Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 506: On Equal Ground (asking for monthly ticket)

After Qian Neng met with Qin Ji, he immediately arranged for someone to give a gift to Zhang Luan.

"Eunuch, what gift should we give to the Zhang family?"

The attendant asked.

He is said to be a follower, but in fact he is Qian Neng's godson.

Even though Qian Neng has lost his power now, he was castrated at a young age and sent to the palace. He has a large family and a great fortune. He has served as a local garrison for so many years, from the eunuch garrisoning Yunnan to the eunuch garrisoning Nanjing. He has a wide range of resources at his disposal. When he returned to Beijing this time, many officials in Beijing privately hosted banquets for him in their homes. Even those who despised him on the surface secretly communicated with him in the hope of getting his care in their future career.

The four brothers of the Qian family, Qian Xi, Qian Fu, Qian Neng and Qian Yi, were castrated and sent to the palace together after the Liaodong border army of the Ming Dynasty cleared the Jurchen forces on the border. The four supported each other and rose rapidly all the way. The eldest brother Qian Xi and the second brother Qian Fu became eunuchs of the Imperial Stables, and the fourth brother became a eunuch of the Imperial Household Supplies.

The four people's power is intertwined, and they can do anything in the palace. The reason why Liang Fang was unable to do anything with the money before was that this huge network of relationships played an important role.

Qian Neng was known as "San Qian" and was famous for his cunning and treachery.

Qian Neng smiled faintly, shook his head and said, "Before Zhang Guozhang rose to power, he was just a scholar in the countryside. He came from a poor family and could barely make ends meet. Now that he has suddenly become rich, what else can he want? It's nothing more than gold, silver, or good land and beautiful houses... As long as he can afford it, just send it to him."

Qian Neng's adopted son said in embarrassment: "But... Father-in-law, I heard that Zhang Guozhang doesn't like money."

"Where did you hear that? Are there any relatives in this world who are not greedy for money?"

Qian Neng frowned when he heard this.

The adopted son replied respectfully, "There are rumors in the capital that Zhang Guozhang is a very low-key person, and most people who used to send gifts to him were unable to find a way in. If you send someone to deliver the gift now, I'm afraid it won't end well."

"Humph, you're sending money to your door, and you still don't want to accept it?"

Qian Neng thought for a moment, then instructed, "Then arrange the house and land, send someone to present the gift list, and then ask him to buy the land at a low price. It's just a formality. Then people will only think that he bought the land from outside, not as a gift from someone... Isn't that the solution?"

The adopted son praised: "My lord, you are wise. I will do it right away."

……

……

Zhang Luan stayed outside that night and did not return home.

It was already noon the next day when he returned, dragging his exhausted body. As he walked into the courtyard, he saw Zhang Yanling sitting on a small stool next to the rockery in the middle of the courtyard, seemingly basking in the sun.

"Oh, you didn't go out?"

Zhang Luan felt guilty and didn't dare to look his son in the eye, but he still forced himself to greet him.

Zhang Yanling looked up at the sky and muttered, "I can't walk around like my father. I have to take care of things at home. So I can only take some time out to sit quietly and think about life."

Zhang Luan curled his lips: "What's wrong with you?"

Zhang Yanling glanced at him unhappily and said, "Someone came to give me a gift, but I sent him away. If you were at home, I wouldn't have to show up, would I?"

"Hey, how do you talk to your father?"

Zhang Luan took a small stool and placed it next to his youngest son. Then he tried to sit down tremblingly, but he couldn't touch the stool for a long time.

Zhang Luan had no choice but to say, "My father's legs are not in good condition, come and help me."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Your legs and feet are not in good condition? I saw that you walked quite smoothly, but you dared not return home at night... I guess you had too much fun last night and forgot how to go home?"

"Why are you speaking so harshly, kid?"

Zhang Luan glared at his son and shouted, "Does it really take you so much time to inquire about your father's affairs? Didn't I ask you before I left yesterday, and you said it was nothing serious?

"How dare you say that, kid, you didn't know what your father was going to do at that time?"

Speaking of this, Zhang Luan became a little excited.

Then he changed the subject and said, "Son, this is all I want. Can you satisfy me a little and consider it as fulfilling your filial duty?

"I'm back today, right? I was originally planning to go to the house in the south of the city and stay there for another night, but when I thought of you and your mother, I couldn't bear it..."

Zhang Yanling shook his head and smiled bitterly, sighing, "As a father, you can't set a good example yourself. What if you lead your children astray? Don't you feel guilty?"

Zhang Luan said, "Hey, what's the point of leading by example? If I don't lead by example, your elder brother will be the same! I have set an example, will you follow my example? You don't need to follow my example. You can do whatever you want in the future. As long as you don't poke a hole in the sky, I think your sister and brother-in-law will take good care of you... Even if I'm not here by then, I think you can do it too."

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled.

He felt that Zhang Luan had some insight in this regard.

Historically, the Zhang brothers would always stir up a hornet's nest for no reason and did a lot of ridiculous things. Fortunately, they had the support of their elder sister, Empress Zhang, and they never got into any serious trouble.

Of course, feng shui still changes. For example... Zhu Youlang, who is still a young man in the palace, will have a ruthless son in the future!

Everything needs to be prepared in advance.

While the two were talking, the servants who were alarmed finally brought a rattan chair. Zhang Luan sat on it steadily with the help of Chang Shun. He laid his injured leg flat and asked leisurely: "Who in the family came to give a gift?"

Zhang Yanling asked Chang Shun, who was waiting beside him, "Why don't you bring me a chair?"

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "I think it's good for you to sit on the bench. You should be shorter and lower your posture. This way you can be more low-key... When you talk to me, I can still have a little self-respect. As a child, don't always think about being on an equal footing with your elders."

Zhang Yanling shook his head: "No, I just want to be on an equal footing with you."

"You little bastard... that guy, bring him a chair."

Zhang Luan didn't bother about it.

After waiting for a short while, Chang Shun trotted over to bring the chair this time. He was so tired that he was out of breath, but he still had a smile on his face.

Zhang Luan cursed: "You are so blind. You have never been so diligent when working for the master. Do you think the rewards I give you are not enough?"

Chang Shun said hurriedly, "Master, you are joking. We are all masters. It doesn't matter who we work for. The Second Young Master has been sitting here for half a day. I wanted to move a chair for him early in the morning."

"Go, go, go, lean on one side."

Zhang Luan waved his hand impatiently.

Wait for Chang Shun to leave.

Zhang Luan then continued to ask: "Tell me, who is coming to give the gift?"

Zhang Yanling said: "Three groups of people."

"what?"

Zhang Luan looked curious, "Three groups of people came to give gifts? That's probably not a big deal... Give me a general idea."

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "One is Qian Neng, the former eunuch who was in charge of the garrison of Nanjing. He asked someone to send us a house and land, and said that he would not send it openly, and then he would let us pay for the land and house at a low price, so that no one would know..."

Zhang Luan said disdainfully: "Do you really think that the people from the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are just there to do nothing? Who can be fooled by this little cover-up? How can those spies from the factory and the guards not understand the inside story? This is just a trick!"

Zhang Yanling said, "Dad, just know that they are trying to trick you... I will just drive them away."

"Yes! Well done!"

Zhang Luan suddenly thought of something and asked, "The name Qian Neng sounds familiar. Was he a disciple of Liang Fang?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded.

"Aren't all of Liang Fang's followers in jail? Why is he missing? No, no, I have to put him in jail! Leaving a man like him hanging around outside will be a disaster sooner or later!"

Zhang Luan looked like he was eager to put the enemy to death.

Zhang Yanling advised: "Dad, just don't bother. Although some people are also Liang Fang's party, they have strong backgrounds. There are too many people and forces involved in the palace. No one dares to touch them.

"It's like Qian Neng, known as the Three Qians. He has strong backers both inside and outside the palace to support him... Otherwise, why do you think the case didn't fall on him? In fact, he has people inside and outside the palace to protect him."

Zhang Luan was a little surprised, and after thinking for a while, he said, "Okay, let's talk about Qian Neng later... Go on, who else came to give gifts?"

Zhang Yanling pointed to a box behind him and said with a smile, "My brother-in-law."

"Which brother-in-law are you? Ahem..."

Zhang Luan coughed twice, probably because he was choked by his own saliva, and then cursed, "You blind thing... Even my father was almost fooled by you... Do you think you can call him your brother-in-law? From now on, please address him as Your Majesty!"
"I tell you, kid, don't be so arrogant. The bride has only been in the bridal sedan for three days. Be careful not to get into trouble.

"Have you ever heard that serving a king is like serving a tiger?"

Zhang Yanling pursed his lips and replied, "Oh! I see...what else do you want to ask?"

Zhang Luan continued to lecture: "Can the emperor's gift be called a gift? That's called a favor! Oh, by the way, what did His Majesty give? I have to go and see it with my own eyes."

As he said this, he was about to get up and take a look.

…………

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(End of this chapter)