Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 777
The Forbidden City, Kunning Palace.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to express his gratitude at the palace, Zhang Luan went directly to visit his daughter. This was the first time he had come to see her since learning of her pregnancy.

"Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant, which is a great blessing for the country. I am so grateful that tears are streaming down my face. I am glad that my Zhang family has not let down the late Emperor and the Ming Dynasty."

Zhang Luan made these boastful remarks in front of Zhu Youcheng and his wife.

Zhu Youcheng looked at his wife with deep affection: "Yu'er, you've worked so hard."

Zhang Yu frowned: "Father, from what you're saying, you're implying that my pregnancy should be credited to the Zhang family? Do you think that's why I received the title?"

Zhang Luan's expression was unfriendly.

I thought to myself, "Girls are indeed more outgoing. Once they get married, they're devoted to protecting their husband's family, unlike my youngest son who's devoted to me."

I just said something casually, and they started saying hurtful things to me and being so critical. Even if you want to say something, shouldn't you wait until your husband leaves first?
Zhang Luan could only say, "This is naturally all thanks to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Humph!"

Zhang Yu showed no respect to his elderly father, instead giving him a cold and disdainful look.

Zhu Youcheng smiled and said, "Yu'er, don't talk to your father-in-law like that. He's doing this for your own good."

Zhang Yu said, “Look at how lazy he is… As a father, knowing his daughter is pregnant, he didn’t come to the palace to see her and show any concern. I haven’t even seen my mother yet… He only thinks of coming to the palace after he gets a title. It’s really meaningless.”

"I'm just... busy, aren't I?"

Zhang Luan turned his head away to hide his inner panic. "Besides, is this the inner palace garden a place that an outsider can come to whenever he wants?"

Zhang Yu retorted, "Why is it that my second brother can come here so often?"

Zhang Luan stiffened his neck and forced himself to say, "I don't compare myself to Yanling. He's always out and about, and you rarely see him."

Zhang Yu continued, "I think Yanling is much more reliable than you, Father... Recently, my younger brother has been busy casting cannons. When he came yesterday, he said that he would be able to perform cannon drills again soon. Dozens of cannons will be fired at once, and the sound will be earth-shattering."

"After the demonstration, these cannons can be sent to the Nine Borders. Yanling is also in charge of many other things. Even when it's inconvenient for me, he manages the weaving of cloth in the Imperial Palace."

"I……"

Zhang Luan feigned grievance and said, "Isn't he sick? You have to understand."

Zhang Luan seemed to know that he couldn't fool his daughter by saying he was busy, so he had to bring up his illness again.

Zhang Luan then looked to his son-in-law for help, as if to say, "Please say something for me, my daughter doesn't give her father any face at all."

But Zhu Youcheng just stood there smiling and watching, showing no intention of supporting Zhang Luan.

Clearly, Zhu Youcheng had never seen this kind of father-daughter relationship before... They were arguing, but he knew they cared for each other. Their different way of speaking made him, as the emperor, fully realize that he was not alone and that his wife and father-in-law could also show affection in front of him.

Zhang Yu frowned slightly and scolded, "Since you're sick, stay home and rest. Don't go out and run around."

"I……"

Zhang Luan finally said in a sigh, "Forget it, there's always a barrier between father and daughter, we can never truly open our hearts to each other. No matter how much I do, there are always people who don't see it. Your mother too... and your younger brother, really... they're all so difficult to deal with."

Zhu Youcheng then smiled and said, "If Father-in-law's condition is not fully recovered, there is no need for him to accompany us on this artillery exercise."

Zhang Luan looked over, as if to say, "I wasn't planning on going anyway," but he still politely asked, "Your Majesty, when will the cannon exercise take place?"

"In a few days."

Zhu Youcheng counted on his fingers and said, "It will probably be on an auspicious day after the Jietian ceremony. I will be plowing the Jietian soon... Father-in-law, would you like to come along?"

Zhang Luan quickly shook his head and said, "I've spent my whole life working the land. Now that I finally don't have to use a hoe, I won't join in the fun."

Zhang Yu asked curiously, "When did Father pick up a hoe?"

"Did you think the grain produced in Xingji's family's fields in the past was blown in by the wind?"

Zhang Luan said, "Even if I don't often carry a hoe, there are times when I will still go myself. I know how hard farming is."

Zhu Youcheng seemed to have thought of something and quickly said, "Father-in-law, I have already asked before, and we can allocate three hundred hectares of land from the area surrounding the capital to your name as a bonus for your title."

"land?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "No need. Your Majesty, don't invite criticism. I... don't need land for the time being, and even if it were allocated, there would be no one to cultivate it!"

Zhang Yu's phoenix eyes widened as he demanded, "His Majesty gave it to you, and you still dare to refuse?"

Zhang Luan hurriedly said, "This will provoke a backlash from the civil officials... I have only ever thought about how to help the Ming Dynasty, and I have never had any intention of asking for anything. If this land is really left idle, then let the people from the Imperial Estate manage it. The palace also needs to generate income, doesn't it?"

Dai Yi, who was standing to the side, said, "Mr. Zhang, it is customary for the court to bestow titles and land at the same time, and this will not cause any controversy among the court officials."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "I appreciate Your Majesty and the Empress's kindness. I will accept the house, but as for the land, I don't need it. I am currently raising funds for the army and will try my best to save up a batch to relieve the court's urgent needs."

Zhu Youcheng smiled and said, "Father-in-law, there's no need to worry. The 500,000 taels of silver have already been transferred to various places on the frontier."

"Huh? Has it already been allocated?"

Zhang Luan asked in surprise at first, then quickly added, "Oh dear, yes, yes, that's how it should be. I had forgotten for a moment."

Thinking about how he had pretended to be very busy in front of his daughter, yet knew nothing about the Ministry of Revenue's allocation of funds and grain, his old face felt as if his lie had been exposed.

“However, I still have things to do, otherwise… umm…” Zhang Luan said, “Your Majesty, please give me some time. As for money and provisions, the more the better.”

Zhu Youcheng continued with a smile, "Yanling is already working on a solution. About 100,000 taels of silver and grain have been transported to Liaodong and other places in batches. Next, with the new cannons, the court may divide its forces into two routes. One route will go out of the pass to complete the search and rescue operation in the Hetao region to ensure that there are no Tatars left in the Hetao region. The other route will be deployed to Liaodong."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "Are you sending troops on both fronts?"

"Ah."

Zhu Youcheng nodded and said, "Actually, these strategies were left by the late emperor. I am just inheriting his ambition and strictly implementing them. For example, this year the Tatar prince suddenly invaded, which clearly exceeded the duty of a subject, so he should be suppressed. As for Liaodong, it has not been very peaceful in the past year, so those barbarians should be taught a lesson."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "That's true. The foreign barbarians are restless and should be dealt with properly."

Zhu Youcheng said, "Next, I will send someone to Korea to ask them to cooperate in sending troops... Father-in-law, who do you think is suitable to go?"

Zhang Luan was quite surprised to hear this question.

He pondered for a moment and said, "I don't have any good candidates. I think that if I send a capable person, they should be able to complete the mission."

Zhu Youcheng said with a smile, "Actually, I want Heling to give it a try."

"what?"

Zhang Luan was taken aback.

Zhu Youcheng said, "With Heling assisting from the side and accompanying the envoy's entourage, this can be considered as making a contribution and initially establishing prestige in the court... What does Father-in-law think?"

“Your Majesty, my son is reckless and has never had any diplomatic experience. I’m afraid that he might not be able to handle such wealth and honor if he goes with us.”

Zhang Luan naturally refused. He couldn't understand what his son-in-law was thinking, wanting his eldest son to accompany the delegation to Korea.

What's with all this talk about making contributions and building prestige?

Are you kidding me?
Zhu Youcheng asked curiously, "Doesn't your father-in-law hope that Heling can achieve something and bring honor to the Zhang family?"

Zhang Luan said, "Let's just forget about him. That kid is dull-witted and doesn't seem like a capable person. Compared to his brother, he's really not worth looking at. Since we know he's just a worm, it's best to let him live a peaceful life. It's also best to give up the job he's currently holding so he won't cause trouble outside every day and harm himself and others."

"This……"

Zhu Youcheng looked in his wife's direction, seemingly feeling that his father-in-law's request greatly contradicted his original intention to promote Zhang Heling. Zhang Yu nodded and said, "Let's listen to my father. If he thinks it's inappropriate, then let Heling go back to be an ordinary person and obediently carry on the Zhang family line... Indeed, the Zhang family doesn't need two heroes to emerge in one generation."

"Ah."

Zhu Youcheng then nodded.

Zhang Yu said, "Father, Heling is not very promising. You should cultivate Yanling properly... However, if something happens to Yanling in the future, I really don't know who we can rely on for the future of the Zhang family."

Zhang Luan said helplessly, "As the older sister, you can't favor one over the other, can you?"

"What about yourself?"

Zhang Yu countered with a question.

"I...I am merely stating the facts."

Zhang Luan not only shirked responsibility but also made a sophistry, saying, "The boss is really incompetent."

Zhang Yu was also stubborn: "As a daughter, I think exactly the same as you, the father. We all know which of our two younger brothers is more capable. We need to get Heling to settle down and behave himself!"

……

……

Zhang Luan was so upset by his daughter's antics that when he left the palace, he was extremely irritated and curious about what the emperor meant by suddenly mentioning Zhang Heling earlier.

On the way out of the palace, Li Rong, the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Depot, came to see him off. As if "informing," Li Rong leaned over and whispered to Zhang Luan, "Mr. Zhang, this is what happened. Someone in the court impeached your son for wrongdoing. After His Majesty learned of this, he discussed it with the Empress and seemed to want to make some arrangements."

"My son... is he my eldest son, Heling, right?"

Zhang Luan seemed to understand something.

Li Rong nodded and said, "That's right."

Zhang Luan sighed, "I knew it! That kid's a good-for-nothing, always causing trouble outside. How did he get impeached so quickly? But then again, he's just a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. What's there to impeach him for?"

Li Rong cautiously said, "They're nothing more than ganging up on ordinary people to do some bullying and monopolistic practices. I've heard they don't get along with the sons of some officials, and there are frequent disputes, sometimes even involving fights..."

"A fight?"

Zhang Luan was very surprised.

Li Rong cautioned, "Right now it's just fists and feet fighting. If a large-scale armed conflict breaks out, and given that your son is a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it will attract even more criticism."

"The officials in the court are making a concerted effort, seemingly hoping to make a name for themselves through your son."

Zhang Luan said with frustration, "Hey, I'm being watched!"

Li Rong said, "Whether it is directed at your household is still uncertain. But your son's actions have indeed caused negative public opinion and have really damaged your reputation."

"Okay, I see."

Zhang Luan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Li. I will definitely teach that brat a lesson when I get back, so that he will behave himself. After all, his job as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is now just a nominal one, and he will no longer cause trouble for the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Li Rong smiled, implying that disciplining your son is your own business, and he was just giving a reminder; the rest is up to you to decide.

……

……

When Zhang Luan returned home, he intended to call his eldest son over and give him a good talking-to, and also to "admonish" his youngest son. However, as soon as he arrived home, he found Qin Chang sitting there talking with Zhang Yanling.

"The Marquis is back?"

Qin Chang smiled and stood up to greet him.

Zhang Luan was slightly surprised, clearly not used to this title. After a while, he waved his hand and said, "Eunuch Qin, you're making me feel too flattered... What do you mean by 'Lord Marquis'? It's better to call him 'Father-in-law of the Emperor'."

Qin Chang said, “You are both a Grand Secretary and the Marquis of Shouning in the court, so we should show you some respect. Well, there are some matters in the court that have not yet been decided, so I came to ask for your opinion. It just so happens that your son is here, so I sat down and said a few words.”

Zhang Luan wondered, "Did you just happen to run into him, or did you come here on purpose?"
Don't you, Qin Chang, know who I, Zhang Laizhan, am? You used to always turn to my son when you had problems. Now that you're back as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, you'll have to listen to my son even more, won't you?
Zhang Luan said, "It doesn't matter who I tell, I'm just here to visit. Yanling, please take good care of Eunuch Qin, I need to go back and continue recuperating."

"Back to where?"

Zhang Yanling asked, "Father, now that you've returned home, shouldn't you go to the inner courtyard to recuperate?"

"Going out to recuperate is the same... Find a quiet and elegant place, rest for a few days, without the noise of music or the burden of paperwork, and seek a carefree life, which will make it easier for your condition to improve."

Zhang Luan cupped his hands in greeting to Qin Chang and said, "Eunuch Qin, I won't bother you any longer. Farewell."

Qin Chang was puzzled and asked, "My lord, do you dislike me and are you eager to avoid me?"

Zhang Yanling explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Eunuch Qin. My father just has this bad habit of not wanting to see anyone."

"This……"

Qin Chang gave a wry smile.

Zhang Luan insisted on leaving, and in the end, Qin Chang had no choice but to bow and see him off.

……

……

Zhang Luan went to his secluded villa where he kept his mistress.

On the first day of his ennoblement, he didn't want to care about anything, whether it was matters of the court or family. He just wanted to celebrate with the ministers outside. It seemed that every time he came to this courtyard before, he was just a bully, relying on the manpower, resources, and prestige provided by Li Zisheng to act like a big shot here.

The situation is different now.

He was now the Marquis of Shouning in the Ming Dynasty, a true noble title that would ensure his descendants' future prosperity. Suddenly, he seemed to have found confidence and wanted to show off his power to those he had once thought looked down on.

When Qi Niang saw Zhang Luan arrive, she was quite surprised and asked, "Master, you have been granted the title of Marquis of Shouning. Shouldn't you be entertaining guests at your residence for such an important occasion?"

There weren't many guests.

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "I'm not a very sociable person, and others don't like me. I'm more like a lonely figure in the court. Who would think of coming to congratulate me right now? Leave the reception and socializing at home to my son; that's enough."

Lady Qi's almond-shaped eyes widened as she asked, "Does Master even entrust the Second Young Master with handling all social engagements?"

Zhang Luan curled his lips and said, "With my son's abilities, what can't he do? Putting aside everything else, this kid is full of bad ideas, and no one can fool him. But from now on, my family will be the Marquis's mansion, and we'll have a new residence."

Like a big kid who has just received a new toy, Zhang Luan showed it off to Qi Niang.

"Then, sir, what are your plans for serving as an official in the court in the future?"

"Qi Niang asked."

Zhang Luan shrugged and said, "Just like today, it's best not to go anywhere and just take care of this little plot of land in front of your own door. Alright, hurry up and make arrangements for me."

"Oh dear, sir, there's no rush. I have a letter from Minister Li from the south," Lady Qi asked tentatively. "Wouldn't you like to take a look first?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand: "What's the point of looking at it? Wait, why is Minister Li's letter here?"

Qi Niang sighed, "I guess they were afraid of being found out, so they sent them here to ensure their safety."

"Sigh, isn't this just trying to cover something up? If people find out he sent me letters in private, who knows what they'll think?" Zhang Luan frowned. "Give me the letters, and go make the arrangements. Remember, you must not tell anyone that I received these letters."

(End of this chapter)