Currently, Lord Zhang finally understands what Zhang Fang meant when he first spoke.
“Good!” Lord Zhang’s voice was resonant.
“Father, are all the goods I need ready? I’ve counted the items, and I’m about to set off. The domestic affairs will be left to you! You must take good care of yourself!” The success or failure of everything lies across the border, and Zhang Fang must first establish himself there to accomplish what he intends.
Lord Zhang stood up, reluctantly holding Zhang Fang’s hand, his voice trembling as he choked out, “My son, take good care of yourself out there!”
“I will take care of myself and everyone!” Zhang Fang smiled radiantly, embracing Lord Zhang.
Lord Zhang held his son tightly.
Not long ago, this was just a mischievous child, but now he has become someone who can shield him from the storm. When he was born, his head was only the size of a palm. How did he grow so tall in the blink of an eye…?
Tears silently flowed down Lord Zhang’s face, moistening Zhang Fang’s clothes.
Zhang Fang gently patted his father’s back, speaking softly, “Father, you’ve lost so much weight. It’s my negligence that has caused you worry. The next time I come back, I hope you will have gained some weight.”
With tears in his eyes, Lord Zhang nodded.
That evening, Zhang Fang took a night journey to a Taoist temple.
Young Master Zhang and the others were sound asleep. As Zhang Fang entered the room, he quietly watched them by the moonlight outside. He covered them up with blankets, left a letter, and then left silently.
Master Qiu sat across from Zhang Fang and poured him a cup of hot tea.
Zhang Fang held the warm tea, eyes downcast in a daze.
Master Qiu didn’t ask anything, and Zhang Fang didn’t say a word.
When the tea in his hands had cooled, Zhang Fang finally drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing him stand to leave, Master Qiu stood to see him off.
At that moment, the sky was hazy; although dawn was beginning to break in the east, the mountains remained shrouded in darkness.
As the young man walked into the darkness, Master Qiu respectfully clasped his fists in salute.
The long night stretched on; some choose to wait for death, while others seek a path in the dark. And that young man was one who chose to explore in darkness, seeking a ray of hope for the masses. Despite his frail figure, he stood tall and strong, striving to support a crumbling edifice.
Chapter 38: A Heart Unforgotten by the Nation
The sound of birds filled the air as Young Master Zhang woke up early. When he got up to drink some water, he found a letter on the table.
He was surprised and took the letter outside.
It was brighter outside than inside; the morning sun cast its rays into the courtyard from the east. Young Master Zhang sat on the steps and opened the letter.
The letter was thick and contained many photographs. In the photos, Zhang Fang was with Manager Wei and others in unfamiliar surroundings. There were pictures taken at various scenic spots in the streets, as well as pictures from a fashion event. Although Zhang Fang looked out of place in that environment, one could sense his nonchalant disdain from his face, eyes, and demeanor.
Finally, Young Master Zhang saw the letter written by Zhang Fang. After reading it carefully, he was taken aback.
“Elder Brother, you’re the first one up again!” Young Master Zhang Si came out of the room, half-asleep, went to relieve himself, and then noticed something was off with Young Master Zhang.
“Elder Brother?”
Young Master Zhang Si opened his eyes wide, reached out, and patted Young Master Zhang’s shoulder. Only then did he notice that Young Master Zhang was holding a stack of items.
“What’s this?” Young Master Zhang Si squatted down and extended his hand to see what Young Master Zhang was holding.
Young Master Zhang passed the stack to him and whispered, “Old Five has gone abroad… He has taken the business to the Land of the Rising Sun.”
Upon hearing this, Young Master Zhang Si rubbed his eyes to wake up completely and carefully looked at the letter.
“He… he… he has such audacity!” Although he guessed that Zhang Fang was hiding something from them, he never expected him to accomplish such a huge feat in just a few months!
Not only had he gone abroad! He was conducting business in the Land of the Rising Sun! Moreover, he even planned to create a fashion brand! He even intended to venture into the food industry! And he brought back a batch of weapons!
In particular, the words Zhang Fang wrote in his heart made Young Master Zhang Si read it again.
[We must learn from their strengths to control them. Currently, the development in the West is faster than ours, but we will never fall too far behind. As long as we unite, we will be able to catch up with them and surpass the West! I want Chinese fashion to lead the trend! Let the world know the beauty of the East! Let countries around the world admire the brilliance of China!]
What a great ambition!
Young Master Zhang Si squatted beside Young Master Zhang and murmured, “Old Five seems to have gone mad.”
Young Master Zhang, with a composed expression, took the letter back.
Only then did Young Master Zhang Si notice the remaining photos. He stared intently at each picture, and his worldview was shaken.
In the photos, one could see the humility, tension, unease, and anxiety of Manager Wei and others. Because when they were taking pictures, many strangers around were looking at them with curiosity and strange expressions. Looking again at Zhang Fang in the photos, his face was calm, like still water. Anyone familiar with Zhang Fang could see his indifference and aloofness.
Young Master Zhang Si couldn’t understand how Zhang Fang could remain so calm and dismissive.
No matter who they were, arriving in such a foreign land would certainly spark curiosity, and comparing the living disparities between nations would lead to feelings of inferiority. Yet Zhang Fang had nurtured a thriving ambition! A fierce spirit emanated from his very bones!
“I never saw Old Five with such great ambition before. How did he suddenly change like this?” Young Master Zhang Si couldn’t grasp it, only feeling shock.
Young Master Zhang calmly replied, “I think I understand.”
Young Master Zhang Si immediately shifted positions to sit next to him on the steps, asking, “What’s going on?”
“In recent years, foreign cloth has invaded our market. Father must have been holding back his frustration, accumulating resentment towards foreign merchants. And once Old Five took over the family business, he would naturally share the same attitude as Father. So they are fighting against the foreign merchants! Since the foreign merchants dare to come here and invade our market, we can also go to their countries to steal their market and business!”
Young Master Zhang Si pondered, murmuring, “Why tire ourselves so much?”