Chapter 148: Wu Dalang

"Brother, let's go home!"

With Wu Song back, Wu Dalang had no heart to sell steamed buns anymore,

and immediately wanted to pick up his load and hurry toward home.

A mere basket of steamed buns, how could it compare to his brother?

"Brother, let me do it!"

Wu Song took the load from Wu Dalang's hand and lightly carried it on his shoulder.

'Brother has really grown up!'

Looking at Wu Song's sturdy and tall figure, Wu Dalang's heart was filled with gratification.

In the past, Wu Song still needed him to shield him from the wind and rain,

but now Wu Song could shield himself from the wind and rain.

"Brother, since you aren't short of money, why work so hard?

It doesn't matter if you sell a few less steamed buns every day."

Weighing the load slightly, Wu Song found it wasn't heavy in his hands,

but it must be extremely heavy on his brother Wu Dalang's shoulder, so he said with great heartache.

He followed Zhang Jie, and Zhang Jie wasn't the kind of capitalist who wanted the horse to run

without feeding it grass, so he naturally paid Wu Song a salary.

And it was a high salary that could be considered high even in the entire Great Song.

And because Zhang Jie paid for all the food, clothing, housing, and transportation during their travels,

Wu Song's salary was all saved up,

sent back to Yanggu County, and handed to Wu Dalang.

Relying on this salary from Wu Song, Wu Dalang could live very comfortably even if he did nothing.

"Er'lang, you know it too; I'm just a workaholic, I can't stay idle.

Once I'm idle, I feel sore all over."

Wu Dalang explained with a smile.

But Wu Song knew this wasn't the real reason.

Sure enough, the next second he heard Wu Dalang say with full longing:

"Er'lang, you aren't young anymore; it's time to start a family.

I've saved up all your salary, brother, and with my savings over the years, it should be enough.

When the New Year comes, I'll go to the Zhang residence to request Young Master Zhang.

He is from a noble family and knows many people; I want to ask him to help you find a good marriage."

"Brother!"

Wu Song's tiger eyes filled with tears.

Wu Dalang laughed heartily: "You're a grown man now,

stop acting like a little girl, lest people laugh at you."

Wu Song asked: "Brother, what about you?"

In terms of age, Wu Dalang was several years older than him and had already passed the age of thirty.

In this era where one could call themselves an old man at forty, he should have been married long ago.

"Me?"

Hearing this question, Wu Dalang's eyes couldn't help but dim.

Although he had a hero of a younger brother like Wu Song, and had Zhang Jie and the Zhang family as backers,

in this small patch of Yanggu County, no one dared to bully him like before.

Even the hoodlums who used to bully him now respectfully called him "Brother Wu" when they saw him.

But none of this could change the fact that he was a half-crippled man with a short stature.

Under such circumstances, would any daughter from a good family be willing to marry him?

However, despite the bitterness in his heart, Wu Dalang didn't want to show it in front of Wu Song, lest he be saddened.

So he forced a smile and said in a calm tone:

"Brother has already made preparations, you don't need to worry too much."

"Brother, I understand."

Although Wu Song was a rough man, it didn't mean he was stupid;

during the time he followed Zhang Jie, he had learned a lot,

so he saw through the forced smile on Wu Dalang's face at a glance.

However, he chose not to expose it, because he knew

that this represented the last bit of dignity Wu Dalang wanted to keep in front of his younger brother.

For a moment, the atmosphere between the two brothers fell silent,

neither of them spoke, only the dull sound of footsteps continued to ring out.

"Er'lang, since you're back, has Young Master Zhang returned?

If he has returned, I need to hurry and pay my respects to thank him for his care these days.

Although it was just a small effort for Young Master Zhang,

it is a great kindness to us, and we must never forget it!"

On the way home, Wu Dalang was the first to break the deadlock and ask.

"The young master hasn't returned; he just sent me to deliver a letter."

Wu Song, carrying the load, shook his head slightly and gave a negative answer.

"Then, then did Young Master Zhang pass the imperial examination?"

Wu Dalang stopped thinking about his own affairs and asked somewhat nervously.

Their Wu family, especially his brother Wu Er'lang, had been firmly tied to Zhang Jie.

To say they would prosper or suffer together was not an exaggeration, and he, as a brother, couldn't help but care.

Although Zhang Jie's status as a Juren and Jieyuan was already not bad in the entire Yanggu County,

who doesn't have a dream of advancing further?

If Zhang Jie passed the Jinshi examination, their status would also rise with the tide.

It wasn't that he wanted to use this status to gain any benefits,

but with this status, his steamed bun business would be easier to do,

and those rascals and petty officials who exploited the people wouldn't dare to come looking for him.

And Wu Song was Zhang Jie's personal attendant; if Zhang Jie passed the Jinshi examination and became an official, Wu Song's future would be even brighter.

"Brother, the young master passed as the Tanhua!"

Wu Song shared this joyful news with Wu Dalang with great happiness.

"What? Young Master Zhang actually passed as the Tanhua?"

Wu Dalang was both shocked and happy.

He was happy because since Zhang Jie passed as the Tanhua, the status of the Zhang family and his brother would rise with the tide.

He was shocked because Zhang Jie had passed as the Tanhua at an age less than twenty, which was simply beyond his imagination.

"Young Master Zhang is truly the Wenqu Star descended to earth!"

Feeling a bit dizzy, Wu Dalang muttered to himself, full of admiration.

"The young master is naturally the Wenqu Star descended to earth!"

Wu Song said with a sense of shared honor.

'The young master might even be the Ziwei Star descended to earth!'

At the same time, knowing what Zhang Jie was going to do, he thought to himself.

Ziwei is the Emperor Star!

It symbolizes the most noble position in the world!

After the shock, Wu Dalang scratched the back of his head and asked somewhat confusedly:

"Er'lang, since Young Master Zhang passed as the Tanhua, why hasn't anyone come to the Zhang family to congratulate him?

Many years ago, when Old Master Wang, a Jinshi from our hometown in Qinghe County, passed the third-rank Jinshi examination,

the county magistrate personally came to the door, presented the imperial decree, and inscribed a plaque,

and even hired a theater troupe to play and sing; it was a scene of gongs and drums, bustling with excitement."

"This..."

Wu Song didn't know how to answer this question for a moment.

It was a fact that Zhang Jie passed as the Tanhua, but it was also a fact that no one came to congratulate him.

As for whether the county office had already come and Wu Dalang missed it, not knowing?

Passing as the Tanhua was a heaven-shaking event!

Last time Zhang Jie passed as the Jieyuan, the Yanggu County magistrate, Shi Wenbin, personally came to congratulate him.

This time Zhang Jie passed as the Tanhua, the scene would only be bigger than last time, not smaller.

Also, when he went to deliver the letter to the Zhang residence's old steward,

the old steward also only learned the news of Zhang Jie passing as the Tanhua from the letter.

Others might not know about the celebration, but after Zhang Jie left,

would the old steward, who substantially managed the Zhang family, not know?

This was simply impossible.

The only explanation was that the county office really didn't celebrate Zhang Jie passing as the Tanhua, let alone celebrate,

they didn't even do the bare minimum of posting a notice or making it widely known!

He pondered slightly and guessed that this might be related to Zhang Jie being disliked by the Emperor:

The Emperor disliked Zhang Jie and even personally issued a decree to demote him to Deputy Commissioner of the Qingzhou Militia,

directly losing all his future career prospects.

Then how would those officials under him, who were accustomed to seeing which way the wind blew,

dare to risk offending the Emperor to congratulate Zhang Jie?

The Yanggu County magistrate, Shi Wenbin, who had talked happily with Zhang Jie because he passed as the Jieyuan, was clearly one of these "conformist" officials.

However, Wu Song knew that such a topic was too high-end and too terrifying,

not suitable to tell Wu Dalang directly now; he had to wait until he had some psychological preparation.

So he casually found an almost universal reason:

"The time since the palace examination results were released is still short, and the Great Song is so vast,

it should be that the congratulatory documents haven't reached our Yanggu County yet."

"That's true."

Wu Dalang scratched his head, feeling that this seemed to be the logic.

Otherwise, who would dare to cancel the congratulatory ceremony for a Tanhua?

Wouldn't they be afraid of being attacked by scholars all over the world?

If Zhang Jie knew Wu Dalang's thoughts, he would definitely say he was too young, too simple.

Although the imperial power of the Great Song was to a certain extent suppressed by the prime ministerial power represented by the Prime Minister,

or rather the power of landlords, gentry, and scholars, and had to "share the world with the scholar-officials."

But this was only generally speaking; when imperial power faced an individual, it still had an overwhelming advantage.

The so-called "a grain of sand of the era falling on an individual is a mountain" is exactly this.

The two brothers walked and talked all the way to the two-story building rented by Wu Dalang.

Although this house wasn't very luxurious, it was already something other ordinary people in Yanggu County couldn't reach.

Wu Dalang pointed to this house he hadn't dared to think about before and solemnly warned:

"Er'lang, Young Master Zhang has a kindness to our Wu family as heavy as a mountain.

You must serve the young master wholeheartedly in the future, and never be slack!"

Not to mention that Zhang Jie was willing to rent this small building to him at half the usual price.

Just the fact that Zhang Jie was willing to always take Wu Song with him was already a great kindness.

In the Great Song, aside from passing the imperial examination, there was almost no other way to cross classes.

As for joining the army and fighting for a future with a sword and a spear,

fighting for a title and honor, that was simply a fantasy.

Haven't you heard the principle that "only those whose names are called outside the Donghua Gate are good men"?

Soldiers were contemptuously called "bandit-consigned soldiers"!

"Brother's lesson is correct!"

Wu Song responded solemnly.

For Zhang Jie's kindness, he was naturally extremely grateful.

"That's good, you're grown up too; when I'm not by your side,

you need to think carefully before doing anything, don't be impulsive."

Wu Dalang said with great gratification.

Wu Song smiled upon hearing this: "Brother, the young master has already found a place to stay.

I came here to pick up Miss Jinlian, the old steward, and the others to reunite with the young master.

I thought it wouldn't be good for you to stay in Yanggu County alone, so why not come with me?

In this way, you and I, brothers, will never be separated again."

"I'm going too?"

A trace of yearning flashed in Wu Dalang's eyes, and he was somewhat moved.

If not for the pressures of life, who wouldn't have a dream of seeing the great rivers and mountains?

If not for the pressures of life, who wouldn't have a dream of going out to see the magnificent mountains and rivers?

A life trapped in one place truly makes one feel as if they can see the end of their days at a single glance.

But when Wu Dalang took a look at Wu Song—tall, robust, imposing, and extraordinary, as if a celestial being had descended to earth—

and then looked at himself, short and stunted, a mere dwarf, the light in his eyes instantly dimmed.

Erlang would be working for Young Master Zhang, who was already a distinguished Tanhualang,

and the people he would be interacting with would likely all be high-ranking officials, nobles, and members of prominent, wealthy families.

And such people were often arrogant, looking down on others, and full of self-importance.

If they were to find out that Erlang had a brother like him, a half-cripple,

wouldn't that cause them to look down on Erlang?

Knowing he could not affect Erlang's future, Wu Dalang refused:

"I have lived in this Yanggu County for many years, and everyone I am familiar with is here.

If you were to suddenly take me to an unfamiliar place, I fear I would not adapt.

Erlang, you should hurry to the Zhang Fu to guard the old steward and the others; you must not delay the hour."

As Wu Dalang spoke, he prepared to send Wu Song away.

The well-traveled Wu Song saw through his brother Wu Dalang's insincerity at a glance, and he laughed:

"Brother, inviting you to come along is not just my own idea.

The Young Master specifically instructed me to invite you.

The steamed buns you make, Brother, are something the Young Master cannot stop thinking about!"

And this was not actually Wu Song lying: although Zhang Jie had not given the order directly,

it was true that he did miss Wu Dalang's "Wu Dalang-brand" steamed buns.

Whether it was that practice makes perfect, or that Wu Dalang truly possessed some innate talent,

in any case, using the same ingredients and steamers, Wu Dalang's buns were always larger, fluffier, and much more delicious than anyone else's.

One of the reasons Zhang Jie had approached Wu Song back then was that Wu Dalang's steamed buns had given him a huge appetite,

even when his golden finger had yet to arrive and his naturally powerful spirit was suppressing his body, leaving him weak, sickly, and with a poor appetite.

Wu Dalang: Don't use your hobbies to challenge the survival skills of me and my brother!

"Young Master Zhang misses my steamed buns..."

Seeing that this also involved Zhang Jie's wishes, Wu Dalang finally agreed:

"Since it is Young Master Zhang's wish, then I will go with you."

"Erlang, I will go pack my luggage right now."

Wu Dalang immediately found several large bags in the side room,

and placed the steamer, rolling pin, and other cooking utensils from the stove on the first floor into them.

These were the tools he used to make a living and demonstrate his usefulness in front of Zhang Jie; he had to bring them!

"Brother, I'll help you."

Wu Song also joined in, and the two brothers began packing their belongings,

then went to rendezvous with the old steward and the others, who were also preparing to leave Yanggu County for Mount Shuipoliang.