Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

After saying this, Zhang Yiniang stopped smiling. "Although Third Master has severed ties with the Zhang family, we are still related by blood. If you don't mind, Yiniang will call you Third Brother today, how about that?"

Zhang Sanlang sat on the stone stool without moving, squinting as he weighed his options.

In a flash, a string of old grievances surfaced in his mind.

The reason for severing ties with Zhang Shiqing was to remove the shackles of clan ties.

With the protection of the clan, one must also bear the weight of the clan's responsibilities.

When he walked out of the Zhang family's gate that day, his back felt a little lighter.

Now Zhang Yiniang is handing over a clan rope. Should we give her a helping hand or tie her up?

He went through several examples in his mind. When Chen Youde fell from power, although not the entire Chen family was implicated, many close relatives were affected.

An elderly woman from a collateral branch of the clan guarded five mu of meager land, which had been seized by Chen Youde years ago. When the original owner sued at the county government, the five mu of land was reclaimed, and the old woman cried herself blind in one eye.

After Kong Youan's case came to light, three close relatives of the Kong family in Juancheng were implicated. Even Kong Shiqilang, the nephew who was in charge of the livestock shed, was dismissed from his post and sent back to the countryside to farm.

Clan is a thing that can elevate people or bury them...

As Zhang Sanlang was pondering, Zhang Jin walked out from the back gate, his footsteps very light, as if he had been standing behind the gate listening all along.

He walked to Zhang Yiniang's side, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang Sanlang, and said, "Zhang Yashi, our Zhang clan is large; we can both protect and implicate each other. It all depends on whether it's worth acknowledging each other."

"Although I am not good at studying, I understand one thing: if my sister and I want to seek the protection of the clerk, blood ties are just a pretext. Whether you acknowledge it or not is entirely up to you."

Zhang Sanlang was slightly surprised, but seeing that Zhang Jin's words were quite remarkable, he listened attentively to what he had to say.

Zhang Jin straightened his back a bit more. "My younger brother was first adopted out by my biological father, and later separated from my uncle, so he could no longer enter the Zhang clan ancestral hall."

"It can be said that they shared the same fate as the clerk, having both lost their footing. As the Book of Nine Lands says, when people are in the same boat and encounter a storm, they will help each other like their own left and right hands."

Zhang Sanlang glanced at Zhang Jin and nodded slightly.

This kid's education paid off; he quotes classical texts without any stage fright, which is quite a contrast to Wan Qing's ability to freeload meals.

Zhang Yiniang quickly chimed in, "Third Master, although my siblings and I are useless, our son Jin has already passed the entrance exam for the Caozhou Prefectural School. For his age, that's not too bad."

"When I was young, my uncle sold me to a music brothel. By a stroke of luck, I managed to accumulate some wealth. Although it may not be of interest to you, Third Master, at least it won't be a burden to you."

She glanced at Wan Qing, who was standing under the eaves leaning on her silver cane. "Judging from tonight's events, things haven't been peaceful here either, Third Master. Qing's father was once an instructor of spear and staff in the Imperial Guards, and she learned a few moves from him since she was a child."

"Although she's a bit naive and straightforward, her strength and skills are genuine. Now that we live next door, if another such misfortune were to occur, she might be able to lend a hand..."

After listening to the siblings' words, the tense expression on Zhang Sanlang's face slowly melted away.

His expression hardened, he stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and suddenly laughed, "Fourth Sister, Fifth Brother, since you don't look down on me as a mere county clerk, how could I, Zhang Sanlang, refuse?"

"Wu Lang is right. We have both been abandoned by our clan, so we should support each other. Although I have severed ties with the Zhang family, I have been used to being called San Lang since I was a child. I am still Zhang San Lang, so you can call me Third Brother."

Zhang Yiniang was stunned for a moment.

She looked at the smile on Zhang Sanlang's face, which spread from the corners of his mouth to the depths of his eyes, like a crack suddenly appearing on the surface of a river that was still chilly, revealing a pool of fresh water underneath.

Zhang Jin was also stunned. The siblings looked at each other, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

The person who had been sitting on the stone bench, lost in thought and with a somber expression, seemed to have transformed into the person in front of him with a gentle smile.

Zhang Yiniang was the first to react. Her beautiful eyes flashed, and she muttered to herself, "No wonder the Third Master, despite being a minor official, wields such power in the county government. He can turn the world upside down with a flick of his wrist!"

She smiled and bowed to Zhang Sanlang again, this time bowing even deeper than before, her voice filled with laughter, "From today onwards, Zhang Yiniang has passed away. Fourth Sister greets Third Brother."

Zhang Jin also bowed in return, bending down, "Zhang Wulang greets Third Brother."

Zhang Sanlang reached out to help them up, "Fourth Sister, Fifth Brother, no need for formalities. Now that we've acknowledged each other as family, we're practically siblings. Why don't you come inside and sit down? There's nothing we can't say."

Zhang Si Niang's smile deepened, and she quickly stepped aside to let him go first. The three of them entered the main room one after another.

Zhang Si Niang personally served tea to Zhang Jin, who then turned up the lamp on the table.

The furnishings in this main room were much more luxurious than those in Zhang Sanlang's room. The eight-immortal table was made of nanmu wood, and a large celadon vase was placed on the table. A black lacquered screen stood in the corner, and the landscape painting on it was obviously the work of a famous artist.

Zhang Si Niang invited Zhang San Lang to sit in the main seat, while she sat in the second seat to accompany him. Zhang Jin sat down next to his sister.

The three of them spoke across the octagonal table. At first, they were a little awkward, but after talking for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they gradually relaxed and even became quite warm and friendly, like siblings.

Zhang Si Niang asked happy Mei'er and Qing Ge'er their ages, and also asked happy Mei'er if she had learned needlework or gone to school.

Zhang Jin then inquired at the Puzhou Prefectural School whether there were any supplementary enrollment quotas for this autumn.

Zhang Si Niang then mentioned her several properties in Caozhou and Puzhou: five silk shops, eight rented-out houses, three hundred acres of farmland she had just bought in Juancheng, and several brothels and perfume shops that she operated.

When she said these things, it was as if she were reporting an expense, not showing off.

As Zhang Sanlang listened, he pieced things together in his mind and realized that her wealth was probably close to ten thousand taels of silver.

For Prefect Wang, Zhang Siniang's removal from the register was merely a matter of a stroke of his pen, but for her, it was a matter of life and death.

She was no ordinary courtesan, but a renowned courtesan from several states, a wealthy woman with no real power or influence. Many were watching her closely.

If Prefect Wang lets her go, those officials, gentry, and merchants who have had dealings with her may not be willing to let her go as well.

She came to Juancheng to get away from those people, and also because there weren't any ruthless characters in Juancheng, so no one could easily control her.

But she was, after all, a courtesan who had left her profession, with a younger brother who was still underage, and no clan to rely on. Even with Wan Qing's protection, she couldn't withstand the official methods.

She probably took note of Zhang Sanlang's background when he revealed it to Zhang Yiniang last time she asked for a poem. She could tell that Zhang Sanlang's status in the county government was rising, and she knew he was a reliable person. What's more, they were from the same clan.

She came here because of Zhang Sanlang's connections. She can afford to pay, so she's a useful relative to Zhang Sanlang. Even Zhao Xie couldn't withstand Wan Qing's silver cudgel; she's someone who can provide significant support.

This deal is profitable for both parties no matter how you look at it.

Zhang Sanlang picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Fourth Sister, you mentioned the courtyard wall earlier. I think you've thought of everything. I'll trouble you to take care of it."

Zhang Si Niang's eyes lit up. "Third Brother agreed?"

Zhang Sanlang put down his teacup. "That courtyard wall is indeed dilapidated. Even Qing Guniang could smash it down with a single blow. I'm really worried about it. You can find someone to tear it down and rebuild it. You can also handle the bricklaying and stonework."