Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 807 One Scholar, One Warrior

In the end, Zhang Luan left without even seeing his wife and daughter.

Upon exiting the palace gates, Zhang Luan suddenly felt liberated, yet also as if he were still bound by something. His expression was somewhat dazed. He rode in a carriage and returned home in a daze, only to find Zhang Yanling instructing people to tidy up the courtyard.

"Second brother, what are you doing?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously.

Zhang Yanling stepped forward and bowed, replying, "Mother said before that she wanted to tidy up the house, making it both elegant and practical. Originally, it was decided that my eldest brother would be in charge of the specifics, but since he is injured now, I reluctantly made a design and asked the people below to carry out the construction according to the blueprints."

Zhang Luan glanced at the fine courtyard, frowned, and asked, "Is it really necessary?"

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "This is the Shouning Marquis's residence, after all. Although it occupies a large area, it still looks a bit dilapidated... Father, you don't come back often, so you don't know its shortcomings, but Mother and Aunt have been living here for a long time, so they want to live comfortably, don't they?"

"You brat...why do you want to go to the Northwest?"

Zhang Luan found a step to sit down and sighed, "If something happens to you over there, what will happen to the family? Can your older brother support the family? Besides, you are the glue that holds your mother and me together. If you're not here, we'll probably fall apart."

"For example, right now... your mother insists on staying in the palace, and your sister is backing her up. Your brother-in-law won't let me bring her back either. What do you think I should do?"

Zhang Yanling shrugged and said, "Let them stay... Dad, what are you worried about?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan couldn't answer for a moment.

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, "In history, after you died, it was common for the Jin family to stay in the palace for a year or two."

Your daughter is the Empress, one of the most powerful figures in the Ming Dynasty. You don't even care about your own family affairs, and your wife has gone to the palace to be with your pregnant daughter. Do you still want to interfere?

Zhang Yanling added, "By the way, Father, don't agree to any more deposit or loan matters lately... It's okay with people close to you, but refuse anyone from outside who comes to you, because they may all have ulterior motives. In any case, the money lending business always carries certain risks, so don't easily get yourself into trouble."

"What? There's a risk in depositing money with you?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously, "Isn't making money from money a sure way to make huge profits?"

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "What if we encounter borrowers who refuse to repay their loans? Or what if we encounter a warehouse fire or other unforeseen events such as earthquakes or floods?"
"What if one day the imperial court takes notice and wants to take a share of the profits, or even uses the excuse of a shortage of funds to force His Majesty to transfer money from there, and never repay it?"

"This……"

Zhang Luan was puzzled for a moment, and frowned, asking, "Since there's such a big risk, why did you still do it?"

Zhang Yanling said, "I have no choice but to do it. If I do it myself, I can minimize the risks, but if I hand it over to someone else, it will almost certainly fail!"
"Things are going well for now, since most of the costs are on our side. Whether we make a profit or a loss doesn't really concern outsiders. But I'm worried that once the business grows bigger and stronger, someone will target us!"

Zhang Luan said, "Whatever you want. Anyway, I won't get involved in this matter easily. It's just that Qi Niang is making trouble for no reason, insisting that I help save money. Otherwise, I don't think it's a good thing at all."

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded, then said, "As for my going to the Northwest to lead the army, Father, don't worry about it... I want to make achievements and ensure that our Zhang family stands tall in the Ming Dynasty, but I will not put myself in danger. I will try my best to avoid all risks."

"I am still young, and I have many opportunities in the future. I will actively strive for those with a high success rate to bring glory to our Zhang family. If we, father and son, work together, we will surely achieve great things. On the contrary, if we rely solely on you, Father, to work hard in the court, they will soon forget our family's contributions."

"can you?"

Zhang Luan seemed hesitant.

I have done so much for the court, including helping my son-in-law ascend the throne and solving many of the court's economic and military problems. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the court officials have erased my achievements.
Zhang Yanling said, "As a subject, especially a civil official, serving the court is taken for granted by many. However, military merit is the most obvious and lasting achievement at any time. This is why only by achieving military merit can one have the opportunity to become a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty and pass on the legacy from generation to generation."

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "You're really something... We haven't even figured things out ourselves yet, and you're already thinking about preparing for the next generation?"

“The generations I’m referring to may not necessarily be our family’s generations,” Zhang Yanling said. “There are some things I don’t want to explain too clearly, but Father, you should be prepared.”

Zhang Luan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

He clearly understood what his son meant.

The Zhang family's interests are now clearly tied to Zhu Youcheng's. Although things seem stable at the moment, what if something happens to Zhu Youcheng?

Zhu Youcheng's health was not very good to begin with. If he were to fall ill and die within a few years, leaving no descendants, and the throne were to fall to a collateral branch, what would the Zhang family rely on to stand up then?
"Aren't the Wan family, the powerful maternal relatives who once dominated the capital, doing just fine?"

Zhang Luan comforted himself.

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "You can't expect every emperor to be as benevolent as my brother-in-law. I really can't stand the feeling of being controlled by others in everything I do... I have to take the initiative into my own hands."

Zhang Luan said, "That is true, but my son, the greater your power and the more merits you make, the more awkward your position will become. After all, there is the saying that one's merits can overshadow one's master!"
“Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were just an ordinary person, or like the Wan family, you could live out the rest of your life in peace? But what if… sigh! I don’t know what to say.”

"We can't be completely without any support, can we?"

A cold glint appeared in Zhang Yanling's eyes. "Given my brother's personality, do you think he'll behave himself? What if he starts acting recklessly in the future, and someone gets hold of something against him? How do you think our family will be able to turn things around?"

In fact, Zhang Yanling's goal was already very clear.

The purpose was to take control of military power for Zhu Youcheng.

In this way, even if Zhu Youcheng were to die unexpectedly, or if his future nephew, the young emperor Zhu Houzhao, were to die without leaving any heirs, a descendant from a collateral branch of the imperial family would have to succeed him...

Excuse me, but I have to overthrow you directly and become emperor myself. Wouldn't that be better?
He relied on others for survival, and was always just a relative of the emperor, a subject.

Zhang Yanling knew his brother-in-law and future nephew quite well, and knew they wouldn't do anything to the Zhang family, so serving the Ming Dynasty was his duty.

If things are really going to develop to the point of irreconcilable conflict, why should we still support the Zhu family?
It's not as good as living under someone else's roof and being controlled by others at every turn, if I take power myself, overthrow the Ming Dynasty, and change the course of Chinese history in my own way.
"it's up to you."

Zhang Luan looked very tired and shook his head, saying, "I'm going to sleep now! I'll leave the family affairs to you! I don't want you to go to the Northwest to take risks, but if you insist on going, I won't object. If you can make a name for yourself and get promoted, it's a good way out! We, father and son, one a scholar and the other a warrior, complement each other perfectly. It would be a wonderful story for all time."

……

……

Cabinet value.

Xu Pu and Liu Jian have recently been discussing who should join the cabinet next, and have tentatively decided that Li Dongyang, who has just returned from completing his mourning period, will assume the post of Hanlin Academician and join the cabinet to participate in state affairs.

At the same time, they also received a memorial from Wang Yue concerning military strategies for pacifying the barbarians in the northwest.

"What is Wang Shichang thinking about all day long? He just became the Vice Minister of War and he thinks he's all that again, that he can pacify the grasslands and completely solve the border problem?"

When Liu Jian handed the memorial to Xu Pu, his comments were tinged with mockery.

In his view, Wang Yue had become obsessed and, in order to realize his ambitions, had begun to influence the emperor's decisions without any scruples.

Xu Pu said, "Perhaps he was telling His Majesty and the world through his numerous memorials that he was capable of accomplishing what others could not. But given the current emperor's excellent governance and the presence of many wise men in court, how could he be allowed to act recklessly?"

Liu Jian asked, "Then what exactly is Your Majesty's purpose in training the new army?"

One sentence was enough to kill the conversation.

Liu Jian added, "According to a report from Xuzhou, Li Zi Province is making good progress in river management in the Central Plains. Not only has it raised a large amount of money and grain on its own, but it has also mobilized hundreds of thousands of local laborers. In addition, money and grain are being transported from various places in an endless stream, which fully guarantees the progress of the project. If he continues to work like this, the river will surely be managed within three years."

Xu Pu shook his head and said, "No, I see that the shortage of money and food is very large, and it is impossible for him to solve it by himself alone."

"Is it possible that His Majesty will try his best to fill this gap?"

Liu Jian asked again.

Xu Pu fell silent for a moment.

In the past, the most effective way for civil officials to check and balance the emperor was to control the emperor's finances and ensure that the emperor acted according to their logic.

Even though the emperors of the Chenghua era often bypassed the court to conduct business, they still could not escape the troubles of lacking money.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, he had no other skills and his control over his ministers was not very strong, but when it came to money... he seemed to have transcended the three realms and the five elements.

It is a terrifying phenomenon that an emperor can raise funds to solve any problem on his own.

Xu Pu asked, "How much money and grain did Zhang Laizhan transfer to Lizi Province for river management?"

Liu Jian looked bewildered: "Zhang Laizhan is no longer in the Ministry of Revenue, how many people can he mobilize? But it seems that his son Zhang Yanling is making quite a stir in the capital, opening money shops, various workshops, and even mining mines..." "Then find someone to impeach him, saying that he is competing with the people for profit."

Xu Pu made a decision immediately.

Liu Jian said, "Previously, scholars accused the Zhang family of engaging in bullying and monopolistic practices. His Majesty had someone verify that the industries developed by the Zhang family did not conflict with others. If we bring up this old issue again now, I'm afraid His Majesty will not give us a good look."

Xu Pu nodded: "What you said, I've actually thought of all of that. But given the current situation, what excuse could be more direct than this?"

Zhang Luan held a position in the court without performing his duties, so impeaching him would be of little use.

Zhang Luan voluntarily gave up his position as Vice Minister of War, allowing Wang Yue to take his place.

Will Wang Yue neglect his duties like Zhang Luan?
joke!

Wang Yue was the kind of person who wished he could live one day as if it were ten. He was like someone who had been injected with chicken blood, busy with work every day, and never forgetting to submit various memorials to demonstrate his profound knowledge of military affairs.

Zhang Luan found someone else to do the work he wouldn't do himself...

If this were an ordinary person, they would have been extremely envious and would have quickly taken back their position. Who would stand by and watch the person they recommended for the position sideline them?

But what about Zhang Luan...?

He was in that half-dead state, neither fighting nor caring.

This meant that the only way to attack the Zhang family was to cut off the emperor's financial resources.

The best approach would be to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Zhang Yanling's actions, and then gradually use methods such as pressuring the emperor to tighten the power granted to Zhang Yanling, thereby eliminating industries such as mining and casting.

Whether these measures could generate revenue for the imperial court and alleviate the Ming Dynasty's financial and food shortages was not a concern for the civil officials.

It could even be said that what civil officials most wanted to see was that these benefits came from the forces behind them, such as white-glove officials and merchants who depended on them, or their relatives.

As for the empty treasury caused by the emperor's poverty, that was not within their concern. In fact, the court's inability to pay salaries was a good thing in their eyes, as it would keep the emperor within a range that they could accept and continue to control him.

Liu Jian said, "It's not easy to find a suitable person to impeach them right now. However, I've heard that the Zhang family has offended many meritorious officials because of the coal mine in Xishan, and even many relatives of the emperor are envious! If we could make use of that..."

"Makes sense."

Xu Pu nodded and said, "The fight between the Zhang and Zhou families didn't cause much of a stir in the court before. It's time to add fuel to the fire and make this matter burn brightly!"

……

……

When the Zhang family was targeted by civil officials, Zhang Luan and Zhang Yanling were not the first to suffer.

It was Zhang Heling.

Because he was the mastermind behind the fight between the Jiaofangsi and the Zhou family, he was dragged out by the civil officials as a typical example while he was lying at home, and was directly sent to the trial.

When Zhang Luan heard this news from Shen Lu, he blurted out, "That kid deserved it!"

Shen Lu said, "Lai Zhan, public opinion is outraged by this matter. This is the first time something like this has happened since the reign title was changed to Hongzhi. It seems that the disputes between the maternal relatives can be resolved internally, but I'm afraid that some people with ulterior motives will use this as an excuse to make trouble! You must be prepared to deal with it."

Zhang Luan asked, "He Ling has never been in court. How many people have impeached him? It's not too serious, is it?"

Shen Lu sighed, "Judging from what the Office of Transmission has learned in the past few days, at least a dozen impeachment memorials have reached the Emperor's ears. These include censors from the Censorate, officials from the Ministry of Rites, and even impeachment memorials from the Five Military Commissions. Even the Imperial Censor has come out to join the fray... We must be on guard!"

"Ahem." Zhang Luan coughed twice and said, "Is that kid He Ling worth such a big fuss about? Why isn't it aimed at Yan Ling?"

Shen Lu said, "Lai Zhan, don't you understand the situation? They're after you! They targeted you and your son before, but Li Zisheng drew everyone's attention away from you, so no one could focus on you for a while! But what about now?"

Zhang Luan thought to himself, "Li Zisheng is indeed past his prime. Even Ru Xue calls me by my first name."

“Last time it was Li Zisheng, and this time it’s my eldest son? Who will it be next time? It won’t be Vice Minister Xu and you, will it?” Zhang Luan asked.

Shen Lu shook his head helplessly and said, "It's not impossible."

Zhang Luan said, "Why don't you just attack me directly? I'm waiting for them!"

Shen Lu wore a bitter smile, as if to say, "What have you done for others?"
It seems you've helped Li Zi Province out of its predicament, but the problem is that your powerful allies are not in the capital; they've all been exiled to work on river repairs. And your political allies, like those of us still in the court, can't contact our colleagues in your name.

It's fair to say that even if we are targeted and attacked, you'll likely just be watching the show from the sidelines.

Because you are both lazy and afraid of trouble.

Seeing that Shen Lu did not answer, Zhang Luan pondered for a while before asking, "Ru Xue, tell me, what is their purpose in impeaching He Ling? I mean, what effect do they want to achieve? To prevent He Ling from entering the court from now on? Or... is it just targeting me, and in the end, blaming me for failing to raise my son properly?"

Shen Lu looked around, as if he was afraid of being overheard even in this private conversation.

He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "I've discussed this matter with Xu Gong in secret. His opinion is that someone wants to sow discord between you and the Empress Dowager, thereby causing a rift between the Empress Dowager and the Empress."

"So insidious?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "No, I've already smoothed things over. Even if they want to stir up trouble, they can't."

"Don't worry yet."

Shen Lu whispered again, "Furthermore, their next step might be to target His Majesty's internal expenditures, such as the income from the imperial estates in the past two years, especially in textiles, and mining! They'll start with your eldest son, and next they'll target your second son!"

Zhang Luan said, "They have no right to interfere in things like making money?"

Shen Lu said helplessly, "They even want to get involved in the disputes between the maternal relatives' families. What else wouldn't they dare to get involved in?"

"A dog trying to catch a mouse!"

Zhang Luan cursed, "They're reaching so far; I think they have ulterior motives!"

Shen Lu said, "That can't be helped. Who can blame His Majesty for being exceptionally polite to his officials, and for handling most court affairs through discussion? If it were the late Emperor..."

Zhang Luan asked, "Are you saying that because His Majesty is too lenient, those people have become too arrogant and acted recklessly?"

Shen Lu gave a wry smile.

Clearly, there were some things he dared not say too bluntly.

You, Zhang Luan, were a political novice before, so you could speak without restraint, after all, you had your daughter and son-in-law backing you up.

If any of us say the wrong thing, we could face politically subversive retaliation. Who knows if you, with your big mouth, might turn around and betray me?
In your presence, I must know when to stop speaking.

"In that case, I'm going to punish Heling properly first."

Zhang Luan said, “Let’s punish ourselves first, and then apologize to His Majesty. Or we could just say that we have failed to properly educate our son and request to resign from the court so that I can return to my hometown to live out my remaining years.”

Are you going back to your hometown?

Shen Lu was greatly surprised.

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "It's just for show for outsiders... Actually, I haven't been back even once since I came to the capital! I also want to go back and see my ancestral home and ancestral hall, to see if there are still incense offerings after I left."

Shen Lu asked, "So you really plan to go back to Xingji?"

"After a serious illness, I was on the verge of death and came back. It can be said that my ancestors protected me."

Zhang Luan said, "Ru Xue, you know I've had a lot of good fortune these past two years, and I really want to go back to my hometown to visit relatives and friends. Staying in the capital all the time... I always feel like something's missing."

Shen Luxin thought to himself, "You really love to show off."

Don't you feel tired now?

Returning home in glory is a physically demanding task. You don't know how many people will come to visit you, or even ask for your help. Can you handle it?
Zhang Luan said, "If His Majesty thinks I should go with the flow and leave the court, then I really won't do it! I'll just be the Marquis of Shouning and stay in the Governor's Office. Can't I still serve His Majesty? The rise and fall of my family depends entirely on Yanling! He has a big thing to do next, and I'm really looking forward to it."

(End of this chapter)