"Excuses, all excuses. I think he just can't bear to part with the money. What a stingy old miser."
He was only grumbling. He had no intention of actually forcing the issue.
He could pay the sum himself. He just wanted to use this opportunity to tie Fengtian's merchants and families to the bandwagon of his development.
"Enough. Tell him I won't press him." Zhang Xueming pinched his wife's cheek. "Once I'm back from Inside the Passes, I'll have plenty of ways to make him cough up the money willingly."
"You're always picking on my dad," Yu Fengzhi muttered under her breath, though much of the worry had faded from her eyes.
Then she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Hurry to Tiger Hall. Marshal's looking for you. He seems to be in a hurry."
"Got it."
Zhang Xueming kissed Yu Fengzhi on the forehead one last time, then strode out.
Marshal Mansion, Tiger Hall.
As soon as Zhang Xueming entered, he smelled the strong stench of alcohol.
His father, Zhang Yuting, and his eldest brother, Zhang Xueliang, were sitting at the table, heartily eating meat and drinking bowl after bowl of wine, having the time of their lives.
Zhang Yuting's face was flushed, and his voice boomed. "Come on, have another bowl with your father!"
Zhang Xueliang lifted his wine bowl, a genial smile on his face, and drained it in one go.
"Father, Big Brother." Zhang Xueming walked over.
Zhang Yuting looked up, saw him, and beckoned. "The second one's here? Perfect. Sit down and drink with us. You're leaving tomorrow, so let's the three of us have a proper drink tonight!"
Zhang Xueming shook his head. "Father, I'll pass. No drinking before a campaign. It's military orders."
"Military orders, my foot!" Zhang Yuting glared. "In Fengtian, my