The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1295 Waiting for the Third Entry!
Six months later, in Shuntian Prefecture,
A large army, exuding an aura of grim determination, returned through Deshengmen.
Reappearing on the city gate, Emperor Hongde couldn't help but smile.
Because as emperor, he not only did a better job than the retired emperor, but he even expanded the territory.

In the Battle of Rus', Zhang Cheng not only captured Almaty, but also continuously pushed the battle lines forward, reaching as far as Karalza.

If it weren't for the Rus' people's pleas for peace and the Ministry of Revenue's lack of funds, he really wanted to see how far Jia Jue could go.

"Zitong, do you see that? That's my general!"

With a broad smile, Emperor Hongde couldn't help but feel happy.
"I see it, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing Emperor Hongde's words, the Empress couldn't help but smile.

Because she could sense Emperor Hongde's affection for Jia Jue.
While the Hongde Emperor was beaming with joy at Deshengmen, the Retired Emperor was already humming a little tune.

Because of this great battle, who among future generations would dare to speak of his disastrous defeat in Liaodong?

He was an emperor who expanded the territory, so his reputation before and after his death was secure!
If we wait a few more years and let Jia Jue pacify Liaodong, he might very well become an emperor for all time!

Thinking of this, the retired emperor's desire burned even brighter.
As for the unrest in the court caused by Emperor Hongde's pursuit of outstanding debts over the past six months, the retired emperor selectively forgot about it.

Without silver, how could he expand his territory? Without silver, how could he become a great emperor for all time?
Liaodong must be pacified, no matter when, and no one can stop it!

After handing over the tiger tally to the Ministry of War, Zhang Cheng went to the Fengtian Hall.
After observing the assembled officials who had been waiting for a long time, Zhang Cheng immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, your subject Jia Jue has lived up to expectations and quelled the rebellion of the Rus' for the Great Qian Dynasty!"

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Emperor Hongde immediately said, "My dear minister, there's no need for such formalities! Proclaim the decree!"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Marquis Jia Jue, loyal to the country and quelling the rebellion of the barbarians, is hereby promoted to the rank of Third-Rank Marquis."

Right after Xia Shouzhong announced the imperial edict, all the civil and military officials in the court seemed to have known all along, and not one of them dared to come out.
Even when Wang Ziteng learned that he had been granted a marquisate, he was still furious.

However, if he dares to go out again, Zhang Cheng might say, "I beg you again, I will execute Prince Teng on the spot!"
Moreover, if you jump out when Emperor Hongde is in a good mood, wouldn't he slap you?

"Alright, my dear minister, you may leave now. Your mother at home must have been waiting for a long time!"

When speaking to Zhang Cheng, Emperor Hongde did not keep him to attend the court assembly, fearing that he might clash with Prince Teng.
Because Wang Ziteng can't go down now; he's an obvious stabilizer, a means for the retired emperor to control him!

However, if the Emperor Emeritus were to pass away one day, then Prince Teng would have no reason to exist!
Although Emperor Hongde and the retired emperor were on the same page regarding external enemies to some extent, the struggle for power did not consider the father-son relationship!
Did Emperor Hongde not want to execute Prince Teng? He did, but there was nothing he could do, with the retired emperor watching.
So he chose to infiltrate the enemy, sending Zhang Cheng, who was at odds with Wang Ziteng, to the Beijing garrison!
Even if Zhang Cheng didn't openly kill Wang Ziteng, he was a member of the Jia family, and Wang Ziteng's reputation in the army could not compare to his.

This can be seen as a mutual countermeasure: if you don't let me have an easy time, I won't let you have an easy time either. Everyone will be miserable!
In the Ningguo Mansion, the central gate was wide open.

When Zhang Cheng returned to the manor, Jiao Da ordered a group of servants and maids to stand guard outside.

"Welcome back to your residence, sir."

Upon seeing Zhang Cheng appear, clad in armor, the servants immediately bowed and paid their respects.

After glancing at them, Zhang Cheng calmly nodded and said, "Alright, distribute the rewards after you go down!"

"Master Xie"

Just after the servants and maids spoke, Zhang Cheng walked into the main hall.
Upon seeing his mother, Jia Liu, his elder brother and sister-in-law, Jia Wu, and Aunt Xue, Zhang Cheng immediately bowed in greeting.

"Jue-ge'er, you've been gone for more than half a year, have you been injured!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng before her, Jia Liushi became worried.
"Mother, I'm fine, just a few minor injuries!"

With a smile on his face, Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Daiyu and said, "Sister Lin, don't you recognize your brother?"

"Daiyu greets her brother. He has become much more handsome since he left half a year ago!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Lin Daiyu smiled.

"Hmm, little sister can talk now! Here, this is for you!" Zhang Cheng took out a ruby ​​the size of a pigeon's egg from his pocket and placed it in Lin Daiyu's hand.

"Ah! Such a huge gem!"

She exclaimed in surprise, and upon seeing this, everyone else was also shocked.
"Since my sisters are all here, I won't be stingy. There are plenty of rare items outside; take whatever you like!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng looked at Jia Yingchun and the others, raising his eyebrows as he spoke.
"Brother, this is far too precious!"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Jia Yingchun quickly refused.

"What's this? My spoils on the battlefield are far greater than this!"

With a smile, Zhang Cheng said, "Mother, I have to go out and entertain some guests, so I'll take my leave now!"

"You go ahead!"

Even if Jia Liu wanted to say something to Zhang Cheng, she would have to wait until evening.

Upon entering the reception hall, one would find that many people had already arrived.

Upon seeing Zhang Cheng appear, Jia Lian immediately stepped forward and said, "Brother Jue, it's been a long time! You've made quite a show of power in the Western Plains this time!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a broad smile, Jia Lian couldn't help but speak.
"Second Brother Lian, you flatter me. This is nothing more than a small contribution!"

Zhang Cheng bowed to Jia Lian, then followed the others to their seats.

Looking at Feng Ziying and the others beside him, Zhang Cheng nodded in greeting. These were all his own people; they could discuss anything later, no need to be so polite.
However, seeing Zhang Cheng's gaze, Jia Baoyu was quite frightened and quickly shrank his neck.

Seated at the head of the table, Jia She immediately spoke up: "Jue-ge'er, when you return to the capital this time, you must help the Rongguo Mansion!"

"Uncle She, is there something wrong at the Rongguo Mansion that's difficult to resolve?"

Zhang Cheng looked on with curiosity as he addressed Jia She.

"Your Ningguo Mansion paid off the Ministry of Revenue's debts, but my Rongguo Mansion doesn't have that much money!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia She felt a pang of sadness.
Because Ning and Rong are one entity, if Zhang Cheng does this, how can Rongguo Mansion not keep up?
"Uncle She, how could I possibly know how much wealth your Rongguo Mansion has? Besides, my Ningguo Mansion owes 600,000 taels of silver. I had to pawn a lot of land to make up the difference. Don't you plan to follow suit?"

Looking at Jia She, Zhang Cheng had a broad smile on his face.

He suspected that Jia She's greed might be linked to Prince Yizhong in some way.

Don't forget, he once sent Jia Lian to the border town to deliver a message. Who was the person he contacted?

Was Jia Yingchun's marriage to Sun Shaozu truly due to the five thousand taels of silver? Or was it because he needed Sun Shaozu to do something for him?
"How can we allow the sale of public lands and estates?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia She's eyes flickered.

“Uncle, although the Great Qian Dynasty has not had a smooth year, I remember Lin Zhixiao saying that the manor has been losing money every year! Your Rongguo Mansion only has 400,000 taels of silver in debt, why make a fuss over such a small amount of money!”

When Zhang Cheng spoke to Jia She, he also squinted his eyes.

You refused to repay the money, yet you went and built the Grand View Garden, worth millions of taels of silver. Now that the Emperor Emeritus is gone, if the Jia family doesn't die, who will?

Not to mention that Jia She, that old bastard, was pretending to be crazy, but secretly he had contact with Prince Yizhong. He was dragging the Jia family toward the execution ground!
As for why Zhang Cheng suspected Jia She instead of Jia Zheng, it's because even if you gave his Uncle Zheng a weapon, he wouldn't know who to kill first!

(End of this chapter)