RPAGF Chapter 1059 Save Me
Chapter 1059 Save Me
Seeing Zhang Ping'an's expression of sudden realization, Jiang Yaozu was so excited that he almost burst into tears.
He was worried that Zhang Ping'an might forget about him when he arrived, and that Zhang might accuse him of some fabricated crime and beat him out. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
He had exhausted all his strength and luck fleeing from the outskirts of the capital to Huainan. He didn't know if he could hold out until he returned to Jinling.
Moreover, it seems the other party won't let them off easily. He needs to find a powerful backer to help him solve this problem and eliminate his worries.
Even returning all the silver notes he had previously received would be acceptable. How much rice a person eats, how many roads they travel, and how much wealth they accumulate in their lifetime are all perhaps predetermined. He was greedy only once, and the retribution came so quickly!
The reason Zhang Ping'an still remembered him was not only because he lacked emotional intelligence in his speech and actions, but also because he unexpectedly passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, which was quite special. Another reason was that their family backgrounds were similar. He also had several older sisters and was the only son, so he was pampered from a young age.
Based on their initial interactions, he felt that this person wasn't a bad person, just not good at speaking.
After passing the imperial examination, he went to the prefectural city to continue his studies, while Jiang Yaozu stayed in the county town. Naturally, the two did not have much contact anymore.
More than 20 years have passed in the blink of an eye. I never thought that we would meet again in Huainan one day.
The world is so vast, and after all these twists and turns, we are able to meet again. It must be said that this is a kind of fate.
However, after carefully observing the other person's clothing and demeanor, Zhang Ping'an knew that the other person was not doing very well.
His eyes were filled with fear, unease, and despair, which was clearly not a sign of a peaceful and prosperous life.
Zhang Ping'an didn't rush to ask. He first invited the person to sit down, saying, "Come, sit down first, and have a cup of tea to soothe your throat."
His manner of speaking was friendly and he didn't put on any airs of officialdom.
"Yes!" Jiang Yaozu responded somewhat nervously before sitting down.
He subtly tugged at the hem of his clothes, trying his best to look neat and presentable, thinking he wouldn't attract attention. Zhang Ping'an's warm attitude reassured him a lot. Indeed, experience counts. Listening to his uncle was the right thing to do. It seems that coming here today was the right decision.
"It's been so many years since we last met. How have you been all these years?" Zhang Ping'an asked gently after everyone sat down.
Then she looked up at her son and said, "By the way, how did you two run into each other? That's such a coincidence!"
Seeing that it was indeed someone her father knew, not a fraud, Xiaoyuer's attitude softened. She smiled and replied, "I met him near the yamen. I saw Uncle Jiang lingering around the yamen for a long time without coming in, so I asked him. That's when I learned that Uncle Jiang and you, Father, are not only from the same hometown but also born in the same year. You two are very close. It's rare to meet in Huainan, so naturally I had to let you catch up. That way, I wouldn't waste this chance encounter. So I brought him in directly!"
The way they addressed each other changed naturally, with more respect and less scrutiny and judgment.
This made Jiang Yaozu feel much better and less nervous.
"That's only right!" Zhang Ping'an stroked his beard and nodded with a smile after hearing this.
Jiang Yaozu smiled along, a little embarrassed, but still awkwardly tried to flatter him:
"Brother Zhang, it's been many years! I never expected you to be transferred from the capital to Huainan to serve as an official, and to run into your son at the yamen gate by such coincidence. Back when we took the imperial examination together, I knew you were no ordinary person, and now I see that's exactly right. Your son has also inherited your talent, and even surpasses you in some ways. He's a true example of a tiger father begets no dog son!"
"Brother Jiang, you flatter me too much!" Zhang Ping'an waved his hand with a smile.
His experience was far more complicated than Jiang Yaozu's, and he had been navigating the officialdom for so many years that he could guess the general idea of many things at a glance. Combined with what his son had just said, he could easily guess that this fellow villager had encountered some trouble and wanted to ask him for help.
He didn't have a bad impression of this person, but so many years have passed, and people always change. He wasn't in a hurry to make any promises, nor was he in a hurry to offer help. Instead, he calmly asked Jiang Yaozu about his recent situation.
Jiang Yaozu was a very easy person to see through. Zhang Ping'an didn't even have to put in much effort. He just started talking and then, as if afraid that Zhang Ping'an would suspect him of having ulterior motives, he poured out all his experiences over the years like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
After exchanging pleasantries for a short while, Zhang Ping'an learned that the other party's family had fallen on hard times in recent years and that the clan had relocated to the vicinity of Jinling.
This trip is to go to the capital to do business, to make a big profit, and then buy land back home.
"I didn't realize you had more than a dozen grandchildren. It must be really tough for such a large family to make a living!" Zhang Ping'an said understandingly.
As Jiang Yaozu spoke, he almost cried, feeling that his journey had been full of twists and turns, and that life was full of hardships!
I've experienced all the hardships I never did as a child.
It's not true bitterness to experience hardship first and then enjoy sweetness; true bitterness comes from experiencing sweetness first and then experiencing hardship.
Being the head of the household may be prestigious, but the responsibilities are also immense, especially the burden of supporting the family, which can truly crush a person.
Xiao Yu'er listened for a long time and, based on their conversation, knew that this person was not very shrewd or tactful. Since he hesitated for so long at the yamen gate without coming in, he must have some unspeakable difficulties.
He wanted to ask his father for help, but he kept refusing to say anything. His hesitant and reluctant manner showed that he was not decisive and lacked the thick skin to back it up.
No matter what social class such a person is in, it is not easy for them to maintain a family.
Judging from his father's attitude towards him now, he's probably willing to lend a hand.
To avoid wasting too much time, Xiaoyuer thought for a moment and then did a favor by asking, "Uncle Jiang, did you encounter any troublesome matters in Huainan that you need help with? Please feel free to ask if you need anything."
“This…” Jiang Yaozu hesitated, choosing his words carefully. He wasn’t ungrateful; the other party had already offered a way out, so there was no need for him to be coy anymore.
This matter is simply too unbelievable.
Zhang Ping'an saw his predicament and encouraged him, "Yes, Brother Jiang, please feel free to speak your mind. As long as it's not a serious matter that violates the law, I think I can still help you. We are all from the same hometown and born in the same year, so there's no need to be so polite!"
"I... I'm not being polite with you. To be honest, since I've come all this way to the yamen, I'm asking for your help. It's just that this matter is too outrageous to tell."
After saying that, Jiang Yaozu made up his mind, stood up and bowed, earnestly saying, "Brother Zhang, please save me!"
"Hey, what are you doing? Get up!" Zhang Ping'an was startled and quickly helped the person up.
I knew this was probably no small matter.