Chapter Eighteen: The Ambition to Attain Nobility

Jinhua Prefecture, the Zhang family study.

Zhang Zongcheng, clad in a crimson official robe, sat upright before his desk, holding in his hands a freshly bound book. He leafed through its pages, his stern face devoid of any expression, and as he read, he addressed the man standing below.

“It is said in ancient wisdom: ‘Be still and contemplate, contemplate and be cautious, act only after three considerations! Plan before action!’ What do you think?”

Zhang Nian-kang, dressed in the pale blue academic robes of the Moonwhite Academy, stood with hands at his sides before the desk. Upon hearing his second uncle’s question, a trace of shame crossed his face. He knew this was a warning, and so he lowered his head in admission of fault. “I realize my mistake! I should never have involved myself with such a notorious bandit!”

Zhang Zongcheng gave no response, though disappointment flickered in his eyes. It seemed his nephew had absorbed the pedantry of the Moonwhite Academy. If the Zhang family were not so sparse in numbers, and if he hadn’t promised his late elder brother to regard Zhang Nian-kang as his own, then mere words of such rigid morality would have disqualified him from ever inheriting the family legacy.

But since he had given his word, he would shape Zhang Nian-kang into a man of substance, to honor his brother’s spirit.

Leaning back in his chair, Zhang Zongcheng gazed at Zhang Nian-kang, his eyes sharp as lightning, and said coldly, “It appears that letting you study under Liu Zichu was a miscalculation. You have learned nothing of adaptability, only acquired a stubborn, outdated mindset! Do you think I am angry because you befriended a notorious thief?”

Zhang Nian-kang was taken aback. He had assumed his uncle’s anger stemmed from hiring Jiang Huai to steal on his behalf, as such a rumor, if spread, would tarnish the Zhang family’s reputation. Yet now it seemed the root of his uncle’s displeasure lay elsewhere.

He searched his thoughts but could not grasp the reason. Ashamed, he pleaded, “Please enlighten me, Uncle.”

“Hmph! Rotten wood!” Zhang Zongcheng rebuked him. Then, dispelling further suspense, he declared, “You hired a bandit to obtain an old medicinal plant—there is nothing inherently wrong in this; one might even call it knowing how to employ people, worthy of some praise. But when you discovered the plot had been exposed and found Jiang Huai, why did you not eliminate him to silence the threat?”

“What? Eliminate him?” Zhang Nian-kang was incredulous. He had never expected such words to come from an official of the current dynasty.

Zhang Zongcheng’s expression remained unchanged, stern and indifferent. This was, after all, a world where the strong devour the weak; he had seen through its nature years ago.

If one wished to avoid being consumed, one must be ruthless and adaptive.

Seeing his nephew’s disbelief, he spoke slowly, “Since the matter was exposed, you should have acted decisively. Kill Jiang Huai, and even if rumors spread, there would be no living witness…”

Zhang Zongcheng spoke at length, from the art of scheming to the tactics of diplomacy, nearly overturning Zhang Nian-kang’s entire worldview.

Zhang Nian-kang stood dumbfounded, his thoughts surging. His uncle’s words seemed to open the door to a new world.

After sipping his tea, Zhang Zongcheng continued, “At other times, sparing the man’s life would be acceptable, but since you seek to marry Liu Xiyue, you must not let her learn of these matters! I sent you to Moonwhite Academy for the sake of marriage alliance. This cannot be allowed to fail!”

The Liu family wielded great influence in the imperial court, with countless protégés and former officials. If the marriage succeeded, Zhang Zongcheng could absorb their connections into his own network and pursue a grand ambition.

So failure was not an option.

Zhang Nian-kang nodded. “Rest assured, Uncle. I understand now, and will not repeat my mistake.”

Seeing his nephew was not entirely foolish, Zhang Zongcheng’s expression softened. He nodded, “You are teachable! The future of the Zhang family rests in your hands, so every step must be taken with utmost caution. But I have already paved the way for you. When our plans come to fruition, the Zhang family may well become a regional power.”

His intention to cultivate Zhang Nian-kang was clear, and he revealed a hint of his scheme. Though only a few words, the implication was astonishing.

To become a regional lord? Zhang Nian-kang, always quick-witted, felt his heart race. He had never imagined his uncle’s ambitions were so vast, that he coveted the empire itself.

Zhang Zongcheng read his thoughts and sneered, “The emperor is foolish, relying on sorcerers and appointing them as national preceptors. He imitates the last dynasty’s Spirit Emperor, reconstructing the Ascension Platform in pursuit of immortality! The court is overrun by traitors, who manipulate the government, leaving the people in misery.

In recent years, the north has suffered from flood, the south from drought and locusts… These are all omens of a nation’s downfall!”

Zhang Nian-kang listened, bewildered. He had not realized the situation in the empire had decayed so badly. From his uncle’s words, it seemed the empire could collapse at any moment.

Yet the mention of the emperor rebuilding the Ascension Platform piqued his curiosity. “Uncle, what is the Ascension Platform? I have never heard of it.”

Zhang Zongcheng pondered a moment. “This is a royal secret. If not for my allegiance to Prince Wei Ling, I would never have learned of it. It is said the previous dynasty fell because the emperor built the Ascension Platform in the capital and was punished by heaven…”

What form this punishment took, Prince Wei Ling never disclosed, and avoided the topic. Some say it angered the immortals, causing both the Spirit Emperor and his national preceptor to die suddenly.

But Zhang Zongcheng scoffed at such tales.

He never believed in such ethereal nonsense. Where are immortals in this world? Such stories are but the gossip of the ignorant masses.

As for those so-called “cultivators,” he had encountered a few, and most merely practiced peculiar tricks. They could bully ordinary folk, but in front of martial masters like himself, their true nature would be revealed.

If it came to direct conflict, he was confident he could behead such people in three moves.

Seeing Zhang Nian-kang lost in thought, Zhang Zongcheng interrupted him. “Enough. Thinking further is useless; everything is in my hands. Your sole task now is to win Liu Xiyue’s hand and secure the marriage alliance!”

Zhang Nian-kang nodded, a confident smile appearing on his face. “Xiyue is quite fond of me as well. We are truly of one mind!”

He hesitated, worried, “But Xiyue’s health is not good. I plan to accompany her to Chisong Palace tomorrow morning to see if the disciple of Master Songhe can help.”

“What did you say?”

Zhang Zongcheng’s gaze became hawk-like, fixed on Zhang Nian-kang.

Startled, Zhang Nian-kang stammered, “N-nothing! I said I will take Xiyue up the mountain tomorrow to seek treatment from Master Songhe’s disciple…”

“Songhe’s disciple? When did he accept a disciple? How did you learn of this? Is this person on Chisong Mountain?” Zhang Zongcheng pressed for details.

Earlier, he had dispatched his agents to Chisong Palace to clear the place, but none had returned. He assumed Master Songhe had captured them all, but now it seemed otherwise.

If so, the situation was still under his control.

Though Zhang Nian-kang did not understand his uncle’s agitation, he relayed everything he had heard from Qingsong.

Zhang Zongcheng listened in silence, pacing the room. Master Songhe often wandered, his whereabouts unpredictable. Now, his final disciple might serve as leverage.

A plan formed swiftly in his mind.

He stopped, turned to Zhang Nian-kang, and instructed, “Tomorrow, pay close attention to the mountain, especially to Master Songhe’s disciple. Try to learn his origins and the places he has traveled. Understand?”

Though unsure of the purpose, Zhang Nian-kang memorized everything.

After he departed, a middle-aged Daoist with two long strands of beard and narrow eyes emerged from the shadows of the study.

Watching Zhang Nian-kang’s departing figure, he asked Zhang Zongcheng, “Master, should I personally protect the young lord tomorrow?”

Zhang Zongcheng shook his head. “No need. This Songyuan Festival is no ordinary event—even the prefect will attend. Go ahead and make preparations to prevent anyone from sabotaging our plans.”

“Understood!” The Daoist nodded and melted into the darkness.