Chapter 11: The Emperor Keeps Zhang Yi, "Leave This Child to Me"

Leaving Dragon Tiger Mountain?

After Zhang Yi voiced his request, not only Zhang Zhengchang, but even the emperor and his son were taken aback.

Zhang Yi, a child of seven or eight, what could he possibly do after leaving Dragon Tiger Mountain?

Looking at the boy before him, his tender face carried a hint of resolve. Clearly, this child was not joking.

“Nonsense!”

Zhang Zhengchang, as usual, was furious and embarrassed, pointing at Zhang Yi and scolding him loudly.

Yet this time, Zhang Yi did not shrink back, but instead stared coldly at Zhang Zhengchang. Father and son, tension mounting.

Old Zhang gazed at his stubborn son, and suddenly sorrow welled up within him. So, the wager Zhang Yi made with him on Dragon Tiger Mountain all those years ago was for this day?

Recalling Zhang Yi’s request to leave Dragon Tiger Mountain, Zhang Zhengchang became disheartened. He understood why Zhang Yi wanted to go—it was nothing but years of his own neglect.

No matter how precocious this child was, he was still just a child.

For years, Zhang Zhengchang had deliberately kept his distance because of Zhang Yi’s fate, and though Zhang Yi got along well with his brothers, his feelings toward the household were lukewarm. In fact, it could be said that among the Zhang family, the servants treated Zhang Yu Chu and Zhang Yu Qing differently than they did Zhang Yi.

Isolated and set apart, the root of it all was the indifference of the patriarch.

Every outcome has its cause.

Zhang Zhengchang was not unaware of the issue, but as the head of the family, how could he set aside his pride?

“I know you have suffered grievances over the years. The Celestial Master’s Residence will surely make it up to you! If nothing major happens, you are bound to inherit the title of True Master. What more could you possibly want?”

This was the softest compromise a feudal patriarch could utter, but Zhang Yi would not accept it.

“Father, a wager is a wager. I will honor it.”

“You…”

The exchange between Zhang Yi and Zhang Zhengchang left the atmosphere awkward.

The emperor and crown prince exchanged a glance, understanding the situation.

From his days as King of Wu to emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang always had an intelligence network called the Inspectorate.

Through this agency, the emperor monitored his officials, and would also direct some resources to keep an eye on those he deemed important.

The influence of Dragon Tiger Mountain meant the emperor naturally kept the Zhang family under surveillance; in fact, he was generally aware of everything that happened there.

The second son of the Zhang family had been treated as a jinx since childhood, kept at a distance by Zhang Zhengchang, and his relationship with the Celestial Master was not particularly good.

Yet old Zhu had not expected this child’s character to be so unyielding. That he would wager with his father on Dragon Tiger Mountain, all for the chance to leave?

The position of family head at Dragon Tiger Mountain is not easily acquired. It is a venerable role passed down for centuries, with the potential to become a thousand-year lineage; even when the emperor admonishes them, the Zhang family’s influence in Daoism is not less than the Kong family’s sway among scholars.

“This child is truly resolute!”

Favored by Zhang Daoling, taught in dreams, the emperor believed Zhang Yi was simply lucky, nothing more.

But for a boy of seven or eight to use his own resources to plan his departure from Dragon Tiger Mountain—at the very least, this child was unlike any other.

Father and son stood opposed, and in Zhang Yi’s eyes was a resolve beyond his years.

The emperor found himself inexplicably siding with Zhang Yi. Zhu Yuanzhang may not have been the best sovereign, but he was certainly a good father.

He had read the secret reports from the Inspectorate, and could not understand why Zhang Zhengchang would insist on labeling his child a jinx based solely on circumstances of birth.

As a father, old Zhu’s mind was filled with notions of family harmony and prosperity; there are no born jinxes, only fathers who fail to nurture.

Yet he could not bear to see a son defy his father either, so he wanted to hear what Zhang Yi had to say.

“The title of Celestial Master means nothing to me. Moreover, Father, by proposing such fraternal conflict, do you wish to strip me of my last attachment to Dragon Tiger Mountain?”

Zhang Zhengchang was left speechless, knowing full well what Zhang Yi meant.

The position of Celestial Master at Dragon Tiger Mountain, unless Zhang Yu Chu committed a grave error, should rightfully belong to him as the eldest son.

If, because of the emperor’s favor or the ancestor’s preference, Zhang Yi was chosen as heir, how would Zhang Yu Chu, the elder brother, conduct himself?

Tension between Zhang Zhengchang and Zhang Yi was high, but the bond between Zhang Yu Chu and Zhang Yi was strong.

Thus, between the title and brotherhood, Zhang Yi unhesitatingly chose the latter.

“Well said!”

Watching the scene unfold, Zhu Yuanzhang found himself increasingly fond of the Zhang family’s second son. For the sake of kinship, Zhang Yi not only relinquished the position of Celestial Master, but chose self-exile. Old Zhu looked at him with newfound respect.

As emperor, he had studied history, and seen countless royal sons scheming and fighting for the throne. Old Zhu worried the same might happen in his own family, so Zhang Yi’s actions warmed his heart.

Zhang Zhengchang trembled with anger, but had no grounds to refute.

Zhu Yuanzhang, witnessing this, walked over and patted Old Zhang’s shoulder, leaving him anxious.

“This child is favored by your ancestor, but may not be confined to Dragon Tiger Mountain. Since your second son considers your feelings, Old Zhang…”

The emperor feigned familiarity, but Zhang Zhengchang dared not respond, so Zhu Yuanzhang continued:

“The title of Celestial Master in your family, though not as grand as the imperial throne, is similar. Succession must follow rules, or else the family descends into chaos!

A principle even a child of seven or eight understands—yet you do not?”

“Emperor… Brother Huang, your lesson is well taken!”

How could Zhang Zhengchang dare contradict the emperor? Especially after old Zhu’s reminder, he saw the logic in it. Though his impression of Zhang Yi improved, it could not rival his longstanding affection for Zhang Yu Chu.

Choosing Zhang Yi was merely a misreading of the emperor’s intentions; in his heart, he did not wish to replace Zhang Yu Chu.

For now, the issue of succession could be set aside, but Zhang Yi’s public wish to leave Dragon Tiger Mountain was something Zhang Zhengchang could not accept.

But the emperor spoke again, leaving Zhang Zhengchang unsure whether to feel joy or anxiety.

“Since you lost, you must honor the wager. Still, he’s just a child; it’s only natural for a father to worry about such a young one leaving home. How about this?”

“I’m considering moving my business to the capital. Why not entrust the child to me?”

The emperor wished to take Zhang Yi in?

Zhang Zhengchang was so astonished he could hardly close his mouth. This little jinx in the family had such fortune?

He was about to kneel in gratitude, but old Zhu laughed:

“You misunderstand me. What I mean is, since you have property in the capital, why not let him train at a temple there? When I’m in the capital, I will look after him.”

Were it not for Zhang Yi’s background at Dragon Tiger Mountain, Zhu Yuanzhang, still King of Wu, might have truly adopted him as a foster son.

After all, in the late Yuan and early Ming, adopting foster sons was common.

But now as emperor, things were different.

After understanding the emperor’s intention, Zhang Zhengchang’s mind began to stir.