Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 352 If he were not my son, what would he be worthy of praise?

After escorting Princess Yuzhen back to her Taoist temple, it was already very late at night. Zhang Dai and his group did not linger inside and took their leave immediately.

On the way back, Zhang Dai distanced himself from Zhang Ji. He had a night pass issued by the Xingqing Palace, so he didn't have to worry about being stopped by the Jinwu Guards and questioned about violating the law.

However, as his entourage turned from Hengjie onto Zhuque Avenue, the sound of horses' hooves behind them became more rapid. Zhang Dai looked back and saw Zhang Ji leading his entourage to catch up from behind.

He stood by the roadside and called out to Zhang Ji, "Uncle, aren't you going home?"

"I will return with you so as not to disturb the princess's rest at night."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji replied, and Zhang Dai grinned again, saying, "So your wife is afraid of being disturbed at night, and your parents are staying up all night staring at you, right?"

They couldn't agree on anything, and Zhang Dai didn't bother to say anything more to him, so he spurred his horse forward and headed towards his own residence.

Upon reaching the gate, Ding Qing, holding a warrant, stepped forward and called for the gatekeeper to open the gate, while Zhang Dai reined in his horse and waited nearby.

"Don't be so stubborn in the future! General Li is a renowned scholar from a prominent family. What good will it do you to make an enemy of him? Especially now that my family is a member of the imperial clan, if you still don't know how to control your temper, do you expect me to step in and make amends for you in everything?"

Zhang Ji had been holding back his grievances since Xingqing Palace, and now he finally couldn't help but look at Zhang Dai and pour them out: "If it weren't for you causing trouble outside, why would I be running around inside and outside, unable to return home late at night! Your father is getting old, and you are away on official business. Do you think it's easy for me to maintain the family's reputation? How much time and energy do I have to resolve your troubles!"

Zhang Dai initially didn't want to pay him any attention, but seeing his painstaking and self-satisfied demeanor, he couldn't help but frown and ask, "What is the situation regarding what Princess Yuzhen mentioned?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji's eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness. He then glared at her and said, "Have you taken care of your duties properly? Many famous scholars from all over the country stay at Princess Yuzhen's villa. You are young and impetuous and do not know how to restrain yourself. You glare at people at the slightest disagreement, which only damages my family's reputation by making enemies among scholars."

I'm not telling you about this for your own good. Instead of getting involved in these trivial matters, you should focus more on your job, work hard, and get out of this mess as soon as possible. Do you really think I'm not telling you this to stop you from showing off and becoming famous?

Zhang Dai nodded directly, and seeing that the side gate of the neighborhood was already open, he rode straight into the neighborhood.

Seeing his response, Zhang Ji became even more furious, his face turning ashen. As he chased after him into the neighborhood, he shouted angrily, "Even as one of the Nine Ministers, I dare not boast of my own fame. What makes you think that your meager talents are enough to win favor? And what about those tens of thousands of strings of cash? Was it you, or your grandfather…?"

Zhang Dai did not respond to him again. After entering the ward, he went straight to his own home. When he arrived at the gate, he saw several people standing under the lamplight in the front courtyard, including Pei Guangting's servants. He immediately reined in his horse and turned to Zhang Ji, who was still pressing him about money, and said in a deep voice, "Shut up, we have important guests at home!"

Zhang Ji was very conscious of his image in public, so upon hearing this, he immediately shut his mouth, reverting to his elegant and refined demeanor. He rode to the door, dismounted, handed the reins to a servant who rushed forward, and asked, "Who is a guest at home today?"

"It's Vice Minister Pei of the Ministry of War, already..."

Upon hearing this, the servant replied with a smile, but before he could finish speaking, Zhang Dai scolded him, "Stop talking and get out!"

Upon hearing this, the servant immediately responded respectfully, shut his mouth, and led the horse to the stable.

Seeing this, Zhang Ji was naturally somewhat dissatisfied. He glared at Zhang Dai and then headed straight for the main hall.

A servant had already informed the main hall that Zhang Ji had returned home, so several members of the Zhang family, including the guest Pei Guangting, and several court officials came outside to greet him.

This is the privilege that comes with status. Regardless of Zhang Ji's background, he is now the emperor's son-in-law and holds the official position of Minister of the Imperial Guard, which is even higher than Pei Guangting's. He is the most prominent and noble person in the entire Zhang family besides Zhang Shuo and his wife.

"Minister Pei, it's been a long time!"

Zhang Ji greeted Pei Guangting with a cupped-fist salute and a smile, and Pei Guangting quickly returned the salute, saying, "Minister Zhang, your demeanor is truly outstanding!"

When Zhang Ji entered the hall to pay his respects to his father, Zhang Shuo stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Your parents are in good health and have long instructed that you need not visit them frequently. The Emperor has bestowed upon you a virtuous new wife; you should cherish this marriage and diligently serve the imperial household to repay the Emperor's grace!"

Pei Guangting had been coming to Zhang Ji's house every day to discuss matters, and he would stay overnight after chatting until late, but this was the first time he had seen Zhang Ji come home.

He wouldn't pry into other people's affairs. After returning to the hall, he cupped his hands and said, "I didn't realize I'd disturbed you so much. I hope you have something to say to Lord Yan when you get home. Please ask to stay at the inn for the night so as not to disturb Lord Yan and his son's heart-to-heart talk."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuo did not try to keep him any longer. He got up and instructed his servants to lead Pei Guangting away. As soon as Pei Guangting sat back down, Zhang Ji hurriedly asked, "Father, what brings Pei Guangting to our house?"

“That’s none of your business,” Zhang replied casually at first, then looked at Zhang Dai and said, “I heard that Lord Li went to the palace to plead for leniency today. How was the matter ultimately handled?”

"Not only Master Li, but my uncle also came to the palace today as an envoy to persuade me not to pursue this matter any further, which makes me feel very awkward and passive."

With no outsiders present, Zhang Dai no longer needed to hold back and immediately pointed at Zhang Ji, complaining, "Uncle, I don't know how much you know. When the Emperor summoned me into the palace, he kept advising me to be magnanimous, almost making me a disrespectful, narrow-minded, and arrogant person."

"Am I wrong? No matter what, you never..."

Zhang Ji was already somewhat unhappy about being neglected by his father, and hearing Zhang Dai's complaint only made him more dissatisfied.

"Shut up! What Zongzhi and I are discussing is serious business. If you want to listen, then listen quietly. If you don't want to listen, go to the back hall and visit your mother!"

Zhang Shuo raised his hand to signal Zhang Ji to be quiet, and then continued to Zhang Dai: "Go on, how did the sage ultimately deal with it?"

Zhang Dai immediately recounted the scene of his exchange in the Hua'e Tower. After listening to Zhang Dai's account, Zhang Shuo couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, saying, "So, if we go to Xingqing Palace again in the future, we will be able to witness the heroic figure of my Sun Zhi, who rivals Mount Hua? This response was indeed ingenious. No wonder the Emperor was so pleased and bestowed such an honor upon him! Loyal words and righteous words are truly delightful. You should also learn from this kind of cunning in responding to the Emperor."

He turned and said the last sentence to Zhang Ji.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji felt somewhat indignant and immediately snorted coldly, "Isn't Father praising him too much? He's just a young disciple who hasn't even reached adulthood yet. How much talent and ability can he offer to the country? He only relies on a few clever words to flatter and curry favor. Even if he gains temporary favor, he won't achieve anything in the long run. How can he not be disliked?"

Father calls this a clever trick, and even has me learn such frivolous skills. Is this truly the great path to achieving merit and virtue? Besides, his words evade the important points. If Father were to generously bestow tens of thousands of strings of cash upon me for lavish spending, I would still be praised by my followers!

Zhang Shuo casually shared a joke, but unexpectedly received such a righteous and stern rebuttal from his son. His smile froze on his face for a moment. After blinking, he looked around the table and suddenly grabbed the table in front of him and smashed it on Zhang Ji's table, shouting angrily, "So it was I who insulted Minister Wei!"

The clinking of cups and utensils startled Zhang Ji, who jumped back several feet from his seat. He then said with some embarrassment and annoyance, "Where was my remark inappropriate? Father, please speak frankly!"

"What talents have you contributed to the country? What achievements have earned you this position?"

After throwing the table down, Zhang Shuo walked straight down from above, hands on his hips, and stood in front of Zhang Ji. He pointed his finger at Zhang Ji's nose and said angrily, "You have toiled half your life and made contributions both inside and outside the home. You have accumulated a lot of favors and earned a respectable family! You wretched child, ask yourself, besides being Zhang Shuo's son, what do you have to boast about in front of others?"

To establish merit and virtue? Without your father's protection, you would have difficulty even standing on your own two feet! The bond between ruler and subject brought this kinship together, and it is only because of this bond that you wear this purple robe. Since your birth, you have lived a life of luxury, and all your possessions and necessities have been generously bestowed upon you by Li Zhaodao?
You ate and slept in my house. Last year, during a family tragedy, your father risked his life for you! With a few empty words of flattery, I, Li, managed to lure you into the garden and help him interrogate my grandson! Your own son, Zhi, is abandoned before others; does this demonstrate your fairness and integrity? It only exposes your cold-hearted nature!

The sage married his daughter to you hoping you would cherish family and uphold righteousness. You…you…you dare to speak of the path of merit and virtue?

“Father, please calm down. My uncle has just joined the imperial clan, so it's understandable that he wants to be careful in his dealings with people and make proper connections within the clan. When General Li, a renowned figure in the clan, suddenly came to our door to make a request, my uncle couldn't refuse. Although I was somewhat uneasy at the time, I can understand it afterward…”

Seeing Zhang Shuo's anger, Zhang Dai quickly stood up and advised him.

"Get out of the way! I'm disciplining my son, what business is it of yours?"

Zhang said he was really angry. Without even looking at Zhang Dai, he waved his hand and drove him aside. Then he pointed at Zhang Ji and said angrily, "You think you can be so lenient with your own family matters? How many times will you return home after the Lantern Festival?"

Your father's power has waned, and he can no longer advance in his career. This flesh and blood of yours was born from your mother's womb; is it not enough for you to accept Zhang Qing's obeisance and greetings?

This accusation was far too severe. Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji's resolve crumbled. He knelt before his father with a thud, his forehead pressed against his shoes, and trembled as he said, "Your son is guilty, your son is unfilial! Tomorrow I will return home with the princess and pay my respects to my parents morning and evening. My parents will not allow me to go out..."

Zhang Shuo's anger towards his son was not solely due to this incident; today's events were merely the trigger. The greater cause lay in Zhang Ji's increasingly arrogant and self-important behavior since his marriage. He rarely returned home, sometimes only a few times a month, and even some of his father's retainers were brought to the princess's residence.

Zhang Shuo went to great lengths to arrange his son's marriage to the princess, naturally hoping that the family could continue to prosper through this relationship. However, after the marriage, Zhang Ji seemed determined to start a new business and break away from the family to work independently, which naturally infuriated him.

"Move back after the Shangsi Festival. Don't be too hasty, lest others notice."

Seeing Zhang Ji kowtow and admit his mistake, Zhang Shuo's anger subsided slightly. After a moment's thought, he said, "After you return, discuss it with the princess. If the princess is not pleased, there is no need to force her. Just remember to pay your respects to her morning and evening. It is not your parents who are forcing you to show filial piety, but to show the world that you, Zhang Qing, are deeply devoted to your parents and uphold kindness and righteousness."

Your nephew pointed this out to your face, yet you remained oblivious, even scornfully calling it heresy. The sage has more than one daughter; do not think that becoming his son-in-law guarantees a life of wealth and comfort. Now someone is instructing you, but tomorrow you will be leading Genji's son to the East Market—who will then be teaching him?

(End of this chapter)