Zhang Fang did not refuse this matter. Throughout history, scholars have always been a powerful force. Zhang Fang must gather more scholars to further expand his influence. Only by nurturing a group of supporters can he ensure his safety as his fame grows.
The gathering of classmates was originally planned to be at the teahouse, but Zhang Fang decided to simplify things by having Mu Qing inform their classmates to meet at the tavern instead.
Manager Wang welcomed Zhang Fang’s classmates enthusiastically. When they met again, Hao Zhuang changed his previous attitude and was exceptionally cordial towards Zhang Fang.
“Zhang Fang, we have been friends living under the same roof for three years! Now that you are famous, you must not forget your friend!”
While toasting Zhang Fang, Hao Zhuang even pushed Mu Qing out of the way. Mu Qing revealed a look of disdain but did not pursue it further.
Zhang Fang smiled in response to Hao Zhuang, “I will certainly not forget our friendship.”
Although this seemed innocuous, Hao Zhuang felt a sense of unease because he had previously embarrassed Zhang Fang in front of everyone at the teahouse, effectively breaking their relationship. Now he was trying to please Zhang Fang, who accepted it with a smile, making him suspect there might be hidden intentions.
Zhang Fang also did not drink. After responding to Hao Zhuang, he turned to Mu Qing and said, “Before the prefectural exam starts, I have already entered the service under Xu Zhizhou, who is now my teacher. When my teacher is free, I will take you all to visit him.”
Upon hearing this, the classmates present showed expressions of surprise. Zhang Fang implied that he had connected with such a high-ranking official like the Zhizhou; he would certainly pass the prefectural exam and have smooth sailing in future examinations!
Everyone looked enviously at Zhang Fang, congratulating him and shamelessly asking him to take them along to visit Xu Chang. Zhang Fang smiled and promised them he would take them to visit Xu Chang. Hao Zhuang, ignoring whether Zhang Fang still held a grudge over their past grievances, seized this opportunity and implored Zhang Fang to take him with them to visit Xu Chang. Zhang Fang, being amiable, did not reject Hao Zhuang.
However, after the results of the prefectural exam were released, Zhang Fang took Mu Qing and others to celebrate, intentionally leaving Hao Zhuang behind. He brought a large group of classmates to Xu Chang’s residence while leaving Hao Zhuang alone.
Facing so many students coming to see him, Xu Chang felt quite displeased but still gave face to Zhang Fang, treating these students politely.
After hearing about this incident, Hao Zhuang was furious and rushed to the tavern to find Zhang Fang. However, he was blocked at the entrance and could not get inside at all!
In a fit of rage, he plotted revenge. He went straight to the busy teahouse and loudly spilled Zhang Fang’s dirty laundry.
“Ha! The so-called extraordinary Zhang Lang you all speak of is actually a shameless little person who despises the poor and loves the rich!”
After these words, Hao Zhuang was met with glares of anger from the crowd.
“Who are you to slander Zhang Lang so shamelessly?”
“I can see you are ugly, as the saying goes, ‘a person’s appearance reflects their character.’ You must be up to no good!”
“That’s right! This person is obviously ugly; he can’t be anything good!”
Hao Zhuang was infuriated by their words and loudly continued to expose Zhang Fang’s past.
“I am a classmate of Zhang Fang! We have lived together under the same roof for three years! I know exactly what kind of person Zhang Fang is! He comes from a farming family and is quite impoverished. One time, when his father came to the academy to deliver something for him, I asked who he was. He actually said it was a tenant of his family! Zhang Fang is clearly a poor scholar, yet he boasts about his family’s wealth, lying that his father is a gentleman! In reality, his father is just a peasant! He didn’t even have a decent pair of shoes! The Zhang family wears straw sandals and is full of patches, while only Zhang Fang wears well-kept cloth shoes without any patches!”
“Zhang Fang is even addicted to viewing risqué stories! He often borrows the Spring Palace illustrations to look at! He has been at the bottom in every exam at the academy! Teacher Du has several times spoken to him about dropping out. Zhang Fang previously wrote many love tales that the bookstore completely ignored! This time, he just got lucky and wrote a good story, which is why he became famous!”
“Oh, and just half a month ago, Zhang Fang was also in prison! He got into a fight over a courtesan in a brothel, destroying things and racking up a debt of twenty taels of silver. Unable to pay, he was locked up! This is the so-called extraordinary Zhang Lang you all adore! He despises the poor, indulges in lust, has a terrible character, and exhibits moral decay! How can such a disgusting person be worthy of your admiration and defense?”
After saying all this, Hao Zhuang felt a sense of relief. He thought maliciously that after these people learned Zhang Fang’s true nature, they would surely abandon him, and might even severely criticize Zhang Fang! This time, Zhang Fang would truly be ruined! Let’s see how he could continue to thrive!
The crowd was dumbfounded, unable to believe what they had just heard.
“No! I don’t believe it! Zhang Lang is so good; how could he be that kind of person?”
“You must be lying! Do you have a grudge against Zhang Lang and are deliberately slandering his reputation?”
“Exactly! This person looks like no good; his words cannot be trusted!”
Seeing the crowd defend Zhang Fang so vigorously made Hao Zhuang furious, and he shouted angrily, “My name is Hao Zhuang! I can swear to heaven that I am not lying!”
With Hao Zhuang swearing, some people began to waver.
News of Zhang Fang’s past spread like wildfire in the streets and alleys.
Many fans rushed to the tavern’s entrance, wanting to meet Zhang Fang and verify whether Hao Zhuang’s claims were true.
Manager Wang was anxious and angry, directly denying these rumors to the crowd. After closing the door, he quickly sent someone to fetch Zhang Fang back.
Those merchants who had signed cooperation agreements with Zhang Fang had also heard about this matter; after all, Zhang Fang was their treasure! Someone was trying to ruin their treasure, so how could they allow that? Thus, facing these rumors, the merchants banded together to refute them, declaring that Hao Zhuang was simply a jealous petty person trying to slander Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang and Mu Qing remained at Xu Chang’s place, utterly unaware of the chaos surrounding his reputation outside.
It wasn’t until a tavern staff member found him that Zhang Fang learned of Hao Zhuang’s actions.