Zhang Dashao asked the doctor to prescribe some invigorating medicine to boost his health!
“Is Lao Wu okay?” Zhang Sanshao asked Zhang Dashao.
Zhang Ersao released Zhang Sanshao and leaned over to touch Zhang Fang’s face. His breathing was steady, indicating he was sleeping well. He turned and curiously asked, “How did Lao Wu think to report the sale of banned items?”
Zhang Sishao shook his head. “I don’t know. We can ask him when he wakes up.”
Zhang Sanshao scrutinized Zhang Dashao and seriously advised, “Big brother, you also look rather weak. You should take care of your health!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve had the doctor prescribe plenty of invigorating medicine!” Zhang Dashao said cheerfully, undeterred by his brothers’ laughter. Then he persuaded Zhang Sanshao, “Lao San, you seem to have gained some weight. Have you been enjoying too much delicious food lately? With you looking like this, you should cut back a bit!”
Zhang Sanshao patted his plump belly and laughed, “This is my only hobby! If big brother doesn’t let me eat, what else can I do?”
Their jovial chatter didn’t lower in volume, and soon after, Zhang Fang woke up.
“Lao Wu is awake! How are you feeling? You fainted and scared me!” Zhang Sishao leaned closer, his face filled with concern.
Zhang Fang looked at his brothers in deep thought.
Could this world’s mission be related to these brothers? Not only must Zhang Fang redeem the original character, but he also has to help these brothers redeem themselves.
“Lao Wu?” Zhang Sishao reached out to touch Zhang Fang’s face.
Zhang Fang stared at them and suddenly sighed deeply.
“What’s wrong with Lao Wu? Did something unhappy happen? Tell us, we’ll help you solve it!” Zhang Dashao remembered Mrs. Zhang’s parting words, as she grasped his hand and pointed to the swaddled Lao Wu, insisting he take good care of his younger brothers. He could not tolerate his brothers being bullied.
Zhang Ersao and the others moved closer to the bedside, their expressions serious as they fixed their gazes on Zhang Fang, ready to pounce if Zhang Fang revealed that someone was troubling him.
Shaking his head, Zhang Fang absentmindedly asked, “Big brother, how long has Father been gone this time? When will he return?”
Zhang Fang had not fully received the original character’s memories and could only gather some information based on plot hints. In this world, their country was facing internal and external troubles. The influx of foreign cloth had severely harmed the local textile industry, making traditional fabrics unable to compete at all.
The domestic dyeing and weaving industry had been hit hard, leaving the lower-class citizens, who relied on weaving, struggling to make a living. In this difficult situation, Master Zhang decided to bring fabrics to further, poorer places to sell to those in remote areas in order to protect the livelihoods of many dependent on the textile industry and to preserve Zhang’s family’s industry. This time, Master Zhang was going to the western frontier.
Zhang Fang did not fully understand the nature of this world and felt a wave of worry rise within him. At a time of internal strife and external threat, the more remote the location, the easier it was for those areas to rebel against the court. He couldn’t help but wonder if Master Zhang was safe out there…
Zhang Dashao and the others obviously misunderstood Zhang Fang’s meaning, and Zhang Sishao cheerfully gave Zhang Fang a thumbs up, saying, “Lao Wu, if Father knew you reported the sale of banned items, he would definitely praise you!”
Zhang Fang looked at his silly brothers with a helpless expression. He said to them, “Why not write a letter to ask Father to come back? I miss him.”
“Father scolds us every time he comes back, and he locks us up, not allowing us to enjoy ourselves!” Zhang Dashao and the others exchanged puzzled looks as they stared at Zhang Fang, clearly not understanding.
“This time Father went to a very distant place, and I worry he might be in danger,” Zhang Fang said, his feelings complicated as he spoke.
Master Zhang bore so much pressure, sustaining the Zhang family’s industry while having to support a group of people. His sons were so frivolous and careless, showing no intention of sharing in Master Zhang’s burdens. They felt that the Zhang family was the richest in Jiangnan, and that money would never run out! Thus, they had no intention of struggling or working hard.
Zhang Dashao thought that Zhang Fang was overthinking it. He chuckled lightly, “Father has been to so many places in his life; every time he goes out, he brings a group of bodyguards. With so many warriors protecting him, what could possibly happen?”
In other words, the warriors the Zhang family employed could form an entire army. When Master Zhang was younger, he had encountered bandits while delivering goods and suffered significant losses as a result. Therefore, he required impoverished people to be employed by the Zhang family. The older generation raised silkworms and spun fabrics, while the men had to learn martial arts to deliver goods.
Every time Master Zhang went out to do business, he would take hundreds of warriors with him for protection. Hence, Zhang Dashao and the others felt there was nothing to worry about regarding Master Zhang’s safety out there.
Even knowing this, Zhang Fang remained unconvinced. He called for the steward and asked him to write a letter to Master Zhang.
“Tell my father I’m dying; he needs to hurry back to see me for the last time!”
Steward Lao Zhao was taken aback, staring at Zhang Fang in shock. Did the fifth young master hit his head?
Zhang Dashao asked Zhang Fang in confusion, “Lao Wu, why are you so insistent on having Father come back?”
Zhang Ersao watched Zhang Fang with a scrutinizing gaze.
Zhang Sanshao and Zhang Sishao were softly discussing food and drinks.
“Fifth Young Master, this time Father has gone to the western frontier, a place we’ve never been to. I may not be able to contact him. We’ll have to wait until he sends word back to know the location of his caravan,” Lao Zhao helplessly explained the situation to Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang fell silent and waved his hand at Lao Zhao.
Lao Zhao had never seen Zhang Fang so dejected and felt a twinge of concern. He asked, “Is Fifth Young Master still feeling unwell? Should I call for a few more doctors to come?”
Zhang Dashao and the others noticed Zhang Fang’s anxiety. Seeing that Zhang Sanshao and Zhang Sishao were still happily discussing food and drink, he glared at his two younger brothers and gently told Zhang Fang, “Lao Wu, while Father isn’t home, your brothers are here to take care of you. If anything comes up, just tell us! We will definitely take care of it for you!”
Zhang Fang scanned them with doubt in his eyes and quietly asked, “Really?”
Zhang Dashao and the others answered him with firm tones, “Of course! Your brothers would never lie to you!”
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