The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1293 Choosing Sides Among the Four Kings and Eight Dukes!

In a secluded courtyard in Shuntian Prefecture,

The people who had been summoned were sitting together.
A serious expression settled on everyone's faces as they watched the maid pouring tea.
Because Zhang Cheng had already informed them about the gathering.

Zhang Cheng walked in from outside, dressed in casual clothes, and then sat down in a chair.
The representatives of the Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises looked at him and couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment.
"Jue-ge'er, what brings you all here in the middle of the night?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Feng Tang began to inquire.
“Uncle, you are all aware of the situation in the Western Regions. The Rus’ people are going too far. They have not only occupied large swathes of territory, but they also want to oppose our Great Qian. This is something the Emperor Emeritus absolutely cannot allow!”

Looking at the crowd before him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but become serious.
"We know this, but what does this have to do with you summoning us?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a puzzled expression, the Prince of Dongping became curious.

"With the Emperor Emeritus's tacit approval, His Majesty is preparing to collect the Ministry of Revenue's arrears. Tomorrow, the first household to be collected will be my Ningguo Mansion! You all should think about what to do!"

As Zhang Cheng explained to the Prince of Dongping, he couldn't help but smile.
"What? Confiscate the Ministry of Revenue's outstanding debts?"

Everyone present stared at Zhang Cheng in shock, dumbfounded.
Because everyone sitting here owes the Ministry of Revenue money.

Moreover, the people here are not all of one mind!
Among the four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises, there were actually three factions!

The first group consists of the retired emperor, the second group consists of the Hongde Emperor, and there are also some people who bet on both sides!

The Shi family is a prime example, given that they have Marquis Baoling, Shi Ding, and Marquis Zhongjing, Shi Nai!
With two members holding the title of Marquis, their status was second only to the Jia family.
The problem is that the historian's family was eventually raided, which likely indicates that something went wrong. After all, the title of Marquis Zhongjing implies that the person in question is elusive and unpredictable!

Those who were granted titles with the inscription "Loyalty" were basically from the royal family, such as Feng Tang's "Loyalty and Righteousness" and Zhang Cheng's "Loyalty and Martial Prowess".
But who was the Marquis of Zhongjing, Shi Nai, loyal to? That's quite intriguing!

Moreover, those who pledged allegiance to the retired emperor were not necessarily on his side. Don't forget the hunting incident at Iron Net Mountain.
The former crown prince had surviving children! And he was even granted the title of Prince Yizhong!

If these people wanted to use the power of the retired emperor to support Prince Yizhong to the throne again, then it makes sense that the four kings and eight dukes began to decline after the hunting of Tiewang Mountain!

After all, we gave you a chance, but you were useless. You couldn't even win a rebellion, so what's the point of saying anything? The losers should just leave!

In a sense, Zhang Cheng doesn't belong to either of the two factions; he simply wants to climb the ranks.

"Is the Earl of Zhongwu intending to repay the debt?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Shui Rong began to ask questions.

"Can we really refuse to return it? Without the Emperor Emeritus's approval, would His Majesty dare to demand our money back?"

As Zhang Cheng addressed Shui Rong and the others, he couldn't help but find the matter amusing.
After hearing Zhang Cheng's words, everyone present fell silent.
Indeed, without the retired emperor, how could Emperor Hongde dare to pursue the debt now?

You have to understand, the Russians have come right to our doorstep. Even if the Emperor Emeritus wanted to protect them, he would have to make sure his reputation was better before and after his death!
"Jue-ge'er, you know, the Shi family is poor!"

Before Shi Nai could even speak, Shi Ding started complaining about being poor.

Looking at Shi Ding, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Uncle Shi, don't worry. Why don't you ask the old lady about this?"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng began to inquire.

He's not a fool. He hasn't even settled the Ningguo Mansion's debts yet, and he's coming to help the Shi family? Isn't that just being reckless?

Besides, even if it was the Jia family's debt, he planned to sell some of their land to make up for it.
This doesn't mean Zhang Cheng was broke; rather, it means he wanted to set an example for Emperor Hongde.
After all, someone of his status sold his land to pay off his debts, so what right do you have not to? As for whether he would be resented by others, Zhang Cheng didn't care at all. After all, people who came from Liaodong Military Town were all in the same boat! If he was in trouble, others would be better off. Besides, this amount of debt was nothing compared to the annual business!

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Shi Ding also fell silent.

Were the Shi family poor? According to the book, Shi Xiangyun stayed home sewing and doing embroidery all day to supplement the family income.
But if you could afford to have a young lady from a noble family sewing and performing, where did the Shi family's money go?

If you don't raise money to rebel, where is your family's silver? You've fallen to such a state, and your family has two marquises?
Moreover, logically speaking, even if her family's property was confiscated, Shi Xiangyun shouldn't have ended up on an official boat. Clearly, the Shi family had incurred the wrath of Emperor Hongde!

So, being poor is true, but not necessarily having no money is another matter. The real question is where all that money went!
Thinking of Prince Yizhong, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes, because this was no pushover either!

Never underestimate those who dare to rebel, because these people are willing to risk their lives for you!
After the banquet, the four kings and eight dukes departed one after another.
Sitting next to Zhang Cheng, Feng Tang, the Niu family, and many others remained.

After glancing at this group of people, Zhang Cheng knew what was going on, since they were all from the Liaodong military town!
"Brother Jue, those people are probably not reconciled!"

When speaking to Zhang Cheng, Feng Tang became serious.

"What can we do even if we're unwilling? Are we supposed to follow along and risk our lives?"

Turning to Feng Tang, Zhang Cheng asked cryptically, "Uncle, you've entered the industry too?"

"No, no, we are all the Emperor Emeritus's men, but now, everyone's minds are in turmoil!"

With a meaningful opening statement, Feng Tang's words clearly indicated that many of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes had begun to align themselves with Prince Yizhong!

"We need not concern ourselves with this matter. As long as the Emperor Emeritus is still conscious, he will absolutely not allow this to happen!"

As he explained to Feng Tang, Zhang Cheng picked up his wine glass and took a sip.
"But what if the Emperor Emeritus becomes senile one day? We'll have to wait..."

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Qiu Liang asked,

"No merit is greater than saving one's lord."

After calmly saying this, Zhang Cheng put down his cup.
Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Feng Tang and the others immediately widened their eyes and exclaimed, "But these are all old relatives!"

"No matter how close the relationship, they are not family! Do they think no one knows what they've done? Once something goes wrong, fame and status will vanish like smoke, and even relatives will be reduced to slavery."

With a gloomy expression, Zhang Cheng turned his head and said, "Everyone has climbed high enough. If we go any higher, we'll be too powerful and threaten our superiors!"

Seeing Zhang Cheng say this, Feng Tang immediately sighed and said, "Alright, we know what to do. Jue-ge'er also needs to be careful!"

"I will be setting off for the Western Regions in a few days. Even if they want to cause trouble, they won't be able to find me!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng began to tease.
Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Feng Tang and the others burst into laughter.

The following morning, after moving out chests of gold and silver, Zhang Cheng also handed over his estates and fertile fields outside the city to the Ministry of Revenue.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue were dumbfounded by Zhang Cheng's cooperative attitude.
However, just as Zhang Cheng was paying off his debts, the Rongguo Mansion next door was in an uproar. Zhang Cheng's words were putting the Rongguo Mansion in a very difficult position. They had no money to pay and were now extremely anxious.

Inside the Prince Yizhong's residence, when a young man dressed in a five-clawed dragon robe learned of this news, he suddenly smashed his cup on the ground and exclaimed, "You ungrateful wretch!"

(End of this chapter)