Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 763 Today is different from the past

Chai Meng bid farewell to Zhang Yanling.

Zhang Yanling rushed back to the city to handle some business, while Chai Meng returned to the courtyard and saw his sister guarding a pile of accounts. He was moved and quickly went over to her, sat down, and told her about his plans to study hard and take the imperial examination.

She also explained that she was encouraged by her employer to make great achievements in her studies and that she would likely be enrolled in the Imperial College next.

Chai Shuang asked curiously, "Isn't this a good thing? What's there for you to hesitate about, brother?"

"Going to school is certainly a good thing, I know."

Chai Meng sighed, “But do you think it’s really that easy to make progress in scholarship? It might take several years to achieve anything, not to mention that the provincial examination is next year, and there’s only a little over a year left… What can I possibly learn?”

Chai Shuang said, "Brother, you took the imperial examinations so that you could make a name for yourself in your official career. Now that you have another opportunity to advance, why not give it your all? You are still young and don't have many worries right now, so why not give it your all?"

Chai Meng was speechless: "Shuang'er, are you making fun of me?"

"I did not mean that."

Chai Shuang said, "But I think the Second Young Master is still very sincere. He has pointed out a clear path for you. If you don't study hard, how will you know it won't work? Even if it really doesn't work, it's not like the Second Young Master won't take you in. You can come back and work here later."

Chai Meng said, "I've already left, how could I possibly come back?"

Chai Shuang calmly replied, "Young Master is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and all who follow him praise him. Why do you worry that he won't give you a way out when it comes to your brother?"
"They all said that as long as you do well in the exam, you'll be given an official position. After all, it's rare for a scholar to become an official, and getting a good official position is even more difficult."

"That makes sense..."

Chai Meng said with difficulty, "But the problem is... sigh! How should I put it? I'm afraid I won't be able to get over that mental hurdle."

Chai Shuang said, "I've never seen you so conflicted before, and I don't know what you're so stubborn about. We're all doing business here now, so I'll just ask you one question: You came to the Zhang family to teach the young master, not to be the head manager, right?"

"Huh? We come from a merchant family, so why do you look down on merchants?" Chai Meng said. "I sometimes wonder, if you had been selected back then, would I be like this now..."

“Stop! Stop! Brother, please don’t talk nonsense anymore. This is a great disrespect to Her Majesty the Empress! Besides, I don’t think things are so bad right now. We’ve been living in the capital for over a year now, which is much more comfortable than when we were in Shanxi. And we have no more worries, right?” Chai Shuang said.

Chai Meng thought for a moment and nodded seriously: "Or as you said, it's just that I've been living a comfortable life for too long and don't want to work hard anymore. You said that I eat well, sleep well, and have things to do every day. People from my hometown in Shanxi say that I have done a glorious and correct thing. Being able to be a tutor for the young imperial uncle of the Zhang family is such an honor, and I deserve so much respect."

"..."

Chai Shuang finally understood what her brother was thinking.

This is because they are unwilling to give up the fame, fortune, and status they have gained.

Although he was just running errands for Zhang Yanling, Chai Meng was a bridge for those merchants from Shanxi who had lost power to communicate with Zhang's maternal relatives. Since the Zhang family gained power last year, they had been trying to curry favor with Chai Meng.

Once you enter the Imperial Academy, it seems like you have an opportunity to advance, but you also seem to lose more.

Chai Shuang said, "I dare not make the decision for you, brother. You should choose for yourself. I hope that you will not regret the choice you made today in the future."

"understood."

Chai Meng nodded and said, "Whatever choice I make, I will never regret it."

Chai Shuang sighed. Now she finally understood that her brother was stubborn and had no backbone whatsoever.

……

……

After finishing his day's work, Zhang Yanling planned to go back and continue some research as night fell.

He is currently researching how to generate electricity under existing conditions.

Although this goal is somewhat distant, he still understands the principles of electromagnetism. It is indeed difficult to jump from a chemist to a physicist.

Just then, he received a message saying that his good-for-nothing father was calling him back home, which left him feeling quite helpless.

When they arrived at the courtyard where Zhang Luan was recuperating, they saw him sitting there, limp and listless, looking like he was about to die.

"Why?"

Zhang Yanling asked in surprise, "Father, has your condition worsened again after just a few days?"

Zhang Luan glared at his youngest son and said, "You never wish me well... I just called you back because I have something to ask you."

"If anything happens, just have someone let me know, right?"

Zhang Yanling sat down and said somewhat impatiently, "Father, you should settle down. You're not fully recovered from your illness yet, and we've been seeing you all the time. You've clearly forgotten the pain once the wound has healed..."

Zhang Luan said with a long face, "Hey, do you think I went out to party? Apart from getting drunk on one drink in Lizi Province, I haven't touched a drop of alcohol since. As for other things... well, I'm very good at keeping quiet, I work from sunrise to sunset almost every day..."

"Then why are you nowhere to be seen every day?"

Zhang Luan was very surprised.

Zhang Luan said, "I just wanted to go out for a walk to clear my head."

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling was speechless.

I thought to myself, so your way of clearing your mind is to hang out with women?
You say you've restrained yourself, but who believes that?
Surrounded by a group of women who only know how to please you every day, even if you want to tone it down, they often won't give you the chance.

Zhang Luan began to explain the situation: "Actually, the Sun family has come looking for us."

"Who?"

Zhang Yanling frowned.

“The Sun family, the one that was engaged to your sister,” Zhang Luan said. “They actually came to our door, saying they wanted to see me. In the end, I had no choice but to go and meet them.”

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Since you feel helpless, why do you still go to see him? What, does Father regret breaking off the engagement back then?"

Zhang Luan said, "What nonsense are you talking about? If it weren't for that broken engagement, what would your sister and brother-in-law have to do with it? Don't interrupt! What they meant was that they wanted us to help them get a coal mine. I told them I wasn't responsible for that... I made it clear to them that you're in charge of this... That's roughly it. Go and contact them."

"Dad, you really know how to push things away."

Zhang Yanling questioned with a stern face, "You were afraid of trouble, so you went to see an old friend and then pushed the matter onto me?"

“I think it’s not too difficult for them to find a coal mine. Didn’t you discover quite a few mines when you went to Xishan? Let’s just give them one!” Zhang Luan said. “They’re all old acquaintances, so let’s just consider it repaying a favor.”

Zhang Yanling said with emotion, "Father, you still feel guilty about what happened back then..."

Zhang Luan said, "You know your father, I've always been a man of deep affection and loyalty, and I'll never change that in this lifetime."

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling said, "Besides their family, there's no one else, right? I mean, those families you had some connections with in Xingji back then, they never thought of expanding their family influence to the capital, did they?"

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "I knew you had a plan as soon as I heard it. But don't worry, those people didn't like me much back then, so why should I care about their lives now? They don't want to see me, and I don't want to see them either! Anyway, just take care of the Sun family."

……

……

After giving temporary instructions, Zhang Luan quickly asked his son to take his pulse.

He was clearly afraid that his recent "indulgence" would worsen his condition; without physical and psychological paranoia, he wouldn't have taken the initiative to see his son.

Unable to refuse, Zhang Yanling pretended to take Zhang Luan's pulse and diagnose him.

Seeing his son deep in thought with his eyes closed, Zhang Luan seemed a little nervous and asked, "Has your condition worsened?"

"Have you experienced any adverse reactions lately?" Zhang Yanling asked. "Diagnosis requires observation, listening, questioning, and palpation. Have you noticed any changes in your body these past few days? Tell me specifically about your reactions!" "Reactions...what do you mean by reactions?"

Zhang Luanren was a little confused.

Zhang Yanling said, "Why do you feel unwell and specifically asked me to come and diagnose you? Don't you have any idea why?"

"Cough cough."

Zhang Luan suddenly realized that his little scheme couldn't be kept secret, and he felt a little embarrassed. He stammered for a while before finally saying, "Please give your father some face. It's like this, your father... I just feel that lately... I'm not doing so well in that area."

"Oh, about the bedroom?"

Zhang Yanling didn't bother to look Zhang Luan in the eye.

His haughty demeanor made it seem as if he were a true miracle doctor, and Zhang Luan was merely a patient seeking his treatment, just like when he treated patients in his previous life.

Zhang Luan rolled his eyes at his son and said, "You already know, why are you asking?"

Zhang Yanling retorted, "How am I supposed to know if you don't explain clearly? What exactly does it mean that it won't work? Give me a detailed description!"

"My son, are you making fun of your father?"

Zhang Luan instantly felt that his son was playing a trick on him.

Zhang Yanling glanced at him sideways: "Dad, you were the one who insisted on making me treat you. Now that I'm asking you, you're trying to hide it. How am I supposed to prescribe the right medicine for you?"

"You...I...sigh!"

Zhang Luan suddenly felt helpless. He wanted to maintain his authority as a strict father in front of his son, but because he was inferior to his son in both intelligence and ability, and was also manipulated by his son because of his illness, he had no choice but to give in and bow his head. This was too hurtful to his self-esteem.

Zhang Yanling said, "It's fine if you don't want to say it, but the point is, you're currently powerless to deal with women, right?"

Zhang Luan tilted his head slightly, offering no reply.

Old Zhang clearly has his own pride.

"Then I'll prescribe some medicine for you."

Zhang Yanling said, "Remember to eat on time."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan immediately breathed a sigh of relief and asked hopefully, "Is it the same kind that drips water into the body like before?"

“I’m telling you to take your medicine on time, not to give you an IV drip… Dad, you have to understand that your illness was very serious before, and we had to use such extreme methods to treat it. Right now, you just need to recuperate, so why make such a fuss? Actually, my suggestion is that you calm down and focus on your health, then you won’t even need to take medicine.”

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "You should know that all medicines have some degree of toxicity. Who would take medicine like it's food?"

Zhang Luan said helplessly, "My son, I also want to... but you know, if I really had to settle down and cultivate my character, I would rather die! Who could bear to live like an ascetic every day!"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling was speechless at his father's lethargy, but he was used to it. "Then take your medicine on time, but don't blame me if you get sick. Of course, my medicine isn't for you... to treat that, but to regulate your body."

Zhang Luan exclaimed, "My son, this is truly remarkable. In the past, when I saw you treating patients, you never followed the usual methods. The medicines you randomly picked out were frightening just to look at. Even when you treated the late emperor, you took an unconventional approach. This is the first time I've seen you prescribe medicine in a proper manner."

"Want to eat or not? If you want to eat, then shut up!"

Seeing his cheap old man rambling on, Zhang Yanling immediately adopted the authority of a doctor.

If he can't be intimidated, Zhang Luan won't take his doctor's words to heart.

"Okay, okay, I'll take my medicine properly."

Zhang Luan smiled.

Zhang Yanling then picked up his pen and began writing the prescription.

Zhang Luan looked on excitedly, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "That Sun family, Sun You, has a daughter, do you remember her?"

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded as she wrote, "The one who applied for the Crown Princess with my sister back then, I think her name was Sun Chengying, right?"

“Hey, do you remember her clearly… It’s her. Sun You wanted to marry her off to your older brother, saying it was a good match.” Zhang Luan shook his head and said.

Zhang Yanling wrote half of it, glanced up at Zhang Luan, and asked, "You agree?"

Zhang Luan curled his lip and said, "How could I agree to that? 'Matching social status'? That's giving him too much face."

"Dad, why do you look down on people?"

Zhang Yanling said in surprise, "You said before that you remembered their kindness."

Zhang Luan said, "I am a person who will repay kindness, but I am not stupid. I will do what is right... Marrying off a daughter is a matter of mutual consent. It was wrong of me to cancel your sister's engagement, but wasn't it because his son was a sickly person?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling couldn't help but smile wryly.

This old father really does one thing and does another; he's starting to deny his promises.

Zhang Luan added, “I didn’t even have the nerve to tell him that there are quite a few people who want to marry into my Zhang family recently. When I got back, your mother told me that the Empress Dowager had specifically asked her to help arrange a marriage. There’s a Grand Princess’s daughter who wants to get married… That’s what you call a good match.”

"Oh."

Zhang Yanling asked, "Did you tell your mother about this when you got back?"

“You brat, do you really think your father is heartless? No matter how outrageous I am outside, your mother is still your mother. In any family matter, when have I not gone along with her? Besides, the Sun family, they seem to be a bit… out of line now. I don’t know what to say about them.”

Zhang Luan shook his head as he spoke.

Zhang Yanling asked, "What, has the Sun family fallen on hard times?"

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "That's why I came to you and asked you to help their family. You see, knowing I'm an official in the capital, they insisted on coming to the capital to do business... But their business acumen is truly indescribable... In fact, back in Xingji, their methods of trading grain were simply appalling, I'm embarrassed to even mention them..."

"What kind of business do they specifically do in the capital?"

Zhang Yanling asked.

"do not know."

Zhang Luan said, "I don't know what difficulties they have encountered, but I can see that the Sun family's situation is far worse than before. Their business is probably not going well, and their family fortune has also begun to decline. They used to be one of the most prominent families in Xingji, but now it seems... sigh!"

At this moment, Zhang Yanling had finished writing and stopped writing. He turned his head to look at Zhang Luan and said, "It's finished, Father, take a look."

Zhang Luan took the paper, blew on the ink, and continued the conversation: "My son, tell me, wouldn't you say we stole the Sun family's fortune?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, even if our family's prosperity is related to their annulment of the engagement, what does their current situation have to do with us? Don't overthink it!"

Zhang Luan said, "After all, they are old friends... Back when their family was very wealthy, they didn't look down on our family's modest circumstances and agreed to the marriage."

"Father, please don't underestimate yourself. You come from a scholarly family, and besides, didn't you have an uncle who was an official in the imperial court? He was a real regional governor!"

Zhang Yanling said, "They agreed to the marriage in the first place, obviously because of this. Later, they agreed to dissolve the engagement, probably because they felt that our family had fallen on hard times and it was a good opportunity to back down."

"Ah."

Zhang Luan thought about it carefully, seemingly relieved, nodded and smiled, "Then everything is in your hands! Have a good talk with the Sun family! I specifically praised you in front of Sun You, and they know that you are now in charge of our family's business. I also told them that they don't need to come to me anymore, they can come to my son... it's more effective than coming to me."

(End of this chapter)