Chapter 45

Zheng Guochang looked deeply at Zhang Han and suddenly asked, "Zhang Han, you haven't taken a courtesy name yet, right?"

Zhang Han smiled and said, "Nephew is just a minor figure; at this age, how dare I take a courtesy name."

"You don't need to be too modest. Your family background is that of the descendants of Duke Fengpan. Who is better than you? You are also a scholar, and now with such a career, why can't you take a courtesy name?"

Zhang Han understood Zheng Guochang's intention and immediately bowed, saying, "Please, Uncle, give me a courtesy name."

Choosing a courtesy name is not a casual matter; it is usually given by a teacher to a student or by an elder to a younger relative. Once a name is given, the relationship between Zheng Guochang and Zhang Han would officially deepen. In the future, when Zhang Han returns to Xinping Fort and mentions that his courtesy name was given by Zheng Guochang, others would understand the significance. This day would not have been in vain, and the relationship between Zhang Han and Zheng Guochang would have deepened considerably.

Zheng Guochang pondered and said, "Although you are a business genius, you must not forget your family background... Your given name is Han, so your courtesy name will be Wenlan. I hope that amidst your buying and selling, you will not forget to read. Wenlan, you must understand that although the Emperor rules the country, the methods of governance and the people who govern are in the hands of us scholars. No matter how wealthy you are, if you encounter a bad local official, they can ruin you in a moment. Why did your ancestor, Duke Fengpan, reach the position of Grand Secretary? It's because the children of wealthy merchants study day and night. Even if you don't study, you must ensure that your descendants study and advance. Remember this."

Zhang Han was not convinced by Zheng Guochang's words. Why should the world listen entirely to scholars? If scholars were truly capable, the Ming Dynasty wouldn't be in such a chaotic state, and the country wouldn't have been taken over by others. The Qing Dynasty wouldn't have been so backward and beaten. Since you control the world, don't shift the blame to other groups, like military officers or eunuchs. What's the point?

These people, with their limited abilities, are extremely arrogant, believing that the only proper path in the world is through scholarship. Their arrogance is truly unpleasant.

However, he knew that Zheng Guochang was well-intentioned. He bowed and solemnly replied, "Uncle, I will remember your teachings and never forget them."

"This matter, although Zhang Quanchang's target is Ma Cheng'en, we are caught in the crossfire, making it even more difficult to handle..."

Zheng Guochang sat down again, holding a wine cup, his face showing hesitation.

If it were a purely financial dispute, it would be easier to handle. Zhang Han wouldn't need to take the lead; he could send trusted family members to negotiate with the Zhang family, reach an agreement, and Zhang Han could make some concessions. The grain could still be collected, and the local bullies and thugs wouldn't be a concern... Zhang Han's bodyguards were not to be underestimated, and Zheng Guochang had heard about them. It's inevitable that bodyguards have to fight for territory; monthly bonuses don't come easily. If not for Zheng Guochang and Ma Cheng'en's protection, Zhang Han's mule and cart business and accounting office wouldn't have expanded so easily.

However, this matter involves a dispute between two military officers, and it's not so simple. Even if Zheng Guochang, as the Deputy Military Commissioner, intervenes to mediate, it might fail, and he would lose face.

He pondered for a moment, looked at Zhang Han, and prepared to advise him to back down... to take a step back temporarily and wait for the outcome of the conflict between Ma Cheng'en and Zhang Quanchang before making a move.

There was one thing that made Zheng Guochang hesitant. If Ma Cheng'en wins, Zhang Han would be seen as trying to benefit from both sides, and he would offend both. Even if Ma Cheng'en wins, he would still cause trouble for Zhang Han. This would still be a very troublesome situation.

Although the state is governed by scholars, this is at the official level and varies by region. Datong is a key military stronghold, and the power of military officers, especially those from generations of military families, is not inferior to that of civil officials. In disputes over private interests, Zheng Guochang cannot act too aggressively, as it could easily lead to a backlash.

Moreover, since the Jiajing era, there have been multiple military mutinies in the border regions. If this matter causes any unrest, Zheng Guochang's career would be ruined, and he might even lose his life. This was truly a difficult situation.

"Uncle, I have one more question..." Zhang Han had already seen Zheng Guochang's dilemma. He thought about it and understood that this matter involved political strife, which was the reason for Zheng Guochang's dilemma. He thought for a moment, refilled Zheng Guochang's wine cup, and asked, "Why is Deputy General Zhang targeting General Ma?"

"The Ma family's fortunes have declined in recent years. Ma Cheng'en is the General of Datong, and the Zhang family has a General in Liaodong. In terms of the number of Deputy Generals, Associate Generals, and Commanders, the Zhang family is not lacking. For Zhang Quanchang to advance further, the best way is to push General Ma out, so that the Zhang family can take over the interests in Datong..."

"I understand." Zhang Han nodded calmly. "Now Deputy General Zhang is using this matter to start, and there will be many more actions. The goal is to 'squeeze' General Ma, making him uncomfortable. Both sides will use their connections and back channels to find faults, and once the conflict starts, one of them will have to leave, right?"

"Wow!" Zheng Guochang was genuinely surprised. His mouth opened wide, and his eyes bulged. Staring at Zhang Han, he stammered, "If it weren't for your family background, with your insight at your age, I would think you were a demon. The struggle for official positions is indeed as you described. Unless General Ma doesn't respond, once the conflict starts, one of them will have to leave."

"Uncle, since that's the case, why not find a way to make one of them leave before they start fighting like roosters?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's simple... make Deputy General Zhang leave."

"That's not so simple!" Zheng Guochang laughed and shook his head. This was still a child's perspective. If it were that easy, it would have been done already.

"Uncle, the Zhang family wants benefits, which is easy to handle. I can buy their grain at the prices offered by the major grain merchants... it's just a small amount, a token gesture. More importantly, they want the position of General. I just thought about it, and General Ma is still in his prime and unlikely to leave his post in the next few years. However, the General of Shanxi is old and no longer capable, and he is not from a military family, making him much less powerful than the Ma family. Attacking Datong is not as easy as attacking Shanxi, which is close to the Zhang family's sphere of influence..."

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

Zheng Guochang stood up, his eyes fixed on Zhang Han, his face glowing.

After exclaiming "wonderful" three times, Zheng Guochang burst into laughter. This was truly a brilliant idea from Zhang Han!

Although the position of General in Shanxi is not as prestigious as in Datong, it is still quite significant. The benefits, such as the phantom quotas and horse markets, are still considerable. Getting the position of General in Datong would be best, but the position in Shanxi is also a good option. The leap from Deputy General to General is significant, and Zhang Quanchang would likely accept this outcome. If Zheng Guochang helps the Ma family support the Zhang family... Ma Cheng'en would also be willing. Instead of a bitter conflict with the Zhang family, it would be better for both families to join forces and help Zhang Quanchang take control of Shanxi. This way, everyone benefits, and there is no need for a bitter conflict. Zhang Han could expand his mule and cart logistics business into Shanxi, and his accounting office could flourish throughout Shanxi, achieving great success... This young man, how did he come up with such a brilliant idea? His mind is so sharp and his understanding so clear!

Thinking about this, Zheng Guochang said excitedly, "Wenlan, I truly hope you can enter the school. Then I can take you as my disciple, and you will surely become a capable minister. Your achievements will not be inferior to those of the late Duke Fengpan!"

Zhang Siwei was a Grand Secretary and a renowned minister, posthumously honored as Grand Tutor. Zheng Guochang's evaluation of Zhang Han's potential achievements as equal to Zhang Siwei's was almost overly flattering for a young man not yet seventeen.

However, Zhang Han did not feel this way. When he tried to decline, Zheng Guochang waved his hand and smiled, "Wenlan, there's no need to be modest... I'm talking about after you enter the school. You, however, may never enter the school. Duke Fengpan would only feel regret, not that my words are inappropriate!"

"Yes..." Zhang Han smiled, "Nephew is just a mundane person. Books can only be used to cultivate one's character. To seriously pursue scholarship would be truly difficult."

"It's fine." Zheng Guochang smiled and said, "Wenlan, go to Datong to see Ma Cheng'en. I will talk to Zhang Quanchang here. Both sides will then operate, find a reason to start the conflict, and the grain collection in Tiancheng will proceed as usual after you see General Ma. I believe Zhang Quanchang, if not completely foolish, will not refuse our suggestion!"

"Yes," Zhang Han stood up and said respectfully, "Nephew will follow Uncle's instructions."

...

With the help of doctors invited by Yang Qiu and others, Li Yuchun's injuries gradually improved, and he was almost fully recovered in less than ten days.

As his physical injuries healed, his mental anxiety grew day by day.

(End of the page)