Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 369: The Higher the Official, the Lower the Value
Zhang Luan returned home.

At this time, Zhang Yanling also came back from discussing business, and the father and son sat together again.

In front of the two of them was the meal that Jin had prepared specifically for them father and son. Shredded pork with marinade was spread on a large bowl of white rice, similar to the rice with gravy in later generations. The two of them ate and chatted.

"Son, why do I feel that the prince is still too immature? Logically, he has so many famous teachers around him, and he should be well educated. But after getting along with him, I find that he is not only a fool, but also has some inexplicable stubbornness."

Zhang Luan vaguely expressed his dissatisfaction with the prince in front of his son.

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "People who have never experienced the harsh beatings of society are probably like this."

Zhang Luan said: "I used to think that I had no ability, but after meeting the prince, I felt that I was capable again."

"Haha."

Zhang Yanling finished his meal first, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and said with a smile, "Dad, you are a student after all, and you have a lot of knowledge and social experience... But the prince has been living in the palace and has few opportunities to interact with people. How can he know the dangers of the court?"

"That makes sense, son. I thought that Qin Ji and other attendants of the Eastern Palace were smart people who would explain everything to the Crown Prince. Now I know that they are not good people either. They all look honest and loyal, but they all have their own selfish motives. Jiang Cong looks good, but Qin Ji is really... unbearable!"

Zhang Luan began to have opinions about Tan Ji.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, if you get to know him more, you will find that Tan Ji is actually quite good. As for Jiang Cong... time will tell, haha..."

Zhang Yanling was familiar with history and naturally knew that after Zhu Youtang ascended the throne, Tan Ji died soon after and did not cause any major waves in the court.

Jiang Cong was sent to Nanjing and became the eunuch guarding Nanjing. He was often impeached, but it was also by relying on his relationship with the emperor that he became the second rich man who made a lot of money by squeezing the land.

As to whether Jiang Cong was capable or not, it is debatable, but he ultimately could not escape the fate of a eunuch, which was greedy, arrogant, and domineering, making a fortune during his tenure as an official.

"So when will the big event you mentioned happen?"

Zhang Luan seemed to be getting a little impatient.

Zhang Yanling said, "Dad, you have been treating His Majesty recently, but you are still expecting something to happen? Aren't you going to get yourself into trouble first?"

"What else can I do?" Zhang Luan said with a wry smile, "I'm already in the trap, how can I escape? It's going to happen sooner or later, isn't it going to happen anyway?"

When he finished speaking, he saw the faint smile on his son's face and realized that his son seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve.

"Son, what are you planning? Tell me now. I am very worried. If I treat a person who I know cannot be cured, he will definitely die. How can I have the confidence to stand in the court?"

Zhang Luan is a man of insight and interest.

Knowing that the result of treating Zhu Jianshen would be to get herself deeply involved, she could not help but beg her son for help.

Zhang Yanling said: "Then you should think of a way to make His Majesty doubt your ability to treat illnesses, and first cancel your authority to manage the Imperial Hospital."

"Again?"

Zhang Luan rolled his eyes at his son and asked, "Can you please not make me go up and down all the time? It's like being hung up and thrown off a cliff. It's uncomfortable."

"If you can do it, come on... Dad, do you have a better plan?" Zhang Yanling asked.

Zhang Luan was speechless for a moment.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Now is the honeymoon period between you and His Majesty, and His Majesty has great trust in you, even entrusting the Crown Prince to you.

"But nothing lasts forever. As long as Your Majesty feels that his illness cannot be cured by your hands, or if you find a better way to alleviate the condition, you will definitely abandon my father. At that time..."

Zhang Luan said with emotion: "It's no good for you anyway, you are destined to be tormented anyway, since you said it's okay, then we should quickly implement the plan...

"Under the current circumstances, I would accept it even if it meant leaving my father at home unemployed."

……

……

The inner residence of Zhang Mansion.

After dinner, Zhang Yanling went back to writing and painting.

Zhang Luan was about to go back to his new house to enjoy a corrupt life, but he was told by the receptionist Chang Shun that an official came to visit him and said that he was a disciple of the Minister of Taichang Temple, and it seemed that he wanted to serve Zhang Luan.

"Who?"

Zhang Luan asked with a frown.

"Master, this is a visiting card sent by the other party."

Chang Shun presented the post.

Zhang Luan took it in his hand and looked at it. His eyes widened instantly and he said in a lost voice: "Oh, this Ai Yu, I know him, the Supervisor of Shanglinyuan."

Chang Shun said: "Then do you want to see him or not, sir?"

"Isn't he a disciple of Deng Changen?"

Zhang Luan frowned and muttered to himself, "Why are you coming to me?"

"Uh... Master, I don't know who the Deng Changen you are talking about is. I just want to ask if you want to meet him or not?"

Chang Shun asked.

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "Then let's meet him, but don't go into the courtyard. Let's arrange for him to go to the front hall... I have a very bad impression of this Ai Yu. He is a philistine. I want to see what he is up to."

Chang Shun followed behind Zhang Luan, feeling worried.

The master said that Ai Yu was a petty man, but he was still an official after all, and no matter how low his rank was, could it be lower than mine?
Could it be that the master wants to use this person's name to criticize me for my incompetence?
……

……

The Zhang family's front hall is the hall located outside the second gate.

Zhang Luan sat there, holding a teacup in his hand, listening to Ai Yu expressing his loyalty to him. At this time, Ai Yu didn't even have a seat, so he just stood there and started complimenting Zhang Luan.

"I have always wanted to do something for you, Zhang Taichang. Knowing that you are fond of painting and calligraphy, I specially asked someone to find a few paintings for you." Ai Yu said.

"Where is the painting?" Zhang Luan asked.

"This... I didn't bring it this time because there are too many people in your house. If people knew that I came to give you a gift, I'm afraid it would affect your reputation."

Ai Yu said with a smile.

Zhang Luan glanced away and said impatiently, "So you came here empty-handed?"

"No, no, no, I just came to talk to you... If you need anything, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I will definitely help you get it done."

Ai Yu almost wanted to take out his heart and show it to Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan said with a dark face: "You are from Shanglinyuan, and have nothing to do with Taichang Temple, but I saw you often go in and out of Taichang Temple before... Do you have a part-time job in Taichang Temple?"

Ai Yu explained: "Although I serve in Shanglin Garden, Taichang Temple and Shanglin Garden have always been inseparable. All matters above and below are under the command of the Minister of Taichang Temple, that is, you."

"Oh, that's how it is."

Zhang Luan nodded first, then said, "Let me make it clear to you, I am not Deng Changen, I don't know Taoism, I can't calculate the secrets of the heavens, and I can't make elixirs. If you follow me, there will be no substantial benefit. It's just because His Majesty handed over the Imperial Hospital to me, and I have the title of Minister of the Ministry of Rites, so I can better manage those imperial doctors, but His Majesty didn't say that all the affairs of the Ministry of Rites would be handed over to me."

When Ai Yu heard this, he was startled at first, then he said: "Master Zhang, you don't need to hide anything in front of me... Just because others don't tell you about your identity doesn't mean that no one knows it!"

"What is my identity? Why don't I know?"

Zhang Luan became a little anxious when he heard this.

You are attacking me personally!

Although I don't know where your attack lies, I feel very uncomfortable after listening to it.

Ai Yu said: "You are the father-in-law of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, and the future... well, you are valued by His Majesty now, so how can the future... be bad?"

"If you say this, then yes."

When Zhang Luan heard this, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

You were too perfunctory in your previous compliments, praising me for my wisdom and bravery, but I didn't believe you. But now you are flattering me in disguise, mentioning the prince standing behind me, and mentioning that I am in power now and will achieve greater success in the future. I still think that you are a person who speaks in an orderly manner and thinks that you are a person of taste.

"As for Deng Chang'en, although he once presided over the Taichang Temple, he was always just a flatterer and cannot be compared with you at all," Ai Yu added.

Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Your Excellency, do you have any misunderstanding? His Majesty said that Deng Changen was only given a minor punishment and a serious warning, and he might be released later. What if he turns around and gives the Taichang Temple to him again? How will you deal with it then?"

"Leave it to him. I won't listen to him. I'll listen to you."

Ai Yu patted his chest and made a promise, "I had no choice before, but now that I have a better person to follow, I will naturally abandon the dark and join the light."

"Abandon the dark and join the light? Very good, very good."

Zhang Luan became more satisfied when he heard this and nodded with a smile.

Ai Yu thought he had won the trust of his new employer, and said with a smile: "Look, why don't you give me an errand to prove my loyalty and ability?"

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "Very good. Then you can go to the Taichang Temple for me and talk to someone. Tell them that I am taking over the Taichang Temple. By the way... um, you can do whatever you want."

"Let's see what happens?"

Ai Yu seemed a little confused.

"You said you could do things...but I told you to do it yourself. Don't you understand what I mean?" Zhang Luan was a little annoyed.

Why are there still people who won’t listen to others?

I'll let you do it. Of course, I want you to help me smooth out the relationship and let them know that as a superior I care about my subordinates and will work with them to create a better future.

Ai Yu was thinking in his heart, the prince's father-in-law is indeed not a simple person. He asked me to solicit bribes for him right away?

He knew that all the people in Taichang Temple were rich and powerful. This was a treasure trove and he didn't want to return empty-handed.

……

……

Zhang Luan saw the guest off and even walked him out the door personally, which made Ai Yu flattered.

When Zhang Luan returned to the yard, he quickly went to find his son and told him what had happened.

"Dad, you want him to do it? What?"

Zhang Yanling frowned when he heard this.

"It's just to find him something to do. What else can it be? Isn't it just those things of welcoming and seeing off guests?" Zhang Luan seemed very proud.

Look at me. I just became the Minister of Taichang Temple, and now a younger brother comes to surrender on his own initiative. He is a former old gang member of Taichang Temple, and is familiar to everyone.

Zhang Yanling asked, "What do you want others to think? They will think that you are short of money and want to ask for money?"

"What?"

Zhang Luan was shocked and quickly denied it, "I didn't mean that."

Zhang Yanling said angrily: "As an official, why don't you make your intentions clear and let others guess? People will definitely think the worst of you."

Zhang Luan was a little frustrated and said, "Think so... If you really want to help me get the money back, then I can accept it. I haven't had much income recently... It's strange, why haven't I received my salary this month?"

"Dad, have you been to the government office recently to report for duty?"

Zhang Yanling asked with a smile.

"Hey, now that you've mentioned this, I really remember that I was the Minister of the Ministry of Rites before, but I was dismissed and then reappointed... I kept going back and forth, and each time it was less than a month. I really don't know who I should get my salary from! By the way, when should I start counting?"

When Zhang Luan said this, he looked depressed, which made Zhang Yanling laugh out loud.

(End of this chapter)