Chapter Sixteen: Old Master Yang

  The family chatted for a while before dinner, Xu Sheng had a large capacity for wine and was quite witty in his speech. He told Zhang Jiamu some behind-the-scenes stories about Jin Yi Wei, which broadened Zhang's horizons.

  Later, Zhang Jiamu suddenly remembered something and raised his wine cup to his eyebrows, toasted his uncle with a bowl, then smiled: "Uncle, how was my father in Wei?"

  "Your father..." Xu Sheng also finished his drink in one gulp, as if he couldn't help but sigh: "Shang Rong's martial arts skills are high, and he's a good person. He only takes his salary, not a single cent of money that doesn't belong to him. Otherwise, you and your mother wouldn't have ended up like this."

  Xu's sister, who was sitting on one side, listened with great displeasure: "Younger brother, you've had too much to drink!"

  "Is that true?" Xu Sheng was indeed a bit drunk, he shook his head and said: "Shang Rong's brother is just too honest, otherwise, with his background..."

  "What a background he has!" Madam Xue was furious, got up and took away Xu Sheng's wine cup, sternly shouted: "Not allowed to drink anymore, not allowed to speak again, eat your meal, shut your mouth."

  Poor Xu Sheng is already old, his son is almost old enough to get married, but he was scolded by his sister like this and had no way out, so he could only blink and swallow his words.

  Zhang Jiamu was really curious...

  But to ask again at this moment is obviously a very unwise thing, so I had to remain silent. After a while, Mrs. Jin brought up the wonton soup, everyone drank the soup, and Xu Sheng took his family to bid farewell. As he was leaving, he said to Zhang Jiamu: "At Director Zhu's place, I will help you say a few words. Although my uncle is only a school lieutenant, people still listen to what he says."

  Although Zhang Jiamu knew he was bragging, she didn't expose him and just smiled, saying: "It's too much for Uncle to take the trouble, how can I dare to be?"

  "It's okay, it's okay, I've got everything under control." Xu Sheng stumbled away, drunk.

  Xu Sheng left, and Zhang Jia Mu just wanted to go back to his room, but was dragged up to the upper house by his furious mother.

  "Son, you have also been appointed as a school officer," said Xu Shi, sitting upright in her chair with a stern face: "You must make up your mind. Our Zhang family has always been loyal and honest, and we cannot do anything that goes against heaven and reason in the Imperial Guard, understand?"

  Luring and bullying the common people, is it not a violation of heaven and reason?... Zhang Jiamu stood with his hands hanging down: "Don't worry, I will never do those things that bully men and cheat women."

  "Uh-huh," Mrs. Xu nodded slightly, her anger easing a bit from her face. She thought for another half day before continuing: "A big family doesn't listen to the mother, and I don't know what's really going on in your heart. But let me tell you first, a big family has big affairs, and the children are also bold, but so are the troubles! Although we're struggling now, being safe and sound is already a blessing!"

  Although these words make some sense, Zhang Jiamu found them unbearable to listen to.

  This lecture was quite long and lasted for nearly half an hour before it finally came to an end.

  It's not easy to let him out, but Zhang Jiamu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

  If it were the old him, he might have been persuaded. Peace is a blessing, and that's not a bad thing to say. But with the current him, facing this dilapidated small courtyard, barely making ends meet, and a dull future, can he really calm down and be at peace?

  It's really hard to achieve...

  But what kind of path should he take, and how will his future be? He's afraid that if he's not careful, in this chaotic city with various factions vying for power, a small fry like him would be swallowed up at any moment...

  So he spent two dull days at home, a holiday given by Mendate as a reward for his meritorious service.

  Two days later, bidding farewell to his mother and family members, as he walked out the door with his head held high, Zhang Jiamu looked back at his own small courtyard and finally understood: He would probably have to bear the weight of his family's entrustment and concerns!

  His regular job had already moved to the other side of Mendana, so he was still in Zhengnanfang.

  Hurrying all the way, I arrived near the entrance of the town. Although it had been several days, the scene on the street was still the same, without any change at all.

  There was only a group of idle rascals, who saw him coming from afar and looked at him with their heads stretched out for a while before several people rushed over with joy, led by Li Xiangzi and Xue Pangzi, who were very useful to Zhang Jiamu.

  "Good, my lord, you've finally returned."

  "Yes, we've been waiting for several days!"

  "It's a great blessing for you to have both adults and children serving you in your old age."

  A group of rascals chattered incessantly, flattering and trying to please in every way. Before they had spoken a few words, someone suggested going to the wine house in the lane to entertain Young Master Zhang.

  "Alright," Zhang Jiamu said with a calm face, "this time, we don't need many people. You all wait in the alley, if I need you, I'll find you!" After saying that, he glanced around with his head tilted and chose Li Xiangzi and Xue Pangzi, then waved his hand to shoo away the others like flies.

  Looking at the two rascals left behind, Zhang Jiamu frowned and said: "Change into some decent clothes and come to Lord Meng's mansion to find me."

  "It's him!"

  The two men went away happily, and Zhang Jiamu slowly walked alone towards the entrance of Jin Yu Hutong's mansion.

  While walking, his mind was still thinking rapidly.

  Yang Huan didn't know that the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty had already formed a clique. He was well aware that the Supervising Censors and the Censors in the Office of Scrutiny were not ordinary people, they were officials that ordinary people dared not to provoke!

  Even within the civil official system, the censor was also mighty and powerful, killing in all directions.

  He didn't have any intention of offending the literary officials, a small county lieutenant, and even if a big shot came out, he would be killed. Besides, what he sought was wealth and power, a great man cannot go one day without money, nor can he go one day without power, to succeed, you need connections. Otherwise, in the end, there will be no connections, not to mention offending a lot of people.

  When the time comes, it will be a real nuisance with bees swarming around!

  Arrived at the gate of Mendafu's residence, please see, the doorman reported and went in, and a message came out from inside, asking to see immediately.

  Zhang Jiamu pushed his way in, and the people waiting at the Baihu Fu included the chief flag bearer, small flag bearers, and dozens of cavalrymen wearing bright uniforms, all guarding the outer courtyard. As soon as Zhang Jiamu arrived, he was summoned inside, a testament to the extraordinary trust placed in him.

  The more so, the importance of the new errand weighed heavily on Zhang Jiamu's mind, and Mendac was not a kind-hearted person!

  Upon entering the living room, Mend found himself sitting across from a guest sipping tea. Seeing him arrive, Mend's eyes lit up and he looked relieved, saying "Alright, he's here."

  "Is it him?"

  Sitting opposite to Meng Da was Yang Huan, who had been struck by lightning at home. He was in his forties, with a ruddy complexion and a calm demeanor, but there was a hint of worry between his eyebrows.

  Yang Huan never thought that his family would suffer a disaster. If it was because of the memorial being criticized, it wouldn't be a big deal, but if it was because of the lightning strike, it would greatly damage his reputation. Once he lost his official position, it would be difficult for him to regain it in the future.

  He looked at Zhang Jiamu, his face slightly angry, and said: "The school lieutenant that Master Men spoke of is this person before us?"

  He was so rude, but Zhang Jiamu didn't mind, and smiled slightly as he stepped forward: "I've seen Mr. Yang!"

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