Thinking about his son still being locked up in prison, Prime Minister Zhang felt another headache coming. If he did not seek support from King Qi, his son would be exiled.
His son had grown up in luxury; how could he endure the hardships of exile? What if he fell ill or was injured outside, starved, or bullied?
The thought of the suffering his son might experience after being exiled made Prime Minister Zhang’s heart ache as if it were being cut by knives, and even breathing felt difficult.
Should he remain loyal to his king, or should he betray his lord to save his son? Prime Minister Zhang was caught in a painful dilemma.
In the prison, Zhang Fang was eagerly waiting for his father, but instead of the Prime Minister, a doctor arrived. Grabbing the hand of the jailer Zhao, Zhang Fang asked directly, “Where’s my father? I’m dying! Why hasn’t he come to see me yet?”
Given how much his father cherished him, he shouldn’t be so indifferent! Zhang Fang suspected that the Ministry of Justice had not conveyed the message to Prime Minister Zhang. The duke had pressured the ministry to punish Zhang Fang, and they dared not inform Prime Minister Zhang that his son was being beaten, keeping the news under wraps.
The doctor was earnestly examining Zhang Fang’s wounds, while Zhao held up a lantern for illumination. With one hand caught in Zhang Fang’s grip, Zhao awkwardly responded, “Perhaps Prime Minister Zhang is quite busy, which is why he hasn’t come to see you right away.”
Do you think I believe that?
Zhang Fang stared expressionlessly at the jailer, having to endure in the cell, and said, “I’m dying! I want to eat the fried meatballs made by the kitchen. Can you send someone to fetch them for me?”
The doctor coughed lightly before stating, “He won’t die. After applying medicine to the wounds, there shouldn’t be any serious issues. As long as he recuperates well, it won’t affect his limbs.”
Zhang Fang wanted to turn and look at the doctor, but his head wouldn’t cooperate. Instead, he cried out miserably, “You don’t understand! I killed someone! I might have to pay for it with my life!”
This confession rendered the doctor silent.
Zhang Fang continued to feign pity, effortlessly letting tears flow down his face as he spoke through sobs: “I know I’m deeply guilty, and my time is running out. I beg you both to send a message back to the Zhang family, asking them to bring me my favorite fried meatballs. If I could have that, I would have no regrets.”
The doctor then realized that this boy was likely the infamous young master of the Prime Minister’s family who had been the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.
Recalling the various misdeeds committed by this youth, the doctor candidly remarked, “Indeed, your sins are grievous.”
Zhang Fang’s cry was hoarse, resembling that of a pitiful child.
Seeing this, the doctor changed his tone, saying, “Eat whatever you want!”
Zhao the jailer remained silent; as long as Zhang Fang was not in danger of dying in jail, he had no responsibility.
Recognizing that the jailer wasn’t keen on helping him, Zhang Fang thought of appealing to their better nature, saying, “Just send someone to the Zhang household, and have the cook prepare a plate of my favorite fried meatballs. The Zhang family will surely reward you handsomely!”
The doctor shook his head, stating that he was willing to help not for profit, but out of his goodwill.
Zhao hesitated, glancing at the doctor, believing that he would not take a message to the Zhang family. After sending off the doctor, he planned to ask for a portion of fried meatballs during his shift tomorrow.
After leaving the prison of the Ministry of Justice, Doctor Liu inquired along the way and finally arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence. He knocked on the door and explained the situation.
Upon hearing that Zhang Fang had been beaten, the steward of the Zhang residence turned pale and hurriedly took Doctor Liu to see Prime Minister Zhang.
Entering the study and observing the Prime Minister’s pallor, Doctor Liu’s professional instincts kicked in, and he gently advised, “Your Excellency, you should take care of yourself. If you don’t start valuing your health, you might very well collapse within three days.”
No matter how reckless Zhang Fang was, Prime Minister Zhang was a devoted official for the nation and its people. Even as a scholar, he had a hero’s spirit and had participated in tongue battles with the enemy before wars. During disasters, he was always the first to respond, offering aid and support. All the citizens who had benefited from his kindness remembered him fondly.
Prime Minister Zhang was torn about whether to seek refuge with King Qi when he saw the steward bringing in a doctor, thinking it was for a medical consultation. Frustrated, he said, “I’m fine. It’s nothing for the doctor to have come all this way.”
The steward quickly explained, “Your Excellency, the young master was beaten in prison! Thirty strokes! He fainted during the beating! Those brutes in the Ministry of Justice dared to secretly punish him! And they hid this from you!”
Over the years, Prime Minister Zhang had been preoccupied with state affairs, often not having time to manage Zhang Fang’s affairs. After the passing of Madame Zhang, it had been the steward caring for Zhang Fang. So he had been quite indulgent of him, and upon hearing that Zhang Fang had been beaten, he was furious, wishing he could rush to the Ministry of Justice and curse them out on the spot.
Hearing this, Prime Minister Zhang’s expression darkened instantly, like the sky turning grim before a storm. He abruptly stood up, slamming his hands on the table in anger, remaining silent but clearly showing his fury.
Those bastards from the Ministry of Justice dared to lay hands on his son; they must have received pressure from the Queen or the duke!
Through gritted teeth, the steward stated, “If it weren’t for the young master’s cleverness in asking the doctor to bring him fried meatballs, we wouldn’t even have known!”
It finally dawned on Doctor Liu that he had been used by Zhang Fang! His expression became complex, and the instinct for self-preservation urged him to leave the Prime Minister’s residence quickly!
So, Doctor Liu found an excuse, looking uneasy, and said, “There are many patients needing treatment at the clinic; if you don’t have any instructions, then…”
Prime Minister Zhang interrupted him, his eyes reddening as he looked sharply at Doctor Liu, asking anxiously, “How is my son now?”
Doctor Liu hurriedly replied, “As long as he recuperates well, it won’t affect his limbs.”
Prime Minister Zhang exhaled deeply, his hands falling, clenched into fists, his gaze becoming like a hungry wolf ready to pounce. His thoughts were drifting towards loyalty to King Qi, but before that, he had to see his son in prison!
Those scoundrels from the Ministry of Justice dared to punish his son under the table just because he wasn’t present!