Seeking an Official Post

Zhang Ling accepted the bowl and chopsticks from a maid, neatly set them before his grandfather's place, and then picked up his own utensils. He picked up a piece of tender steamed fat goose and carefully placed it into Zhang Hongshan's bowl. Only after the old man started eating did Zhang Ling begin to devour his meal with unbridled appetite; he simply could not manage the pretenses and refinement expected of a young gentleman. The maid standing nearby covered her mouth and smiled secretly, thinking to herself that this young master possessed a refined and striking appearance, yet his behavior was utterly casual and bold. The two contrasts were completely mismatched, but since he was pleasing to the eye, who would care about such minor details? Just as the maid stepped forward to pour wine, Zhang Ling politely declined, as he was entirely unaccustomed to being waited on during meals, and asked her to take her leave.

The maid walked with light and graceful steps, pausing intermittently to glance back at the young gentleman, her heart stirred by delicate feminine thoughts. Yet this exact scene was happened upon by Yang Jun. As the maid walked and looked back, she nearly bumped straight into the oncoming Yang Jun, only pulling herself together and resuming her proper posture when the latter called out "Sister Lan," lowering her gaze to look down at the endearing little chubby boy.

Yang Jun smiled and teased, "The young master is so handsome, how could Sister Lan bear to leave?"

Lan Yun's face instantly flushed crimson at these words from Yang Jun. She immediately flicked him on his little forehead and scolded playfully, "It seems you've been fed too well lately, to have grown such a glib tongue! If you ever dare tease your sister again, I'll see to it that you shed every ounce of that little fat."

Yang Jun hurriedly begged for mercy, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

He alternated between flattery and sweet-talking, employing almost every word of praise he had ever learned, until he finally coaxed a laugh out of Lan Yun. The little chubby boy was always like this; his honeyed words at such a tender age made him immensely endearing. Throughout the entire estate, save for Zhang Qizhou, there was hardly anyone who did not dote on the little fellow.

Lan Yun suddenly asked, "What are you here for?"

Yang Jun replied, "My dad told me to deliver the monthly stipend to the young master."

Catching sight of the money pouch in Yang Jun's hand, Lan Yun felt a twinge of envy. Leaving aside the silver pieces, the copper coins alone amounted to more than her own monthly salary. As expected of a young master from a prominent household, to have such a large sum distributed the moment he returned. This completely dispelled the lingering romantic thoughts in her heart, replacing them with a profound sense of inferiority, though she kept it carefully hidden.

Lan Yun reminded him, "You had better hold onto that securely. If any money is missing and Steward Yang finds out, you'll surely be punished again. Don't even think about hiding a coin or two for yourself—that is strictly forbidden. If you ever want to buy anything, you can just tell your sister. Whatever you do, never resort to theft."

Yang Jun nodded vigorously, parted ways with Sister Lan, and walked toward that room. Catching sight from afar that the master and the young master were still eating, he stopped by the corner of the wall and waited quietly, clutching the money pouch tightly in his hand for fear of dropping a single coin.

Sensing the unusual presence outside, Zhang Ling called out, "Come in."

Yang Jun was momentarily stunned. He turned around only to realize a wall was still blocking his view of the interior; he couldn't even see inside the room, and wondered how the young master could possibly have known he was there. Suddenly, the voice called out from inside once more, and Yang Jun hurried inside with long strides.

Yang Jun first bowed respectfully to the master, then turned to Zhang Ling and said, "Young master, my father asked me to bring this to you. He said that since you are now a young master of the estate, your allowance for leisure and entertainment cannot be lacking. If you don't have money in your pockets, going out might cause other young masters to look down on you."

Zhang Ling put down his chopsticks and explained, "I don't lack money, and I won't be living in the estate from now on. As for those other young masters you mentioned, I have no intention of associating with them anyway. You should take this money back."

For a moment, Yang Jun was at a loss. His father had explicitly instructed him to place it directly into the young master's hands, yet the young master had given his reasons for refusing it. This left him thoroughly caught in the middle, and he cast pleading glances at the master, hoping for a definitive ruling from that quarter.

Zhang Hongshan smiled and said, "Just keep it, so this little fellow doesn't have to make an extra trip for nothing."

Zhang Ling accepted the money pouch and weighed it in his hand. He estimated there were upwards of fifty taels. For an ordinary family, it would take about seven years to earn that much; even many skilled artisans only made twenty or thirty taels a year. Of course, compared to the official salary of his grandfather, a second-rank grand official, it was merely a drop in the ocean—though heaven only knew how long that position would last.

Zhang Ling tucked the money pouch into his sleeve, and noticing that Yang Jun was still standing there, assumed the boy wanted to cadge a meal. He said, "There's still plenty left on the table. Go fetch a pair of bowl and chopsticks and eat with me."

Realizing the young master had misunderstood his intent, Yang Jun hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "I'm not here to eat. I just thought the young master might not have many opportunities to visit, so I was hoping the young master could take me out to play today."

Seeing the young master nod, Yang Jun looked over at Zhang Hongshan. Zhang Hongshan said sternly, "You may go play, but don't let your studies fall behind."

Yang Jun turned up his nose and declared haughtily, "Rest assured, master, the tutor often praises me. I certainly won't neglect my studies out of playfulness."

Upon receiving this affirmative reply, Yang Jun cheered with delight and scurried off with quick little steps. After the grandfather and grandson finished their meal, they took a stroll around the estate. Zhang Hongshan had government affairs to attend to, so he reluctantly left behind the grandson who had so rarely returned. Later on, Zhang Ling went to find Yang Jun. The chubby boy was still working on his studies while Yang Chong sat beside him, reviewing account books and keeping a close eye on him. The moment Yang Jun saw the young master arrive, his heart blossomed with joy, knowing his father would certainly not lose his temper right then. He even pulled a cheeky grin, secure in the knowledge that with the young master acting as a shield, his father would swallow any anger he felt. Seeing this, Zhang Ling briefly considered refusing him to let him taste the harsh realities of the outside world before ever stepping foot into it, but after Yang Jun begged a little longer, the young master finally relented. This drilled a deep lesson into Yang Jun's heart: calamity stems from loose words, and he vowed never to speak recklessly again.

Yang Jun followed closely behind Zhang Ling, his nerves taut, terrified that the young master might suddenly change his mind and send him back. It was not until they reached the main gates that the heavy stone in his heart finally settled.

Yang Jun hurried forward to open the door. The moment it swung open, he saw a scholar in threadbare robes sitting on the steps outside the mansion. Hearing the movement behind him, the man immediately stood up to block the two who were about to step out.

Zhang Ling said casually, "If you have business here, you can simply knock on the door. There's no need to wait outside the entrance like this."

The man wore an expression of utmost respect. Holding a rolled-up sheet of xuan paper in his hands, he bowed with cupped hands and said, "I came seeking a favor, and did not dare to disturb your esteemed household presumptuously."

Zhang Ling asked, "What is your business? Are you looking for Minister Zhang? I can go inside and announce you."

The down-and-out young man shook his head and replied, "I am not looking for Minister Zhang; I am specifically looking for you, Milord. I have visited your esteemed residence several times previously without the fortune of meeting you, and only learned this morning that you had come here, so I came to wait."

Zhang Ling asked with perplexity, "What business do you have with me?"

The young man presented the sheet of xuan paper to Zhang Ling with both hands and said, "My name is Fan Zhengjin. I have come to seek an official post from you, Milord. These are verses I have composed; I humbly request that you read them."

Zhang Ling unfurled the small, rolled paper, upon which the following lines were neatly inscribed:

Green banners wave and sway, then halt in their flight,
Upon the Phoenix Terrace, phoenixes take their flight.
Men of talent and renown gather all in this place,
Civil ministers and martial generals bow their heads in grace.

Vowing to purge all evils for the sake of the sacred reign,
Daring to cherish a decaying frame through remaining years in vain.
The cranes depart from the terrace of mica stone so bright,
While sunflowers blossom in the garden lush and green and bright.