Chapter 24: Pawns

The night was hazy.

Yancheng, having been noisy all day, fell into silence and darkness.

Only the song towers and dance pavilions by the Golden Scale Pond remained brightly lit.

The Music Conservatory.

An agency subordinate to the Yan Commandery Government Office, originally a place exclusively for entertaining officials.

At this moment, inside a private room on the fourth floor.

Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang were violating regulations, drinking and making merry with over a dozen heads of Rich Clans that were attached to the Zhang Family.

When the drinking was at its peak, one Rich Clan head said, "Brother Zhang, this Yan Wang is looking less and less simple these days."

Another Rich Clan head chimed in, "That's right, not to mention that the Ice-making Technique cheated us out of so much Silver, now he has come up with a brewing technique. This thing is much more profitable than ice-making; what are we to do if the Yan Prince Mansion grows stronger day by day?"

Zhang Qian flicked the chin of a songstress beside him, his expression leisurely.

After the Yan Wang announced the price of the Wine, he was no longer worried.

At a price of fifteen taels, not many in Yan Commandery could afford to drink it.

It would not affect his Zhang Family's brewing business.

It was just that if this kind of wine were transported to Jiangnan, it could make a massive profit.

Therefore, he was still very covetous of this brewing technique.

"Brother Zhang, you should say something. After Chang Wei of the Yan Prince Mansion took over the County Soldiers, several of our Huang Family's disciples were removed from their posts and replaced by people from the Dong Family, the Lv Family, and the Yang Family," said Huang Yu.

With his own interests infringed upon, he harbored secret hatred for the Yan Prince Mansion.

Du Ming sighed, "Our Du Family is the same. It is clear that the Yan Prince Mansion is now trying to win over the Dong, Lv, and Yang families to deal with us."

The other Rich Clans nodded one after another.

Before, they were like fish in water in Yan Commandery, but now they had to be wary of the Yan Prince Mansion, which made them very uncomfortable.

"Alas, Qingfeng Stronghold is a pity. If the Yan Wang had been killed that day, there wouldn't be so many complications."

One Rich Clan head said, not knowing that the assassination was planned by the Zhang Family.

Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang exchanged a look.

Someone mentioning this matter made them feel a burst of resentment.

The Rich Clan heads spoke one after another, until they all fell silent.

Zhang Qian said slowly, "You hate the Yan Wang, and I hate him just as much. It is just that now the Yan Wang has a Personal Army, and the County Soldiers have been taken by the Yan Wang due to the handle provided by the assassination attempt. In Yancheng, we have already lost."

He paused and added, "Even in the countryside, the Dong, Lv, and Yang families have now become our obstacles. Even if we were to raise an army to rebel, I fear we do not have a sure chance of victory."

Upon hearing this, the group was silent for a long while.

Huang Yu said, "Commandery Governor Zhang, you have the most ideas, why not say a few words too."

Everyone looked at Zhang Kang again.

Of these Zhang brothers, Zhang Qian was indeed the Head of the Family.

But in everyone's hearts, Zhang Kang was their backbone.

Because behind Zhang Kang was the Yuan Family, the number one clan in Yanzhou.

Zhang Kang held his wine cup and pondered for a long time.

Under the current circumstances, they naturally needed these Rich Clans that were attached to them.

To give them a sense of reassurance, he said, "Actually, my brother and I already have a plan. We only need to wait for the Northern Di to arrive in the autumn; at that time, we will still need everyone's assistance."

The Rich Clan heads were all sharp people and instantly understood Zhang Kang's meaning.

They all began to laugh.

"Brother Zhang and Commandery Governor Zhang are indeed thoughtful. In this way, it will surely be foolproof." Huang Yu drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Du Ming nodded repeatedly, but remembering one thing, he said, "However, if the Yan Wang dies, this brewing technique will be gone, which is too much of a pity."

"That is true."

"That's right, this is something that can make a lot of money."

"..."

The Rich Clan heads began to discuss it.

Zhang Qian did not blame the Rich Clan heads for being obsessed with money.

Because he himself had been tempted long ago.

If they could obtain the brewing technique, their Zhang Family's strength would greatly increase.

"It is indeed a pity. If it could be obtained, everyone could get rich together.

It is just that the Yan Prince Mansion is heavily guarded now, it is difficult," Zhang Qian sighed.

At this time, a young Rich Clan head suddenly said, "That may not be so. I heard that Wang Yanzhong, the head of the Agency, went to the Prince Mansion yesterday and sold a batch of slaves for the mansion's use. In the future, he will also specialize in scouring for slaves for the Prince Mansion. If we let him plant a few of our people inside, it is not impossible to find out about the brewing technique."

Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang's eyes lit up. Zhang Qian said, "I also knew about Wang Yanzhong going to the Prince Mansion. Why do you know it in such detail?"

The young Rich Clan head said, "To tell you the truth, I know an idler who has close dealings with Wang Yanzhong; he is the one who told me."

Zhang Kang sneered, "Then it is simple. We just need to call Wang Yanzhong over."

"What is difficult about that? I will send someone to tie Wang Yanzhong up right now," Huang Yu said through gritted teeth.

To him, Wang Yanzhong was just a low-class character anyway.

If he did not comply, it would not matter if they killed him.

Having decided on this matter, everyone felt refreshed, as if they could see the brewing technique already in their hands.

Just as they were drinking and toasting.

At this moment, the door to the private room opened, and a songstress dressed in green came before Zhang Kang and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhang Kang's expression changed slightly; he stood up, followed the woman out the door, and turned into another room.

"Commandery Governor Zhang, you have a refined interest."

Inside the door, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar was drinking Wine alone.

"Commander Tuoba, when did you arrive in Yan Commandery?"

Zhang Kang's demeanor was humble.

The middle-aged man did not answer, but instead looked at Zhang Kang with a smile, "Now that you are the Commandery Governor of Yan Commandery and also the son-in-law of the Yuan Family, are you still afraid of a mere Yan Wang?"

"It is we who underestimated the Yan Prince Mansion." Zhang Kang lowered his voice.

The middle-aged scholar shook his head, "Hmph, it is you who have been in the land of gentleness for too long, becoming increasingly incompetent."

The middle-aged scholar's tone was calm, yet every sentence carried an air of murderous intent.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Zhang Kang's forehead, "Commander Tuoba is right; this lowly one deserves death ten thousand times over."

"Hmph." Tuoba Hong examined the white jade wine cup in his hand, "How is the Border Defense Map of Yanzhou that I had you draw coming along?"

Gazing at the night scene outside the window, he added, "Once the rebellious Tulan Tribe is wiped out, my Northern Di grand army will attack Yanzhou. At most one year, or as short as half a year or a few months. This Yan Wang is somewhat of an eyesore; do your best to eliminate him. Most importantly, you should take control of the Zhang Family. You understand what you must do, right?"

"I understand. Over these years, I have already secretly controlled the Zhang Family. For the final step, I only need to eliminate Zhang Qian." Zhang Kang nodded respectfully, then proceeded to explain his plan to borrow the hands of the Northern Di Cavalry to destroy the Yan Wang.

"Hmm, that is a good idea. Before the grand army moves south, the Autumn Hunt will proceed as usual. At that time, I will report to the Khan and have him dispatch an elite force to enter Yanzhou to assist you in eliminating all enemies, including the Yan Wang," said Tuoba Hong.

When the Grassland enters the autumn and winter seasons, the autumn sky is high and the horses are fat, and just like the slack season for farming, things become leisurely; furthermore, the heavy winter snows often lead to a shortage of supplies.

Therefore, they often head south in the autumn to plunder, and to the Northern Di people, this is the Autumn Hunt.

"Many thanks, Commander." Zhang Kang was overjoyed, "The Border Defense Map is already prepared; I will have someone deliver it right away."

"Hmm, since that is the case, I will not disturb you further. I hope that on the day Yanzhou belongs to my Northern Di, you and I can drink and chat happily here again." Tuoba Hong walked to the doorway, his figure disappearing into the corridor.

Zhang Kang collapsed into his chair.

In recent years, Yanzhou has effectively become a wrestling ground for the Northern Di, Xiliang, and the Great Song.

Multiple factions appear here, supporting their own forces.

Several years ago.

He was merely a concubine-born son of the Zhang Family, with a status vastly different from Zhang Qian's, his position lowly and base.

It was then that Tuoba Hong found him and secretly helped him marry the daughter of the Yuan Family, becoming the Commandery Governor of Yan Commandery.

Only then did he have the standing to sit on equal footing with Zhang Qian today.

And the price was that he secretly acted as an eyesore for the Northern Di.

When the Northern Di attacks Yanzhou, he will act from within, disrupting Yanguan from the inside and seizing the opportunity to open the gates of Yanguan City, allowing the Northern Di grand army to drive straight in.

Even his elder brother Zhang Qian does not know this.

Wiping away cold sweat, a ruthless look appeared in his eyes.

This is a gamble; except for him, everyone in Yanzhou is in this gambling game.

And he wants to be the one who laughs last.