Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 59: Letter from the Wild Geese
After seeing Li Zisheng off, Zhang Luan was still filled with emotion.

It was the first time in my life that I met a high-ranking official in the court, and I even received the appreciation of the high-ranking official himself. I suddenly became the guest of honor of this awesome person, and my future was bright...

Zhang Luan felt that his life had reached its peak, and he sighed sincerely: "This Minister Li is a capable man, respectful to the wise and discerning. No wonder he is so successful in the court."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, are you still trying to say that he is a good horse trainer and can pick out a good horse like you?"

"You brat."

Zhang Luan glanced around and shouted in a low voice, "What on earth is going on with the earthquake at Mount Tai? You should know that the earthquake at Mount Tai is not the same as the earthquake in Ningxia. If I lie, I might be imprisoned!"

Zhang Yanling said, "It was Li Zisheng who reported it, not us. Why are you worried, Dad?"

Zhang Luan said, "You don't understand. Minister Li will definitely not report such a big thing in his own name. He will implicate me no matter what. This is the big test of my life."

"Dad thinks too much."

Zhang Yanling had a mocking smile on his face. "In Li Zisheng's eyes, Dad is just a tool. He uses Dad and will never push the credit or fault of things onto Dad, because in his eyes, Dad is not qualified."

"What did you say? What is... a tool man?"

Zhang Luan was completely confused.

Zhang Yanling pursed his lips and said, "Generally speaking, Dad is only responsible to Li Zisheng. If Dad's prophecy comes true, Li Zisheng will give the reward. If it is wrong, Li Zisheng will punish the crime.

"At present, it seems that the price of my mistake is only that Li Zisheng no longer trusts me. Apart from that, there is actually no greater loss. Dad, please stop making a fuss about yourself."

Zhang Luan thought about it, and even though he didn't want to admit it, he felt that what his son said made sense.

He is currently just Li Zisheng's personal aide. Usually, Li Zisheng must have a group of supporters around him. There is no essential difference between him, Zhang Luan, and that group of people. It depends on whether Li Zisheng adopts his opinions.

Zhang Luan asked, "So that's why you told me to let your sister write to the prince? What did the letter say?"

Zhang Yanling said, "It's actually very simple. Let's not tell my sister who the letter was given to. We just need to inform the prince in advance about the Ningxia earthquake and the prophecy of the earthquake at Mount Tai, and persuade him to be at ease."

"Will the prince believe it?"

Zhang Luan curled his lips, "Who would believe such absurdity?"

Zhang Yanling said, "It doesn't matter whether the prince believes it or not. What we want is to find another way. We just need to wait until the earthquake really happens. Do you think the prince will take this letter seriously?"

"Oh?"

Zhang Luan thought about it and fell silent again for a while.

Zhang Yanling said, "Father is only serving as a guest of Li Zisheng now, and he is only responsible to Li Zisheng for what he says, but we must let the prince know that all the prophecies actually come from us. We have been secretly helping the prince and helping him overcome the crisis of changing the crown prince."

Zhang Luan said: "Li Zisheng is an old fox after all, how could he not see through the connection?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Father is wrong. Li Zisheng has seen through it now, but he will allow us to do this. Because he needs a link with the Crown Prince, and no one else is suitable. Only the Crown Princess's father, the future father-in-law, is reasonable and in line with his interests."

"What did you say?"

Zhang Luan showed surprise on his face.

Apparently, Zhang Luan himself had not considered many things, and even if he was asked to calculate the pros and cons, he would not be able to figure it out.

Zhang Luan has no political experience and doesn’t know the twists and turns of the power arena.

Zhang Yanling said, "Father, why don't you put yourself in their shoes and think about it. If anyone else were to help Li Zisheng and the prince, would the prince trust them easily? Or would Li Zisheng trust such a person?"

Zhang Luan frowned: "If it were me, would Li Zisheng trust me?"

"If you, father, were just a guest beside him and only knew how to calculate the secrets of heaven, he would definitely not trust you and would even be doubly wary of you. But if you become the father-in-law of the emperor, the weak prince would have to rely on you, and father would need to rely on Li Zisheng in the power arena, then Li Zisheng would be able to rest assured about father." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Luan's brain was obviously not working well. He frowned and asked, "Isn't he afraid that I will become the father of the Crown Princess, or even the father-in-law of the emperor in the future, and kick him out? He even took all the credit for predicting the earthquakes in Ningxia and Mount Tai?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Father, you think too much. These two things were reported by Li Zisheng himself. If father wants to use them to gain credit in front of the crown prince, his contributions must be highlighted. Both of you are indispensable."

Zhang Yanling saw that Zhang Luan still didn't understand it, so he couldn't help but sigh: "Father, to put it bluntly, if you still want to have a place in this power game, you must let my sister become the Crown Princess. Otherwise, not only will we not get the credit for predicting the disaster in advance, but Li Zi Province will also abandon us in the future. "Only if you become the father-in-law of the emperor, we can have an equal cooperation relationship with Li Zi Province, and even take the initiative in future cooperation."

……

……

When she returned home in the afternoon, Zhang Luan went into the room first to say a few words to her family, and then Zhang Yu gathered herself and went to see her brother. Zhang Yanling had already prepared writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone for her.

"Dad told me to come to you and write a letter... Who is it for?"

Zhang Yu sat down, looking quiet and elegant.

Zhang Yanling said as he ground the ink: "It's for a very special person. Just copy the draft I gave you."

Zhang Yu pouted and said, "You can't even tell me who you're writing to? No wonder dad said you've been acting weird lately."

Zhang Yanling asked curiously, "What else did Dad say?"

Zhang Yu leaned his head and thought for a while, "Dad asked Mom where you have been recently and who you have met. Mom said that everything has been normal for you these days, and she urged Dad to find a doctor for you.

"Dad told mom to keep an eye on you. If you see anyone unusual, you must tell him as soon as possible. Second brother, who did you meet? Why is dad guarding against you like a thief?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled. It was rare that his old father began to realize his mistake.

It can be seen that his son is very different from before and is ready to find out the "expert" hiding behind him.

"Sister, do you think I'm a thief?"

Zhang Yanling asked.

"Tsk, it's love, isn't it."

Zhang Yu picked up the draft of his brother's letter and read it carefully. He frowned slightly and said, "I thought you wrote some profound knowledge. It was all straightforward and even I could understand it. What on earth is this earthquake at Mount Tai?"

Zhang Yanling said: "Now we want to remind someone, tell him that in a few days, there will be an earthquake in the Taishan area, let him wait patiently for the earthquake to end, and the disaster he is facing will pass."

Zhang Yu asked in confusion: "What does the earthquake have to do with this person? Does he live at the foot of Mount Tai?"

At this time, Zhang Yu was just a little girl waiting to be married. Not to mention the affairs of the Ming Dynasty court, she didn't even understand what was happening outside the window.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Sister, just write according to what I said. You are doing a good deed now. You comforted this person and he will thank you.

"Maybe he will repay us in the future."

"You're acting weird." Zhang Yu continued to frown. "If you want to remind him to be careful, can't you and dad write the letter? Do you have to let me write it?"

Zhang Yanling said: "This is also helping you, sister."

Zhang Yu spat, "Bah, I don't believe it."

Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Isn't it good to let someone remember your sister's kindness? No matter where he is in the world, you will always be his benefactor. When he becomes successful in the future, he will definitely remember your kindness today."

Zhang Yu thought for a moment and said, "You said it well, but who is he? I don't even know who he is. Can he find me and repay me in the future?"

"Yes, it must be possible."

Zhang Yanling encouraged her, "Sister, just keep writing."

Zhang Yu picked up the pen, but seemed unable to do it: "I haven't written for a long time. It would be bad if I ruined this fine rice paper."

Zhang Yanling said, "Don't worry, sister. I'll keep an eye on you."

Zhang Yu pointed to the door and said, "It's because you're beside me that I'm afraid I'll make a mess of it... Go out first, and I'll call you in when I'm done."

(End of this chapter)