“Fourth Brother, you’re awake!” Old Zhang suddenly opened his eyes and instinctively reached out to touch Zhang Fang.
Old Zhang was accustomed to feeling around in the dark at night, and his eyesight in the darkness was quite good. He directly grasped Zhang Fang’s hand.
“Dad? Why are you here?” Zhang Fang was stunned and somewhat disoriented.
Old Zhang released Zhang Fang’s hand and got up to light the lamp.
Once the room was illuminated by candlelight, Zhang Fang saw Old Zhang’s worried face, with his eyes still glistening. Filled with guilt, Zhang Fang said, “Dad, I’m sorry. I’ve been unfilial, causing you concern.”
Old Zhang sat down, shaking his head silently.
Zhang Fang asked with concern about the situation at home, “Is there anyone in the family who has been troubled because of me?”
“No. Fourth Brother, Dad doesn’t want you to take the civil service exams anymore. Come home! Let’s not pursue this further, and let’s live well.” As soon as Old Zhang said this, his heart felt instantly lighter, as if a heavy mountain pressing down on him had been suddenly lifted!
Zhang Fang stared seriously at Old Zhang, and after a long silence, he spoke softly, “Dad, I can’t back out now.”
Old Zhang’s emotions suddenly collapsed.
“It’s my fault! I shouldn’t have sent you to study! I shouldn’t have forced you to take the exams!”
Zhang Dali and the others heard the commotion, rushed into the room, and were suddenly at a loss when they saw this scene.
Old Zhang cried and said a lot of things while Zhang Fang remained calm. Zhang Dali and the others looked on in silence, not daring to speak.
This was the first time Zhang Dali and his brothers had seen Old Zhang break down and cry like this.
Old Zhang begged Zhang Fang to give up on pursuing an official career, but Zhang Fang responded with silence.
If they didn’t bring down the Third Prince from power, the corrupt officials behind him would continue to harm the common people. Even the officials on the Crown Prince’s side might not be clean. These two had always turned a blind eye to issues in order to maintain their power, thinking only of their own interests without ever considering the welfare of the people.
When Zhang Fang first arrived in this world, he thought his task was to pass the imperial examinations and change the Zhang family’s life. However, the Zhang family’s life improved, but his task still showed no signs of completion. Remembering that his previous world ended when the Second Prince ascended the throne, Zhang Fang felt that this world’s task was still related to the Second Prince. Now, his task was to support the Second Prince in ascending the throne.
Whether for his own task or for the benefit of the common people, Zhang Fang had to assist the Second Prince in his ascension, dispelling the gloom and restoring clarity.
The next day after the tears, Old Zhang returned to normal, as if the person who had broken down last night was not him at all.
Zhang Dali and the others were also troubled, seizing the opportunity while Old Zhang rested to persuade Zhang Fang.
Zhang Dali said, “Fourth Brother, Dad wants you to give up on the exams. Why not just let it go? The family is not short of food anymore, so why work so hard to study?”
Zhang Erlang added, “Fourth Brother, Xu Zhizhou can be considered your mentor, and you actually accused him in front of the Emperor, leading him to become a criminal now. How can you do such a thing? Aren’t you afraid of retaliation?”
Zhang Sanlang said, “That’s right! Fourth Brother, the outside world is too complex. You should just come home! Mom said that when you return, she will introduce a wife for you. Marry and live a good life!”
Looking at their sincere faces, Zhang Fang set down the empty bowl from his medicine and said softly, “Right now, I am Zhang Lang, representing the hopes of countless people. Perhaps what I’m saying won’t make sense to you, but you just need to know that everything I do is for the people, and I have no regrets.”
Zhang Dali opened his mouth but suddenly couldn’t find the words.
Zhang Sanlang glanced at Zhang Dali and then at Zhang Erlang.
Zhang Erlang appeared somewhat anxious and urgent as he said to Zhang Fang, “Yes, you accuse the corrupt officials for the sake of the people, but have you considered the possible retaliation? If something happens to you out there, how heartbroken would Dad and Mom be!”
Zhang Dali and Zhang Sanlang silently nodded in agreement.
Recently, people had been coming to the Zhang family bearing extravagant gifts, but the family remembered Zhang Fang’s words and dared not accept anything from outsiders. The matters Zhang Fang had been involved with in the capital reached Dou County, causing the Zhang family to feel fearful. They became especially wary of outsiders who ostentatiously sought to ingratiate themselves, afraid that if Zhang Fang offended someone, enemies would come to their home for revenge.
“Rest assured, I will be fine. Everyone is watching me; no one dares to hurt me.” After the incident of the poisoning and fainting in the East Palace, even the Emperor did not dare to touch Zhang Fang. Zhang Fang’s influence was evident, and if he were killed, it would arouse public outrage.
With Zhang Fang saying this, he ran his hand through his hair, and Zhang Dali looked at him helplessly and said, “Fourth Brother, you are the most capable in the family. No matter what, take good care of yourself.”
Smiling and nodding, Zhang Fang said to them, “Tonight, let’s have dinner together.”
Zhang Dali nodded and began pulling along the troubled Zhang Erlang and the hesitant Zhang Sanlang.
“Big Brother, are we just going to let Fourth Brother run wild outside?” Zhang Erlang sat down on the steps in frustration.
Although Zhang Sanlang didn’t speak, his expression clearly indicated his disapproval of letting Zhang Fang continue his path outside.
Zhang Dali sat down, and the three brothers sat side by side on the steps. He spoke softly, “I went out yesterday, and everyone was praising Fourth Brother. Some even erected stones in his honor, and some built temples to pray for blessings for him. Fourth Brother is not just our brother; he is a hero admired by all. We can’t help him in any way; we can only hope not to hold him back and become an obstacle.”
People outside revered Zhang Fang like a deity. This atmosphere made Zhang Dali feel a mix of pride and inferiority due to his own ordinariness. Zhang Dali understood Zhang Fang’s sentiments. He felt sincere admiration for his brother. If they were in his place, faced with the Emperor, they would have been too scared to speak. It was hard to imagine how much courage Zhang Fang mustered to accuse in front of the Emperor.
After hearing this, Zhang Erlang and Zhang Sanlang fell silent.
Fear of trouble is a common human anxiety. But their Fourth Brother was so brave that as older brothers, how could they be so cowardly?
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