The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1774 Having connections in the imperial court makes things easier!
Summer of 1105 AD
In a courtyard in Huating County, Jiao Ting, who was practicing martial arts, was sparring with Wu Song.

Watching the two exert themselves, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but yawn.

As Shi Qian walked in from outside, he cupped his hands and said, "Brother, a letter has arrived from Bianliang!"

"Oh!"

Upon hearing Shi Qian's words, Zhang Cheng immediately perked up and hurriedly said, "Let me see it!"

As soon as Shi Qian opened Liang An's letter, he couldn't help but grin maliciously and said, "Hahaha, finally, finally I've found my chance!"

"Commander, has something good happened?"

Upon arriving at Zhang Cheng's side, both Wu Song and Wang Yin began to inquire about his situation.

"The Joseon Dynasty's Jiaozhi (Vietnam) has invaded from the south!"

After calmly saying this, Zhang Cheng's eyes sharpened as he said, "Prepare the horses, I need to enter Bianliang immediately!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in surprise, Shi Qian asked in astonishment, "Brother, are you going to Bianliang in person?"

"If we miss this opportunity, who knows when we'll get another one!"

After speaking to Shi Qian, Zhang Cheng stood up and strode out.
He was unwilling to quell the rebellion; only attacking Jiaozhi could excite him somewhat.
After all, external expansion is the highest honor for a military general.

As for how to persuade Liang Shicheng to help him, Zhang Cheng would use the money in his hand to tell him that he was rich and powerful!

They rode without stopping towards Bianliang. This time, Zhang Cheng didn't bring anyone with him, only instructing Wu Song and Wang Yin to prepare for the expedition.

After all, once he has settled matters in the court, he will likely head directly to the battlefield.

Two years have passed, a full two years. He has been waiting for this opportunity for two years. If Jiaozhi does not make a move soon, he will send someone to provoke a border conflict!
Zhang Cheng's plan was to first conquer Jiaozhi, then Dali. If he acted swiftly enough, the civil officials wouldn't be able to deny his achievements, even if they didn't want to.

After conquering these two countries, he will have enough territory to arm himself!

As for why Zhang Cheng didn't cross the sea to fight the Japanese pirates during those two years, it was because he had already sent Krieg there.

Otherwise, where would Zhang Cheng get the money to give to Liang Shicheng and Zhao Ji?
Tokyo, Bianliang City

Weary from his journey, Zhang Cheng arrived at a three-courtyard house and knocked on the door.
Before long, when the servant saw Zhang Cheng, he immediately bowed and said, "Sir, please come in!"

Nodding, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but ask, "When will Lord Liang An return?"

"My husband will come immediately after court!"

After explaining to Zhang Cheng, the servant obediently left.
Sitting inside, Zhang Cheng closed his eyes to rest for a long time before slowly opening them and saying, "I hope Liang Shicheng is smart, otherwise Tong Guan will have another old friend!"

In the evening, Liang An learned that Zhang Cheng had arrived in Bianliang, and immediately left the palace.

Upon meeting, Liang An anxiously stepped forward and asked, "Cheng-ge'er, why did you come to Bianliang in person? Has something happened?"

"It's nothing major. I just saw the official gazette. Is the court planning to launch a military campaign against Jiaozhi?"

Looking at Liang An in front of him, Zhang Cheng asked,

"I've heard about this from my godfather, but are you trying to steal some credit?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Liang An was surprised.

"I do have this idea, but I don't know." Looking at Liang An in front of him, Zhang Cheng immediately prepared to express his thoughts.

However, Liang An hurriedly said, "Cheng-ge'er, are you confused! Jiaozhi is a dangerous place. I advise you to give up this idea. There are some vacancies in the Japanese army recently. I will find a way to talk to my godfather and have you transferred back."

Seeing Zhang Cheng's plan to go to Jiaozhi, Liang An was also astonished.
Because this was the first friend who called him "Little Master" and treated him like a normal "man," how could Liang An bear to send him to a place like Jiaozhi?
"Without military achievements, how can you advance in the Japanese army? You're helping me now, but what about the future?"

Addressing Liang An, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but say, "Do you think I could possibly become the Privy Councilor just because of your godfather's favor?"

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Liang An remained silent for a long time before asking, "Then do you think you can win?"

"Over the past two years, I have been training hard every day in Huating, and even the soldiers under my command are exceptionally brave and skilled!"

Zhang Chengshi explained to Liang An that he desperately wanted this opportunity.
After all, a military officer without merit has no chance of climbing the ranks.
Even if civil officials despise military men, it has to be on the premise that you have merit. If you have no merit, even a lowly seventh-rank county magistrate can make a fourth-rank general of the Imperial Guards kneel down, and you have to kneel down!
This is the Song Dynasty, this is the spirit of "all other pursuits are inferior, only studying is superior"!

Even if you have great military achievements, they are not as good as Han Qi's words: "Only those whose names are called out outside Donghua Gate are good men!"
Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Liang An remained silent for a long time before saying, "I'll go discuss it with my godfather and have you command one of the armies! However, if you can't win, escape back, and I'll help you find a solution!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of him, Liang An's eyes were filled with determination.
Hearing Liang An's words, Zhang Cheng never expected that his momentary kindness would lead to such treatment!

Upon entering the palace, Liang An went straight to wait outside Liang Shicheng's room.
A short while later, when Liang Shicheng came out, he looked at Liang An and immediately asked, "When is it?"

"Godfather, I want to secure a future for my brother!"

Looking at Liang Shicheng with a fawning expression, Liang An's face was full of smiles.

Looking at Liang An beside him, Liang Shicheng seemed to realize something and immediately said, "You mean Zhang Xinzhi, who was expelled from the capital?"

"It's him, my godfather!"

Liang An smiled as he spoke to Liang Shicheng.

"He did save my life back then, but the Emperor was so frightened that he forgot about him!"

Speaking calmly, Liang Shicheng turned his head and asked, "What did he send to me this time?"

"Three hundred thousand taels of silver, seeking a vanguard general."

Looking at Liang Shicheng in front of him, Liang An also took out the silver that Zhang Cheng had given him over the past two years.
Looking at Liang An, Liang Shicheng remained silent for a moment before saying, "It's just a remote, uncivilized place. Since you want to help him, your godfather will put in a good word for you! But if he does achieve something, don't forget who recommended him."

"Please rest assured, godfather, my brother will always remember your kindness!"

Speaking to Liang Shicheng in front of him, Liang An became happy.

"Alright, you can go now! It'll be fine in a few days!"

Looking at Liang An, Liang Shicheng washed up and prepared to go find Zhao Ji.

After all, the command of local garrison troops like this is something that neither the imperial court nor even the Ministry of War cares about.

After all, it's normal for people to receive salaries without working, and the 25,000-strong garrison was a hodgepodge of troops. Expecting these people to have any fighting ability is a joke!
Where did the redundant soldiers of the Song Dynasty come from? There were too many rebels, so there was no other way but to organize them into local militias. If you didn't take care of them, the imperial troops would leave and they would start rebelling again!

The problem is that these people aren't responsible for fighting; they're only responsible for being "laborers."
In essence, Liang Shicheng took 300,000 taels of silver and gave Zhang Cheng a nominal general title without any real power!

But what Zhang Cheng cared about was not the Xiang Army, but the "reputation"!
Because as long as he has money, he can not only build up the "Xiang Army", but even expand it!
You say the Xiang Army can't fight? Well, you don't know how strong the Xiang Army is, the ones who don't sheath their swords even after the city falls!

Let alone a three-zhang-high city wall, even a six-zhang-high one, they could climb it by stepping on their colleagues!
Xiangjun: What the hell are you looking at? If you're not happy, come out of the city and fight me one-on-one!
Zhang Cheng: People's dreams never end!

(End of this chapter)