Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 229 A single act of kindness is the act of a Bodhisattva

Consort Wu Hui's support gave Zhang Dai more confidence, and he demanded that Wang Maozhong first deliver a batch of medicines for preventing and treating diseases in cattle and horses before he would go to his home to attend the banquet.

After hearing Wang Shouzhen's message, Wang Maozhong was furious. He thought he had already been generous and forgiving, but he never expected that this guy would dare to make such a presumptuous demand!

"Father, let's just agree to his request! Zhang Liu is not the same person he used to be. He's the top scholar in the imperial examination, and he's famous throughout the land. He can no longer be intimidated by authority alone..."

Wang Shouzhen was afraid that his father's anger would make things even more difficult for him, so he quickly advised him.

In the past, relying on his father's power, he was fearless. But now, no longer protected by power, he has a more comprehensive understanding of human affairs, and he has come to realize that although his father's power is great, it also has many limitations.

The simplest point is that after the sage made his judgment on him, his father never thought of, nor did he seem to dare to, take care of him, and let him go to the Zhang family to serve as a servant for a full month or so.

In short, no matter how high his father's position was in the North Gate, he was only responsible for the safety of a corner of the capital. If he lost the emperor's favor, he would lose power in an instant. He was still not as dignified and respectable as the families of the nobles in the South Province.

For example, Zhang Yue had been out of office for a long time, but his family still enjoyed great honor and was always full of guests. Zhang Dai was even more successful in the imperial examinations and became famous throughout the country!
Of course, Wang Shouzhen only saw one side of the story, instinctively assuming that the one who defeated him must be a powerful being, subconsciously filling in the blanks in his mind. But in reality, he was just a stable boy in the Zhang family, so how could he know about the complicated personnel struggles and infighting that followed Zhang Shuo's departure from power?

"Hmph, you worthless wretch, worse than pigs and dogs! From now on, keep your mouth shut about family matters!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Maozhong snorted coldly, convinced that his son was already ruined. He then said in a deep voice, "This fellow is greedy for fame and wants to use my family's wealth to establish a reputation for helping the poor and needy, hoping to gain a good reputation in the selection process."

Although I previously declared before the Sage that I would never profit from this, I will not abandon my family fortune to enhance his reputation. He dreams of obtaining these materials empty-handed! He has already swindled tens of thousands of coins from me; if he wishes to obtain the medicine, he must return the money at market value! Otherwise, I would rather scatter these materials into the river than give them away!”

This matter has already been reported to the Emperor, and Wang Maozhong has just been reprimanded, so naturally he dares not hoard goods for profit. But if he were to simply give it to Zhang Dai as a handout, he would absolutely refuse; he would at least want to recoup all his costs and expenses!

This is not just a matter of interests, but also a matter of face. The generals at the North Gate are already quite resentful because their dividends have been delayed. If they were to learn that he was giving away a large quantity of medicine to the young Zhang, their minds would surely be filled with even more ulterior motives.

If that brat dares to use Consort Hui's words to complain to the Emperor again, saying that he went back on his word, then he will suggest that these supplies should be reserved for the Imperial Guards' cattle and horses for labor and epidemic prevention, and that Zhang's son is extorting money for external use and has ulterior motives!
He had already made his plans, but they were useless. Zhang Dai was too lazy to argue with him. Prevention was always better than cure when dealing with epidemics. Once the weather warmed up completely, the epidemic would inevitably spread rapidly. A large number of cattle in the disaster area were infected, and even if they were rescued, they would probably have difficulty participating in the upcoming spring plowing.

Therefore, the most important thing right now is to find enough anti-epidemic drugs and send them out as soon as possible. So when Wang Shouzhen conveyed his father's wishes, Zhang Dai immediately agreed and was willing to accept a batch of the drugs that he had stockpiled at the market price.

He is not short of money right now. In addition to the assets he had previously acquired, he also received nearly 20,000 strings of cash as compensation from Wang Maozhong. Furthermore, his grandfather gave him a residence in Jide Lane, which also contained money and goods worth about 20,000 strings of cash for his travel expenses.

Therefore, he immediately allocated 30,000 strings of cash and silk to complete the transaction in the coming days and then transport it eastward. It was already mid-February, and he also needed to leave Luoyang and head east before March.

Since most of his followers were still working in the disaster area, he pulled his classmates out of their comfortable lives and asked them to help manage and complete this transaction.

Seeing that Zhang Dai was not just talking, but was actually raising a large sum of money to raise disaster relief supplies, everyone admired him greatly and dared not slack off, so they all perked up and began to help.

It is worth mentioning that Song San Niang's family also sent over the accounts of their spending on pleasure and entertainment that day, which amounted to a huge sum of nearly two thousand guan in just a few days of revelry.

Upon seeing this figure, Zhang Dai couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement, sighing that this den of iniquity truly lived up to its reputation. Had he just arrived in this world last year and possessed such a huge sum of money, he would have already vanished without a trace instead of remaining in Luoyang and getting involved in this mess.

Although the amount was enormous, each expense was meticulously recorded. So Zhang Dai had his family transport money and silk to pay off the debts.

However, when the money and silk were delivered, Song San Niang refused to accept so much. Li Yi, the big mouth, had already told her that they were going to the disaster area for relief, so Song San Niang only accepted more than 300 strings of cash as capital, and had Zhang's servants bring the rest back for disaster relief.

No matter how lowly one's status, one always has a pursuit of noble sentiments. Zhang Dai hadn't expected Song San Niang to refuse the money she had offered, so he personally went to thank her. "Sixth Brother is indeed a man of great ambition, taking the fortunes and misfortunes of the world as his own responsibility. He rushed to relieve disasters as soon as he was appointed to office. Although we lack such lofty ambitions, we still have some humanity to sympathize with those of our kind."

In the past, I would save up some spare money only to offer incense at the Buddhist temple, hoping to accumulate merit for salvation in the next life and to enjoy peace and happiness! But now, by saving people in this world and relieving the suffering of women and children, I can enjoy a share of blessings in this life. Amitabha, how wonderful!

Song San Niang chanted Buddhist prayers and spoke with a sincere expression.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai was filled with mixed emotions. It's ironic that the most pitiful and miserable people in the world are the ones who most readily believe that good deeds will bring good fortune, while those in high positions who should be expected to uphold such virtues regard it as a joke—a beast in human form, worse than animals!
At this moment, another petite and charming young woman walked in from outside, carrying a package in her hand. She was Yingnu, who had served Zhang Dai the night before.

The young woman placed the package in her hands on the table in front of Zhang Dai, lowered her head and said timidly, "I was fortunate enough to be favored by you and serve you for one night. I waited by the door but did not see you, my lord, and felt a little resentful. I never expected that you were busy with such a righteous matter. I am from Caozhou. I was kidnapped by a merchant and sold to Luoyang when I was young. Fortunately, my mother bought and adopted me and I was able to grow up."

"My lord is going to help with disaster relief today, so I have gathered some money to aid your journey. My own parents are probably also crying and waiting for help. If you can lend them even a little, I will not be considered a heartless and unfilial person. Please do not find this meager..."

Zhang Dai opened the package and saw that it contained small pieces of gold and silver, bronze bracelets and hairpins, as well as many copper coins with worn-out inscriptions. It was probably a collection of loose coins and valuables accumulated over a long period of time, but none of them were of much value.

Although this young girl was charming and beautiful with a captivating voice, she had only been learning the craft before. She had just recently given Zhang Dai her first headband, and the hundred bolts of silk she had given him were returned by Song San Niang. Naturally, she didn't have her own treasure chest like Du Shiniang. The things she had taken out now were probably mostly her own private possessions.

Zhang Dai, a noble young master, arrived here like a poor scholar begging for handouts, which made him both annoyed and amused. However, in his eyes, the girl, with whom he had only had a one-night stand, possessed an even more charming and touching allure.

He grabbed the package and stuffed it back into the girl's arms, then turned to Song San Niang and said, "Song San Niang's spirit of helping this righteous cause is truly admirable. I will no longer stand on ceremony and forbid you from using this to create merit for yourselves. I will accept all the money and silk, and I will definitely use it all for disaster relief!"

Upon hearing this, Song San Niang smiled and agreed. Then, glancing at the bewildered young girl Ying Nu standing to the side, she added, "This woman is also sincere. If Sixth Brother finds it too troublesome..."

“Since it’s from the heart, how can it compare to giving it away personally? Since I’ve accepted the gifts from Third Sister, I naturally need to ask you for a steward to accompany and supervise me, to see if all this money and silk is spent properly. Since she’s gathered it herself, she can serve as the steward for a while.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and stood up. He gently took the tearful girl's hand and asked, "Are you afraid of the hardships of the journey? Would you like to travel with me?"

Upon hearing this, the girl nodded repeatedly, but quickly realized something was amiss and stopped to steal a glance at her foster mother.

"Sixth Brother is so greedy! He not only takes in slaves and offers them money, but he also wants to kidnap my beloved daughter!"

Song San Niang couldn't help but give a bitter laugh, then rolled her eyes at the girl and said irritably, "Go if you want to. In the past few years, did I have to force you to stay here? Once you leave this place, don't look back. From now on, you'll have to bear your own fortune and misfortune!"

Upon hearing this, the young girl Yingnu burst into tears, nodding repeatedly while sobbing uncontrollably.

"Your mother and I have shared years of friendship; it will take time to say goodbye. Yingnu, please stay here for now. I will come to take her away when you leave the capital."

Seeing that Song San Niang was also saddened, Zhang Dai smiled and said, "My home is not some remote place where strangers cannot approach. If San Niang misses her son dearly, she is welcome to visit anytime!"

"How could I not know where you live? You heartless man, do not lead my daughter away for a moment of lust, leaving her to suffer!"

Upon hearing this, Song San Niang suddenly raised an eyebrow and said indignantly.

Upon hearing that there seemed to be some old grudge hidden in this, Zhang Dai naturally did not press the matter further. He chuckled dryly and instructed Jin Huan to stay there for the time being, help Ying Nu pack her luggage, and wait for him to come and pick her up. Then he left first.

On his way home, however, he was a little worried. He had brought back one or two women on his trip. Not to mention what his family would think of him, would his house be big enough to accommodate them? Song San Niang was fine, but when he went to Wang Mao Zhong's house for the wedding banquet, he had to control himself. He couldn't afford to fall into the same trap twice!
(End of this chapter)