Although he faced a setback in trying to borrow three hundred taels of silver from Zhu Ping’an, Uncle Zhu Shouren was not discouraged.
After all, even Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times to invite him out of his thatched cottage. I may not compare to Liu Bei, but making four or five visits is nothing. I’ll just find another excuse to ask my dear nephew in a couple of days.
Besides, there are other matters to attend to besides the money.
Thinking this, Uncle Zhu Shouren chuckled and asked Zhu Ping’an in a confident tone, “Dear nephew, isn’t Mr. Zhao Wenhua your mentor? I remember that year during the provincial examination, Mr. Zhao was the examiner, so he counts as your mentor, right?!”
“Why does Uncle ask this?” Zhu Ping’an immediately became alert upon hearing his uncle’s words. Given his uncle’s nature, he was surely up to no good.
“Ahem, we heard that Mr. Zhao has two sons who have also come to Jiangnan and will be taking next year’s imperial examination. Considering that Mr. Zhao is your mentor, your relationship must be quite close. You and Mr. Zhao’s sons are, in a way, fellow disciples. Ahem, could you introduce us—me, Brother Hu, and Brother Xia—to Mr. Zhao’s two sons? We are also taking next year’s imperial examination, so we are fellow examinees.”
“We could exchange study tips before the exam, encourage each other, and learn from one another’s strengths. It would be greatly beneficial for both Mr. Zhao’s sons and us in the upcoming examination,” Uncle Zhu Shouren said with a smile.
Zhu Ping’an couldn’t help but frown. His uncle’s scheming nature hadn’t changed a bit. He was being too audacious, even trying to use him to befriend Zhao Wenhua’s sons. What exchange of study tips? What learning from each other’s strengths? What strengths do you even have? You’re just trying to climb the social ladder!
Uncle is trying to curry favor with Zhao Wenhua! He wants Zhao Wenhua to put in a good word for him?! Uncle really dares to dream!
“I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Uncle. Although Mr. Zhao is my mentor, I am not familiar with his sons and have never met them.”
Zhu Ping’an said indifferently.
“Dear nephew, you don’t need to be very close. Just being able to strike up a conversation is enough. When you go to visit Mr. Zhao, you can use the excuse of being around the same age to get to know his sons, and then mention us in passing. After that, lend me your name card, and we’ll use it to visit the two Zhao sons.”
Uncle Zhu Shouren patiently guided Zhu Ping’an, suggesting a plan to get him to visit Zhao Wenhua and pave the way for him.
“To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Uncle, focusing on your studies is far more important than anything else,” Zhu Ping’an said with displeasure.
It seems that everything I said earlier was in vain!
Uncle is like the proverbial “A Dou”—utterly hopeless. No, A Dou was far better. At least A Dou managed to hold onto the throne of Shu for decades and lived a peaceful life in the Jin dynasty after the fall of his kingdom.
Uncle isn’t even fit to carry A Dou’s shoes!
“Ahem, Mr. Zhao’s two sons are sure to pass the imperial examination. Mr. Zhao will definitely pave the way for them. If we establish a good relationship with the Zhao sons, we might be able to hitch a ride. For you, dear nephew, it’s just a matter of saying a few words. But for me, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Uncle Zhu Shouren coughed and looked at Zhu Ping’an with eager eyes, speaking with excitement.
An opportunity of a lifetime…
Even if Zhao Wenhua puts in a good word or paves the way for his two sons, why would they let you hitch a ride?!
Engaging in favoritism and corruption in the imperial examinations, which affects the emperor’s selection of talent, is a serious crime that carries severe consequences.
Even if Zhao Wenhua dared to take such a huge risk by putting in a good word for the examiners or using other means to pave the way for his sons, he would do so in the utmost secrecy, leaving no evidence for outsiders to seize.
The more people who know, the greater the risk. Why would they let you hitch a ride?
Uncle, who do you think you are? Unless you’re immediate family, who would take such a huge risk for you?
You’re really overthinking this.
“Uncle, Mr. Zhao is extremely busy with official duties. After the sea sacrifice, he returned to Yingtian. I am leading the Zhe army in defending Suzhou against the Japanese pirates and cannot leave for even a moment. Let’s discuss this matter another time when there’s an opportunity.”
Zhu Ping’an waved his hand, using the tactic of delay. He was truly fed up with his uncle’s scheming. If he put even half this effort into studying, even if he couldn’t pass the provincial examination, he could at least pass the county examination without much trouble.
“Ah, there’s no need to wait. Haven’t you heard the old saying, ‘A child who wishes to care for their parents may find that their parents are no longer there’? The same applies to teachers. Dear nephew, give me a few name cards and some more silver, and I’ll take the trouble to run some errands for you. I’ll buy some gifts and deliver them to Mr. Zhao’s residence to show your respect and help you build a good relationship with your mentor.”
Uncle Zhu Shouren, hearing Zhu Ping’an’s suggestion to delay, grew anxious. His eyes darted around, and he came up with a “brilliant” idea. He put on a look of deep concern and offered his suggestion with “good intentions.”
“No need, Uncle,” Zhu Ping’an refused without hesitation.
Uncle, you’re not much to look at, but you sure think highly of yourself—using my name cards and my silver to do your own thing…
“Ah, dear nephew, why are you being so polite with me? As the saying goes, ‘When hunting tigers, brothers work together; when going to battle, fathers and sons fight side by side.’ The same goes for uncles and nephews. Although the journey from Suzhou to Yingtian is long, who else would do this for you but your uncle? It’s all for your sake, dear nephew. A little hardship is nothing.”
Uncle Zhu Shouren spoke with great enthusiasm.
Zhu Ping’an looked at his uncle, utterly speechless. His uncle’s shamelessness knew no bounds.
“Ahem, dear nephew, your mentor is a high-ranking official appointed by the emperor himself. A cheap gift won’t do. How about you give me three hundred—no, five hundred taels of silver? I’ll buy a generous gift that will surely satisfy Mr. Zhao.”
Uncle Zhu Shouren made a bold request, asking for five hundred taels of silver to buy gifts without a hint of shame.
“Uncle, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. Just focus on your studies. Don’t worry about other matters.”
Zhu Ping’an waved his hand dismissively.
Five hundred taels of silver?! You really dare to ask!
If I gave you five hundred taels, given your nature, you’d surely embezzle four hundred and ninety taels and spend at most ten taels on the gifts.
Besides, I’m trying to keep my distance from Zhao Wenhua. Why would I rush to send him gifts?
“Dear nephew…” Uncle Zhu Shouren, unwilling to give up, tried to continue.
“Uncle, say no more,” Zhu Ping’an waved his hand and addressed his uncle, as well as Hu Wei and Xia Qiang. “It’s getting late, and the curfew is approaching. Uncle, along with Mr. Hu and Mr. Xia, please come with me back to the Zhe army camp.”
Uncle was a troublemaker. In just this short time, he had already caused several issues. Zhu Ping’an didn’t want him staying at the residence and causing trouble for Li Shu. He had to take him away.
“Going back to the camp already? Dear nephew, why not stay here a few more days?”
Uncle Zhu Shouren was stunned. This place was so comfortable—good food, good sleep, and even some kind of “Zhu Rong heating” that made the house feel like spring in the middle of winter. The camp couldn’t possibly compare. Why go back to the camp?
“Didn’t Uncle say you wanted to lend me a hand? Of course, you’ll come with me to the camp. The men in Songjiang are becoming more restless by the day. The camp cannot be left unattended. Or were you just me when you said you wanted to help?”
Zhu Ping’an looked at Uncle Zhu Shouren with a piercing gaze and a faint smile.
“Of course not! We’re here to help you, dear nephew. Let’s go, let’s head back to the camp,” Uncle Zhu Shouren said with an awkward laugh.
