Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 459: A charity? (asking for monthly votes)

"Son, I don't quite understand what you said... You want me to let Li Hua go? Is that necessary?"

Zhang Luan sat there, still a little confused.

He originally thought that holding all the power meant that all matters in the court had to be decided by him alone. However, after he had been in the court for a long time, he found that the Ming Dynasty court was just a makeshift team, and most of the time there was no need for anyone to step up and take the lead.

The system can function normally without anyone, let alone him, a dropout from the Imperial Academy who can't do anything.

Zhang Yanling said, "It's just to help Tan Yun, don't you think it's okay, Dad?"

"I'm not objecting."

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "It's just helping others... I always feel weird... I haven't figured out my own affairs yet, and Qin Yun and I don't have much friendship, so there's no need for that at all!"

"How can there be no friendship? Who sent our family to the capital? After arriving in the capital, who served my sister before and after her wedding?" Zhang Yanling said seriously, "You have to be sincere to your friends! If you think it is too difficult for you to do this and you really don't want to help, then I will find another way."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "You ask others for help when I can't solve the problem? What's the matter? Do you want to part ways with me? I just can't stand your smug look!"
"Humph, you were the one who asked me to impeach Li Hua, and you are also the one who wants to rescue him now, and your purpose is for Qin Yun who has nothing to do with us. You said... is our family a charity?"

Zhang Yanling explained: "Ni Yue once harmed the crown prince, and his current fate is entirely his own fault. But Li Hua just followed the wrong person, there is really no need to kill him..."

"Alright, alright, I don't want to hear your reasons!"

Zhang Luan said, "I just want to know how long I will have to handle this terrible case."

"Dad, now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, many things are done by using small things to control big things."

Zhang Yanling analyzed, "Liang Fang alone can shake up half of the court. Almost all the court officials are secretly watching you. What you are doing now is something that others envy but cannot obtain. What else are you dissatisfied with?

"Tomorrow you will go meet Li Hua's brother Li Ling... This is the time for you to show off your power as the most powerful official in this dynasty. Put on some airs and let people know that you are not someone to be trifled with."

……

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang was reviewing memorials by lamplight when Huai'en walked in from outside with a new memorial in his hand.

"Hai Daiban, put it down."

Zhu Youtang heard the footsteps, looked up, and said with concern, "It's getting late, Huai Daban, you should go back and rest first, there is still an early court tomorrow."

Huai En advised: "Your Majesty, you should rest earlier."

Zhu Youtang grinned, "I'm fine. I had dinner with my wife and I'm full of energy after I came back. I usually stay up until midnight to study. It's not hard to stay up at this time. But you, at your age, should pay more attention to your health."

"Your Majesty, governing a country is not something that can be accomplished overnight. You must take good care of your health."

Huai En looked distressed.

Zhu Youtang nodded.

Huai En then presented the memorial he had just brought forward and introduced it: "This is the memorial submitted by Minister Zhang, the father-in-law of the emperor."

"Father-in-law?"

Zhu Youtang immediately put down the other memorials and opened the one written by his father-in-law with great interest.

"The situation is like this..."

Huai En explained, "Minister Zhang believes that although Liang Fang usurped the throne and changed the crown prince, his crime is extremely serious, but it is not unforgivable. However, there are many people in the court who have been used by him, such as Li Zisheng, who was recommended to the late emperor by him... This time we should investigate in detail and find out the conspiracy and deception brewing behind his followers before making a decision!"

Zhu Youtang asked in surprise: "Is this really what my father-in-law meant? Isn't it said that he has a very good relationship with Li Zisheng?"

Huai En was unable to respond for a moment.

Zhang Luan and Li Zisheng have a good personal relationship. Even the emperor knows about it?
And the emperor is not in a hurry?
Li Zisheng was the most famous powerful official in the late Chenghua period. Aren't you afraid of something going wrong by letting a relative collude with the powerful official?

"I can tell from reading between the lines that my father-in-law doesn't seem to want to take over this case."

Zhu Youtang carefully read Zhang Luan's memorial and said with a smile, "It's not good to push too hard. Let's sort out the Liang Fang case and I will personally take care of it and help my father-in-law out."

Huai En advised: "Your Majesty, Minister Zhang is helping you to relieve your worries, why not fulfill his loyalty?"

"Yeah……"

Zhu Youtang smiled and shook his head, "What's the difference between him helping me and me helping him? My father-in-law seems easygoing, but when he does something important, he is very decisive... He is in trouble now, maybe because he has too many concerns."

Huai En asked: "In fact, from the perspective of others, it is hard to imagine that it was Minister Zhang who successfully brought Liang Fang down."

"Yes."

Zhu Youtang said, "But this is indeed the work of my father-in-law. The Empress Dowager was also involved at the time, and I witnessed it personally... Oh, by the way, I haven't asked the Empress Dowager what she thinks... How about this, after the morning court tomorrow, I plan to go and talk to the Empress Dowager in person..."

……

……

The teahouse not far from the Jinyiwei Beizhenfusi Yamen welcomed a special guest today.

It is Zhang Luan who seems to be very prominent in the court, but actually seems like an idle person.

After Zhang Luan arrived, Li Hua's younger brother Li Ling hurried forward to greet him, while Qin Yun, who came with Zhang Luan, tactfully left the door, probably because he didn't want to get involved in their conversation.

"Cough cough."

Zhang Luan remembered what his son said and wanted to show off his own power, so he put on a condescending and arrogant attitude, walked to the table and sat down directly, coughing twice in a pretentious manner.

Li Ling said, "I am Li Ling, a humble servant. Nice to meet you, Mr. Zhang." "You're welcome."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said in a friendly manner, "I am just an ordinary person who has the honor to serve as an advisor to a wise ruler. In terms of knowledge, I am not much better than people from scholarly families like your Li family... Oh, by the way, what did you want me to do?"

Li Ling's heart started beating fast after hearing this opening statement. He thought to himself, is this the capable Zhang Guozhang that outsiders say is so popular?
He looks no different from a short-sighted street person.

It's not possible that he got the opportunity to be promoted to a high position just because he is so close to the prince, but he himself has no real ability, right?
"I came here specifically for my brother Li Hua's matter." Li Ling explained, "He was imprisoned by the court because of some wrongdoings he made before. I heard that he might be sentenced to death."

"The death penalty... shouldn't be serious enough..."

Zhang Luan twirled his beard lightly and said something thoughtfully, then asked, "He shouldn't be beheaded for this little mistake he made, right? Maybe he can go back safely in a few days?"

"This……"

Li Ling smiled bitterly and said, "It's unlikely. After all, my brother's house has been confiscated."

Zhang Luan nodded: "It sounds miserable that he has been confiscated. If I had known that this day would come, I might not have impeached him that day."

"Master Zhang, please forgive me for my mistakes. My brother was indeed blinded by greed and did something that angered you." Li Ling said, "How about this? If there is anything you want to apologize for, just tell us. As long as our Li family is able to do it, we will definitely do it."

Zhang Luan shook his head: "He didn't offend me, but the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Once the punishment process begins, it must be handled impartially. Besides, I can't interfere in your brother's affairs... I'm neither in the Three Judicial Departments nor in charge of the Jinyiwei, so this kind of thing... hehe."

Li Ling said: "But there are rumors that only you can help my brother in this matter... The only person in the court who can save his life is you."

"Help..."

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "If I do nothing, it won't make any difference. The situation is here. If it is feasible, I don't mind secretly submitting a memorial to His Majesty to plead for mercy."

"That...that would be the best."

Li Ling looked very happy after hearing this, but he was more worried in his heart. If he rashly mentioned such a private matter to the emperor, it would seem to outsiders that he was afraid that his brother would die slowly.

Zhang Luan said: "To be honest, the reason why I came here today is mainly because of Tan Yun... Tan Yun, the captain of the Jinyiwei."

"I know, I know. I was able to contact you, Master Zhang, through him..."

Li Ling said hurriedly.

"Ah."

Zhang Luan nodded, "Captain Qin is a man of talent. He is so young but has already taken charge of the government. I admire this young man very much. By the way, what do you think of him?"

Li Ling was startled, then said: "I dare not think too much. It is a great honor for the Li family to be able to associate with him."

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "As long as you are satisfied! In that case, how about I find a matchmaker for you? I heard that you have a daughter who is of marriageable age, why not... just go with the flow? Haha, if you find it difficult, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Li Ling never thought that Zhang Luan would be so shameless as to directly become his daughter's matchmaker.

You haven't even finished your work yet, and you want me to drag my daughter into this?
In addition to being wealthy and having extensive connections, the Li family is also quite famous in the local area. Their ancestors had produced two Jinshi (imperial examination candidates), and there are many scholars in the family, including many national masters in the art of alchemy.

The marriage between the Li family and Qin Yun was not about marrying up, but about settling down.

"This matter...I'm afraid we need to think about it carefully."

Li Ling said, "I don't know what Captain Tan meant..."

"If he disagrees, I will go and mediate. If your Li family and Qin Yun become in-laws, then I will definitely help." Zhang Luan said, "Let me put it this way, Li Hua's incident was caused by me. When I knew he was implicated, I have always felt guilty, but I don't know how to bring up this matter."

"what?"

Li Ling thought, from the sound of it, you are actually a good person?

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "I am not asking for the marriage to be settled right now. I will come to propose marriage after everything is settled and your brother is released from the imperial prison.

"That's the idea for now. If you agree, this matter can be moved forward immediately... If you don't agree, then... that's another matter. You can just wish for the best."

"You... please don't, the Li family has prepared a generous gift for you..."

"hehe."

Zhang Luan shook his head and said with a smile, "I don't have much else, but I am not short of money. In fact, I have a good relationship with the merchants in Huizhou. They have repeatedly sent money to my house, but I didn't dare to accept it. This is because I know that money is too hot to handle, so it is better to act with conscience."

Li Ling frowned again when he heard this.

He had never viewed Zhang Luan as a positive character before, but after hearing what Zhang Luan said, he began to re-evaluate this seemingly easy-going old man in front of him.

Zhang Luan said: "Li Hua's biggest fault is that he was involved in the Deng Chang'en case and colluded with Ni Yue. As for me... although I can't say I hold grudges, I won't casually help someone who was once my enemy.

"If you want to befriend me, I am willing to lend a helping hand. Alas! Who made Li Hua fail to understand the situation and side with Ni Yue?"

"Alas, my brother has always wanted to seek refuge with you, but he just didn't have the opportunity."

When Li Ling said this, he looked quite helpless.

Who would have known that you, the father-in-law of the emperor, could gain a foothold in the civil service?
Anyone with a discerning eye would think that Ni Yue has a better future.

Zhang Luan smiled again and said, "If you don't make a decision when you should, you will suffer from the consequences. If you really want to save people, you can make a decision now. Otherwise, things will change if you delay."

Seeing that Li Ling didn't seem to believe it, he simply reminded him directly, "Li Zisheng used to be in charge of the Imperial Observatory. Now the memorials impeaching him are flying to Your Majesty like snowflakes. If another case of his is exposed, I'm afraid all the people related to him will be in big trouble... If we submit memorials to plead for his rescue at that time, I'm afraid..."

"clear."

Li Ling finally understood and said helplessly, "By then, it will be too late."

(The last five hours for double monthly tickets, please give me monthly tickets, thank you!)

(End of this chapter)