Seeing the flickering candlelight ahead, Zhang Fang and the others quickened their pace, feeling a glimmer of hope as they reached the door of the temple. Two large lanterns illuminated the entrance, and Wang Zhuang stepped forward to ring the bronze bell.
After a moment, an old man slowly opened the door. Assessing the group, the old man rasped, “Are you members of the Zhang family?”
Lord Zhang would often visit the temple during his leisure to reminisce about his late wife. He almost made it an annual tradition. Every visit was accompanied by a new family portrait, which Daoist Qiu had seen before. Recognizing Zhang Fang and his companions, he welcomed them inside and led them to the guest rooms.
The temple had taken in a few orphans, who followed Daoist Qiu and worked as little acolytes. Although young, each of them was diligent. Noticing the arrival of so many guests, these little acolytes busily prepared tea and headed to the kitchen to cook.
After chatting with Daoist Qiu and introducing themselves, Zhang Fang stated their purpose for coming, requesting the Daoist’s assistance in overcoming their bad habits.
To this, the young masters found it somewhat amusing. The four brothers planned to enjoy the night and leave the next day to return home and indulge in their carefree lives!
Daoist Qiu expressed his support for Zhang Fang’s sudden desire to reform and start anew. Casually glancing at the young masters, he calmly assured Zhang Fang, “I will do my utmost to help! I will assist you in your transformation! Starting tomorrow, let the Zhang family members leave. A few will stay here to be self-reliant, practice martial arts, and strengthen their bodies.”
“Thank you, Daoist!” Zhang Fang replied with gratitude.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Da Shao’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at Daoist Qiu.
Zhang Er Shao whispered to Zhang San Shao, “It seems he’s serious about this.”
Zhang San Shao, with a worried expression, said to Zhang Fang, “Oh Five, my mouth needs to savor all kinds of delicacies, how can I manage with the plain tea and simple meals here? Just enough will do!”
Zhang Si Shao wore a contemplative look, casting a strange glance at Zhang Fang. Ever since Zhang Fang reported the sale of illicit goods, Zhang Si Shao had felt that Zhang Fang had changed. But he didn’t understand why these changes had occurred.
“Well then, I will send the acolytes to rest. There’s no need to prepare dinner; as guests, you all can clean up after yourselves,” Daoist Qiu said before leaving immediately.
“This old Daoist is really arrogant! What a waste that my father donates a lot of money to the temple every year! How can he treat us, the young masters of the Zhang family, like this? Starting next year, let’s stop the donations to the temple!” Zhang San Shao said angrily. He had been starving all day and felt awful! Now, to miss dinner was like torture!
“Pfft! What’s so impressive about that!” Zhang Er Shao realized Daoist Qiu was intentionally putting them aside.
Zhang Da Shao glanced at Zhang Fang. Initially, he thought Zhang Fang was just being impulsive, but now he could see that Zhang Fang was serious about this change, even tacitly approving of Daoist Qiu’s actions. Suddenly, Zhang Da Shao felt a chill down his spine; Zhang Fang was determined not to back down until he succeeded in overcoming his bad habits!
Thus began the transformation of the five young masters of the Zhang family!
Old Zhao was particularly concerned about what was happening at the temple, hoping that Zhang Fang and his brothers would successfully overcome their vices. When he saw the family servants return, he quickly inquired about the situation.
Upon learning that only the five brothers had stayed at the temple, Old Zhao grew anxious.
Before he could find time to visit the temple and check on the young masters, officials suddenly arrived at the door looking for Zhang Fang.
Mu Qing was there to award Zhang Fang a reward. Through He Jiu, a low-level sales clerk, the officials had uncovered a complete network of illicit goods!
The illicit items were imported from the West and sold under a pain relief program established by the court’s foreign trade department. The taxes collected were the highest. However, the quantities of the illicit goods were all registered. But He Jiu’s lead uncovered corruption. For example, the court had recorded ten thousand boxes of imported illicit goods in a month, but in reality, at least twenty to thirty thousand boxes were unregistered. The surplus of twenty thousand boxes had been embezzled by officials for profit through intermediaries.
Zhang Fang, as the whistleblower, had directly lured He Jiu with evidence of his wrongdoing, making a significant contribution!
Upon hearing this news, Old Zhao immediately felt uneasy. Zhang Fang had touched some officials’ interests and had offended them; he was worried about retaliation!
After sending Mu Qing away, Old Zhao personally went to the merchant association, uniting with its members in Lord Zhang’s name to send a plaque to the officials. Then, he rushed to the governor’s office to seek an audience with the governor of Liang Jiang.
However, the governor was not present. Old Zhao waited until dark and had to leave empty-handed.
Old Zhao was relieved that Zhang Fang had gone to the temple. Now, he just hoped that Lord Zhang would return soon.
Lord Zhang’s trip to the western regions to sell cloth had indeed been perilous! He personally experienced a local rebellion! Local tyrants had killed officials and proclaimed themselves kings! If not for the large group he took, with most being skilled in martial arts, it could have ended very badly this time!
The cloth had not been sold, and they faced a rebellion, a big country’s internal and external troubles weighing heavily on Lord Zhang’s heart.
Seeing Lord Zhang return, worn and weary, Old Zhao hurriedly served him hot tea and helped him wash his face.
After drinking a cup of hot tea and washing his face, the fatigue on Lord Zhang’s face did not diminish. He sighed deeply, sitting in silence with a dejected spirit.
Noticing this, Old Zhao cautiously asked, “Did the elder encounter trouble during this trip?”
Lord Zhang tossed the towel onto the table, candlelight reflecting in his eyes, yet a deep sorrow emanated from his brow.
After a long pause, he hoarsely said, “The western regions are about to face chaos.”
Hearing this, Old Zhao was slightly taken aback and quickly asked, “Did we lose anyone this time? Anyone injured?”
“Ten people died. Forty-seven were injured. Tomorrow, you need to take a thousand taels of silver to distribute among the bereaved families. For the injured, Zhang family will cover their medical expenses so that they may recover in peace. They will also receive their monthly payments as usual. Additionally, each of them gets ten taels as consolation.”