After Zhang San listened to Zhang Shun's story, he felt a little disappointed. He felt that these people were not very good at making rumors and were too "gentle" to him.
"I understand, thank you for your trouble. Go back and tell Wang Hongping not to pay attention to these rumors. In addition, Xingsheng Trading Company will be closed for a period of time. The Chinese New Year is coming soon. I will give you an early holiday this year." Zhang San said.
"How can this be possible, Sir? Our business has just got on the right track. Isn't it too early to close down now? Besides, there is still some time before the Chinese New Year." Zhang Shun said in confusion.
"This rumor won't stop here. Xingsheng Trading Company will also become the target of public criticism in Chang'an. I'm not worried about you staying there. Please close the shop early and come back to prepare for the New Year!"
"Sir, we are not afraid. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I will be the first to refuse. We still have our old enemy Fuyun Candy Store. Doesn't this closure give them an advantage?"
"It doesn't matter. Peace is a blessing. Just do as I say. Go quickly. You will all go back to Zhangjia Village early tomorrow morning."
Seeing that Zhang San insisted on doing this, Zhang Shun didn't say anything more. He just cursed those nagging people in his heart. He didn't know why Zhang San had such a big reaction.
After Zhang Shun left, Zhang San thought for a while and wanted to add fuel to the fire later, but he was afraid of being caught by Li Shimin.
"Sir, I heard that you are going to temporarily close Xingsheng Trading Company?" That night, Xiaoyu came to Zhang San's study and asked.
"The Chinese New Year is coming soon. Everyone has been busy for a year, so it's time to take a vacation early." Zhang San put down the book in his hand and said with a smile.
"Is it because of those rumors? Why don't we take measures to guide public opinion to other places like last time?"
"Not entirely. I have my own opinion. You don't have to worry. I also told them that they can do whatever they have to do. It's no big deal." Zhang San naturally had many ways to dispel this wave of rumors, but Zhang San couldn't wait to do it now.
If someone tries to smear themselves, they will naturally not do so.
Seeing that Zhang San really didn't care at all, Xiaoyu walked out.
"Sister Xiaoyu, what did the third brother say?" Xiaomei and Suxin were waiting for Xiaoyu outside and asked quickly when they saw her coming out.
"Young master said to let us rest assured, don't worry about it and just do whatever we need to do." Xiaoyu replied with a sigh.
"How can this be done? Aren't those bastards slandering the third brother's character?" the younger sister said angrily.
"Don't worry, little sister. Since the young master said so, I think he has his own intentions." Su Xin comforted her.
"Okay, you guys should go to bed early. Don't pay too much attention to it. Rumors stop with the wise." Xiaoyu is the eldest among the three girls, and the two of them admire her very much.
This wave of rumors about Zhang San has intensified with the closure of Xingsheng Trading Company. The matter is being discussed in the streets, tea shops, wine shops and restaurants.
Although the rumors are getting more and more evil, and Zhang San is said to be worthless, few scholars have come forward to express their opinions on this matter.
In the library of Sanwei Bookstore, a group of students from poor families were also talking about Uncle Zhang, but most of them were indignant about the matter.
"This is simply unreasonable. It must be the King of Wei who deliberately spread rumors and wanted to destroy County Uncle Zhang's reputation."
"Shhh! Keep your voice down, that's His Royal Highness the King of Wei. You're risking your life by saying that!" One person quickly tried to dissuade him.
"I heard that there were many literati from aristocratic families attending that day, so they must have been causing trouble."
"Hmph! Those people have always looked down on us, the poor people. They must have seen how kind Mr. Zhang is to us and want to disgrace Mr. Zhang."
"Are you saying this is true or not? Why doesn't Mr. Zhang stand up and refute it?" A discordant voice sounded, and he was immediately criticized by everyone.
"Lu, what do you mean? Are you doubting Mr. Zhang?"
"That's it, do you know who provided the hot tea you are sitting here reading, holding in your hand?"
"I'm ashamed to be associated with you, I'm such a white-eyed wolf! No wonder those aristocratic families look down on us, it's because of people like you!"
The student surnamed Lu did not expect that his unintentional words would cause such a big response, especially after hearing what his classmates said, he was even more ashamed.
"I was wrong, I was wrong, please don't say anything..." The student surnamed Lu stood up, bowed his hands and apologized to everyone, then turned around and looked in the direction of Zhangjiacun, knelt down, and kowtowed several times before everyone agreed to forgive him.
Got him.
"We have benefited a lot from Zhang County, should we just let those aristocratic family members bully County Zhang?" Another person stood up and asked in a deep voice.
"Yes, we can't just wait and see. We must also make a voice to support County Uncle Zhang." Someone echoed.
"Just do it..."
So everyone stopped reading and gathered in a circle, discussing how to fight back.
In order to keep abreast of the trend of public opinion outside, Zhang San sent a convoy to various places in Chang'an to inquire about information.
Just when Zhang San was happily thinking that even if his reputation was not bad, he would be praised by no one, a piece of news came back from the escort, which caught Zhang San off guard.
"You said that many students who read in the Sanwei Bookstore Library took to the streets to clear their names?" Zhang San asked, dumbfounded after listening to Genzi's report.
"Yes, sir, they work together in twos and threes. When they see someone slandering someone, they go up to reason with them, present the facts, and talk about your original achievements and good deeds." Genzi replied.
Zhang San was both moved and a little helpless by their approach.
When I did this, I just wanted to plant a seed for myself. If those children from poor families became successful in the future, they would remember his kindness and help me in the future.
What Zhang San didn't expect was that the seed took root and sprouted so quickly and grew rapidly.
…
"Master, there are a group of poor students from Sanwei Bookstore on the street trying to clear Uncle Zhang's name, but their number is too small. Rumors about Uncle Zhang are spreading all over Chang'an. I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to reverse the situation." In Fangfu's study room,
The housekeeper reports on Fang Xuanling.
When Fang Xuanling heard the butler's report, she secretly sighed at Zhang San's foresight. What seemed like a small act of kindness at first has now won Zhang San a big gift.
Even though this force is weak now, the power they represent cannot be underestimated. Although the aristocratic families are powerful, is the power of the poor men less powerful?
Especially now, Li Shimin is actively wooing scholars from poor families and conspiring to break the aristocratic family's monopoly on becoming officials.
This undoubtedly allowed this force to develop more rapidly. Zhang San also relied on this shareholder style and his own intelligence to reach his current position.
"Tell Erlang not to let him interfere in this matter, just stay at home and watch." Fang Xuanling said in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir!" The butler bowed and accepted the order and exited the study.
"Mistress, since you want to be my son-in-law, Fang Xuanling, you can't be a coward. It's not that easy to quit." Fang Xuanling murmured to herself.
