Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 80 Related households?
When the food and wine were served, only Zhang Luan and Cui Yuan drank together.

Everyone in the family stepped aside.

Cui Ru said, "Brother Lai Zhan, why have you rarely been seen in the Imperial Academy recently? Now that you have entered the academy, you should study hard."

Zhang Luan sighed, "Isn't this the imperial decree to give people medicine to prevent smallpox? I'm really busy... It's not that I don't want to go, but I can't get away."

"oh!?"

Cui Ru was a little surprised. "I also heard that the people in the Imperial Hospital are growing medicine for the people in the capital, saying that it can prevent smallpox. Many classmates expressed disbelief, but I also heard that many people in the market went to consult, but you are the one in charge?"

Zhang Luan looked ashamed: "If not me, then who else could it be? It was because of my contribution in growing medicine that I was recommended by the magistrate of Xingji County and sent to Beiyong as a tribute student."

Cui Ru said: "Brother Lai Zhan is not a simple person... Come, I will toast you a glass."

They drank together.

Cui Ru put down his wine glass and asked again: "Is the medicine really effective? Or..."

Zhang Luan said: "Of course it works. I have given medicine to thousands of people in Xingji, and not a single one of them got smallpox after the medicine was given.

"I have heard that there is a family of more than a dozen people, and none of the people who planted the medicine got sick, while the others all got sick. Otherwise, why would the court promote it in the capital?"

Speaking of this, Zhang Luan felt more confident in making friends.

After all, this was a rare highlight in his life. It solved the situation where people had been helpless in the face of smallpox epidemics for thousands of years and benefited all people. It can be said to be his greatest achievement and label in his life.

Cui Ru said with emotion: "Since it is so effective, I will go back and look for your medicine."

"No need to look back. You can get the seed here today. Just give it a prick on your arm. It won't hurt... I'll go get the medicine now..."

Zhang Luan stood up as he spoke, fully demonstrating his warm-heartedness.

Cui Ru hastily dissuaded him: "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, Brother Lai Zhan, don't be so anxious. No matter what, we can't delay our drinking, right?"

Zhang Luan then realized that he had taken the other person's casual words seriously. He smiled in shame and quickly filled the wine glass in front of Cui Ru.

In order to hide his embarrassment, Zhang Luan took the initiative to bring up the topic:

"That's right. I've met with Li Shilang from the Yintai Department a few times recently... He said he would recommend me to work as a royal physician in the Imperial Hospital. With a formal official position, I may not be able to stay in Beiyong for long."

Since he felt that others looked down upon him, Zhang Luan would of course tell everyone all about his glorious past.

"Minister Li? But...Mr. Li Zisheng, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat?"

Cui Ru asked in surprise.

"Exactly."

Zhang Luan tried his best to show that he had a wide range of friends, and said complacently: "There are some things that I can't tell you in detail, but I have to tell you. It was through the experience of the Silver Office... that is, the brother-in-law I told you about, that I was able to meet Minister Li and gain his appreciation."

Cui Ru originally had a good impression of Zhang Luan.

But after drinking a few glasses of cat urine, this guy started to brag, and his boasts became more and more outrageous, and his face became embarrassed.

No one else came, only I came, just to listen to your nonsense and put on airs in front of me?
Cui Ru evaded the question by saying, "I have never heard you mention healing before, so I don't know your medical skills..."

"I have learned a little bit. Although I am not very good at it, it is enough to be used."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "If anyone in your family is sick, especially with a difficult or complicated disease, feel free to come to me. I will help if I can, and I will make sure I won't let you down, Brother Cui."

Cui Ru felt increasingly uneasy and persisted for a while longer. Finally, he could no longer tolerate Zhang Luan's boasting and simply stood up to say goodbye.

Although Zhang Luan tried to persuade him to stay, Cui Ru was determined to leave, so Zhang Luan had no choice but to see him off politely. After he came back, he sighed and was obviously devastated.

……

……

Huizhou Trading House.

Shopkeeper Qin is listening to his subordinates' reports.

Xu Gong was ordered to deliver gifts to Li Zisheng, but unfortunately he didn't find the right way and couldn't get in.

"It's not that he doesn't want to accept them, but this Taoist priest Li only accepts gifts from people he knows well... There aren't many people in the court who are openly close to him, but in fact, many court officials have constant exchanges with him in private. Even though the censors have repeatedly impeached him, there are still many people who secretly obey him. This person is not just a flatterer..."

Xu Gong made a closing speech in front of Manager Qin.

Shopkeeper Qin asked, "I heard that he has been using the Huang-Lao technique to gain favor with the emperor recently?"

Xu Gong nodded: "Yes, he predicted that there would be an earthquake in Ningxia, and indeed an earthquake occurred in Ningxia during the time period he predicted."

"Is the news true? Or is it someone making it up afterwards? Or is it someone trying to please him by reporting a disaster that didn't actually happen?"

Shopkeeper Qin asked. Xu Gong said, "Many knowledgeable people had the same suspicion before. Before the earthquake in Ningxia, his prophecy had spread all over the streets and alleys. His political enemies also intended to publicize this matter in order to suppress him, but they never thought that it indirectly helped him become famous.

"As for whether Ningxia really had an earthquake... According to the news from the people of the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce who opened up commercial settlements in the northwest, it did happen, and the local people were warned by Taoist Priest Li in advance and took precautions in advance, so the losses were minimal."

Shopkeeper Qin sighed sincerely: "If that's the case, this person is truly a powerful immortal."

Xu Gong said again: "I heard that your majesty intends to give him a famous Taoist mountain, so that he can establish his own school outside of Longhu Mountain. Maybe it is Huangshan in Huizhou."

Shopkeeper Qin was a little surprised. He was stunned for a long time before nodding his head. "There are many legends about immortals in Huangshan, and there are Taoist attractions such as Jiulong Temple, Shengzhen Temple, Songgu Temple, and Xiandu Temple. If Your Majesty really gives it to him, it will not disgrace the reputation of the immortal mountain... I just don't know if his cultivation is really inherited from the immortals..."

Xu Gong said: "Master, there has been a rumor in the city recently that he predicted an earthquake at Mount Tai yesterday. But up to now, the news of whether there was an earthquake at Mount Tai has not yet reached the capital..."

"This……"

Shopkeeper Qin frowned.

"The news has spread all over the city, and some people have even set up gambling games in secret. Most people bet that the earthquake at Mount Tai is a lie, but some people bet that Taoist Li will win... If unfortunately it comes true, then Taoist Li's position in the court will be solid, and no one can easily shake it."

As he spoke, Xu Gong couldn't help but frown, and he was obviously a little worried.

Because they had no way of getting in touch with Lizi Province.

Shopkeeper Qin was worried: "Is there no other way to get him to join us? If he really builds a Taoist temple in Huangshan in the future, the local government of Huizhou will be restrained by him. If we have no relationship with him, we will be bullied and it will be difficult to maintain our business."

Xu Gong said: "At present, it seems that we can only start from the Yintai Division. It is said that recently there is an experienced person in the Yintai Division, named Shen Lu, who is deeply trusted by Taoist Li and often goes in and out of his mansion, and also..."

"What else?"

Seeing that Xu Gong hesitated to speak, Shopkeeper Qin could not help but ask more.

"We investigated secretly and accidentally caught a glimpse of Mr. Zhang, the smallpox cure we had noticed before, who also followed Shen Lu to Li's house many times. It is reported that Shen Lu is Mr. Zhang's relative and married Mr. Zhang's sister." Xu Gong said.

Shopkeeper Qin frowned again: "Is there some interest involved behind this? How can Zhang Jiansheng, who has only been in Beijing for a few days, be qualified to enter such a prestigious place as the Li Mansion?"

Obviously, Manager Qin couldn't understand what kind of magical powers Zhang Luan had that he could win Li Zisheng's favor and be invited to his house.

Xu Gong said, "Mr. Wang has been helping Mr. Zhang grow medicine in recent days. Do you want to ask him for help?"

"Mr. Wang? I heard that someone paid a large sum of money to invite him to his home for medical treatment. Did he go?" asked Manager Qin.

Xu Gong shook his head helplessly.

Obviously, Wang Ji's purpose of going to the capital was not to curry favor with the rich and powerful, nor to make a fortune, nor to earn a reputation in medicine and save lives. Wang Ji thought he was not much better than the famous doctors in the capital, so he would not force his way to the fore.

However, Wang Ji spared no effort in helping Zhang Luan.

Shopkeeper Qin said, "Mr. Wang's behavior is very strange. Even if he doesn't want to be associated with the dignitaries in the capital, he won't give face to people from Huizhou in Beijing who invite him? He works for people who he once identified as quacks all day long. I wonder what he is thinking."

Xu Gong said: "I sent some daily expenses to Mr. Wang earlier and talked with him for a while. He said that he benefited a lot from Mr. Zhang."

"..."

Shopkeeper Qin was completely speechless now.

I cursed in my heart.

It's all your fault, Wang Ji. At first I thought you were very capable. After all, in Huizhou and even in the south of the Yangtze River, everyone highly praises your medical skills. I thought you had a great vision.

Who knew that it was precisely because you misjudged Zhang Luan that we did not try to curry favor with him, leading to the loss of the best opportunity to form an alliance. Now, even if we send you gifts, no one will take it seriously.

And you yourself, now seem like a disciple and old friend, following him around every day.

Xu Gong sighed, "Some people recently said that Mr. Wang's actions have brought shame to the people of Huizhou, but he himself doesn't seem to care."

Shopkeeper Qin said helplessly, "Mr. Wang has a long family history of medical knowledge. When he first met Zhang Jiansheng, he said that Zhang Jiansheng didn't understand medical principles. But now he has changed his mind and is particularly respectful of Zhang Jiansheng. It seems that it is not because of Zhang Jiansheng's medical attainments, but because he has other abilities that we don't know about."

"What the master said makes sense, but it's a pity there is no basis for it." Xu Gong said.

Shopkeeper Qin said, "That Minister Li is a close minister of the emperor. He is so powerful and capable. How could he think so highly of a folk doctor? If he is really uneducated, do you think it is possible?"

Xu Gong said with emotion: "As the head of the family said, this Mr. Zhang is not only a student, but also has a family heritage. He can even cure smallpox, which is feared by everyone in the world. He is indeed a great man of the time."

Shopkeeper Qin nodded and said, "We just need to make use of Mr. Shen's relationship to get in touch with Minister Li. We might as well start with Zhang Jiansheng."

Xu Gong bowed his head and accepted the order: "Then I will prepare gifts and go to visit."

"Okay, prepare the carriage and we will go to the door together. I hope this trip will be fruitful."

After Shopkeeper Qin finished speaking, his eyes were full of anticipation, and he obviously had certain expectations for this trip.

(End of this chapter)