Regarding this matter, the Zhang brothers felt a bit guilty, after all, it could be said that they had sneaked back.
Given Zhang Fang’s attitude, did he perhaps still intend to take them back to the temple to continue suffering?
Zhang Si looked at Zhang Fang with a wary expression, pretending to be heartbroken, and shouted, “As your older brothers, we’re worried about you! And you, not concerned about us at all! Lao Wu! You’ve truly disappointed us!”
Zhang Fang had no choice but to look at them and changed the subject, “Let’s eat breakfast first!”
Seeing that Zhang Fang did not mention sending them back to the temple, the brothers let out a sigh of relief.
However, after finishing the meal, Zhang Dasha and the others felt a little dazed.
Zhang Fang smiled like a refreshing breeze and gently told them, “Brothers, just stay at the temple and take care of yourselves.”
Zhang Dasha: “Lao Wu, you!”
Zhang Ersha: “Heartless, indeed!”
Zhang Sansha: “Did you drug us?”
Zhang Si: “Lao Wu, you’ve changed! How could you treat us like this!”
Zhang Fang merely smiled and provided no explanation.
At this time, it was a turbulent season, and Zhang Fang had to go abroad to engage in trade. A nightmare could prompt Zhang Dasha to take such drastic actions. If they knew that Zhang Fang was planning to follow Father Hebert abroad, they would surely try to stop him. Zhang Fang did not want to conflict with them nor expose them to Zhang family troubles. Thus, he chose to leave them at the temple, isolated from the outside world.
When Old Zhao returned and saw Zhang Dasha and the others slumped over the table, he looked at Zhang Fang in surprise and said, “Young Master Wu, what happened to the Eldest Master and the others…”
“Send them back to the temple. Leave a few people there to watch them and don’t let them escape again,” Zhang Fang said, appearing calm and unperturbed.
Old Zhao hesitated, but in the end, said nothing and quietly followed Zhang Fang’s instructions, arranging for Zhang Dasha and the others to be sent away.
Upon waking up again in the temple, Zhang Dasha and his brothers were in a terrible mood.
“That Lao Wu! What a scoundrel! How dare he treat us, his older brothers, like this!” Zhang Si cursed angrily.
Zhang Sansha, thoughtful, said, “Maybe Lao Wu knows we wanted to go have some fun, so he sent us back here to continue toughening our wills?”
“That shouldn’t be! Did you tell him?” Zhang Ersha asked in confusion.
Zhang Dasha remained deep in thought, silent.
Unlike what they imagined, Zhang Dasha had a bad premonition. After Zhang Fang took over the business, he went to Haicheng and even met a strange foreigner. Now, they were being kicked out of the house; didn’t this mean he was hiding something from them? Did he not want them to know?
Daoist Qiu came to check on them and, seeing everyone awake, said lightly, “Now that you’re all awake, let’s get to work.”
Zhang Dasha, with a serious expression, stood up and said, “I want to go home! Lao Wu must be hiding something from us!”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ersha and the others were stunned, clearly not having thought of that.
Daoist Qiu looked at Zhang Dasha with a calm face and slowly said, “What can you all help with by going back? It’s better to stay here and not cause any trouble.”
Zhang Dasha was left speechless. Yes! All of them, his older brothers, were useless, only knowing how to eat, drink, and have fun, with no other skills.
This feeling of being looked down upon made Zhang Dasha and the others feel very embarrassed. Yet, they could not refute Daoist Qiu’s words.
Father Hebert had stayed at the Zhang family for several days, but no one attended to him. He had gone to find Zhang Fang several times without success, and instead, he saw the old master looking troubled multiple times.
“Master, if it’s really impossible, why not let Young Master Wu lead the team? Didn’t that foreigner say that as long as Young Master Wu leads, he would agree to accompany us to the land of the rising sun?”
“Lao Wu is my son! I can’t trust him to go that far away! Alright! Let’s think of another way! Spend more money to gather information, and see if we can get to know some other influential foreigners.”
Father Hebert hid in a corner, watching the old master leave with a sigh. He felt that if he just waited patiently, the old master wouldn’t find anyone else to help; in the end, he would have to come looking for him. At that time, he could take Zhang Fang to the West!
After several more days, the old master suddenly held a banquet to entertain Father Hebert.
Father Hebert knew that the other party was struggling. This was to discuss going abroad!
“Mr. Zhang, I only have one request. Let Zhang Fang lead the team, and I will agree to accompany your trade caravan to the land of the rising sun. I promise I will ensure his safe return!” Father Hebert stated directly.
The old master, holding a wine cup, had a stiff expression and did not seem very pleased.
He placed the wine cup down, and with a serious face, remained silent.
After a moment, the old master gazed deeply at Father Hebert and asked, “How can I trust you?”
Father Hebert stood up, sincerely made a gesture, and said solemnly, “I swear to the Lord, I will help Zhang Fang complete his mission!”
Clenching his fist on the table, the old master sighed deeply and said softly, “Alright. I will let Lao Wu lead the team! From here on, I will trouble the father.”
The old master stood up and cupped his hands toward Father Hebert.
Father Hebert smiled and raised his glass toward the old master.
The Zhang family’s caravan had already prepared, and Zhang Fang could only set off with fifty men. These fifty were the elite of the Zhang family.
Father Hebert, afraid that the Zhang family would backtrack, urged Zhang Fang to hurry and follow him back to Haicheng.
Upon arriving at Haicheng, Father Hebert immediately contacted the relevant personnel and took care of the procedures for going abroad.
Standing on the deck, watching the port drift farther away, Master Wei and the others felt heavy-hearted. Many of their eyes were moist.
On this journey, they would leave their homeland, traveling far to the West in search of a way to survive. As long as they could complete their mission, even sacrificing their lives would be worthwhile!
May their homeland remain safe! That they could return safely!
The old master hid in the crowd, watching the large ship drift farther away. His eyes were moist as he raised his hand, using a handkerchief to wipe away his tears.
Thinking of how Zhang Lao Wu used to indulge in pleasures, compared to the understanding he showed now, the old master felt an even deeper sorrow.