Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Under Han Zhang's smooth talk, Shen Huaizhi had been completely taken in, convinced that he was a buried—no, a misjudged genius, wailing and asking what he should do.

And Han Zhang wasn't just buttering him up for nothing. He did this partly to get in good with his brother-in-law, and partly to secure an ally for the future.

Government service was never a one-man show. With his lofty ambitions, he had to build his own power base.

In ancient times, in-laws were natural allies. After carefully investigating and analyzing the Shen family, Han Zhang discovered that this brother-in-law, Shen Huaizhi, was truly a talent.

Despite being undervalued and even considered useless at home, Shen Huaizhi had an astonishingly good rapport with outsiders. Even with his mediocre scholarship, the tutors at his academy genuinely liked him as a student, and his brilliant classmates got along well with him.

This social finesse was no small thing. Properly leveraged, it could become a "trump card"!

So Han Zhang decided to salvage this brother-in-law.

Patting the still-wailing Shen Huaizhi, Han Zhang consoled him gently, "Second Brother Shen, do not lament. As they say, it is never too late to learn. As long as you have the will to study, it is never too late to start."

But Shen Huaizhi only grew more distressed upon hearing this.

He grimaced and said, "I do have the will to learn, but I've been held back all these years, and I've developed a lax temperament. Now, if you ask me to sit down and read, my head truly hurts."

"Besides, with my exceptional genius, how can an ordinary tutor teach me? But finding a renowned master right now is easier said than done. Given my current reputation, even if I found some great scholar, they would probably look down on me."

"Oh, it's all my old man's fault, that old fool. He's really done me in..."

He went on thumping his chest and stamping his feet, bitterly cursing his father for ruining him, his genius son.

Han Zhang suppressed a smile and said, "Second Brother Shen, don't worry. If you don't mind, how about I tutor you?"

"Huh? You teach me?"

Shen Huaizhi froze, his tone full of hesitation.

It wasn't that he looked down on Han Zhang, but Han Zhang's displayed scholarship, while decent, was far from extraordinary.

Wasn't he a genius? Could Han Zhang really teach him?

Facing his doubt, Han Zhang remained calm, his smile confident. "Yes, I will teach Second Brother Shen. Though I am no prodigy, I have some insights into studying and learning."

"If Second Brother Shen trusts me and is willing to work hard, I dare not say anything about next year's autumn examination, but I am confident I can help you earn the titles of Tongsheng or Xiucai."

"Moreover, Second Brother Shen may not find a good teacher anytime soon. Rather than wasting time, why not give me a try?"

"Or do you truly want to remain as you are now, enduring daily belittlement from your father and brothers, unwilling to bring glory to your mother or have your day of triumph?"

"When the day comes that you face those who once mocked you, you can hold your head high and say: 'Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west—do not bully a youth for being poor!'"

Han Zhang's words were impassioned, painting a picture of future redemption.

Such cheesy lines would stir even modern internet-savvy people, let alone this ancient youth who had been constantly belittled and treated as a waste.

Imagining the scene where he would slap the faces of those who looked down on him, Shen Huaizhi grew flushed with excitement, his blood boiling.

"Fine! Fine! Good brother, if you can really help me pass the Xiucai exam, you'll be my best brother for life! Forget 'Second Brother Shen,' just call me 'Second Brother' from now on! Don't stand on ceremony..."

Shen Huaizhi grabbed Han Zhang excitedly, instantly regarding him as a kindred spirit. All his earlier prejudices vanished.

Oh, he had really misjudged this time. He had been blind.

His younger brother had truly good taste. This Brother Han was indeed a gentleman of integrity, a truly good man!

—

The bond between the two brothers-in-law thawed instantly, and they became as thick as thieves.

By the time they arrived at the Fragrant Ink Tea House,

Shen Huaizhi's address to Han Zhang had become, "Brother Han!"

And Han Zhang's response was, "Second Brother!"

Shen Huaizhi even pulled Han Zhang eagerly, introducing him to his most trusted circle of idle friends.

"Brother Han, this is Zhao Yongchang, of imperial lineage, the second legitimate son of the State-Assisting General; this is Wu Xuelin, son of a Hanlin academician; and this is Pan Taining—Brother Pan is the direct nephew of Pan Fu, the eunuch favored by His Majesty... These three are my bosom friends who would go through fire and water for me."

"Old Zhao, Old Wu, Old Pan, this is Han Zhang, my newly recognized good brother. Though Brother Han comes from a humble background, he is exceptionally talented and, more importantly, sincere in nature. Don't underestimate my Brother Han. When you're out and about, make sure to look after him for me."

Shen Huaizhi introduced both sides warmly.

Han Zhang showed no hesitation. He immediately cupped his hands and greeted them cheerfully, "Brother Zhao, Brother Wu, Brother Pan..."

His gaze was clear and straightforward, his demeanor composed and generous, without a hint of sycophancy.

Especially upon hearing that Pan Taining was the nephew of a eunuch, Han Zhang's expression remained completely natural, as if he had just heard an ordinary status.

This was in stark contrast to the common attitude of the time, where people looked down on eunuchs with disdain.

Pan Taining was very impressed!

His uncle was the emperor's right-hand man, of extraordinary status—even high-ranking officials had to show him respect—but because eunuchs were considered lowly, everyone secretly despised them.

He had sharp eyes; he could tell at a glance whether Han Zhang truly didn't care or was just pretending.

So Pan Taining was the first to show goodwill to Han Zhang, and was very enthusiastic.

"What's this about looking down on people? Shen Huaizhi, you rascal, we've been friends for years! Do we judge people by their family background?"

"Brother Han truly looks distinguished, not at all like someone from a humble background. Is this what our tutor meant by 'learning enriches one's spirit'?"

Pan Taining praised him while warmly inviting, "Come, come, Brother Han, please have a seat."

"How's Brother Han's tolerance for wine? Although this Fragrant Ink Tea House is a tea house, it also has excellent wine. Why not try a couple of cups?"

Zhao Yongchang and Wu Xuelin, though not as effusive as Pan Taining, also greeted him amiably.

Since Shen Huaizhi had specifically brought him and introduced him so solemnly, Han Zhang must hold considerable weight in Shen Huaizhi's eyes. As longtime friends, they certainly couldn't slight him.

Han Zhang sat down readily.

He was eloquent and charming, and Pan Taining and the other idle rich were easy to get along with. Both sides were eager to build a friendship, and over cups of wine, they quickly became familiar.

Then Shen Huaizhi couldn't resist bragging about how Han Zhang had called him a "peerless genius."

Shen Huaizhi thumped his chest and stomped his feet, reiterating, "...It's all my father's fault! He didn't recognize my extraordinary talent earlier, wasting all these years of mine!"

And Pan Taining and the others, after hearing him recount Han Zhang's twisted sophistry, also began to doubt themselves.

They were no worse than Shen Huaizhi—since Old Shen was a neglected genius, what about them?

Maybe they too were pearls of wisdom yet to be discovered by a discerning eye!

Thus, the three, green with envy, turned their gazes in unison toward Han Zhang.

"Brother Han, who would have thought you had such an eye for talent! No wonder we always felt Old Shen was extraordinary—so he's actually a neglected genius? Brother Han, with such insight, please take a look at us too!"

Then, one after another, they eagerly spoke of what they felt made them special.

Zhao Yongchang said expectantly, "Brother Han, do you think I’ve also been overlooked? My parents always say I was clever from a young age—I could open my eyes right after birth, speak by the age of six months, ate a lot and had great strength, just like my great-great-great-grandfather when he was young."

"Everyone says I’m the Qilin Son of this generation in the imperial clan, but somehow, the older I get, the more mediocre I become—I eat everything in sight, accomplish nothing, fall ill whenever I practice martial arts, and get drowsy whenever I study..."

"The only thing I'm good at is that wherever I go, young ladies and guys throw themselves at me. Brother Han, what kind of talent is this? Which ministry should I work in?"

Han Zhang: ...

"Brother, that’s not talent, that’s just wealth."

When a member of the imperial clan goes out, who wouldn’t throw you a few extra glances?

Wu Xuelin said eagerly, "Brother Han, look at me. I may not attract girls or be good at business, but I have an excellent memory—since childhood, I've remembered every single word anyone's ever said bad about me."

"My grandparents always say I’m smart, but just not using it in the right place. Brother Han, what should I do? Am I a genius or not? I think so! Then what kind of official should I be?"

Han Zhang: ...

"Brother, that’s just holding a grudge."

Finally, Pan Taining cleared his throat and said, "Brother Han, come on, I won’t brag—just take a good look at me and guess what talent I have? Old Shen is already a genius; as his brother, I can't be too far behind, can I?"

Han Zhang: ...

"So you don’t have a single redeeming quality, do you?"

Looking at the three faces before him—silly but hopeful, eagerly waiting for affirmation—Han Zhang thought to himself.

Oh well, what's one more? Leading one or four, it's all the same.

Where there's a hidden genius, there's bound to be another. Since these three could become close friends with Shen Huaizhi, their temperaments probably aren't too different.

Talent isn’t just innate; cultivation is the norm.

Even if they’re useless at everything, cheering from the sidelines and making up numbers still counts, right?

Having thought this through,

Han Zhang pretended to scrutinize them seriously.

After a moment, he suddenly widened his eyes, jumped to his feet, and said in a shocked voice, "Brother Zhao, Brother Wu, Brother Pan... you... you..."

"What’s wrong with us? Brother Han, just say it!"

The three grew tense, their hearts pounding.

Judging by Brother Han’s reaction, things seemed pretty extreme.

Either they were unparalleled geniuses, or colossal idiots...