Chapter 22

"It's not a big deal," Zhang Xuezeng sighed. "If your branch hadn't fallen out with the clan back then, this would have been a minor issue. Although our Puzhou Zhang family isn't as prominent as it was during Lord Fengpan's time, we're still not just any ordinary family. A military commander or a Qing army hall co-magistrate trying to deal with us would be a joke. In the capital, you have an uncle who is a minor official, and in the regions, there are several uncles who are prefectural or county magistrates. Just a letter to any one of them, and this matter would be resolved. However, without the approval of Second Grandfather, you absolutely cannot accomplish this."

"Is Second Grandfather still holding a grudge over what happened back then?"

"Who can say clearly about the matters between brothers?" Zhang Xuezeng led Zhang Han and others toward the main hall, sighing. "Initially, it might have been a dispute over clan affairs, then it turned into a matter of pride, and eventually, the brotherly bond was completely severed."

"Does Third Uncle know what it was about?"

"It was probably about maritime trade," Zhang Xuezeng, who was well-informed, smiled. "You might not know, but from the Jiajing to the Longqing and Wanli eras, there was a debate between maritime and canal transport. Although maritime transport was later abandoned, maritime trade was liberalized and flourished. Our family had business in Yangzhou, and back then, your grandfather strongly advocated for the clan to invest heavily and send people to Nanjing to participate in maritime trade. Second Grandfather disagreed with this, and the two brothers fell out over this matter."

Zhang Han was silent for a moment.

He never imagined that his grandfather had such foresight and vision. Unfortunately, the Puzhou Zhang family, deeply rooted in Shanxi, found it hard to make such a decision. By now, many Shanxi salt merchants had become maritime traders, but their influence at sea could not compare to that of Jiangnan and Fujian-Guangzhou.

In the late Ming dynasty, the only person with the potential to dominate the world as a maritime trader was Zheng Zhilong from Fujian. His son, Zheng Chenggong, was still a step behind. With over a thousand ships, he established trade rules in the South China Sea and built a base in Taiwan, controlling half of Fujian, with a private army of over ten thousand and wealth exceeding ten million. Such power rivaled that of the Southern Ming court. Unfortunately, Zheng Zhilong became more timid with age, and a hero for half his life ended up a failure.

Zhang Han couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if his grandfather had been supported to operate maritime trade in Jiangnan.

"In short, this is very difficult," Zhang Xuezeng looked at Zhang Han and said, "You might return without success. Unfortunately, my status is just that of a scholar. If I were a juren, I could have easily helped you."

"Thank you, Third Uncle, for your concern," Zhang Han knew how difficult this was but still said, "Where there's a will, there's a way. If we reason with him and appeal to his emotions, Second Grandfather will help us."

...

Zhang Han's plans were completely thwarted.

He had prepared a whole set of arguments, but they were useless. He intended to show great respect to Zhang Nian to restore his dignity, but the letter was returned, and Zhang Nian refused to see him.

Zhang Xuezeng went in on Zhang Han's behalf but was scolded and sent out, leaving him embarrassed and disgruntled.

Liang Hong, Liang Xing, and Yang Qiu squatted in front of the gate, tired from days of travel. They sat in the sun, waiting for news. When they saw that Zhang Han couldn't even enter the gate, Liang Xing and Yang Qiu showed anger. Liang Hong advised, "Decades of grudges aren't easily resolved. We should ask Third Uncle to get more people to intercede."

Zhang Han clenched his teeth and shook his head. "This would take too long and might not be effective."

Zhang Nian seemed to be a very stubborn person. Otherwise, brothers wouldn't have fallen out so badly. Now, as an elder of the Zhang Siwei branch and with a high status in the clan, it would be difficult to persuade such a stubborn old man using normal methods.

Liang Hong and the others waited for Zhang Han's decision. Whether to wait and try to wear him down or to try another approach, the decision was ultimately his.

Zhang Han lowered his head and thought for a moment. He was always calm in the face of major issues, appearing decisive, but he thought carefully before making a decision. Once he made up his mind, he was unwavering.

With the family still under siege, it was clear that the Qing army hall officials wouldn't leave the Zhang family alone. They would use all sorts of tactics. The business was just starting to improve, and if this news spread and Zhang Han, the young master, was absent, the morale of the employees would drop, and business would be severely affected.

In the short term, the impact might not be significant, but over time, Heyu Sheng would be ruined.

This shop was the foundation of his livelihood and his grand plans. How could he let it be ruined?

Zhang Han looked at Liang Hong, his eyes filled with determination. "Since this Grandfather doesn't respond to softness, we'll have to use force."

"Use force?" Liang Hong was alarmed and advised, "Young Master, don't be rash. What can we do with just a few of us here?"

Liang Xing and Yang Qiu, however, seemed eager. They were used to causing trouble and were willing to fight as long as it was profitable.

"Of course, we're not breaking in. It's not that serious yet... Third Clerk, you're thinking too much."

Zhang Han, having made his decision, looked much more relaxed. He explained his plan to Liang Hong and the others, who nodded in agreement, and their view of Zhang Han changed significantly.

After Zhang Han left, Liang Xing said to Liang Hong, "Old Uncle, if we encounter someone like our young master, we might not even be left with bones."

Liang Hong replied, "The young master is fundamentally a kind person. You can see that from how he behaves in the shop."

Yang Qiu laughed, "Whether he's kind or not doesn't matter to us. As long as we get paid, that's all that matters."

They all went their separate ways to prepare. It was still morning, and by noon, they had eaten and drunk their fill. They then headed to the Puzhou Zhang family's ancestral hall, where Zhang Han knelt in the center.

Of course, there were people watching the ancestral hall. At first, they didn't take Zhang Han's kneeling seriously, but as time passed, more people gathered. Liang Hong and the others began to speak loudly, and the hall guards, sensing something was wrong, rushed over. Upon hearing Liang Hong's words, they realized the situation and quickly ran to the main hall.

"What a brat, he really dares."

Among the direct descendants of Zhang Siwei, Zhang Nian was the most respected and the oldest. He was the son of Zhang Jiazheng, while Zhang Yun was the son of Zhang Taizheng. The relationship between the cousins was already strained, and they later fell out. Zhang Nian served as a magistrate twice before returning to his hometown, while Zhang Yun moved to Xinping Fort, ending the dispute.

Hearing that Zhang Han was kneeling at the ancestral hall, Zhang Nian almost fainted. He was old and had a bad temper, and he couldn't stand being provoked. When he heard that Zhang Yun's grandson had come to pay respects, he was already unhappy and refused to see him. He thought the matter was over, but now this happened.

"They say Zhang Han has come to report a death and to recognize his ancestry. Regardless of the disputes between his grandfather and the Grandfather, those are old matters. We are all descendants of Lord Fengpan, and we can't deny him entry to the ancestral hall and the family register..."

Zhang Yun had taken his father's spirit tablet with him when he left, and although his name was in the family register, Zhang Cheng and Zhang Han were not included. Technically, they were not part of the clan. Therefore, when the Zhang family in Xinping Fort had problems, the Puzhou Zhang family could ignore it. However, if Zhang Han were to be included in the register and pay respects at the ancestral hall, and the clan ignored the problems, it would be a disgrace to the Puzhou Zhang family. This was Zhang Han's strategy. In this feudal era, with the support of the clan, not using this advantage would be foolish.

By doing this, he was creating public opinion and using moral pressure to put the Puzhou Zhang family and Zhang Nian in a difficult position. Unless Zhang Nian was willing to lose face and be ridiculed, Zhang Han would win.

"What a brat, just like his grandfather, so despicable..."

Zhang Nian was so angry that he almost couldn't breathe. After a while, he regained his composure. Seeing more people gathering at the ancestral hall and knowing that the news would spread in Puzhou, he felt the situation was getting out of hand. However, if he simply agreed to Zhang Han's request, he couldn't swallow his pride...

After half an hour, the crowd grew larger, and Zhang Han's knees were aching. He was somewhat worried that if Zhang Nian decided to ignore the situation, his efforts would be in vain.

At this moment, several dozen people came from the main hall, including servants, guards, and gentry, all looking unhappy.

Zhang Xuezeng, who had been found somewhere, was also among them, and from a distance, it seemed he was giving Zhang Han a warning look.

Seeing this, Liang Xing and Yang Qiu moved slightly to the side but kept their daggers ready. They were loyal to Zhang Han and would protect him if the guards or guards attacked.

This was why they were here!

Zhang Han glanced at the approaching crowd, feeling calm.

He wasn't afraid of trouble; he was afraid of being ignored. A calm and quiet situation would mean his trip to Puzhou was in vain, and he would have to consider how to minimize his losses.

If he lost the foundation in Xinping Fort, his next step would be to relocate the family, seek refuge with his maternal relatives, and build connections and capital. Then he could pursue his goals. However, this would take at least ten years, and Zhang Han didn't want to wait that long!

The crowd finally approached, and the guards and servants looked excited, as such a scene was rare. The gentry and Zhang Xuezeng stood together, with Zhang Xuezeng hesitating, clearly not wanting to get involved.

...

Dear readers, please bookmark this book. It is signed, and the full text is guaranteed. More bookmarks will give me more motivation and confidence to write. Thank you for your support.