Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 512 Advance as retreat
Zhang family.

Shortly after nightfall, Zhang Luan came back from outside, which made Zhang Yanling, who was thinking about something in the yard, look at his old father with new eyes.

"Didn't you go play?"

Zhang Yanling stepped forward and asked.

Zhang Luan sat down, put his crutches aside, and said casually, "I've played enough and now I'm leaving."

"..."

Zhang Yanling was speechless for a moment.

Zhang Luan looked at his youngest son with a smile and joked, "Who said that we have to work after dark? It's more interesting to work at dawn... Hehe, I came back early, so who can say anything to me? Besides, no matter how busy I am, don't I have to go home? The main reason is that my body... can't take it!"

Zhang Yanling didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and turned his head away, "Dad, it seems that you are not in good health!"

Zhang Luan was not ashamed but proud: "You are really weak, so I need to replenish your body. I want to try out the prescriptions you prescribed for me one by one to see which one is the most effective...

"Oh, son, I'm going to meet Li Zisheng tomorrow. I don't know why, but I feel so uneasy... I suddenly feel a little scared. What do you think is going on?"

"Things are different now!"

Zhang Yanling answered casually.

"Yes, although my father is only the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue now, he has established a firm foothold in the court, while Li Zisheng is on the decline. My father is indeed no longer the same as before."

Zhang Luan said proudly.

Zhang Yanling glanced at him and said with a smile: "I'm not talking about this, I'm talking about your leg..."

"Cough cough."

Zhang Luan coughed and glared at his youngest son, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that my leg is not as good as it used to be? I am afraid of seeing him because of my leg, right?"

Zhang Yanling regained his serious look: "Dad, you have to think clearly, to what extent do you intend to help Li Zisheng?"

"Do your best! After all, your father is a kind-hearted person. Even Li Huazeng, who had offended me before, I wanted to help him, let alone Li Zisheng? I also know that this guy is not a good person, but he is really kind to us. Our family was poor at the beginning, and he played an indispensable role in helping us quickly gain a foothold in the capital... After all, he didn't do anything against our conscience and morality, right?"

Zhang Luan said helplessly.

Zhang Yanling nodded: "I didn't say I won't help him. But you have to think clearly about the extent to which you can help, or in other words, where does he need your help, and are you confident that you can help?"

Zhang Luan nodded: "Yes, how can I help him? Can I say a few good words for him in front of His Majesty?"

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Dad, you are such a weird person. Just now you said you would do your best to help, but now you just said it with your mouth. You haven't even thought about how to help?"

"Ahem, isn't this you?"

Zhang Luan seemed very embarrassed. "I just made my attitude clear. It's enough for you to know my feelings. In fact, your father also knows that you looked down on Li Zisheng from the beginning and asked me to keep a distance from him. Moreover, it was always me who went to meet Li Zisheng. He was good to me, but not necessarily to you, but he always helped your sister and our family... You have to save some face, right?"

Zhang Yanling nodded: "Dad, what you said makes sense. Helping my sister is equivalent to helping His Majesty. In addition, he has made great contributions in supporting the new emperor. Under this premise, his merits and demerits offset each other, so he can get away with it."

Zhang Luan was shocked and asked, "He...he just...got away with it?"

"What's wrong? Dad, are you not satisfied with the result?"

Zhang Yanling was surprised at first, then said seriously, "I have to explain the matter to you clearly... Do you know what would happen to Li Zisheng after the new emperor ascends the throne if you hadn't intervened and because of his deep friendship with you?"

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "Why do you always make those meaningless assumptions? After all, he and I have known each other for a long time and have helped each other! Oh, by the way, what do you think will happen to him?"

Zhang Yanling said solemnly: "If he didn't have a close relationship with you and didn't rely on you to complete a smooth transition, then Deng Changen's experience would be his current fate."

"Died in the imperial prison?"

Zhang Luan suddenly widened his eyes and asked in shock.

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded seriously. He really didn't mean to scare Zhang Luan or to contradict his old father.

If it weren't for the influence of this time traveler, wouldn't the historical Li Zisheng have died tragically in prison?
Even though he had helped the prince many times, and even Emperor Hongzhi himself wanted to let him go, he was ultimately unable to resist the fact that many people in the court wanted him dead, and this powerful official could only die in prison in frustration.

Zhang Yanling continued, "However, Li Zisheng can't get out of this unscathed right now. In other words, even if he wants to get out of this unscathed, he has to stabilize his base. He has to wait until the end of the year... or next year, when the cases of Deng Changen and Zhao Yuzhi, or even Liang Fang and Wei Xing, are slowly forgotten. Then he can withdraw from the court. This is the best strategy."

Zhang Luan asked hesitantly, "You mean, he can't leave now even if he wants to?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded again, "If he leaves now, there will definitely be problems... You have to explain it to him tomorrow. If he still wants to live a carefree life as a half-immortal, he must first hold on to the job in front of him. Others retreat in order to advance, but Li Zisheng can only advance in order to retreat."

……

……

Early the next morning, at Zhang Mansion.

Li Zisheng came in person, but this time he came empty-handed because he didn't want people to think that he was here to curry favor with his old friend Zhang Luan.

For this reason, before entering the door, he explained to Pang Qing who was waiting beside the sedan chair: "There is no need to rush to give gifts. Besides, Lai Zhan knows that what I can give him is something that others cannot give... Today I have to be more formal and not appear to be too frivolous."

In order to show his importance to Li Zisheng, Zhang Luan, upon learning of Li Zisheng's arrival, specially went to the gate of the mansion to greet him on crutches, accompanied by his youngest son Zhang Yanling.

Li Zisheng met Zhang Luan and asked in surprise, "Laizhan, what are you doing? You should go back and recuperate. How can you go out so easily?"

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "Minister Li, when I learned that you were coming, how could I not come out to greet you in person? Although my legs and feet are not healed yet, they are almost healed. I have been busy these days, so one more time won't hurt. My son, quickly lead the way for your uncle Li."

"Yes."

Zhang Yanling led the way with a smile.

Li Zisheng personally helped Zhang Luan walk inside.

The two of them came to the main hall together. Zhang Luan suddenly remembered something, looked around, and asked curiously, "Why didn't Mr. Pang come in?"

"Let him wait outside." Li Zisheng said, "Besides, what kind of a master is he? You don't have to respect him. Just treat him as your own disciple and scold him when necessary."

Zhang Luan disagreed and shook his head, saying, "How can this be possible? I have known Pang Bingkun for a long time and I think he is a talented person. We can't neglect him."

Li Zisheng thought to himself, Bingkun, Bingkun, are you still pretending that you have never done anything to pave the way?

Zhang Laizhan has remembered you, so if you leave me, you can directly find your next partner.

"Laizhan, I didn't bring any gifts this time, but you know that the things I gave you are not as simple as they seem." Li Zisheng first explained the situation of his impoliteness, "Besides, my status is awkward at this time, and many people in the court are impeaching me. I came to visit you this time to inquire about your injury. Will it not be a bother to you?"

Zhang Luan said quickly, "Why are you being so polite, Minister Li? You can come if you want. My door is always open to you."

"No, things are different now. You are now the father-in-law of the emperor, and I am just the manager of the Silver Office. My status is far inferior to yours, not to mention... Alas!"

Having said that, Li Zisheng sighed heavily.

When Zhang Luan saw this, he knew that Li Zisheng could not wait to the dinner table, so he planned to complain to him and talk about things.

Thinking of his son's request, Zhang Luan raised his hand and said, "Yanling, you have nothing to do here. Go down first and watch outside to prevent others from approaching. I have something to say to Minister Li."

"Know it."

Zhang Yanling looked innocent and naive. He skipped to the door and turned around and said, "I promise to guard the door and never allow anyone to get close."

"go Go."

Zhang Luan smiled and waved his hand.

(End of this chapter)