Chapter 051 Zhang Zhong Leaves the Capital

“Wait!” As several carriages approached the gates of the residence, Zhang Zhong suddenly waved his hand, signaling for the procession to halt.

Cao Si stepped forward to inquire and learned that what had come to Zhang Zhong’s mind was his father, Zhang Fu. The earlier news had arrived from Yang Hong, the general of Xuanfu; it was said that Zhang Fu’s remains were now kept in the city of Xuanfu. Because the Oirat army surrounded the area, it was impossible to send the body back to the capital for the time being; only when the fighting subsided could further arrangements be made.

Yet now Zhang Zhong was preparing to flee, leaving his deceased father behind. If word of this got out, he would surely be branded unfilial—a reputation that would greatly hinder his future claim to the title. Cao Si hadn’t expected him to suddenly remember this issue, but in order to ensure Zhang Zhong’s smooth escape, he racked his brains for a solution.

At last, inspiration struck Cao Si, and he came up with an excellent idea.

Delighted, Zhang Zhong pressed him, “Quick, what’s this good idea of yours?”

“Master, why don’t we say we’re going to Xuanfu to bring your father’s remains back to the capital?” Cao Si suggested.

“To Xuanfu?” Zhang Zhong was taken aback, then flew into a rage. “You wretch! Are you trying to send me to my death?”

Cao Si quickly explained, “Master, I mean we could leave the capital under that pretense. We wouldn’t actually go to Xuanfu.”

“A pretense, then?” Zhang Zhong understood, but frowned. “If I leave the capital under this guise but never reach Xuanfu, won’t people criticize me for it later?”

“That’s easily handled. If anyone questions you, you can say that the journey was too taxing and that grief over your father’s death made you ill, forcing you to stop and rest partway, which delayed you.”

Cao Si had thought through every angle before suggesting this plan.

Zhang Zhong laughed and clapped his hands. “Excellent! Once peace has returned, I’ll fetch my father’s remains myself, and that will be the perfect time to petition the court for recognition.”

With this problem solved, Zhang Zhong hurriedly instructed Cao Si to spread word throughout the household that he was going to Xuanfu, thus giving ample justification for his departure. When all was ready, Zhang Zhong picked up the pace, rushing toward the city gate.

Though Zhang Fu was no longer alive, the prestige of the Duke of England’s household still carried weight. After cutting to the front of the line, Zhang Zhong’s convoy, laden with valuables, passed smoothly out of the city, officially setting out for Tianjin.

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The Grand Shiyongfang.

In a secluded alleyway, a lavishly decorated carriage was parked. Inside, Lady Wu sat facing east, with Zhang Mao and Xue Rui sitting across from each other on either side.

To give Zhang Zhong the opportunity he needed, Lady Wu had racked her brain to find a plausible excuse to leave the residence. A few days earlier, Zhu Yong had died in battle at Yao’er Ridge, and his body had been urgently sent back to the capital. The residence had already set up a mourning hall, and a date was chosen for the burial.

Lady Wu used this as her pretext, claiming she was taking her son to pay respects at the Duke of Cheng’s residence, thereby facilitating Zhang Zhong’s plundering of the family treasury.

After Zhang Mao completed the rites, Lady Wu did not hurry back but ordered the coachman to find a quiet spot to stop, sending a servant back to the residence to gather news.

Earlier, following Xue Rui’s instructions, Lady Wu had already set the bait—now all that remained was for the fish to bite. Yet as they waited and waited, no servant came with news.

Inside the carriage, both Lady Wu and her son grew increasingly restless, worrying that if Zhang Zhong took the silver but refused to leave the capital, all their efforts would be for naught.

After a while, Zhang Mao could no longer contain himself and anxiously asked, “Brother Xue, do you think my elder brother might just stay put after all?”

Xue Rui had said from the start that he couldn’t guarantee complete success; all his schemes depended on Zhang Zhong’s willingness to flee. If that aim was not achieved, they would have to devise new plans, which would be far more troublesome.

However, based on his overall assessment of Zhang Zhong, he estimated there was a ninety percent chance the man would run. The remaining uncertainty lay in whether Zhang Zhong received enough silver to motivate him to flee, or if Steward Cao gave himself away and Zhang Zhong sensed a trap.

With this in mind, Xue Rui asked Lady Wu, “Madam, how much silver did you leave in the treasury?”

“Twenty-eight thousand taels. The real valuables are the treasures in the storeroom—their worth is beyond estimation!”

The Duke’s residence had accumulated wealth over many years, so the ready silver naturally exceeded a mere twenty or thirty thousand taels. The more valuable items, such as silver notes and land deeds, were not kept in the treasury but managed by Lady Wu herself.

“That should be enough.” Xue Rui judged that sum sufficient to satisfy Zhang Zhong. If he still refused to leave, money was clearly not the issue.

As the three fretted, the voice of the maid Xiao Que was suddenly heard outside: “Madam, Wu Liu has returned.”

Lady Wu quickly drew back the curtain and looked at Wu Liu, the servant who had come with her as part of her dowry. “Have you heard any news?”

“Madam, the eldest young master says he is going to Xuanfu to retrieve the master’s coffin. He’s already left the city with his men!”

“He’s going to Xuanfu?” The three exchanged glances, surprised by this turn of events.

At present, the Oirat threat loomed large, and all the garrisons had adopted a defensive posture, not daring to venture out to do battle. There were only stories of people fleeing to the capital—none of anyone going to the border to court death.

Xue Rui doubted Zhang Zhong had such courage, so he poked his head out and asked, “Which gate did the eldest young master use to leave the city?”

“Xuanwu Gate,” Wu Liu replied.

At this, Xue Rui breathed a sigh of relief and said to Lady Wu and her son, “If he were truly heading for Xuanfu, he would have taken Desheng Gate. To go out by Xuanwu Gate is to head in the opposite direction. I think fetching the Duke’s remains is merely his pretext. By now, he’s likely getting farther and farther from Xuanfu.”

“Good, good!” Lady Wu’s face lit up with joy. As long as Zhang Zhong was not in the capital, the rest of their plans would be much easier to carry out.

Upon returning to the Duke’s residence, the news was already circulating that Zhang Zhong had gone to fetch his father’s coffin. Lady Wu did nothing to stop its spread; instead, she praised the eldest son’s filial piety and courage.

Zhang Zhong’s departure marked the fulfillment of the first part of their plan.

Xue Rui intended to return to the Imperial Observatory to gather information and bade farewell, but Lady Wu asked him to wait a moment.

Just as he was about to ask why, a maid entered through the side door, carrying a tray covered with red silk.

Xue Rui immediately guessed this was Lady Wu’s reward for him but pretended not to know, looking at her in surprise. “What is this?”

Lady Wu lifted the red silk herself, revealing shining silver ingots beneath.

“This is one hundred taels of silver. Rui, you’ve worked hard for my son and me these past days. I must express my gratitude. The capital is unsettled, and one cannot be without money at hand—please accept this small token. When all is accomplished, my son and I will give you a greater reward.” She extended the tray to him.

Such a sum was a trifle for the Duke’s household, but if he refused, Lady Wu would surely feel uneasy, worrying that he might abandon them in the future.

To reassure her, Xue Rui accepted with a bow. “A gift from my elders—I dare not refuse. I shall accept it shamelessly. If Madam needs anything, simply send for me. While I may lack great talents, I can at least help shoulder some burdens.”

“Excellent. You must visit the Duke’s residence often. Mao is still young; with you as his elder brother to guide him, he’s sure to make progress.”

Lady Wu smiled, her words sincere and heartfelt. Though Xue Rui was young, he carried himself with composure and strategy, even managing to manipulate a cunning man like Zhang Zhong at will. If only her son could learn a little from him, how could she possibly worry about him one day inheriting the duke’s title?