Chapter 215: A Dialogue Between Master and Disciple – Don't Harm Me!
After a brief chat, Zhang Shu, holding the child, asked where the study was.
The question was truly blunt. Zhang Ting wiped the sweat from her brow, pointed in the direction for the teacher, and, seeing the teacher's aggressive retreating figure, quickly ran ahead to lead the way.
Zhang Shu had met Zhang Ting, both his grand-nephew and great-nephew, but he had no intention of letting the matter drop. She had betrayed her master and ancestors; she had defied all reason!
Along the way, she surveyed the inner courtyard. The buildings were dignified and spacious, the furnishings were bright and grand, the plants were simple and beautiful, and the servants were few and dressed simply. She was slightly satisfied. He hadn't gone astray during his years away from home, and he could still correct his minor flaws.
Zhang Ting skillfully pushed open the study door and invited the teacher in. Just as she entered, he picked up the child who was playing with his hands and handed him to the maid who was guarding the room. He also instructed the maid to stand guard outside and not allow anyone to approach.
Zhang Shu lowered his eyebrows, receiving an unusual signal.
The gate was tightly shut, and only the master and apprentice were inside. This year, Yingzhou Prefecture was exceptionally cold. Zhang Ting squatted on the ground, fiddling with the charcoal brazier, and pushed it to his teacher's feet.
Zhang Shu was still holding the hand warmer; the charcoal brazier made her feel even warmer. But if she were to accept this child's kindness now, how could she maintain her airs as a teacher later?
He stretched out his foot to push the charcoal brazier aside and placed the hand warmer on the table, clearly preparing to interrogate him.
She immediately straightened her face and slammed her hand on the table. "You unfilial disciple, you have secretly formed a clan alliance, disregarding your master's wishes. Moreover, you have become increasingly audacious, daring to send a letter to threaten your elders. This act of treason is outrageous and arouses the wrath of both gods and men!"
Zhang Ting's gaze fell on her fingers, which were red and swollen from the cold. He frowned, moved the charcoal brazier to her feet, took the hand warmer (which was still warm), and tucked it into the old woman's arms. She wasn't young to begin with; he didn't want her to catch a cold.
After completing the series of actions, she stood up straight, her eyes lowered, obediently listening to the instructions.
Zhang Shucai almost lost his composure; what a stubborn brat!
Her disciple meant well, and she couldn't bear to disappoint her, so she didn't refuse again.
She sighed deeply and said, "I don't blame you. Tell me why you tricked me into coming here." Suddenly, she remembered that this little girl had said she would take care of her in her old age before leaving the capital. Could it be for this reason? She felt a surge of comfort, but also regretted that she had spoken too harshly.
Zhang Ting didn't look up, and her voice was low: "I'm telling you, please don't be angry."
Zhang Shu looked at her with kind eyes. Silly child, your teacher was only angry for a moment. At other times, I was just putting on an act. I would never really blame you.
She said, "Go ahead and say it."
Zhang Ting didn't beat around the bush with her teacher. She looked directly into her eyes and confessed, "I've rebelled. It's not safe in the capital."
Zhang Shu was initially bewildered. Xiao Ting hadn't put her clothes on backwards, had she? Upon realizing what had happened, he nearly choked with shock, pointing a trembling finger at her: "You...you...you...you...you traitorous disciple!" Forgetting everything else, he rushed to her, "You achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, your reputation is widespread, and your political achievements are outstanding. The court and the public value you highly! Foolish! Foolish! How could you do something so self-destructive?!"
Her blood rushed to her head, and she couldn't suppress the pent-up emotions in her chest, so she coughed violently.
Zhang Ting quickly poured water for her teacher to help her catch her breath, but the teacher brushed her away with a flick of her sleeve. With a loud "crash," the bowl shattered on the floor. Zhang Ting lowered her eyes, withdrew her hand, and tucked it into her sleeve, where it was now damp with water.
After Zhang Shu calmed down, he realized that given Xiao Ting's calm and composed nature, he would never risk becoming a traitor. There must be a reason why he couldn't do it!
A sudden thought struck her, and she instantly became clear-headed. "Was it that brat Chen Jue who forced you to rebel!" He didn't rebel in Zhangzhou Prefecture and Yinzhou Prefecture, so why did he rebel as soon as he arrived in Yingzhou Prefecture? There must be a villain involved.
Isn't that scoundrel Chen Jue right here in Yingzhou Prefecture?
Zhang Ting's brows furrowed with weariness. "I am the prefect of this prefecture, and she is Xiaoyi's maternal grandmother. I cannot escape either of these circumstances." He whispered to his teacher, "I am also forced into this situation, trying to earn a living for myself and my family. Xiaoyi has already suffered enough by losing her relatives. She is so young. Should we send her to the guillotine with us? Tuntun is so young and adorable. She hasn't even had a chance to experience the beauty of the world. Should we end her vibrant and bright life?"
“Teacher, your unfilial disciple has caused you suffering. Yingzhou Prefecture is safe and prosperous, so please stay here and enjoy your old age.” After saying this, he bowed deeply to Zhang Shu.
Zhang Shu remembered his beloved disciple as handsome and spirited, always at the top of the class. When had he ever seen him so humble, forced to live in the cracks?
It's all Chen Jue's fault! Zhang Shu wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, helped his beloved disciple up, and understood that there was no turning back now. "It's come to this, so just do it. I won't stop you."
"Yes." Zhang Ting knew she needed to say something to ease the tension, but the words she usually knew how to say to comfort people and deceive ghosts just wouldn't come out. She stood there for a long time before taking Zhang Shu to the courtyard that had been arranged for him to rest.
This small courtyard is separated from the main courtyard by two courtyards. It's not small, but it's about half an acre in size! It has all the necessary rooms, side rooms, and main rooms. Zong Suyi also carefully prepared a study, which is filled with many rare books, calligraphy and paintings. The scenery in the courtyard is also beautiful. The outer courtyard is planted with inexpensive winter plum blossoms, but this courtyard is planted with real red plum blossoms that brave the frost and snow. Each one has a different posture and is a rare gem. There is also an octagonal pavilion in the center, which is very elegant and perfectly matches Zhang Shu's taste. It shows how much care was put into it.
"Teacher, please rest here for now. The kitchen is cooking. I will send someone to invite you when the time comes." Zhang Ting bowed again, then turned and left.
Zhang Shu reached out his hand and called out to her.
Zhang Ting turned around.
Zhang Shu didn't know what to say, so he just moved his lips and said, "Xiao Ting, be careful in everything you do."
Zhang Ting was stunned for a moment, then smiled brightly, "Teacher, are you still worried about me? We've been through so much over the years, what's one more time?"
Zhang Shu felt somewhat relieved and his face relaxed. "Good fortune or misfortune, things will surely turn around." Xiao Ting was exceptionally intelligent and had always been lucky.
Time flows by as plum blossoms bloom and fade.
The children's clear reading voices, stopping and starting again, blended with the warm sunshine.
The lights in the military tents went out and came on again, merging with the stars in the sky.
The military exercise sand table kept moving forward, and more and more small flags were planted.
Spring has come again in the blink of an eye.
Inside the military tent, the charcoal fire used for heating had long been removed. A huge map lay across the center, and the army's main generals and civil officials were gathered together, with civil officials on the left and military officials on the right, discussing how to proceed with the campaign.
"Your Majesty, I believe our army should depart from Yingzhou Prefecture and march straight to Huzhou Prefecture, occupying this prosperous and wealthy land as quickly as possible. Then, we will have no shortage of supplies." The speaker was Zhou Chengyin, an obscure subordinate of Chen Jue. She had survived the purge of the Crown Princess's faction by Emperor Chengtai and was transferred back to work for Chen Jue. Due to the initial shortage of talent, and her decent abilities, Chen Jue promoted her to a trusted confidant.
The military officer spoke crudely: "Don't talk nonsense! If His Highness wants to cleanse the court of corrupt officials and clear his name, he will naturally head straight north and capture the capital!" She was a cavalry commander named Tang Qiufeng.
The civil official's forehead was covered in sweat, his eyes wide with anger: "You ungrateful woman!"
Seeing that things were not going well, Liu Wang tried to smooth things over by saying, "You two each have your own reasons. Let's stop for now and see what the other adults have to say." She raised her hand to wipe her sweat, revealing a large dark sweat stain on her back.
I don't know which careless soldier set up the large tent so cramped and crowded that so many people were crammed together, and even though it wasn't hot, they were sweating profusely.
Military officers were alright, though their daily training wasn't much better. But civil officials suffered terribly, wiping away sweat again and again, their bodies stinking with stench, cursing under their breath.
As a trusted confidant of the lord, Zhang Ting stood next to her, but cleverly positioned himself a little further back to minimize the discomfort to his nose.
Chen Jue was in trouble if she stood at the very front. Civil and military officials, trying to show their closeness, all crowded around her, and all sorts of foul smells were forced into her nose.
The atmosphere was tense, and the civil and military officials, who were already at odds, were now even more on the verge of conflict.
Seeing that no one paid attention to her, Liu Wang smiled awkwardly. Although she was in charge of finance, she was only a scholar in terms of academic qualifications and was regarded as a money-grubbing merchant. She was not favored by the orthodox civil officials and rarely interacted with military officials.
Despite his advanced age and the heat that caused him to sweat profusely, Xu Qiushui, as the head of the civil officials, had no choice but to step forward and mediate: "Lord Zhou and Lord Tang are both wrong. The garrison of Huzhou Prefecture is well-prepared and skilled in archery and horsemanship. The chances of capturing it are slim. Even if they do capture it, it will be a public announcement to the world that our army is a rebel."
She looked at Tang Qiufeng and said, "You're saying we should head straight north? That's even more wrong. Not to mention the losses our troops have suffered along the way, our army is exhausted from the long march, while the capital is well-prepared and in high spirits. If the two armies clash, who do you think will win?"
This left both sides speechless.
Chen Jue was nearly overwhelmed by the stench of sweat filling the tent. Holding her breath, she asked, "What does Lord Xu think we should do?" Her wrinkled face turned red and then slightly purple. Zhang Ting glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, hoping she wouldn't suffocate herself.
Before she could even begin her rebellion, her lord passed away prematurely. Could she then continue to serve the court loyally?
When the time comes, all the civil and military officials will flee like birds and beasts, leaving the old woman to her fate. But she's her granddaughter-in-law, so we'll have to find a mat to bury her.
If that's the case, what excuse could be used to appease the court and sever ties with Chen Jue?
Oh dear, this is a bit of a headache, I need to think about it carefully.
"Zhang Qing, what are you thinking—" The voice suddenly exploded above his head, startling Zhang Ting so much that he trembled all over.
Chen Jue raised an eyebrow and walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder and asking with a smile, "Seeing you so engrossed in thought, do you have a foolproof plan?" Not only was his granddaughter-in-law of noble character, but she was also extremely skilled in strategy. Gaining her loyalty was truly the best move he had ever made.
Zhang Ting gave an awkward laugh, saying she was too embarrassed to mention wanting to know about your funeral arrangements, as that would be too hurtful.
Besides, how would she know about treason? She not only lacked experience, but was also a seasoned civil official! She was just about to try and bluff her way out of it when suddenly all the civil and military officials turned around, staring intently at her, their eyes gleaming with an astonishing light!
"Your Highness is right! This matter is incredibly complex and tangled. We are all at a loss, but only Lady Zhang has managed to find a way out of a desperate situation. She has the ability to do so." Zhou Chengying clapped his hands in praise, speaking with absolute certainty.
Tang Qiufeng: "In terms of martial arts skills, I may be slightly better. But in terms of decisiveness and the courage to break with the old and establish the new, I only admire Lord Zhang among those present."
Xu Qiushui pondered for a moment, then said, "In the past, Zhangzhou Prefecture and Yinzhou Prefecture were in chaos and devastation, and it was all thanks to Lord Zhang's efforts to turn the tide. This time, I believe she can do it again."
Zhang Ting forced a smile: I have no grudge against any of you, please don't harm me!
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