Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 539 Mentality

Night falls.

Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Luan sat there, still looking very excited.

"came back?"

When Zhang Yanling returned home and just entered the Moon Gate, he saw his old father sitting in the yard and asked curiously.

Because we haven't seen each other for two days.

Zhang Luan looked embarrassed, but he did not forget to glance towards the backyard. After finding that no one was watching, he stood up, walked forward and whispered, "I came back just after 3 p.m.... The people in the other courtyard have been sent away, and they have no regrets."

Zhang Yanling stretched out his hand to interrupt Zhang Luan: "Dad, you don't have to tell me about this. I don't want to know about this."

"Oh, this just proves that your father has no reservations in front of you."

Zhang Luan said shamelessly, "My father will go to the palace to see the Queen Mother tomorrow. I don't know why, but my mood suddenly becomes clear."

"Where's the cheerfulness?"

Zhang Yanling frowned when he heard this, and after looking at it carefully, he actually found some slight differences.

The old father always looked lifeless before, but this time, maybe he regained his confidence in certain things outside, and he looked much more radiant.

Zhang Luan said: "Let's not talk about this for now... You know Huai En came to our house today, right?"

"What is he here for?"

Zhang Yanling thought for a moment and continued, "Could it be about repairing the river? You've already reported it."

"Yeah, didn't you ask me to report it?"

Zhang Luan’s eyes widened.

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes at his cheap father and said, "Dad, I told you that the memorial needs further consideration. It needs more thought... The emperor has only proposed such a big thing as repairing the river a few days ago? As a result, you directly submitted a plan. It seems too deliberate... Don't you know that things should be done steadily?"

Zhang Luan tilted his head and said, "I don't know... I just know that I'm busy these two days, so I'd better report it earlier. But I didn't know... trouble would come."

Zhang Yanling frowned and asked, "What's the trouble? Brother-in-law doesn't agree to repair the river?"

"No, no, no, he was the one who proposed this. How could I disagree?" Zhang Luan said, "Huai En said today that your brother-in-law, no, it was His Majesty who took the plan you wrote very seriously and immediately asked him and Qin Chang to meet with the cabinet members to seek their opinions."

Zhang Yanling nodded: "Liu Ji and Xu Pu will not agree directly, but they will not object, right?"

"Huh? How do you know?"

Zhang Luan looked at his youngest son as if he were a monster.

Zhang Yanling said unhappily, "Isn't this simple? Your Majesty is determined to push forward the river repair. If they oppose it and a flood occurs later, who will be held responsible?
"If they agree immediately... it's such a big deal, it will cost a lot of money and effort, and it may be in vain. And knowing that it's you, the unknown Zhang Guozhang, who is in charge of everything behind the scenes, can they rest assured?"

Zhang Luan was surprised and said, "My son, you are really amazing... Even though he is not here, you can guess the whole thing just by listening to my words. How can I put it? Our family will depend on you in the future."
"That's right! As you said, the cabinet now has to prove that the strategy we proposed is completely feasible... Don't you think this will cause trouble for your father?"

"Son, do you think we should continue to move forward with this matter?"

Zhang Luan suddenly seemed worried again.

Zhang Yanling teased, "Why, now that you've aroused your brother-in-law's interest, you want to run away first?"

"No, no, no, I am not the kind of person who gives up halfway. I just feel that it is already so troublesome just to send the plan to the cabinet. If it is really as Eunuch Huai said, and the matter is brought to the court for public discussion, facing the doubts of the civil and military officials, and then facing the malicious speculations of the people of the world... I am afraid that my small body can't bear it!"

Zhang Luan said that he didn't want to give up halfway, but in fact he was worried about getting into trouble and had already intended to back off.

Zhang Yanling sighed, "Dad, you can't be afraid of trouble when you are an official... If you want to get good things, you have to understand the intentions of your superiors and bravely stand up to face all challenges. Only in this way can you gain real power. If you want to be a turtle when encountering problems, who will take you seriously?"

Zhang Luan said: "But... one can't be too radical, right?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, you have had a good life these past two days, right? Why do you get all the good things when others in the court don't get them? You can't enjoy the fruits of victory brought by power while saying that you have to be conservative and avoid them... It is absolutely not advisable to smash the pot after dinner!"

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "From your analogy, you are still trying to ruin the pot after eating. Where did you learn all these crooked theories at such a young age? Well! Your father has no choice but to go down in person and face the doubts of the court. But my son, you have to rely on me from now on! Your father alone cannot do it."

……

……

The next day Zhang Luan went to the palace to meet Queen Mother Zhou.

Queen Mother Zhou was still as enthusiastic as ever.

After seeing Zhang Luan, she immediately pulled him to sit at the table. Not only did she ask about his well-being, she also insisted on sitting next to him, saying that they were going to chat about family matters, but her hand was always pinching Zhang Luan's arm.

Zhang Luan was in a very relaxed mood at this time, and even had a warm smile on his face.

Even Queen Mother Zhou noticed the difference between Zhang Luan and before, and asked curiously, "Laizhan, you seem to be a little different today!"

Zhang Luan asked with a smile: "Aunt, what do you think is different?"

"Can't tell."

Queen Mother Zhou shook her head in confusion and said thoughtfully, "Maybe you were sullen before and always seemed reluctant, but today, for some reason, you became more confident... I can't explain it, can you tell me why?"

Zhang Luan thought, I used to feel so heavy-hearted. I was afraid that I would lose my integrity in my later years, and I was trembling with fear when I came to you.

But things are different now.

After the past few days, I have deeply understood one thing: who says I can’t chew on old-style vegetables? Although it takes some teeth for a mouse to chew on old-style vegetables, it can’t be said that the mouse is at a disadvantage, right?
Therefore, we must have the right mindset and make it clear who is biting whom.

Only if I am confident and take a more open-minded view of this matter, I won't be the one who suffers in the end, and I may even get a great advantage.

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "Aunt, I was always a little nervous when I came to the palace before, probably because I had reservations. But after coming here a few more times, I feel your enthusiasm and experience the friendly atmosphere in the palace. How can I be so tense as a nephew? I have to let go of my worries and face you well."

Empress Dowager Zhou rolled her eyes at Zhang Luan and said angrily, "Laizhan, I have to say something about you. You said that your daughter is already the empress of the Ming Dynasty and the master of the six palaces. As a father, it is no different for you to enter the palace and come to your own home. I treat you as my own family, and the emperor respects and trusts you, but you can't let go?"

"Yes, yes, I will definitely let you go in the future, I will definitely let you go!"

Zhang Luan agreed verbally, but his mind was full of thoughts.

When the enemy comes, we will stop him; when the water comes, we will block him with earth. Now it depends on which direction you release it from. I am ready to accompany you anytime...

Although he was mentally prepared, Zhang Luan was still a little afraid when he thought about really "letting go".

Chen Gui on the side said with a smile: "Grandfather, this actually just shows that our Zhang Guozhang has an open mind."

"Ah? Is there any explanation for this?"

Queen Mother Zhou was confused and asked immediately.

"Think about it, those who don't consider themselves outsiders are more likely to become presumptuous and even arrogant. And Zhang Guozhang has always maintained the mentality of a minister and worked diligently for the Ming Dynasty. Doesn't it just show that he has a sense of awe and has always been self-disciplined and respectful?" Chen Gui continued to flatter.

"hehe."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "Hearing what you said, it seems to make sense."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, how can Chen Gui's words make sense? This is pure flattery, don't you, an old vixen, understand?

Or did you hear it but deliberately didn't expose it, allowing me to enjoy Chen Gui's flattery skills?

Zhang Luan said, "Aunt, I'm not as good as Eunuch Chen said. I couldn't let go before because I had a knot in my heart."

"Hey, Lai Zhan, when people compliment you, you say they have praised you too much... You are really different. Others try their best to flatter themselves, but you can always stick to your duty. It's really not easy."

Queen Mother Zhou laughed.

Zhang Luan thought, why are you starting to praise me and even flatter me?

It’s broken, I’m pregnant!
Could it be that the thing I was so afraid of happening was really going to happen?

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager and ancestors."

At this moment, a little palace maid came in from the door and knelt down to pay her respects.

Queen Mother Zhou asked, "What's the matter?"

The little palace maid replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I heard that Lord Zhang has entered the palace, and I want to invite Lord Zhang to Kunning Palace for a family dinner. I specially sent someone to invite him."

"Who's coming?"

Queen Mother Zhou asked.

"It's Eunuch Tan Jitan, the eunuch of the Imperial Household Department." said the little palace maid.

"It's my old partner!"

Queen Mother Zhou smiled in relief and said, "Laizhan, there are indeed many people who are concerned about your whereabouts... Even to enter the palace, they have to queue up to eat with you. Even I don't have this opportunity."

It was obvious that Queen Mother Zhou was not very satisfied.

I called him over and wanted to have a meal with him, or even do something else.

How can you two young couple be so tactless?

Can we take care of the mental health of the elderly?

Zhang Luan said, "Please tell Eunuch Tan that I just entered the palace, so I have to have dinner with my aunt and chat about family matters. I won't be there for now. If I have time later, it won't be too late to go."

"How about that?"

Queen Mother Zhou said quickly, "You're saying it as if I'm so unkind. Their daughter and son-in-law want to invite their elders to dinner, and I don't have the eyes to see them. Am I interrupting them?"

Chen Gui didn't dare to speak casually now.

He looked towards the door and thought, Qin Ji was able to easily advance into the Imperial Household Department, why don’t I have such good luck?

"How about this……"

Queen Mother Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "Come to think of it, I haven't had dinner with the Emperor and Empress in recent days. Why don't we call them over? Wouldn't it be better for our whole family to be reunited?"

Chen Gui smiled and said, "That makes sense."

"Then go tell Qin Ji and ask him to inform the emperor to see if he has time to bring the queen over... Speaking of which, I still like to be with young people, as they make me look full of vitality. I'm afraid this palace lacks vitality the most... I just don't know when I can have a great-grandson..."

(End of this chapter)