Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 105 This Zhang Shuo's grandson

Zhang Dai could feel Pei Dunfu's hand, which was gripping his wrist, trembling slightly. Pei Dunfu seemed even more excited than Zhang Dai himself.

This is understandable, though. The Tang people, especially those of the High Tang period, did not value restraint and subtlety; rather, they admired people and events that were unrestrained and magnificent. While the process of today's event was indeed tortuous, the result was extremely gratifying, even legendary.

Whether it was Pei Dunfu selecting officials under immense pressure, or Zhang Dai winning over those who made a fuss and even the prime minister with his talent, both are worthy of being widely praised.

Although Zhang Dai was the main protagonist of this incident, Pei Dunfu's ability to recognize talent, his uprightness and incorruptibility, and his refusal to yield to power are enough to leave a significant mark on his resume. Although he is currently only a seventh-rank official in the Jingzhao Prefecture, it would not be surprising if he were appreciated by a powerful figure in the court and recommended to the capital, thus rising rapidly in rank.

Even a hundred years from now, this event is worth mentioning in his epitaph!
That said, after this incident, Zhang Dai and Pei Dunfu would be deeply bound together. When Pei Dunfu passed away the following year, Zhang Dai might even have to write an epitaph for him to commemorate their glorious deeds.

The assembled celebrities were also very excited. Some recited Zhang Dai's poems aloud, while others who arrived late and were unaware of what had happened asked around before clapping and praising him.

It wasn't until the crowd of onlookers had seriously disrupted the affairs of the Secretariat that the Southern Guards came forward to drive them away, and only then did the crowd reluctantly disperse.

"Zhang Lang's top score is well-deserved, and Jie Wenming will personally escort him to your residence the next day. After a day of examinations, you must be exhausted, both physically and mentally. Go home and rest quickly!"

Pei Dunfu patted Zhang Dai's hand with a smile and said that before, he was just helping out at Princess Yuzhen's request, but after today's events, he could be considered Zhang Dai's half-master.

If he was the owner of Pingkangfang, then Zhang Dai was his most famous and alluring courtesan. Their relationship naturally became extremely close, and he took great care of Zhang Dai.

Zhang Dai was indeed somewhat exhausted. Although he had copied the poems and essays before, he had to write the last two policy essays himself. Moreover, the many twists and turns that had occurred during the examination had caused his mood to fluctuate. Now that there was finally a result, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He was originally going to send Pei Dunfu and Xi Yu to the East City first, but at that moment, his uncle Zhang Ji hurriedly came from outside, pushed through the crowd and came up to him loudly, saying, "Luo, Zongzhi, your grandfather has been waiting for you outside Duanmen for a long time!"

"Did Grandfather come too?"

Zhang Dai was surprised to hear this, but he dared not be negligent. He quickly bowed to Pei Dunfu and the others to say goodbye, and then walked towards Tianjie with Zhang Ji.

Zhang Jun was still lingering in the Zhongshu Province office, wanting to go in again to observe the attitude of Prime Minister Li Yuanhong, but in the end he didn't dare. After learning that his father had arrived, he simply left the province and hurriedly left.

At this time, outside Duanmen Gate, officials were leaving their posts and returning to their residences, with a constant stream of people and horses coming and going. Zhang's carriage was parked to the side of Duanmen Gate. Zhang Shuo sat solemnly in the carriage, watching the officials leaving the capital through the gap in the curtain, his heart filled with countless emotions.

When did you arrive, Father?

After Zhang Dai hurriedly left, he headed straight for his own carriage. When he got close, he bowed and asked.

Zhang Shuo leaned out of the carriage and looked at Zhang Dai, saying in a deep voice, "When the candidates were making a fuss in the capital, an old colleague came to the neighborhood to tell me, and that's when I found out that you were not going to Henan Prefecture to take the exam, yet you have been subjected to such personnel reprimands!"

"I have acted improperly and have caused you, Father, worry. Yao's son has recently been transferred to the position of Registrar in Henan Prefecture. He has been preventing me from taking the imperial examination. I was afraid of disturbing you, Father, so I did not dare to plead with him. Instead, I sought help from Princess Yuzhen, and thus I was able to take the examination in the Capital Prefecture. Fortunately, my skills are commendable, and I have been favored by the emperor and have achieved the top score in the examination!"

Zhang Dai spoke with a hint of pride, for things had taken an unexpected turn for the better, and he had at least done his best.

Zhang had already learned the outcome from casual conversations among court officials, and now, hearing Zhang Dai recount the process, he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

Ignoring his own illness, he stepped out of the car, grasped Zhang Dai's hand tightly, and said in a deep voice, "Your grandfather can still retain some dignity, thanks to the strength of his son! With such a grandson, how wonderful! Who in the world can laugh at me?"

He had been suffering from depression and his condition had worsened due to worry and fear, but today he was finally able to vent his pent-up frustration and felt extremely relieved.

"Zhang Yan Gong has actually come here... Congratulations on your wonderful grandson, Yan Gong!"

At this moment, some court officials also noticed Zhang Yue standing beside the carriage, and some of them came up to bow and exchange pleasantries.

“My esteemed grandson is taking the provincial examination today. I fear he may not be able to answer the questions properly, so I have asked him to wait here.”

Zhang Shuo pulled Zhang Dai to his side, then pointed to his grandson and said with a smile to the assembled officials, "This is Zhang Shuo's grandson. Do you all appreciate his talent and character now that you've met him?"

He was like an old tree with withered branches, battered by wind and rain, who suddenly saw a new sapling growing strong beside its roots. Overjoyed, he was eager to show it off to the world.

"Zhang Lang is exceptionally talented and possesses remarkable literary skills. Today, all the officials in the various departments have heard of him and have praised him highly. He will surely pass the provincial examination next spring and achieve the highest honors. He will also inherit the Yan family's scholarly tradition!"

Some officials who were already on friendly terms with Zhang Shuo were now lavish in their praise, making Zhang Dai blush slightly. Hearing this, Zhang Shuo was even more pleased and said with a smile, "This mere preliminary examination is nothing to mention. Only this young man has earned the praise of the talented people of our time. Tomorrow I will host a banquet at my home to thank him for his appreciation!"

Since his misfortune, Zhang Yue had kept his doors closed to visitors, and many of his former colleagues and relatives had been unable to see him. However, his son, Zhang Jun, had been acting quite ostentatiously lately, which puzzled many officials. When they heard that Zhang Yue was actually going to open his doors and host a banquet for guests, some officials were overjoyed and repeatedly expressed their intention to go and offer their congratulations.

At this moment, Zhang Jun also emerged from the imperial city, panting. Upon hearing his father's words, his expression changed slightly. After the disciples had retreated a bit, he stepped forward and whispered, "Father, Ah Liu is only asking for help with a small matter. Is it inappropriate to hold such a grand banquet for guests?"

Zhang said that he had been all smiles just moments before, but now his face suddenly darkened. He glanced at Zhang Jun without saying a word, his eyes cold as if he were looking at a stranger. He turned around, got into the car, and waved to his family to go home.

Zhang Jun was left standing there, his face turning pale and uncertain. He took a step but then fell back, looking very dejected.

After taking a few steps, Zhang Dai thought for a moment and then turned back to Zhang Jun, saying, "Father is a son, and I am also a son. I have been trying to help Father. How can father and son become enemies? Father's behavior was indeed a bit strange recently, but he was able to stand respectfully in court to receive the cane. How could Father hold a grudge for long?"

“My son knows me! Your grandfather is very pleased with you today. When you return home, please speak to him on my behalf. Once his resentment has subsided, I will return home to apologize.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun quickly grabbed his son's hand and pleaded. He was worried about how to gain his father's forgiveness, and at this moment he couldn't care less about putting on airs and started pleading with his son.

“Father, you are mistaken! Most of the time, the reason why people become estranged is because of growing distant. The reason why my father and I have become estranged recently is because we have not seen each other for a long time, and even when we do, we have nothing to say to each other. I would also like to ask you, Father, who told you to stay away from home? If it was a servant who spoke up, that servant should be beaten to death!”

Zhang Dai has always been vengeful, even towards his own father. But now that Zhang Jun lives outside, the noise he makes is bound to cause a big fuss. So we have to persuade the couple to come back to the Zhang family home and then deal with the situation behind closed doors.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun blushed. To be honest, after seeing that even his direct superior, Li Yuanhong, could hardly make things difficult for Zhang Dai, and recalling how Li Yuanhong had previously berated him mercilessly, he was at a loss for how to face his son. He secretly believed what Li Yuanhong had said.

To put it bluntly, this mentality stems from fear of power. He previously respected his father and dared not disobey him, but as his father's power waned, he lost his respect. His trust in his wife, Madam Zheng, also stemmed from his admiration for the Zheng family of Xingyang.

Now, as his son's talent becomes more and more outstanding and his reputation grows, he gradually begins to feel submissive.

“Ah Liu, you’re right. I really shouldn’t have… but you weren’t home at the time, and I didn’t know how stubborn your grandfather was. It was really difficult to explain to him, so I had to go out.”

But now you have achieved remarkable success, winning first place in the imperial examinations in the capital. Passing the imperial examinations next year will be a piece of cake for you, which will be a great joy for the family. I hope your grandfather will remember my efforts to continue the family line and forgive you..."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Jun nodded and said.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said, "Does Father truly intend to make me his heir?"

“Well, alas… Madam did indeed want to treat you as her own son, but we were estranged when you were young, and it was difficult to mend our relationship after you grew up. However, she often used you as an example to teach your younger brother.”

At this point, Zhang Jun looked around, then leaned closer to Zhang Dai and whispered, "As a father, I'm happy to see any of my children make progress. Besides, the difference in innate talent and ability is obvious and cannot be compensated for by mere upbringing."

Choosing a virtuous heir ensures the prosperity of the clan—how could I not understand this principle? It's just that family affairs are now orderly, and titles and status are difficult to uphold, putting me in a difficult position. I only hope that my children will not covet their father's wealth but will strive bravely in the world!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai secretly gave his father a thumbs up. This guy was truly something else. You could say he was stupid, but he was also a bit cunning. You could say he was shrewd, but his scheming was as unmistakable as a louse on a monk's head.

“I know that my wife is no less human than my father. She may be unkind to me or resent me, but she still has a sincere heart for my father and will not let him suffer this ethically isolated predicament.”

Father and his wife should return home together and apologize, carrying thorns on their backs. Besides, the wife will soon be adding a child to the family; how can she remain uneasy while away?

Zhang Dai then told Zhang Jun not to forget to bring Zheng Shi home to share his anger. The couple are both over several decades old, yet they act like children. How can I deal with them if they don't come home?
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun nodded repeatedly in agreement and immediately said that he would go and lead Zheng Shi home together. He also instructed Zhang Dai to put in a good word for him.

When Zhang Dai caught up with his grandfather's carriage, Zhang Shuo leaned out of the carriage and asked in a low voice, "What are you and your father talking about?"

“I advise Father to return home, and to resolve all disputes internally, rather than causing trouble externally.”

Zhang Dai didn't hide anything and answered directly.

"He agreed?"

Zhang asked another question, and seeing Zhang Dai nod, his expression softened for a moment, then he sighed, "The corpse must be a grandson; the ancients were truly right. Judging from his conduct, there is no grandson; my sacrificial rites are now extinct!"

(End of this chapter)