Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 757 Unkind Father, Unfilial Daughter
The court meeting has ended.

Xu Qiong brought several court officials to congratulate Zhang Luan.

In any case, Zhang Luan had become a Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, and everyone knew that the Emperor intended to promote his father-in-law to the position of Grand Secretary, preparing to let Zhang Luan lead the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty.

Among those in and out of the imperial court, perhaps only Zhang Luan himself was completely unaware of this.

Because Zhang Luan had absolutely no concept of how to lead civil officials and be a powerful minister second only to the emperor, or rather, he was used to being a mediocre person and knew his own limitations very well. He didn't dare to think about it, much less compete with it.

"Lai Zhan, I'm hosting a banquet at my residence today. Come over, and I'll introduce you to some people."

Xu Qiong was considered a representative of the incorruptible faction in the court.

After all, Xu Qiong was transferred from Nanjing back to the capital as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel through Li Zisheng's connections. With Li Zisheng's downfall, his position became very awkward, and he could only maintain his image of integrity and incorruptibility through unconventional means.

Others who want to use connections in the Ministry of Personnel will definitely not find any breakthrough through Xu Qiong.

Even so, Xu Qiong's reputation in the court remained poor...

If it weren't for Zhang Luan as a backer, he might have already been taken down.

Zhang Luan said, "I am physically weak and can't drink alcohol or eat too much oily food lately. I need to rest properly, so I'd better not go."

Just then, Wang Shu, representing the civil officials, came over and offered his congratulations to Zhang Luan with clasped hands.

Zhang Luan was surprised that Wang Shu would be so courteous and treat him with such respect. He quickly bowed in return, but the fawning smile on his face made him seem overly humble, not at all modest.

Wang Shu enjoyed a very high reputation in the court. Even he approved of Zhang Luan's entry into the cabinet, so others gave him some face and came over to greet him politely.

Even the civil officials who once wanted to sever all ties with Zhang Luan finally swallowed their pride and maintained a superficial closeness with him.

"Mr. Zhang."

Just as Zhang Luan was exhausted from constantly returning greetings and forcing smiles, and wanted to find a place to sit down and rest for a while, Qin Ji came over.

Everyone hurriedly bowed to Qin Ji.

This time, the emperor directly replaced Zhu Ji, but still did not mention Huai En's removal from his position as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. This indirectly suggests that the emperor may still be evaluating the situation and does not believe that Qin Ji is capable of replacing Huai En.

Zhang Luan said, "Eunuch Qin, is this a summons from His Majesty? I'm so tired... I walked a long way to the palace and stood for a long time. Now my back and waist are aching. Could you find me a seat so I can rest? Cough cough... I'm so tired... I can barely speak!"

……

……

Instead of finding a chair for Zhang Luan, Qin Ji summoned a sedan chair.

This was specially arranged by the emperor. After Zhang Luan sat down, several eunuchs came over and carried him into the palace, almost in the opposite direction from the route others took when leaving the palace.

When Zhang Luan's sedan chair came to a stop, he lifted the curtain and found that he was not in the Qianqing Palace, but had been taken directly to the Kunning Palace where the Empress lived.

"what happened?"

When Zhang Yu heard that his father had come as summoned, he walked briskly out of the palace gate and saw his father being helped down from the sedan chair by the much older Qin Ji. He felt that the scene before him was somewhat absurd.

Her father, who had been so energetic and agile like a cat that seemed to bite everywhere, had become a frail, sickly man with a sallow complexion that looked terrifying. She was finally certain that no one had lied to her about her father's illness.

Zhang Luan took a few steps forward and bowed when he was near Zhang Yu, his voice weak as he said, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

"Alright, alright, why be so formal?" Zhang Yu frowned slightly and said to Qin Ji, "Old Mrs. Qin, please help him into the hall. Come and lend a hand."

This time, Zhang Yu greeted several palace maids who were standing at the entrance of the palace.

The Empress's orders were very simple, but for these palace maids, the task at hand was somewhat difficult.

Even if the person standing in front of them was the Empress's father, he was still a man from outside the palace, completely different from the eunuchs they could usually interact with.

There are differences between men and women... It would be impossible for a palace maid not to have some special thoughts, such as wanting to have the opportunity to become a concubine in the future.

But what if there was physical contact with Zhang Guozhang?
"Didn't you hear that?"

Zhang Yu immediately became angry.

The four palace maids trembled with fright and immediately stepped forward, ready to help Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan raised his hand to stop her, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't make things difficult for others. I'm fine, I won't die! I've weathered many storms, and my condition has greatly improved. As long as I don't overexert myself, I can save my life."

"How did it come to this? How has Yanling usually taken care of you?"

Zhang Yu's expression showed a hint of resentment.

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, why is this your brother's fault? Who is the father, him or me?"

Hearing this, Qin Ji thought to himself, "The way you two talk is so novel and unconventional. It sounds very friendly, but why does it feel... a little discordant?"
Zhang Yu said, "When I see him next time, I'll definitely teach him a lesson... Hurry up and go inside."

……

……

Inside Kunning Palace.

Zhang Luan sat there, seemingly too weak to even lift a teacup. He just sat there, his back slumped, his eyelids drooping constantly. In the end, he spent more time with his eyes closed than with them open.

At this moment, Qin Ji made an excuse to check on the emperor's situation and left temporarily, actually giving Zhang's father and daughter a chance to be alone together.

After all, Grandfather Qin was a smart man.

He had just overheard that the Empress was somewhat resentful about her father's illness, and even her younger brother, who bore little responsibility, was on her list of blaming. He couldn't help but think, "Am I, an outsider, just standing here and making myself uncomfortable?"
"What exactly is the illness?"

Zhang Yu asked.

Zhang Luan said, "Ask Yanling. Don't you know who in our family knows how to treat illnesses?"

Zhang Yu asked, "Who did Yanling learn her medical skills from?"

Zhang Luan glanced up at his daughter, his old face long and his brows furrowed. "Do you really have to ask me? Can't you give me some face? As a father, you also need to maintain a certain image in public... cough cough, Your Majesty, you'd better not ask."

"Humph!"

Zhang Yu said, "I asked him before, but Yanling just brushed it off with a few words. Do you think he would hide this from you? Don't you, as a father, know how to discipline your son?"

Zhang Luan rolled his eyes upon hearing this and said, "You child, now that you're Empress, you're so high and mighty, and your words are becoming increasingly unpleasant to hear. I heard your mother say that you told her to discipline me properly... By the way, how do you usually talk to your younger brother?"

Zhang Yu immediately realized that his desire to control seemed a bit too strong.

Of course, it was also because she felt that her family members were useless, and as the eldest daughter and eldest sister in the family, she had a few more things to worry about.

But it seems that she doesn't need to worry about anything at home.

"Oh dear, I didn't want to come," Zhang Luan said with a bitter face. "I was inexplicably put into the cabinet today, and I don't even have to go to the cabinet to report for duty. I can continue to be my Vice Minister of Revenue... Now, I've not only not less of a position, but more. His Majesty even wants me to investigate some treasury deficit. My old life is almost being torn apart."

Zhang Yu retorted, "If you're too weak to help, why didn't you mention it to His Majesty?"

“Where am I supposed to go and mention it? Your brother pressured me to attend the court assembly, and nobody told me beforehand what case I was supposed to investigate,” Zhang Luan said. “Or, daughter, could you go and talk to him for your father?”

Zhang Yu's face was cold as he shook his head and said, "I won't say, I won't say! You yourself won't even mention it to His Majesty, and you want me to do it? Are you suggesting that I, as a concubine, interfere in politics and invite infamy?"

"I rely on!"

Zhang Luan opened his mouth wide and said angrily, "You are the Empress, the mother of the Ming Dynasty. What's wrong with whispering sweet nothings in the Emperor's ear?"

"Father, are you speaking human language?"

Zhang Yu looked quite displeased and rebuked him, "You don't want to do something, so you expect me to whisper in your ear and refuse on your behalf? Don't you think about the court or your daughter? Do you really want me to play the role of someone who doesn't understand the bigger picture?"

Zhang Luan turned his head to the side and said, "You don't think I'm faking illness, do you? This is my real condition. Are you trying to kill me by making me work like this?"

Zhang Yu said, "If you can't handle it, send your son, or find someone else to do it for you... Why do you have to do it yourself? Speaking of which, how many things have you personally handled before?"

"..."

Zhang Luan was speechless for a moment.

I thought to myself, "As expected, the people who know the most about the family are still our own family members."

Even if his daughter marries into the palace, he'll still be very familiar with the family dynamics. Trying to project an image of a weary, overworked father to his daughter... is just too difficult.

After a long silence, Zhang Luan finally uttered, "Hmph, you're just like that kid, you have no conscience either."

……

……

Zhang Luan chatted with his "heartless" daughter for a long time about everyday things.

Although Zhang Yu complained, he was clearly still concerned about Zhang Luan and kept saying that he would have the imperial physician examine Zhang Luan.

"Who should see him? Wang Ji?" Zhang Luan said. "I think Wang Ji isn't even qualified to carry your brother's shoes when it comes to treating illnesses."

Zhang Yu frowned and said, "Physician Wang has treated so many people in the palace without anyone complaining. Everyone says his medical skills are extremely good. How come he's treating you... Father, you're too arrogant."

Zhang Luan said, "You didn't see how humble and respectful Wang Ji was to your brother. Let me put it this way, Wang Ji wanted to become Yanling's disciple, but Yanling refused to accept him."

"Why?"

Zhang Yu asked curiously.

Zhang Luan sneered and shook his head, saying, "Teaching a disciple can starve the master. Don't you understand this principle? Your brother is extremely stingy. To this day, he still refuses to say where he learned his skills. He always makes excuses and evades the question. I'm used to it."

Zhang Yu said, "Are you just going to let him do this?"

"What else can we do but let it go?"

Zhang Luan sighed, "He is my son, your brother. The changes in our family over the past two years are all thanks to him. Let alone the fact that he hasn't done anything to harm our family, even if he wanted to... cough cough."

"Father, what are you saying?"

Zhang Yu's face fell.

Zhang Luan said, "I was speaking from the bottom of my heart... Now he says there's a pit of fire ahead, and he wants me to jump in without giving a reason. I can't hesitate for even a moment."

"What did you say?"

Zhang Yu frowned.

Zhang Luan looked frustrated: "What I'm facing in the court now is almost like jumping into a fire pit. I told him long ago that I just wanted to get a title and live a few peaceful days. He kept pushing me forward, and now I've even joined the cabinet."

"You don't know, your father is self-aware enough to know that he has no real ability. Being in such a high position... it's truly lonely at the top!"

"hehe."

Zhang Yu said sarcastically, "You're quite honest."

Zhang Luan said, "Otherwise, why do you think I would ask you to plead with His Majesty to let me go home and be a lazy old man? Sigh, never mind! Who told our family to be so unlucky right now?"

"How come it's just bad luck?"

Zhang Yu asked curiously, "Is your family facing difficulties?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand, with a hint of unbearable regret, and sighed, "I'm not that old, but your two younger brothers are too young. Your eldest brother is a few years older, but you know very well what kind of person he is. The family can't count on him at all. And your second brother is too young and doesn't have enough prestige, so I have to hold the fort. I'm seriously ill now, but I'm not stepping down. It's all for the sake of this family."

Although Zhang Yu knew that her father's complaints were an attempt to gain her sympathy.

But she felt that her father's words made some sense.

With three men in the family, there was indeed a shortage of male heirs.

Zhang Yu said, "Then I... will try to talk to His Majesty later and ask him to assign you fewer tasks."

"This is so sweet; it's always the daughter who cares so much for her father."

Zhang Luan looked grateful.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu's breathing became heavy, and he said helplessly, "How did I end up with a father like you? With your lazy nature, who would believe you could become a powerful minister? You're like a lazy donkey trying to grind grain..."

"Damn it, how do you describe your hardworking father? You even insulted me? I think what you're saying is inhuman," Zhang Luan protested.

Zhang Yu said, "Father, I am now the Empress. Be careful not to say such things... Humph, I'm only letting it go because you're so ill!"

……

……

Zhu Youcheng arrived late.

When I arrived, I found my wife and father-in-law sitting opposite each other with stern faces, creating a rather strange atmosphere.

What he didn't know was that the father and daughter had been arguing and bickering several times since they first met, and there was no such thing as a loving father and a filial daughter.

"Your Majesty, are you back?"

Zhang Yu's expression was indifferent as he said, "My father is ill, why should I assign him tasks? He complained to me that he was unable to do so."

Zhu Youcheng said, "Father-in-law, I was inconsiderate... I should have discussed it with you beforehand. I thought Yanling had already told you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan nearly went crazy.

He stared at his daughter, blinking rapidly, as if to say, "You saw it too, didn't you? It's all your brother's fault! He knew about this all along, but he didn't warn me!"

Zhang Yu blinked and asked, "Yanling knows?"

"I've mentioned it in detail."

Zhu Youcheng said, "The court is currently tightening its belt, but it is still difficult to maintain normal operations. Perhaps it is because... I am not diligent enough in my duties."

Zhang Luan quickly said, "Your Majesty, you can already be considered a wise and benevolent ruler who is diligent in governing and loves the people. It's not your fault that the court can't come up with more money! Yes, it's all that Yanling's fault... He can't earn money, but he always wants to spend it!"

"Father-in-law, please don't say that. Yanling is a good boy."

When Zhu Youcheng mentioned his brother-in-law, his tone was gentle, and the sense of intimacy and reliance seemed to be ingrained in his bones. He smiled and said, "These days, Yanling has been very busy. He has worked tirelessly for the court, even neglecting his studies, all to help the court solve its problems. Besides, what money has he spent?"

Zhang Luan was taken aback.

He then realized that although the Yellow River engineering project, which currently accounts for the largest share of expenses, was proposed by Zhang Yanling, Zhu Youcheng did not think it was a waste of money.

Zhang Luan said, "Doesn't casting cannons count? Why would we cast cannons out of the blue?"

Zhu Youcheng said, "Strong military power has always been the late emperor's wish and the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's strength. I think there is nothing wrong with casting some powerful cannons to deter foreign barbarians. Does my father-in-law think it is inappropriate?"

"Ugh!"

Zhang Luan sighed.

I thought to myself, if I say that we shouldn't cast cannons, then the Zhang family has two different opinions, and I'm going against my son's wishes.
Forget it, I'd better be sensible. After all, I usually take after my son.
Zhu Youcheng asked, "Then, father-in-law, should we temporarily hand over the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue? Or should you appoint someone?"

"This one……"

Zhang Luan looked at his daughter and found Zhang Yu glaring at him fiercely. He could only sigh and say, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best. Even if I can't hold on one day, I will contact the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Or, I will have Yanling do it."

"Is Yanling able to manage all the work?"

Zhu Youcheng asked with concern.

Zhang Luan was very unhappy to hear this.

So you think my son is busy while I'm not?
I'm also sick!

Why do you only care about my son and not me?
"Then let Heling go?" Zhang Luan sighed. "Anyway, they're all family. Heling works in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so it's time for him to get some experience."

"it is good."

Zhu Youcheng answered very decisively.

I think it's a good idea for you to recommend your eldest son to go. After all, we're all family, and blood is thicker than water.

It doesn't matter who goes!
(End of this chapter)