The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1320 Zhang Cheng: "Kneel down, the Marquis has a favor to ask of you!"

As late autumn arrives, the annual royal hunt is also approaching.
In the capital, undercurrents were swirling, and the Beijing garrison was frequently being mobilized.

In a secluded mansion, a number of nobles and dukes were conversing.
Sitting in a relatively forward position, Zhang Cheng held a leg of lamb in both hands, showing no intention of speaking.

"Jue-ge'er, keep eating! We're about to lose our heads, and you're still so relaxed!"

When Feng Tang spoke to Zhang Cheng, he couldn't help but become serious.
Setting down the lamb leg, Zhang Cheng picked up a handkerchief to wipe his hands, then smiled and said, "What does this have to do with us?"

"This has nothing to do with you. Didn't you already make a deal with Prince Yizhong?"

Many people stared at Zhang Cheng in shock, and were quite surprised.

Jiang Zining, who had returned from the military town to serve as the Vice Minister of War, asked with a suspicious look, "Didn't you get on Prince Yizhong's ship?"

"Am I crazy? I'm going to get on his ship. The Prince of Dongping and his men are crazy, but I'm not?"

Looking at them suspiciously, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but speak up.
"But the Emperor Emeritus has no intention of changing the successor, so how could he tolerate this? You must know that we were all promoted by the Emperor Emeritus. If we were to turn against him halfway through, wouldn't that be too dangerous?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of him, Jiang Zining squinted his eyes.

"Although the Emperor Emeritus has treated us well, you must know that this is treason, not a dinner party; people will die!"

Looking at the people present, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but pick up a knife and cut open a leg of lamb, saying, "How many people do they have? At most, they'd have a little over 20,000. And Prince Teng was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of Nine Provinces just half a month ago. Do you all think that Prince Yizhong has gained power?"

With an icy expression, Zhang Cheng slowly said, "Whose people are Jiu Bian? Do I need to explain?"

"Hesitation will only lead to more trouble! Neutrality is absolutely impossible; we have no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end. Do you all support His Majesty or that Prince Yizhong?"

As Zhang Cheng popped the mutton into his mouth, he couldn't help but smile.
"Although I dislike this emperor who seized the throne by chance, he is the current emperor. For the sake of the Great Qian Dynasty, I will abandon my son!"

After listening to Zhang Cheng's words, Feng Tang remained silent before speaking.
"Since the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness says so, then I will also abandon my pawn!"

Speaking calmly, Jiang Zining's expression was also icy.

Because abandoning a child now is a good thing for everyone!
After all, Prince Yizhong has gone mad and wants to rebel before the Emperor Emeritus's death is imminent!
"But what if Prince Yizhong wins?"

Looking at everyone, Qiu Liang couldn't help but speak up, because he had a good relationship with Jia She and knew what Jia She had chosen!
However, Zhang Cheng of Ningguo Mansion has now clearly decided to give up on Prince Yizhong!
"You think I'd let him win? You all need to think this through. This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family. If you're not careful, your entire clan will be wiped out!"

Zhang Cheng stuck the knife into the table and became serious.
Looking at Zhang Cheng, Qiu Liang was also covered in cold sweat, because if he really decided to side with Emperor Hongde, then the ownership of the throne would basically be decided.

After all, no one in the Daqian army dared to say they could defeat this Marquis Zhongwu!

As four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises, they were all aware of Prince Yizhong's thoughts, but when faced with a real choice, even if they were close relatives, they would never hold back on the battlefield!
Because this is a life-or-death struggle, the winner will remain in high office, while the loser will perish completely!

After exchanging pleasantries with the people from the Liaodong military town, Zhang Cheng returned to his residence.

After all, you can't do this without giving them a heads-up beforehand. Just like Qiu Liang, he had no vision for the future, so of course he thought that Prince Yizhong would be able to successfully usurp the throne!

Because most of the soldiers were supporters of the retired emperor.
But he failed to consider one thing: the Hongde Emperor was no pushover either.

The fact that he could tolerate Prince Yizhong's audacity during the reign of the retired emperor must mean he had a backup plan!
Zhu Di: Nod yes, shake no, Fengtian Jingnan gogogo!

Li Shimin: Come is "come", go is "go", Double Kil inside Xuanwu Gate.

Zhang Cheng: Succession by order!
Inside the Ningguo Mansion, in the garden, when Zhang Cheng arrived, he found Qin Keqing comforting Yingchun with her entourage.
Stepping forward, Zhang Cheng asked with a suspicious look, "What happened? Who upset my second sister? Why is she crying so sadly?"

"Brother, Uncle She wants to marry Second Sister to Sun Shaozu for five thousand taels of silver! That man is incredibly ugly."

Lin Daiyu then began to explain to Zhang Cheng.
Upon hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Zhang Cheng asked in astonishment, "Uncle She really agreed?"

"Yes, it's said that Sun Shaozu came to our door with an IOU. For five thousand taels of silver, my second sister is going to be married off!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Lin Daiyu's face was full of sorrow.
Because this is simply unbelievable, why did my second sister have to go through such a thing!

After hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes, because Jia She was not honest!
The heir to the prestigious Rongguo Mansion would marry off his daughter for five thousand taels of silver? Zhang Cheng wouldn't believe it, and neither would anyone else.

Thinking about what was about to happen, Zhang Cheng was more inclined to believe that Jia She was trying to win over Sun Shaozu!
It should be noted that Sun Shaozu had become a disciple of the Jia family during their heyday, and later inherited their title and became a border general. Now that there are vacancies among the officials in the capital, he is demanding repayment from Jia She!
Because isn't this blatantly an attempt to win people over?

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; even if the Jia family is in decline, they are still not something that Sun Shaozu can easily ruin.

The fact that he dared to be so arrogant clearly meant that Sun Shaozu had powerful backers.
Squinting, Zhang Cheng turned his head and said, "Brother Wei, go and arrange a meeting with this Sun Shaozu for me!"

"Brother, do you mean to..."

Looking at Zhang Cheng in surprise, Lin Daiyu and the others were all astonished.
"I went to persuade him to break off the engagement. After all, my second sister is so beautiful, how can she marry an ugly man!"

With a broad smile, Zhang Cheng began to speak.

"Husband, if you can, please help my second sister. I really can't bear to do it!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Qin Keqing couldn't help but speak up as well.
"Don't worry, I, Jia, still have some influence in the capital! I'm sure he'll listen to me!"

With that, Zhang Cheng walked outside.

He didn't say what would happen if Sun Shaozu disobeyed, because the grass on the grave of a disobedient person is already two meters high!
At Yue Man Lou, Jia Wei quickly brought Sun Shaozu over.

Looking at the burly man in front of him, who resembled a bear, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but ask, "You're Sun Shaozu?"

"Sun Shaozu greets Lord Jia!"

With a broad smile, Sun Shaozu stepped forward and tried to establish a connection with Zhang Cheng, saying, "I will soon be marrying the second young lady of the Rongguo Mansion. At that time, I might even be the Marquis's brother-in-law!"

"So it's your brother-in-law! Well then, kneel down, the Marquis has a favor to ask of you!"

Looking at Sun Shaozu, Zhang Cheng squinted his eyes.

Because this guy and his second sister, Jia Yingchun, were practically a beauty and a beast pairing, and after the Jia family completely lost power, Yingchun was tortured to death.
Thinking of the quiet yet obedient Jia Yingchun of the past, Zhang Cheng's eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Please speak, my lord, and I will certainly comply!"

Kneeling on the ground, Sun Shaozu's face was full of respect.
Because this guy is a true powerhouse; he's not even twenty yet and already holds the rank of First-Class Marquis, a super-grade title. He's destined to be a pillar of the Great Qian Dynasty's military achievements.
"Brother-in-law, since you put it that way, then I won't hold back. I want your life!"

Looking at Sun Shaozu in front of him, Zhang Cheng grinned with amusement, a sinister smile gradually appearing on his face.

(End of this chapter)