Chapter 24

In a typical large family, the household is not divided. Fields, shops, and various miscellaneous incomes are all pooled together, and then distributed according to the number of people in each branch. Whoever has the power to distribute is the patriarch of the family, and even the clan leader.

In Puzhou, according to Zhang Xuezeng, the family still owns nearly 20,000 acres of land. Given the Zhang family's long history of official and gentry status, and the wealth accumulated by Zhang Siwei, who once served as a Grand Secretary, this amount of land is not particularly large.

If there are current clan members holding third-rank or higher positions in the court, the land holdings can significantly increase.

During the Wanli era, in the tenth year, Zhang Juzheng led a land survey to uncover hidden land, which was essentially taking food from the mouths of the nobility. Over several years, more than 100 million acres of hidden land were uncovered. The Single Whip Tax System, which distributed the poll tax among the land, greatly increased the court's revenue. However, after Zhang Juzheng's death, Zhang Siwei led the清算 (settlement), which was actually to protect his own family and the interests of the entire class. As for the financial problems of the Ming Dynasty, he did not care much about them.

Emperor Wanli was also a bumbling ruler. Zhang Juzheng had laid a good foundation, and if he had just maintained it, things would have been fine. However, he changed policies frequently, ruining a good situation, and then sent out mining and tax officials, using illegal means to make money, showing his limited foresight and ability.

In addition to the land, the Zhang family also owns a pawnshop, a money house, a silk shop, and a general store. They also lend money at high interest rates, but on a small scale. After all, their current position is not strong, and they cannot overstep certain boundaries, or local officials would not genuinely help to cover up any issues.

The annual income of the Zhang family in Puzhou is approximately 10,000 taels. If it could increase by 2,000 taels, Zhang Nian would likely be interested.

"Tell Second Elder that I haven't yet built up my business, but once I do, I will need his protection. The silver will only increase over time."

Zhang Han's approach is also a form of returning to the clan. The other branches are all in Puzhou, with some managing the money house, others overseeing the land, and Zhang Nian responsible for distributing the annual income. It would be impossible for Zhang Han's branch to move back or have their assets counted in the common pool. This method of annually sending silver is not bad.

Zhang Xuezeng nodded and said, "It's hard for you to have this heart, but I'll swallow my pride and go again."

"The junior will wait outside the main hall."

At this moment, no one came to cause trouble. Zhang Han and his group followed Zhang Xuezeng and smoothly reached the main hall.

This was the former residence of Zhang Siwei and his son. The gate was grand, and the walls were high. From the outside, one could see the tall rock formations in the back garden. Although the willows by the pond were withered in winter, the uneven landscape suggested that in spring and summer, the trees would be lush and the scenery beautiful.

Several tall buildings were also arranged in a staggered manner, standing out prominently within the walls.

This was a century-old aristocratic family. The main gate, tightly closed, had witnessed countless storms. This gate would not be opened even for a county magistrate, let alone a prefecture or circuit official.

Zhang Han stood outside the eastern corner gate, which was the entrance for the family members. Several gatekeepers sat on long benches, looking at Zhang Han and his group with a sideways glance. A few guards who had just run by also stood near the corner gate, their expressions unfriendly.

Through the corner gate, it seemed that many attendants and servants were running back and forth in the main hall, and there were also the figures of maids and old women. Seeing the many sedan chairs and carriages parked outside the corner gate, Zhang Han realized that several gentry had come to pressure him. It turned out that Zhang Nian was hosting a banquet and had invited a few of them over.

He waited calmly, knowing that with the pressure of the ancestral hall and the promised benefits, if Zhang Nian was not completely foolish, the matter should be settled.

After about a quarter of an hour, Zhang Xuezeng returned with a gray face, waving his hands from a distance. As he got closer, Zhang Xuezeng said, "Second Elder said that a mere 2,000 taels cannot buy his favor. Brother Han, Second Elder has this kind of temperament. If things don't work out, you might as well abandon the shop and bring your mother back to Puzhou. Although Second Elder won't help you, if you really come back, the clan will still take care of you and ensure that you and your mother have enough to eat."

"Living under someone else's roof, relying on the clan for a few dozen stones of grain each year?"

Zhang Han smiled coldly, his anger barely contained.

Zhang Nian was indeed a difficult person to deal with, stubborn and unyielding.

He turned his head and gave Liang Xing and Yang Qiu a look.

The two louts immediately understood and rushed into the corner gate.

"What are you doing, are you looking for death?"

The gatekeepers and guards immediately stood up. Normally, there weren't so many people at the gate, but today, because of the banquet, they were afraid Zhang Han would cause trouble, so they had arranged extra people. If they still let someone in, they would lose their jobs.

"We're not doing anything. The smell of wine and meat is making us hungry. We just want a meal. Even if this is the home of a prime minister, you can't stop us from singing the lotus falling."

Liang Hong grinned, and Yang Qiu also smiled, but only those familiar with them could see the coldness in their eyes. They pushed their way in, and when the gatekeepers and guards tried to stop them, they started fighting. These two louts were skilled fighters, and the gatekeepers were only good at scaring beggars. In a real fight, the louts quickly gained the upper hand. Liang Xing's punches were fast and fierce, hitting the faces of the gatekeepers, especially their noses. After a few punches, the scene was bloody and terrifying.

"Murder, murder!"

A gatekeeper, hit in the nose, lost his fighting ability. He covered his face with both hands, feeling his nose soft and broken. In pain and panic, he started running around the courtyard.

Yang Qiu specialized in hitting people's lower abdomen, causing them to hunch over and jump like shrimp in a pot.

The two louts quickly cleared the way, and Zhang Han strode in, leaving Zhang Xuezeng behind, stunned.

What is decisiveness? Entering now is decisiveness.

What is courage? Entering now is courage.

Zhang Han was not rash. If there was still a chance to turn things around, he would be rash. But since the situation was a dead end, going back meekly would be cowardice.

At a critical moment, not taking a risk means you deserve to fail!

Zhang Nian was hosting a banquet today but did not invite officials from the state. He had no official position, and inviting them might not guarantee their attendance, which would damage his face. He was unwilling to do so.

Unlike ordinary gentry who fawned over current officials, Zhang Nian never did such things.

As the direct grandson of Fengpan Gong, he was above such behavior.

The main hall of his house was large, with a wide eave and five bays. The corridors were long and exquisite, and the courtyard in front of the main hall was also large, paved with large square bricks. Under the eave were two large water jars, filled with water for fire prevention.

The courtyard was planted with crabapple trees and various flowers, including a few plum trees. The other flowers had withered, but the plum trees were still in bud, emitting a faint fragrance.

Inside the main hall, there were dozens of tables... not because the Zhang family's main hall was large enough to fit dozens of round tables, but because they still followed the old custom of separate dining, not the current fashion of eight-person tables or round tables.

Each guest had a small table in front of them, with a pot of wine and a few dishes. A beautiful woman with a lute sat on a high stool at the entrance of the main hall, gently playing and singing. The guests swayed their heads, enjoying the atmosphere.

At this moment, Zhang Han burst in.

Behind him, the two louts and a group of gatekeepers and guards followed, still fighting as they entered.

The gatekeepers were beaten to a pulp, their clothes torn, and some had blood on their faces, with soft, broken noses. Liang Xing and Yang Qiu, however, showed no signs of injury, and Liang Xing still had a carefree smile on his face.

If things went badly today, they would certainly be sent to the authorities, beaten, and thrown in jail. But in this era, ordinary people feared such treatment, while these louts treated beatings as nothing and jail as a vacation. The only downside in Puzhou was the lack of old acquaintances, which might make their time in jail more difficult.

The chaos in the hall made it impossible to continue drinking or for the singer to continue her performance. She looked at Zhang Han with wide, blank eyes.

"Zhang Han pays respects to Second Elder."

Zhang Nian, of course, was sitting in the center. He was very thin, not yet seventy, but already with white hair and a hunched back, looking very old.

In this era, the wealthy could still ensure good nutrition, and Zhang Nian could live to this age. For ordinary people, living to sixty was already a challenge, and their backs would be bent. Zhang Nian was still in relatively good condition.

At this moment, Zhang Nian was furious, stroking his white beard, looking at Zhang Han without speaking.

This young man was indeed the descendant of his cousin, Zhang Nian could tell at a glance.

Recalling Zhang Yun, he was a smart person, but he never passed the imperial exams.

The Zhang family's literary tradition seemed to have been damaged by the success of Zhang Taizheng and Zhang Jiazheng, who both passed the imperial exams. Not only did Zhang Yun fail to pass, but Zhang Nian himself only reached the level of a juren (scholar) and never passed the imperial exams. Few of the collateral branches had high achievements.

Zhang Han, standing before him, was young and handsome, with a lively face, firm eyes, and graceful manners. Although he had burst into the banquet, he showed no signs of panic or tension, instead looking like a respected guest who had been invited.

Thinking of the behavior of his own descendants, and then looking at Zhang Han, Zhang Nian's initial dissatisfaction quickly turned into a burning anger.

He had struggled with his elder brother for half his life, finally driving Zhang Yun away by relying on his juren status. Zhang Nian knew he was far inferior to Zhang Yun in social skills and business acumen. Now, none of his nephews had passed the juren exams. If Zhang Han returned, who among his side could match him?

In the cold winter, traveling a thousand miles, and with such talent, Zhang Nian felt not admiration but intense jealousy.