Chapter 17

In the back of the house, the sound of Jinlian's vigorous crying and fussing could be faintly heard, as if she was planning to take the gold, silver, and valuables and run away, but no one paid her any attention.

Madam Chang sat in the main hall, with a few old women standing around trying to comfort her, but they too knew that a great calamity was imminent. These women had been with the Zhang family for decades, and if the Zhang family fell, they would have nowhere to go. Even those who had their own houses and properties would not be spared, as the collapse of the Zhang family would affect everyone. While they tried to console Madam Chang, they were also wiping away their own tears.

The men, on the other hand, were squatting under the eaves, sighing and lamenting. When Zhang Han arrived, they instinctively stood up, their faces showing a mix of hope and indifference.

What good would it do if the young master, even if he had become more mature and showed signs of shrewdness? In the face of such adversity, Zhang Han's status and position meant he had no real power.

"Mother, I'm back."

"Han... Han..."

Madam Chang's spirits lifted at the sight of Zhang Han, but then she couldn't help but cry again. As a woman, she was helpless in the face of such adversity and could only sit and weep. Zhang Han saw that Madam Chang's eyes were already red and swollen, and she seemed dazed. Knowing that she couldn't help much, he stepped forward to comfort her: "Mother, it's not worth it. Even if our family loses everything, I can still rebuild it. At worst, we can give everything to them and seek refuge with Uncle and my cousins."

"Oh, oh, you're right," Madam Chang said, but she didn't really hear Zhang Han's bold words. Her son, though talented, was still a minor. However, Zhang Han's reminder made her think of her own family.

The Chang family was a large clan, not as wealthy as the Fan or Kang families, but much more substantial than the He Yusheng family. In recent years, her brother Chang Jinquan had often written letters, saying he planned to send people to set up a branch in He Yusheng, but he had not yet made a decision. The Chang family had been around for several generations, and although they had no scholars or officials, they had always encouraged their children to study, fearing the kind of adversity that He Yusheng was now facing. If they had a scholar or official in the family, Chang Jinquan would have been much bolder, and the branch would have been established long ago.

"Han, you're right," Madam Chang wiped away her tears and gradually calmed down. She held Zhang Han's hand and said, "Even if our family falls, your uncle won't abandon us. We can settle in Yuci and still live a good life."

"We should try to save what we can," Zhang Han said, comforting Madam Chang, but he had no intention of relying on others.

"That's true..." Madam Chang said, still confused. "But what can we do? The Daming Town, Yanghe Road, Commander Lai, and the Qing Army Hall, where can we find someone to speak for us?"

Zhou Fengji and Liang Hong, standing to the side, also shook their heads, having no idea what to do.

Both of them had acquaintances in the Qing Army Hall, but in such a situation, no one would take on the responsibility. The matter involved many levels and many people, and without a powerful figure intervening, knowing a few clerks would be of no use.

"Find Commander Lai," Liang Hong thought for a moment and said, "He is greedy. If we try our best to flatter him, perhaps we can be exempted from the forced purchase and at least avoid the headman's position."

"It's worth a try," Zhang Han nodded, then added, "Can we find a real official to help us?"

"The only option is to go to Puzhou, where your great-uncle is still alive. He is a scholar and has served as a magistrate twice," Madam Chang said, but then shook her head. "Your great-grandfather and great-uncle had a falling out, and your great-grandfather left in anger. It's been decades since they last spoke. Your father occasionally wrote to him, but the Puzhou side ignored us. Even if you go to beg them now, they won't help you."

Zhang Han gritted his teeth. "If there's no other way, I'll have to go."

Madam Chang nodded, but her face showed little hope, and Zhou Fengji and Liang Hong felt the same.

Zhang Yun's great-grandfather and great-uncle, Zhang Nian, were cousins. Zhang Nian was a scholar, while Zhang Yun was only a scholar-candidate. The family had always favored Zhang Nian, and even if the brothers had some affection, it had faded over the years. After a dispute in the family, Zhang Yun left in anger, and it had been decades since they last spoke. How could the Puzhou side still recognize this kinship?

"Let's prepare the silver," Zhang Han said. "Take all the gold we have, and prepare five thousand taels of silver. This is not the time to be stingy!"

The people guarding the Zhang family were only there to prevent them from fleeing. When they heard that the family was going to the commander's residence to offer gifts, the leader not only didn't stop them but even sent a few people to escort them.

They had over a thousand taels of gold, worth more than ten thousand taels of silver, and five thousand taels of silver, along with valuable antiques and paintings, worth another one or two thousand taels. All these items were placed in two rosewood chests and carried on a pole.

This was nearly half of the Zhang family's wealth, and all the assets they could gather in a short time. The rest of their property, such as shops, goods, and land, would take more than a few days to sell.

If Commander Lai had any humanity, the Zhang family was already on the brink of bankruptcy, and he should have stopped.

The North Street was not far from the South Street, and they arrived soon.

This street was lined with government offices, with lanterns hanging everywhere. Each office had its own ceremonial guards, and the main gates were grand, with pavilions and hitching posts. There were also patrolling soldiers, and the atmosphere here was starkly different from the North Street, making Zhang Han feel very uncomfortable.

"When you meet the commander, be very respectful. Kneel and kowtow first, and only stand up when he tells you to. Don't look up or look around. Speak in a moderate voice, neither too loud nor too soft, and be calm..."

Zhou Fengji had met many officials with his great-grandfather and was experienced in such matters. He instructed Zhang Han as they walked.

Zhang Han felt some discomfort, but he had dealt with officials before in his previous life, though he had never kowtowed. Fortunately, he was mentally strong and could handle it.

"This is our name card," Liang Hong said as they reached the commander's residence. He handed over the gift list and a silver ingot to the gatekeeper and bowed deeply. "Please make sure to deliver the gift list and name card to Commander Lai."

The gatekeeper weighed the silver and smiled insincerely. "Wait here."

...

Ning Yicheng took his leave, and Lai Tongxin struggled to stand, intending to see him to the second gate.

Under normal circumstances, seeing him to the main hall would have been enough, but with their shared interests, they had formed a small group, and Lai Tongxin was being extra courteous.

"Please stay, sir..." Ning Yicheng bowed at the second gate, asking Lai Tongxin to return.

At that moment, the gatekeeper arrived with the gift list and name card, unsure whether to enter or leave.

"What is it?" Lai Tongxin asked impatiently. "Ning is one of us, there's no need to be secretive."

"Yes, sir," the gatekeeper hurried forward, handing over the gift list but not the name card. He knew his master wasn't interested in such things and said, "This is the gift list from the young master of He Yusheng. He and a few managers are waiting outside."

"He's quick," Lai Tongxin chuckled, pleased to receive a gift. When he opened the list, his face lit up even more.

If Ning Yicheng hadn't been there, Lai Tongxin would have consulted him. With Ning present, it was even easier. Lai Tongxin handed the list to Ning Yicheng and smiled, "Shizhai, take a look. The gift is quite sincere."

Ning Yicheng was also surprised by the Zhang family's response and determination. The list almost certainly contained all their liquid assets, except for those that couldn't be sold.

"Quite sincere..." Ning Yicheng smiled, but it looked somewhat sinister. "Unfortunately, it's still far from enough. If we accept this, it will be hard to handle things in the future, and the people below won't be happy."

"Right, then return the list and tell them to leave," Lai Tongxin decided without much thought. The gift was good, but accepting it would mean finding a new headman, which wasn't easy. The usual practice was to take a share and leave the rest for others. If he took it all, the people below would be unhappy, and it would be hard to work together in the future.

If the Zhang family had maintained a good relationship with Lai Tongxin over the years, these gifts would have been accepted gradually, and Lai Tongxin would have been happy. But the Zhang family had only sent ordinary gifts like everyone else, so Lai Tongxin had no reason to be lenient.

...

"The commander said to return the list and tell you to leave immediately."

The gatekeeper threw the name card and gift list to the ground, and the white papers scattered in the wind.

Zhou Fengji and Liang Hong didn't dare say anything and instinctively picked up the papers.

Zhang Han hadn't expected much from this, knowing that gifts sent in a hurry were different from those sent regularly. The value and manner of the gift mattered, and even though the form had changed over centuries, the essence remained the same.

Sometimes, last-minute efforts could work, but often they didn't.

"Let's go home and think of another way."

Zhang Han stopped the flustered managers and gave a cold smile towards the gate.

At that moment, an official came out of the main gate and met Zhang Han's eyes.

He was a sixth-rank civil official, standing on the high stone steps, looking down at Zhang Han with disdain and indifference. After a brief glance, the official got into his sedan chair and left.

"This is Ning Yicheng from the Qing Army Hall. He probably made the decision about our case," Liang Hong said.

Zhou Fengji's eyes suddenly showed hope. "I'll go to his sedan and kowtow, begging him to help us. If he refuses, I'll kneel in front of his house until he agrees."

Liang Hong was shocked and pulled Zhou Fengji's hand. "You're being foolish. Officials hate such behavior."

Zhang Han watched the departing sedan, his eyes filled with Ning Yicheng's sinister face and disdainful look. He was filled with anger but didn't say a word. Without power, words were just empty threats, useless.

---

I had some things to do tonight, so this chapter was posted late.

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