Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 747 Only with a legitimate name can one speak with authority

Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Luan has finally returned home.

When Jin heard from the servants that her husband had returned, she was not particularly surprised. After all, Zhang Luan used to go out to take exams and, under the guise of attending literary gatherings, would often go off and fool around, not staying at home for two or three months at a time.

Therefore, Ms. Kim did not come out to greet them.

Zhang Luan was breathing heavily, his face was pale, and he looked haggard.

It was Tang who was more reasonable. When she came out to greet her husband, she was shocked to see him in such a miserable state. After asking him about his condition with concern, she quickly helped Zhang Luan to the inner courtyard. She planned to settle her husband down and then go to find Jin to gain her sympathy and ease the internal conflict within the Zhang family.

Zhang Luan had just sat down by the bed, and before Tang could implement her plan, a servant came to the door to deliver a message that Shen Lu had come to visit.

How did he know I was back? Sigh!

Zhang Luan sighed softly and said to Madam Tang, "Go tell your sister later that I have been away for a month to recuperate. Yanling has found a quiet place for me to rest and recuperate."

"I felt a little better these past two days, so I mustered up the courage to come back... Look at the state I'm in now, if I were to mess around like this, I might lose not just half my life, but my whole life."

Tang naturally wouldn't disagree with Zhang Luan, and went off obediently.

After tidying his clothes slightly, Zhang Luan, led by the servant who came to deliver the message, walked slowly and shakily towards the door.

……

……

The main hall in the front yard.

Zhang Luan sat in the main seat, sizing up Shen Lu, who had come to visit. His expression was somewhat impatient: "Ru Xue, I just got home and you're already showing up. Your information network is really impressive... Did you have to come at this time?"

Shen Lu said, "I heard that at the court meeting, you took the initiative to assume the important task of river management... That's a very important matter..."

"Do I need you to tell me? Do you think I don't know this is a big deal?"

Zhang Luan looked half-dead and shook his head, saying, "Actually, I knew from the beginning that this matter was not simple. Anyway, I've already come to terms with it. At worst, the matter will fall through... It's just building a new channel for the Yellow River, not blocking a dam break. It's not that urgent."

"If it really can't be changed, then just leave it as it is. The Yellow River has been fine all these years, hasn't it? It's survived for hundreds of years, what's the difference if it's only for three more years?"

"You...you're really optimistic!"

Shen Lu was extremely depressed.

Although I didn't attend court today, I heard that you made a boastful statement at the meeting. In addition to putting on airs, you also dragged Li Zisheng into it, saying that Li Zisheng alone should bear the cost of river management.

Did you ask Li Zisheng for his opinion?

You dare to make such a guarantee?
If it fails, you'll suffer a huge loss!

What you lose may not be your family fortune, but also your reputation in the court, making it impossible for you to maintain your position there in the future. When others mention you, it will be like hearing a joke... Your situation may be even worse than that of Liu Ji, who had little popularity in the court.

Zhang Luan said, "Who sent you? Just to come and complain to me? Hey, isn't that a bit boring..."

Shen Lu sighed, "Who else but Lord Xu? He wanted to dissuade them at the court meeting, but he was afraid that you and His Majesty had already made a decision. Do you know how many people are extremely nervous about this? It's difficult!"

"Difficult? What isn't difficult?"

Zhang Luan said nonchalantly, "Let's face the difficulties head-on and overcome them!"

Shen Lu asked, "What if the funding for river management doesn't keep up? Will we rely entirely on mining in Xishan to subsidize the needs? Or will we rely on your family's businesses, such as producing and selling things like soap and glass?"

Zhang Luan said, "Ru Xue, why are you worrying about so many things? Is it really necessary?"

"I'm just worried about you." Shen Lu seemed speechless, but still forced a smile and said, "Why can't you just be a peaceful and stable official? Why do you have to be so radical?"

Zhang Luan, however, appeared righteous and indignant: "What radicalism? Do you think I'm helping outsiders? It may seem like I'm helping Li Zisheng, but actually I'm helping my son-in-law! You're an official of the Ming Dynasty, living off the court's salary. Do you think I'm like you?"

"..."

Shen Lu was completely speechless.

Zhang Luan said, "Just because others don't think it's good doesn't mean I can't do it, and I must do it well, otherwise how can I show that I'm different from them?"
"I'm not cut out to be a proper official. Based on my academic achievements and seniority, I'm far inferior to those civil officials in the court. If I insist on working hard in a field I'm not good at, how many years will it take me to achieve anything?"

Shen Lu shook his head: "You are the emperor's father-in-law, so naturally you are different from them."

"You mean, as long as I'm the emperor's father-in-law and hold a stable official position in court, I can win people's respect? And others will look up to me?"

Zhang Luan scoffed, "Forget it, I have that much self-awareness. If I want to secure my position in the court, I have to accomplish great things that others cannot."

“Ru Xue, I know what you’re worried about, and I know why you don’t think this can be done. But you have to believe me, neither Li Zisheng nor I can do this alone, but if the two of us work together… no matter how big the problem is, it’s no problem at all, understand?”

……

……

Zhang Luan only stayed at home for half a day.

He had lunch with his wives and concubines, but unfortunately neither of his two sons were there, making the meal quite quiet. The couple hadn't been together for a long time and didn't know what to say to liven things up.

In the afternoon, Zhang Luan hurriedly went out again, this time to meet Li Zisheng...

This was something he had been looking forward to for a long time... As the saying goes, "a thousand cups of wine are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend." For Zhang Luan, it seemed that his greatest gain in the past two years was making friends with Li Zisheng.

"Sir, you must not drink alcohol on this trip."

Chang Shun kept turning back to remind him as he rushed to catch the train.

A few days ago, Zhang Luan never took Chang Shun with him wherever he went, probably because he felt that Chang Shun only listened to his second son and was a spy planted by Zhang Yanling, so he had to be careful.

I went to see Li Zisheng today, and he just recalled Chang Shun.

Zhang Luan said, "Do I need you to remind me? Do you really think I don't value my life? Besides, even if I wanted to drink, they wouldn't let me. My life is precious now, worth several million taels of silver."

"..."

Chang Shun was speechless.

He wondered, "Has the master gone mad?"
With your frail little body, you don't look like a human being anywhere, yet you're worth millions of taels of silver? Who has so much money they can't hold it all and would buy a sick man like you?
Zhang Luan sighed, "However, my son's decision to involve me in river management is indeed a risky move... If things don't go well, won't I be ridiculed by the whole world? What should I say if that guy surnamed Li makes things difficult for me and asks me how to solve the problem of insufficient funds for river management?"

Chang Shun asked, "Master, are you asking about me?"

"Ask you? Do you have a solution?"

Zhang Luan rolled his eyes at Chang Shun and warned, "You'd better focus on driving, don't hit anyone!"

Chang Shun smiled and said, "I may not understand the affairs of the court, but I just feel that with the Second Young Master's help, you can accomplish anything."

Zhang Luan said, "Li Zisheng has extensive connections, which is a necessary factor for his success. My son Yanling is capable, but he can't conjure up money out of thin air, can he? Earning money on the spot to subsidize river management would be incredibly difficult. Do you think power can't conjure up money?"

"that……"

Chang Shun thought about it carefully, then shook his head and said, "I don't understand these things, but I still feel that as long as the Second Young Master is here, there is no difficulty in this world. Since he asked you to take action, the matter should be resolved. If that high-ranking official surnamed Li talks to you, just tell him clearly that you have your son's help, so what are you afraid of?"

"Yes, with my son's help, what's there to be afraid of? Haha! If Li Zisheng finds out, he'll be furious!" Zhang Luan's face showed a look of joy.

It was as if chatting with Chang Shun could alleviate his pain.

……

……

Inside the palace.

Zhu Youcheng is listening to Li Rong's report on the latest situation in Lizi Province and Liuji.

"...Grand Secretary Liu is still being held captive by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in his private residence outside the palace. I have already explained to him that it would be best to back down and submit a memorial to resign, but he seems... to be stubborn and unyielding..." Li Rong knew what the emperor wanted, so he went along with it—the emperor wanted Liu Ji to get out of the court as soon as possible, but Liu Ji was just being unreasonable and refused to cooperate. Although the two sides had not yet broken off relations, Li Rong estimated that it should be soon.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youcheng was indeed very displeased: "My father-in-law and Li Zisheng are busy working on the river management, but he is still obsessed with court infighting. Now there are countless memorials impeaching him. Doesn't he realize it?"

Li Rong said, "Grand Secretary Liu said that he is of paramount importance to the Ming Dynasty, and the court cannot function without him."

The more the emperor disliked Liu Ji, the more Li Rong exaggerated and denigrated him. Li Rong had never intended to cultivate deep relationships with the court officials; at this moment, all he needed to do was curry favor with the emperor for a chance to become the Grand Chancellor of the Ming Dynasty. Why wouldn't he put in some effort?

Zhu Youcheng said, "Keep him detained so he knows where he went wrong."

Li Rong inquired, "If Grand Secretary Liu remains obstinate after a few days, Your Majesty, what do you think... we should..."

What suggestions do you have?

Zhu Youcheng sized up Li Rong.

Li Rong said earnestly, "In my opinion, we should simply dismiss him from his post and let him return to his hometown. We should announce to the public that he resigned voluntarily."

"Ah."

Zhu Youcheng responded softly, without giving a clear answer, "Alright, you may leave now."

"Yes."

Li Rong bowed and took his leave, but still couldn't help but glance at Tan Ji, who stood expressionless beside the throne.

At this moment, Li Rong suddenly became a little jealous of Qin Ji.

Regardless of whether Qin Ji was capable or not, the emperor seemed to rely heavily on him... but when dealing with others, there was a strange sense of alienation.

……

……

"Honey, what do you think we should do?"

Zhu Youcheng watched Li Rong leave the palace before asking a question.

Qin Ji replied, "It's hard to say."

Zhu Youcheng asked, "I don't know what to do either... Don't you have any suggestions?"

Qin Ji reminded him, "Your Majesty, if Grand Secretary Liu retires, the cabinet will only be supported by Grand Secretary Xu. Wouldn't this delay the affairs of state even more? Moreover, my ability to handle government affairs is far inferior to that of Eunuch Huai, and the affairs of state could easily be neglected."

"I've worked hard."

Zhu Youcheng looked very aggrieved.

I have worked so hard as emperor, spending all my time reviewing memorials, but unfortunately my subordinates are not up to the task and cannot help much, which has led to a backlog of government affairs.

How can we expect the emperor to be diligent in his duties if there are no suitable people to act as his secretary or advisor?
Qin Ji said, "I asked Zhang Guozhang before, and he said that he didn't have much interest in joining the cabinet, or rather, he wouldn't be able to help His Majesty much even if he joined. Because in handling government affairs, his ability is far inferior to those lecturers from the Crown Prince's palace."

"Huh, how could this be?"

Zhu Youcheng frowned and said, "My father-in-law says he's not good enough, so who is?"

Qin Ji said, "The Grand Tutor recommended Liu Jian and Xie Qian, and also said that if Scholar Li Dongyang returned to court, he might be able to help His Majesty. And with him in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, he might be able to greatly promote the river management, and in the next few years his attention will be focused on this matter, so he might... be unable to help His Majesty draft proposals or manage state affairs."

"Ah."

After listening, Zhu Youcheng was deeply moved, saying, "Of all the officials, my father-in-law had the most upright mind. He did not try to use our good relationship to get promoted to a higher position. On the contrary, he always declined, and even when he had the opportunity to be promoted, he did not try to take it."

Qin Ji also said, "Perhaps Zhang Guozhang is more pragmatic."

“Yes, only my father-in-law truly cares about me. Even when he was ill, he never forgot to share my burdens,” Zhu Youcheng said. “But he doesn’t join the cabinet… so some things are never properly done.”

……

……

It wasn't completely dark yet.

The banquet officially began in a secluded courtyard in Lizi County.

The expected entourage was there, with opera performances and beautiful women, but when Li Zisheng met Zhang Luan in person, he was almost frightened by Zhang Luan's appearance.

"Lai Zhan, what's wrong with you...?"

Li Zisheng almost thought he was seeing a living dead person who had just crawled out of a coffin.

Zhang Luan waved his hand, indicating that it was best not to mention it.

Then, disregarding his image, he plopped down on the nearest stone step and said helplessly, "I'm already grateful to have survived."

Li Zisheng rushed over to help him, but Zhang Luan waved his hand and refused, saying it wasn't necessary and he just needed to rest.

In the end, Li Zisheng had no choice but to sit on the stone steps with Zhang Luan to show that he had shared hardships with Zhang Luan.

"Lai Zhan, I heard that you argued vehemently in court today, which saved my life. Even in your illness, you didn't forget to go to court to fight for me. You are truly... loyal and righteous!"

Li Zisheng was deeply moved.

Zhang Luan said, "Don't say that. I'm not trying to protect you, Minister Li, but rather I want to accomplish something important for the court. I just hope you don't mind that I've caused you so much trouble. Besides, it's because of me that you've been dragged into this..."

"Please don't say that."

Li Zisheng said, "I dare not ask for more, having escaped from the Jinyiwei's custody and now sitting here peacefully talking to you. Even the greatest difficulties have been easily resolved, haven't they?"

Just then, Pang Qing came out to greet them.

It was quite a novel experience to see two important figures sitting on the stone steps talking to each other.

Pang Qing asked, "Gentlemen, would you like to come into the inner courtyard for a chat? Wine and tea have been prepared. Considering that Mr. Zhang is currently ill and cannot eat meat, today's vegetarian dishes are very light. If there is any special recipe for recuperation, Mr. Zhang, please feel free to ask, and the kitchen staff will prepare it."

"Is it really that thorough?"

Zhang Luan's eyes lit up.

He never expected that his attendance at the banquet would be like that of an emperor on an imperial tour, with treatment comparable to staying in a royal palace.

Li Zisheng laughed and said, "It's just a little vegetarian food. Can't we afford it? Even if we're saving our family fortune for river management, we still need to fill our stomachs first, right?"

“Minister Li’s family is vast and powerful; we can’t compare,” Zhang Luan said, shaking his head.

“Lai Zhan, you flatter me. Your son is mining in Xishan, and it won’t be long before he’s making a fortune. Your family’s business will grow bigger and bigger, something I can’t compare to,” Li Zisheng said. “How about we move to the inner hall? It’s still a bit chilly outside. If you’re feeling unwell, we can have someone help you.”

"No need, I've recovered."

Zhang Luan struggled to get up from the ground.

The three of them walked into the courtyard.

As soon as he stepped through the moon gate, two women dressed in their finest attire came to greet him, one on each side, and were about to help Zhang Luan up.

Zhang Luan quickly waved his hand: "Thank you for your kindness. I'm fine! I can do it myself."

While speaking, he truly kept his eyes straight ahead.

Pang Qing, who was standing to the side, already knew Zhang Luan's current situation and wasn't surprised. Li Zisheng, who hadn't had much contact with Zhang Luan recently, was astonished by Zhang Luan's change.

Li Zisheng thought to himself, "You old monster Zhang, have you been cultivating your character lately? It's one thing to abstain from meat and become a vegetarian, but how come your personality has changed so drastically?"
An illness can indeed change a lot of things.

(End of this chapter)