Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 276 A huge reward will be given for killing this fiend.

After the grandmother and grandson finished their conversation, Zhang Dai went to the inner courtyard to visit his grandmother, where he met the young woman he had seen in Zheng's room.

“This is your aunt. It’s been a few years since you two last saw each other, hasn’t it? Her father-in-law passed away recently, and she only recently finished the mourning period and returned home to visit her parents.”

Yuan first asked Zhang Dai whether his journey was going smoothly and how his father was doing in Zhengzhou, before pointing to the young woman sitting next to him and introducing her to Zhang Dai.

Previously, the young Zhang Luonu had been largely excluded from family life, and since most of his family members lived with his grandfather in Chang'an, he didn't have a deep impression of his aunt.

After hearing Yuan's introduction, Zhang Dai realized their relationship. He then bowed to the young Zhang and said, "I have just returned home and was unaware that my aunt had come to visit. I am truly sorry for my rudeness."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang merely snorted coldly. She still remembered Zhang Dai ignoring her, and having overheard Madam Zheng's slanderous complaints about this boy in the east wing, she naturally had a poor impression of this illegitimate nephew whom she was already unfamiliar with.

Seeing her like this, Zhang Dai was too lazy to argue or pay attention to her anymore. Instead, he told his grandmother about his father's situation in Zhengzhou. He naturally didn't mention Zhang Jun's dissolute private life, only saying that the people of the prefecture also praised and respected his father.

“Alas, you are currently tied up with royal duties and away from home, and such a thing has happened at home. You are much more sensible than your brother, and you also need to take care of the family affairs.”

Remembering the fate of her eldest grandson, Madam Yuan looked at Zhang Dai and spoke solemnly.

Before Zhang Dai could respond, another cold snort rang in his ears, and then the young Zhang said, "Your name is Luo Nu, right? Just now in the east wing, your mother was scolding you, why did you leave without paying attention? I heard that your brother suffered this misfortune because you were not careful outside and caused trouble."

You are away on official business, and your younger brother is young and inexperienced. You, relying on your newfound official rank, have no regard for human relationships or ethics. How could my family have such a disrespectful and unruly son? Now that you have achieved official rank, you must know what kind of gossip you will attract if these things get out..."

Zhang Dai's brows furrowed as he listened to his daughter's complaints, while Madam Yuan's expression also darkened. She looked at her youngest daughter and said in a deep voice, "Who taught you to say such things?"

"Does he need anyone to teach him? I saw his attitude towards Sister-in-law in the east wing just now. Mother, you shouldn't spoil him just because he's a bit talented and favored. Talent without virtue is harmful and useless. Take advantage of the fact that you can still discipline him..."

Xiao Zhang remained defiant, not only because she had heard Zheng's various accusations and slanders, but also because she herself harbored some dissatisfaction with her nephew.

Previously, this young man had no presence in the house; she didn't even remember that he existed. But after several years of mourning for her husband, she returned home this time to find everyone in the house, from relatives to servants, treating him with politeness and respect. This made her feel that the atmosphere in the house was somewhat unfamiliar, and she felt a little out of place.

"Shut up! Don't talk about things you don't know! What will the younger generation think of you if you say something unreasonable!"

Seeing that her youngest daughter was still being unreasonable, Madam Yuan also frowned and scolded her in a low voice. Then she looked at Zhang Dai and said, "You must be tired from the journey. Sixth Brother, you should go home and rest. Don't take your aunt's words to heart, as she hasn't been home for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai nodded in agreement. He was also quite disgusted by his aunt's pretentious behavior at home. After glancing at the embarrassed and annoyed Zhang Shi, he bid farewell to his grandmother and left.

After returning from his travels, Zhang Dai received a generous gift from his aunt. He was in a good mood, but once he got home, the mess of people and troubles ruined his mood. After returning to Jicui Tower, he had a simple dinner, then instructed Ding Cang to go to the east of the city to arrange food and lodging for his companions. Zhang Dai took a bath and then went to bed.

He slept soundly until dawn. When Zhang Dai woke up again, his grandfather had already gone to court, but left him some essay topics for him to write, which were probably related to the upcoming imperial examinations.

After glancing at the assignments, Zhang Dai set them aside and went to the east wing to check on Zhang Yu's injuries. Although Zheng Shi had wronged him yesterday, he and Zhang Yu were brothers from the same father, so he felt he should at least show some concern.

Since the truth of the matter had already spread throughout the family, Madam Zheng no longer dared to reprimand Zhang Dai as confidently as she had the day before, and simply stayed silent in her room. As for the other servants, they dared even less to come forward and provoke him.

Zhang Yi's condition is better than yesterday; he is no longer constantly crying and complaining of pain.

When Zhang Dai entered, he first buried his head in the quilt, and after a while, he said in a muffled voice, "Brother, I didn't mean to, and dared not, wrong you. It's just that my uncle and cousin kept coming to the house to complain and plead, disturbing Mother's peace. I didn't want them to bother Mother anymore, so I left... But I didn't expect those thieving soldiers to be so vicious, knowing who I am, they still dared to kill me..."

"I understand, I don't blame you. Focus on recovering. My family isn't without support. We'll settle things properly after you've recovered!" Zhang Dai said in a deep voice. Although the matter was caused by the Zheng family, Zhang Yi's severe beating was probably related to him. Moreover, the Wang family of the North Gate knew that the person injured was Zhang Shuo's grandson, and they beat him so badly, yet they haven't come to explain themselves. They must have the backing of high-ranking generals like Ge Fushun.

The cause of the incident was truly shameful. Although it was an open secret that aristocratic families sold marriages, the fact that the Zheng family was being cheated out of their money and chased after when they asked for it back would only make things more embarrassing if the matter continued. Therefore, Zhang Shuo found it difficult to make a move, as he still had some pride.

But if they don't get revenge, it will undoubtedly be a disgrace to the entire Zhang family. They are not an unknown family; even if his grandfather is no longer the prime minister, he still has to make a living in the world of fame and fortune. If they just endure it, they will inevitably be ridiculed in the future.

"Brother, will you help me avenge myself?"

Hatred is a fundamental human emotion. When Zhang Dai heard what Zhang Dai said, he momentarily forgot the pain in his leg and looked at Zhang Dai expectantly: "Brother, what do you plan to do? Could you... could you let me too..."

"The guy who broke your leg, his name is Wang Chongjun? How much money does his family owe the Zheng family?"

Zhang Dai had no intention of taking matters into his own hands, nor was he going to discuss the rules with the other party. He wanted to hire someone to kill him: "From this day forward, any young man from the Five Wards or the Northern Gate who can kill this scoundrel will be rewarded with 30,000 strings of cash!"

“Brother, are you really going to give me 30,000 strings of cash to avenge me? But why specifically the sons of the Northern Gate and the lads of the Five Workshops? Although Wang Chongjun was the leader of the perpetrators that day, there were also many Northern Gate lackeys as his accomplices. If it weren't for their superior numbers, I wouldn't be in such a miserable state…”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi first showed surprise and delight, then asked in confusion.

"Because we not only want to avenge you, but also to assess the value of the Northern Gate's loyalty and Huo Geng's reputation! Do the Northern Gate disciples uphold loyalty and regard money as dirt? Are Huo Geng and Huo Geng truly unparalleled in prestige and able to obey orders without question?"

Zhang Dai didn't explain in detail to Zhang Yi. After a brief explanation, he said, "You should rest first. I'm going out to find someone, issue a reward, and hunt down this scoundrel! Remember, remember, don't let anyone know. I'm telling you this so you can focus on recovering."

“I won’t say it, I will never say it! Not even to my mother. I know she’s afraid her brothers and nephews will be blamed by my family, so she’s insisting on questioning my elder brother. But I’m not a child anymore, how could I not understand the truth of the matter? My mother’s intentions have pleased those distant relatives, but have alienated my own brothers and sisters. She’s made a mistake!”

Zhang Yu quickly added, "Those people only covet my family's power. If I were to really suffer, they would all avoid me. But my brother went to great lengths to plan my revenge. If I didn't know who was better, I would be worse than a pig or a dog!"

Zhang Dai was quite pleased that the boy had such an understanding; at least his worries for him hadn't been in vain.

Besides Zhang Dai, the only other person who didn't get along with Beimen was the palace officials, especially Gao Lishi, who had almost been BBQed in Bianzhou. So after leaving his home, Zhang Dai went straight to Gao Lishi's residence.

After all that had happened, he naturally dared not be careless about his personal safety any longer. He had more than twenty guards in front and behind him. An Xiaochen led the men to guard the front, while Ding Qing guarded the rear. The Jin Huan and Yin Huan brothers flanked him on both sides. He looked like an arrogant and domineering playboy.

Gao Lishi also went to the palace after returning to the capital yesterday, and stayed there to report on matters until late at night. He did not return to his residence to rest until nearly dawn. He had not yet gotten up, but when he heard from his servant that Zhang Dai had come to visit, he hurriedly got up to greet him.

"Liu Lang is here! I have some things I want to discuss with you."

Last night, Gao Lishi's report on the matter of flying money was highly praised by the emperor, and he was also very excited. When he saw Zhang Dai, the one who first proposed this plan, he was naturally even more enthusiastic.

Zhang Dai gave a wry smile and said, "If the Duke of Bohai has asked me something, I know I will answer everything. But I would like to ask for your help with something first."

He recounted to Gao Lishi how his brother's leg had been broken and his plan to hire someone to kill him. After listening to this, Gao Lishi frowned and said, "Isn't this a bit absurd? Although the Northern Gate Servant is arrogant and lawless, he is still a member of the Imperial Guard. Hiring someone to kill him and sowing discord, if this matter is investigated, it might damage your grandfather's reputation!"

"Who will investigate? How will they investigate? My grandfather is a high-ranking official, renowned throughout the land. He should be dealt with according to the law of the land. How could he be subjected to private torture? Whoever is framing this high-ranking official is truly malicious and deserves to die!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai immediately spoke up, saying that it was indeed not his grandfather's doing, and that his grandfather would never stoop to such despicable schemes, nor would he even bother with such trivial matters. If things escalated, his family would even report it to the authorities!

(End of this chapter)