Chapter 25

Zhang Han stood up after performing a bow, and Zhang Nian frowned and said, "Who are you, young man, to barge in here without permission? Regardless of how much you resemble him, without any other evidence, how can I just recognize you? If you are not the bloodline of my eldest brother, where would the face of the Zhang family of Puzhou go? You should go back, and return with your mother and the old family members, of course, along with some of my eldest brother's old belongings. That would be more reasonable."

In front of the many distinguished guests, Zhang Nian's attitude was still relatively calm, but his tone was firm and unyielding.

Zhang Nian knew why Zhang Han had come. If he could just drive this boy away, the matter in Xinping Fort would be over. If Zhang Han came to seek refuge in dire straits, he could give him a few rooms and a few dozen stones of mixed grains each year, earning a good reputation. Of course, he would have to keep this boy under control, not allowing him to stand out in the clan.

At this moment, Zhang Han actually smiled slightly and said loudly, "So, Second Grandfather is unsure if I am my grandfather's descendant?"

"Hmm."

Zhang Nian squinted his eyes, looking around the courtyard with dissatisfaction. He was planning to replace the gatekeepers and guards. These people were truly useless.

"I have a way to make Second Grandfather believe that I am the descendant of Lord Fengpan."

Zhang Han took a few steps forward, and all the guests stared at him in a daze.

A fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy coming to claim his lineage at the end of the year, of course, many people knew he was seeking help. After being refused, he did not leave but instead entered confidently and spoke eloquently, showing no fear. Although there were no officials present, many had once been officials, and most had the status of juren or xiucai, with considerable land and a tradition of poetry, books, and farming. Only such people were qualified to sit in the main hall of the Zhang family. However, everyone in the hall looked at Zhang Han with various expressions, but they all thought he was quite bold.

Zhang Nian instinctively felt some threat. Although Zhang Han was young, he was already quite tall, and he had practiced martial arts since childhood to strengthen his body. Although he was not a professional martial artist, his skills were still decent, and he had even killed before, giving off a faint aura of blood. Zhang Nian, who had some experience, frowned, pointed with his thin fingers, and said, "Stop there. If you have something to say, say it from there."

"Alright, please have someone bring a basin of water."

Zhang Han nodded, then suddenly pulled out a gleaming dagger from his sleeve.

Zhang Nian looked terrified and said, "What are you going to do?"

The guests around him were also in an uproar, and many immediately tried to run out.

Liang Xing and Yang Qiu were both gaping, and the guards were also stunned, momentarily forgetting their fight.

"Second Grandfather said you can't determine my identity," Zhang Han smiled, the dagger already pressed against his neck. The dagger was extremely sharp, and the tip immediately broke the skin, a trickle of blood flowing down Zhang Han's neck. Zhang Han showed no signs of tension, still smiling, "Have someone bring a basin of water. I want to perform a blood test to prove my lineage."

"Ah?" Zhang Nian and everyone in the hall exclaimed in surprise.

"Is this really possible?" Liang Xing's mouth was wide open, as if it could fit an egg. He never imagined that this young master, when being ruthless and shameless, could be even more formidable than he, a professional troublemaker.

"Ridiculous, what are you being ridiculous for?"

Zhang Nian, in front of so many guests, did not know where to put his face.

Who would have thought that among the descendants of Lord Fengpan, there would be such a lazy and unruly person?

The blood test was a popular folk belief, but any educated person would not believe it. The blood test was just a gimmick; whoever truly believed it was foolish.

Zhang Han, of course, was not trying to hurt Zhang Nian or really perform a blood test. He was just putting pressure on Zhang Nian. With the dagger at his neck, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, everyone knew he was truly the descendant of Lord Fengpan. If you don't believe it, let's do the blood test. If you really don't give him this face, and the boy's hand trembles and he commits suicide in your main hall, where would the face of the Zhang family of Puzhou, Zhang Siwei, and you, Zhang Nian, go? Wouldn't the family's two-hundred-year reputation be completely ruined? Even if you were stubborn, could you explain to the ancestors why this matter had come to such a decisive end?

Looking at Zhang Han with the dagger, Zhang Nian suddenly sighed.

...

Zhang Nian then turned and entered the back hall, as if storming out. After a short while, he called Zhang Xueceng in.

Half an hour later, Zhang Xueceng ran over, pulling Zhang Han, "Brother Han, put away the dagger. The ancestral hall is open, let's go there to talk."

Zhang Han looked up at Zhang Xueceng, who winked and said, "Second Grandfather said he's not feeling well, so there's no need for the blood test. He wants you to offer incense to Lord Fengpan and your great-grandfather, and he has a letter for you."

As he spoke, Zhang Han was pulled up, and the two apologized to the guests and left the main hall, leaving behind a sea of murmurs. No one expected that coming to the Zhang family's banquet today, they would witness such a dramatic scene. This trip was truly worth it, and they would have plenty to talk about with their families for the next ten to fifteen days.

"Is it over?" Liang Xing and Yang Qiu exchanged glances, and Yang Qiu suddenly said, "Liang Xing, let's continue to serve this young master when we return. I feel he has potential. Following him, we might have a good future."

Liang Xing, though silent, nodded vigorously.

Leaving the main hall, Zhang Xueceng pulled Zhang Han, and the two quickly entered the ancestral hall. Along the way, there were still many onlookers pointing and whispering about Zhang Han.

After this incident, probably few in Puzhou would not recognize Zhang Han... This was good. Zhang Han now knew that in the Ming Dynasty, thinking one could stay away from politics was naive. Without the support of officials and powerful people, merchants could be ruined at any moment, much more harshly than in the future.

Following Zhang Xueceng's guidance, Zhang Han performed the ritual of offering incense to the ancestral tablets. Zhang Xueceng smiled at him, "Your matter is urgent. Take the letter and leave early. When you come next time, we'll have a few days of banquets, and that will be the official recognition of your lineage."

This man was truly warm-hearted. Zhang Han showed gratitude and said, "Thank you, Uncle."

Zhang Xueceng stroked his short beard and smiled, "No need to thank me. My words wouldn't have helped. This time, you would have had to come back empty-handed. Who would have thought you had such a move? Second Grandfather, who has always been strong-willed, suffered a significant loss this time."

Saying this, he handed Zhang Han a letter and smiled, "Your matter is in this letter."

Zhang Han took it, the letter was very thin. He pulled it out and read a few short lines, feeling somewhat skeptical. Could such a letter solve a matter that could ruin his family?

"Don't worry, it's very effective." Zhang Xueceng saw Zhang Han's doubt and smiled, "You're not yet part of the scholarly class. If you studied and passed the exams to become a xiucai or juren, you would understand the subtleties. Take this letter and go straight to Yanghe. Your family's matter will be resolved. Just be at ease."

Zhang Han bowed deeply and said, "Uncle, in the future, my business may expand to various counties in the interior. The profits are considerable. If you can help resolve local matters like this, I will certainly show my gratitude."

Zhang Xueceng did not expect that Zhang Han not only wanted to resolve his own problems but also wanted to give Zhang Nian silver, and had further plans.

Although the nephew spoke directly and somewhat bluntly, and it was disrespectful to discuss such matters in the ancestral hall, Puzhou knew that the family in Xinping had considerable assets, and Zhang Yun was good at managing, leaving behind a substantial legacy. This nephew was so perceptive and quick to learn, understanding that the key to doing business was the collusion between officials and merchants. If he could really achieve what Zhang Han said, it might be worth a try.

However, Zhang Xueceng still said, "It's too early to talk about these things. Let's see how it goes."

Zhang Han also knew that gaining trust was difficult, partly because he was young and partly because he was not yet familiar with many matters. This time, he could force Zhang Nian to comply only because of his original identity. If he were not a direct descendant of Lord Fengpan, even killing himself would be useless. Many merchants were forced to bankruptcy and suicide, but few scholars spoke up for them.

After Zhang Xueceng left, Zhang Han and his companions discussed and decided not to stay in Puzhou but to leave the city and travel for a few dozen miles before stopping.

This was certainly very tiring, but Zhang Han could endure it, and others had no complaints.

Leaving the city, Zhang Han took out the letter on horseback. With his background as a child scholar, reading the letter was no problem. It contained Zhang Nian's greetings and a request for the deputy commissioner of Yanghe to take care of his nephew Zhang Han, without mentioning any details.

"Do the big shots of this era always speak so ambiguously?" Zhang Han smiled bitterly on horseback, putting the letter away carefully, as it was his only hope.

"Commoner greets Lord Ma."

"Please rise, my esteemed disciple. Do not call yourself a commoner."

Zhang Han and his companions continued their journey back. This time, they were not as urgent, and Zhang Han wanted to observe the conditions along the way, especially in Datong and Yanghe. Whenever they reached a city, they would stop to rest and observe the local business conditions. This journey gave Zhang Han a clearer understanding, unlike before when he could only listen to others and had no idea of the actual situation.

Upon arriving at Yanghe, where the Yanghe Dao was stationed, Zhang Han went to the government office to request an audience. Of course, he sent the letter from Zhang Nian along with the request, otherwise, he would never have met the deputy commissioner of Yanghe.

Yanghe Dao was a fourth-rank official, and the deputy commissioner was a sub-fourth-rank official, responsible for military affairs, including the command of garrison troops and the appointment and promotion of military officers, as well as grain and horse affairs. If there were salt and iron, they also managed those. The position was very powerful, and it was almost a necessary step for officials aspiring to become provincial governors.

The deputy commissioner's surname was Zheng. He wore a black hat with square wings, a red official robe, and a cloud goose on his chest. He was not tall, with a short and thin build, a dark complexion, a few long mustaches on his chin, and small but sharp eyes. He gave the impression of being an extremely shrewd and high-ranking official.

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