The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1315 Zhang Cheng: "Your Majesty, I have been wronged!"

The swift and decisive implementation of the new salt law brought widespread lamentation and suffering to the Jiangnan region.
However, in front of Zhang Cheng, the Governor-General of Jiangnan, all of this was just a lot of noise and boasting.

He's here to get things done, not to chat. If you're good, you're good; if you're not, you're not. Taking a break is absolutely not allowed!
If you don't cooperate, the Imperial Guards will come to arrest you immediately. The new official will arrive the very next day, giving you no chance to settle scores later!

Emperor Hongde was truly taking drastic measures this time, because if he didn't act soon, Prince Yizhong would likely seize control of the salt tax revenue.
In response to the retired emperor's objection, Emperor Hongde offered an irresistible condition: two years to conquer Liaodong!

Considering that Emperor Hongde changed the salt law for the sake of the Great Qian Dynasty, and the retired emperor acquiesced, it was definitely not because of Liaodong!
In the Lin residence,
Lin Ruhai, who was practicing the Shenzhao Jing with his daughter, couldn't help but feel exhausted.
After he regained his mobility, he began to practice slowly.

As Lin Ruhai made daily progress with the Divine Illumination Scripture, he felt as if he had returned to his peak.
Today, as Zhang Cheng walked in from outside, he looked at Lin Ruhai and immediately smiled and said, "Uncle Lin!"

"Jue-ge'er is here! Come and sit down! Yu'er, go and serve your brother some tea!"

Waving with a broad smile, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but smile back.

"Father!"

Looking at Lin Ruhai with a wronged expression, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but pout.
Why is it that when we get home, my father shows extra favor to my older brother?

"Go! Go! Go!"

Lin Ruhai smiled as he spoke to Lin Daiyu.
Sitting in the chair, Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Ruhai and said, "Uncle, I will be returning to the capital to report for duty soon!"

"What about the new salt?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with suspicion, Lin Ruhai was surprised, because Jiangnan had just been pacified and he was about to be transferred. Wasn't Emperor Hongde afraid of problems?

"The matter of the new salt will be handled by Liu Bangyou, the newly appointed top scholar!"

Zhang Cheng smiled as he addressed Lin Ruhai.

"Liu Bangyou?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng suspiciously, Lin Ruhai was not familiar with this name!
Zhang Cheng hadn't expected Liu Bangyou to become the top scholar, because he had only chatted with the examiners beforehand and had also given Emperor Hongde some information, saying that he was one of their own!
Who would have thought that Liu Bangyou would become the top scholar in the imperial examination!

The Salt Transport Office was a seventh-rank government agency, but its power was no less than that of ordinary institutions.
Emperor Hongde sent Liu Bangyou to Jiangnan mostly because he wanted to use Zhang Cheng's power to protect him. Moreover, the Jia family of Jinling was also there. Taking action against Liu Bangyou would be tantamount to turning against the Jia family!

Of course, the Jia family here refers to the Twelve Families of Jinling, not the Rongguo Mansion.

After all, in Jiangnan, the Rongguo Mansion's reputation is not as great as Zhang Cheng's shoe sole!
"We're on the same side, Uncle!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng began to explain.
"That's good. After he arrives, I will definitely take good care of him!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of him, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but smile.

"I reckon that after I leave, my uncle will also be transferred to the capital. After all, the Salt Transport Bureau is under the watch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so there shouldn't be any major problems. My uncle's future lies in the imperial court!"

When Lin Ruhai spoke, both Zhang Cheng and Lin Ruhai laughed.

One month later, in the capital city,

Dragon Head Palace
The retired emperor sat on it with a gloomy face, tapping his fingers and saying, "Jue-ge'er, haven't I treated you well?"

"Your Majesty is too kind. You treat Jia Jue as if he were your own junior!"

Looking at the retired emperor, Zhang Cheng quickly spoke up.
"And how did you repay me? You killed one or two of the Jiangnan salt merchants, that's one thing, but you brat, you slaughtered them all! How can I face my old friends like this!" The Emperor Emeritus roared at Zhang Cheng, his anger rising.
Upon hearing the Emperor Emeritus's words, Zhang Cheng glanced at the Hongde Emperor beside him.
Turning his head away, Emperor Hongde didn't dare to look at Zhang Cheng at all, because he was the one who ordered these things to be done. But he didn't expect Zhang Cheng to be so ruthless, leaving no one alive and confiscating everything!
Although the Emperor Hongde received more than 40 million taels of silver from the nine salt merchants, he would never admit it!

After a long while, seemingly unable to withstand Zhang Cheng's "burning" gaze, Emperor Hongde nodded, indicating something.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent! This was all done by Nan E, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I knew nothing about it. If I am wrong, I beg you to execute Prince Teng!"

When Zhang Cheng addressed the Emperor Emeritus, his words stunned everyone present.

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Nan E was already sweating profusely when he heard his own name. This kid was trying to drag him to his death!

But the next second, after Zhang Cheng turned around and asked to execute Prince Teng, Nan E's lips twitched, because it was the same old formula! Awesome!
"Pfft!"

The Emperor Emeritus spat out a mouthful of tea and roared at Zhang Cheng, "Why are you asking for the execution of Prince Teng again? We're old relatives, can't you speak properly?"

"Your Majesty, I cannot possibly request to be executed!"

Looking awkwardly at the Emperor Emeritus, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but laugh, spreading his hands innocently.
"You little brat, always so irresponsible! Tell me, shouldn't I strip you of your title?"

The Emperor Emeritus glared angrily at Zhang Cheng, and couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Your Majesty, I fought for you in Liaodong, against the Japanese pirates, against the Rus' and against the barbarian invaders. I have shed blood for the Great Qian Dynasty. You cannot do this!"

Upon hearing that the Emperor Emeritus wanted to strip him of his title, Zhang Cheng was immediately shocked, because this was unacceptable. He had worked so hard to achieve the rank of Third-Class Marquis, and it would be such a hassle to fight his way back up!
"Alright, alright, I was just joking! Proclaim the decree, Dai Quan!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with annoyance, the Emperor Emeritus couldn't help but sigh.
Because everyone knows that Jia Jue was someone they raised themselves. If he were to be stripped of his title, what would become of his reputation before and after his death?

You should know that when all nations came to pay tribute, the happiest person was not Emperor Hongde, but him!

As a man whose achievements in both civil administration and military affairs were almost unparalleled in history, the retired emperor's current obsession is Liaodong.

Although Zhang Cheng went a bit too far in Jiangnan, the Emperor Emeritus knew that he was still young and immature, and it was inevitable that he would be too bloodthirsty, but it was all for his own good!
After all, without money, how could he conquer Liaodong and become a great emperor for all time!
Prince Yizhong: Is he still young? Is he immature?

Daishan: Is there something wrong with your emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty?
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Marquis Jia Jue, who pacified foreign lands in the south and guarded the four barbarian tribes, is hereby specially promoted to First-Class Marquis."

As Dai Quan finished speaking, Zhang Cheng raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you!"

"Get out of here, you brat! Don't you dare show your face in front of me!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with disdain, the Emperor Emeritus couldn't help but sigh, for there is always a price to pay!
If those salt merchants from Jiangnan don't die, how can he conquer Liaodong!
On the way out of the Dragon Head Palace, Emperor Hongde looked at Zhang Cheng and said, "Jue'er, well done! You're spirited and didn't embarrass me!"

With a twitching mouth, Zhang Cheng looked at Emperor Hongde and said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, next time you'll take the blame, let Nan'e go! I almost got stripped of my title!"

"He can't do it. If he goes, it will be a death sentence!"

Emperor Hongde smiled as he spoke to Zhang Cheng.

Looking at Emperor Hongde with frustration, Zhang Cheng was speechless. He had confiscated over forty million taels of silver for him, and now he was the one taking the blame.
"Oh dear, don't be angry. I've bestowed a title upon your mother, a superb imperial consort! On par with Grandmother Jia of the Rongguo Mansion!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Emperor Hongde laughed.
"Your Majesty, I thank you. I will certainly go through fire and water for the Great Qian Dynasty, even at the cost of my life!"

Upon hearing that Emperor Hongde had bestowed honors upon his mother, Lady Jialiu, Zhang Cheng immediately knelt down in obeisance.

Seeing Zhang Cheng's expression, Emperor Hongde laughed.

Because his mother was already granted an official title and was fine, there were still Qin Keqing and Lin Daiyu, weren't there?

(End of this chapter)