Chapter 313: Trust Between Father and Son

After Zhang Zhuo saw off his last guest, the lively and grand full-moon celebration of the Zhang family finally came to an end. Unlike in the past when he was neglected and unattended, Zhang Zhuo now even had to suppress his steady and capable demeanor with an air of confidence to prevent people from paying too much attention to him. At that moment, he walked side by side with Zhang Yue along the path between the two mansions, with no one else around except for the cold winds blowing across their faces.

He didn’t mind people whispering that a son’s status rises because of his father. His birth mother had passed away early, and although his legal mother, Lady Gu, wasn’t cruel to him, she still favored certain people over others, often forgetting about him or even not considering him at all. This was common in large families, and he knew complaining wouldn’t help, so he had been working silently. Now, not only had he accumulated a considerable fortune, but he also had a good son, which was even more gratifying.

“I’ve met that Liu Da before. Though he’s not a scholar, he’s a hundred times better than those bookworms. His helpers are also honest and straightforward people—your judgment is good. He said he only needed 2,000 taels as capital, so I gave him 3,000 taels and selected two men to escort him to East Min. With the Jinyiwei there having just changed leadership, it should be enough for him to establish himself there.”

“I knew things would be easier with Father stepping in.”

“Stop flattery! You’re an official—don’t focus on these matters. I’ll take care of them.”

Zhang Yue had always been grateful to have a sensible father like Zhang Zhuo. In those days, wealthy families often had strict hierarchies, and the relationship between father and son was more based on blood relations and rituals than affection. A son’s first feeling toward his father was usually reverence rather than closeness. His relationship with Zhang Zhuo had always been very good, and Zhang Zhuo rarely spoke harshly, but hearing such calm words from him, he felt a sense of fatherly authority for the first time.

“During the imperial examinations back then, I regretted insisting on taking them alone. After all, with me in the way, your path to promotion wouldn’t be smooth. It seems my worries were unnecessary—you’ve done better than I expected. However, human energy is limited, and the emperor certainly won’t allow his favored ministers to be distracted. So, if it comes to matters related to money and business, you might as well leave them to me. I’ve been dealing with these for years—I’m more experienced than you, an outsider.”

Zhang Zhuo suddenly stopped in his tracks. Seeing Zhang Yue’s astonished expression, he smiled and explained, “Back then, you were weak and sickly, and your mother wasn’t particularly shrewd or capable. Although the money for your treatment came from public funds, people still whispered. So I managed to open a shop on my own. With Uncle Yuan’s support, the business proved stable—enough not only to cover our household expenses but also to generate a surplus. Gradually, I opened a few more shops. Now that Uncle Yuan is the commander of the Jinyiwei, having him as our backing has only made things better. So, you needn’t worry about money. In just three years, the profits from these businesses amounted to at least 100,000 taels. I used this money to buy many estates across the Jiangnan region. Even in future generations, there will be no need to worry about lacking funds.”

Even though he knew his father must have hidden many things, Zhang Yue was still shocked by his openness. He considered himself no genius at crossing times, and he knew that in those days, agriculture was valued over commerce—even the wealthiest merchants meant little in the face of imperial power. So he didn’t dare to be too bold. Who would have thought his father, Zhang Zhuo, had such great influence!

“Father…”

“Ever since you fell from that tree, you’ve changed a lot. You’re smart when it counts and steady when it’s needed. Your mother and I are happy to see that, but sometimes we worry that thinking too much at such a young age might shorten your life. You’ve come this far already—just keep moving forward step by step. There’s no need to look back; your father and Uncle Yuan will always have your back… Although Uncle Yuan can’t be close to you, he will surely do his utmost to protect you. You’re my son, and someone recognized by Uncle Yuan. In the future, everything we build will be yours to inherit, but for now, you don’t need to worry about such things.”

By now, it was completely dark, with the moon peeking through the clouds, casting a cool glow. High walls flanked both sides of the path, and voices from the courtyards drifted over on the wind, making the surroundings not seem so desolate. At that moment, Zhang Zhuo placed his hands firmly on Zhang Yue’s shoulders and said bluntly, “When the time is right, I’ll naturally tell you some things.”

After this long talk with his father, Zhang Yue rode faster through the night, filled with more confidence. After all, who could be more trustworthy than one’s own father? With such a father’s support behind him, the pressure on his shoulders was greatly reduced!

Early in the morning, after getting up to practice martial arts, Zhang Yue had breakfast and then went straight to Lu Feng’s courtyard. He happened to see a young eunuch coming out by lifting the curtain. Before Zhang Yue could speak, the man rushed down the steps with a smile, bowing deeply and saying, “Lord Zhang, you’ve come so early! Your Excellency still hasn’t gotten up yet! Last night he said his back and waist hurt from sitting on the ship for so many days, and he needs to rest for a few days. If there’s anything, Lord Zhang, you can decide on your own. If it’s too difficult, you can come to him later.”

Thinking of Lu Feng’s words the previous day, Zhang Yue understood right away that Lu Feng disdained even the slightest merit shown openly. He smiled knowingly and said, “In that case, make sure Your Excellency Lu gets proper rest. I’ll come to see him after I finish my matters.”

“Please go slowly, Lord Zhang!”

Only after seeing Zhang Yue leave the courtyard did Cheng Jiu turn around and hurry back to the main house. When he lifted the curtain, he saw Lu Feng sitting cross-legged on the heated bed, slowly eating bird’s nest porridge with a silver spoon. Even when he saw Cheng Jiu enter, Lu Feng didn’t even lift his eyelids. He was already used to this, so he stepped forward quickly and stood bent down carefully beside him.

“Your Excellency, Lord Zhang has left. He asked you to rest well and said he’d come back to visit you later.”

Although he didn’t like the strange taste of bird’s nest porridge, which high-ranking eunuch in the palace didn’t pay close attention to? Naturally, Lu Feng didn’t want to be laughed at. After finally finishing it with a frown, he casually placed the porcelain bowl on the table beside him, a hint of pride on his face.

“In my opinion, none of those direct descendants of meritorious officials can compare to him. He handles things methodically and has never abused his favor. He’s the perfect person to handle matters in the capital. Although I’m an imperial envoy this time, there are too many meritorious officials and nobles here. It’s pointless to suffer a loss now. Besides the emperor, he has the crown prince as his backing—support that’s incredibly strong. As long as he respects me, I won’t let him down. I won’t compete with him for credit later.”

In the Ming Dynasty, the main taxes were the summer tax and the autumn grain tax, collected twice a year in kind. After more than a decade of recovery following the Jingnan Campaign, coupled with the foundation laid during the Hongwu era, the granaries across the country were filled to the brim. In case of disasters, the provincial administrations could immediately order relief and then report to the imperial court. Thus, grain storage was always of utmost importance. With a memorial from the Censorate, the imperial court sent an envoy, making the situation even more significant in people’s eyes.

The Taiping Granary near Jinchuan Gate was the largest grain storage in the capital. During the seasons when taxes on summer crops and autumn harvests were due, caravans of carts delivering grain would often stretch all the way to the wharf outside Wajinchuan Gate. The official in charge of the Taiping Granary held a ninth-rank position. Though this might not seem significant in the capital filled with powerful figures, he held considerable authority within his domain.

Yet, despite the biting cold wind, this official was sweating profusely as he served Zhang Yue loyally. Only when the last door of the granary was slowly closed and everyone returned to the accounting office did his pale face regain some color, and his voice gained some strength as he said, “My lord, I have been in charge of the Taiping Granary for over a decade, always fulfilling my duties diligently without ever slacking. This charge of stealing and selling official grain must be a slander—please investigate thoroughly!”

The deputy official, who had remained silent until then, quickly nodded and agreed, “As my lord saw just now, all the granaries are fully stocked, matching exactly the figures in the accounts. There is absolutely no discrepancy.”

Zhang Yue didn’t expect to discover any clues by merely taking a cursory look around the granaries, so he wasn’t at all perturbed by their words. Wiping the dust from his hands, he saw the flattering smiles on the faces of the granary’s official and deputy. He said indifferently, “You’ve guarded this granary for over a decade—your efforts, though unremarkable, are recognized. The court certainly won’t wrong an honest person. Bring in someone to seal all the past years’ accounts and take them back for careful examination!”

“My lord, that’s against the rules!” The official jumped up like a cat with its tail stepped on, his oily forehead gleaming in the sunlight. “Besides, there are at least several chests of accounts from over the years—it would take months just to go through them all.”

“I am acting by the emperor’s orders. Sealing the accounts is only proper. As for the time needed to review them, I have skilled accountants. Even if it takes two months, they will thoroughly examine everything. Bring in someone to seal them!”

Seeing Zhang Yue’s fierce soldiers rush into the accounting office without hesitation to seal the accounts, neither the official nor the deputy dared say another word, their expressions grim. As for the group of laborers, they stood pressed against the wall, hands hanging limply, not daring to breathe loudly. It wasn’t until Zhang Yue left with a large group, carrying away a cartload of accounts and disappearing from sight, that the official and deputy exchanged glances, each seeing relief in the other’s eyes. The previously obedient laborers also began whispering among themselves, their faces showing disapproval.

“I already said it’s just a rookie. The two bosses have kept such perfect records that how could he possibly figure it out?”
“As long as we hold on for another month or so, and get rid of this plague once it’s over, that’s it.”
Seeing their direct superior’s gaze, the burly head of the laborers immediately ordered a few workers to rearrange the items that had just been moved down. Amidst the busy figures, a man with a tanned face casually slung a box over his shoulder. Glancing at the smug-looking ambassador and deputy of the Granary, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
Those two fools must not have even heard of Zhang Yue’s reputation as a butcher!