Hao Zhuang led the old man Zhang without noticing the change in his expression and casually said, “I live with Zhang Fang. After Zhang Fang was locked up, I’ve been the only one living in this room. I heard the academy plans to expel him; you’ve come to pack his things, right?”
Old man Zhang took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and replied softly, “No, the teacher said to wait until Si Lang is released and let him return to continue his studies.”
Hao Zhuang, eager for gossip, inquired, “They say Zhang Fang destroyed things at the brothel and must pay dozens of taels of silver to be released; otherwise, he’ll face imprisonment. Have you gathered the money?”
Dozens of taels is a huge amount for poor people. If the Zhang family could come up with that much to bail Zhang Fang out, it suggested they were doing quite well!
Old man Zhang fidgeted, his hands clasped together, and murmured, “We’re close to gathering it.”
Hao Zhuang turned around to glance at old man Zhang. Although Zhang Fang’s father looked shabby, the Zhang family’s circumstances seemed decent! After all, they could afford to scrape together dozens of taels!
Arriving at the dormitory, Hao Zhuang pointed to a corner cluttered with items and told old man Zhang, “That’s where Zhang Fang sleeps. I put some things there; they are all mine.”
As he spoke, Hao Zhuang began to move his belongings.
Old man Zhang stared at the messy corner, silently starting to clean up. Finally, he moved all the books away.
The old man didn’t understand the contents of these books; he worked on packing while Hao Zhuang watched nearby. When he witnessed the calm expression on old man Zhang’s face as he picked up the Chun Guo Tu and some storybooks, Hao Zhuang was shocked and asked, “You can’t read, can you?”
Old man Zhang awkwardly nodded, afraid he had mistakenly taken the wrong books, and specifically asked, “These are my son’s books, right?”
Hao Zhuang walked over, pointed at the Chun Guo Tu and some storybooks, and said, “These were borrowed by Zhang Fang; I don’t know where he got them. I only know that if they aren’t returned on time, money will be deducted.”
Old man Zhang didn’t understand the content of those books but felt that his son was still quite diligent in his studies. He inquired, “How long has he borrowed these books? How much will be deducted?”
“It was borrowed about half a month ago. The charges vary by content; for example, this one is quite expensive and requires a deposit of a hundred wen.” As he spoke, Hao Zhuang deliberately opened the Chun Guo Tu to show old man Zhang. Even if he couldn’t read, shouldn’t he be able to understand the illustrations? He was curious what the old man would think upon realizing his son was reading this kind of book.
Upon hearing about the hefty deposit for the book, old man Zhang focused seriously on the content. After a while, his face suddenly turned pale. This rascal! How could he look at such things! No wonder he dared to go to the brothel!
Old man Zhang felt like tearing the Chun Guo Tu apart. But poverty restrained his impulse, as this book required a hundred wen deposit!
A hundred wen! How many eggs would he have to save to trade in the city for that much money! The whole family tightened their belts, refraining from eating or using anything, pouring all their good resources into Zhang Si Lang. Yet this brat spent the family’s hard-earned money on such material!
With a gloomy expression, old man Zhang closed the book. He said nothing as he carried the books outside.
Noticing the old man’s anger, Hao Zhuang raised an eyebrow, thinking that if Zhang Fang were here, there would be an entertaining scene. Unfortunately, the person involved wasn’t present.
Zhang Da Lang waited outside for a long time and finally saw old man Zhang come out. When he saw his father carrying so many books, he rushed over to help and curiously asked, “Father, will Si Lang not study anymore?”
Old man Zhang, feeling quite irritated, scolded Zhang Da Lang, “If Si Lang doesn’t study, how will he take the exams? I know you three brothers are envious of Si Lang, jealous that he is smart and has the chance to study! I tell you, you are brothers, tied by blood! If Si Lang succeeds, he will help you, allowing our family to live better! Wishing him poorly is wishing the Zhang family poorly!”
Zhang Da Lang didn’t expect his simple question to provoke such anger from his father. He awkwardly explained, “Father, that’s not what I meant; I never thought that way.”
Old man Zhang continued to vent his anger at his eldest son, reprimanding, “This time Si Lang got into trouble; I know you three brothers and your wives are very dissatisfied. But we are a family, and we must be united! Only by uniting can we live well! Si Lang has excelled at the academy; he will definitely pass the county exam! Once he holds a degree, the Zhang family will stand tall! You brothers will also benefit! In the future, when Si Lang becomes an official, our family’s life will be even better!”
Zhang Da Lang nodded and said, “Yes, yes! Si Lang is our family’s hope! This time he will surely pass the exam! Once he passes, many people will want to marry their daughters into our family.”
Old man Zhang felt a bitter taste in his mouth, suddenly losing the desire to speak.
The blows he had suffered in these past two days were too great; he lacked confidence in his youngest son. But after all, this was his most beloved child! Even though Zhang Si Lang loved to flaunt and talk nonsense, he still had to help his son hide it from the family. Otherwise, if the family knew Zhang Si Lang had been spending their money enjoying himself in the city without studying properly, the three sons and their wives would definitely cause a commotion! If this matter wasn’t handled well, the worst outcome would be a division of the family.
His youngest son was only fifteen, had not achieved anything in his studies, and had never done farming work. If he lost the support of his older brothers, he would surely suffer hardships! In the end, old man Zhang couldn’t bear to let this son suffer.
Passing by a tavern, old man Zhang spent twenty wen to buy a jar of good wine. Upon seeing this, Zhang Da Lang wanted to ask but was afraid of being scolded, so he simply held back his curiosity.
Old man Zhang was already prepared to put on a long face to plead with the jailer, but Zhao the jailer was unusually amenable today. He didn’t even require wine as he directly led them in and even offered to help carry the books.
Old man Zhang felt pleasantly surprised and nervously asked, “Jailor, you are too kind; is my son doing well?”
Jailor Zhao smiled, “Zhang Xuesheng mentioned to me yesterday that you would be bringing him books today. The county exams are about to start, and he is determined to take first place! I will take great care of him while he studies here! Don’t worry!”
Old man Zhang paused slightly, feeling a bit dazed.
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