Volume 1: Wind and Clouds of Chang'an Chapter 005: An Earnest Plea to Debate Right and Wrong (2)

  The Zhang family's reputation in Chang'an is quite good.

  Zhang Jiuling was not only a famous minister of his generation, but also a master of poetry and literature, with a high reputation among scholars. Although Zhang Jiuying and Zhang Jigao's talents were not as great as Zhang Jiuling's, they were still considered to be refined and cultured members of the literati, with some literary fame. However, due to Zhang Jiuling's bitter lessons, the two men became more introverted in character and learned to be cautious and preserve themselves.

  For example, Zhang Jiugao served as an official under Li Linfu's son Li Xiao, although he was not pleased with the behavior of Li Xiao and his father, he also knew that the Li family tree could not be shaken, so he kept a low profile, spoke little and acted cautiously, and managed to get along peacefully with Li Xiao for two years.

  If at this moment, the Zhang family flattered and begged Li Linfu for help, they would definitely greatly damage their reputation established over the years. However, reputation is just a virtual name, compared to Zhang Huan's life and the future fate of his whole family, it seems like nothing.

  So, after a moment, Zhang Jiuyi's words were tacitly accepted by everyone present.

  Liu sighed softly and stood up with Zhang Ning, bowing to Zhang Jiuyi, saying lightly, "In this critical moment, let Second Uncle take charge!"

  Zhang Jiuyi stood up and dodged Liu's courtesy, sighed and said, "It's good that we three families are united, sharing the same fate and destiny. Now that my elder brother is not here, I will take charge."

  "Elder sister-in-law, Yiru, at present, the only plan for our three families is to hurry up and prepare a heavy gift. I and third brother will go to Li Linfu's mansion to seek help."

  "Third brother, take Zhen and go prepare at once. I will wait with Eldest Sister in the manor... This matter cannot be delayed or slowed."

  Zhang Jiuming waved his hand and said.

  Zhang Jiuling passed away, and as the eldest of the three Zhang brothers, he was no longer able to make decisions at this critical juncture.

  Zhang Jiugao also knew that things were urgent and didn't waste any words, nodding his head before leading Zhang Ning to prepare the gifts for Li Linfu.

  Li Linfu is a man who likes to show off his wealth, and naturally needs a lot of money to maintain his lifestyle. Therefore, he has some greedy desires for material goods. If the Zhang family really sent him a generous gift that meets Li Linfu's expectations, it's possible that Li Linfu might speak up for Zhang Huan.

  As long as Li Linfu showed a slightly more moderate attitude, Ji Wen, the mad dog raised by Li Linfu, would turn around and also affect the emperor's attitude. Zhang Huan and the Zhang family then had a glimmer of hope.

  This is Zhang Jiuyang's mind. He wants to strive for this thread of life.

  Just then, a clear voice came from outside the door: "This must not be!"

  As he spoke, the door of the front hall was pushed open and Zhang Xuan, wearing a cyan silk long shirt with a solemn expression, strode in.

  Zhang Xuan had been eavesdropping outside the door for a long time. When he heard that his family had finally decided to seek help from Li Linfu, no matter how much money it would cost or how humiliating it would be, he was shocked and didn't hesitate any longer, immediately pushing open the door and speaking out to stop them.

  It is now the eleventh year of Tianbao, in the middle of the seventh month of summer. Li Linfu is dying. After Li Linfu's death, Yang Guozhong also did not let go of the Li family and instigated An Lushan to falsely accuse Linfu and the barbarian general Abu of plotting a rebellion. Xuanzong stripped Linfu of his official titles and confiscated his property, exiling his sons and sons-in-law.

  At this time, if the Zhang family relies on Li Linfu, not only will it damage the reputation of the Zhang family, but also fail to save Zhang Huan, and will be implicated by Li Linfu, standing opposite Yang Guozhong who is about to start a rebellion, truly encountering the disaster of overthrowing and exterminating the clan.

  Zhang Huan understood this point in the familiar historical process. If Zhang Huan's being framed and imprisoned was a great disaster for the Zhang family, then choosing to surrender to Li Linfu at this time would only lead to the downfall of the Zhang family.

  A calamity that will not recur for ten thousand kalpas is now before our eyes.

  So he knew that with this identity of a wastrel, his words carried no weight and probably nobody would listen to him, but still he couldn't help but try his best to stop it.

  As expected, as soon as Zhang Xuan appeared, except for Liu's family, the faces of all others turned gloomy.

  Zhang Jiuyin and Zhang Jiu'ao also detested this uneducated nephew, but after all, they were elders and had to consider their status at this time. But Zhang Ning was different.

  He was already in a terrible mood, and the whole family was working together to rescue his brother Zhang Huan from the family crisis. This prodigal son suddenly ran out to make trouble, how could he possibly give Zhang Xun a good face?

  Zhang Ning glared at Zhang Xuan with a scowl, rebuking him, "Third brother, what are you running out for? Something big has happened at home, no time for your nonsense, hurry back!"

  Zhang Xuan didn't care about Zhang Ning's attitude. He gazed deeply at Zhang Jiuling and Zhang Jigao, composed himself, bowed his head and performed a deep bow, "Greetings to Mother, greetings to the two uncles!"

  Although Zhang Jiuyi and others did not like Zhang Xuan, Zhang Xuan paid his respects in person, and as a senior, he had to show some courtesy.

  "Xu'er, get up." Zhang Jiuyi smiled faintly.

  Zhang Jiugao furrowed his brow, waved his hand and squeezed out a "hmm" from his nostrils, then glanced at Zhang Ning before continuing to go out and prepare the gift.

  Zhang Xuan took a step forward, just blocking his way. Zhang Jiugao's eyebrows rose, ready to erupt, but he heard Zhang Xuan say loudly, "Uncle, it is absolutely impermissible to seek help from Li Linfu! Absolutely impermissible!"

  Zhang Jiugao glared at him and rebuked in a low, impatient tone, "Ignorant child, what do you know? Get out of here quickly, don't make trouble in this courtyard!"

  Zhang Ning impatiently stepped forward to grab Zhang Xuan's arm and pulled him aside. Liu's expression changed, just as she was about to say something, Zhang Xuan had already struggled free from Zhang Ning's grasp, turned around and stood there proudly, gazing at Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiu'gao, bowed again and said in a voice that was not loud but exceptionally firm and powerful, "Uncle, please let me finish speaking."

  "One, Li Linfu dominated the imperial court and brought chaos to the world. Although he was powerful and prominent for a time, he would eventually leave behind a stench that would last for ten thousand years. Our Zhang family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, with a reputation for integrity. To associate with such treacherous and petty people would be to tarnish our good name."

  "Moreover, Ji Wen is Li Linfu's lackey. Ji Wen falsely accused and framed his elder brother, eight or nine out of ten times it was done under Li Linfu's instructions... At this time, if we go to Li Linfu for help, isn't that extremely absurd?"

  As soon as Zhang Xuan's words came out, Zhang Jiuyi was stunned for a moment. It wasn't because he agreed or disagreed with Zhang Xuan's words, but because this prodigal son who had always brought shame to the Zhang family with his lack of learning and skills actually had such insight, saying a few sentences of "proper" words that left him somewhat surprised.

  Zhang Jiuyi was also surprised to glance at Zhang Xuan, feeling that today's Zhang Xuan was a bit different from usual. But this thought only flashed by and he didn't take Zhang Xuan's words to heart.

  What Zhang Huan said was not out of ignorance, but out of desperation. Even if Ji Wen's accusation against Zhang Huan was made under Li Linfu's instruction, at this moment, the Zhang family had no other choice but to bow their heads and apologize to Li Linfu.

  Zhang Jiuyin let out a sigh, his voice softened slightly, "Xu'er, you're still young, family matters will be handled by me, your third uncle and mother, you can withdraw now."

  Zhang Xuan looked at Zhang Jiuyi with a complex expression, then turned her head to look at Zhang Jiu'gao, and secretly became anxious in her heart.

  Although he had conclusive evidence in his heart, he couldn't say it out loud. Looking at the current situation, with his usual reckless behavior, even if he spoke eloquently, no one would listen to him.

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