Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 771 Pillar

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs is on duty.

Qin Ji and the others returned each carrying a pile of memorials.

Although Qin Ji had not yet been officially promoted to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies, everyone knew that he was now in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial. However, he was very approachable and had no airs.

With the arrival of the capable Liu Jian in the cabinet, and with the full cooperation of Grand Secretary Xu Pu, the efficiency of the Directorate of Ceremonial in processing memorials was greatly improved, and the emperor had less to worry about.

Zhu Youcheng only needed to attend court every day to discuss state affairs with his ministers, and then spend more time on some unresolved major issues, repeatedly weighing the pros and cons, or sending people to consult the opinions of relevant government departments in the court to reach a final conclusion, which made the operation of the court extremely smooth.

Zhu Youcheng was not stubborn; most of the time, he did what his subordinates told him to do. Even when he occasionally had disagreements with court officials, they were confined to the court; he did not make decisions independently very often.

"Eunuch Qin, you say this young imperial brother-in-law is so young yet he can accomplish such great things. What will he be like in the future? He will surely rise to the rank of general or prime minister!"

After arriving at the cabinet office, Li Rong intentionally used this matter to test Qin Ji.

Qin Ji's eyes narrowed into slits with a smile as he agreed, "Indeed, the Second Young Master has devoted himself wholeheartedly to His Majesty and the court, and his contributions are truly remarkable. Such a wise man will surely become a pillar of the Ming Dynasty in the future!"

Li Rong asked, "What is the purpose of all this, Second Young Master?"

One question was all it took to ruin the atmosphere.

Qin Ji's expression turned quite awkward.

Although he could easily argue that the Zhang family was simply acting for the court and had no selfish motives, or that they were just loyal to the emperor and loved their country... he also understood that while such words might appease the emperor, they would be futile in trying to deceive a pragmatist like Li Rong.

"They're managing rivers, mining, and casting cannons... Will they also send troops to pacify the grasslands and establish an everlasting legacy?"

Li Rong smiled and said, "Having lofty aspirations is not inherently bad, but when the Duke of Zhou feared rumors and Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation, we were all thinking of His Majesty's best interests, and sometimes we had to take precautions. Actually, when I think about it, many of the things that Eunuch Huai did in the capital were not without purpose... Eunuch Huai has experienced too much of the ways of the world, perhaps he has become too worldly-wise and no longer trusts people."

Qin Ji glanced at Li Rong.

He certainly understood what the other person meant.

If you truly care about the emperor, you shouldn't let the Zhang family father and son always stand out so much. It would be best to let them return to a state where they are slightly better than ordinary people, or to let their performance be on par with the court officials... Why do they have to be so unconventional and not ask for anything in return? Isn't this just deliberately inviting criticism from others?

"Eunuch Li, what do you mean?"

Qin Ji pretended to be confused and looked at Li Rong.

Li Rong said, "We at least need to figure out what the young imperial uncle's expectations are for the future, right? We're not trying to harm him! Actually, it's to reduce the jealousy of others and eliminate potential threats. This will also help him better serve His Majesty in the future."

Qin Ji asked tentatively, "You mean... you want the Second Young Master to stop here?"

"I dare not make a decision on my own."

Li Rong sighed, "But if possible, this is the best course of action... Even if it's my own nephew, I have to tell him to keep a low profile for now."

"This time, the Second Young Master's mining venture in Xishan has offended countless powerful figures, and those people are often unreasonable. Once they get angry... sigh!"

Qin Ji nodded silently.

He clearly knew that with the Zhang family father and son so outspoken, their political enemies couldn't just stick to their old ways and rely solely on spreading rumors to carry out their malicious slander.

Once others discover that the father and son are invincible in the court, wouldn't they have to come up with more ways to physically disappear?

Since you and your father insist on being unconventional and making everyone in the court your backdrop, then you'll have to learn the rules of the Ming Dynasty...

The law of the jungle applies everywhere.

……

……

After returning to the capital, Zhang Yanling did not rush to calculate how much silver he had earned on his trip.

Whether he earns a lot or a little, it's not his own money anyway, and it won't amount to much more in the end... What he cares about right now is the progress of casting cannons... As for river repair, he doesn't plan to invest any money for the time being; he definitely needs to stretch out Lizi Province first.

That evening, Zhang Yanling returned home. As soon as he stepped through the moon gate of the central courtyard, he saw Zhang Luan sitting in the main seat of his house, receiving guests.

The visitor was none other than Shen Lu.

Shen Lu had heard that Zhang Luan had made money mining in Xishan, so he came to "congratulate" him. At the same time, Shen Lu was also curious to know if he could get a share of the profits.

When it comes to making money, no one can escape worldly desires. Even someone like Shen Lu, who was eager to make a name for himself in his official career, hoped that his family's wealth would increase.

Zhang Luan suddenly pointed to the courtyard outside: "Look, the person in charge has returned. If you have any questions, just ask him! It's my son Yanling who's in charge of the mine! I just went for a walk in the West Mountain and didn't do anything."

Zhang Luan seemed very impatient.

Shen Lu turned to look at Zhang Yanling as he entered the main room, his eyes filled with a sense of infatuation.

This “nephew” in front of us can earn hundreds of thousands of taels of silver at once… This is not due to any speculation or trickery, but entirely due to his real skills. He found a mining site in Xishan and then sold it… With this ability, why not just switch to gold mining instead of coal mining?

Shen Lu hurriedly got up and went to the door to greet him.

Zhang Yanling asked, "Uncle, did you come here for the mining business? I haven't been involved since I came back from there; it's all been handled by the Imperial Household Department and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

When it's time to act maturely, Zhang Yanling is able to maintain the demeanor of an adult.

But at this moment, we still have to pretend to be naive.

I have no money, but you can take my life.

Shen Lu laughed and said, "My nephew's abilities have spread throughout the capital. It is said that after you walked around the Western Hills, gold and silver appeared wherever you stepped. Many people say that you are a reincarnation of a living god... I don't believe it. I tell them that it's not just my nephew who is a god, but both father and son are. Haha."

……

……

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Yanling gave a brief introduction to the situation in Xishan, emphasizing that all coal mines belonged to the Imperial Household Department and that he could not privately occupy any mines to give away to others.

Although Shen Lu was very disappointed, he dared not force the Zhang family father and son, after all, he still needed Zhang Luan to protect his career.

"You brat, you're never home, so I have to do all the welcoming and seeing off for you, is that it?" After seeing Shen Lu off, Zhang Luan started complaining again.

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Uncle Shen didn't come looking for me, did he? He clearly came looking for you, so how did it become me receiving guests? I'm so hungry, I wonder what delicious food Mother and Aunt have prepared."

Zhang Luan pouted: "I thought it would be like back in Xingji, with your mother and aunt doing the cooking. Now they're just like the young mistress, lazy and unwilling to work. No matter what I say, they won't listen."

Zhang Yanling looked at Zhang Luan in surprise, and feeling ashamed of her cheap father's shamelessness, she retorted, "Then what about you, Father?"

"As your father..."

Zhang Luan composed himself, adopting a nonchalant attitude, and said smugly, "I am doing important things. I am involved in all the important affairs of the court. Right now, I am raising funds for the army. How can a woman compare to me?"

Zhang Yanling sighed, "In that case, Father should really find another place to entertain guests."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Luan was stunned for a moment, then saw his son turn to leave and quickly said, "You brat, explain yourself! Don't go! Do you expect your father to go to the yamen to report for duty and spend all day greeting and seeing off those officials?"

……

……

As the lanterns were lit and dinner was finished at home, Zhang Heling returned from outside.

Seeing that his whole family was there, he didn't think much of it.

"Father, I'm now a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Shouldn't you grant me my own residence? We still have money at home, right? Or could you simply give me our family's courtyard so I can live alone outside?"

Zhang Heling started rambling as soon as he got back.

Zhang Luan sniffed, smelling the strong odor of alcohol on Zhang Heling, and immediately frowned, asking, "Have you been drinking?" Zhang Heling shrugged and said, "Now that I'm an official, I inevitably have to attend various social events. My colleagues in the Embroidered Uniform Guard always invite me out for drinks..."

"Is it you who pays the money, or them?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously.

"Our family isn't short of money, so of course I'll treat them."

Zhang Heling appeared very proud, patting his chest and saying, "You have no idea how high my prestige is in the Embroidered Uniform Guard now... Everyone wants to follow me. They all say I'm generous and righteous. Let me put it this way, as long as our family is in trouble, if I raise my flag and shout, there will definitely be a huge response, and everyone will come to help."

Zhang Luan asked, "Where did you get the money? Second brother, did you give it to him?"

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "No, my elder brother has his own little treasury and hasn't asked me for money in a long time."

Zhang Heling looked disdainful and said, "Father, your son also gets a salary, okay? Even if other people's salaries are delayed, mine are always paid on time and in full."

"Your salary as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, instead of saving it for finding a wife in the future, you're using it all to treat others to food and drink?" Zhang Luan suddenly felt that his son was too much like himself when he was young. Both were optimists, eager to spend every penny they had, to the point of being foolish. Then he thought, "Oh wait, even if you receive your full salary on time, is it enough for you to treat others to meals every day?"

Zhang Heling laughed and said, "Isn't that why I still have my mother? When I run out of money, I just ask my mother for some, and she always gives it to me."

"..."

Zhang Luan was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage, grabbed the teacup on the table and threw it at his eldest son, but his son easily dodged it.

Zhang Heling was startled and instantly sobered up. He shouted, "Dad, what's wrong with you? Why are you smashing your son for no reason? I'm the pillar of this family. Don't you feel bad if you break me?"

Zhang Luan roared, "I'd rather not have a son like you! You keep saying you don't lack money, but does that mean my money is your source of confidence? The money you asked your mother for isn't mine, nor is it your brother's!"

Zhang Heling was full of resentment: "Why do you all have money, but I don't? Father, you are the emperor's father-in-law and a Grand Secretary. It sounds so prestigious. But look at your son me. I'm just a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard with a meager salary. I don't even have a mansion now. If I want to invite people back home for a meal, I don't even have a place to settle them."

"What the hell did I do to deserve having such a beast like you?"

Zhang Luan was so angry that he trembled all over.

Zhang Yanling, standing beside him, chuckled and said, "Father, please calm down. My elder brother is right. He's about to get married, so the family should start making preparations for him."

"Don't you dare start this up, kid!"

Zhang Luan pointed at Zhang Yanling and said, "Family matters are none of your business. Eldest son, come here! Let me ask you, how much is your monthly salary? And how many cronies are you surrounded by? If you don't answer clearly, I'll break your legs today!"

As he spoke, Zhang Luan took his eldest son to find Jin Shi to "settle accounts".

In fact, Zhang Luan wanted to use the excuse that his mother was indulging her son's extravagance to vent his anger in the inner quarters, in order to demonstrate his authority as the head of the household and his correct outlook on life and the world.

When Zhang Luan came out of the inner courtyard, he looked very listless, as if he had just taught his eldest son a lesson, which had exhausted him and caused his old illness to relapse.

At that moment, Zhang Yanling was writing in his study. Through the open window, he saw Zhang Luan come out, panting heavily, and couldn't help but comfort him, "Father, is it really necessary? It's not like you haven't known what kind of person your eldest son is. Why get so angry? Your health is the most important thing!"

"Yes, my son, you still care about your father the most."

Zhang Luan, with an arrogant air, said, "My health isn't good enough; I can't afford to waste my energy on this unfilial son. But I didn't expect that even the Imperial Guards are now struggling to pay their salaries. Wasn't it said that the salt tax had already been collected?"

Zhang Yanling explained, "The salt tax has been collected to some extent. The first thing the court officials thought of was to quickly appease the soldiers on the nine borders, then to pay the officials' back salaries, and only then did they turn to those who were soldiers and those who were actually doing the work."

Zhang Luan asked, "If they were all distributed, how much silver would it cost?"

Zhang Yanling sighed, "It's impossible to calculate everything at once. If both the original and the discounted prices are paid out, along with the salaries of the local officials, it would amount to at least two million taels!"

"So much? Enough to rebuild the Yellow River?"

Zhang Luan appeared shocked.

"What can we do?"

Zhang Yanling explained, “The Ming Dynasty’s finances have long been in trouble, which is why I proposed that the salt tax revenue be returned to the national treasury. Did I not know that doing so would further reduce the reserves in the northwest? But when the finances are in trouble, even if we know it’s like drinking poison to quench thirst, we still have to do it.”

Zhang Luan opened his mouth wide in surprise and asked, "You mean, the salt tax reform is like drinking poison to quench thirst? And you still... insist on making changes?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Didn't you see that when the salt tax reform was being promoted, even Grand Secretary Xu and the others didn't raise any objections? In fact, everyone knew that if it wasn't changed, the court's financial situation would become increasingly dire, eventually leading to a situation where there were no reserves in the northwest, the court was so poor that it couldn't even afford to eat, salt merchants couldn't make money, and the people couldn't afford salt. It would be a complete loss..."

"That too……"

Zhang Luan sat down in the courtyard and, looking out the window, said to Zhang Yanling, "Our Ming Dynasty's finances are truly rotten to the core! Why didn't I think so before I became an official?"

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, "You're really easy to brainwash."

Before you became an official, you didn't know anything about court affairs. But even if you became an official, as long as no one tells you the truth, you will only live in a peaceful and tranquil world.

Do you need to worry about the future of the Ming Dynasty?
But things are different now!

You went from being an observer to the instigator, personally pushing for changes in many aspects of the court, including finance. This is a key reason why you became a pillar of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Luan said, "It seems that relying on me to scrape together those few coins is really a drop in the ocean... I'd better take a break."

"..."

Zhang Yanling really wanted to say, "Have you no shame?"
You write a long, heartfelt post here, only to find yourself overwhelmed by too many difficulties and decide to give up, quit, and hand things over to someone else.
Zhang Yanling said, "Father, don't slack off! Doesn't the Ming Dynasty need you? The Lizi Province in the south is starving, and the soldiers on the nine borders are waiting for you to raise funds to pay their wages."

Zhang Luan said, "My son, are you speaking human language? No matter how strong I am, I can't hold up this sky. Sigh, I know I'm not capable enough, so I'll have to rely on you."

"Think about it, I haven't received much salary these past few months. Do you think I wanted to go to that courtyard? It's only because Li Zisheng has arranged everything there, so I don't have to worry about it..."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Yanling frowned and asked.

Zhang Luan explained earnestly, "Once we get to that courtyard, we can eat and drink for free. Li Zisheng has already arranged everything for our food and drink for the next few years, as well as the expenses for the women there."

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, "He's really hopeless."

So this is all the ambition you, Zhang Daguozhang, have?

It seems like he's running off to live a life of unbridled pleasure, but in reality, he's just a gigolo, eating and drinking for free.

No wonder people look down on you. With your shameless appearance, any random street vendor would be better than you.
Zhang Yanling said, "Father, you need to go to the palace in the next couple of days. Eunuch Qin came to see me earlier and asked me to go to the palace to report on the situation on West Mountain. I said that my father should go with me, and he agreed."

Why did you include me in this?

Zhang Luan's eyes widened, his face full of refusal. "I'm not very familiar with these things, and you didn't let me get involved, did you? And the Duke of England I met on West Mountain wanted to see me after returning to the capital, but I refused... He didn't get a single mine this time, right?"

Zhang Yanling didn't explain much, but just shook his head slightly: "You still have to report to the emperor in person. At least as a cabinet minister, you can convince the public more. If this matter is attributed to me, it will cause trouble... I'm just a child. The more I do, the more people will see me as a monster."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "What's wrong with making money for the imperial court?"

Zhang Yanling said, "I can do the work, but it can't be made public... Wouldn't it be better if I gave you the credit? As the Second Grand Secretary, with this achievement, wouldn't your prestige in the court be even higher?"

"If something goes wrong, I'll be the one to take the blame, right?"

Zhang Luan protested.

"Then Father, do you want to be that loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty who serves the country and its people? It's not as simple as just saying it to earn respect from others."

Zhang Yanling said, "It's one thing for you to stay far away when something happens, but now that I'm asked to give a report to my brother-in-law to gain a good reputation and the approval of the court officials, you're making excuses."

"I……"

Zhang Luan instantly felt ashamed.

However, after calming down, he appeared spirited again: "Whatever my son says, so be it. So what if I go to give a concluding speech to my son-in-law? Humph, those civil officials in the court look down on me. If they're so capable, let them have a good son! I rose to power because of my son, so what? Have I ever complained?"

(End of this chapter)