The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1788 Zhang Cheng: "Disrespecting the Emperor's authority, you unruly commoners!"

Even after autumn arrives, Dali remains cool and refreshing.
In the bustling city of Dali, slaves are directing road construction and building, and everything is proceeding in perfect order.
With his hands behind his back, Zhang Cheng listened to the latest battle reports.

After reading the message in his hand, Wang Yin turned his head and said, "General, the imperial court's reprimand document has been issued. Should we stop?"

"The imperial court has no time to deal with me! They're busy waging war against Western Xia!"

A smile appeared on Zhang Cheng's face, his expression full of mockery.

Since Emperor Huizong of Song came to power, Cai Jing had been waging war against the Western Xia.
However, the battle seemed to be very intense, after all, the Western Xia was not to be trifled with, and the Liao Kingdom was also taking sides!

"The Khmer people are really something! It's just kids fighting! They even have to report it to the court. What a bunch of spineless cowards!"

With a look of disgust, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but complain.
After hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Wang Yin said awkwardly, "General, this year we have already plundered three cities from the Khmer Empire, and nearly 300,000 people have been captured."

"Only 300,000 people? Without a million, how can we build a great southern Xinjiang? People have to go around the mountains to get around. Isn't this a waste of the people's time?"

With that, Zhang Cheng turned to Deng Yuanjue and said, "Tell Deng Yuanjue that I will build a road that leads directly to Shenglong Prefecture this year. So, launch two more large-scale wars against me! Disrespecting the king, you unruly people!"

"Yes, General!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Wang Yin realized one thing: he didn't consider the Khmer people to be human beings at all!

Immediately after discussing the Khmer issue, Wang Yin said, "The foreigners from last time provided us with twelve ships full of slaves, roughly two thousand people."

"Why are you reporting such a trivial matter? Let Brother Wu figure it out himself! Also, tell those foreign merchants that if they can't provide more than 10,000 slaves before the New Year, I will personally go and arrest that person!"

When Zhang Cheng spoke to Wang Yin, he was surprised to find that these foreigners had absolutely no tricks up their sleeves.

Back in the day, when he dominated the new Americas, every place on the Atlantic was his slave ship!

Don't think that 10,000 people is a lot. As long as they are armored and armed with swords, thirty people on a ship can capture hundreds or even thousands of slaves.

Why was slave trading the most profitable business in the 18th century? Because it was a business with no initial investment!

With guns, you can easily control a tribe, hundreds of people, and sell them off at will!

"General, it's impossible to reach that number with the help of foreign merchants!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Wang Yin voiced his concerns.

After all, they went to war with the Khmer Empire precisely because of insufficient population.

Even with Zhang Cheng's generous compensation, it still couldn't make up for the construction losses in various parts of southern Xinjiang.
"Then pass down the order: whoever can bring slaves from abroad, I will give him silver, gold, status, or even an official position!"

Speaking to Wang Yin beside him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but become serious.
For him, the world's resources are inexhaustible. If he doesn't seize more now, will he be cursed by his descendants?
Hearing Zhang Cheng's crazy words, Wang Yin broke out in a cold sweat and replied, "Yes, General!"

"Alright, let's not discuss these headache-inducing topics anymore. Has Shi Qian sent a letter yet?"

Zhang Cheng addressed Wang Yin, asking questions.

"A letter arrived just yesterday, saying he sent a gift to the general! Also, Leopard Head Lin Chong has been exiled to Cangzhou!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Wang Yin casually mentioned the contents of the letter.
Upon hearing Wang Yin's words, Zhang Cheng's eyes revealed a look of disdain as he said, "He's a real piece of trash. I've already killed Gao Qiu, and he's still so cowardly!"

"Um, brother, it's said that Gao Yanei has become Yang Jian's godfather!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jiao Ting quickly explained,
"Yang Jian has returned to Bianliang?"

Upon hearing Yang Jian's name, Zhang Cheng frowned, for he was Zhao Ji's favorite minister. No wonder Lin Chong had backed down.

Wait a minute, Lin Chong has always seemed so cowardly, hasn't he? The thought that as a martial artist, he didn't even have the courage to draw his sword and kill, but instead went to fight Wang Lun, who had been kind to him, made Zhang Cheng want to laugh.

Because the most unlucky person in the entire Water Margin is none other than Wang Lun!

As a scholar forced into exile, Wang Lun could be said to be walking through the bustling city with a gold brick in his hand!
After all, Liangshan Marsh was in a prime location, and Chao Gai and his men had always wanted to occupy it, but Wang Lun had refused.

Finally, Wu Yong provoked Lin Chong, causing this brainless idiot to repay kindness with enmity and kill Wang Lun!

Did Wang Lun wrong Lin Chong? No, he didn't!
They were doing just fine on the mountain. Even if they didn't want to take you in, they still gave you food, water, and travel expenses. But you, on the other hand, were meek and subservient to your enemies, yet you attacked Wang Lun with full force.

Wu Yong: Instructor Lin, cheer up, don't embarrass yourself!

Lin Chong: Damn it!

Wang Lun: You're fucking insane!

Was Wang Lun the only one harmed by Lin Chong? No, actually, the most unfortunate one was Lu Zhishen!
Because Lu Zhishen was known for his chivalrous heart and boundless spirit, he would immediately step forward and strike with his staff whenever he encountered injustice.

But what about Lin Chong? Not only was he obsequious, but he was also sometimes completely brainless!
During the Wild Boar Forest incident, Lu Zhishen risked his life to help Lin Chong, but Lin Chong, instead of helping, directly exposed Lin Chong's true identity.

Dude, are you some kind of convict?! People are risking their lives to help you, and you're still using their names? Are you out of your mind?!

This is also why, after Lu Zhishen finally joined the outlaws at Erlong Mountain, when he met Lin Chong, he only called him "Instructor Lin"!

After all, who wouldn't be unlucky to run into someone like Lin Chong?

As for Song Jiang, the "Timely Rain," Zhang Cheng didn't dislike him too much, but he felt that Song Jiang's vision was too narrow because he only had one ambition!
As a native of Shandong, Song Jiang wanted to reach the ends of the universe, take the civil service exam, and be granted amnesty!
But the 108 heroes he killed were unlucky; because they trusted their leader, most of them died on the road to conquering Tian Hu, Wang Qing, and Fang La.
Song Jiang: I just want to be an official in the imperial court, am I wrong? Ah, am I wrong?

The 108 heroes:
The Song Dynasty carriage swayed and wobbled forward.

Just then, a fast horse came galloping up from behind and threw the burlap sack inside.

Startled to see someone being thrown in, Zhang Zhenniang became puzzled and quickly untied the sack.

But when Zhang Zhenniang saw the person in front of her, she was immediately surprised and said, "Miss?"

"Zhenniang?"

Equally shocked, Li Qingzhao stared blankly at Zhang Zhenniang.
Because she never expected that she would be tied up just like the other person!
A few minutes later, after Zhang Zhenniang explained why she was there, Li Qingzhao exclaimed in shock, "So, this is a carriage going to the southern border?"

"Correct!"

Looking helplessly at Li Qingzhao, Zhang Zhenniang held her hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I'll find a chance to send you out!"

"No need, they wouldn't dare touch me! My cousin-in-law is Cai Jing!"

Li Qingzhao spoke with pride, and then comforted him.
Upon hearing Li Qingzhao's words, Zhang Zhenniang felt awkward for a long time.

If they were afraid of Cai Jing, how could Li Qingzhao possibly be on this carriage!

Looking around from the outside, one could see Yang Zhi, the unlucky fellow recently recruited by Shi Qian, staring intently at his surroundings.

He had originally lost the birthday gifts and was too ashamed to go back, so he planned to sell his sword, which is when he happened to meet Shi Qian.

Seeing that Yang Zhi had some martial arts skills, they planned to recommend him to their elder brother.
When Yang Zhi learned that he could enlist in the Dingnan Army, he also became interested.

After all, Shi Qian was too generous, giving away three hundred taels of silver right off the bat. He had never seen anything like this before!
Yang Zhi: I'm not greedy for money, it's just that I heard the Dingnan Army has good benefits!
(End of this chapter)