Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 143 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
Jinyiwei Beizhenfusi Prison.

It was dark and gloomy, with only a few torches emitting light.

The air was filled with dampness and a foul smell, and the rows of fences were filled with bloody prisoners.

At the end of the prison, in a slightly wider cell, a man was huddled alone at the foot of the wall, his hands hugging his knees.

The man was in his early forties, of medium build and with a fair complexion.

Under a pair of delicate eyebrows are a pair of charming peach blossom eyes.

It was exactly Sun Xiang that Qian Liang mentioned.

Because he was taken care of by Han San, there was a square table in the middle of his cell, with wine and meat on it.

Although it is called a prison cell, it is actually more comfortable than the lives of most ordinary people.

At this moment, he looked at the food and wine on the table, but he had no appetite at all.

I originally wanted to rely on the big Buddha, Wuqing Hou, but ended up getting myself into trouble.

He wanted to slap himself twice.

Now that he has entered this prison of the devil, if he doesn’t bleed profusely this time, he might not be able to get out of this Jinyiwei prison.

But the only good news is that his life can be saved after all.

Those Jinyiwei have not tortured him yet and have provided him with good food and drink. This is enough to indirectly prove that the big Buddha Wuqinghou is not completely useless.

It’s good enough as long as Wuqing Hou’s signboard is useful.

After all, he saved the day for Marquis Wu Qing. This old guy should have some moral principles after all.

After you get out, no matter what, you should at least give me some compensation.

The raw materials for these silver dollars were all provided by him. Wu Qinghou did not contribute anything. He just took 80% and the remaining 20% ​​belonged to him.

After all the transactions and taking into account the losses, his profit was really limited.

Just as I was thinking about it, footsteps suddenly came from the corridor not far away.

Sun Xiang stopped thinking and listened carefully. Soon, he saw a young man in blue leading a captain of the Jinyiwei walking to the door.

It was Zhang Yunxiu and Han San.

The three of them looked at each other, Sun Xiang was secretly surprised, but he stood up and straightened his robes, and said calmly: "But there is news from above? Tell me, how much do we have to pay?"

"He talks about money right away. It seems that Manager Sun is very rich." Glancing at Sun Xiang, Zhang Yunxiu said jokingly with a smile.

"Some money should be enough to buy my life." Sun Xiang didn't know Zhang Yunxiu's identity, so he spoke casually, "I'm afraid you don't know, I'm working for Wu Qinghou."

"We didn't bite him out."

"Yes, Wuqing Hou's steward came to look for my people." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and winked at Han San. Han San took out the key and opened the prison door, and the two walked in together.

"Really? What did he say?" Sun Xiang suddenly became nervous.

"He asked us to let you go."

"real?!"

"Don't get excited yet."

Zhang Yunxiu signaled him to calm down, then sat down at the square table, pointed at the food and wine on it and said with emotion, "Such good food and wine would be a waste if we don't eat it. Shopkeeper Sun, come on, let's talk while we eat."

Sun Xiang was so anxious that he felt like a cat's claws were scratching him. How could he be in the mood to drink and chat happily?
However, judging from the tone of the young man in front of him, combined with the attitude of the Jinyiwei, this person might be able to decide his own fate.

He suppressed his restlessness and sat down at the table.

Smilingly pouring a glass of wine for Sun Xiang, Zhang Yunxiu asked, "Manager Sun, are you from Nanjing?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing in Beijing?"

"It's just a small business, not something that can be put on the table. But you, young master, are accompanied by thousands of Jinyiwei when you go in and out, and you can enter the Jinyiwei prison as if you were in an empty place. I guess you must be a big shot in this capital."

As Sun Xiang spoke, his eyes sparkled with a sly gleam.

Zhang Yunxiu did not answer him directly, but just smiled and asked: "How do you know Qian Liang?"

"Business friends."

"Oh, then do you know what you are doing now?"

Although Zhang Yunxiu had a smile on his face when he asked this question, Sun Xiang felt a chill.

Just at this moment, a fishy wind blew by, the oil lamp at the door shook, and the light in the cell became flickering.

"I know." Sun Xiang replied with difficulty after swallowing his saliva.

"You know why you still do it?" "I can't compare to you. I don't have a father who is an official. I can only rely on this to find myself a powerful father."

Hearing the sarcasm in Rang's words, Han San, who was standing by, glared at him and gritted his teeth, "How dare you! You did something that cost you your life, and now you're blaming others."

"Haha, if the law is really followed, how many nobles in the capital would have to lose their heads? They embezzled military pay, sucked the blood of soldiers, extorted merchants, and drew salaries without doing anything. All these things happened one after another. I'm just running errands for others, and I've become the main culprit." Sun Xiang also got angry. He widened his eyes and vented out all the resentment that had been in his heart for so many years in one breath.

Don't underestimate these businessmen because they are rich.

But in front of those powerful people, it means nothing.

No one dared to offend others when they committed crimes, but he was different. On normal days, he had to be careful even when he farted.

I have to smile whenever I meet someone, for fear of offending this gentleman.

"Yes, there are too many injustices in this world. But this is the law of this world. If you stand in your position, maybe you are right, but you have violated the law after all."

"How much is it for my worthless life? Please name your price, sir."

"It's free, but I want you to help me identify someone." Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and spoke softly.

"Who?"

"Qian Liang."

"You're crazy. He's the steward of Marquis Wu Qing. Who is Marquis Wu Qing? He's the emperor's grandfather and the current empress dowager's father. If you touch him, you're smearing the emperor and the empress dowager."

Sun Xiang jumped up with an excited look on his face. Zhang Yunxiu raised his glass, drank it in one gulp, and asked, "When will we ask you to identify Wu Qinghou? We will only ask you to identify Qian Liang."

"Kill the mountain to scare the tiger?" Sun Xiang came to his senses.

"You are a wise man." Zhang Yunxiu said, standing up, staring at Sun Xiang, and said word by word, "Qian Liang did this without the knowledge of Wu Qinghou. He is the mastermind, and you were coerced by him. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Sun Xiang nodded in response.

Seeing that his goal was achieved, Zhang Yunxiu did not stay any longer. He covered his mouth and nose and walked out of the prison, followed closely by Han San.

The two came to the Jinyiwei duty room. Han San brought a stool for Zhang Yunxiu. As soon as he sat down, Han San said with some concern: "Sir, this Wuqing Marquis is an unusual noble. If we touch him..."

"We didn't touch him. We just wanted to give him a reminder and scare him." Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand to interrupt.

Han San's mouth twisted bitterly, and he shook his head and said, "As the saying goes, when you beat a dog, you have to look at its owner first. Qian Liang is a vicious dog of Marquis Wuqing. If we beat him, who knows how angry the dog's owner will be."

"Han San, have you ever raised fish?"

"Fish farming?" Han San didn't know why Zhang Yunxiu asked this, but since he had asked, he had to answer. After thinking for a while, he shook his head and said, "Please teach me, young master."

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at him and said to himself, "First of all, you have to change the water when raising fish to make sure it is clean, otherwise the fish will be poisoned to death. Secondly, the big fish must be placed in a separate pond, otherwise the small fish will not grow up."

Han San lowered his head when he heard the voice and didn't dare to respond.

"Han San." Zhang Yunxiu shouted.

"Ah? I'm here." Han San suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhang Yunxiu in panic.

"Have you ever drunk the blood of your subordinates and taken a salary without paying them?"

"Me?" Han San immediately shook his head and clasped his fists, saying, "I have been with you, sir, and have received many rewards. It is impossible for me to do something that violates the law."

However, some friends and subordinates took the initiative to send small gift boxes.

As long as it's not a big deal, he will do his best to help.

The average amount given by each person is not much, only a few dozen or a hundred taels, but when accumulated, it becomes a staggering number every year.

"Since you didn't do it, then just go and get Qian Liang for me." Zhang Yunxiu said sternly.

"Young Master." Han San said in a pleading tone.

"What? My words are useless now?"

"No."

"Then hurry up!" Zhang Yunxiu stamped his feet and said firmly, "If this thing succeeds, I will recommend you for the credit, and you will get promoted and make a fortune. If it doesn't work out well, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Yes."

Seeing that his master had said so much, Han San did not dare to refuse and nodded quickly in agreement.

"Go quickly!" Zhang Yunxiu urged with a red face.

"Sir, there is another problem." Han San scratched his head and smiled innocently, and then said, "Qian Liang is staying in Wuqing Marquis Mansion. I dare not rush in with people to catch him."

Zhang Yunxiu glared at him fiercely and said excitedly, "Can't you use your brain? Can't you find a reason to trick this guy out?"

"Little one understands."

(End of this chapter)