Chapter 1247

Liaodong, mid-October, two months after the great battle.

The Jurchen side seemed to have accepted reality and did not continue to send troops, and both sides began to tacitly accumulate strength.

Inside Jinzhou City, the soldiers were helping to repair houses.

In a large mansion, the military officers were gathered together.

Raising his wine cup, Niu Jizong looked at Zhang Cheng and immediately said with a face full of smiles: "Nephew Jia, in this great battle, you have truly allowed us military nobles to straighten our backs! Hahahaha!"

"Uncle, you overpraise me; it was just the soldiers doing their duty! It was mainly General Feng's command and Vice Prefect Jiang's coordination that were laborious!"

Raising his wine cup to speak, Zhang Cheng hurriedly distributed the credit.

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, one could see Feng Tang laugh loudly: "Jue-ge'er, this sentence is too much; who among us does not know of your bravery!"

"That's right, Jue-ge'er, being overly humble is not good!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng praising himself, Jiang Zining could not help but laugh.

Because he and Feng Tang had almost been broken by Daisan at the very beginning; if it were not for Zhang Cheng's desperate battle to trade lives, everyone would probably be back in the capital facing charges now.

As for Wang Ziteng, Jiang Zining did not want to mention this waste at all, because when attacking Chaoyang, the soldiers under his command were actually able to let the cannons and muskets misfire; fortunately, Daisan did not have the guts to attack at that time, otherwise they would just be waiting for death!

After a round of toasts, Wang Ziteng's complexion became increasingly gloomy.

Because in the past, when he was in the Jizhou Garrison, relying on the Jia family name, many military generals "admired" him very much.

But now, as Zhang Cheng has stood up, these people all seem to have begun to betray him, Wang Ziteng!

Thinking that he could not gain a firm foothold in Liaodong, Wang Ziteng's hostility toward Zhang Cheng grew even greater.

After all, the Jia family's resources are only so much; if you take them away, what will he, Wang Ziteng, do?

"This official is feeling unwell today, please excuse me, everyone!"

Draining his cup in one gulp, Wang Ziteng left with his people.

Watching Wang Ziteng's back, Feng Tang's eyes flashed with cold light, because he felt that this old fellow was becoming less and less sensible.

And looking at Wang Ziteng, Niu Jizong also could not help but glance at the other party, and then seemed to have figured something out.

However, relying on their old family relationship, Niu Jizong favored Zhang Cheng more, because the man can fight!

As for his relationship with the Jia family, Niu Jizong indicated that this is one thing, and that is another!

"The Retired Emperor established the Liaodong Protectorate with the intention of reorganizing our forces; I think that within two years, we will definitely have a great battle with the Jurchen!"

Putting down the wine cup in his hand, Niu Jizong looked at the military nobles before him and could not help but become serious.

"I guess at most one year, because Nurhaci will not allow us to gain a firm foothold here!"

Looking at Niu Jizong and the others, Zhang Cheng could not help but pick up some beef and stuff it into his mouth.

Hearing his words, Niu Jizong said: "Jue-ge'er, what are your thoughts?"

"Although the troops of the Jizhou Garrison have already moved their front lines forward, there is no guarantee that Hong Taiji and the others will not attack from Rehe and other places!"

Speaking to this point, Zhang Cheng's eyes were filled with coldness.

Because the troops in his hands are too few; if he wants to completely pacify Liaodong, he needs at least several years of time.

"The court has already prepared to let others come to guard Rehe; as for that place, we need not worry!"

Speaking with a calm face, one could see Niu Jizong narrowing his eyes.

"If that is the case, then that is good!"

Putting down the chopsticks in his hand, Zhang Cheng smiled.

Because as long as Hong Taiji dares to attack Rehe, he dares to attack Shengjing.

Trading homes, right? Let's see if he breaks Rehe first, or if I slaughter the Aisin Gioro clan first!

Looking at Zhang Cheng's sudden meaningful smile, Niu Jizong said: "Jue-ge'er, you and Wang Ziteng are clan relatives; you must not make things too stiff! I am afraid outsiders will see it as a joke!"

"Uncle, rest assured, there is no enmity between him and me!"

Hearing Niu Jizong's words, Zhang Cheng explained.

But looking at Zhang Cheng, many people present were confused, because this is called no enmity? Did you not see Wang Ziteng flick his sleeves and leave?

"Since there is no enmity, then I will submit a memorial to the court tomorrow to let him go back!" Looking at Zhang Cheng, Niu Jizong spoke up.

Hearing Niu Jizong's words, Feng Tang and Jiang Zining to the side also hurriedly said: "We will also sign it!"

Inside the mansion, Wang Ziteng sat gloomily on his chair.

And just at this moment, the steward walked in to report, leaning into his ear to whisper two sentences.

"Clatter!"

Sweeping the desk in anger, Wang Ziteng roared: "Damn little bastard, in just a few months, he wants to take away my foundation in Liaodong! How can I tolerate him!"

However, after venting, Wang Ziteng also understood; Niu Jizong and the others are all short-sighted goods. They think they can perform meritorious service by relying on Zhang Cheng—no, this is absolutely impossible!

Picking up pen and ink, Wang Ziteng wrote a letter and said: "Send this to my sister!"

"Understood, Master!"

Picking up the sealed letter, the steward turned and left.

Because he wants to operate in advance before returning to the capital; rather than waiting to have his resources taken away by that little bastard, he might as well borrow the Jia family's power now to rise to the top!

Returning to the mansion, Zhang Cheng saw a young maid heating water, still struggling to carry a wooden bucket, letting the water splash onto the ground, so he walked up, intending to help.

But looking at Zhang Cheng, the maid hurriedly knelt on the ground in fear and said: "This servant was wrong, this servant was wrong!"

Looking at the maid before him, Zhang Cheng's outstretched hand froze in place for a moment, and he could not help but press her head and say: "I just wanted to help you, and you are not a servant; we are compatriots..."

Speaking to this point, Zhang Cheng helped her up, and then with a face full of smiles, carried the wooden bucket into the room.

Looking at this scene blankly, the maid was stunned in place, her eye sockets beginning to turn red.

Because she had once made a small mistake in the hands of the Tatars, but because of that, her parents had died...

From then on, she remembered that no matter what she did, she must call herself a "servant"!

In the hall several days later.

In the study, the Jia family's clan relatives were gathered together.

Of the original hundred or so people, now there were fewer than thirty left.

Looking at Zhang Cheng above, Jia Pu said: "Jue-ge'er, why have you summoned us?"

"Now that Jinzhou has been recovered, the great battle is still to come. I want to ask you all, do you still want to stay here!"

Speaking to the clan members below, Zhang Cheng knew that if the war started again, it would be a life-and-death battle, and there could only be one voice in Liaodong!

"If we go back now, what face would we have?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng bitterly, many people lowered their heads.

Because too many clan relatives had died; of the hundred or so people, only they remained, so how could they go back?

"Since that is the case, then you shall be assigned to the various camps, and let our Jia family stand up again!"

Speaking to the crowd, Zhang Cheng could not help but become serious.

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, the people present also nodded their heads.

Just after discussing the matters, everyone dispersed one after another.

Leaving Weige'er behind, Zhang Cheng beckoned and said: "You come here!"

"Uncle, what is the matter?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Weige'er asked with some confusion.

"You go find a few merchants and tell them these words..."

Leaning into Jia Wei's ear to speak, Zhang Cheng's eyes gradually became cold.

And hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Jia Wei was shocked for the first time: "Is this true or false!"

"Why do you care if it is true or false? You are so young, why are you so gossipy!"

Patting Weige'er's head, Zhang Cheng could not help but scold him.

But looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia Wei said in disbelief: "Uncle, this is clearly what you said!"

"Go, go, go, hurry up and get it done! Also, in the army, call me Pacification Commissioner!"

Looking at Jia Wei with annoyance, Zhang Cheng raised his foot, but did not kick the other party, because Weige'er had already run out.

(End of chapter)