Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 363, Zhang Haicheng's Death

Zhang Haicheng felt a sense of fear; the imperial envoy's arrival so quickly was clearly premeditated.

He wanted to talk to Li Jia, but learned that Li Jia had not returned to camp since they spoke yesterday.

Li Jia ran away.

Li Jia was all alone, so he could easily escape by hiding in a forest.

But Zhang Haicheng was different. He couldn't abandon his troops. He couldn't bear to part with them. Without them, he was nothing in this chaotic world.

The imperial envoy arrived with great force, and Zhang Haicheng was thrown into a panic.

But there was no way out at this point, so he had to bring more guards to protect himself.

Thus they went to greet the imperial envoy.

After meeting him, Zhang Haicheng's wariness actually dissipated considerably.

The imperial envoy was Kong Zhaopei, grandson of the Duke Yansheng and a member of the Kong family of Shandong.

This person entered officialdom this year. Although his rank is not high, his position is prominent. He was appointed by the King of Wu as an imperial envoy to deliver the imperial decree.

As a representative of the most prestigious families in the land, the Kong family has always represented the interests of the conservatives. If Fang Yong really wanted to take action against him, he shouldn't have sent such a person.

This is a very simple principle. It's like wanting to kill Yue Fei; you should choose Qin Hui as the candidate, not Li Gang or Hu Shuan, who are representatives of the pro-war faction.

Furthermore, Kong Zhaopei did not bring many people with him, only one adjutant and a dozen guards, and there was no indication that he intended to resort to force.

However, just in case, Zhang Haicheng still gathered a considerable number of troops, ostensibly to "listen to the sacred teachings," but in reality, it was for his own safety.

Kong Zhaopei found a high platform to announce the imperial decree.

The first thing read aloud was not Zhang Haicheng's imperial edict, but several of his generals, who were respectively granted the titles of two second-class men, one first-class man, and one third-class sergeant.

This was truly unexpected, because Zhang Haicheng did not commend these generals for their achievements, and they were completely unprepared, so they could only accept the imperial edict with a mixture of surprise and delight.

They consciously tried their best to control their facial expressions, pretending to be indifferent, but in reality, from an outsider's perspective, their mouths were stretched to their ears.

Zhang Haicheng glanced at the four people, and before he could think further, it was his turn to receive the imperial edict.

"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, decrees:

I have heard that the pillars of the state must rely on loyal and valiant ministers; the fortresses of the battlefield must depend on valiant generals. I have observed that Zhang Haicheng, the garrison commander of Jingzhou, is endowed with loyalty and courage, possesses extraordinary talent and insight, has quelled the rebellion, pacified the chaos, and brought peace to the people. His merits are for the state, his virtue for the common people, and his loyalty and courage shine as brightly as the sun and moon!
I hereby bestow upon Zhang Haicheng the title of Marquis of Jiangling and grant him an iron certificate with a red inscription. I hope that you will be even more diligent and conscientious in your duties, serving as a bulwark for the court and a pillar of the people.

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

Imperial Seal, issued on the 19th day of the seventh month of the 20th year of the Longqing reign.

Marquis, Marquis!
After the imperial edict was read, Zhang Haicheng was overwhelmed with emotion and excitement.

His vigilance dissipated, and he eagerly stepped forward to receive the imperial decree. Kong Zhaopei's guards presented him with the official robes and seal of a marquis. Zhang Haicheng was even more excited as he watched all this, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Finally, finally, this day has come.

Zhang Haicheng, who came from a humble background, worked his way up step by step through his own efforts and finally became a noble marquis with an inalienable title!

However, just as Zhang Haicheng was about to accept the imperial edict, a man suddenly rushed out from his side, pulled out a pistol from his pocket, and quickly pulled the trigger. Bang bang bang! Meng Liang skillfully and quickly pulled the hammer, the percussion cap struck, and five bullets shot into Zhang Haicheng's body in succession.

The situation suddenly became chaotic.

Upon seeing Zhang Haicheng's death, the soldiers, fearing retribution from the imperial court, quickly surrounded him, creating a tense situation.

The four main generals were equally panicked. Logically, they should immediately organize their soldiers to avenge Zhang Haicheng, but legally, they were already viscounts. Did they really still want to avenge Zhang Haicheng?

Several people hesitated.

After working hard for most of their lives, no one wants to easily give up their title.

At this moment, Kong Zhaopei cautiously retreated behind the crowd, looking shocked, and said to Meng Liang:
"Lord Meng, why did you do this? Why did you attack and kill a meritorious official of the court!"

This move left everyone puzzled.

Isn't this an arrangement by the imperial court?

Meng Liang said, "I have a deep-seated hatred for Zhang Haicheng, who stole my wife. We are irreconcilable enemies. I have long wanted to kill him. Today, I am only acting out of personal feelings, nothing else. I am willing to let him do as he pleases!" As he spoke, Meng Liang waved his hand down, and a woman ran up and was embraced by Meng Liang.

She is Zhang Haicheng's wife, surnamed Kuai.

Zhang Haicheng treated his wife like a commodity, ordering her to serve Meng Liang for a long time. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection, and after Meng Liang's use of her for many days, Kuai Shi had already fallen for him.

Meng Liang then adopted a deeply affectionate persona, stating that even if he had to give up his official robes, he would still save the Kuai family from their predicament.

Kuai was also a daughter of a prominent family. If she hadn't been forced by Zhang Haicheng's husbandly authority, she would never have done such a sordid thing. She immediately pledged her heart to Meng Liang and was deeply moved.

And so, the events of today came to be.

Seeing that Kuai had fallen into Meng Liang's arms, the current situation had changed from a business matter to Zhang Haicheng's family affair.

If the imperial court were to take action against Zhang Haicheng's troops, then Zhang Haicheng's soldiers would naturally resist.

But if it's just Zhang Haicheng's own dirty tricks...

Will the soldiers still fight desperately?

Kong Zhaopei gave the order to have Meng Liang and Kuai Shi arrested and sent to the capital for trial. He also told his subordinates that today's events had nothing to do with the soldiers and that the court's rewards would remain unchanged.

Upon hearing this, most of the soldiers had already accepted it.

Upon seeing this, the four generals under Zhang Haicheng were unwilling to resist and instead tried to appease their soldiers.

The soldiers quickly calmed down.

However, there were also Zhang Haicheng's die-hard fans who were unwilling to let the matter rest.

However, these people are few in number and cannot cause much trouble.

Kong Zhaopei secretly memorized these people. Zhang Haicheng was dead. How long could these people keep jumping around?
Afterwards, Zhang Haicheng's body was transported to his hometown of Hongze and buried with the honors due to a marquis.

Although he is dead, he is still officially a marquis, and he should still receive the treatment he is entitled to. This is a basic courtesy he must maintain.

Zhang Haicheng swept through Hubei, annihilating countless powerful families. About 20% of the wealth he accumulated was distributed among his generals and soldiers, and Fang Yong had no intention of recovering this money.

The remaining 80% will be counted by the Huaiyin Army, taken back to the capital, and handed over to Zhang Haicheng's son to inherit.

Zhang Haicheng's son will inherit Zhang Haicheng's title, but without military power and fiefdom, the title will be just an empty shell.

After Zhang Haicheng's death, his troops were quickly scattered and dispersed to various places, with Fang Yong taking control of the entire Hubei province.

Meng Liang was escorted back to Beijing.

Before even reaching the capital, a large number of memorials were already flooding into the palace, pleading for Meng Liang's life.

The reason for this is mainly because Zhang Haicheng massacred a large number of powerful families. Now, Meng Liang killed Zhang Haicheng. Although his actions were heinous, the powerful families undoubtedly regarded him as a hero.

The laws of China are always flexible.

The right to interpret the teachings of the sages was in the hands of aristocratic families.

They always manage to find a way to exonerate Meng Liang.

However, Meng Liang was not in a good mood at this moment.

He didn't care about the sin of killing Zhang Haicheng.

Because he killed Zhang Haicheng on Fang Yong's orders.

Fang Yong will definitely protect him secretly.

The main reason he was in a bad mood was that he failed to catch Li Jia and Li Jia got away.

This is a potential problem.

Now he can only hope that without Zhang Haicheng, Li Jia will fade into obscurity.

otherwise……

(End of this chapter)