Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 65: The Oxen Servant Asks
The villa is divided into three sections. After entering the entrance hall, there is the front yard, a small hall for visiting guests to rest temporarily, a few wings for servants to live on the left, and a few guest houses on the right, connected to a stable to the east. The stable is not large, but it can accommodate three or five horses at a time.

Passing the small hall in the front courtyard, the back leads to a corridor that surrounds the entire atrium. The atrium is the main activity place for the host to entertain guests and family reunions, and therefore it is the largest area. A spacious hall is located in the center, facing north, with a two-story pavilion to the right and a three-story building to the left.

In the center of several buildings, there is a canal that brings in water from the northwest, forming a lake with an area of ​​nearly two acres in the courtyard. Several wooden plank roads converge to a small island made of earth and rocks in the center, and there is a pavilion on the island.

The presence of this man-made water feature gives the mansion a certain charm reminiscent of Jiangnan gardens, though the details and carvings lack refinement, and the limited area prevents the landscape from being rich and varied. However, such a scenic view is quite rare in Luoyang City.

"There is a weir in the northwest of the canal pond, which can bring fresh water into the house in spring and summer to relieve the summer heat. In autumn and winter, the canal pond can be drained and a path can be laid, which also does not interfere with the owner's daily activities."

Zhang Gu was very familiar with the layout of the villa and introduced some of the living arrangements to Zhang Dai. This put Zhang Dai's mind at ease as he had been worried that the autumn and winter here would be too cold.

In the back house across the atrium, there is a garden garden on the left and the master bedroom on the right. The space layout is relatively reasonable and more than enough to meet the living needs.

In short, the grandeur of this mansion far exceeded Zhang Dai's expectations, easily enough to accommodate 10 to 20 people. Just based on the space, even if he had taken the money back from Henan Prefecture, he probably wouldn't be able to buy such a fine mansion, not to mention the elegant environment and prime location.

Yingniang and her daughter who were traveling with them were also extremely satisfied with this place. Aying could not help but whisper about how to allocate and arrange it. Yingniang was still a little reserved, but everyone could see the joy in her eyes.

"Auntie, please go to the back room and see if there's anything missing from the living quarters. Get it ready as soon as possible so we can move in soon!"

Zhang Dai waved his hand to signal them to go to the back hall to check. Aying, who had been unable to contain herself any longer, ran to the back hall like a rabbit that had been released from a string. Yingniang followed quickly behind her, laughing and scolding her.

"Alang, are we going to move in here too? But the village outside the city..."

Ding Qing said somewhat shyly that he also liked this place. He had just been squatting in the stable for a long time, and it was obvious that he liked the environment of the small courtyard.

"You all should move into the city too. I'll check on the farm every now and then. If you're really worried, you can find one or two capable farmhands to take care of it."

Let's not talk about Ding Qing, the kid. Zhang Dai looked at Ding Cang and said, "This old man has been taking care of the farm affairs all these years. Young Zhang Luonu has been able to have enough food and clothing. Now he is old and it is time for him to enjoy his life."

Ding Cang seemed a little embarrassed. "Such a magnificent house... I'd better leave it at the manor. After all these years, I'm worried about leaving it to someone else. Let Ding Qing stay here to take care of things. When Alang comes to the manor on his own time, he needs someone to look after him."

Zhang Dai knew that he was ashamed of his appearance. A Kunlun slave in his prime could be used as a curious sight and for labor, but he was getting old and only had the appearance of an eyesore. He did not want to stay in his master's courtyard and pollute people's sight.

But he was a man who always distinguished between gratitude and resentment. Even his mother, Zheng, treated him badly without mercy. However, he valued loyal servants like Ding Cang. Moreover, he had some wealth now and did not expect to rely on managing the farm to make a living.

He ignored Ding Cang's refusal and pointed directly at the sunny wing in the front yard and said, "Let Ding Qing live in the stable and take care of the horses. Ding Cang, you live here and take care of the firewood, rice and other supplies for the family!"

There weren't many affairs to attend to in his newly established small household, which could be roughly divided into the living expenses in the inner house, daily living expenses, cleaning and maintenance inside and outside the house, and daily social interactions.

Zhang Gu sent his son over, so Zhang Dai naturally couldn't just let him do those trivial household chores, interpersonal matters, welcoming and seeing off guests, etc. It would be most appropriate to give it to Zhang Yi.

To put it bluntly, he was the son of Zhang Gu, the head of the government office. He was probably even more well-connected in Luoyang than I was, after all, he was a seventh-rank official in the Prime Minister's family. With so many close friends, guests, and students who had come and gone over the years, he must have known more about the Zhang family than I did.

As for the actual maintenance of the household and daily expenses, it was naturally more reassuring to leave it to one's own people. Ding Cang had been managing the affairs of the village for so many years, so managing these things was naturally no problem for him.

Seeing that Zhang Dai was very capable in arranging household affairs, Zhang Gu gave his son a look, indicating that he should serve diligently and not waste the opportunity he had fought for.

Although the Zhang family was a new family, they had been wealthy for generations. As a son born in the family, Zhang Gu was an attendant of his lord Zhang Shuo in his early years.

At first, he was just a servant following his master, but as his master's words became more and more prominent, Zhang Gu's status in the family became transcendent. Some younger generations of the Zhang family would greet him respectfully when they saw him. This is the benefit of choosing the right master.

The Zhang family has many sons and daughters, and Zhang Gu has been observing and examining them over the years. However, only this Liu Lang caught his eye, and he even called back his son who had already started working in the county government to arrange for him to follow him.

Although this villa has been idle for several years, it is still well maintained on a daily basis. In addition, there are servants who ventilate and clean the house all year round, so it is not completely deserted. Some basic living utensils are arranged, and you can move in as long as you add some food supplies, bedding and other things.

Zhang Dai simply wanted to build a separate residence for his leisure time, not to establish his own family home. Naturally, there was no need for any ritualistic heating of the stove and pots. He could just buy some utensils and supplies and move in that very day. So he had Ding Qing accompany Yingniang and her daughter to the South Market to do some shopping, while he returned to the Zhang family home with Ding Cang, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Gu to pack up some belongings. They planned to move in that evening. He was already eager to have his own little world.

Just as the group returned to the Zhang family mansion, a man rushed out from the door, waved and bowed to Zhang Dai, and shouted repeatedly: "Master Zhang, Master Zhang, I have been waiting here for a long time. I beg Master Zhang to allow me to come and apologize..."

The man who was shouting was Liu Gui, a military officer of the warehouse department of Henan Prefecture. Zhang Dai was planning to take some time to deal with him, but he didn't expect that this guy had scared him so much that he came to him on his own initiative.

Liu Gui was also feeling very bitter. He originally thought that he had caught a big fish, but he didn't expect that he had actually offended a little evil star.

Although Zhang Shuo's influence was greatly reduced after he was dismissed from his position as prime minister and retired, this young master Zhang appealed to the court, causing unrest in the entire Henan Prefecture. Especially yesterday, he pointed at the military officer Zheng Hun and threatened him in front of a group of Henan officials, so that Liu Gui was frightened when he returned home. He woke up from nightmares at night, and his mind was full of his arrogant and domineering appearance.

He endured it till this morning and hurriedly went into the mansion to explain things, then hurried to visit the Zhang family mansion, but was turned away. He did not dare to leave, so he could only wait here until Zhang Dai returned, then he rushed forward to apologize and beg for mercy.

The Zhang family had recently closed their doors to visitors, and would not entertain such outsiders. Zhang Dai simply led him to an empty room beside the front hall and asked him, "What brings you here, Liu Cang Cao?"

"Master Zhang, I was blind and didn't recognize you. I actually mistook you for a palace slave... This is truly disrespectful and offensive. I beg Master Zhang to forgive me!"

After Liu Gui entered the room, he repeatedly bowed to Zhang Dai and took off the package wrapped around his waist and carefully placed it in front of Zhang Dai. "Also, and also, these small items were given to me by Master Zhang that day. I am here to return them to their original owners, all to their original owners!"

"Do you still have the receipt?"

Zhang Dai didn't look at the contents of the package, but just looked at Liu Gui and asked.

"Yes, yes, Master Zhang, please rest assured. I have kept this receipt secret. No one else has seen it except you and me!"

Seeing that he finally stopped pretending to be ignorant, Liu Gui quickly took out the receipt from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Dai with both hands.

Zhang Dai didn't take it. He just raised his hand and pointed at the package in front of him, then at the receipt in Liu Gui's hand: "Does the name match the item?"

"Yes, yes... there are indeed some shortages, but they were all consumed according to Master Zhang's instructions, including the medical treatment and medicine for Madam Zhou. As for the rest, I didn't dare use any more than I needed, and I returned them all! If you don't believe me, you can count them carefully."

Then Liu Gui quickly said sincerely.

When Zhang Dai heard Liu Gui's answer, he couldn't help laughing.

Damn, I was forced to give this guy so many kickbacks that day, and now all I can do is return the money to its original owner? He even took back what Madam Zhou had spent. Is this guy really an idiot, or does he think he's an idiot? Does he think I'm just messing around with my own stuff?

"Liu Cang Cao, please go back. I don't know why you came to see me today. As for the matter you mentioned, Niu Nei Pu will come to find you tomorrow!"

He didn't have the patience to argue with this confused guy any further, so he just stood up and waved goodbye.

After seeing this, Liu Gui's face became extremely ugly. He knew in his heart that this matter might not be easily resolved, so he prepared another plan in his mind.

Hearing Zhang Dai's words, his face turned cold and he said in a deep voice, "Young Master Zhang, please stop teasing me. We both know who Niu Neipu is. If Young Master Zhang refuses to accept these things, I can only offer them to Doctor Cui! Doctor Cui is still in the government office, trying cases and questioning officials. If he gets this, how can he not investigate it? Master Zhang Yan has just retired and I think he prefers a quiet life. He doesn't want any more trouble within the government..."

Hearing that this guy actually dared to threaten him, Zhang Dai couldn't help but be slightly stunned, but after a moment, he laughed even louder. When Liu Gui's face was no longer able to hide his uneasiness, he looked at him and said with a smile: "There are some truths that I shouldn't teach you. Even if your parents didn't teach you, you should understand a little bit after so many years of experience in the world.

Liu Cang Cao, do you not understand yourself, or are you deceiving me by saying I don't understand? If you wait for me to teach you, it won't make much difference whether you understand or not. With your current level of understanding, I'm afraid you won't be able to remember it and use it in your next life. Go ahead. If you can't tell me who this Niu Nei Pu is, you can tell Doctor Cui to send someone to ask me."

When Liu Gui heard this confident answer, his expression changed again. The receipt in his hand trembled. After weighing the pros and cons for a while, he knelt down before Zhang Dai and said sadly, "Your humble servant has spoken out of turn! Your humble servant has spoken out of turn! I beg for forgiveness, Master Zhang. I beg for mercy. I have never done anything evil in my life. It was only because of greed that I made a big mistake..."

(End of this chapter)