Chapter 104 Futures Scholar

Chapter 104 Futures Scholar

Chapter 104 Futures Scholar

Shao Quanzhong could never have imagined that the Zhang in Zhang Ershazi's name would be the same Zhang as Zhang Zhidong's Zhang.

He left his hometown at the age of sixteen and went to Beijing to beg for food, seeking help from his fellow villager Mr. Wen, who was the county magistrate in Shunyi. On the way, he met the fourteen-year-old Zhang Siwen.

The two had been through thick and thin together for five years, trusting each other in life and death. Zhang Ershazi had taken a beating for him on the way to beg for food, and had saved his life in a hail of bullets. He was the person he trusted most in the world.

I actually didn't know that what my brother meant when he said about accompanying a rich family's child to school when he was young was actually Zhang Zhidong's child to school.

The current Zhang Zhidong is no longer the old man that remains in his memory. Looking carefully at the young version of Zhang Zhidong, Shao Quanzhong suddenly discovered that he looks three points similar to Zhang Siwen.

Considering that Zhang Siwen called Zhang Zhidong "Juren brother", it should be more than just a study companion.

However, Zhang Zhidong was tall and straight, while Zhang Siwen had a broad back and strong waist, and their body shapes did not look like brothers at all.

When I met Zhang Siwen, he was skinny and dying, and almost starved to death. It was because I cheated and begged for food that I was able to raise my fourth brother to be so strong.

The Zhang family has been a family of scholars for generations. Zhang Zhidong's cousin Zhang Zhiwan won the first place in the imperial examination. Zhang Zhidong is now a juren, and will have the potential to be a tanhua in the future. He can be ranked in the top four among contemporary heroes - well, not counting the intruder Shao Quanzhong.

Fourth brother, if you are really a member of the Zhang family, why would you go out to beg for food?
For a moment, the attention paid to the fourth brother surpassed the shock of seeing a talented person for the first time. "Siwen, you have such a powerful brother. How did you end up in the underworld?"

Zhang Siwen had a complicated expression, "If it weren't for your great cause, I would never step into the Zhang family again, even if I had to beg for food and starve to death."

It seems that the Zhang family has bullied the fourth brother. Zhang Zhidong sighed, "It is the Zhang family that has let you down, the fifth brother. However, it has been so many years since the incident, and the parties involved have passed away. Although - well, father took you into the family to study, after all, it was good for you."

Shao Quanzhong was a shrewd person. When he heard the tone, he knew that Zhang Siwen should be the "accidental mistake" that happened outside when Zhang Zhidong's father Zhang Ying was the prefect of Xingyi, Guizhou. Most likely, the prefect met the "Miao girl from a poor family" mentioned by Zhang Siwen.

There are many troubles in wealthy families. Zhang Ying passed away, and the fate of the mistress without an identity can be imagined. Zhang Siwen, who was studying with his father and whose identity was unknown, was bound to suffer without the protection of his father...

Shao Quanzhong reflected on himself, and the Shao family became a rising wealthy family.

He already has two wives, Huier and Xiuer, who are enough to give birth to a lot of sons for him, but he must not have affairs outside and make any "accidental mistakes".

The most important thing is family harmony. If the family is in chaos and unrest, how can you have the energy to achieve great things?
"Brother Zhang is a man of talent, and I have long heard of your great name. Come on, come on, I will prepare some wine at Mingyue Tower to welcome you, Brother Zhang."

Along the way, Zhang Siwen had said everything he could.

Zhang Zhidong waved his hand and got straight to the point. "Lord Shao is busy with official duties, so there is no need for a banquet. Lord Shao and my brother are close friends, so there is no need for us to be too polite. I am quite confident that I should be able to catch Lord Shao's eye."

When Le Sen first recommended himself to Shao Quanzhong for a job, he tried his best to perform and was modest, fearing that he would leave a bad impression on Shao Quanzhong.

There's nothing you can do about it. A failed scholar has no human rights.

Zhang Zhidong did not need to show off his abilities. He ranked first in the college examination and the provincial examination. He helped his father govern Guizhou and managed the prefecture for several years. He suppressed bandits, governed the people and was a master of both civil and military affairs.

If the chief examiner of the imperial examination this year had not been his cousin Zhang Zhiwan, he would have had to avoid it, and would have passed all the tests directly to become a Jinshi, entered the Hanlin Academy and directly entered the central government.

Zhang Ying died in office, as he was in poor health and could not do much work. His outstanding achievements in Guizhou, which enabled him to be promoted to the position of prefect, were actually the work of his fourth son Zhang Zhidong.

It is better to become famous early. Zhang Zhidong was only 24 years old, but he was already famous all over the world for his test scores and political achievements. This is a true young talent, and there is no need to brag about himself. Zhang Zhidong bowed to Shao Quanzhong again, "My brother has been taken care of by Lord Shao for so many years. However, between us, friendship is friendship, and official business is official business. Hearing is believing. Whether I am under Lord Shao's command or not, I need to investigate the actual situation of the Huai Army before I can know."

Shao Quanzhong nodded repeatedly, "Of course. Siwen, you will be responsible for accompanying Brother Zhang to inspect our Huai Army. You can go anywhere in the Huai Army's territory and see everything."

This is quite good. Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang to his thatched cottage three times, and the famous Zhang Xiangshuai came to his door himself and wanted to work in his own small temple. It was reasonable to examine whether the boss was worthy of loyalty.

"Don't worry, Lord Shao. After the inspection, even if I don't want to work here, the Zhang family will support the Huai Army in the court. Also, I have already made it clear to Lord Shao that I can only work here for three years. After three years, I must enter the Spring Examination."

"Of course, of course. How can I hinder Brother Zhang's future?"

In this era, the Jinshi diploma was a qualification for top talents. For a figure like Zhang Zhidong, who had the most profound knowledge of his time, it would be a lifelong regret if he did not take the opportunity to obtain a top certificate.

Zuo Zongtang was laughed at all his life because of his "Tong Jinshi" status, and he would be depressed whenever he mentioned it. It was just that he was entangled in the subtle difference between the first, second, and third place in the palace examination after passing the Jinshi examination.

As long as you are willing to come, I will agree to any condition.

Hehe, three years. In three years, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will be destroyed, and the Huai Army will definitely not be in the current situation. By then, even if you win the third place in the imperial examination, you may not be willing to leave.

Zhang Zhidong was a man of action. He did not waste time with Shao Quanzhong and went out with Zhang Siwen.

From the military camp to the training ground, from the overseas preparatory school and the military academy to the arsenal, he carefully inquired about the performance of the rapid-fire gun and the Armstrong artillery, and even spent a long time studying it with an engineer shovel.

After asking about the salary payment situation of officers and soldiers, he went to find Le Sen and Hai Qing to inquire about what the Intelligence Department and the Secret Investigation Section were.

The next day, Zhang Zhidong went to the Hailing Arsenal and inspected the manufacturing of Hale rockets at the Wen Arsenal. He also inquired in detail about entrusting Yung Wing to purchase machinery and equipment from the United States.

Then came the Wen family money shop, Fuyutang pharmacy, various Wenfuji logistics supply factories, and the newly established Wen family water transport fleet. On the third day, they actually took a single-masted clipper to Zhenjiang, and on the return trip they also inspected the insurance team in Guazhou.

In other words, I had already inspected the Xuzhou Liguoyi Coal and Iron Mining Company on the way here, otherwise I would have to go there, and the round trip would have taken about a month.

The more Zhang Zhidong investigated, the more confident Shao Quanzhong felt. This is something only someone who really wants to do something would do.

These things were all created by me, and my other subordinates are only responsible for their own parts.

He was busy everywhere and had no time to spare, so it was obvious that Zhang Zhidong was capable of helping him take charge.

On the morning of the fifth day, Zhang Zhidong asked to see Shao Quanzhong, "Commander-in-chief, the Huai Army has opened my eyes. I know that there is a world beyond the sky and it is vast. The hope of our Qing Dynasty lies in the Huai Army. I am willing to join the Huai Army and serve you."

"Okay, let's plan big things together from now on. Come on, gather all officers above the battalion level!"

Soon, the sound of military boots was heard outside, and the backbone members of the subordinates came to the command center one after another.

Shao Quanzhong coughed, "Brothers——"

"Report! Wu Ziyi, who went to Anqing on business, is back."

(End of this chapter)