Chapter 956 - 795: The Plot Unfolds and the Dagger Emerges

Zhang Xia stood under the Merit Flag Pole of the Xu Family Mansion, arms folded, gazing up at the four-section flagpole before him. The ’Scholar’ erected the flagpole, the ’Advanced Scholar’ added one section, the ’Scholar’ added another section, the ’First-Class Scholar’ added another section, and ’Minister’ added the final section.

The Merit Flag Pole in front of the Xu Family’s ceremonial gate was at least three sections high. Anything less than three sections was not allowed here and had to be set up at the ancestral residence in Songjiang, where there were more flag poles.

Xiao Man, the little monk, and Zhang Zheng had finished breakfast and found Zhang Xia here.

Xiao Man curiously asked, "What are you looking at, Sister Axia?"

Zhang Xia calmly replied, "Observing Second Grandfather’s life."

Xiao Man asked, puzzled, "Ah?"

Zhang Xia withdrew his gaze, "Second Grandfather treated me very well. When I was young, he taught me to read and write. What he couldn’t teach my uncle, he taught me instead. He often said, when young, one must study hard, and if one becomes an official, one must do things well. Even if it is the only thing one can do before dying, one should do it well... This saying has benefited me greatly."

Xiao Man said with a smile, "Sister Axia does everything very well."

Zhang Xia turned his head to look at other Merit Flag Poles in front of the ceremonial gate, "The Xu Family used to be supported by these thirty-seven flagpoles. Each flagpole corresponds to a talented person. I wonder when the next flagpole will be added."

At this moment, the sound of carriages and horses could be heard outside the Xu Family Mansion. Dozens of carriages and sedan chairs blocked Taiping Street completely, and the servants of various families stopped traffic on Taiping Street, forcing the people to take a detour.

After the fire at the ancestral hall, the Xu Family had a brief peace. Today, they were once again discussing the selection of the Clan Leader.

A group of Xu Family relatives exchanged greetings at the entrance, and then led by Xu Chuanyin, they walked inside. Xu Chuanyin looked up and saw Zhang Xia and others, sneering, "What do outsiders want to see of our Xu Family’s Merit Flag Pole?"

Zhang Zheng immediately taunted, "Why isn’t your flagpole among these many Merit Flag Poles? Is yours at the ancestral residence? Ah, I remember, your Scholar flagpole was indeed there, but in the 10th year of Jianing, your merit was revoked due to cheating in the local examination, and even that bare flagpole was dismantled."

Xu Family members exchanged glances, almost having forgotten this incident until Zhang Zheng mentioned it.

Xu Chuanyin’s expression shifted, and after a moment he said solemnly, "The Zhang Family wants to vie for the position of Cabinet Minister, they should be seeking the help of our Xu Family. How can they act so arrogantly?"

Zhang Xia finally turned to look at him, "Seeking the Xu Family?"

Xu Chuanyin straightened his posture, looking proud, "Your Zhang Family thinks forming an Anti-Japanese Army allows you to run wild in the territory of Southern Zhili? Now that Jingjiang is surrounded by thousands of pirates, I’m afraid the Death Soldiers your Zhang Family has raised for many years and your accumulated assets have all fallen to the pirates."

Zhang Xia calmly replied, "Do you wish the pirates to win?"

Xu Chuanyin smirked, "Don’t put words into my mouth. I don’t wish the pirates to win, just stating a fact. Pack your things and return to the Imperial Capital. The idea of Zhang Zhuo becoming the Cabinet Minister? Let him wait another twenty years."

But at this moment, a voice came from afar, "Major victory! Victory at Jingjiang! Pirates surrounded the city, the Anti-Japanese Army beheaded over four thousand, and all the pirates were executed. The enemy heads have been sent to outside Tongji Gate!"

"Twice victory! The Anti-Japanese Army has achieved victory in two battles!"

Xu Chuanyin’s expression changed, he skeptically observed Zhang Xia.

Leading the Xu Family members, he returned through the gates, standing under the plaque "Advanced Scholar’s House," he looked out, seeing citizens flocking to Tongji Gate, and some heading here too.

Taiping Street was not far from Tongji Gate, less than 15 minutes’ walk, and standing on Ganma Bridge, Tongji Gate could be seen.

Xu Chuanyin lifted his robe and walked south down the steps, Xu Family servants chasing off onlookers from Ganma Bridge to clear a path for the Xu Family gentlemen.

The important figures of the Xu Family stood on the arch bridge, watching from afar as more than forty cattle carts slowly approached, the wooden wheels clinking on the uneven bluestone road. The gray-white heads in the cart beds gently bobbing as if they had come alive.

Xu Chuanyin watched in horror, lifting his sleeve to cover his face, his cheeks trembling slightly, he said, "Wasn’t it said the Anti-Japanese Army was just hundreds of idle city loafers? How did they kill so many pirates?"

"I don’t know..."

Xu Chuanyin hesitated, "Could it be that they killed innocents for merit?"

Someone replied in a low voice, "The moon-cut hairstyle on the pirates’ heads can’t be faked."

Xu Chuanyin angrily retorted, "Even the hair can be shaved."

He turned back from Ganma Bridge to the Xu Family Mansion, pausing beside Zhang Xia, scrutinizing him, "Your Zhang Family doesn’t have this capability, where did you find reinforcements? The Chen family, the Hu Family won’t help your Zhang Family, the Qi family even less so. Did you possibly team up with the Eunuch Party?"

Not waiting for Zhang Xia’s response, he snorted, "Even if you’ve defeated the pirates, what does it have to do with us, the Xu Family? It won’t help Xu Shu. Today, either I become the Clan Leader or our Huqiu Xu Family will split and leave, nobody can stop us."

After speaking, Xu Chuanyin waved his robe sleeve and headed towards Shi’en Hall, followed by hundreds of Xu Family members.

Zhang Zheng spat, "What a thing? Xu Chuanxi at least has some dignity, but this fellow mingles with merchants every day, scrapping for food, having no dignity whatsoever."

Zhang Xia shook her head: "It has nothing to do with merchants, Second Grandpa said he was like this since he was a child. Let’s go, to the Shi’en Hall... Oh, right, where is Li Si, haven’t seen him since early morning."

Xiao Man explained: "Your adopted son..."

Zhang Xia glared at her.

Xiao Man chuckled: "Li Si left early this morning, saying he was going to Jubao Gate to wait for news. When asked what news he was waiting for, he wouldn’t say, just said calculating the time, today should be about right."

...

...

Outside Shi’en Hall, there still stands a dense crowd of Xu Family members. As Zhang Xia squeezed through the crowd, she saw that there were originally sixteen chairs inside the hall, now only ten remain.

The eldest, Xu Mengshan and Xu Shu, sat side by side at the first position, with the remaining eight clan elders spread out on both sides, four from the Huqiu Xu Family and the other four from the Jinling Xu Family, equally poised.

Xu Chuanyin still stood behind clan elder Xu Houting... Mrs. Zhang stood solitary beneath the hall, wearing the second-grade imperial decree matron’s attire.

Outside, people gazed at Mrs. Zhang’s back and murmured among themselves. Zhang Xia led her people to her side and whispered: "Mother."

Mrs. Zhang replied emotionlessly with an "Mm," but Zhang Zheng couldn’t bear it and said loudly: "How can one allow a second-rank imperial decree holder to stand and listen to you speak?"

Xu Houting picked up the teacup by his side and spoke slowly: "Today is the day our Xu Family discusses the clan leader selection. Shi’en Hall is full of Xu Family members, what is the Zhang Family doing flaunting here? Should we let Xu Shu rise and give up his seat, allowing Mrs. Zhang to sit and listen to what we are discussing today?"

Upon these words, everyone’s gaze turned.

Mrs. Zhang said calmly: "It’s alright, today I—Xu Yihong—will stand and listen to what you all wish to discuss."

Chief Xu Mengshan coughed twice and slowly began: "Let’s not stray. Earlier, someone wanted to abolish the main branch and establish a side branch. Others wanted to divide our Xu Family, angering our ancestors in the afterlife, who then burned the ancestral hall in fury, blaming our Xu Family for lack of proper conduct..."

Xiao Man, upon hearing this, instinctively looked back outside Shi’en Hall to see if the Xu ancestors had returned.

Inside the hall, Xu Mengshan continued: "Today we discuss two matters. First is to reject the request for power grab by the two houses. The second house may have talent but is estranged from the homeland, the third house may have a foundation but is limited by its scope, none are qualified to govern the entire clan. The eldest house, Xu Shu, cannot be replaced due to genuine lineage hierarchy, although he does not handle affairs, his title cannot be abolished, this is the Xu family’s clan law!"

"Second is to reject the request for family division. The ancestral foundation and integrated clan should remain undivided; without the main branch collapsing, without a catastrophe striking the clan, there is surely no reason for a family split lightly. Such division is tantamount to splitting the clan, bringing disgrace to ancestors, and if we split today, tomorrow we will become the laughingstock of Jiangnan’s gentry, causing endless troubles..."

As soon as Xu Mengshan finished, the outside of the hall suddenly became tumultuous.

Xu Chuanyin gave a signal to the outside, immediately someone shouted from outside the hall: "Xu Mengshan, are you intending to dictate this matter relying solely on your seniority?"

Another voice shouted: "The main branch doesn’t deal with clan matters, the second house wishes to use the Xu Family for career prospects, why shouldn’t we split?"

Xu Mengshan’s face turned displeased, and he turned to look at Xu Chuanyin: "Creating havoc like this, how do you intend to place our Xu Family?"

Xu Chuanyin didn’t change his expression: "You should listen to the clan’s ideas."

Right then, Xu Houting, standing before Xu Chuanyin, slowly spoke: "Mengshan Gong, usually within the clan, you care for the orphaned and widowed, sponsor clan education, conduct affairs fairly, earn everyone’s praise, and hold great prestige. You uphold ancestral rules, our second house has nothing to say, but recently we discovered a peculiar matter..."

An elder standing beside Xu Houting slowly rose: "As all clan members know, Xu Chuanzong passed away early from illness, leaving behind an orphan and widow... Does Mengshan Gong know of this matter?"

Xu Mengshan’s face changed, suddenly looking towards Xu Chuanyin.

Xu Chuanyin, standing leisurely behind Xu Houting, whispered: "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking, you wish to establish Xu Shu, who doesn’t handle matters, as the clan leader so you can conveniently control the clan’s affairs? Dream on. If your own record isn’t clear, don’t flaunt any high moral ground with me."

After Xu Chuanyin’s words, he promptly spoke loudly: "Now that all nine clan elders are present, a decision made hastily by one voice seems rash. Why not have the nine clan elders jointly discuss this matter and decide collectively?"

Xiao Man muttered beside Zhang Xia: "This is bad, Xu Chuanyin must have grasped some handle on Xu Mengshan. If the discussion proceeds now, with Xu Mengshan siding with Xu Chuanyin, the Huqiu Xu Family would have one more person than the Jinling Xu Family. Xu Chuanyin, this rascal, is about to become the clan leader..."

But just at this moment, a voice rose from the back of the crowd, someone chuckled and said: "Make way, please make way."

Zhang Xia turned to look, seeing Li Si squeeze his way through the crowd to the front. She curiously asked: "What are you doing?"

Li Si blinked: "According to Father’s plan, it’s time for plans to be revealed."

The next moment, he came to the hall and asked loudly: "Who is Xu Houye?"

On Xu Chuanyin’s side, a clan elder wrinkled his brow: "That would be me."

Li Si smiled and clasped his hands: "Reporting to this elder, fast horses have brought news from Ningbo Prefecture. Your son’s merchant ship was seized outside Dinghai Port by our Anti-Japanese Army, currently the court strictly orders ’no ships to sail’, our Anti-Japanese Army suspects your son of collaborating with the Japanese."