there? Studying in the Imperial College is my lifelong wish, but the government doesn't care about me. If I have to take the exam, can I be sure I can pass it?"

"Master Zhang, someone from Baoding Prefecture has also arrived..."

There was a noise at the door.

"is it?"

Zhang Luan was very excited when he heard this.

Before he knew it, his fame had spread beyond Hejian Prefecture and he had become a celebrity in the northern Zhili area of ​​the Ming Dynasty. After living a mediocre life for half his life, Zhang Luan suddenly found himself making a name for himself. He felt a little unsteady in his steps.

When Zhang Yanling saw this scene, he couldn't help but shake his head and was speechless.

My father who has a serious peasant mentality, you have just achieved a little success, and you are so proud of yourself? If I had known earlier, I should have done nothing after arriving in the Ming Dynasty, so that I would not have affected history at all. I would have just waited to go to Beijing to become the emperor's uncle, why would there be so many problems?
But on second thought, the space and time he was in might also be a parallel space and time. If he had not interfered at all, perhaps the Zhang family would not have had any in-laws?

Stay in Xingji and live in poverty all your life?

Who dares to bet?
My destiny is in my own hands, so I can only feel at ease if I firmly grasp all opportunities in my own hands!
……

……

Zhang Luan went out to greet the guests, and for a moment he was the center of attention, enjoying great glory. Fortunately, the arrival of County Magistrate Song Qing added a piece of paperweight to the uncontrollable situation, and Zhang Luan, who had been floating, was pressed back to the ground.

"The county magistrate came to visit in person. Master Zhang is truly extraordinary."

"This is not the first time the county magistrate has come here. It seems that Mr. Zhang and County Magistrate Song have a close relationship."

"The Zhang family is a famous and prestigious family in Xingji. You people from other counties are the most superficial..."

There was a lot of chatter around.

Zhang Luan hurriedly welcomed Song Qing and his party into the courtyard, and then respectfully invited them to the main hall. This time, Zhang Luan did not need his son to come forward. He even drove Zhang Yanling, who had sneaked in to sit in, out of the hall and received them personally.

Zhang Yanling returned to the ear room in disappointment.

Zhang Yu, who was wearing a light beige jacket and skirt and had her hair done in a double bun, looked out from the window. She turned around and said to her younger brother who had just entered the room, "Brother, didn't you go to the county government? Why is the magistrate here again?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "It must be a good thing. It might be a gift to our family."

Jin also came over and whispered, "Second brother, when you and your father went to the county government, what did the officials say?"

"Mom, let's pack up quickly and go to Beijing as soon as possible... It's a bit difficult to settle down here. As the saying goes, a tall tree attracts the wind. With Dad's reputation, some people will think that our poor family has suddenly become rich. We can't exchange the gold and silver we got for land and houses for looting. I'm afraid all kinds of thieves will come in droves."

Seeing that Zhang Luan was somewhat out of control, Zhang Yanling started with his mother.

Put pressure on the Jin family, exaggerate the atmosphere of terror, and then whisper in Zhang Luan's ear to make him recognize the right path.

Jin frowned and said, "Don't talk nonsense. It's such a good year. Where did the thieves come from?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Mother, you don't know yet, do you? I heard from people in the city that thieves often appear in the border area between Shandong and Northern Zhili, and they come and go like the wind. Now that our family has been blessed by God and has some spare money, it is easy for us to encounter disasters... It is said that good and bad things are interdependent, mother, you must know this truth, right?"

Jin, who was always superstitious, could not stand this. She became nervous as soon as she heard it and nodded hurriedly: "I said that I have been feeling uneasy these past two days, and my eyelids have been twitching non-stop. It seems that a disaster is approaching."

Zhang Yanling thought to herself, that’s because you were worried and didn’t get enough rest because your husband was not around.

But if you say so, then so be it.

Jin looked at Zhang Yu and said, "Help your two brothers pack up. If possible, let's go to the capital as soon as possible and seek refuge with your aunt who is married to the Shen family in the capital. She has written to invite us to come over before."

Zhang Yu's bright eyes widened: "Mom, why do you want me to help them clean up?"

"You're the elder sister, if you don't clean up, who will? Are you going to let mother clean up herself?" Jin scolded with a stern face, "The older you get, the more troublesome you become... Do you think you're about to get married, and you won't listen to mother's words?"

"No."

Zhang Yu felt unhappy for a moment.

I am a young girl who is raised in the boudoir and is about to bloom. I should be cared for and looked after all the time. Unfortunately, I have no status at home and have to do all kinds of odd jobs. I naturally feel bad.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. This time, father will definitely get a place to study at the Imperial College. When we get to the capital, we won't have to seek refuge with anyone. We will all stay in the capital and live a good life."

"It's a beautiful thought."

Jin waved her hand and said, "Stop daydreaming and help your sister with her work."

Zhang Yu had his brother's support, and all his worries disappeared instantly. He pulled his brother into the inner room, and said with a smile as they walked, "I told you not to listen to your mother. Do you think that if you follow your father outside every day, your mother can't control you? You clever little boy, tell me quickly, what delicious and fun things are there in the city?"

(End of this chapter)