Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 32 The truth comes out
Naturally, the brother and sister did not go into the house to pack up, but ran to eavesdrop on the conversation in the main room.

Song Qing changed his previous perfunctory attitude in the county government office and flattered Zhang Luan to the utmost, nodding and bowing, without any sign that he was the official.

"I heard that when you were treating a patient in Yagu Temple, you asked someone to send a letter to Nanjing?" Song Qing asked expectantly.

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "Yes. It's just a private matter at home."

When Song Qing heard this, he immediately felt that the news was correct and sighed, "Why do you need to find someone to deliver the letter yourself? You can just go to the county government office and let me deliver the letter through official channels. Wouldn't that be faster? Is it to write to Xu Hanlin in Nanjing?"

"Yes."

Zhang Luan was somewhat confused and doubtful.

I wrote a letter to Xu Qiong, how come even the county government knew about it?
Does this have anything to do with my treatment?

Song Qing said: "On my way here, I heard that the Imperial Censor has also arrived here... This grain bill involves a serious matter. I don't know to what extent the court will investigate it. If... Lai Zhan can help mediate and make peace, so that big things can be reduced to small things and small things can be eliminated, it will be a great achievement!"

Zhang Luan was stunned. How come these words were exactly consistent with his son's warning to him?

He looked around, hoping that his son would give him some courage, but when he saw no one, he suddenly remembered that he thought his son talked too much and had sent him back to the inner room.

Now I went to the exam without being fully prepared and even forgot to bring my cheat sheets.

Zhang Luan is a man who has experienced many ups and downs. He showed his thick skin and smiled, "Speaking of which, this case is indeed somewhat involved, but you can rest assured, County Magistrate Song. I believe that it won't be long before the court will suppress the case.

"This case is mainly due to the deviation in the supply of grain and grass for the Northwest Frontier Army, which caused His Majesty's anger, so he ordered a thorough investigation. In fact, it will not involve the local government of the warehouses on both sides of the canal. I believe that the situation will be settled soon. Your Excellency can just pretend that nothing happened."

Song Qing asked in surprise: "Really?"

Zhang Luan was puzzled, thinking, "My son said this to me, didn't he? Why didn't I remember a few more words at that time, and just thought about how to deceive him?"
You only regret not having read enough books when you need them.

Zhang Luan said: "That's true."

Song Qing glanced towards Li Weishao, and saw that the advisor he had hired at a high price was also very happy. Apparently, everything was right. It turned out that the man named Zhang in front of him was the real boss. He had a relative who was a Hanlin scholar who was the president of the Nanjing Academy, and his source of information was comparable to that of the East Factory.

Song Qing said, "When I return to the city, how about you come with me? It's a good opportunity to meet the Imperial Censor who is in charge of the grain transport inspection."

Li Weishao quickly pulled Song Qing from behind, meaning to remind him, why are you saying this?
Zhang Luan was a little embarrassed: "I am not familiar with the Imperial Censor, I don't know what to say when I go there. Besides... I am just a scholar..."

"Oh."

Song Qing seemed to suddenly remember something and said hurriedly, "Laizhan, you went to the county government office in such a hurry that I forgot to tell you something... Hurry up and take out the things."

"Yes."

Li Weishao quickly took out a copy of the book from his arms and handed it to Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan asked in confusion: "What is this...?"

Song Qing smiled and said, "This is the document from Xingji recommending you as a tribute student. I have personally drafted the document. Tomorrow I will have the county education officer stamp it on you. In a few days I will send someone to take you to the capital to study in Beiyong."

"what?"

Zhang Luan's hands began to tremble violently.

The dream of many years finally came true. I thought it would be troublesome, but it was achieved without any effort. I was so excited that I couldn't express it in words. Li Weishao smiled and helped: "Congratulations, Mr. Zhang, congratulations, Mr. Zhang... Oh, no, you should be called Zhang Jiansheng."

Song Qing said: "When Laizhan finishes his studies at Beiyong, I, the official of Xingji County School, can also find you a position. Even if the rank is not high... at least you have a way out. Of course, with Laizhan's talent... he has connections, maybe he can pass the imperial examination, or be promoted by the court to serve as an official in other places... Haha, I think that's all easy."

Zhang Luan stood up and bowed respectfully: "I am grateful to County Magistrate Song for his cultivation and appreciation."

Song Qing hurried forward to help him: "Laizhan, what are you talking about? You and I are of the same age, so we should treat each other as equals. From now on, your business is my business. If you have anything to say, just tell me... This time you have made great contributions to the local disease treatment and epidemic prevention. It is my duty to thank you on behalf of the local people."

……

……

Xingji County, Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Yin learned from his servant that County Magistrate Song Qing was going to visit his cousin Zhang Luan again.

"This time the scene is much bigger than the last time... There's news from the county school that this year the local government recommended our master as a student, and he will be able to go to school by the end of the year. The county government has also prepared a large sum of money as travel expenses. The local gentry also flattered us, and there have been a lot of people visiting us these past two days... Some people who are familiar with us came to say hello in advance..."

Zhang Yin's big hands tightly grasped the armrests of the chair.

Zhang Ning asked, "The master had said before that he wanted his daughter to get married. Can this be done?"

Zhang Yin said bitterly, "He has grown powerful now. How can I still have any influence on him? County Magistrate Song didn't know how to behave. He was very polite when he met me, but who would have thought that he would do something like this in the blink of an eye? I am so angry!"

Zhang Ning sighed, "Now the Zhang family's backers in the court have all fallen, and they all rely on his lineage to marry their two sisters to official families... Otherwise, how about we also give in, and if it really doesn't work, let him find a way out for the Zhang family in the future?"

"He is just a student. Even if he has finished his studies at the Imperial Academy, what can he do? He is not destined to take the imperial examination. I would rather let the younger generation of my family take the exam than count on him!"

Zhang Yin said coldly, "Take my words outside the city and warn him that if the marriage fails this time, our two families will no longer have any contact. We go our own way, and he goes his way. I don't believe there will be no time for him to beg me!"

……

……

In the next few days, Zhang Luan, in a good mood, began to grow medicinal herbs for the villagers.

Jin was somewhat displeased, because there were many young girls and wives among the villagers who had to rely on their husbands to grow herbs on their bare arms, which made her a little jealous. Fortunately, there were only four or five hundred people in the village, and most of the men had already grown herbs in the city, so she could just work hard for a while and it would be done.

That day, Zhang Luan returned from his mission. When Jin hit her husband with a peach branch, she put more strength into it.

"Be gentle, be gentle."

Zhang Luan said with a grin.

Jin helped her husband complete the exorcism ritual with a stern face, threw the peach branch aside, and asked, "Master, are you going to go directly to the capital, or are you going to go somewhere else to treat people? We don't have the ability to treat illnesses and save lives, so we'd better not cause trouble. It would be bad if people found out that we can't afford this job."

Zhang Luan didn't take it seriously and asked, "Why can't you afford this meal? Officials from all over the country flocked to our house to invite us, do you think it's just empty talk?"

Zhang Yanling came out of the house at the right time and reminded him, "Dad, since you have been recommended by the county government to study at the Imperial College, let's go to Beijing as soon as possible. Now our family is a big tree that attracts the wind, and it is easy for thieves to target us."

Zhang Luan seemed very reluctant: "I have been busy with my medical practice recently and have no time to visit relatives and friends. I haven't had a literary gathering with old friends for a long time. I am itching to do so..."

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(End of this chapter)