Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1158 Zhang Zhao's Decision
That night, in Zhang Zhao's mansion, another middle-aged man who looked 30% similar to Zhang Zhao was sitting opposite him.

"Brother, this is the letter sent by the clan today, please take a look."

Zhang Zhao took the letter and before he started reading it, he gently stroked the paper the letter was written on.

"Such pure white and fine paper is a blessing to scholars like me. Regardless of the other merits and demerits of the Luoyang court, this one thing will be remembered for thousands of years."

The middle-aged man opposite is Zhang Hong. The two of them are the current leaders of the Zhang family in Xuzhou. Zhang Zhao is the patriarch of the Zhang family's Pengcheng branch, and Zhang Hong is his cousin and the patriarch of the Guangling branch. Although they have been separated since their grandfather's time, they have remained closely connected for decades.

Zhang Hong twirled his beard and said, "It's just that the emperor in Luoyang is determined to implement the equal-field system and wants to take over the education power of the whole country. This is a matter of competing for profit with the nobles like us. This time, he used the name of Fengshan at Mount Tai to eliminate dissidents in Qingxu, Yanyu and other places. He is not a benevolent and righteous monarch."

Zhang Zhao smiled helplessly and said, "Zi Gang's words are true, but the Luoyang court is powerful. The world is in a state of turmoil today. The Chen family, Wang family, Du family, and many other wealthy and prestigious families have tried to fight against it. Where are they now? You and I came to Jiangdong, but left the rest of our brothers and nephews in Xuzhou. It was just to preserve the family so that no matter who rules the world in the future, our Zhang family will be able to survive."

After saying that, he opened the letter and started reading it.

Seeing the surprise gradually appearing in his eyes, Zhang Hong couldn't help but become curious.

"I wonder what important matter has happened in the clan that makes brother so happy?"

Zhang Zhao closed the letter and clapped his hands excitedly.

"Okay, okay, brother Yu went to Luoyang half a month ago to take up his post. He was promoted to the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Works, one of the six ministries. He also brought three sons of his clan with him to study at the Luoyang Imperial College."

Zhang Hong was also very happy when he heard this.

"According to the current official positions in the Luoyang court, although the Six Departments Doctor is only a fifth-rank title, it has considerable authority. It is indeed a great joy that my dear brother Zizhong can be so important. The three sons can enter the Imperial College. With the knowledge passed down by our Zhang family, I think it will not be difficult for them to serve in Luoyang in a few years."

Zhang Zhao smiled and said, "This time, Emperor Liu He has wiped out many families in Qingxu, so naturally he will promote a group of families at the same time. This move of combining kindness and power will appease the people in Qingxu and other places, and it is in line with the way of heaven."

"After all, my brother was very insightful. He wrote to the Hui clan members, asking them not to openly oppose the court's implementation of the equal-field system, or at least not to be the leader. He also strictly required the clan members to restrain their children's behavior. Now it seems that he was really wise."

Zhang Zhao stood up, held the letter over the candle and lit it. After it was completely burned, he returned to his seat.

"Actually, it was a letter from the clan saying that a chamber of commerce had contacted the family and was interested in jointly opening a ceramic workshop to make ceramic utensils and something called a purple clay teapot. At that time, I had some doubts and thought that this matter was not a simple one. It was just a guess at the time. Now it seems that I am 70% sure."

Zhang Hong was puzzled. "The court in Luoyang has always valued industry and business. We have seen those porcelains and purple clay teapots. They are indeed exquisite. Purple clay teapots are used for drinking tea, and the fragrance lasts longer. They are indeed top-quality products. It is said that the soil in Wujun and Guangling is more suitable for making these things. At the beginning, my brother asked the family to invest in this matter, and it really made a lot of money. But what's so strange about this ordinary merchant?"

Zhang Zhao shook his head. "I have not yet fully understood the deep meaning of this, but I dare to guess that this matter is probably pushed by the emperor in Luoyang behind the scenes."

Zhang Hong became more and more confused, but soon he was relieved. After all, the emperor of Luoyang had often opened workshops and engaged in business since he was in Bingzhou. Although it was contrary to the principles of sages, it had allowed him to find ways to enrich the country and strengthen the military in the past twenty years. It was beyond his ability to understand such a strange person and such a strange thing.

Zhang Zhao continued, "The family letter also mentioned that after Zizhong was appointed as the Minister of Works, he was assigned to be in charge of ceramic utensils. Chen, who is friendly with our Zhang family, and Mi's business firm also participated in it. Zizhong mentioned that if he can achieve something in this matter, he will be promoted to the Minister of Works in three to five years. By then, he plans to train more of his clan members in the Ministry of Works. In this way, after three generations, our Zhang family's status will be far better than it is now."

Zhang Hong's eyes also lit up when he heard this.

"If that's the case, we brothers can die in Jiangdong with peace of mind."

Among the noble families in Xia Pi, Pengcheng, Guangling and Donghai counties, the Zhang family was second only to the Chen family of Xia Pi. They were considered a first-rate noble family in Xuzhou, but if we look at the entire Han Dynasty, they were only second- or third-rate. Otherwise, the two of them would not have given up the Qingxu Central Plains and came to Jiangdong to take up the posts.

After the Luoyang court reformed the official system, the six ministries became departments with far more power than the nine ministers. If a family could specialize in the Ministry of Works, it could ensure that many of their children would hold important positions from generation to generation, and they might even have the opportunity to become one of the powerful families that controlled the Ministry of Works. Even if they couldn't become powerful officials like the Shangshu, they could at least produce a few second- or third-rank officials. If they persisted for three or four generations, then their family would be promoted to a first-class noble family, which was naturally exciting.

There was a gleam of light in Zhang Zhao's eyes, which shone brightly with the light of the candle.

"What I said to the young master today was originally unintentional, but now it seems that we should vigorously promote it."

Zhang Hong was a little worried: "Will this be considered as treason? We have already divided our family power into two, each loyal to the north and south. Although the Northern Dynasty is now at its peak and it may only take a few years to unify the world, a loyal minister should not serve two masters. In the history books, you and I still have to consider our reputation."

Zhang Zhao smiled slightly: "Now that the lord has been defeated, the people in the court are in turmoil and the overthrow is imminent. If we cannot restore the morale of the army for the court, then everything will be over. After this plan is implemented, this matter can be resolved. At that time, you brothers will help the lord to turn the tide and save the court from danger. How can this not be the way of loyalty?"

A few days later, in Jingzhou, outside Xiangyang city.

Zhu Ye was dressed in businessman's clothes and had a full beard. The five hundred Thunder God Riders behind him were also disguised as bodyguards and civilians.

Those war horses were now used as pack horses. Each horse was harnessed to a carriage, which was filled with burlap bags, layer upon layer.

Zhu Ye was accompanied by a young man in his early twenties. His surname was Qin, his given name was Lie, and his courtesy name was Boyang. He was originally a student at the Military Academy of the Imperial College.

When Cao Cao attacked Hulao Pass that day, he ordered Xu Chu to lead the army over mountains and across rivers, bypass the pass and attack Luoyang City directly. It was he who shot and killed Xu Chu with one arrow while he was still in a stalemate. He made a great contribution and thus entered the army. This time, he served as the commander of Huainan County and followed Zhu Ye in action.

Zhu Ye put his hands on the awning, looked at the Xiangyang City in front of him, and then waved his hand: "Brothers, hurry up and enter the city as soon as possible. After processing the goods, it will be convenient to bring in new goods."

Soon, the "caravan" arrived at the gate of Xiangyang City.

The soldiers guarding the city were a little surprised at first when they saw a caravan of such a scale. After all, although Xiangyang City had been a place of constant business travel over the years, a caravan of such a scale with hundreds of horse-drawn carriages was rare.

One of the soldiers stopped Zhu Ye and others.

"Stop, where are you from? Which merchant group are you from? What are you doing in Xiangyang?"

Zhu Ye didn't say anything, but Qin Lie beside him took the initiative to step forward and talk to him.

After all, with Zhu Ye's current status, it is not easy for him to pretend to be fawning and nodding to such a small enemy soldier. In order to avoid any flaws, Qin Lie, whose family is involved in business, is asked to pretend to be the young master of the caravan. It is also the most appropriate person to come forward when encountering such matters.

Qin Lie extended his hand and clasped his fist, smiling. After saluting, he shook the soldier's hand. The soldier felt the metallic texture in his palm, secretly weighed the weight, and soon a smile appeared on his face.

Qin Lie hurriedly said, "Thank you for your hard work, General. We are from Wangjin Trading Company in Taiyuan County. I am the young master of the trading company. My father once had dealings with your general who was in charge of the southern expedition. Unfortunately, my father was seriously ill a few days ago, so I had to come here to contact him. I passed by Xiangyang and heard that this place is a big city in the south, gathering the fortunes of all directions. I have always admired it, so I came to the city today. First, I want to rest, second, I want to admire the atmosphere of Jingzhou and get some wealth. Third, some of the goods I brought with me were originally to be traded in Xiangyang City. I will free up the vehicles and continue to go south. Please give me some convenience, General."

His words were reasonable and logical, and he inadvertently praised the city of Xiangyang, so the soldier naturally benefited from them.

Zhu Ye had long since found out that the defense of Xiangyang City was mostly controlled by local wealthy families in Jingzhou, so naturally most of the soldiers defending the city were from Jingzhou. They relied on their merits in supporting the enthronement of the emperor, and the capital of the Sun Dynasty was located in Xiangyang, so most people from Jingzhou looked down on those from Jiangdong and Xuzhou in the court.

Qin Lie's flattery touched the other party's heart. The soldier, who was already smiling, immediately smiled.

(End of this chapter)