“Why are they pulling truckloads of cloth out of town if they’re not selling it?” Shopkeeper Liu countered Zhang Fang.
“The Japanese are invading our Ryukyu Islands, and the George family has had contact with them. Now they’re neglecting their textile factory. It must be for a greater profit, working for the Japanese. This can’t be revealed.” Zhang Fang racked his brain, feeling he was on the verge of a solution.
“If the George family isn’t selling cloth, what could they possibly be doing for the Japanese?” Shopkeeper Liu also sensed that the George family was secretly engaged in some operation, but couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. After all, the family seemed too calm on the surface.
A sudden realization struck Zhang Fang, and he stood up excitedly, his expression serious as he said, “I know! The George family is conducting preliminary local investigations for the Japanese invasion of our country!”
Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Liu was shocked, his mouth agape as he angrily spat, “These treacherous bastards! Instead of staying in their own country, they come to ours to ruin our homeland! Damned scoundrels!”
Zhang Fang quickly wrote a letter, ensuring Shopkeeper Liu would deliver it back to Jiangnan personally. Once the letter reached Old Master Zhang, he would know what to do.
When Old Master Zhang read the letter, he felt a chill run down his spine. Anger consumed him, and he yearned to draw his sword and slay those foreign devils!
That very night, he visited the Viceroy of Liangjiang to inform Lord Lin of the situation.
Lord Lin was alarmed by the news but couldn’t report unverified information. He could only send someone to secretly investigate the places the George family had visited.
Zhang Fang felt the urgency of the situation. In order to earn more money to support the national defense, he loaded his ship with goods and set sail for trade with the third batch of merchants.
After a month of investigation, Lord Lin confirmed that the George family was indeed secretly probing the local defenses in various areas. The places they chose were historically strategic points of conflict. Their intentions were treasonous!
Lord Lin personally traveled to the capital to report this discovery to the court.
The military officials reacted with outrage, immediately ordering the textile factory to be sealed and the entire George family to be captured and thoroughly interrogated.
As a result, the textile factory came under the jurisdiction of the court, and Lord Zuo wrote a letter to Old Master Zhang, requesting that he take over the factory to enhance production using machines, expand sales, and generate profits for the court.
Old Master Zhang had always held Lord Zuo in high regard and was delighted to receive the letter. Even without any promises of reward from the court, he was willing to take on the textile factory to earn money for the court.
Upon receiving Old Master Zhang’s reply, Lord Zuo promptly submitted a petition to proclaim Old Master Zhang as the imperial merchant, bestowing Zhang’s family with a plaque of loyalty and righteousness.
When the plaque and order were delivered to the Zhang household, Old Master Zhang led his family in accepting the court’s accolades. They burned incense to pray to their ancestors that day.
“If only the Fifth Brother were here!” All of Zhang Fang’s achievements to this point had been under his leadership. Old Master Zhang truly wished Zhang Fang could be there to share in this glory.
Zhang Fang not only established himself in the land of the rising sun but also made connections with merchants from other countries through trade. He used this land as a commercial link to expand trade with other nations.
Since leaving after the New Year, Zhang Fang had never returned. It was all thanks to Shopkeeper Wei running back and forth to convey Zhang Fang’s intentions.
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a night of perfect harmony.
The courtyard was filled with dishes, fruits, and fine wine, the autumn breeze gently caressing, as chrysanthemums swayed softly. The bright moon shone, with the wind light and the clouds sparse.
Zhang Si, who used to love fine wine, held his cup and found the drink tasteless.
Zhang San absently poked at the food in his bowl with chopsticks, feeling an emptiness in his heart.
Zhang Er had recently been studying accounting and carried a jade abacus with him. Distractedly fiddling with the jade beads, he sighed softly.
He picked up his chopsticks only to put them down again, while Zhang Da gazed sadly at the bright moon in the night sky.
The delicious food felt sour in Old Master Zhang’s mouth.
Far away in a foreign land, Zhang Fang was celebrating the holiday with others.
This Mid-Autumn Festival felt like a family reunion, sharing the joy with his compatriots. Everyone gathered, clinking glasses, pouring their emotions into the wine, and drowning their sorrows in a string of toasts.
In just two or three years, a swaddled infant could learn to speak and walk. A teenager could transform into a strong man. From the sacrifices made by the elders to recapture lost lands, to establishing factories, shipyards, and textile mills, step by step, the military equipment was enhanced, and the national defense strengthened. Even for transporting supplies, canals and roads were built. Behind this progress was the generous support of the Zhang family and many merchants.
One day, Zhang Fang suddenly discovered that the task progress bar showed it was complete. He felt a sense of daze.
Touching his forehead, Zhang Fang lay on the bed and closed his eyes.
“I leave my body to you; please take care of the Zhang family!”
Zhang Fang immediately refused: “No! I am about to leave!”
After a moment of silence, Zhang Lao Wu continued, “What will happen to the Zhang family after you leave? Can you please stay?”
Zhang Lao Wu felt like a useless person. The Zhang family thrived under Zhang Fang’s leadership, and he was willing to surrender his body to him. But unexpectedly, the other party was preparing to leave. He feared that after this person departed, he wouldn’t be able to support the situation, leading to chaos and the Zhang family’s decline.
“I’m sorry. I don’t belong to this era. I’ve completed my task and cannot stay any longer. The body returns to its original owner; rest assured, I’ve prepared a development plan for the Zhang family. As long as they follow the plan, the family won’t go astray.”
Zhang Lao Wu fell silent.
Being replaced by such an outstanding individual, he felt no jealousy. In fact, he wished Zhang Fang could replace him permanently. But reality was harsh; he couldn’t keep the other from leaving.
“Thank you! You are a benefactor to the Zhang family!” If he could kneel, Zhang Lao Wu would definitely bow to him.
“May everything go smoothly.”
Once that voice vanished, Zhang Lao Wu snapped his eyes open, clutching his heart, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.
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