Great Tang Idyll - Volume 4 Chapter 43
Zhang Zhong does not have his own intelligence department. To be more precise, he only passes on news to people he deems qualified after something happens. Typically, his son and daughter-in-law provide him with intelligence. His son has offered to give him the intelligence organization he has trained several times, but Zhang Zhong declines most of the time because he knows he is not suited for it.
His son and daughter-in-law’s intelligence personnel are indeed competent, but they are just that—intelligence personnel, not individuals who summarize intelligence. There is too much information, both useful and useless, and only the truly skilled focus on summarizing it. Zhang Zhong knows that if he sees so much information himself, it would only confuse him.
It is better to leave it to his son and daughter-in-law. The information they send him is already organized, and it is easy to read.
The second steward of Zhang Jiuling’s family does not expect Zhang Zhong to already know something as soon as he speaks. Instead of looking at Zhang Zhong, he turns his gaze to the person in the inner courtyard beside him.
At that moment, two children, a boy and a girl, come skipping over from a distance, holding hands.
As soon as they arrive, the girl points at the second steward of Zhang Jiuling’s family and says with surprise, “Wow! Xiaobao, look, this person looks just like the second steward of Zhang Jiuling’s family that Grandpa Zhang mentioned. What a pity, he’s just an ordinary worker.”
Zhang Xiaobao also looks over, nods, and says, “Yes, Grandpa Zhang would be so surprised if he knew there’s someone who looks so much like the second steward. I heard Zhang Jiuling is a high-ranking official. If we didn’t know better, we might think a high-ranking official sent someone here to investigate. We almost misunderstood. This person looks so much like the second housekeeper Zhang Grandpa mentioned. People who know will understand, but those who don’t would think Zhang Jiuling’s family doesn’t discipline their servants well, sending someone here to secretly observe. If that’s true, Zhang Jiuling wouldn’t be a good person either. If his housekeeper is like this, can you imagine what kind of person Zhang Jiuling himself is? The children at the village always say, ‘If the son is not taught well, it’s the father’s fault; if the teaching is lax, it’s the teacher’s fault.’ From this, we can conclude, Zhang Jiuling’s family either didn’t teach their servants well or didn’t teach them at all. Isn’t it terrifying? We’ll ask Zhang Grandpa later and see if the second housekeeper has come here and where he is. What do you think, Juanjuan?”
A few simple words from the two children completely confuse the second steward. What they say is so sharp that he feels he has no choice but to act. If he doesn’t admit it, he is like a turtle hiding in its shell. If the news spreads, not only is he finished, but his master also loses face.
If he admits it, that is even worse. The children have already said that Zhang Jiuling wouldn’t do such a thing. If an adult did this, it might be brushed off with a laugh. But if two children suddenly appear to question him one day, wouldn’t Zhang Jiuling be ashamed to death?
Just as the second steward is about to respond, Zhang Zhong, being the good man he is, intervenes and says to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, “Xiaobao, Juanjuan, aren’t you sleepy? Go to bed.”
Zhang Xiaobao glances at the second steward, who seems to breathe a sigh of relief, and says to his father, “Father, Juanjuan and I aren’t sleepy yet. You’re so kind, protecting someone who sent people to secretly gather intelligence. We’ll go ask Grandpa Zhang later. We’ll see what Grandpa Zhang says. If Grandpa Zhang knows about this, then our family won’t need to send money there anymore. This isn’t mutual help at all. No matter how much meat there is, you can’t feed it to a wolf you can’t tame.”
As soon as Zhang Xiaobao finishes speaking, the second steward immediately kneels before Zhang Zhong, kowtows, and says, “Master Zhang, I know I was wrong. Please punish me. I came here on my own initiative. The master didn’t order me to do so.”
The second steward has previously looked down on Zhang Zhong, thinking that, as a newcomer, Zhang Zhong is not of high standing. So, he speaks condescendingly. But after hearing what Zhang Xiaobao says, he realizes his mistake. If this matter is made public, it would ruin Zhang Jiuling’s reputation. No one would believe that a servant’s actions are entirely his own doing. It would reflect poorly on his master.
Zhang Xiaobao isn’t ready to let the man off the hook so easily. He says to him, “Isn’t this what Zhang Jiuling taught you? Once you’re discovered, you just blame it on yourself and leave the master out of it. Juanjuan, come with me. Let’s ask people if they believe this story, then ask Grandpa Zhang and see what he says. I just can’t believe that a random person can get involved like this.”
Zhang Xiaobao is deliberately provoking the second housekeeper. His words are not just aimed at the housekeeper but also at Zhang Jiuling. If Zhang Jiuling wants to present himself as a gentleman, he needs to be careful, or else he might just be deceived.
At that moment, a voice comes from the other side. It isn’t loud but has a strong penetrating force:
“Xiaobao, do you want to drive the second housekeeper and me to death before you’re satisfied? It was I who arranged for someone to come in. Go ahead, give him forty lashes, starting with the second housekeeper, then hit me.”
“Zhang Grandpa, you’re here? But Zhang Grandpa shouldn’t be punished! If anyone dares to hit Zhang Grandpa, Xiaobao and I will protect him with our lives. Zhang Grandpa is a good person; he wouldn’t have done anything behind our backs. He must have been helping this person on purpose.” Wang Juan also shouts, her voice sharp enough to carry across the courtyard. The penetrating quality of a child’s voice requires no practice to be heard clearly.
Zhang Xiaobao turns to the second steward and asks, “Did Zhang Grandpa arrange for you to come here? You must have come here on your own. You’ve overstepped and committed a crime. Without a valid reason, you should be executed. But since this concerns Zhang Jiuling’s family, I’ll spare you with twenty lashes. Go back and receive your punishment. At that time, I’ll tell Uncle Zhang Jiuling that there are two ignorant kids who dared to speak out, don’t know the rules, and offended people. They have poor family education. I’ll ask Uncle Zhang Jiuling not to mind such kids. In the future, my father will learn more from him to improve his family education and avoid trouble.”
Zhang Xiaobao says this deliberately, not only because the second steward is arrogant but also because he is targeting Zhang Jiuling. Zhang Jiuling, who would be a high-ranking official in the future and prides himself on being a gentleman, is someone easy to pressure. Villains like this can only be dealt with through force.
As a result, Zhang Jiuling owes his father two favors—one for helping with the road-building funds and another for this second steward.
The old man on the opposite side hears everything but doesn’t say a word. He isn’t surprised, as his letters have already informed him that these two children value family loyalty above all. Especially Xiaobao, who would forgive any slight against him, but not a slight against his family. Zhang Jiuling’s family is strong, and the two children certainly know about the second housekeeper’s actions.
The second steward’s face changes repeatedly, his embarrassment clear. He lowers his head, allowing the others to speak. At that moment, he realizes just how powerful the Zhang family is. Secretly, he regrets saying so much that he shouldn’t have.
Seeing his son’s determination, Zhang Zhong can only try to smooth things over. “Who cares who he is? He helped with a lot of work. Xiaobao, why don’t you prepare some of your roujiamo specifically for me?”
“Father, you said it doesn’t matter, so it doesn’t. But how can you only make so little in one go? You used so many precious ingredients, so of course, you should make more. Do you still want to eat?” Zhang Xiaobao asks, though he already knows the answer. He doesn’t want his father giving away too many roujiamo since they use a lot of rare ingredients.
No one knows a son better than his father. Even though Zhang Zhong can’t quite follow his son’s logic, he knows what kind of person he is. He pats his son on the head and says, “Is one enough for everyone here? If so, give it out. It’s not easy for the people either.”
“Not enough. There are over 3,000 people here, and I only have more than 300 portions. One for every ten people is enough. I also want to take some back for Grandpa, Grandma, and Mother.”
Zhang Xiaobao says a few dozen less than the real number, knowing his father wouldn’t keep the 300 portions. As expected, Zhang Zhong immediately says, “Then give these 300 to the cooks. Let them cook more and try to make good food for everyone.”
“Oh, then I’ll go arrange it.” Zhang Xiaobao winks at Wang Juan while speaking, and Wang Juan secretly gives him a thumbs-up.
When she and Zhang Xiaobao hear about this, they come over and realize he has already planned for everything. He has left some for his family to enjoy later, which she can’t help but admire.
Zhang Xiaobao and the others leave. Zhang Zhong looks at the second steward, still kneeling, and says, “It was just a joke. Don’t take it seriously. Get up quickly.”
“Master Zhang, I really know I was wrong. I underestimated you earlier. You must be upset. I’ll never do it again. I’ll get back to work now. Since I came in like this, I have to finish what I started. Otherwise, it will be even harder to explain.”
This man isn’t stupid. He finally understands why his attitude has been so off earlier. Even though Zhang Zhong doesn’t come from a powerful family, he is still a fourth-rank official who can’t be suppressed by just anyone.
With that, the second steward jumps back to work. Zhang Zhong doesn’t stop him, as one more worker means more hands to help.
The old man across the river shakes his head helplessly. He isn’t surprised. Bi Gou’s letter has already said that the two kids value family affection the most—especially Xiaobao. It doesn’t matter if they offend him, he would forgive them. But if they offend his family, it would be a big problem. With the Zhang family’s influence, the two kids must have already figured out what happened with the second steward.
The old man mutters curses under his breath, then jumps across and chases after Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He knows well the power of the two kids. No one can resist their innocent looks, especially when they ask questions so directly. It is more uncomfortable than being cut by a knife.
The old man follows after them, salutes Zhang Zhong, and shouts, “Xiaobao, Juanjuan, leave some for me! I want to eat too!”