Chapter 46: Some Money Is Not Meant for Us, Passing the Test

The reigning emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, was a man riddled with suspicion. With the exception of his own kin, he regarded all others with a cold vigilance. Even those as close as Li Wenzhong, who was almost family, or his childhood friend Xu Da, never truly gained his trust.

This was Zhang Yi’s appraisal of Zhu Yuanzhang, and deep down, Zhu Biao could not help but concede its truth. It was this innate wariness, verging on hostility toward the world, that led old Zhu to delight in laying traps for others—testing their character, watching coldly as they revealed themselves under pressure.

Now, Zhang Yi found himself before such a pit, dug by the emperor himself, waiting for him to step in. After voicing his proposition, old Zhu simply watched Zhang Yi, a faint smile playing on his lips, awaiting his reaction.

Zhang Yi was taken aback; this proposal from Uncle Huang was, in truth, rather tempting. He had no doubt that if this offer had been made to his father, Zhang Zhengchang, the latter would have accepted it without a second thought.

But for Zhang Yi, there was no real choice. He acknowledged his own selfishness, but that did not mean he was willing to earn any sum at the expense of his conscience.

Once he understood his own heart, Zhang Yi did not reject or deny the offer outright, but instead asked curiously, “Uncle Huang, if this business is so lucrative, why not do it yourself? After all, I’ve already handed over the variolation method to you…”

Zhu Yuanzhang had anticipated this question. “If I were to keep the profits for myself, first, I would be wronging Brother Zhang; second, would you be content with that?” He smiled, his answer watertight. “You possess the formula as well. If you were to expose it out of spite, no one would profit! Better for us to cooperate, no?”

“Besides, without the endorsement of Longhu Mountain, few would trust the variolation formula,” he added.

Hearing this, Zhang Yi found himself believing old Zhu’s reasoning. In such a conservative age, leveraging the influence of Longhu Mountain was indeed an effective way to promote a new practice.

He pointed to the heavens. “The gods are ever watchful above. Are you not afraid of divine retribution for making money in this fashion, Uncle Huang?”

This remark made old Zhu’s expression change noticeably.

“Don’t you like fame and fortune? This is more profitable than any promotion, and you wouldn’t have to serve that miserly emperor. You’d gain both wealth and renown!”

Zhu Biao, standing to the side, listened with bemusement as the emperor bickered with Zhang Yi like an old child. His father was rarely so childish, save in the presence of his mother.

It was clear that Zhu Yuanzhang bore grudges—he had not forgotten being called petty by Zhang Yi.

At last, Zhu Biao realized old Zhu’s true intent. The emperor had long known about the variolation method; this was not about seeking Zhang Yi’s permission.

No, it was Zhang Yi’s comments about officials’ salaries that had truly struck a nerve. This question was not just about Zhang Yi’s character, but also a small act of revenge.

The young brother of the Zhang family, however, had passed the test with flying colors.

“A gentleman loves wealth, but earns it by righteous means. The variolation method is a boon to the people—if I used it for profit, I would despise myself…” Zhang Yi, facing Zhu Yuanzhang’s taunt, replied with rare gravity. “Not only will I not profit from this method, I will not allow you to do so either, Uncle Huang. Forgive me.”

The slight figure of Zhang Yi rose from his chair. He dusted off his Daoist robe and bowed deeply to Zhu Yuanzhang.

“You wretched brat, do you really think you can save the world?” Though a trace of admiration flickered in old Zhu's eyes, his words were as sharp as ever.

Zhang Yi grinned. “I once lacked the power to act, but your reminder today has given me new resolve! You are right, Uncle. Longhu Mountain will share this method openly, not as a medicine for sale, but as a gift to all!”

“To seek virtue is to seek virtue; to chase profit is to chase profit. If one’s heart is impure, Heaven will not bless him. If we aim for everlasting virtue, what need have we for petty gains?”

These words came from the depths of Zhang Yi’s heart. He had always wanted to spread the method of variolation, but as a mere child his voice was weak, and Zhang Zhengchang never believed him, leaving him powerless.

It was precisely this that made Zhang Yi realize how much he had taken for granted. He now understood why, despite Ge Hong having devised a rudimentary vaccine for rabies, and Li Shizhen nearing the discovery of cowpox vaccination, and even mature vaccines arising in the Ming dynasty’s later years, the technology was never truly disseminated in China, only to be widely adopted in the Qing, and perfected cowpox methods were ultimately developed by foreigners.

Only upon arriving in Ming through time did he truly feel the suffocating isolation and mental conservatism of the era, which had drowned so many discoveries in the river of history.

In truth, an individual’s power could sway a town or a county, but rarely a prefecture or province—let alone the entire world.

Thanks to the reminder from the Huangs, Zhang Yi’s gaze now fixed firmly upon the deeply guarded palace in Ying Tian Prefecture. Only the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang could truly advance the cause of vaccination.

And perhaps Longhu Mountain could be the spark that kindled this fire!

Before, no matter how much Zhang Yi tried to persuade Zhang Zhengchang, the latter would never have believed a word. But now, with the endorsement of Zhang Daoling, and his hopes of restoring the Celestial Master title pinned on Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhengchang would listen.

At the very least, Zhang Yi’s actions could bring comfort to the melancholy Zhang Zhengchang atop Longhu Mountain. Perhaps this could even break the fate that gave him only a decade more to live.

He would do it!

In his heart, Zhang Yi had settled the matter. Were it not for the Huang father and son still present, he would have rushed to write home to Zhang Zhengchang.

Remembering the Huang family, Zhang Yi looked up at his Uncle Huang.

“So, Zhang Yi, I meant to make a fortune with you, and look at you, planning to cut me out entirely? You little rascal, how did a straight-laced fellow like your father end up with a troublemaker like you!” Old Zhu scolded Zhang Yi, but could not suppress his smile.

Seeing the emperor’s mirth, Zhang Yi felt half his burden lift. This merchant before him was not solely driven by profit, after all.

“I was out of line, Uncle. I’ll make it up to you if I ever get the chance!”

“Forget it, forget it. The formula was yours to begin with… but remember your words: if I ever need a favor, you mustn’t refuse!”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

“Good!” That was all old Zhu wanted—a promise from Zhang Yi. He eyed Zhang Yi mischievously, making him uneasy. He had a sense that this Uncle Huang was quite petty himself—holding grudges! Surely, he would find a way to settle scores in the future.

Having tested Zhang Yi, Zhu Yuanzhang was in high spirits. His business here was mostly concluded, and he turned to leave the temple. Zhang Yi hurriedly followed to see him out.

“This is far enough, little brother. I’ll be back to bother you again when I can!” Unlike old Zhu’s casual manner, Zhu Biao’s courtesy was like a breath of spring.

“Brother, best not come by for now,” Zhang Yi said, his expression odd. Zhu Biao didn’t think much of it and got into the carriage.

“Doesn’t seem like Zhang Yi welcomes you,” the emperor remarked as the carriage rolled forward.

Zhu Biao only shook his head with a wry smile, the image of Miss Chang lingering in his mind. He could guess why Zhang Yi did not want him visiting the temple just now.

But affairs of the heart could not be shared with the emperor. Zhu Biao changed the subject, “Father, has the young Zhang brother passed your test?”