NFBE Chapter 940 The Belated Winter Snow
Chapter 940 The Belated Winter Snow
Having learned what he wanted to know, Zhang Ping'an prepared to get up and leave.
Having lived in the treacherous palace for so many years, and managed to remain by Zhou Pu's side and rise to the position of his personal eunuch, whether he liked it or not, he must have taken many lives and committed many immoral acts.
Seeing Zhang Ping'an's posture and the bookstore owner's demeanor, he knew his days were numbered.
He rolled off the bed with a thud, kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Lord Zhang, I've said everything I need to say. Please spare my life! My life is insignificant. Whether I live or die has no impact on you. Please! For the rest of my life, I will always offer you a longevity tablet and repay this kindness by being your ox or horse in the next life."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping'an silently shook his head, said nothing, and left, leaving the shopkeeper to handle the aftermath.
When you reach this position, there are some things you just can't be soft-hearted about.
By the time they returned to the manor, it was already late at night, and everyone in the manor had gone to sleep.
In the biting cold wind, Zhang Ping'an suddenly felt a sense of loss, as if he were suddenly tired after so many years of walking alone.
Having eaten his fill, he seemed to have noticed something. Years of master-servant relationship had made him speak more casually. "Master," he said, "the household has been small for many years. Perhaps it's time to add some more people to the household."
Zhang Ping'an looked up and said, "I understand what you mean. We have been master and servant for many years, and our relationship is closer than that of others. I have always regarded you as one of my own, so it is okay for me to say some of my innermost thoughts to you."
Actually, I'm not saying I must stay by my deceased wife's side forever. It's just that the affairs of the court and social interactions have exhausted me. Back at home, I just want a moment of peace and quiet, and I don't want to deal with the complicated matters of the inner quarters anymore. So many of my colleagues have had such chaotic and unpleasant inner quarters, and I'm sure you've heard and seen quite a bit about it since I've been with you. I don't want our inner quarters to be like that either."
After eating his fill, he felt a mixture of admiration and pity for Zhang Ping'an. After thinking for a moment, he continued to persuade him, "Even ordinary landlords and gentry have three wives and four concubines at home, with beauties in their arms. You don't need to be so restrained, sir."
Zhang Ping'an smiled and said, "Everyone has different thoughts. Before I knew it, so many years had passed. At first, I felt guilty towards the young master, afraid that having a stepmother would lead to having a stepfather. After all, people change, and I wasn't sure if I could always stick to my original intentions. Later, I got used to it. It's good to have more time to do what I want to do."
“But it seems a bit lonely this way,” he sighed after finishing his meal.
"Loneliness will definitely come occasionally; no life is perfect!"
Perhaps it was the cold night that made people vulnerable. At this moment, Zhang Ping'an couldn't help but feel sentimental. "Sometimes I think, if I hadn't taken the imperial examination, if I hadn't been born in a chaotic era, if I didn't know so much, I could have lived a peaceful life as a wealthy farmer in my hometown. My life might have been much simpler."
He could even picture the life he should have at his age: going to bed early in the winter, working at sunrise and resting at sunset; chatting and gossiping with other villagers under the banyan tree at the village entrance when the weather was nice; going to the town market every few days to buy some meat; life wasn't rich or noble, but it wasn't too bad either.
But life has no "what ifs" or "possibilities." Such days can only be imagined. If you were actually in the situation, you might complain endlessly.
"I wonder how Jinbao is doing now," Zhang Ping'an suddenly muttered to himself, missing his old friend.
After finishing his meal, he continued, "Master, please don't worry too much. I reckon Master Zhang is doing quite well now. Over the years, with your support and care, and given Master Zhang's genuine talent, his nickname 'Master Wang Weng' is not only widely known among scholars and common people, but also recognized by most. Nowadays, many theaters use scripts written by Master Zhang; he's very famous!"
Of course, if we have to be serious, then having a powerful backer is definitely more important. Without Zhang Ping'an's support, given Jinbao's current fame and considerable wealth, and without any official rank or title, he would have long been subjected to extortion by thugs and gangsters.
Unlike now, he has not only amassed a fortune, but also earned a prestigious reputation among scholars, making him far more influential than ordinary story writers. He has reached the pinnacle of the story writing world.
Therefore, Zhang Ping'an is not worried about the economy. "I'm worried that he won't have anyone close to him to keep him company. If it weren't for the fact that the capital is too complicated, I would have definitely persuaded him to come to the capital after he finished observing mourning in his hometown."
Speaking of this, Chi Bao also felt it was a pity: "Everyone has their own ambitions. It's understandable that Master Zhang doesn't want to develop in the capital and wants to stay in his hometown. After all, he is familiar with everything in his hometown and lives a comfortable life. Besides, as long as you are in the capital, everyone in his hometown will have no worries about their lives."
"Talking to you has made me feel much better. Alright, you go ahead with your work and get some rest. Remember to take the old lady to the Qian residence tomorrow."
After speaking, Zhang Ping'an bowed slightly and adjusted the lamp wick, seemingly intending to stay in the study a little longer.
After finishing his meal, he wanted to offer more encouragement, but after hesitating for a while, he bowed and withdrew.
Some emotions can only be processed by oneself, and perhaps being alone is more comfortable at such times.
Zhang Ping'an usually led a very regular life, but this night he unusually stayed up half the night, writing letters to his old friends in his study. In the silent, cold night, only the scratching sound of ink on paper could be heard.
When Zhang Ping'an was about to put down his pen, he glanced at the sky and realized it was already the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and he was about to go to court.
Looking at the thick stack of letters beside him, he couldn't help but stretch and smile.
He didn't disturb the servants. After rubbing his wrists, he simply wiped his face and lay down fully clothed.
I slept very soundly, feeling like I had slept for a long time, but when the servants woke me up, I realized it hadn't been long at all.
"Master, it's time for court," a servant whispered a reminder.
I didn't dare ask the master if he had slept in the study all night.
"Okay, I'm getting up now. Go and have the servants prepare the carriage and horses," Zhang Ping'an said as he quickly got up, dressed, and went out after a quick wash.
When I opened the door, I found a thin layer of snow on the ground, so it looked like it had snowed in the middle of the night.
The snow came exceptionally late this year.
As Zhang Ping'an boarded the carriage, he was still thinking that he should tell his colleagues in the Ministry of Revenue that the late snowfall this winter might lead to a reduction in winter wheat production.
The risk of spring drought next year will also increase, affecting planting, especially in northern regions that rely on rainfall.
Moreover, late snowfall also means a warm winter, which increases the survival rate of pests overwintering and may exacerbate pest infestations the following year.
This series of effects will ultimately lead to food shortages and soaring prices, exacerbating the government's disaster relief pressure.
If not handled properly, it will cause public discontent and threaten the stability of the government.