Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 80 Taking from those who have less to give to those who have more
Despite the suddenness of the event, Zhang Dai did not dare to be negligent. After seeing Wang Han and the others off, he immediately returned to his residence to change into a proper robe. Then, he took An Xiaochen and Ding Qing with him and went out with the official from the Ministry of Rites who had come to inform him.

"Is that Zhang Liulang ahead?"

After walking a distance down the street, someone suddenly called out from behind. Zhang Dai turned around and saw a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a brocade robe, riding towards him with two servants.

After what happened with Wei Jian'erlang, he became more cautious and kept a distance in his mind.

Zhang Dai reined in his horse to the left, and only when the other party approached did he nod and say, "Indeed, I am Zhang Liu. May I ask who you are?"

"His name is Pei Zhen, courtesy name Dao'an. His ancestor was Duke Xian of Wenxi, and his father is currently serving as Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."

As the young man rode closer, he cupped his hands and said with a smile, "I have often heard my father praise Liu Lang's deeds at home. I saw him on the road and am sorry to have disturbed you. Please do not take offense, Liu Lang."

"So you are the worthy grandson of Grand Commandant Pei! My apologies for my overconfidence. Young Master Pei, where are you coming from, and where are you going?"

After listening to the other party recount his family background, Zhang Dai quickly cupped his hands in return.

It wasn't that he was so familiar with the figures of the Tang Dynasty that he could match them up to anyone just by hearing their official titles. Rather, after entering the neighborhood, Zhang Yi inquired about the villa of Pei Guangting, the Vice Minister of War, at the eastern end of the street, so he made a connection when he heard the other party's introduction.

"I am not on duty at the Southern Office today. I was planning to stay at a secluded villa, but my family came to inform me that I have been selected as a concubine for Prince Qi. My father has instructed me to go to the Ministry of Rites to apply for the selection."

Isn't this a coincidence?
Upon hearing Pei Zhen's reply, Zhang Dai couldn't help but sigh that the death of Prince Qi had caused quite a stir among the sons of officials in the capital. Even Pei Guangting's son wanted to go and be selected as a mourner. After discussing it, the two decided to go together.

Although it was their first meeting, Pei Zhen was very enthusiastic, mainly because Zhang Dai's previous deeds had already made him quite well-known among the young people in the capital, such as Du Fu and his nephew who visited this morning.

That said, Zhang Dai and Pei Zhen were actually distant cousins; Zhang Dai's maternal grandfather was Wu Youyi, and Pei Zhen's maternal grandfather was Wu Sansi. Previously, Zhang Dai had been neglected and unknown in the Zhang family, but now that he had risen to fame, these previously hidden relationships were gradually coming to light.

During the conversation, Zhang Dai learned that Pei Zhen had already taken up an official post, serving as the Qianniu Beishen, a position the emperor had previously wanted to grant to him but which he had refused.

The selection of mourners did not restrict whether they held official positions or not. In essence, these sons of officials were to participate in state ceremonies and escort coffins to the funeral on behalf of their fathers and grandfathers. However, the fact that they were granted official positions after the ceremony added a strong utilitarian element to the matter.

In the homes of nobles or ordinary people, there is also a custom of selecting young men to sing funeral songs during the funeral procession. However, unlike the royal family, they do not reward them with official titles, but rather with food and other material rewards.

When they arrived at the Ministry of Rites, the scene was still very lively. Unlike Zhang Dai, who had already secured a place, Pei Zhen still had to go up to register. Zhang Dai, on the other hand, didn't know where to report for duty, but his father was already waving to him from the side.

"Has Father returned to his post?"

Zhang Dai walked over and casually asked Zhang Jun a question.

Zhang Jun pulled him aside, then asked with a stern face, "Didn't I tell you to have less contact with the Prince of Qi's family? How come you forgot your lesson as soon as you left home, and even begged the Prince of Qi's family to give you the position of escort! You first asked the Hongwen Academy, and now you're asking for the position of escort, what exactly do you want!"

Zhang Dai was still a bit confused and didn't understand what was going on. When he arrived at the Ministry of Rites, he was immediately scolded by his father, which made him very unhappy.

However, he did not immediately lash out. Instead, he pondered for a moment and quickly figured things out. Then he looked at Zhang Jun and asked, "Father, is it because Madam asked you to find a husband for my younger brother? She prides herself on her noble family and her family has a long history, yet she has ruined my son like this. Does Father know?"

While using a servant as a stepping stone was indeed a convenient way for sons of officials to escape poverty and enter officialdom, it was precisely because of its convenience that it was considered unseemly. Only those who had no ambition for themselves would be happy to exploit this loophole to seek a minor official position.

The most famous mourner in Tang Dynasty history was Yao Chong, who served as the mourner for Emperor Xiaojing. However, Yao Chong was later appointed to an official position after successfully completing a literary examination.

Although the official position of the "funeral attendant" was said to be granted immediately after the task was completed, in reality, the official position granted was usually very lowly, with few choices and difficulty in promotion. Apart from convenience, it was practically useless.

Even after reaching a certain level, simply being a former groom becomes a stain, limiting one's competitiveness in important positions and amounting to prematurely exhausting one's future potential.

For example, Wei Gao, a famous general in the mid-Tang Dynasty, was originally a member of the Wei clan of Jingzhao. He was born into a family of porters, but in his youth he was poor and unknown, living in his wife's house and even suffering contempt and neglect from the servants.

Zhang Dai had helped Prince Qi perform rituals to prolong his life, and of course he knew that a mourner would be chosen for the prince's funeral. However, he had no intention of entering officialdom through this position, so he didn't pay much attention to it. If he had been eager to take up an official post, he would have accepted the emperor's offer of the title of Thousand-Ox Guard and become Pei Zhen's colleague that very day.

Pei Zhen's purpose in registering for the funeral wasn't to compete for the position of mourner, but rather to express his stance on the funeral of Prince Qi. The emperor was heartbroken over the death of his brother, unable to eat or drink, while the ministers remained indifferent; this was hardly a good look.

When Zhang Jun heard his son reveal the reason, he looked somewhat embarrassed. This was just a private discussion between him and his wife, and they hadn't mentioned it to his father, Zhang Shuo.

He lowered his head to avoid Zhang Dai's gaze, and then said, "The Zheng family is a prestigious family, not just boasting. Madam also has her difficulties. She originally intended to send your brother to the Imperial Academy, but because you are more talented, it is not convenient to argue about this matter, so she will give it to you. Although Wanlang's background is not good, your brother's talent and aptitude are not as good as yours. Your parents do not want to favor one over the other, so they thought of taking a little shortcut and giving him a certain background first. This is not a bad intention."

Having said that, he felt he hadn't done anything wrong, so he looked up at Zhang Dai and said, "Your talent and style are evident to all, and your grandfather has high hopes for you. He probably wouldn't like you to use such trickery."

There are many people vying for the job right now, and you are in charge of handling affairs. To avoid causing gossip, it's not advisable for both of you to participate. It would be better if you resigned from this job and gave this opportunity to your younger brother, so you can focus on your studies.

Although your brother is not as talented as you, his maternal family is of high reputation and he was born into a privileged family, thus achieving a high social status early on. If you later achieve academic success and hold a high-ranking position in the government, both brothers can become famous throughout the world. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

At this point, Zhang Jun's face also showed a hint of anticipation, deeply moved by the wonderful future he had painted for his children.

He did not expect his sons to grow up to be all-rounders like their father. The eldest son focused on academics, while the legitimate son had a successful official career. This was undoubtedly the best possible outcome.

However, Zhang Dai didn't even bother to criticize the rosy future he envisioned. "Damn it, you're telling me you don't want to favor one side over the other? Do you even deserve that? Besides, is my current favoritism something you gave me?"
Honestly, if his family has a normal ethical relationship, and he doesn't care about this opportunity to help his brother, why not give it to him?

The problem is that Zheng's plan is probably to let her son "first gain a good birth and reach a high position early" so that it will be easier to deal with this bastard child later.

Zhang Jun's self-righteous and well-intentioned speech was utter nonsense to him. He hadn't cared whether he became the mourner or not, but now that he knew Zheng Shi also wanted to fight for her son, he would never give it up!
"Father has put a lot of effort into planning for our sons, which is truly touching. However, things are not as simple as Father sees them. My relationship with the Qi Prince's family is not very close, so why did they specifically choose me to help with the ropes? Father, aren't you curious about the reasons behind this?"

Zhang Dai knew he had a fundamental conflict with Zhang Jun and his wife, but it was not advisable for him to completely break off relations at the moment, so he casually said something else.

"why?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun quickly asked as well. He was indeed curious about this. This kid had only been in Huixunfang for a few days at most, while Prince Qi was already on the verge of death. How did he come to have such a relationship with Prince Qi's family?
"When I first entered Huixunfang Villa, I encountered the Qi Prince's family performing a ritual to ward off evil spirits..."

Zhang Dai only told his grandfather about this, and it seems that Zhang Shuo didn't think it was necessary to tell his son, so Zhang Jun was unaware of it.

After hearing Zhang Dai finish speaking, Zhang Jun stamped his foot and said, "Such an important matter, how could you not report it immediately! You are becoming more and more audacious. You dare to make such a decision without consulting anyone. We should not have let you go out into the world!"

Seeing this guy's exaggerated expression, Zhang Dai was speechless. He simply said, "The reason why I was employed by the Prince of Duqi is probably related to this. My destiny is in harmony with this matter."

My younger brother and I are born of the same father, and our destinies should be intertwined. However, if my brother wishes to take my place, he should consult the oracle himself. After all, this is a matter of life and death, a tug-of-war between good and bad fortune, and should not be taken lightly.

"We should be more cautious!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun nodded repeatedly, intending to discuss it with his wife after returning home. He then glared at Zhang Dai and said angrily, "In the future, if there are similar matters, go home and ask first. Don't make decisions on your own!"

I'm not asking you anything! I'm going to perform a ritual to appease the Prince of Ning in a couple of days!
Zhang Dai cursed inwardly. Judging from his father's expression, he was certain of one thing: his father probably didn't know about his son's divination and the clash of their destinies.

His previous neglect of himself was simply due to being easily swayed by others, being swayed by their words, and being a heartless and ruthless person.

After the father and son finished their conversation, Zhang Jun led him to the back hall of the Ministry of Rites, where more than a dozen young men were already waiting. These men were pre-selected as mourners, and most of them were members of the Li Tang imperial family, so they did not need to wait for selection with the people outside.

These people didn't really need the background of a pallbearer, and Zhang Dai didn't care much about it either, yet they were chosen ahead of time. Those who truly needed this opportunity were still struggling to find it elsewhere. The way of man is to take from those who lack and give to those who have more; how true this saying is!

After learning of Zhang Dai's identity, these true members of the royal family also showed some goodwill towards him.

Although Li Linfu was also from the Li Tang imperial family, his blood relationship was quite distant, and there were no close relatives or younger relatives of Li Linfu present. Young people's likes and dislikes are more pure, and Zhang Dai's words and deeds were undoubtedly very much in line with their values.

It can be said that Zhang Dai, relying solely on his persona as a "Jade-Bodied Gentleman," had no place among the young people in the two capitals that he couldn't make it.

Because the selection of mourners has not yet been completed, the Ministry of Rites summoned them today without any specific arrangements. They were simply recorded in a register, their clothes were made to fit their measurements, and they were instructed to gather at the Prince of Qi's residence starting tomorrow to participate in the funeral rites.

After a brief meeting and the opportunity to make a few new friends, Zhang Dai observed that although He Zhizhang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was quite busy coming and going, there was little sadness in his eyes, and he did not deliberately put on any sorrowful posture.

Perhaps it was due to his carefree personality, but the thought that the man would suffer because of this made Zhang Dai secretly amused.

As Zhang Dai left the Ministry of Rites office, he looked around but didn't see his father. He figured his father had gone home to report to Madam Zheng. The thought of Madam Zheng's furious outburst made Zhang Dai even happier.

(End of this chapter)