Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 283 What kind of old thief is this, to give birth to such a vile creature?

"Zongzhi's actions this time were without fault. No matter how arrogant the Northern Gate disciples are, they know the advantages and disadvantages and submit. Otherwise, why would the Wang father and son come to apologize? If they are not severely punished, it will only encourage the villains to harm us!"

Zhang Shuo originally intended to reprimand Zhang Ji for hiding on the sidelines and watching the commotion, but he still wanted to give his son-in-law some face, so he spoke in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji quickly lowered his head again and said, "I'm not saying we shouldn't retaliate, but there's no need to be so brutal and direct when things are serious. I've also heard rumors at the North Gate that someone is offering a reward of 30,000 strings of cash to take the life of that Wang family son. I suppose that was Ah Liu's doing!"
How could such a thing be done? There are countless outlaws in the world. If you buy someone with money today, who knows if you won't be bought by someone else tomorrow? Even if you were to do it, you should do it more subtly and cleverly. If you wait three to five years, you won't need such a huge sum of 30,000 strings of cash at all. Using such a large sum will only attract attention and be detrimental..."

Zhang Shuo's brows furrowed deeper as he listened, while Zhang Dai kept his lips tightly pressed together, trying not to laugh out loud.

This guy's brain has no circuits at all; it's all straight, rigid steel bars. He says he'll hire someone to kill someone, and he actually does? No wonder he surrendered to An Lushan later. Damn it, An Lushan established the state of "Yan," does he expect him to make you crown prince just because your father was granted the title of Duke of Yan?
Lu Zheng, who was standing to the side, listened very attentively and nodded in agreement from time to time. It was probably because these two had been talking about this topic a lot while they were watching the excitement in the West Building. They were both very clever!

"Shut up! If you truly had a good plan, why didn't you speak up several days after the incident? Now that it's over, you're trying to show off your wisdom, only to become a laughingstock!"

Zhang Shuo was too lazy to explain the logic of dealing with things to this clever man. He simply waved his hand impatiently to interrupt him and then looked at his son-in-law Lu Zheng and said, "You have just finished your mourning period, and things at home and in the world have changed a lot. There is no need to rush into the world. Just stay at home and take care of things properly before looking for work."

"My father-in-law's teachings are certainly wise and sound, and I should obey and heed them. However, since my father's passing, our family has declined and we are increasingly disregarded by the world. After returning to this world, I see that my peers are all making great strides, while I am still wearing my old blue robe covered in dust, which inevitably saddens me..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng quickly replied with a sorrowful expression.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuo frowned slightly, but after a moment's thought, he looked at Zhang Dai and said, "After the imperial examination, you will need to pay your respects to Yan Tingzhi, the chief examiner. Would it be alright if you went with your uncle?"

Zhang Dai was somewhat displeased upon hearing this. He wasn't familiar with Lu Zheng, so how could he presume to recommend him to Yan Tingzhi? Moreover, his grandfather was clearly just making excuses. Lu Zheng's desire for advancement was written all over his face. If Zhang really wanted to make arrangements, why would he ask him to introduce Lu Zheng to Yan Tingzhi?

While he was still figuring out how to reply, Lu Zheng spoke first: "I am touched by your concern, father-in-law. However, after being idle for several years, I am now entering the world and having my life subject to the judgment of the selection committee. I am truly uneasy. I only hope to receive the help of my old friends and acquaintances, and I do not wish to have my life subject to the scrutiny and measurement of the selection committee."

"Ha ha……"

People are truly speechless when they are speechless. After hearing Lu Zheng's shameless words, Zhang Dai couldn't help but chuckle.

To put it another way, it means I've been stuck at home for years and have no confidence in participating in the civil service exam. If you still care about our friendship, please use your connections to get me a cushy job that doesn't require the civil service exam.

During the Tang Dynasty, the selection process covered officials below the sixth rank, both inside and outside the capital. Officials of the fifth rank and above, as well as those serving as imperial attendants in the two provinces, were not selected through this process but were instead sent to the Secretariat and the Chancellery for imperial decree.

This Lu Zheng is really shameless. After years of mourning at home, he wants to become an official after the mourning period is over, and he even wants to be a good official. He is unwilling to even participate in the selection process through back channels. He is treating Zhang Yue like a wishing well turtle!
Zhang Ji seemed to have a good relationship with Lu Zheng. Despite being scolded by his father just now, he couldn't help but speak up for him, saying, "Young Master Lu is from a prestigious family and has a handsome appearance. If he were to be relegated to a lowly position, his ambition would inevitably be diminished."

"I am aware of the matter. You may go ahead and I will inform you once I have made progress."

Zhang said in a deep voice, then waved his hand to dismiss the two men.

"Thank you, father-in-law! Thank you so much, father-in-law!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng quickly bowed to Zhang Shuo in thanks before retreating with Zhang Ji.

After watching the two leave, Zhang Dai turned back to Zhang Shuo and asked with a smile, "This uncle of the Lu family, was his late father killed by my grandfather? Otherwise, why would my grandfather grant all your requests?"

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuo's old face flushed red. He glared and gave a stern rebuke, then sighed and said, "The son of the Lu family is indeed a scion of a prestigious family, so it's inevitable that he has some arrogance. It's just a pity that he has some bad luck. In his early years, he helped his late father secure a position as the Crown Prince's tutor. If he could have accompanied him to the Eastern Capital, it wouldn't have been difficult for his son to receive a similar honor and be granted a noble title."

Unfortunately, before the ceremonial procession could take place, his father passed away, causing him to miss his opportunity and fall into a low-ranking position. Now, having completed his mourning period and returned to civilian life, seeing all his deceased relatives and friends in mourning attire, he cannot help but feel self-pity and sorrow.

Zhang spoke with great feeling, but Zhang Dai was secretly amused. It turned out his uncle-in-law was a truly unlucky fellow. The Fengshan ceremony, with its powerful energy from Mount Tai, was supposed to be the easiest time for promotion, but this guy was stuck in mourning at home and missed out!

Seeing the boy winking and making faces, Zhang glared at him again, annoyed. To be honest, this matter was quite difficult for him. Unlike the marriages of his eldest son and daughter, which were somewhat arranged, his youngest daughter's marriage was arranged when he became prime minister, and the family he chose for her was the true noble family of the Lu clan of Fanyang, a direct descendant of the main branch.

Eager to integrate into these prestigious families, Zhang Yue was naturally very satisfied with this marriage. Ordinary families would only need to contribute some dowry to marry into these prominent families, but Zhang Yue directly used his power to arrange a third-rank official position as the Crown Prince's tutor for his in-laws, the Lu family.

As it turned out, Old Lu was a disappointment. He passed away shortly after taking the purple robe, causing his son to stay at home for several years and miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of the Fengshan Ceremony.

Zhang Yue's power today is vastly different from what it used to be. Even his beloved grandson, whom he wanted to nurture with all his might, had to pass the imperial examinations to gain a proper social standing. Faced with his son-in-law Lu Zheng's plea, he was truly powerless to help.

However, he had set the bar too high before, and now he felt a little embarrassed to refuse directly. He thought about it for a while and then looked up at Zhang Dai and asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"Simple, just send it to the North Gate and see if he dares to go!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai laughed and said that although he had just met Lu Zheng, he had a very bad impression of his uncle-in-law.

The five families held no special favors towards him, and Lu Zheng, regardless of his background, was an exceptional character in his words and actions. It was only natural for such a person to treat him well, but he would likely turn on him and distance himself in an instant if he was slighted in the slightest.

Knowing he wouldn't get anything good from him, Zhang simply dropped the subject and instead asked about the lessons he'd been given, adding, "There are many talented young men from prestigious families competing against you this time. Although you've made a name for yourself in the provincial exam, don't slack off. If you fail, you may not have a better chance in the coming years."

Since his future was at stake, Zhang Dai naturally wouldn't be careless. He was still a commoner, and could only solve problems by leveraging personal connections and circumstances. Only when he had real power and authority could he act decisively and efficiently.

Spirit is something invisible and intangible, yet undeniably real. As soon as the Wang family father and son arrived and Zhang Dai retaliated in kind, the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere in the mansion was instantly swept away. The clansmen came and went with their heads held high once again, and the mansion gradually returned to its former cheerful atmosphere.

Even Zhang Yi, who was still bedridden and recovering from his injuries, became cheerful again. Although his leg was still in pain, he no longer cried and wailed every day. He just hoped to recover quickly so that he could get out of bed and hang out with his brother.

But there was one exception: the matriarch, Madam Zheng. However, this time, the person who angered and provoked her was not someone else, but her own family members whom she had been trying her best to protect.

The Zheng family had not shown their faces since Zhang Yi was injured. Two days after the Wang family visited, Zheng's brother finally came to visit. Although Zhang had strictly ordered his family not to receive the Zheng family, they were still close relatives of the mistress, so the Zheng family's maternal uncle was peeked in through the side door by a servant from the east wing.

"It's good that Qilang's condition has stabilized. I've been feeling so guilty these past few days that I can't eat or sleep, and I wish I could take his place!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the Zheng brothers suddenly changed the subject, saying, "I heard that when Wang Sixian and his son came to apologize, they gave him ten thousand strings of cash as money for the medicine to treat Qilang's injuries?"

"That's right. This family of thieves thinks they can get away with money? They're dreaming! My son is the grandson of a duke, a precious nobleman. How can he be harmed by money? I'll order my servants to break his legs and see who dares to harm my son in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng huffed and puffed, her tone tinged with a hint of smugness. In front of her husband's family, she acted with pride as a pampered daughter of a noble family; in front of her own family, she behaved like a powerful wife from a wealthy and influential family. In short, she enjoyed a sense of superiority in both situations.

“This is what I think. Sister, you should know me. I’ve always been straightforward and say what I think. Especially between you and me, siblings, there’s no need to hide anything.”

The Zheng brothers first laid the groundwork, and then said, "Sister, don't you think this is abrupt? The Wang family was just threatening to kill Qilang a few days ago, so why are they suddenly so humble, even offering a fortune to make medicine?"

Presumably, his family couldn't bear the uproar and dared not bear the blame for breaking their promise, so they came to apologize. As for that ten thousand strings of cash, what kind of medicine could possibly require such a huge expense? How much was spent? Doesn't my sister know?"

"What do you want to say?"

Even if Zheng was slow to understand, she could tell that her brother's words had a hidden meaning, and she immediately asked in a deep voice.

“What I mean is, this ten thousand strings of cash is definitely not for Qilang’s medicine, but to replenish my family’s dowry! I am also heartbroken that Qilang is injured, but money matters should not be confused. Sister, please keep five hundred strings to replenish Qilang’s medicine, and return the rest to me…”

Before the Zheng brothers could finish speaking, something came flying at them. It was the furious Zheng Shi who smashed the porcelain cup in her hand down, shouting furiously, "Get out! Get out of here! What kind of old thief are you, to have such a vile son! My son helped his uncle's family and almost lost his life, and this dog of a scoundrel doesn't even care about him, but comes to demand money!"

(End of this chapter)