In the central region of Honam, there was a family with the surname Zhang. It was not a lineage that had continued from the Warring States period like some ancient noble families, but rather a family that had grown wealthy through commerce, thanks to the business acumen of their ancestors a few generations back. Of course, as the family's prosperity continued, they became the wealthiest household in the area, wielding considerable influence in Honam based on their vast wealth.
However, despite the family's growth, they never produced any particularly outstanding officials or imperial guards, and were often mocked behind their backs as mere merchants or money players.
So when Zhang Jian first showed exceptional talent in martial arts, it was only natural that the family's attention focused on him.
"…How have you been?"
Zhang Yun, who had been hesitating for a long time with a cup of tea in front of him, finally spoke. He immediately regretted it, wondering how he could greet his brother, whom he hadn't seen in over ten years, with such a mundane question.
"Getting by."
But Zhang Jian, who had his arms crossed and was looking down at the teacup, answered briefly. Zhang Yun, hearing this, unconsciously licked his dry lips and hesitated before taking a sip of tea, unsure of what to say next.
Zhang Jian, still looking down at the teacup, spoke.
"Is Lady Yang well?"
Zhang Yun frowned and put down his teacup at the question.
"Lady Yang? She's your mother. Why do you call her that?"
"Didn't she ask me to call her that?"
Zhang Yun, unable to respond to Zhang Jian's answer, hesitated and finally sighed.
"…Even though she gave birth to you, how can you…"
At his sigh, Zhang Jian closed his eyes. Behind his eyelids, a scene from over twenty years ago played out. A woman dressed in luxurious silk and adorned with jewelry looked at him with eyes filled with fear, disgust, sadness, and confusion.
She said,
"You came from my womb, but your essence is that of a demon. You are not my son. From now on, do not call me mother; call me Lady Yang… if you feel any gratitude for the fact that I gave birth to you."
"…Mother is well. She's busy these days, looking for a husband for the youngest."
At this, Zhang Jian opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Yun.
"That kid is already…"
"Already? Lian is twenty-three. If anything, it's a bit late."
"…What about the military exams?"
Zhang Yun, seeming a bit more at ease with the topic of his youngest brother, smiled slightly.
"The military exams? He failed three times. Father was too lenient with him as the youngest. We should have taught him business instead… He took his first exam at sixteen, and it's been nine years since then. He only practiced martial arts, but couldn't enter the imperial guards. What good is that talent?"
"Lian should have been able to enter…"
Zhang Jian thought of the third son of the Zhang family, Zhang Lian. Born later than Zhang Yun and Zhang Jian, and being the youngest daughter, she had been the apple of the family's eye. In Zhang Jian's mind, he saw the image of a girl grinning while practicing martial arts and the night she followed him out when he left the family, crying and bidding him farewell.
"If he failed three times, he should settle down, shouldn't he? Do you know what he always says? That the rigid imperial guards don't recognize his value. They are so bound by old customs and stubbornness that they cut down his martial skills."
Zhang Jian smiled faintly at Zhang Lian's complaints.
"Lian wouldn't settle down quietly, given his personality."
"That's why Mother is very concerned. She's looking for someone better than the family, someone handsome and kind. Despite his personality, once he finds a man he likes, he might even rush the wedding."
"Is that so…"
Zhang Yun, stroking his chin, glanced at Zhang Jian and cautiously spoke.
"Since we've met by the grace of heaven… will you come to Lian's wedding? Or, since we're at it, why don't you come back to Zhongyuan with me this time? The elders and Father would be pleased if you came back with me."
Zhang Jian did not answer immediately. He wasn't sure if they would be pleased. Perhaps they would just scold him for disappointing the family and running away. The more awkward part would be meeting Lady Yang. So, Zhang Jian changed the subject.
"Have you expanded your business to Xinshachuan?"
Zhang Yun sighed lightly. He had managed to bring Zhang Jian to the business house from the dock, but it seemed that getting him to return home would be impossible.
"…We're quite late. Other merchants have been selling goods from the new continent for a while now. We're planning to pay more attention to maritime trade now. This Xinshachuan branch is the start. The building was completed not long ago."
Zhang Jian nodded. It wasn't surprising that the family, known for their business acumen, was finally getting into the new continent trade, even if it was late.
"Originally, we planned to open a branch in Tianhou City, but the imperial guards' influence there is strong, making it difficult to profit. So, instead of paying half in bribes there, we decided to use the northern route here and pay protection fees to the Wulin Alliance…"
Zhang Yun continued to complain about various issues, such as the strong local influence of the Xinshachuan business association and the stiffness of the Wulin Alliance members. Zhang Jian listened to him while finishing his tea. When Zhang Yun ran out of things to say, Zhang Jian finally spoke.
"I heard about Lian. Please convey my congratulations."
With that, he slowly stood up. Zhang Yun, wanting to stop him, hesitated but finally kept his lips tightly closed.
"Alright."
Zhang Jian bowed slightly and was about to leave the room when Zhang Yun sighed again and closed his eyes. At that moment, the door opened before Zhang Jian could touch it. A woman of about the same age as Zhang Yun stood in the doorway.
She smiled widely when she saw Zhang Jian standing there.
"Oh! Where are you going, young master?"
Zhang Yun's wife. Zhang Jian, without thinking, replied.
"Ah, I… I'm leaving now…"
"Leaving? But the meal is already prepared?"
"Meal?"
She continued with a smile.
"Yes, young master. It's been so long, and you're already leaving? Even if it's sudden, I've prepared something, so please stay for a meal."
Zhang Jian hesitated. If Zhang Yun had said this, he would have definitely refused, but he found it hard to be so cold to his sister-in-law. Zhang Yun's wife, Lady Yan, had treated him like a younger brother since she married into the Zhang family.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Jian finally smiled back at her.
"Then, I'll have one meal."
"One meal? I've cooked a lot, so please eat as much as you like."
In the end, Zhang Jian had a slightly late lunch and then spent the afternoon drinking tea and chatting with Lady Yan. As time passed, the sun set, and it was time for dinner.
"Oh! You should have dinner too?"
"I, I…"
Lady Yan didn't say anything to stop him. She just smiled and looked at him as if wondering if he really intended to leave. Zhang Jian, meeting her gaze, couldn't bring himself to say he was leaving and ended up staying for dinner.
After a well-prepared dinner, Lady Yan naturally arranged a room for Zhang Jian to stay in. Finally, lying in bed and under the covers, Zhang Jian could sigh.
"…If only I could fight bandits or wanted criminals to the death…"
The next morning, after a short meditation, he came out to find that Lady Yan's servant had prepared water for washing and clean clothes. After washing, he had to sit down for breakfast with Lady Yan, Zhang Yun, and their two young children.
While quietly eating, Zhang Jian glanced at Lady Yan and spoke.
"Um…"
"Ah! Speaking of which, young master, could I ask you a favor?"
Lady Yan, who was feeding her four-year-old daughter with a spoon, suddenly remembered something and spoke. Zhang Jian, about to say he was leaving, swallowed his words and replied.
"Yes, what is it? If there's something I can help with…"
Lady Yan continued, looking truly apologetic.
"The business house isn't fully organized yet, so this person and the staff will be busy today. I also need to help. The problem is that our nanny for Shang and Ying is sick and can't come today. So, could you watch the children for a while this afternoon?"
"…Watch the children?"
Lady Yan nodded. Zhang Jian, looking at her and then at Zhang Yun, saw that he was pretending to know nothing and just eating. When he looked at the children, he saw his ten-year-old son, Zhang Shang, looking at him with bright eyes, and his four-year-old daughter, Zhang Ying, chewing her rice and looking at him.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Jian finally nodded.
"Only this afternoon."
Lady Yan smiled widely.
"The nanny will be here in the afternoon. I'll only need you until then, young master."
"Sure, I'll help."
Zhang Yun, who had been listening, also said this. Thus, Zhang Jian found himself in charge of Zhang Yun's children for a while.
* * *
Zhang Yun's house was a separate building behind the business house. Originally, Zhang Yun was supposed to live there alone. However, Lady Yan, fearing that the children would forget their father's face if they were separated for a few years, brought them along on the journey.
Zhang Yun was also happy with this arrangement. Even for the expansion of new business, being separated from his family for years was something he wanted to avoid. Of course, Lady Yan's actions also had the intention of protecting the children from the strong influence of Zhang Yun's father, who was still healthy and leading the family, and his mother, Lady Yan.
Zhang Jian sat in a chair and faced Zhang Shang and Zhang Ying, who were looking at him. Zhang Shang looked like he had a lot to say, while Zhang Ying was holding a small doll and staring at him with wide eyes.
Zhang Jian sighed lightly and said,
"Is there anything you want to do?"
Zhang Shang was the first to answer, but instead of saying what he wanted to do, he asked a question.
"Are you really our uncle?"
"Yes."
Zhang Shang's eyes became even brighter.
"Auntie said you're an incredible martial artist."
"…Lian?"
Zhang Shang nodded and continued.
"Can you show us your martial arts once?"
Looking at the expectant eyes, Zhang Jian couldn't help but think of Jin Xuexia, whom he had parted with the day before, and a smile escaped his lips.
"Sure."
Feeling that it would be awkward to play with the children, Zhang Jian decided it would be better to just act like a performer for a while. He led the children to the courtyard of the separate building. After seating them on chairs, he brought a bamboo pole from the corner of the yard and set it up in the middle.
Then, he smiled faintly and said,
"Watch closely."
Without any run-up, Zhang Jian leaped up and spun in the air, landing on the bamboo pole he had just set up.
"Wow!"
"Wow!"
Standing on the bamboo pole, which was about one and a half zhang tall, Zhang Jian spread his arms wide, like a real performer. Anyone who had trained in martial arts would have been amazed. Not only was his leap to that height impressive, but more remarkable was the fact that the bamboo pole was not anchored to the ground.
Zhang Jian's current stance, as if he were standing on flat ground, was a feat of solid and flexible body strength and balance.
Then, he suddenly leaned to one side. As the two children gasped, he didn't fall but stood upside down on the bamboo pole, hanging by the soles of his feet from the tip. Zhang Ying giggled, finding it amusing.
Zhang Jian continued to perform various tricks using the bamboo pole, most of which were the kind of stunts you might see at a circus.
After a short performance, Zhang Jian got off the bamboo pole and bowed lightly to the two children. Zhang Shang clapped first, and Zhang Ying, following his older brother, clapped awkwardly.
At that moment, applause that wasn't from the two children sounded behind Zhang Jian.