Zhang Deming learned the news of his son Zhang Gong's death.
He hurried back to the Capital City. Fortunately, despite the rush, he managed to arrive in time for Zhang Gong to be placed in his coffin.
Zhang Deming had not said a single word about his son's death.
He sat in the main hall, his face dark.
Even the air seemed to have frozen.
The Brocade-Clad Guards wielded great power, and the Zhang Family had connections too.
As the saying went, those near vermilion turned red, and those near ink turned black.
Following his father and several uncles as they handled cases, Zhang Gong had absorbed what he saw and heard.
He had not learned much real ability, but he had picked up plenty of methods for extortion, lining his pockets with public funds, and using threats and inducements.
Moreover, as a son of the principal wife, Zhang Gong had been pampered from childhood, developing an arrogant, domineering disposition.
The previous incident had likewise arisen because Zhang Gong had drunkenly raped a servant's young daughter.
That servant happened to have a relative who worked as a servant in a censor's household.
It had nearly brought disaster, but fortunately, Zhang Deming had intervened in time.
He had called on many connections and slipped people money.
Only then had he managed to smooth the matter over.
Yet barely any time had passed before Zhang Gong forgot the lesson.
Not only had Zhang Gong died, but the entire Zhang Family had been dragged down with him.
Zhang Deming had been removed from office pending investigation, while the second uncle, Zhang Dehai, had originally been due for promotion that year.
With things so tense now, that was presumably hopeless.
He would be lucky just to keep his post.
"Big Brother, I've already spoken