Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 15: Daughter Feeds the Wolf

In the city, at the Zhang family mansion.

Zhang Yin was meeting a visitor from the capital, who was Chen Lin, the younger brother of the Zhang family's political ally, the late former Minister of War Chen Yue.

"...I have requested to see Eunuch Liang, the Imperial Horse Supervisor, many times but have not been able to do so. However, I have met Xu Chenshi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Xu Chenshi is Eunuch Liang's adopted son, and this time, Xu Chenshi is taking a concubine...I wonder if you have settled the marriage? Bring her with you when you go back, so that we can be considered friends with Eunuch Liang."

Chen Lin's trip to the capital this time, in addition to meeting his brother's former colleagues, was also to run errands at the Ministry of Personnel for Chen Lin's younger brother Chen Li to pass the imperial examination and be appointed to an official position.

The key was to use Chen Yue's previous good relationship with the eunuch Liang Fang of the Imperial Stables to lobby so that the local bureaucratic forces in Hejian Prefecture could continue to have a certain say in the court.

After hearing this, Zhang Yin angrily slapped the armrest of the chair:
"Laizhan was blinded by his greed. When I told him about the marriage, he clearly nodded in agreement. But for some reason, he suddenly went to treat smallpox for a patient and has not left the patient's home until now. When I went to his house, his wife denied the affair and even kicked me out. I can only wait until he comes back to discuss it."

Chen Lin said, "We have to hurry up... The selection process of the Ministry of Personnel will be completed at the beginning of the year, and all the people who have contact with us are waiting for the Ministry of Personnel to make concessions. If Eunuch Liang can help to say a word, the matter will be settled. But if there is no connection at all, with the moral character of those pedantic and mediocre officials in the Ministry of Personnel, I am afraid no one will stand on our side."

Zhang Yin's face was full of sternness: "Since Mr. Chen retired, the officials in the court have been prejudiced against our Hejian officials."

"Yes."

Chen Lin said regretfully, "Ma Futu in the court replaced all the people we stationed in Liaodong one by one soon after he succeeded as the governor of Liaodong. Now he is also the governor of the grain transport and other matters, and even the grain route is under his management. This man claims to be a clean official, but he never takes us seriously. He is really hateful!"

At the end of the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, a large number of so-called "loyal" people who went down in history emerged in the court, represented by Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng and Liu Daxia.

Both Zhang Qi and Chen Yue were dismissed from their posts due to crimes, and were despised by the upright people.

"Fortunately, Eunuch Liang has extensive connections in the court, and Lords Wan and Liu both uphold justice. As long as this matter can be accomplished, Assistant Secretary Xu will be able to establish connections, and no matter what we do in the future, we will have a strong arm to help." Chen Lin planned a bright future for Zhang Yin.

Here we have to mention the only two remaining cabinet ministers in the Ming Dynasty, Wan'an and Liu Ji, who are first-rate old foxes.

In the eyes of the upright Confucian officials, the darkness of the court was caused by these two people. Ever since Liu Wei, one of the "Three Paper Elders", retired, Wan'an and Liu Ji have played the role of invisible people. In the eyes of the civil officials who claim to be loyal and upright, they do everything except good things.

"My brother from the same clan, ah..."

Zhang Yin's face was full of helplessness. He almost wanted to show his patriarchal spirit and rush into the Wang family courtyard that was sealed off by the government to call Zhang Luan out and give him a good lesson.

As he was talking, a servant came in hurriedly: "Master, something has happened. Our...the master outside the city has come out of the Wang family. I heard that he successfully controlled the epidemic in the Wang family. No one in the Wang family died. Xingji was shocked...The government is sending someone to commend him."

"Is there such a thing?"

Zhang Yin stood up suddenly.

Chen Lin asked, "I heard that he treated smallpox? Did he really cure it?"

The servant replied, "That's what people say outside, but it's still unclear what's going on... How about you go and see for yourself, Master?"

"Isn't this nonsense?"

Zhang Yin was a little confused, pacing back and forth, "When has anyone in my Zhang family ever been a doctor? Lai Zhan is simply reckless! The good reputation of my Zhang family for generations has been ruined by him."

Chen Lin was very calm as a bystander. He reminded, "Didn't he come out safely? Go and ask what's going on first... If he can really cure the pox, maybe he'll have a chance to work in the Imperial Hospital in the future... Haha..."

It sounds like a nice thing to say, but it's more of a sarcasm.

How could an official look down upon a doctor?
In particular, both families had produced provincial governors who were prominent at the time, and their social status could not be compared with that of a doctor who was only in the "middle nine classes".

Zhang Yin said, "You go back first. I will go find Lai Zhan and ask him what he wants to do! Don't worry about the marriage. We must make it happen no matter what. The important matter of our local officials and gentry must not be delayed because of him alone."

……

……

Inside Zhang's house.

The Zhang family, young and old, sent the guests away one by one. The villagers clamored for a celebratory banquet. Zhang Luan had been in the limelight this time, and he should benefit the villagers. So Zhang Luan waved his hand and took out two taels of silver from the fifty taels of silver reward given by the Wang family, and asked people to prepare a buffet, and have the banquet at the doorstep.

Zhang Luan returned to the main hall with his hands behind his back, looking very proud. He saw Zhang Heling rummaging through the two boxes sent by Manager Qin, and immediately shouted, "You stinky boy, keep your dirty hands away from those good things... They are worthless after you touch them."

Jin came out of the kitchen wearing an apron. In order to save money for the buffet that was being prepared outside the door, she wanted to cook for herself. When she heard Zhang Luan's words, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Master, are you going to sell all these?"

"We'll sell as many as we can." Zhang Luan was beaming with joy. "I'll show the people in the Sun Mansion later whether the gifts they gave me are more generous than those they gave him! Who dares to say that I, Zhang, am just an idler? If it weren't for a prince or a nobleman coming to marry into our family, I wouldn't acknowledge him!"

Zhang Yanling came running over and asked with a smile, "Dad, are you going to the city to treat people tomorrow?"

"of course."

Zhang Luan looked smug, then thought of something and asked, "Son, where did you see the medical book you mentioned earlier? If someone knows this method of treating diseases..."

"Don't worry, Dad. No one here has ever seen that book. In fact, many people don't even understand what's in it. As long as you follow the steps listed in the book, you will definitely become a famous doctor in the world."

Zhang Yanling encouraged his old father with a smile.

Zhang Luan frowned, "What you said is too weird, how can a father listen to you? But people are talking about it today, saying that I am lucky this time. If I go to a few more houses, I might get some strange disease, which would be very bad."

Jin's heart skipped a beat when she heard this, and she said hesitantly, "Then... Master, let's not go. With these fifty taels, we can do anything." "No."

Zhang Luan was very persistent. "Now that I have started, how can I stop halfway? People trust me and ask me to come to their homes to treat them. Whether it succeeds or not is all determined by fate... Isn't it the same for all doctors?"

Hey.

Zhang Yanling thought to himself.

My cheap dad really has the potential to be a charlatan.

I actually know the biggest unspoken rule of the doctor's profession, which is that no matter whether it works or not, you have to gain people's trust first...Anyway, many drugs are placebos, they work if you believe in them, and they don't work if you don't believe in them...

If you take a banner and a whisk, you can go out and perform shamanism.

Zhang Yanling quickly dismissed this terrible idea.

I came to Ming Dynasty to promote traditional Chinese medicine, not to develop witchcraft.

"I must use this to get back the quota for the township tribute. It would be even better if I can get it without taking the test... After entering Beiyong and getting gilded, if I'm lucky enough, I can get a position in the government. Even if I can't be a teacher, being a school official is also good."

In the Ming Dynasty, if one wanted to become a county school instructor, one basically had to have the title of Juren.

However, the requirements for being a general assistant teacher are not so strict. In the yamen, in addition to juren, ordinary tribute students and strictly selected students can also hold the position of official position below the county magistrate.

Zhang Luan seemed to have set his life goal as becoming a minor official.

Zhang Yanling thought that although his father seemed to have great ambitions, his vision was still too short-sighted.

If I tell you that you will be the father-in-law of the Ming Dynasty in the future, would your aspirations be higher?
……

……

Near sunset.

Zhang Yin went to the door in person and frowned when he saw the scattered villagers having a feast at the door. After entering the yard, he glared at Zhang Luan who came out to greet him.

The two cousins ​​entered the main hall. No one else was allowed to enter this time. However, since the Zhang family's house was not very airtight, the "walls have ears" did not apply. Zhang Yanling was in a room next door, eavesdropping on their conversation through a wooden wall.

"Laizhan, what's wrong with you? We were all fine at home that day, and you didn't object to the marriage. Why are you so focused on treating people's illnesses? Do you want to ruin the good reputation that the Zhang family has accumulated over the years?"

Zhang Yin's tone was unfriendly.

Zhang Luan said with a smile, "Second brother, calm down. I had no objection to your marriage proposal, but I found out that the second uncle of the Wan family has been dead for several years. There must be something wrong with this marriage... How can I easily agree to it?"

At this time, Zhang Luan spoke with full energy and his voice was a little louder.

Firstly, it was because he was at home, and secondly, he had money on hand and did not have to look at other people's faces.

"This is thirteen taels of silver, specially weighed, at a 95% discount... If you are not satisfied, I will send you some more later." Zhang Luan raised his chin and said arrogantly, "In this way, the old accounts between our two families can be settled."

Zhang Yu heard his father and cousin talking about his marriage next door, so he quickly moved closer to his brother and wanted to eavesdrop.

"Shh, sis, be careful."

Zhang Yanling found that his sister's soft and fragrant body was pressed against his back. Fortunately, he was young and there was nothing to be shy about between siblings, but he still reminded her quietly.

"I see. You're the only one who talks too much."

After saying this, Zhang Yu rolled his eyes at his brother and continued to listen.

Zhang Yin said, "I came here for your silver. I just met Kening today. He came back from the capital for this matter. Let me be frank. Actually, the matchmaker this time is Xu Jianshi, the commander of the Jinyiwei, who comes from the family of Wan Er, the emperor's uncle... His adoptive father is Liang Fang, the eunuch of the Imperial Horse Administration. You should have heard of his reputation. The future of many officials in Hejian Prefecture depends on you!"

Zhang Luan said with a smile, "Second Master, you don't have to be so alarmist. I'm not in the court, so what do I have to be afraid of? Besides, the marriage partner is just a Jinyiwei soldier, how come the local court official's future depends on me? If I help, who will remember my kindness? I don't want to be an official or make money, so why should I abandon my beautiful daughter to feed those wolves and tigers?"

"you!"

Zhang Yin was quite speechless. "The officials in Hejian Prefecture have always been of the same mind. Don't you want to be an official? Or do you not want your descendants to be officials?"

"Just me? And Heling and Yanling? He, the Second Master, I think we should just forget about it."

Zhang Luan is quite self-aware.

Since he couldn't even pass the imperial examination, it was too difficult to enter the officialdom through the imperial examination. He could only seek to become a small official in the government through informal means.

Zhang Yin asked angrily, "You don't want the betrothal gift? Fifty taels of silver... I can give you another thirty taels! If you want to study in Beiyong, I can also help you get the connections... Humph, if you are still not satisfied, you will be the head of the Zhang family in the future!"

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(End of this chapter)