At the entrance of Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Ye and Zhang Ping's father and son came to visit them since noon, but no one allowed them to enter or even get close to the gate.

In the end, the two of them could only squat in the corner, each holding a stack of "gifts" in his hand, and waited until sunset when they finally saw Zhang Zhou's carriage stop.

"Second brother..."

Zhang Ye rushed forward shamelessly, but was stopped by Jin Yiwei. Two men came behind him and grabbed the collars of the two men, almost pushing them to the ground and giving them a lesson.

Fortunately, these two guys always come out to show their faces recently, and everyone around Zhang Zhou knows them, so they don't have the nerve to do anything.

A toad jumps on the instep, but it is disgusting if it does not bite.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Brother, eldest nephew, you two haven't returned to Nanjing yet? Is there still a way for you to survive in the capital?"

Zhang Ye said with a mournful face: "Well, your sister-in-law heard that you are now prosperous, so she asked someone to bring some money for us to stay here for a few more months to see if we can maintain the relationship between brothers."

"Hey, brother, don't blame me for talking about you. You are a grown man who has been away from home for a long time, and your family's money is still managed by a woman. Aren't you worried? If you go back, your sister-in-law will kick you out..."

"Bah! Hey... Second brother, you are reminding me, how about you, for the sake of brother, allow the eldest brother to return to Nanjing earlier for business?"

Zhang Ye wanted to get close to Zhang Zhou, but he could only talk to Zhang Zhou about the bad things in his family from a distance of three feet and was blocked by others.

"Visitors are guests, let them in."

This time, the Zhang family and his son brought gifts, but Zhang Zhou did not stop them and let them enter the yard.

The Zhang family father and son finally had the opportunity to set foot in the Zhang family's yard, and they were invited in. For Zhang Ye, not to mention how excited he was, he probably felt like "My second brother has finally forgiven me, and I will definitely start a new life in the future."

"sit down."

Zhang Zhou had no intention of letting Zhang Ye and his son enter the house, but just greeted them in front of the stone bench in the yard.

But Zhang Ye didn't care anymore, walked over and sat down.

"Second brother, you have really prospered. Such a big courtyard, close to the palace gate, costs at least several thousand taels of silver, right? The encouragement I gave you at the beginning has really come to fruition! Think about it, when you were down and out,

Can my brother refuse to save me from death? I tried so hard to help you turn around, and when you couldn't eat, didn't I give you two hundred coins..."

Even Zhang Ping next to him frowned after hearing this nonsense.

Could this father be any more false in his words?

Second uncle is not a fool. Will people listen to your nonsense?

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Brother, just tell me what you have to say. What, are you seeking fame or profit this time? Are you trying to inherit my house?"

"No, no, no..." Zhang Ye said hurriedly, "Second brother, you are currently in a high position in the court. I heard that they are all first-class officials?"

"No, it's just a false position. I'm just a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.

"That's awesome. Our ancestral tombs are smoking. Why don't you help us two brothers repair their ancestral tombs when we return to our hometown? The ancestral hall at home should also be repaired... My parents left when they did.

Morning, it’s all because of my brother’s poop and pee…”

"Wait a minute, brother, my parents passed away not a few years ago, right? Are you bullying me for not being smart?"

"Uh... But I didn't treat you badly as a brother, right?"

Zhang Ye found that this younger brother seemed not to be fooled as easily as before.

In the past, my younger brother would listen to whatever I said, and at that time, my younger brother was very pedantic.

Why are you acting like a monkey spirit now?

"Oh, brother, let's not bring up the old things, right? It hurts the feelings of brothers. If you have something to say, you'd better say it directly, and get out of here as soon as possible. Maybe before I die of old age, I will still remember you a little bit when I think of you as my elder brother."

Zhang Ye blinked.

"How do you say this...Second brother, it's like this. I heard that you have a job as a royal guard and an official position. Today, I also heard that you are going to start a mine? You can give me some benefits, and don't ask for anything else. Let me

After I get back, it will be fine if I can work with your sister-in-law."

Zhang Ye then knelt down to Zhang Zhou and said, "Look at it this way, my brother-in-law has never given you anything before, but your eldest nephew has never offended you. He remembers you as the second uncle in his heart. You keep him?"

In the capital, give him an errand. Think of it as leaving a chance for me, Zhang’s eldest son and grandson, to get ahead. What do you think?"

Zhang Ye's words are deeply affecting.

Zhang Ping next to him was very moved when he heard this.

When a son pulls on his father's clothes, it probably means, Dad, let's not beg this second uncle anymore. We can't afford to embarrass him, so let's leave early.

This scene made Zhang Zhou think of that boy Zhang Jun.

The two cousins ​​are somewhat of the same temperament. They both understand "filial piety and etiquette" and are the "filial sons and virtuous grandsons" of the Zhang family.

"Brother, I only let you in for my nephew's sake. Otherwise, why do you think I would waste this talk with you? Find someone to kick you out of the capital, and I will beat you out if you come back again. Do you think

Is there still a chance to gain a foothold in the capital?" Zhang Zhou smiled.

"Okay, okay. Zhang Ping, do you hear me? Let's have a good time with your second uncle from now on." Zhang Ye said to his son seriously.

"Yeah." Zhang Ping didn't mention how excited he was.

My father sacrificed his ego and lived his life against the wall without losing face. He finally pushed your son and me to the edge of glory, while he himself had to go back and continue to endure the torture of my mother.

Such a spirit of sacrifice is truly touching.

Zhang Zhou said: "I am short of an apprentice in my shop. I have a monthly salary of two yuan and I have to take care of my own food and lodging. Do you think my eldest nephew can endure this hardship?"

"ah?"

Zhang Ye and his son looked at Zhang Zhou together.

What about insulting people?

Two dollars a month? You have to take care of your own food and lodging? You have to pay an apprenticeship?

"Oh, brother, you should broaden your horizons. I am working for His Majesty. The things that come out of my hands, such as the mighty gunpowder, the mighty long-range cannon, etc., are all the most powerful weapons in the Northwest Army.

If you can study with me for two years, you can work as an official in the Ministry of Industry."

Zhang Zhou was painting cakes for the Zhang family and his son again.

When Zhang Ye heard this, he turned back to look at Zhang Ping and said, "Son, did you hear what your second uncle said? Follow your second uncle and work hard. As a father, I will go back to your mother first."

"Father, take your son back with you."

Zhang Ping originally thought that he would be able to achieve great success. Even if his second uncle did not give him any position as a member of the Imperial Guard, it would not be too much to give him a general banner, a small banner, etc., right?

In the end, he was given an apprenticeship?

Or someone who makes gunpowder?

I'm afraid I don't know how I died later, and whether my body will be intact after death is another matter.

"Brother, it seems that you two have not reached an agreement. How about you two go back and discuss it for two more days?" Zhang Zhou said with a smile.

Zhang Ye was not polite, stood up and said sternly: "Zhang Ping, you have grown up now, you should also take responsibility! It is rare that your second uncle appreciates you and wants to keep you by his side to cultivate you, let alone be an apprentice, even if you are moved from

It is also a kind of kindness to do the hard work! From now on, if your father is no longer with you, your second uncle will be your father! You must honor him well!"

Zhang Ping: "..."

Now the son also understands that his father is planning to throw him away so that he can go back to his mother-in-law.

This is being treated as a burden by my father.

Zhang Ye said to Zhang Zhou with excitement on his face: "Second brother, my unsatisfactory son will depend on you from now on."

"No problem." Zhang Zhou smiled.

Zhang Ye lamented, turned around and left: "Son, follow your second uncle well. I will come back to pick you up as my father."

"Father……"

…

…

After Zhang Ye left, he packed up his things and prepared to return to Nanjing.

Zhang Zhou arranged for his nephew to stay in his workshop and went there that day and gave him two taels of silver.

"Zhang Ping, your father and your mother are confused. I don't think you should be confused." Zhang Zhou said, "Although they are both nephews of the Zhang family, you should know what kind of material you are. If you stay and work hard, you should go back and continue to work."

Your eldest young master, you make your own choice. If you are still there when I come back tomorrow, it means you have made a good choice. From now on, just do it well with me!"

Zhang Ping's face remained calm.

When Zhang Zhou came back the next day, Zhang Ping's bedroll had long been gone.

His father discussed with his second uncle to sell him, but he would not betray himself. He still wanted to go back to his mother, become his eldest son and grandson, and continue to live a life of no worries about food and clothing. He would still be waiting for his inheritance in the future.

What about the family business?
Chapter completed!