Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 47: Fishing for Cockroach

After leaving the Forbidden City, Zhang Yunxiu locked himself in the room, wondering where he could get so many goods.

First, it’s a question of money; second, it’s a question of supply and time.

For three days in a row, he was so worried that he pulled his hair.

Early in the morning, Zhang Yunxiu finished his breakfast and sat down in the small hall with Zhang Fu.

Zhang Fu also knew Zhang Yunxiu's predicament and racked his brains. Suddenly, he clapped his hands and shouted, "Sir, we can not pay for the goods yet, and pay them back slowly after they are sold."

"Will this work?" Zhang Yunxiu hesitated, and then said, "And the emperor means that this time, he doesn't want to pay a penny of the capital. After the goods are sold, the emperor must take the lion's share."

"No, no, no, sir, are you confused?" Zhang Fu's face was full of excitement. Suddenly he realized that he had said something wrong, so he changed his words and said, "Sir, think about it, this is selling things to the emperor. As long as they enter the palace, the value of their things will definitely increase dramatically."

"That's right." Zhang Yunxiu slapped the table, stood up suddenly, and murmured, "Let alone slowly settle the payment, even if they lose money, I think there will be people willing to do it."

"That's the reason."

Zhang Fu echoed this, and Zhang Yunxiu thought of a way to break the impasse. He felt relieved and ordered, "Well, go tell You Qi and Xu Jue now, and ask them to help us gather all the prominent merchants in the capital."

"Yes, sir." Zhang Fu agreed and left.

On the other hand, Feng Bao had also learned that the emperor was going to open a street market in the inner palace.

As a money-grubber, he would not let go of such a lucrative monopoly business easily.

That evening, he returned home from his shift and after dinner, he sat in the hall as usual and listened to the singing girl for a while.

After just one song, Xu Jue seized the opportunity and walked up.

"Master, this afternoon, Mr. Zhang's steward Zhang Fu asked us to help him find merchants in the capital."

Feng Bao was not in a hurry. He took a sip of tea and then smiled in a shrill voice, "This is for the emperor. The emperor is not satisfied with Zhang Gelao's reduction of his inner treasury expenses, so he ordered Zhang Yunxiu to increase the income in the palace."

Because the emperor was dissatisfied with his father's reduction in spending, Zhang Yunxiu had to raise the money himself.

"Then sir, should we help or not?" Xu Jue asked carefully.

"Help, why not?" Feng Bao stood up, patted Xu Jue on the shoulder and said, "If Zhang Ge Lao falls in the future, our future wealth and honor will have to rely on this brat."

"what?!"

Xu Jue was startled, but Feng Bao raised his eyebrows and said with triangular eyes: "What? Didn't you see that the emperor was fooled by this brat?

This kid is so frivolous, he has no manners like a scholar, but he just suits the emperor's taste."

The emperor lives deep in the palace. Wouldn't everyone around him be trembling with fear when they see him?

This kid took the emperor out of the palace several times, and each time he felt that he did a perfect job. He really thinks he is blind, doesn't he?

Feng Bao was angry that this kid had deceived the emperor and treated him like a deaf ear - a decoration.

But the emperor liked this kind of thing, so Feng Bao turned a blind eye to it in order to consolidate his position.

While Feng Bao was thinking about this, Xu Jue suddenly spoke up again, "Master, since Zhang Yunxiu is so favored, why don't we just help him to the end and give him the money."

"No need." Feng Bao waved his hand and smiled dryly, "You can't use brute force when fishing. We just want him to know how powerful we are. We will catch him on our hook by pulling and releasing."

"Master's move is in line with Sun Tzu's Art of War." Two beams of light flashed in Xu Jue's eyes.

Feng Bao did not comment, and continued, "We can help, but don't let this kid have it too easy. Firstly, if a young person has it too easy, he will easily fall into trouble in the future. Secondly, if it's too easy, how can this kid remember our kindness?" "Then I'll stay for a few days and endure this kid's temper?" Xu Jue licked his lips and asked tentatively.

"Okay." Feng Bao nodded slightly, staring into Xu Jue's eyes, and instructed, "Don't let him think that we are alienating him, and don't let him think that we have to rely on him for help. You have to grasp this balance, understand?"

"I understand." Xu Jue smiled and was about to leave, but suddenly he thought of something and stood there in a daze.

"Do you have anything else to say?" Feng Bao asked.

Xu Jue nodded and hesitantly said, "After being demoted to a commoner, the young master has become more active and is clamoring to find a proper job."

"What a bastard!" Feng Bao was so angry that his face turned black. He stamped his feet and cursed, "This beast has committed a heinous crime. How much trouble has he caused for the Prime Minister and for us? If we hadn't begged him, would he still be alive?"

"Beating up court officials and resisting court tax laws is so impressive. Think about how I have been in the palace for decades. I have always been slow to speak, cautious, and smiling to everyone I meet. Even when I walk, I hold my pants tightly together, for fear that a fart will cause rice to fly out."

"He is so good, causing trouble for us everywhere."

By the end of his speech, Feng Bao's neck had turned red with anger.

"After all, he wasn't the one who beat the man to death, and you only have so little incense." Xu Jue knew his master's temper and advised in a low voice.

Although Feng Bao was cursing, his mood suddenly became heavy after hearing what Xu Jue said.

He only has this one nephew, and he's counting on him to carry on the family line, even though this kid is a scoundrel.

He couldn't just ignore the beast.

After keeping silent for a long time, Feng Bao raised his head and said, "Well, let the beast wait a little longer. When the storm has passed, send the beast to Nanjing to be a minor official in the spring of next year."

Xu Jue nodded in agreement and walked out of the door.

Feng Bao lost all interest in listening to the music after being disturbed by Feng Bangning. He waved his hand and asked the others to leave.

He sat alone in a yellow pear wood chair in the hall, his eyes slightly closed, and most of his life emerged in his mind.

He entered the palace at the age of 12, became a eunuch in his forties, and spent fifty years in this bloodless palace. He was tired, really tired, especially watching the emperor grow up.

As he grew older, there came a moment when he really considered retiring from the world.

But it was only for a moment.

Once you start living that kind of life and death, where you have a carriage when you go out and beautiful servants when you come home, you will find it impossible to give it up.

He was used to the flattery of people around him and was used to being praised by others.

The emperor was used to calling him "Daban".

He accompanied the emperor for more than ten years and watched him grow from a little boy to a great ruler.

At first, the emperor followed his instructions in everything and consulted him on all matters, big or small.

What a beautiful scenery it is!
As he thought about it, a smile flashed across Feng Bao's old face.

At this moment, a slightly chilly breeze blew in, he shivered, and woke up from his memories.

"It's getting colder and colder."

He stood up, tightened his mink cloak, and walked towards the bedroom.

(End of this chapter)