Chapter 921
Hope
"Senior Zhang hopes that the Zhang family will make progress and that the Zhang family will still exist when he leaves the palace."
Pan Xiaohei raised his head. "That's what Zhang Zijin said?"
Zhang Shangde and Zhang Xuefang's expressions changed slightly.
There are only two possibilities for Zhang Zijin's departure from the palace. One is that a talented junior from the Zhang family, who is not the head of the family but whose cultivation is above his, can come to the palace to take over his mission.
Secondly, the Ming Dynasty perished.
The two of them instinctively thought of the second option.
Because of the first possibility, even geniuses need time to grow, and dynasties have time cycles. Every dynasty claims to last for thousands of generations, but who would really think that a dynasty can last for thousands of generations?
The Ming Dynasty is now beset by crises and constant uprisings. Upon waking up, they learned a great deal: the late emperor died young in the north, and no one knows how much longer the Ming Dynasty has left.
If this is true for dynasties, what about families?
The two men were filled with apprehension as they seriously considered Zhang Zijin's words.
They can look down on Zhang Li, they can ignore Zhang Liuzhen, but they cannot disregard Zhang Zijin's words.
He was the most accomplished and profound Taoist master in the Zhang family.
His words were a warning to the Zhang family. Could it be that he "saw" something?
Speaking of which, Zhang Liuzhen was born with a Daoist body and could know the past and future. He was determined to reform the Zhang family from a very young age. Could it be because he saw the future?
Zhang Shangde and Zhang Xuefang exchanged a glance and immediately wanted to have a deep conversation with Zhang Liuzhen, and were even less willing to have Zhang Li and the others present.
Zhang Liuzhen glanced over, knowing what they were thinking, smiled, and turned to Zhang Li, saying, "Aunt Li, since Second Uncle has passed away, you will take over Xitang on his behalf."
Zhang Li agreed.
This time, neither Zhang Shangde nor Zhang Xuefang said a word.
Only after the three figures disappeared from sight did Pan Yun ask incredulously, "So, their relationship has been settled?"
Zhang Li glanced at her and asked, "How complicated does it need to be?"
Pan Yun stroked his chin and said, "It's far more childish than court politics."
Zhang Li sneered: "That's because you haven't been the Imperial Advisor for long. Once you've been in court for a while, you'll see even more childish things."
All these childish matters are merely a fleeting thought in the mind of those in power and an indifference from bystanders.
Take Zhang Li, for example. She was a member of the Zhang family who had switched allegiance to Sanqing Mountain. Because of a single sentence from the new head of the family, she not only returned to the Zhang family but also gained real power within it.
The Zhang family's direct lineage controlled Dongbi, while Xitang had always been in Zhang Zhengchang's hands. This was the source of Zhang Zhengchang's confidence to compete with the direct lineage for the right of succession. Now, Xitang has fallen into Zhang Li's hands.
When the news spread, all the second wives and their associates felt their hearts tighten and their skin constrict.
It's no wonder they were afraid; Zhang Li has always been tough and ruthless within the Zhang family, showing no mercy whatsoever.
Many people were unwilling for Xitang to fall into her hands, but just as many others followed her.
Especially the younger generation of the Zhang family.
Their admiration and affection for Zhang Li even surpassed that for Zhang Liuzhen, the new head of the household, and many of them were from the second wife's family and her extended family.
“Zhang Liuyuan only knows how to hide in the back. If it weren’t for my senior brother’s poor health, I really wouldn’t have wanted to rely on the second branch back then. I was thinking at the time, if only Aunt Li were a man.”
"What are you thinking? Even if Zhang Li is a man, he is from the sixth branch of a collateral family."
"What's wrong with the sixth branch? In this entire Zhang family, apart from the eldest brother who has the purest bloodline, who isn't a collateral branch? If he's incapable of inheriting, then naturally the most capable should take over. I'm just asking you, would you rather serve under Zhang Liuyuan or under Aunt Li?"
“That is naturally… Aunt Li.”
"Isn't that good enough? We've finally gotten what we wanted."
Inside and outside the Celestial Master's Mansion, there was much discussion, with various expectations and concerns.
"We've all worked for Xitang before, will Zhang Li settle scores with us?"
"The eldest brother said that past mistakes would not be punished. Since Zhang Li does not object, she will not settle scores. This person has a very high reputation and will not be two-faced."
"Sigh~ It's good that Xitang fell into Zhang Li's hands. Although she is a bit strict, she not only disciplines others but also herself, so she is quite fair."
"Uncle-Master, is the fate of the clan about to change? Aunt Li can manage Xitang, so will all the daughters in the clan be able to participate in clan affairs in the future?"
After a long silence, the other person said, "Zhang Li is different; perhaps she is an exception?"
"I don't think it's an exception. My senior brother said that from now on, the family's martial arts techniques can be learned by both men and women."
"Our ancestors haven't agreed yet."
"But Aunt Li took charge of Xitang, and the ancestors didn't object. Isn't this a step back?"
"Allowing Zhang Li to retreat is a step back, but what you've said is a retreat of an inch, which our ancestors would never agree to."
"Why shouldn't we agree? If it's okay for Aunt Li, why can't the other daughters in the clan?"
"What are you trying to do? You're not even married yet, and you're already planning for your daughter's future?"
“It’s not my daughter, it’s my older sister, my martial uncle. That guy surnamed Wu always bullies my older sister. Although I can fight back, life in this kind of house is too hard. I want her to get a divorce and go home.”
"Divorce? My Zhang family has never been averse to women getting divorced. We are not like the Northern Confucius."
“Uncle-Master, the key is not the divorce itself, but that you have something to do at home after the divorce, so you don’t have to remarry.”
The Zhang family indeed did not allow their daughter to divorce.
Except for a very few families who would trade their daughters away like commodities, the vast majority of Zhang family members, even when arranging marriages for their children, did so with mutual consent and the premise of ensuring their daughters would have a good life.
If they don't have a good life after getting married, they will discuss with their in-laws whether to bring the children back to live with their parents or simply get a divorce and return home.
It can be said that, under the feudal environment of the Ming Dynasty, the Zhang family was much more open-minded towards girls, except for not allowing their daughters to learn the Zhang family's martial arts or to wield the Zhang family's power.
After all, it is Taoism, which believes in the equality of all beings. There are quite a few female students in the academy on the mountain.
Zhang Li was spoiled.
She was the only daughter of the six-wife couple.
She showed exceptional talent from birth, and as she learned to walk and talk, she became even more intelligent.
Her talent was so exceptional that the six wives were unwilling to let her talent go to waste.
In addition, the Sixth Madam was originally a female Taoist priestess. She married into the Zhang family and thus had her own lineage.
Since the Zhang family couldn't pass on their skills to their daughter, she passed on her own family's techniques.
Initially, Madam Liu did not intend for her daughter to become a Taoist priest. She simply wanted her daughter to acquire more skills, so that, given the Zhang family's status and position, she could either marry a chivalrous knight-errant of equal social standing or an official or gentry.
In this world, it is difficult for both men and women to survive, and it is even more difficult to live a happy and carefree life. For women, it is three times more difficult.
So she wanted her daughter to learn some skills so she could be more at ease in the future. Therefore, she started teaching her daughter martial arts.
However, Zhang Li's talent for martial arts was too great. She quickly learned all of her mother's martial arts skills, so the Sixth Madam could only teach her Taoist magic and techniques.
She finished learning very quickly.
At that time, Zhang Li was only six or seven years old, a time when people disliked him.
The sixth wife could only turn to her husband for help.
Zhang Liu then took over Zhang Li's education, first teaching her various sword techniques and martial arts manuals obtained from the martial arts world.
Zhang Li learned too quickly, and soon he had nothing left to teach. He couldn't teach Zhang Li the family's martial arts techniques either. Just then, Zhang Li and Zhang Liuzhen, who were the same age, got together.
Although they were from different generations, they were only two years apart in age, and both were extremely intelligent and mischievous.
The two hit it off immediately and, with a group of followers, stormed into the academy, intending to study together there.
The Zhang family's martial arts techniques are classified, but even classified information is divided into levels.
The cultivation techniques kept in the academy can be taught to disciples; however, no women from the Zhang family have ever entered the academy.
They would learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and Taoist scriptures at the Zhang family's house, and some would even learn martial arts. However, they would not learn Taoist magic or techniques, nor would they go to the academy.
Knowing that it was not something they could delve into, they abandoned the idea from the very beginning.
The most advanced secret techniques are passed down to the outer disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion.
The next level up are the inner disciples;
One type of martial arts technique is passed down only to the eldest son of the direct line.
Therefore, Zhang Liuzhen's training methods from elementary school were different from others.
He can freely browse and learn what others can learn; and he can also observe what others cannot learn.
Zhang Liuzhen and Zhang Li had such a good relationship, and they were both so mischievous and reckless. Even though Zhang Liuzhen had made a poisonous oath before inheriting the martial arts technique, he still resolutely taught Zhang Li in secret.
Both of them suffered the consequences.
After that incident, the two learned their lesson, but it was also on that occasion that they both gave themselves away.
From then on, the way the elders in the family looked at Zhang Li changed. They no longer looked at her with the gentle gaze of watching a younger person make a fuss, but with vigilance and scrutiny, as if they were guarding against a thief.
The elders' attitude towards Zhang Liuzhen also became subtle. In the past, he was born with a Daoist physique, a prodigy, the hope of the Zhang family, and was showered with love and affection. After that incident, their gazes toward him were filled with doubt and wariness.
Can he really be a good head of the Zhang family?
Can such willfulness and capriciousness truly protect the family business and ensure the Zhang family's safe passage through the torrents of history?
As Zhang Liuzhen's innovative ideas increased and his desire for reform grew stronger, the elders looked at him with increasing suspicion.
Looking back ten years later, Zhang Liuzhen was seriously injured and bedridden. His dantian and meridians were damaged, and he could not even gather a trace of Yuan power.
Zhang Li fled to Sanqing Mountain, dragging his injuries and anger along with him. His senior brothers and sisters, who had once chased their dreams together, had all scattered into the past.
Looking back, they realized that they had flaws and weaknesses everywhere.
Everyone's gaze towards them changed, but they were the only ones who didn't notice.
Zhang Maocheng and his wife Zhang Liu had warned them more than once, but they hadn't taken it to heart.
After receiving the warning, they may have made some preparations, but in retrospect, those preparations were too naive and too easily undone.
Therefore, they were powerless to fight back when the avalanche occurred.
At this moment, Zhang Li stood in front of Pan Yun, looking down at the entire academy and Shangqing Town. He turned to look at her and said, "What do you mean by fighting from the bottom of the mountain to the top, from outside the mansion to inside, and breaking through the Celestial Master's Mansion? Those are all death struggles, no, they don't even count as struggles."
“Defeat is defeat. The dead cannot be brought back to life, and what is lost cannot be fully restored,” Zhang Li said. “I don’t want you to repeat the mistakes I made, but I also know that I cannot stop you.”
Pan Yun was startled when he saw her red eyes: "Senior Sister..."
“I won’t stop you,” Zhang Li said. “In this life, we can’t just live for the sake of living. Your ambitions are greater than ours.”
Pan Yun bit her lip tightly, and after a moment said, "For the next two or three years, Miao Zhen and the others will probably have to stay in Japan."
“I know, this is to protect their safety,” Zhang Li said. “You did a better job than us. As for me and your third senior brother, you don’t need to worry about us.”
“You are the ones I’m most worried about.” Pan Jun looked troubled. “You have made too many enemies and love to run away. If those people in the court want to deal with you, they can easily gather a hundred men by contacting your enemies.”
Zhang Li: "There aren't many who can take my and my third senior brother's lives. You should worry about your second senior brother and Qingjun, as well as your father and brothers."
Pan Yun waved his hand and said, "I have already made arrangements for my father and brothers."
Zhang Li scoffed, "Distance, severing ties? Those people will have their own judgment; they probably won't believe it."
Pan Yun: "They are different from you. My father and brothers all serve the court. The court has its own rules, and they dare not cross the line. Otherwise, if the rules are broken, they will be the ones to be afraid."
Therefore, she made arrangements for Miaozhen and the other two, and even made arrangements for Yin Song, but she did not interfere in the affairs of the Pan family.
Because she knew that Pan Hong and his son could do a good job.
As long as they don't commit any crimes and don't give anyone any leverage over them, they can live well in the capital, even if they live a poor life.
Seeing Pan Yun's confidence, Zhang Li remained silent. Pan Yun was indeed much more thoughtful than she had been back then.
Cheng Lingzi came out of the house carrying a bowl of steamed buns. Seeing that they were still gazing at each other affectionately, she coughed heavily twice and looked around, saying, "Where's Tao Ji? How can he leave you here alone? Isn't he afraid you'll be kidnapped?"
Zhang Li gave him a cold glance.
Pan Yun became excited almost immediately, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of them.
Zhang Li flicked her forehead with a "thud" and warned, "What nonsense are you thinking about?"
Cheng Lingzi, who was gnawing on a steamed bun, was also choked by Pan Yun's gaze. He tried to swallow the bun in his mouth and looked at her in a low voice, saying, "My Taoist name is Cheng Lingzi, and my real name is Zhang Shiyi. Because I am the eleventh in my family, it is unfortunate that I am from the same clan and generation as her."
"Oh," Pan Yun looked away and asked, "Then who are you talking about, senior brother? Who can kidnap my senior sister?"
“You,” Cheng Lingzi continued, gnawing on her steamed bun, “aren’t you human?”
Pan Yun: "...I am a woman!"
"So what?" Cheng Lingzi said nonchalantly, "Do we Taoists even care about this?"
Pan Yun's face went blank: "Don't we... Taoists emphasize the harmony of Yin and Yang?"
Zhang Li's veins throbbed as he interrupted their conversation: "Now that you've become the Imperial Preceptor, you'll need to go to the Imperial Observatory to retrieve the Dragon Map, and then issue an order to the Daoist Records Office to summon the Celestial Master's Mansion to the capital for an audience. There's no need for you to come to Longhu Mountain again."
Pan Yun quickly explained, "I was just worried about my senior sisters and brothers."
“Since you’re here, you can’t leave empty-handed,” Zhang Li said. “You were once imprisoned here; do you know what is being suppressed at the foot of this mountain?” (End of Chapter)