Ma Quan, Huang Si and the others had previously said that tenants in other relatives' estates were forced to use their children to pay debts, and they had reprimanded them. Now it seems that they just didn't say that Zhang Heling did the same thing out of shame.
It seems that this should be a common phenomenon.
It can be seen from this that the powerful class of the Ming Dynasty did not regard the common people as human beings from the bottom of their hearts. They frantically grabbed wealth to the point of disregarding human ethics and integrity.
Such things are so common. On the one hand, it shows that the Ming Dynasty is rotten from the roots. On the other hand, it shows that the so-called ZTE era under Emperor Hongzhi is just a joke. He is definitely not a good emperor. He allows the powerful to do such evil and the common people do so.
No one takes care of the suffering, how can this be done by a wise king.
"Brother, I'm just here to borrow money. I have my own ideas about what to do. I don't want to do that in my manor." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhang Heling chuckled and said: "Yes, I can't control you now, and you don't need to ask for my opinion when doing things. But ten thousand taels of silver is not a small amount, and I can't afford it. Even if I have it, I won't lend it to you.
What kind of reservoir are you building? Brother, don't be naive. I know you want reputation and what you say is for your future plans. It's okay for you to spare Zhu Lin. I think what you said is reasonable. Maybe in the future
They have their place. Your nobles' opinion of us is very important. But it doesn't have to be the same for the tenants in these manors. Do you want to be a good person? You can't be a good person who borrows money to spend money.
What?"
Zhang Yanling sighed. It was not that he was unaware of Zhang Heling's virtues. Although his memory was incomplete, he still remembered that his brother was a man who cared about wealth as much as his life. By borrowing such a large sum of money, he was actually ready to be punished.
Be prepared for rejection and have countermeasures.
Zhang Yanling reached out and took out a stack of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Heling. Zhang Heling said, "What is this?"
Zhang Yanling said: "The title deed of Nancheng Manor. The two thousand acres of land there were allotted to me when the family was divided. I know that my brother has always wanted it. After all, it is connected with your Nanyuan Manor. My brother is not looking for me.
Have you said it several times? This time I will sell the two thousand acres of land to my brother. The market price of fertile land is twenty taels per acre. My land is not all fertile land, so I will discount it, ten taels per mu. Two thousand
Mu of land, twenty thousand taels of silver. Pay with one hand and deliver the goods with the other hand. Take out the twenty thousand taels of silver, and the two thousand acres of land will be my brother's."
Zhang Heling opened his mouth in surprise. When the family was separated, the large manor of the Zhang family in Nancheng was divided. Zhang Heling was the eldest son, and most of the acres belonged to him. Zhang Yanling took the land in the Xishan Manor. But Queen Zhang felt that she was against Zhang Yanling
It was unfair, so he took the initiative to allocate two thousand acres of Nanyuan's manor to his younger brother as compensation. This was of course also his preference for Zhang Yanling. Zhang Heling was a little worried about this. The two thousand acres of land were almost fertile farmland, but Zhang Heling
He did not dare to object to the Queen's actions, so he told Zhang Yanling in private more than once that he wanted to add the land to the large manor to make the manor complete and easier to manage.
Zhang Yanling was also a master who refused to suffer losses before. He knew Zhang Heling's thoughts and refused to let go. Zhang Heling was very unhappy. But now he actually wants to sell the two thousand acres of land to himself. This is like a slap in the face.
The west side came out. Of course Zhang Heling was so happy that he almost laughed out loud.
"Brother, this... is not good. Although I did say it a few times, this is the land assigned to you by the second sister. I am afraid that the second sister will be unhappy. Besides, you are selling the land for money.
It's a waste of money. If I accept it, won't it encourage you to spend money wastefully?" Zhang Heling smacked his lips.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Brother, let me settle the accounts. The land is mine, and I can do with it how I want. The second sister will not care about these things. After all, it is sold to her own family. As for how I spend the money, that is up to me."
It’s a private matter. Don’t you want me to do that? Well, I’ll sell it to someone else. Then I won’t have to worry about it.”
Zhang Yanling reached out and grabbed the land deed and stood up to say goodbye. Zhang Heling said hurriedly: "Hey, are you crazy? How can you sell it to others? The wealth will not flow to others. Hey, what are you in a hurry for?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Brother, let's not say these vain words. Wouldn't it be better for brothers to be straightforward? Let's do this. If you send 20,000 taels of silver to my house within three days, the land will belong to you. After the time has passed,
, I will sell it to others. It’s that simple. I have something else to do, so I’ll go home first.”
When Zhang Heling stared, Zhang Yanling had already strode away. Zhang Heling stamped his feet and shouted loudly: "Butler, butler, bring the accounting people to see me."
…
At around 1 o'clock in the morning the next day, Zhang Yanling was invited to Jiqing Restaurant on Zhengdongfang North Street outside Chongwenmen. This restaurant is very high-end. Although it is in a bustling area, it is very quiet.
It seemed that he arrived a little early, and it was not yet time for the guests to dine, so there were not many people inside and outside the restaurant. However, after going up to the second floor, Zhang Yanling immediately heard loud chatter and laughter coming from the private room inside.
The two servants standing at the door of the box were very sharp-eyed. When they saw Zhang Yanling, they immediately announced loudly: "Jianchang is waiting for Mr. Zhang to arrive!"
The box door opened quickly, and several people came out. The leader was Zhu Lin. Next to him stood his younger brother Zhu Feng, and two men in their thirties who were dressed in brocade uniforms and looked impressive.
"Oh, the Marquis of Jianchang is here. I also said that it's already that time, and Lord Zhang hasn't come yet, so I'm about to send someone to the house to invite you." Zhu Lin came forward with joy and said, cupping his hands.
Zhang Yanling smiled and returned the courtesy: "How dare you invite people to invite you again? I have to come to treat you, young master. I just didn't expect you to come so early."
Zhu Lin smiled and said, "You don't get together with us very often. Our gatherings are not for eating and drinking. We are here to chat, drink tea and bond with each other. So if you come earlier, you can discuss some things and talk."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "That's it."
Zhu Lin pointed sideways at the fair-skinned and handsome young man in brocade clothes next to him and said, "This is Mr. Zhang Lun, the British Duke."
Zhang Yanling cupped her hands and said: "Yanling has met Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Lun laughed heartily and returned the courtesy with his hands raised: "This is the first time I have met the Marquis of Jianchang. The Marquis of Jianchang's weapons are very impressive. You are polite, you are polite."
Zhu Lin smiled and pointed to another tall and sturdy middle-aged man and said: "I don't need to introduce this one, the Young Duke of Yande of Dingguo Palace. The Marquis of Jianchang and the Young Duke of Yande should be familiar with each other."
It can’t be any more familiar.”
Zhang Yanling looked at the middle-aged man with bright eyes and a majestic appearance and searched his memory. For a moment, he couldn't even remember that he had ever met the young master of Dingguo Palace.
Xu Yande cupped his hands and said: "Hello, Marquis Jianchang, Yande is polite."
Zhang Yanling returned the courtesy and said: "I have met Mr. Xu."
Zhu Lin smiled and said: "Let's go into the house and drink tea. Let's chat while drinking tea."
So everyone went into the private room and took their seats. There was already a table of tea, water, melons, fruits and snacks on the table inside.
"Marquis Jianchang, you are the guest of honor today. I invited them both to accompany you. It's enough to give you face. I, the young prince of the three major princes in the Ming Dynasty, and the two future princes will accompany you, except for you Jianchang
Who can enjoy this honor?" Zhu Lin asked with a wink and a smile after sitting down.
Zhang Yanling knew that what he said was true. Zhang Lun was the grandson of the British Duke Zhang Mao. Zhang Mao was now the governor of the regiment and held a high position of power. Zhang Lun would also take the position of the British Duke in the future and lead the regiment.
The position and status are not trivial. Xu Yande is the son of Xu Guangzuo, Duke of Dingguo. Xu Guangzuo is in charge of the governor's office of the fifth army in the capital. Xu Yande also leads the military position of the regiment and camp, and will also be the successor to the Duke of Dingguo in the future. Several people in this box
It can be said that they are the future leaders of the Ming Dynasty Xungui Group, and they all have extremely noble status.
"It's not just two future princes? It's three. Aren't you also the future prince Cheng? I'm so proud. It's a great honor to sit with the three future princes. But Yanling
It seems a little out of place here." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Zhu Lin burst out laughing and said, "When did Lord Jianchang become so good at talking? I just realized it today."
Zhang Lun said with a smile: "Yeah, I just realized that the Marquis of Jianchang turned out to be so funny. If you, the Marquis of Jianchang, can't get on the stage, who can? We are all from honorable ministers, but the Marquis of Jianchang is different. That's
Where are the royal relatives?"
These words were quite harsh to hear. This was the reason why other relatives looked down on the Zhang brothers in private. Now that they were brought up, it felt like a slap in the face.
Zhu Lin hurriedly glanced at Zhang Lun and said with a smile: "Marquis Jianchang, don't be offended. Zhang Lun didn't mean what he said."
Zhang Lun also said hurriedly: "Yes, yes, I have no other intention. Don't be offended by the Marquis of Jianchang."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I'm not surprised. What Young Master Zhang said is the truth. However, whether it is an honorary minister or a relative of the emperor, they are all ministers of the Ming Dynasty, so there is no difference. If you want to insist that there is any difference between us, that is
You were born into the family of a prince, and I was born into a family of ordinary scholars. I didn’t know that my sister would become a queen, and that I would become a member of the family. Your status is destined, and I
My identity seems to have been picked up. But I can’t choose this, can I? Do I still have to feel ashamed because of this?”
Zhang Yanling's words were hidden in nature. In fact, they were counterattacks against Zhang Lun's provocation, but they were said in a very tactful way.
Zhang Lun was a little embarrassed, and Zhu Lin hurriedly yelled: "Why are you talking about this? Today I specially held a banquet to thank the Marquis of Jianchang. If Marquis Jianchang hadn't been so generous this time, I would have been in trouble. Marquis Jianchang
Although he is young, he is big-hearted and does not care about past grudges. I admire him very much."
Zhang Yanling said: "It's boring to thank you all the time for some things. No matter whether you agree with the identity of my Zhang family brothers or not, it can't change the fact that we are members of the honorary family. In my opinion, we honorary brothers
The Qi family is in trouble, but we must not really hurt the harmony. That will allow others to take advantage of the loopholes. We Xunqi are now a thorn in the flesh of others. If we don't live up to our expectations and unite, we may be separated by others in the future.
It has become a piece of loose sand and is ready to be slaughtered."
Zhu Lin nodded and said: "That's right."
Xu Yande suddenly spoke in a deep voice beside him: "I'm afraid Jianchang Hou's words are a bit too much. Who are we, a thorn in the flesh? Who dares to attack us?"