Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 57: Wanting to Be a Saint Father
From a country to a clan, there must be a set of rules and order that are recognized by everyone to ensure the orderly operation of family, country and personnel, and avoid internal friction and unrest. This is the national legal ethics.

The higher one's position in the system, the more they need to maintain the normal operation of this order, because they themselves are the beneficiaries of this order. If the order collapses, their dominant position and voice in the order will naturally disappear.

Zhang Shuo was naturally displeased by the sage's attempt to sow discord within the family. While he admired this illegitimate grandson and was even willing to devote his wholehearted training and provide him with sufficient political resources to support him, when it came to the issue of succession through the patriarchal system, he still preferred the legitimate heir.

Although the Zhang family is affiliated with the Zhang family of Fanyang, their roots are undoubtedly a newly established family. Zhang Shuo's grandfather was not an official, and his father only held a low-ranking position. It can be said that the family's current status and prestige are entirely due to the efforts of Zhang Shuo alone.

Because he rose from humble beginnings to become a prominent official, Zhang Shuo felt deeply the hardships of personal struggle. Therefore, he also highly respected the noble families of Shandong, a preference that was particularly evident when choosing spouses for his children.

He has a pragmatic side, believing that the family needs to cultivate children with political talents to maintain its prominent position. At the same time, he has a traditional side, believing that if the family wants to be accepted by and integrate into the famous Shandong families, it must follow the family rules and style of these famous families.

The reason why the saint now praises one of his children so highly is not just to cause some trouble to his family affairs, but also to sow discord between him and the famous families of Shandong.

So Zhang Shuo hesitated for a while before he finally came up with the idea of ​​giving the boy the name Shaozong. He didn't outright declare it a death sentence, but instead used a tone of inquiry. This was because he admired his talent, especially his actions last night at the Censorate. Zhang Shuo was deeply impressed by them and didn't think his son could do such a thing.

Considering that the family members had been too harsh on the boy before and now needed to repair and improve their relationship, Zhang said he did not want to appear aggressive so as not to provoke Shaolei's rebellious thoughts.

Zhang Dai wasn't as conflicted as Zhang Shuo. He just kept muttering, "Do you think I don't know the meaning of my name? Why should I consider myself a minor clan member?"
What kind of circumstances and situations a person can have ultimately depends on his or her own efforts. No matter how much help others give, it is nothing more than giving you a reason and an opportunity.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Dai held the fish bag he had just been given in one hand, patted his chest with the other and said, "There are so many talented people in the world. What extraordinary ability do I have that would deserve such favor from the saint?
In the final analysis, it is because the saint was grateful for the great contribution of his great-grandfather Yuan Congxiangcheng, and loved the whole family as well. Therefore, how dare I take credit for this reward?
I only obey this holy commandment and wish for the prosperity of our clan. I also ask that you, Grandfather, appreciate this young man's youthful enthusiasm and adopt it as an inspiration. I propose the names Zong and Changzong. Are they acceptable?"

Of course, he was not happy to be named Shaozong. The title Zhang Zongchang was too powerful a literary name for most people to handle, so he simply settled for the second best and named himself Changzong.

Zhang Shuo fell silent after hearing this, his expression changing from one moment to another. After a while, he finally spoke in a low voice, "Don't talk nonsense. Study hard when you get home!"

Zhang Dai was naturally dissatisfied when he heard this scolding. How do you know that I have little education? I...

Before he could start thinking, he caught a glimpse of Zhang Shuo's strange expression, and then he suddenly understood. Zhang Changzong and Zhang Liulang are even more explosive names than Zhang Zongchang!

No wonder Zhang Shuo scolded him for talking nonsense as soon as he opened his mouth. It turned out that the saint gave him the name, but he wanted to be the saint's grandfather!

Not to mention the saint, even if his grandfather himself heard him call him that, those unbearable memories of licking the Zhang brothers would probably be revived, constantly whipping his sense of shame.

Perhaps this grandson brought back forgotten memories, and Zhang Shuo also sat in silence. After crossing Tianjin Bridge and driving for a while, perhaps worried that this little bastard would dare to do anything without any taboos, Zhang Shuo said in a deep voice that left no room for doubt: "Let's just call him Zongzhi, and we won't discuss this further!"

Let’s just call it Zongzhi. At worst, I can give myself a nickname later, like Lianhua Liulang!

Zhang Dai thought so in his heart, but did not dare to say it out loud.

Putting aside these funny thoughts, he thought about how he had sent Zhou Lang to Henan Prefecture to complain and lure Cui Yinfu out. He hadn't had time to inquire about Zhou Lang's current situation, so he said to Zhang Shuo, "I sent Zhou Liang's son to Henan Prefecture yesterday. I don't know how he is doing. I want to visit him first, so I won't be returning with my grandfather."

"Let's go together. My family has also received a favor from this person, and we should express our gratitude."

Zhang Shuo thought about it and then said that he didn't realize that his grandson's actions had actually done more harm than good. Logically speaking, Zhou Liang's legacy did help his family turn the situation around.

So the group turned and headed towards Xuanfanfang. Zhang Jun and his brother still didn't know what role Zhang Dai played in the incident. When they saw the carriage turn, they could only ride their horses and follow behind.

When the group arrived at the gate of Henan Prefecture, they saw officials from the Censorate guarding inside and outside. It was obvious that Cui Yinfu was very concerned about this matter and had already begun a formal investigation.

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the palace, and officials from Henan Prefecture came to greet him. Cui Yinfu was also walking behind, but when he saw Zhang Shuo disembark, he turned back to the hall.

Although Zhang Shuo had retired, his title and rank remained, so the officials of Henan Prefecture did not dare to neglect him. From Grand Magistrate Zhang Jingzhong on down, they all came forward to pay their respects. When it was the turn of Liu Gui, the assistant general of the warehouse department, his expression changed slightly when he saw Zhang Dai standing beside the carriage, and he whispered, "Niu Nei Pu..."

"Do you know me?" Zhang Dai looked at the other person without avoiding the question and asked with a frown.

Liu Cangcao was stunned when he saw this. After a moment, he waved his hands to indicate that he didn't know him. He also thought that Niu Neipu pretended not to know him in order to keep the previous matter secret.

But when he heard someone introduce this as Zhang's grandson, his eyes suddenly bulged out and his mouth opened so wide that a fist could almost fit in.

But no one paid attention to his reaction. When the people in Henan Prefecture learned that Zhang Dai was the one who brought the matter to the court, they looked at him with different eyes. Some were full of resentment, while others were full of anger and hatred.

Zhang Dai was completely oblivious to this. When he was told that Zhou Lang and his mother were temporarily placed in a detached house next to the mansion, he first breathed a sigh of relief, then asked his grandfather Zhang Shuo to wait outside for a while and walked straight into the hall of the mansion.

"What's the matter with you?"

Cui Yinfu had already gained a preliminary understanding of Zhou Liang's affairs, and was basically certain that the officials of Henan Prefecture were indeed trying to evade charges and slander Zhou Liang. When he saw Zhang Dai coming up to the hall, he was no longer as confident as before.

Zhang Dai pointed at the Henan officials outside the hall and said, "These people already know that I have reported this matter to the emperor. They will inevitably make false accusations or absurd claims later. I am upright and fearless of rumors. However, if I can help to thoroughly investigate this matter and restore the innocence of Mr. Zhou, Doctor Cui, please feel free to send someone to question me at any time. I will not refuse!"

Cui Yinfu's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he said in a deep voice, "Since I have been ordered to investigate this matter, I will make sure that nothing is hidden and the truth comes out. If anyone dares to slander you for this, I will not let them off lightly!"

After hearing this, Zhang Dai bowed again and walked out. When he entered the front hall of the government office, he found the military officer Zheng Hun among the Henan officials. He raised his finger and pointed at Zheng Hun, sneering, "Military Officer Zheng, you may not have seen me, but I know you! The recent grudges will not be easily resolved. You'd better be careful and don't make any mistakes, otherwise the gods and Buddhas will not be able to protect you!"

The soldier Zheng Hun was threatened by a young man pointing at his nose in front of his colleagues, and he was extremely angry.

He knew that the young man was talking about the deliberate obstruction of the water project repairs near his farm a few days ago. Even though he wanted to refute him, when he saw Zhang Shuo and his son standing outside the mansion, he did not dare to say anything. He lowered his head and suppressed his anger.

Seeing the young man so arrogant, other people in Henan Prefecture couldn't help but show a sense of solidarity. Only Liu Cangcao, who had a guilty conscience, became more frightened and uneasy when he saw him being so domineering.

When Zhang Dai left the mansion, his father Zhang Jun could not help but frown and said in a deep voice: "General Zheng is your distant relative, how can you be so rude? The family crisis has just ended, and you are already showing off your power in front of others, you..."

"Stop talking, go check on the Zhou mother and son!"

Zhang Shuo waved his hand to interrupt his son's scolding, then turned around and got in the car, heading towards the villa not far from the government office.

Zhang Jun was a little unhappy because he had a lot to say but his father's attitude towards this boy was obviously different, which made him suspicious and he could only bear it and go home to ask more questions.

When the group arrived at the villa, Zhou Lang hurried out, came to Zhang Dai, and knelt on the ground, choking with sobs, "My dear, my mother has finally been rescued..."

"People safe is good!"

Zhang Dai bent down and helped Zhou Lang to his feet, then introduced him, "This is my great-grandfather, Lord Yan. He was entangled in worldly affairs a while ago, and only with the help of you, the Recorder Ye Zhou, was he able to escape. I've come specially to thank you and your son."

"How dare I accept this? My family and I have been hit by a disaster. Without my husband's help, we would not have survived..."

Zhou Lang was largely unaware of the inner workings of the matter. Yesterday, he followed Zhang Dai's instructions and went to Henan Prefecture to file a complaint. After Cui Yinfu arrived, he was interrogated for almost the entire night and was even tortured. However, he only cried out about the injustice suffered by his father.

However, everything changed after dawn this morning. The mother and son were moved to another residence and doctors came to treat them. They were also treated to a delicious and sumptuous meal. The attitude of the officials in Henan Prefecture also changed. They were extremely polite to the mother and son. Now the prime minister came in person to express his gratitude. It was like a dream to him.

Although he had no idea how this had happened, he was convinced that it was all Zhang Dai's doing. He was filled with gratitude and kept saying, "If it weren't for you, my dear, my whole family would be gone. From now on, I belong to you, my dear. I'll go through fire and water for you, just a word!"

(End of this chapter)