Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 9 Mutation
By the time Zhang Fu hurried back to Zhang's house, it was already the hour of Xu.

Zhang Yunxiu was getting sleepy. Just as he was about to move his stool back to his room to rest, he saw Zhang Fu walking in a hurry and asked hurriedly, "Is everything done?"

"Something happened!" Zhang Fu took two deep breaths and said anxiously, "Zheng Guotai, the man you asked me to find, offended someone from the East Factory and was captured!"

"Ah?!" Zhang Yunxiu was startled, picked up his robe and ran out.

Zhang Fu, who was behind him, started to chase him, shouting, "Fifth Young Master, Fifth Young Master, slow down, slow down. Even if you run to the East Factory, they may not let you go."

Zhang Yunxiu stopped and Zhang Fu stumbled, almost bumping into Zhang Yunxiu.

"So who should we look for?"

"Find You Qi. He and Eunuch Feng's steward Xu Jue are good brothers. As for the East Factory's affairs, as long as Eunuch Feng speaks up, nothing will be a problem." Zhang Fu said seriously.

"Yes, yes, yes, find You Qi." Zhang Yunxiu suddenly realized.

After the two of them finished talking, they ran towards You Qi's courtyard together.

You Qi was originally spending time with his newly married wife, Mrs. Ru, and was suddenly interrupted. He was naturally unhappy, but when he heard that it was Zhang Yunxiu, his expression changed immediately.

"Please wait in the living room, Mr. Fifth. We will go right away."

A quarter of an hour later.

You Qi put on his clothes and walked from the bedroom to the living room.

He was about 45 or 46 years old, of medium build, with a fair complexion, thin features, and a few wisps of beard. He looked like a scholar.

If we talk about their relationship, this man is a cousin of Zhang Juzheng, so Zhang Yunxiu has to call him uncle.

Seeing You Qi coming out, Zhang Yunxiu hurried forward and said, "Uncle, my nephew has something important to ask for your help."

"Sir, you are too kind to me." You Qi was humble when he heard the word "cousin", but he was very pleased in his heart. He looked at Zhang Yunxiu and asked directly, "Sir, if you have anything to say, just tell me."

As Zhang Juzheng's steward, You Qi was a powerful figure in the entire officialdom of the capital.

Not to mention the fourth-rank officials, even the assistant ministers had to be polite and call him "Butler You" when they saw him.

"I have a friend named Zheng Guotai, who was captured by the people from the East Factory."

"Oh, what happened?" You Qi asked with a frown.

Zhang Fu at the side interjected, "He was just a bad-mouthed person. I don't know what got him crazy, but he offended a casino owner. There was someone behind the casino owner's chair, so he was put in jail."

"Hey, I thought it was something serious." You Qi grinned and said, "It's just a small matter, why do you need to worry about it? As long as we tell our family's name, will the East Factory dare not release us?"

"Go and have a rest, young master. Someone will be sent out to you tomorrow morning at the latest."

Hearing You Qi say this, Zhang Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief, then said a few nice words and turned away.

After walking a few steps, he turned around and reminded: "This man is not ordinary, don't let those guys from the East Factory cause any trouble."

You Qi nodded in agreement, feeling disdainful in his heart: No matter how big it is, can it be bigger than your father?

After seeing Zhang Yunxiu off, You Qi did not go back to renew their relationship, but instead rushed to Zhang Juzheng's residence.

The two men stood in position with the etiquette of master and servant. You Qi stood with his hands down and said respectfully, "Master, the Fifth Young Master just came to see me and said he wanted to go to the East Factory to rescue a friend named Zheng Guotai."

"What do you do?" Zhang Juzheng asked with a frown.

"I don't know. Anyway, I have never heard of this name. He should not be a big shot." You Qi replied quickly.

You Qi knew all the important people in the capital, but he had never heard of a nobleman named Zheng Guotai, and yet the Fifth Master attached great importance to him.

After hearing this, Zhang Juzheng waved his hands and said, "Don't bother with that brat. Oh, and let Xu Jue know. If that brat comes to you asking for help, don't bother with him."

"what?!"

"What?" Zhang Juzheng stood up, staring at You Qi with eyes wide open, and said, "This rebellious son just came to the capital and has made such shady friends. If we don't punish him, what will happen?"

"What do you think of the young master?"

"Whatever you say, if you have any questions, just ask him to come to me in person."

You Qi understood now that the master wanted to dampen the arrogance of his youngest son, so that he would not become arrogant.

It's a good thing, but as a housekeeper, he is stuck between the two of them and has to bear the brunt of the pressure from both sides.

"Yes." You Qi agreed, but his feet did not move. "Go ahead, why are you still standing there?" Zhang Juzheng urged.

"Master, something has happened at home, and I may need to leave the capital for a while." You Qi smiled awkwardly and bowed, "I hope the master will allow me to go back and take care of the family affairs."

How could Zhang Juzheng not know what You Qi was thinking? He frowned, glared at You Qi, waved his hand and said, "Go, go, take care of your family affairs, and come back later."

"Thank you, sir." You Qi clasped his fists and thanked him, then walked out, not forgetting to close the door for Zhang Juzheng.

There was a "click" sound, and Zhang Juzheng sat back in his original position again, frowning and concentrating with a gloomy look, and it was unknown what he was thinking about.

As the morning light began to rise, Zhang Yunxiu, who had not slept all night, dragged his tired body out of bed. He looked outside and saw that the sun was particularly bright and the wind was gentle.

He suddenly felt in a good mood. After tidying up his clothes, he walked out of the room.

According to the usual practice, Zhang Yunxiu should have breakfast first, and then start to review his books and practice calligraphy in the morning. But today he really didn't feel like eating, and rushed to You Qi's residence.

As soon as he arrived, a beautiful young woman came forward and bowed, saying sweetly: "Something happened at our master's home, and he has to go back to Jiangling. I'm afraid that what the young master asked him to do cannot be done."

Ah this!

Zhang Yunxiu’s entire body almost broke apart.

He quickly calmed down and thought to himself: How could it be such a coincidence that he was fine last night, but today he told me that something happened at home?

Indeed, as You Qi said, isn't this just a piece of cake? Is it worth it for him to offend himself because of this?
After some consideration, Zhang Yunxiu understood it instantly.

Old Zhang!

It must be Lao Zhang who is behind this.

Apart from him, there is no one else who can make You Qi so obedient.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yunxiu felt a sense of frustration.

He had no power or influence and relied entirely on Zhang Juzheng's influence. As long as he was unwilling to lend his influence to him, he would be nothing but a waste.

After keeping his head down in silence for a few seconds, Zhang Yunxiu raised his head, bowed to the beautiful young woman, and walked out of the courtyard.

Turning to the dining room, Zhang Juzheng was sitting leaning against a young woman.

The woman was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a pair of triangular eyes, two curved eyebrows, red lips, white teeth, and fair skin, and was very charming.

It was Zhang Juzheng's fifth concubine, Yuqin.

Zhang Yunxiu's biological mother, Wang, Zhang Juzheng's wife, died in the seventh year of Wanli. Zhang Juzheng never remarried, but he had many concubines.

"Father." Zhang Yunxiu stepped in and bowed to each of them, "Aunt."

The woman stood up to return the greeting, but Zhang Juzheng remained seated and pointed to the seat next to him.

Zhang Yunxiu sat down naturally. A maid brought the bowl and chopsticks. Zhang Yunxiu took them and started eating.

During the meal, Zhang Yunxiu looked up and glanced at his father out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing that his face was slightly rosy, she felt relieved, but when she saw this beautiful concubine, her heart sank again.

The doctor has told you to abstain from sexual intercourse. It’s only been ten days, can’t you hold it in anymore?

The same goes for Old Qi, who often gives his father gifts like "Qian Jin Ji" and "Sea Dog Pills". Who can stand this?

"Father, you look much better." Zhang Yunxiu looked at the two of them, feeling more and more uncomfortable, and couldn't help but speak.

"Yes, sir, your complexion is indeed much better." Yuqin blinked her almond-shaped eyes and echoed.

Zhang Juzheng did not answer, but looked straight at his son and snorted, "You are surrounded by bad friends, rogues, and street people.

Starting tomorrow, you must study hard. If you fail the autumn exam, I will show you how I will deal with you!"

Zhang Yunxiu said "Oh" and agreed helplessly.

After breakfast, Zhang Yunxiu went to the study to review his lessons.

After watching for half an hour, he saw Zhang Juzheng go out, so he immediately called Zhang Fu and went straight to the residence of his fourth brother Zhang Jianxiu.

(End of this chapter)