Chapter 26

The meeting with Zhang Han took place in the study, which was naturally due to the letter from Zhang Nian. Otherwise, with Zhang Han's status, he wouldn't even be able to enter the gate, let alone the study for a private meeting.

Zhang Han stood up as instructed, and Deputy Envoy Zheng addressed him warmly. After some casual conversation, Zheng learned that Zhang Han was still a child scholar. Stroking his beard, Zheng said, "Commerce can balance the supply and demand of goods between the north and south, and it is beneficial to the state and the people. However, studying is the right path. If you have the opportunity in the future, you should take the exams to truly serve the country."

"Yes, I also think so. I haven't neglected my studies at home."

Since Zhang Han had been transported through time, he hadn't even entered the study once, and it was probably covered in dust. But in front of Deputy Envoy Zheng, he could only boast about himself.

If it were an ordinary fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, he would be extremely nervous, even frightened, when meeting a high-ranking official in a red robe. Although Zhang Han occasionally showed a respectful demeanor, his responses were flawless. Initially, Deputy Envoy Zheng was just being perfunctory, but now he genuinely began to appreciate Zhang Han.

"Do you know if you have ever met my teacher in person? Do you know how he is doing and if his health is still good?"

At this moment, Zhang Han learned that Deputy Envoy Zheng was a scholar selected by Zhang Nian when he was the county magistrate. Although there were instructors in the county, scholars did not consider them their teachers. The true teacher was the magistrate. Deputy Envoy Zheng had been well taken care of by Zhang Nian, so after receiving this letter, he treated Zhang Han with great courtesy.

After a moment of thought, Zhang Han decided to tell the truth: "To let you know, I have never met Uncle Grandfather. There were many misunderstandings between my grandfather and Uncle Grandfather. This time, I came to Puzhou with only this letter."

"I see." Deputy Envoy Zheng nodded. "I have heard about your family's past. It seems to be accurate."

As he spoke, Deputy Envoy Zheng sat at the desk and wrote a letter, which he did not seal. He then called someone over and turned to Zhang Han, saying, "This is Ma Guohua, my steward. I will have him take this letter to Lai Tongxin. You can go with him."

"Yes, thank you, Sir." Zhang Han said gratefully. "During the three festivals, I will certainly come to pay my respects."

"There is no need for such formalities between us," Deputy Envoy Zheng said.

"Etiquette cannot be neglected, and besides, my business is doing well. There will be times when I need to trouble you."

Hearing this, Deputy Envoy Zheng pondered for a moment and then pointed to Ma Guohua, saying, "I am busy with official duties every day and may not always have time to see you. If you have any other matters, you can find him."

With that, Deputy Envoy Zheng picked up his teacup and gently tapped it. Zhang Han quickly knelt down, feeling the hardness of the golden bricks beneath his knees. He bowed and said, "I thank you, Sir. I will take my leave."

After leaving the second gate, Ma Guohua ordered the carriage to be prepared. His expression was not pleasant. From Yanghe Wei to Xinping Fort, it was a day's ride on a fast horse, or two to three days by carriage. Such a journey in this weather was not a pleasant task.

"Steward Ma, this trip will be tiring. I will need your help in the future." Zhang Han extended his right hand into Ma Guohua's left sleeve. The other party felt a fifty-tael ingot of silver, and his face immediately lit up with a smile.

...

Three days later, the carriage returned to Xinping Fort. When entering the fort, the guards at the gate gave Zhang Han and his companions a few extra looks. Although the fort was large, there wasn't much happening, and the news of Zhang Han's family being chosen as the head merchant was likely known to everyone.

The carriage did not go to Heyu Sheng or Zhang's residence but directly to the deputy general's residence. This time, when the invitation and letter were delivered, Lai Tongxin immediately requested a meeting. By the time everyone reached the second gate, Deputy General Lai was already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Zhang Han, Lai Tongxin's face, full of fat, trembled. He said in a reproachful tone, "Young Master Zhang, you are actually related to Magistrate Ma. Why didn't you say so earlier? If you had, there would have been no such misunderstanding."

Zhang Han was about to kneel and kowtow, but Lai Tongxin helped him up, saying, "There is no need for that. If you have any matters in the city in the future, you don't need to trouble Magistrate Ma. I can handle them for you."

Of course, this was said in front of Ma Guohua, and Zhang Han quickly agreed.

"You can go now," Ma Guohua stepped forward and turned to Zhang Han, saying, "The magistrate has some official business to discuss with General Lai. I will go in and discuss it with him. Afterward, I will rest here and then return. You can go home."

"Yes," Zhang Han turned to Lai Tongxin and said, "Since that's the case, I will take my leave."

Lai Tongxin said, "Young Master, don't worry. I will send someone to the official office to exempt your family from the head merchant duties. There will be no more such assignments in the future."

Zhang Han showed his gratitude and thanked him several times. After Ma Guohua and Lai Tongxin entered the second gate, he turned and left.

After he exited the main gate, he smiled at Liang Hong and the others and nodded. Liang Hong stepped forward and lifted Zhang Han up.

Liang Hong, with a face full of excitement, said, "Young Master, you are truly amazing!"

Zhang Han laughed heartily and asked Liang Hong to put him down.

He felt a great relief, and even his breathing felt much more comfortable.

Since being transported through time, this was a very dangerous situation. If it weren't for a powerful family to rely on, he would have been dead for sure.

He had read a few novels about people who, after being transported through time, invented things and made a fortune or developed agriculture, but now he realized they were all nonsense. In the political environment of the Ming Dynasty, wealthy merchants without official status or background were just fat sheep. Lower-ranking officers without family support were useless even if they achieved many accomplishments. This time, he managed to get through, which helped him understand some of the rules of the Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy. His decisions were correct, and this success was not just luck.

When he returned home, Zhou Fengji and others came to greet him. The soldiers and laborers at the gate, including the temporary shelters, had been removed. The Qing Army Hall had urged several times, but now they did not mention it. The clerk at the gate came in and apologized to Zhang Han several times, and after receiving a small piece of silver, he left happily.

"Is this matter settled just because of a letter from Uncle Grandfather?"

Chang Shi's face was full of disbelief. As a woman, she did not understand the intricacies.

Even Zhou Fengji and Liang Hong did not fully understand. They were just pure merchants.

Zhang Han half-leaned in his chair, his feet on a charcoal brazier. After these ten days of back-and-forth, he was exhausted, but his young and strong body could endure it.

He looked at everyone and smiled, "This is the benefit of having a scholar in the family. Uncle Grandfather was a county magistrate, and Magistrate Ma was a scholar he selected. This is a teacher-student relationship, which is highly valued in our dynasty, sometimes even more than a father-son relationship. This is just a scholar. If Uncle Grandfather were a jinshi (imperial scholar) and had been a school official, selecting juren (provincial scholars) and then becoming a jinshi, he would have students all over the country. Any matter could be handled by his students. If a cabinet minister presided over the spring examination, the teacher-student relationship would form a powerful force in the court and the regions, working together to achieve great things. There are many intricacies, and I don't fully understand them either."

Liang Hong asked, "Why did General Lai take Magistrate Ma's letter so seriously?"

"Magistrate Ma is in his prime and may become a governor or even a high-ranking official in the court. General Lai, although a third-rank official, is just a military officer. Magistrate Ma is his direct superior, so he cannot refuse to give him face."

Zhang Han said calmly, "In the end, we are just ants in their eyes, and the matters we seek are trivial, not worth their attention."

"Amitabha." Chang Shi clasped her hands and said a prayer, her face full of joy. "No matter how they see us, we should live our lives in peace. Since we have been accepted by the family in Puzhou and have Magistrate Ma's support, no one will bully Heyu Sheng in the future."

"Mother is right."

After answering, Zhang Han got up and went out, giving Zhou Fengji and Liang Hong a meaningful look. The two merchants understood and followed him out.

"This time we managed to get through a dangerous situation, but who knows if someone will target us again in the future?" Zhang Han looked at the two and said calmly, "Magistrate Ma may be transferred, and the magistrate in Puzhou is old. I don't want to keep kneeling in the ancestral hall."

Liang Hong said respectfully, "Young Master, just give us the plan, and we will follow it."

Zhou Fengji also said, "This time, Heyu Sheng could get through this crisis thanks to Young Master. Whatever decision you make, we will not argue."

Zhang Han pondered and said, "In the future, I will try to get an official position. For now, we need to focus on Heyu Sheng's business. You come with me to the study; I have something important to discuss with you."

At this moment, Li Jinnian in the back courtyard called out again. Zhang Han stopped and listened for a while. It turned out she was demanding bird's nest. During his absence, she had been quiet, but now that everything was settled, she started causing trouble again.

Liang Hong laughed, "Young Master, why not sell her to the Mongols? Such a plump and fair-skinned woman with small feet is highly valued by the nobles there."

Zhou Fengji was displeased, "We are from a respectable family. How can we do such an unscrupulous thing?"

Zhang Han's heart stirred, but his face remained calm. He only smiled and said, "Let her make a fuss. There is no bird's nest anyway."

Everyone laughed. At this moment, Liang Xing and Yang Qiu came over and bowed, saying, "Young Master, the matter is settled. We have nothing to do here and will return home."

"Don't rush," Zhang Han stopped them and said to Zhang Chun, "Bring the tray."

Zhang Chun agreed and soon returned with a box made of boxwood, covered with red silk. Zhang Han lifted the cloth to reveal shiny silver ingots.

The silver looked abundant, but each ingot was only one tael, and there were several dozen. Zhang Han said to Liang Xing and Yang Qiu, "You have been with me through this journey, and the matter was handled smoothly. You have done a great job. Each of you will receive twenty taels."

Liang Xing was uneasy, "We just followed you. You did all the work. How can we take so much?"

They were just ruffians, who looked impressive but didn't earn much money. Only the leaders could make some silver each year, but not much. Liang Xing usually earned less than this in a year.