Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 750 Still as Powerful as Ever
That evening, Zhang Luan wanted to invite his son to stay for dinner and also beg his younger son to give him the special medicine again, as it seemed that only an IV drip could truly put his mind at ease.

Zhang Yanling made an excuse that he had to go to the laboratory to complete some experiments and left without even having a meal.

"My son, do you really not care about your father's life or death?" Zhang Luan asked with a bitter face.

“Father, if I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t have rushed all the way back from Xishan. I was worried that your condition might relapse, and I was extremely anxious. But after taking your pulse, I found that you are recovering quite well… You only feel unwell because your weak body has been working at a high level for a long time, which is why you feel that your condition has worsened…”

Zhang Yanling was speechless.

If I stay in Xishan for one more day, I can find more mines and earn a lot of money.

After all, Xishan today is like an unpolished gem. There were countless mines here in later generations, and there have been no major geographical or geological changes in hundreds of years. Therefore, he can find minerals with great accuracy every time, and the wealth he brings across time is endless.

But because of you, my cowardly father, I had to rush back day and night, and I also had to deal with the complicated affairs of the court!

And yet, you still bother me!
How dare you complain to me?
Zhang Luan asked hopefully, "You mean to say that my condition has not worsened, is that right?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "Your feeling that your condition had worsened before was just a misperception given to you by your brain... As I said before, this disease can only be treated by resting, there is no other way."

"How long will it take to recover? If this continues, what difference will there be between me and a dead person? I was already weak before, and now that I'm better, I'm still like a sickly person. I don't even have a bit of a man's appearance anymore."

Zhang Luan was listless and dispirited.

Zhang Yanling said, "Father, do you live by acting like a man?"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Zhang Luan glanced at his son and asked, "Do you think your father can't support this family?"

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes upon hearing this and said, "Some people support their families by their looks, that is, by relying on a handsome face to freeload off others; others rely on their physical strength, carrying and transporting goods, doing farm work, and doing anything; or they do some technical work and win by using their brains... What about you? Don't you rely on your mouth and your thick skin?"

Zhang Luan argued, "No matter how eloquently you describe it, how can a man function without some strength?"

"cut."

Zhang Yanling said, "Is that so-called strength of yours for doing heavy work? If you really can't stand it... then you'll have to take the initiative when you're doing 'that' in the future?"

"This one……"

Zhang Luan looked ashamed and lowered his head, saying, "My son, I feel that what I'm thinking is not the same as what you're saying. At your age, shouldn't you be completely ignorant?"

Zhang Yanling said irritably, "How about this, you rest and recover for three more days, and I'll observe you carefully. If there are no abnormalities, you can gradually resume your sexual activities. But let me make it clear first, it must be done in moderation."

"So... I've finally made it through?"

Zhang Luan appeared very excited.

After so many days of recuperation, it seems like I've finally seen a glimmer of hope.

Three days...

These days feel like an eternity!
Zhang Yanling asked, "You'll listen to me, won't you?"

"of course."

Zhang Luan was in a great mood and quickly said, "If I hadn't listened to you, why would I be so depressed now? You know what kind of person I am."

"Sigh! I really don't know how you raised your son. My eldest brother must have taken after you..."

Zhang Yanling shook his head.

"Stop mentioning your older brother. I've been recuperating here for so long, how many times has he come to visit? Let's talk about something serious." Zhang Luan said excitedly, "Within three days, I'll cooperate with your recovery. If you observe no problems, your father can... show his prowess again, right?"

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes at him and said, "I meant, do it appropriately. Don't misunderstand!"

"understand."

Zhang Luan grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "I knew my son loved me the most... Three days? I can totally get through it. As for what you mean by 'moderation,' just as you said, as long as I don't do anything, it's fine, right? Just let me have some fun, instead of not daring to even look... That would be torture."

Zhang Yanling said, "Father, how will someone like you survive if you enter a Buddhist monastery?"

"Pooh!"

Zhang Luan spat, "Who wants to be a monk? Isn't it better for your father to be a normal person? It's just a little material desire. How many people in this world can transcend worldly desires? Oh, by the way, can your father drink alcohol?"

"What do you say?"

Zhang Yanling frowned.

"Alright, I won't drink a drop."

Zhang Luan said, "Whoever makes me drink, I'll fight them to the death. He wants me to die sooner!"

……

……

The next morning, Zhang Yanling went to the palace to see Zhu Youcheng.

After all, Zhu Youcheng was the biggest winner in the distribution of profits from this mining operation, while Zhang Yanling was merely acting on behalf of the major shareholder.

Of course, for an emperor who was nominally wealthy, the rewards he could receive from others doing things for him could not be measured in terms of the amount of money.

Upon Zhang Yanling's entry into the palace, he was directly connected to Qin Ji.

Qin Ji was very happy; he seemed to feel at ease just to see Zhang Yanling.

Having met Zhang Luan so often, he always felt that the Zhang family was not serious... Only when he met Zhang Yanling did he feel that his persistence was meaningful.

"His Majesty has been saying that he misses the Second Young Master very much since he hasn't seen him recently. Even the Empress often mentions you, the young imperial brother-in-law," Qin Ji said with a smile.

Zhang Yanling said with emotion, "Grandpa Qin is different from others. His words and actions always make people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze. Thank you, Grandpa Qin, for taking care of my sister and brother-in-law."

"No, no, these are all my duties, I dare not take credit for them."

Qin Ji was modest and sincere.

He now has a basic understanding of his own situation and his position in the court. Although his abilities are far inferior to Huai En's, and his reputation in the court is not as high as Huai En's, the problem is that he has a very good personal relationship with the emperor and his wife.

If it were when Huai En was the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, how could he have taken every opportunity to talk to the Emperor and chat with the Empress at Kunning Palace?

Without going through hardships together, even if you come together, you'll only be working together.

This is specifically reflected in Huai En's relationship with the emperor.

Emperor Hongzhi respected Huai En, but that was all. He never confided in Huai En about his private affairs, matters that could not be discussed with outsiders, and especially his innermost thoughts that he could not tell the court officials.

But Qin Ji, like Zhang Yanling, could listen to the emperor's true thoughts.

"Second Young Master, did you gain a lot from this trip?"

Qin Ji asked.

"It's not small."

Zhang Yanling explained, "We discovered seventeen or eighteen mines in Xishan before, and we can find some more later. If we put them all into mining, it will not only bring considerable income to the palace, but we can also collect mining taxes to be used for forging cannons. Next, we need to find iron ore veins."

Qin Ji said, "Starting this project must be quite expensive, right?"

Zhang Yanling laughed, "We don't need to spend a single penny; on the contrary, we'll even generate income. We simply sell those small-scale mineral deposits to merchants, using their silver as start-up capital to invest in production." ...

……

Zhang Yanling's entry into the palace was incredibly pleasant, just like returning to his own home.

Previously, Huai En and others were only superficially on good terms with him, always secretly testing him and doing things that were confrontational. He had to be on high alert at all times.

Now that he's entered the palace, it's good enough if he doesn't scheme against others... Although not everyone in the palace is a good person, the problem is that, in the face of the absolute power held by the emperor and empress, as the emperor's maternal uncle, he naturally has a transcendent status, making others hesitant to make any moves against him.

When he arrived at Kunning Palace, Zhu Youcheng had not yet arrived.

Empress Zhang greeted her younger brother with a languid expression.

After exchanging pleasantries, she asked Zhang Yanling to take her pulse to check her physical condition, firstly to see if she was pregnant, and secondly to see if there were any problems with her health.

Finally, she talked to her younger brother about the family's recent situation, especially asking about their good-for-nothing father's current condition.

“Father… is he alright?” Zhang Yanling said. “His condition has stabilized relatively. I told him to rest at home, but he often doesn’t listen.”

Zhang Yu frowned and said, "But Mother said that you were the one who abducted Father?"

"No."

Zhang Yanling quickly explained, “Father’s illness is contagious, I told you this to my sister a long time ago. What good will it do him to stay at home except infect his close relatives? You don’t know what he looks like now. He gets out of breath after walking a few steps, he has aged a lot, and his health is deteriorating day by day.”

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "That's how it is when people get old. I think his illness is related to Huai En, otherwise why would both Huai En and Father have lung disease?"

"This one……"

Zhang Yanling really wanted to say, "Instead of blaming Huai'en, you should blame your father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Because your father had a disease called consumption, which is what people commonly call tuberculosis, and Huai'en was infected by the late emperor and his wife.

Your father's symptoms were initially mild, but unfortunately he likes to show off and doesn't pay attention to keeping warm. He eats, drinks, and plays all day long, which caused his body's resistance to deteriorate rapidly. After a flare-up, his condition became so severe that he could only be kept alive by IV drips... Do you really think it's easy for me, his son?
Zhang Yu didn't dwell on the question and asked, "How's everything at home? Your brother-in-law told me you haven't been in the capital lately. Where have you been?"

"To start a mine."

Zhang Yanling picked up the osmanthus cake on the table, took a bite, and then continued, "I have found many coal deposits that can be mined directly. If they are put into production, they can bring a lot of silver to the imperial court."

Zhang Yu frowned: "What does this have to do with you? Why do you have to show off? Humph!"

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Sister, do you want me to go and mine myself, and then bring all the money I earn to our family?"

Zhang Yu remained silent.

Judging from her wholehearted devotion to her family, she clearly thought that way before.

"hey-hey."

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "After you have children, you probably won't think that way anymore."

"Tch, you're just spouting nonsense... I've been in the palace for a long time, why is my belly still not showing any signs of pregnancy? I've heard that there are a lot of people inside and outside the palace gossiping that I can't produce an heir for the royal family, and... there are already people in the court secretly plotting to take a concubine for your brother-in-law."

Zhang Yu was somewhat nervous.

Whether in royalty or among commoners, the inability of a woman to bear children after marriage is the biggest flaw in a marital relationship.

This is an age-old problem, especially in feudal times when male-dominated ideology held absolute sway, making this situation an almost unsolvable dilemma.

Zhang Yanling said, "Don't worry, my brother-in-law won't fall for someone else."

"Hmph, it's because I listened to you that I wasn't prepared at all. Since ancient times, has there ever been an emperor who only married one woman? It sounds unrealistic."

Zhang Yu said with a bitter face, "I don't even dare to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager anymore, for fear that they will ask me if I have anything in my belly... Hey, what else could be in my belly besides the food I've eaten?"

"Haha."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yanling grinned from ear to ear.

Zhang Yu glared at his younger brother and said, "You still have the nerve to laugh? Hurry up and come up with an idea."

Zhang Yanling quickly said, "Sister, you're asking too much of us. I've been trying to find ways to improve your and your husband's health, but medicine has side effects, and using any medicine indiscriminately can harm a healthy person. So, we should try to adopt a gentle, nourishing approach and avoid anything unnecessary..."

As a PhD in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhang Yanling has a certain degree of authority to speak on this matter.

Traditional Chinese medicine may not have many advantages in treating other diseases, and it is difficult to gain people's trust... However, in terms of conditioning and nourishing, especially when it comes to women's childbirth, it remains mainstream even in the era of advanced Western medicine hundreds of years later.

Putting aside whether it works or not, it seems that a woman who is married and preparing to have children will have a few regrets in her life if she doesn't drink a few doses of traditional Chinese medicine supplements during the preconception period.

This sometimes leads Zhang Yanling to believe that when it comes to learning traditional Chinese medicine, it's best to make money off women, whether they are young or middle-aged or elderly. Starting with tonics can definitely bring in a lot of money, because tonics are not about actual effects; whether they are effective or not depends entirely on one's perception.

Zhang Yu said, "Everyone else is getting prescriptions, why aren't you? If you don't prescribe one, I'll just take the medicine prescribed by the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital."

"Don't."

Zhang Yanling said helplessly, "Sister, we have to trust science. If you can have a baby, your husband can too. Trust me, you'll get pregnant soon. Okay, I'll prescribe some medicine for you now, but please don't do anything reckless."

……

When the siblings get along, they are still the same as before. They still argue, and once they clash, Zhang Yu can quickly turn on them.

Fortunately, Zhang Yu then introduced the things that Zhang Yanling would take out of the palace later, specifically mentioning that they were for her elderly mother, aunt, and younger sister. It seemed that she also knew that she didn't need to manage the men in the family at all, because from Zhang Luan to Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, they were all extremely unruly. Even though she was the Empress, she couldn't do anything about the three of them.

"How is Heling doing lately? We haven't heard from him at all."

Zhang Yu said, "When Mother entered the palace before, I asked her about it. She said she often couldn't see anyone and that ever since he joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his personality has become wild. There's always a group of people following him around, causing chaos in the dark."

Zhang Yanling said, "Sister, can you please stop making me interfere in other people's business... He's the eldest brother, how can I control him?"

Zhang Yu said, "I'd like to ask you, you don't care about Father's affairs, you don't care about your elder brother, and you completely neglect the affairs of the family. You spend all your time doing research and doing business, even earning money to subsidize the court. You even set up the weaving workshop in the palace. Now you're going to start mining. What are you after?"

"This one……"

Zhang Yanling thought for a moment and said helplessly, "Maybe it's because I can't stay idle."

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes at his younger brother and said, "Shouldn't a person think more about himself? You're not young anymore, and you've done a lot, but you haven't made any progress in your studies. I was going to let you enter the Imperial Academy to improve your learning, but you refused. You have a scholar teacher, but I haven't seen you studying the Four Books and Five Classics. I don't know where all your learning has gone?"

Zhang Yanling was touched by her elder sister's reprimand, but did not defend herself.

At least what Zhang Yu said makes some sense.

In the context of the "success studies" of this era, Zhang Yanling was practically untouched by them. What he did was not something a normal person should be involved in, in the eyes of the world.

In other words, no matter how successful he is now, it will be difficult for him to gain worldly recognition.

Even the chief eunuchs in the palace could only bow their heads because of his status as the emperor's brother-in-law and his ability to help the emperor, but in their hearts they would curse him, saying, "You only know how to do crooked things, it's no wonder that your Zhang family has no future."

"All right."

Zhang Yu noticed his brother's changed attitude and realized he had spoken too harshly. He then called out to Qin Ji, who had just returned to the inner palace entrance and didn't even dare to eavesdrop, "Old Mrs. Qin, hurry and urge His Majesty. It's almost time for dinner, why hasn't he returned yet? Do we have to urge him three or four times?"

"Yes, slave, go right away."

Qin Ji was sensible and quickly left.

(End of this chapter)