Chapter 11: My Heart is Like Your Heart (Part 2) Third Watch

  Since Zhang's family in Yangzhou is called the richest man in Yangzhou, they naturally have some wealth. Moreover, this time it was to deliver goods to Yang Su, and there were many people following him.

  Zhang Zhongjian camped on one side, while Zheng Shian led Zheng Yanqing back to the bonfire.

  "Grandpa, who is Zhang Jiling?"

  "Oh, Zhang Jiling is actually a member of the Zhang family from Wu County, and he can also be said to have come from a prominent family."

  He had a falling out with his family in his early years and left Wu County in anger, starting his own household. This man was a master of finance, and within a decade or so, he became the richest man in Yangzhou. In those days when the Crown Prince pacified Chen, Zhang Jileng also made contributions, so he had connections with many powerful people in Chang'an and did some business with our family... I've heard of this Zhang Zhongjian before. His mother was originally a Hu woman who was taken as a concubine by Zhang Jileng, giving birth to Zhang Zhongjian. It's said that when Zhang Sanlang was born, he was almost killed by Zhang Jileng because of his unusual ugliness. Later, he was taken away by a master and trained in excellent martial arts... Hehe, seeing him today, indeed somewhat ugly, after all, it's the impure bloodline."

  Zheng Woshan smiled and said, "Old housekeeper is indeed well-connected, if it weren't for old housekeeper, I really wouldn't know who Zhang Jiling is."

  "When going out, one's eyes must be quick."

  "The Zheng family has been a large clan for hundreds of years, and who knows how many people are watching from the side. So, we should be more clever, don't let a moment's carelessness offend others, or it might bring trouble to Master, which would not be good."

  Zheng Shi'an seemed to be speaking to Zheng Wei Shan, but Zheng Yan Qing knew that Zheng Shi'an was actually instructing him.

  In Zheng Shi'an's eyes, Zheng Yanqing will take over his position in the future. So there are some things that need to be educated from a young age.

  What's more, Zheng Yanqing had just gotten into trouble once, so Zheng Shian was even more cautious.

  "The old steward, Zhang Zhongjian, requests an audience outside."

  A family member came over to report, Zheng Shi'an's eyebrows furrowed.

  He was old and tired from traveling, and didn't want to bother with Zhang Zhongjian. But thinking of Zhang Zhongjian's father, Zheng Shi'an had no choice but to muster up his energy. Zhang Jiling wasn't someone to be feared, but behind him were many powerful people. It wasn't worth offending Zhang Jiling over some small matters, in case he caused trouble, the Zheng family wouldn't be afraid, but it would still be a troublesome affair. Besides, An Yuantang had also relied on Yang Guang and was on the same side as Zhang Jiling.

  "Yan Qing, come with me to greet him."

  Zheng Shi'an thought of this and stood up with a sense of helplessness, saying to Zheng Yanqing.

  Yan Qing responded with a sound, got up and followed Zheng Shi'an out of the camp. He saw Zhang Zhongjian standing ten steps away from the horse carriage, wearing a loose shirt, with an extraordinary air.

  "Don't disturb the elderly!"

  Zhang Zhongjian has a majestic air, but is also refined and elegant. If it weren't for his rough appearance, he would be an exceptionally good person.

  He ordered people to bring over several food boxes and ten wine jars.

  "My younger brother had also heard our father mention the old man's name, saying that the old man was General Zheng's right-hand man."

  "It's better to meet by chance than to make an appointment. I've prepared a few old-style buildings and some Wu Chengyu wine as a gift for our meeting."

  Gulouzi, also known as Juhubing, is a type of food from the Sui and Tang dynasties.

  The specific method is to cut a catty of mutton, evenly distributed in the middle of a large flatbread, then add seasonings such as pepper and fermented bean paste between the bread and the mutton, and moisten with oil. Place it on the fire and repeatedly roast until the mutton is half-cooked, then it can be eaten. This giant flatbread is very similar to the later roasted flatbread with meat filling, which tastes greasy but delicious.

  Yan Qing had eaten this food when he was in Xingyang, but felt a bit greasy, the taste was good.

  As for Wu Chengruo, it was a well-known yellow wine in Jiangnan at that time. It is said that Yang Guang loved this yellow wine the most when he was in Jiangdu. It seems that the relationship between Yangzhou Zhang Jiling and Crown Prince Yang Guang might not be ordinary.

  Zheng Yanqing has some admiration for Zheng Shi'an!

  If Zheng Shi'an slacks off even a little bit, it may lead to conflicts between the Zheng family and Zhang Jiling.

  As Zheng Shi'an said, the Zheng family would not be afraid of Zhang Jiling, but getting into a mess with him was not a good thing after all.

  Moreover, looking at Zhang Zhongjian's fiery red beard, Zheng Yance felt a sense of familiarity.

  Behind Zhang Zhongjian, there were two men following him. One was wearing a coarse linen shirt and was around 30 or 40 years old, with an otherworldly air about him; the other was also young, probably just over 20 years old, with dark skin and a steady demeanor.

  "These two are good friends I met along the way," Zhang Zhongjian introduced.

  "This is Mr. Sun Simiao; this young brother is called Du Ruhui, he is the grandson of Grand Master Du Guo, the Minister of Works."

  "Ah!"

  Zheng Shi'an was startled and hastily stepped forward to pay his respects.

  Du Ruju's downfall is nothing, but this Sun Simiao, he has long been famous.

  It is said that Mr. Sun started reading at the age of seven and could recite a thousand words every day, which means he could memorize an article of one thousand characters in just one day. By the time he was twenty years old, he could expound on Laozi and Zhuangzi, discuss the Buddhist scripture "Diamond Sutra", and was called 'Holy Child' by people.

  Born in Jingzhao Huayuan, also known as Shaanxi Yaoxian County in later generations. During the Northern Zhou dynasty's Emperor Jing's reign, Sui Wendi Yang Jian assisted with governance and wanted to recruit Sun Simiao as a Guozi Boshi (a high-ranking academic position), but was rejected by Sun Simiao. This person disliked officialdom and had some detachment from fame and wealth. He liked clarity and emptiness, enjoyed refining his spirit and cultivating his body, later studied Taoism on Mount Taibai, specializing in the study of longevity techniques, with exceptional medical skills.

  Therefore, when people refer to Sun Simiao, they praise him for having the style of a famous scholar.

  Many aristocratic families vied with each other to invite Sun Simiao as a guest of honor, and his status can be seen from this.

  Sun Simiao was not a member of the aristocracy and did not hold public office. Yet, whenever people mention him, they always show respect.

  Zheng Shi'an, as the manager of Anyuantang, also showed great respect to Sun Simiao.

  As for Du Ruhui, although his grandfather had served as Minister of Works, to be honest, it couldn't have aroused Zheng Shisan's great attention.

  Zheng Shi'an may not care, but it doesn't mean Zheng Yanqing doesn't care.

  Sun Simiao's great name, he naturally also heard; but Du Ruohui's name, to Zheng Yanqing, is undoubtedly more resounding.

  The house is planned and decided, referring to two famous ministers during the Zhenguan period.

  One was Fang Xuanling, and the other was Du Ruhui. Yan Qing took a deep breath inwardly, seeing Zheng Shisan seemed somewhat slow, he quickly pulled Zheng Shisan's sleeve lightly, then looked at Du Ruhui again, and looked at Zheng Shisan again.

  Zheng Shi'an understood, Zheng Yanqing was reminding him not to be partial.

  He indeed didn't pay much attention to Du Ruhui, but since Sun Er thought he shouldn't be like that, Zheng Shian also couldn't be too excessive.

  After exchanging formalities with Sun Simiao, he bowed his hands to Du Ruhui and said: "Mr. Du, I have long heard of your great name."

  Du Ruhui furrowed his brow slightly and said in a cold voice, "I am just a scholar, still unmarried and without any achievements or fame. How would Zheng's steward have heard of my name?"

  It was clear that Du Ruhui also sensed Zheng Shisan's disdain earlier and felt slightly dissatisfied in his heart.

  Compared to the future Du Ruhui who was good at plotting and decisive, the current Du Ruhui was still young and vigorous, with no sign of his later cunning and decisiveness. Zheng Shi'an's face changed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed. He had only spoken out of courtesy, and if it weren't for Yan Qing's sake, he might not have bothered to respond to Du Ruhui. Who knew that this Du Ruhui would be so arrogant?

  Zheng Yanqing saw that his grandfather was somewhat embarrassed, and hastily spoke up: "My family's eldest son has mentioned Mr. Du in a letter, saying that the master is fond of reading classics and history, and will certainly have a bright future."

  "Zheng Da Gongzi, you actually know me too?"

  Du Ruhui was taken aback, and the coldness on his face dissipated a lot.

  Although Zheng Renji is not particularly famous, as a member of the Zheng family and the legitimate heir of the An Yuantang Zheng clan, his status is naturally extraordinary. Du Ruhui, although somewhat arrogant, heard that Zheng Renji had praised him and couldn't help but feel a little self-satisfied.

  Zheng Shi'an looked at Zheng Yanqing with a surprised gaze.

  When did the young master ever praise this kid?

  He also didn't dare ask, smiled and nodded, indicating that Zheng Yanqing's words were true.

  Zheng Yanqing said: "Does Mr. Du know Mr. Yan Shigao?"

  "Are you referring to Yan Zhen (Yan Dage)?"

  Yan Rou was Yan Shiguo's courtesy name, four years older than Du Ruhui. Zheng Yance let out a sigh of relief, as long as you know each other, that's fine.

  "Mr. Yan will follow our family's eldest son to Luoyang after the New Year and has mentioned Mr. Du before."

  "He, Mr. Du, has done a lot of research on classics and history, and has his own insights. Therefore, the young master also admired him very much."

  "Oh, did Elder Yan really say that?"

  Du Ruhui's smile grew thicker, "Although Ruhui is slightly familiar with classics and history, if we're talking about the great masters, Zhengshi should be the first to be recommended. Ashamed, Du has been studying hard for ten years but still has no achievements. Studying empty theories, I'm just a useless Confucian scholar, nothing more, nothing more."

  When others show me an inch of respect, I will return a yard of respect.

  Du Ruhui is probably this kind of person.

  Yan Qing said: "Studying classics and history, how can one be called a pedantic scholar? Unaware that by taking people as a mirror, one can understand gains and losses, and by taking history as a mirror, one can know the rise and fall. Mr. Du doesn't need to belittle himself, even if he has no reputation now, in the future he will definitely become a great master."

  By taking others as a mirror, one can understand gains and losses; by taking history as a mirror, one can know rise and fall.

  This was originally said by Tang Taizong Li Shimin, but unexpectedly Yan Qing spoke out first.

  Du Ru Hui's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

  "The little brother said well, learning from history, we can know the rise and fall."

  He raised his head and looked at Zheng Shi'an, "Housekeeper Zheng, may I ask this young brother..."

  "This is my grandson!"

  His tone was full of pride. But in his heart, he felt a little strange, what did Xian Qing say to that sour scholar? However, the words he said earlier were indeed quite profound. Heh heh, after all, he is my grandson Zheng Shi'an!

  Not only did Du Ruhui start to take an interest, but also Zhang Zhongjian and Sun Simiao, and even Zheng Yanqing's gaze was somewhat different.

  A little doll, can actually say such words, not simple, not simple!