Chapter 4: Eloquence and Argumentation (1)

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  They arrived at the gate of Xu's mansion. Zhang Li stopped the horse-drawn carriage on one side of the road, got off and lifted the curtain, composed himself and said respectfully, "Third Master, we have arrived at Xu Ye's residence."

  Zhang Xuan's relationship with Xu Wenbin, the young master of the Xu family, was no secret, and Zhang Li naturally knew about it.

  At this moment, the third young master of his own family also forgot to come over and hang out with Xu Wenbin. Zhang Li's heart was not angry or disappointed, that would be a lie. As a servant, Zhang Xuan could only grumble in his heart, he didn't dare to speak out loud.

  Zhang Xuan calmed down and moved her limbs a bit before jumping off the carriage.

  He gazed at the majestic and solemn Xu Mansion not far away, hesitated for a long time before nodding to Zhang Li and saying, "Zhang Li, go and inform them that I wish to see Young Master Xu."

  "Yes." Zhang Li replied, walking over to the two gatekeepers of the Xu manor and smiling at them, "Two brothers, my third young master is seeking an audience with the second young master of the Xu manor, please inform him for us."

  One of the servants glanced at Zhang Li and Zhang Xuan, who was standing on one side, and saw that Zhang Xuan was wearing a brocade robe with an extraordinary air, while Zhang Li was also dressed as a high-ranking servant. He didn't dare to be slow, so he smiled and said, "I don't know which family's young master you are, we should go in and report."

  "The third son of the Zhang family in the south city, Zhang Xuan." Zhang Li replied.

  That family's Ding nodded and turned around to go in and report.

  Before long, he hastily left the mansion gate, his face turning proud and cold.

  He coldly waved his hand and said, "Sorry, my second master said that he doesn't know any third master of the Zhang family in Chengnan... Today, my master is not feeling well and won't see any external guests. Please leave, both of you."

  Zhang Li's face changed color.

  Zhang Xuan stood there and had already heard the reply from the Xu family's servant, but her face didn't show any anger, only some complexity and disappointment.

  When the wall falls, everyone pushes it. Zhang Huan offended the emperor and committed a serious crime. The decline of the Zhang family is imminent. Xu Wenbin turned against him, which was also within Zhang Xun's expectations.

  This kind of unreliable friendship is normal when disaster strikes and everyone scatters - this time, I just came with a lucky psychology to try my luck.

  The world's feelings are indeed not divided by time. Zhang Xuan's mouth corners floated up with a wry smile, and after a moment, he abruptly waved his hand and said in a low voice, "Zhang Li, let's go, we're going back to the manor!"

  ……

  ……

  Zhang Mansion.

  The attendants and followers of Zhang Fu's mansion had solemn expressions, hurrying back and forth.

  The Zhang family suddenly encountered a great disaster, which was not a good thing for these servants either. Two horse-drawn carriages arrived one after another, and Zhang Jiuling's two younger brothers, Zhang Jiuming and Zhang Jiaogao, jumped down from the carriage as soon as it stopped, striding quickly towards the gate of the mansion.

  Liu and Zhang Ning personally welcomed them inside the mansion gate. The nearly fifty-year-old Zhang Jiuyin and Zhang Jiumu composed themselves, stopped in their tracks, and paid respects to Liu, "Elder sister! Thank you for receiving us."

  Zhang Ning hastily made a big bow and said, "I've seen both uncles!"

  The Liu family also came from an official family, and was the widow of Zhang Jiuling's eldest brother, with imperial edicts still on her body, so Zhang Jiuyin and Zhang Jiugao did not dare to neglect her.

  Liu's family also returned with a humble tone, "Trouble both uncles for the long journey, please come in and talk."

  A few people quietly walked into the front hall of Zhang's mansion and sat down. Zhang Ning called for a few servants to serve tea to Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiu'ao, then ordered the maid to withdraw and close the door tightly. Then she came back and sat at the lower seat.

  Zhang Jiuyin and Zhang Jiu'ao were both officials in the capital, but they were all some scattered officials without substantial power. Zhang Jiuyin was a court counselor, while Zhang Jiu'ao was a deputy supervisor of the Directorate for Imperial Manufactories, both being fourth-rank officials.

  The two residences were not far from here, although the three families lived separately, but they were one family. Zhang Huan was arrested and imprisoned, and the two uncles learned of the news, even if Zhang Ning didn't go to invite them, the two would still come to discuss countermeasures with Liu Shi and Zhang Ning together.

  Heaven's will is unpredictable, and Zhang Huan was again framed for the crime of treason. Even if he wasn't killed, he would be stripped of his skin, and if things went wrong, the entire Zhang family would be implicated. Therefore, Zhang Jiuyin and Zhang Jiu'ao both had gloomy faces, and the atmosphere in the hall was extremely heavy and oppressive.

  After a long silence, Zhang Jiuyi sighed and said, "Elder sister, Yihé, it is absolutely impossible for Licheng to have a calm and steady mind and plot rebellion. He must have been framed by petty people. A few days ago, I heard that Licheng had offended the Censor-in-Chief, Ji Wen. At the time, I felt that something was not right... Indeed, within just a few short days, disaster has befallen us."

  "This Ji Wen is cunning and treacherous, he will definitely get his retribution, but unexpectedly he has gained the trust of Prime Minister Li and His Majesty. I don't know how many people have suffered at his hands in these few years... Ah, Zhang Cheng is still too young and impulsive. Zhang Jiugao also sighed and turned to look at Zhang Ning, "Yihe, go to Chancellor Chen's residence, what did he say?"

  Zhang Ning's face turned slightly pale, and he stood up respectfully, saying, "In response to Uncle's words, I haven't seen Chancellor Chen, Chancellor Chen has closed the door and refuses to see me..."

  "It's indeed the case. Back then, my elder brother in Japan had shown great care for Chen Xili. But this old scoundrel doesn't recall past favors at all! The world is so heartless and people's feelings are so cold; it's to the point where one can't say anything!" Zhang Jiugao slammed his hand on the table in indignation.

  Zhang Jiuyin furrowed his brow and said in a low voice to Zhang Jiu'ao, "Third brother, be careful what you say!"

  Zhang Jiugao's lips trembled slightly, and he swallowed the words of resentment that followed, falling silent with his head bowed and saying nothing more.

  "It's really a calamity from the sky. The current emperor attaches great importance and sensitivity to treason, and will not let go of any clues - so-called rather kill by mistake than let it go..."

  Don't mention Li Chengxian, the Grand Master Wang Kuo was also once favored by the emperor and had great power and prestige, but because he was implicated in a case of treason, he was also executed a few days ago, and the entire Wang family was exiled...

  Zhang Jiugao also nodded solemnly, "That's right. Other charges may have room for mitigation, but this charge... whether true or false, the Emperor attaches great importance to it..."

  "Moreover, Li Cheng is a person by the Crown Prince's side... This would even more easily give rise to the Emperor's suspicion and distrust..."

  The Liu family was, after all, a non-political household, and Zhang Ning was still young, not as insightful as Zhang Jiurong and Zhang Jigao, two "old cadres" in the court. Although disaster had struck, they were far from realizing the severity of the problem. At this moment, upon hearing what the two men said, their hearts were shaken, their faces turned pale, and they were somewhat flustered and at a loss for what to do.

  "Two uncles, what's going on?" Mrs. Liu said anxiously, her voice trembling with fear.

  Zhang Jiuyi remained silent for a long time before saying softly, "The only plan we have now is to use an unworkable method."

  Ji Wen is Li Xiang's running dog, prepare a thick gift to ask Li Xiang for leniency, maybe there will be a glimmer of hope.

  Zhang Jiuyi's words had barely left his mouth when Liu and Zhang Ning hadn't said anything, but Zhang Jiao's face turned red as he retorted, "Can we forget the grudge of our elder brother being framed by Li Linfu and removed from office? Moreover, although our Zhang family has no power or influence, we are a renowned scholarly family, how can we go to seek out someone like Li Linfu who is treacherous and petty?"

  Zhang Jiuyin turned his head to look at Zhang Jiugao, and said in a low voice, "In your opinion, what should we do? At this moment, Li Linfu is dominating the court, and Ji Wen is relying on Li Linfu's power to act recklessly. Only Li Linfu can suppress Ji Wen, and only then can our nephew Zhang Chengxian have a chance to survive... You tell me, if we don't go to ask for Li Linfu's help, who else should we turn to?"

  "I think Li Linfu, a real small man, is much better than Chen Xiliang, a fake gentleman!" Zhang Jiuyi sneered with a smile. "Third brother is the deputy director of the Ministry of Works, and Li Linfu's son Li Xiao is your direct superior. We can consider going through Li Xiao's channel."

  Zhang Jiugao was momentarily speechless, and could only let out a long sigh, his expression changing as he tightly grasped the armrests of his seat.