Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 793 Recognizing the Son but Not the Father
When Wang Yue came out of the Qianqing Palace, he looked very energetic.

Although the emperor has not given him any official position, but only allowed him to participate in the training of the new army as an advisor, it is enough for him to feel that he has become a close minister of the emperor, which is even more gratifying than if he were to go directly to the northwest to become the commander-in-chief of the three border regions.

"Eunuch Qin, thank you for your guidance."

Wang Yue subconsciously bowed to Qin Chang in thanks, hoping to establish a connection with the Grand Chancellor of the Ming Dynasty before him.

Qin Chang smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Don't thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Zhang Guozhang and Zhang Xiaoguojiu. They both appreciate you very much. They helped you get out of your predicament and return to the capital, and they also helped you find a job. Now that you have the Emperor's favor, I believe it's only a matter of time before you are ranked in the court and your title is restored."

“Father-in-law, what are you saying? Zhang Guozhang and Zhang Xiaoguojiu should thank you, but you should thank them too.”

Wang Yue hurriedly said, "I have long been acquainted with you, sir, but unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity before... I wonder if you have some free time? I'm hosting a banquet at your residence tonight..."

Qin Chang didn't expect Wang Yue to be so direct, and quickly shook his head to refuse: "That's not necessary! I never expect anything in return for working for His Majesty. You must keep His Majesty's orders in mind and help him lead the troops well. That will be your reward to me, and you will also be earning something for yourself... Hehe, I suppose Mr. Wang has his own plans, right?"

At this moment, Wang Yue still had some doubts in his heart.

After all, the emperor hasn't asked him to lead troops with any meritorious officials or civil officials, and hasn't even assigned him a military supervisor. It's as if he's saying, "You just need to follow Zhang Yanling."

The problem is that Zhang Yanling is still a child. His skill in building cannons can be understood as a gift, but can such a young boy train soldiers?
Even if you know how to train troops, how can you win people's hearts?
……

……

After leaving the palace, Wang Yue's first stop was to deliver gifts to Shen Lu's residence to express his gratitude for Shen Lu's efforts in securing him his current job.

Shen Lu was puzzled by Wang Yue's sudden visit and asked, "Lord Wang, what kind of appointment have you received? Or perhaps..."

"I didn't get any job or position."

Wang Yue stated frankly, "I only went to the palace to pay my respects to His Majesty."

"Huh? You had an audience with the Emperor?"

Shen Lu suddenly realized that Wang Yue was no ordinary person.

He was just struggling to find an official position, and now he's suddenly getting a chance to meet the Emperor? Who arranged this? It couldn't have been Lai Zhan and his son Yanling, could it?
This suggests that Wang Yue has a certain background, or that His Majesty believes that this renowned former Earl of Weining is capable of handling many tasks and is an indispensable talent for the Ming Dynasty.

Wang Yue said, "I wonder if you, Ru Xue, could introduce me to that young imperial brother-in-law again?"

"What does the prince mean...?"

Shen Lu became increasingly puzzled.

Wang Yue said with emotion, "To be honest, I was able to meet His Majesty this time entirely thanks to the guidance of my uncle, the young emperor... His Majesty gave me the task of training the new army. Although he did not grant me a specific official position, he assigned me to train soldiers. Perhaps in the future, he will give me the opportunity to go to the northwest to govern the army."

Shen Lu thought to himself, "The emperor only gave you a training job, and you're this happy? Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd already been reinstated."

"Your Highness, to be honest, it's not that I'm unwilling to introduce you, but Yanling is just too busy. I don't know where he is or what he's busy with."

Shen Lu said, "If you have already received the imperial order to go to the new army on your mission, have you made any arrangements for how to meet Yanling? Or, is there anything you wish to convey to him? I can help you inquire..."

Shen Lu was actually more interested in knowing Wang Yue's current position in the court.

Wang Yue said, "I would like to ask him for advice on training soldiers."

"You... are seeking guidance from Yanling?"

Shen Lu was greatly surprised.

Aren't you overestimating my nephew?
You've led troops in battle for decades, experienced hundreds of large and small campaigns, and possess such high military expertise, yet you still need to seek guidance from a mere lad.
Or is it that His Majesty sent you to seek his advice, and you had no choice but to do so?
Wang Yue sighed, "I really don't know much about firearms, so I'll have to ask my uncle for advice. I'd also like to thank him for his guidance all this time."

"That……"

Shen Lu said, "I will do my best to arrange it for you... I believe that with your abilities, you will be able to see Yanling even without my help, since you will be working together in the future. I am just an observer!"

In Shen Lu's view, you are all people who handle important matters for the emperor.

So they actually need me to mediate and smooth things over?
Just don't treat me like a clown!
……

……

The selection of the new army was completed in a short period of time.

No need for an overly rigorous selection process!

There were two requirements for selecting new soldiers: one was literacy, and the other was youth.

As for their physical condition, that's not the point. They were selected from soldiers, all of whom came from military households. Even if some of them were eunuchs, their physical condition was no worse than that of ordinary people.

The selection criteria were set by Zhang Yanling long ago.

The aim was to bring educated people who were relatively open to new things and could understand parabolic trajectories and reloading timing into the new army.

Zhang Yanling originally thought that few of the officers and soldiers were literate.

The result surprised him greatly; almost all the selected candidates wrote their own names, and nearly 10% of the soldiers had even taken the preliminary examinations.

Only after inquiring did I learn the truth.

The literacy rate of the people in the Ming Dynasty was much higher than that in the Qing Dynasty and later in the Republic of China.

Although they lacked formal education and could not change their fate through the imperial examinations, they were not uncommon in the Ming army today, as they were basically literate, clear-headed, and had their own opinions.

The first requirement for officers in the Ming Dynasty was literacy, familiarity with military orders and basic tactics, and even regular assessments, so their skill level was not bad.

Zhang Yanling selected this group of people and trained them in artillery and muskets in batches. This process involved a lot of losses, which inevitably required an increase in production and manufacturing efforts.

Therefore, he could only devote more energy to the production process.

That day, as he returned to his temporary residence, Chang Shun told him that Wang Yue had visited the Shouning Marquis's residence many times, sometimes even in a very high-profile manner, but unfortunately neither Zhang Luan nor Zhang Yanling had received Wang Yue.

But Wang Yue seemed very enthusiastic about it, as if he wouldn't give up until he saw the person.

"Go and tell my father to come see me when he has time."

Zhang Yanling said, "Receiving guests is his duty; don't try to shirk it."

Zhang Yanling felt that she was already very tired.

Even though he was still a child, he could have enjoyed the fun of childhood and even experienced the benefits of being a relative of the emperor and a member of the nobility.

Or, after a few years of peaceful life, one can have a harem of wives and concubines and live a carefree life.

It has been proven that, under his care, his sister became pregnant long ago, which would surely bring Zhu Youcheng more offspring. This would likely prevent the tragic situation of the throne abruptly ending with the next generation, and the Zhang family's miserable fate would be reversed.

He didn't need to work so hard at all!
But for some reason, once something starts, it's hard to stop, as if stopping it would be such a terrible sin.

"But... Second Young Master, Master doesn't seem to want to work lately..."

Chang Shundao said, "I don't usually know where Master is. He's neither in his usual residences in the city nor in his villa outside the city. He's always... mysterious..." Zhang Yanling smiled.

His elderly father probably wants to retire completely.

Even knowing where he is is a sin for those around him. He has to hide himself away like a turtle hiding in the ground, only feeling at ease when no one can see him.

Zhang Yanling thought to himself that it was probably because Zhang Luan was not a person capable of great things. He had been pushed into the position by Zhang Yanling, which caused Zhang Luan to still have a great lack of self-confidence. He used to be an optimistic and positive person, but now he has become sensitive and introverted, to the point that he only wants to avoid things and is almost afraid to see acquaintances.

This is called Sudden Sudden Wealth Syndrome!
In general, when I was nobody, I was optimistic and positive. But once I became important, I became afraid of this and that. It's not that I'm afraid of being asked for favors, it's just that I don't want to face other people.

Zhang Yanling said, "Find an opportunity to tell him that I have a large sum of money that can help him solve many problems. In particular, the issue of Minister Li's river management that he has been concerned about can probably be resolved smoothly."

Chang Shun asked in surprise, "But... Second Young Master, aren't you also short of money? I heard you've been spending quite a bit lately..."

"But I earn more."

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "In short, just tell the master this when you see him. Also, tell him that since he has taken my money, he has to do his job properly and can't keep pushing things onto his son."

"Now is the time for him to step up and take charge. Otherwise, if he keeps hiding and doesn't come out, who will know that Zhang Laizhan is a very capable person?"

……

……

Chang Shun never expected that he would become the messenger for the Zhang family father and son.

When he finally met Zhang Luan and Qi Niang, who was dressed as a man and had come to pick up the women from the villa, in a teahouse near the city, he quickly went over and told them what Zhang Yanling had said.

Upon hearing this, Qi Niang couldn't stop smiling.

This news is quite explosive.

This at least shows that Zhang Yanling has secretly paved the way for her father, and the task entrusted to her by the powerful butler that she had been worrying about can finally be completed, which gives her a sense of closure.

In the end, since Li Zisheng arranged for her to be by Zhang Luan's side, she can be considered to have fulfilled her mission.

She even felt that as long as this matter could be completed smoothly, she would no longer owe Li Zisheng and Pang Qing anything, and she could work for Zhang Luan with peace of mind without having to consider the gains and losses of both sides.

Zhang Luan was utterly astonished and asked, "Where did Yanling get the money?"

Chang Shun shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Qi Niang laughed and said, "Master, why ask so many questions? We already have money, why do you still care where it came from? Is it really necessary?"

"I'm afraid that kid will try to fool me."

Zhang Luan explained.

Upon hearing this, Qi Niang couldn't help but chuckle.

Chang Shun quickly said, "Master, no, the Second Young Master isn't one to talk nonsense. If he says it's true, then it definitely is. Besides, the Second Young Master's business is indeed very large now. You don't know, but a new bank will be opening in the capital soon, supposedly owned by Huizhou merchants, and the Second Young Master holds a large share in it."

"You seem to know everything."

Zhang Luan glared at Chang Shun and asked, "Do you have any shares in it?"

"No no."

Chang Shun quickly denied it, then said with a wronged look, "I'm just a gofer, how could I be qualified?"

"You're still talking so enthusiastically about him even though he's not? It's like he's so capable and I'm not, right?" Zhang Luan suddenly got angry.

Qi Niang said, "Master, please don't take it to heart by Steward Chang's words. He's just a bit blunt and doesn't mean any harm."

"You're all the same."

Zhang Luan said helplessly, "In the end, it's because I'm incompetent that you all look down on me. My son is very capable... But no matter how capable he is, he's still my son... Now even Minister Li's problem has to be solved by him... How can I face Minister Li?"

Hearing this, Qi Niang was both amused and annoyed, and quickly said, "It is precisely because of you that the Second Young Master stepped in to help. If it weren't for you, would Minister Li have such connections?"

Zhang Luan thought about it carefully and nodded, saying, "That makes some sense!"

……

……

Encouraged by his son, Zhang Luan finally emerged from his shell and accepted Wang Yue's invitation to the banquet.

Wang Yue was very principled. In his view, since Zhang Luan had helped him, he had to give him a generous gift. Inviting him to his home for dinner meant he deserved the highest treatment. He also prepared many antiques and calligraphy and paintings to give to Zhang Luan.

However, Wang Yue's family is not as well-off as it used to be.

Although he had captured a lot of spoils and received generous rewards for his military achievements when he led troops in the Northwest, after being convicted and exiled, his family property was not confiscated by the court. However, after so many years of imprisonment, he tried every means to build connections in order to be pardoned as soon as possible, which resulted in huge expenses. In the end, he had very little money left.

So this time, he really went to great lengths to curry favor with Zhang Luan.

on the wine table.

Wang Yue was afraid that Zhang Luan would feel awkward, so no outsiders were present, and only the two of them sat down. The food and wine were plentiful, but Zhang Luan showed no interest whatsoever.

Zhang Luan said, "Minister Wang, it's not that I'm intentionally declining, but it's just that a serious illness I had recently nearly took my life. Now I can neither drink alcohol nor eat too much meat, so..."

"understand!"

Wang Yue said, "I have also heard some things about Grand Secretary Zhang... I know that you fell ill because you were punished by heaven for revealing heavenly secrets, and because you were also busy with many military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty. Such integrity is unprecedented. I will not drink alcohol today, so how about tea instead?"

"well."

Zhang Luan nodded repeatedly.

After a few rounds of tea, Zhang Luan found Wang Yue to be quite talkative, and the two quickly became acquainted.

Wang Yue was good at currying favor. He was not a roughneck but a proper scholar who had climbed to a high position step by step. Therefore, Wang Yue was very experienced in dealing with situations. At the same time, he was also very generous and principled, which was an important reason why he was respected by the soldiers.

For example, according to historical legend, one of Wang Yue's thousand households once captured a Tatar scout and brought him back to report to Wang Yue. Just then, Wang Yue was hosting a banquet with singing girls. He then noticed that the thousand households' eyes were not right, so he directly rewarded the singing girls with them.

Of course, the legend of Wang Yue going to the Qin King's mansion to ask for a singing girl also remains.

In short, Wang Yue is the kind of person who, when dealing with subordinates, will reward them generously for their achievements; and when dealing with superiors, will treat them as family if they don't treat him like an outsider, never betraying or letting him down.

Back then, he flattered Wang Zhi mainly because Wang Zhi was a favorite of the Chenghua Emperor and had repeatedly made military achievements. After arriving in the Northwest, Wang Zhi was not arrogant at all and had a humble and respectful attitude. After spending a long time together, they got along well and became close friends.

Later, when Wang Zhi was convicted, although he felt greatly wronged, he did not take advantage of the situation, which led to him being unanimously rejected by the civil service group. He had no choice but to study in seclusion under the cliffs of Jiewu Mountain in Anlu for several years.

(End of this chapter)