Chapter 23

"Are you Zhang Han?"

A corpulent scholar-official with a stern face said, "What are you doing here, causing a commotion? Is the ancestral hall of the Zhang family in Puzhou a place for any stray cat or dog to kneel at will?"

Another tall and thin scholar-official added, "Young man, you should leave quickly. Otherwise, we will report you to the authorities with a letter, have you publicly displayed in chains, and then exiled to the military. You won't have a chance to turn your life around in this lifetime!"

"Third Uncle," Zhang Han first greeted Zhang Xuezeng, who responded with a bitter smile. Then, Zhang Han faced the two men and said with a smile, "I don't know your esteemed names, please forgive my rudeness. As for why I am kneeling at the ancestral hall, it's because I am the direct descendant of Lord Fengpan, a legitimate member of the Zhang family in Puzhou. How can I not kneel here?"

The corpulent scholar-official angrily said, "Nonsense! When your grandfather left Puzhou with the ancestral tablet, he was no longer considered a member of the Zhang family in Puzhou."

The tall and thin scholar-official showed dissatisfaction, coughed lightly, and continued, "Moreover, you have no proof. How can you claim to be the descendant of Zhang Yun? Should we recognize anyone who claims to be a descendant of Lord Fengpan?"

Zhang Han nodded gently, realizing that these two were of the same generation as Zhang Nian and Zhang Yun.

Given their high status in the clan, it was entirely appropriate for them to preside over such matters.

Back then, Zhang Yun was forced out. It was simple: the clan needed a juren (imperial scholar) rather than an easily obtainable xiucai (scholar). When Zhang Yun left, he must have been full of resentment. How could these people allow his descendants to easily return to the clan?

Moreover, by pleasing Zhang Nian and coming to bully Zhang Han, this was the easiest and most comfortable thing for them to do.

The current situation was truly the worst it could be!

Liang Hong's face was ashen, and his hands were trembling. Heyu Sheng was his home and his life's work. If Heyu Sheng were to fail, he could certainly find another position with his talents and connections, but this was not a result he was willing to accept.

In the future, people might change jobs as easily as eating a meal, but in this era, Liang Hong could not get over this psychological hurdle.

Liang Xing and Yang Qiu still looked indifferent, their faces showing some curiosity. They wondered how Zhang Han would get through this.

This young master had already earned their admiration with his previous actions—steady, accurate, and decisive. But in this situation, could Zhang Han really have no solution?

...

Zhang Han still had a smile on his face, looking at the corpulent scholar-official and saying, "It's true that my grandfather separated from the family, but he never distanced himself from the clan. The ancestral tablet was always enshrined at home, and we never neglected the offerings during the New Year and other festivals. How can you say that my grandfather distanced himself from the clan?"

This argument was indeed unconvincing.

The tall and thin scholar-official gave the corpulent scholar-official a harsh look, then turned to Zhang Han with impatience, "Whether my cousin left the clan or separated from it is debatable. The important thing is how you, a young rascal, can prove your identity? No one in the Zhang family of Puzhou has ever seen you, and you haven't brought anyone from your household who can vouch for you. Just by your words, Second Grandfather should recognize you and allow you to return to the clan? Is there such an easy thing in this world? If the Zhang family of Puzhou were a poor and small household, you probably wouldn't have come to return to the clan, right?"

This thin man, about fifty years old, was shrewd, his eyes gleaming with excitement. His words were like knives, almost forcing Zhang Han into a corner, leaving no room for argument.

According to this thin man's logic, no matter how big a fuss was made, the Zhang family of Puzhou would not lose face, nor would Zhang Nian. At most, people might say Zhang Nian was harsh, but they wouldn't think Second Grandfather was disgraced... Zhang Nian wanted face, and his harshness was already well-known, and he was very clear about it.

If such words were not used, Zhang Han might go to appeal, and matters involving clan rules were more important than criminal cases, concerning the reputation and future of local officials... It's hard for future generations to imagine that local officials were most concerned with matters of clan rules, not murder or theft cases.

If a county had a scandal, such as a case of incest or father-son murder, the local official would not be considered for promotion during the triennial examination... This was the surface of Confucian governance, where even the emperor must respect kinship, let alone the common people?

Education was always above the law, and local officials could bend the law for sentiment but could never ignore it.

When the tall and thin scholar-official spoke, those who had initially sympathized with Zhang Han also nodded frequently. Zhang Xuezeng wanted to speak but hesitated and closed his mouth.

He could see that Zhang Han and Zhang Cheng looked extremely similar, almost like they were carved from the same mold. So what?

These grandfathers, who didn't know that Zhang Han was indeed Zhang Yun's bloodline? Who couldn't recognize it? They were just pretending not to see!

"Get up and leave, young man."

"Yes, this matter can't be resolved. Do you have any elders at home? Bring them next time."

"The Zhang family is generous. If it were another family, they would have beaten you up for causing a commotion at the ancestral hall and sent many elders to persuade you kindly."

"Indeed, it's hard for a judge to resolve family matters. Let's not say too much."

Some onlookers were indifferent, just watching the spectacle, while others, out of kindness, came forward to advise Zhang Han to leave quickly. If Zhang Nian got impatient, Zhang Han would suffer... The guards were already glaring at Liang Xing and Yang Qiu, and a fight could break out at any moment.

Some were even taking sides with the Zhang family, mocking Zhang Han with glee.

The various opinions reflected the diversity of human nature, and for Zhang Han, it was a rare experience.

"I didn't expect to have to use this move..."

Just when everyone thought Zhang Han was helpless, he took a deep breath and suddenly smiled.

"Liang Xing, bring out the paintings I prepared."

"Yes, Young Master."

Liang Xing and the servants of the Zhang family in Puzhou were almost face-to-face, both within arm's reach. Liang Xing's challenging gaze and the sinister aura on his face intimidated many... These servants were only good at bullying the peasants, but they were intimidated by Liang Xing and Yang Qiu, who exuded a sinister and ruthless aura. They were only posturing and didn't dare to make a move.

Moreover, they were waiting for orders. Fortunately, before the situation escalated, Zhang Han called Liang Xing over.

"These are the portraits of my late grandfather and father. Those who recognize them will know. I won't say more."

Before coming, Zhang Han had considered the current situation and decided to use charcoal to draw his grandfather and father.

In his family's main hall, there were already ancestral tablets and portraits of his grandfather and father, typical Chinese-style portraits, graceful and lively, but not very realistic.

Based on the portraits and his mother's guidance, Zhang Han drew two portraits with charcoal before leaving, which were confirmed by the Chang family.

"Too lifelike, it's really him."

This was what Chang said when she saw the portraits of Grandfather and Zhang Cheng. She cried for a long time, and Zhang Han had to comfort her for a while.

These two portraits were the "big guns." Zhang Han was waiting for the other side to corner him, to force him into a corner, before revealing them.

When he displayed them to everyone, a buzz of voices suddenly erupted.

People's eyes were not blind. Zhang Yun, Zhang Cheng, and Zhang Han, three generations, looked almost identical, especially Zhang Yun and Zhang Han, who might have inherited traits from the same generation, looking even more alike than Zhang Han and Zhang Cheng.

"Too alike!"

Finally, someone spoke up, and it was Zhang Xuezeng, who had been holding back.

This one sentence was like a floodgate opening, and everyone around began to speak loudly, "Alike, Han is definitely the bloodline of Grandfather. There's no doubt about it!"

"What will Second Grandfather say now?"

"Anyway, I think some people have lost face."

"Ha, it's hard to speak when you've been eating from someone's hand. Now they realize that young people are not to be underestimated. This is a big loss of face."

"Who drew these portraits? I want to find out. My mother passed away many years ago, and thinking of her always brings me great pain. If someone could draw such a portrait, I would burn incense and pray every morning to ease my pain."

"Who knows? We'll ask Han later."

The faces of the corpulent and thin scholar-officials were red with embarrassment, and the surrounding ridicule was intense, all directed at them.

Even their usual supporters were silent, as the three generations in the portraits were too alike, and the portraits were too realistic. Both had seen Zhang Yun and knew the portraits were genuine. They couldn't say they were not alike, so they covered their faces with their sleeves and quickly left, followed by a chorus of laughter.

"Third Uncle." Zhang Han did not show any joy on his face. Given his understanding of Zhang Nian, the old man probably wouldn't back down even at this point. Backing down now would be a complete loss of face, and the stubborn and face-conscious Zhang Nian wouldn't easily yield.

"Han, speak up." Zhang Xuezeng, who had been hesitant and couldn't guarantee that Zhang Han was Zhang Yun's descendant, felt guilty about his earlier silence. He was a man of integrity and enthusiasm, and now he patted his chest and said to Zhang Han, "If Third Uncle can help, I will definitely do so."

"I want to ask Third Uncle to say a few words for me..."

Zhang Han pulled Zhang Xuezeng aside, and Liang Hong and others kept the crowd at bay.

"It's like this..."

Zhang Han's words were concise and clear, and he finished quickly.

Zhang Xuezeng's expression was somewhat strange. He didn't expect that at such a young age, Zhang Han had already learned to use incentives to persuade Zhang Nian.

The words and the matter were simple. Zhang Han requested protection from the Zhang family in Puzhou and promised to send two thousand silver taels annually as a contribution to the clan after returning to the clan.