Chapter 1290

Half a year later, Shuntian Prefecture,

The army filled with murderous aura returned from the Desheng Gate.

Appearing on the city gate again, Emperor Hongde's eyes revealed a smile.

Because as an Emperor, he not only did better than the Retired Emperor, but even expanded the territory.

In the Russian War, Zhang Cheng not only conquered Almaty but also pushed the battle line forward, once fighting to Kararza.

If it weren't for the Russians begging for peace and the Ministry of Revenue's silver being insufficient, he truly wanted to see where Jia Jue could fight to.

"Empress, do you see? That is my General!"

Speaking with a face full of smiles, Emperor Hongde felt happy.

"I see, Your Majesty!"

Hearing Emperor Hongde's words, the Empress also smiled.

Because she could feel Emperor Hongde's love for Jia Jue.

And compared to Emperor Hongde, who was happy on the Desheng Gate, the Retired Emperor was already humming a little tune.

Because after this great battle, who among the descendants would dare to talk about his defeat in Liaodong?

He was an Emperor who expanded territory. With this, wasn't his reputation before and after his death stable!

Next, as long as he waited a few more years and let Jia Jue pacify Liaodong, he might not be unable to become an Emperor through the ages!

Thinking of this, the Retired Emperor's mind became even more heated.

As for the matter of Emperor Hongde collecting owed silver over the past half year, making the entire court uneasy, the Retired Emperor also selectively forgot it.

Because without silver, how could he expand territory? Without silver, how could he be an Emperor through the ages?

Liaodong must be pacified, it must be pacified no matter when, and no one could stop him!

After handing over the tiger tally at the Ministry of War, Zhang Cheng came to the Fengtian Hall.

Gazing at the civil and military officials who had been waiting for a long time, Zhang Cheng immediately bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Subject Jia Jue has lived up to expectations and pacified the Russian rebellion for Great Qian!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Emperor Hongde immediately said: "Beloved official, no need for formalities! Announce the decree!"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Earl of Zhongwu Jia Jue, loyal to the country, pacified the foreign rebellion, promoted to Third-Rank Marquis..."

Just after Xia Shouzhong announced the decree, the civil and military officials of the court seemed to have known it for a long time; no one dared to come out.

Even Wang Ziteng, upon learning that he had been conferred a Marquis, was full of anger.

However, if he dared to come out again, Zhang Cheng might say, "Subject requests again, execute Wang Ziteng immediately!"

And when Emperor Hongde was happy, if you jumped out, could he not slap you?

"Fine, Beloved official, go down first. Your mother must have been waiting for a long time!"

Addressing Zhang Cheng, Emperor Hongde didn't keep him to attend the court meeting, fearing that he would clash with Wang Ziteng.

Because now Wang Ziteng couldn't go down; he was the stabilizer placed on the bright side, the means used by the Retired Emperor to check him!

But if one day the Retired Emperor wasn't there, then Wang Ziteng wouldn't need to exist!

Although Emperor Hongde and the Retired Emperor were consistent regarding foreign enemies to some extent, the struggle for power didn't look at father and son!

Doesn't Emperor Hongde want to execute Wang Ziteng? He wants to, but there's no way; the Retired Emperor is watching!

So he chose to mix in sand, letting Zhang Cheng, who didn't get along with Wang Ziteng, go to the Capital Camp!

Even if Zhang Cheng wouldn't dare to execute Wang Ziteng openly, he was a Jia family member. Could Wang Ziteng's prestige in the military compare to the other party's?

And this could be considered mutual counter-restriction. You don't let me have a good time, I don't let you be comfortable, everyone is uncomfortable!

Ningguo Mansion, Jia family,

The middle gate was wide open.

After Zhang Cheng returned to the mansion, Jiao Da had a group of servants and maids wait outside.

"Welcome the Master back to the mansion."

Looking at Zhang Cheng, who appeared wearing a suit of armor, the servants hurriedly bowed.

Glancing at them, Zhang Cheng nodded indifferently: "Fine, go down and distribute the rewards!"

"Thank you, Master."

Just after the servants and maids spoke, Zhang Cheng walked into the main hall.

When he saw his mother Jia Liushi, his sister-in-law Jia Wushi, and Aunt Xue and others, Zhang Cheng immediately bowed.

"Jue-ge'er, you went to the border for more than half a year, were you injured!"

Gazing at the Zhang Cheng before her, Jia Liushi became worried.

"Mother, the child is fine, just some minor injuries!"

Explaining with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Daiyu and said: "Lin Meimei, do you not recognize Elder Brother anymore!"

"Daiyu greets Elder Brother. Elder Brother has been away for half a year, and you have become much more handsome!"

Gazing at Zhang Cheng, Lin Daiyu smiled.

"Hmm, Little Sister can speak well now! Come, a gift from Elder Brother!" Taking a ruby the size of a pigeon egg from his bosom, Zhang Cheng stuffed it into Lin Daiyu's hand.

"Ah! Such a large gemstone!"

Speaking in surprise, just as Lin Daiyu saw it, the others were also shocked.

"Since the little sisters are all here, Elder Brother won't be stingy either. There are many rare items outside, pick whatever you want!"

Speaking with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng looked at Jia Yingchun and the others, raising his eyebrows.

"Elder Brother, this is too valuable!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in shock, Jia Yingchun hurriedly refused.

"What does this count as? The spoils I got on the battlefield are much more than this!"

Speaking with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng then said: "Mother, the child still has to go out to accompany guests, so I will take my leave first!"

Addressing Zhang Cheng, Jia Liushi, even if she wanted to say something, had to wait until the evening.

Coming to the guest hall outside, many people had already arrived here.

Looking at the appearing Zhang Cheng, Jia Lian immediately stepped forward and said: "Jue-brother, long time no see. This time you pacified the foreign tribes, and your prestige is immense!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a face full of smiles, Jia Lian could not help but speak.

"Second Brother Lian is joking. This is just a minor merit of mine!"

Bowing to Jia Lian, Zhang Cheng sat down with the crowd.

Gazing at Feng Ziying and the others beside him, Zhang Cheng also nodded to greet them. These were all his own people, and if there was anything, they could talk about it later; there was no need to be too polite.

However, looking at Zhang Cheng's gaze, Jia Baoyu was frightened and hurriedly shrank his neck.

Sitting in the upper position, Jia She immediately said: "Jue-ge'er, this time you returned to the capital, you must help the Rongguo Mansion!"

Addressing Jia She, Zhang Cheng looked curious.

"Uncle She, is there something in the Rongguo Mansion that is hard to solve?"

Addressing Jia She, Zhang Cheng looked curious.

"Your Ningguo Mansion paid the Ministry of Revenue's debt, but my Rongguo Mansion doesn't have so much money!"

Gazing at Zhang Cheng, Jia She felt uncomfortable.

Because the Ning and Rong mansions were one body. If Zhang Cheng did this, could the Rongguo Mansion not follow the rhythm?

"Uncle She, how much money does your Rongguo Mansion have? How could I know? Besides, the 600,000 taels my Ningguo Mansion owed, I pawned and sold quite a bit of farmland to make up for it... don't you plan to learn from it?"

Looking at Jia She, Zhang Cheng smiled.

Because he suspected that Jia She was so greedy for money, it was estimated that he still had some connection with the Prince of Yizhong.

Don't forget, he had once asked Jia Lian to send a letter to the border town. Who was the person he contacted?

And marrying Jia Yingchun to Sun Shaozu, was it truly because of 5,000 taels of silver? Or was it because he needed Sun Shaozu to do certain things?

"Selling the public fertile land and manors, how can that be done?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia She's eyes flickered.

"Uncle, over these years, although the Great Qian hasn't had favorable weather, I remember Lin Zhixiao saying that the manors have been losing money every year! Your Rongguo Mansion only has a debt of 400,000 taels, why make a fuss over such a little money!"

Addressing Jia She, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes.

If you don't have money when asked to pay, yet you go and build a million-tael Grand View Garden, when the Retired Emperor is gone, if the Jia family doesn't die, who will!

Not to mention Jia She, this old boy, pretending to be crazy and stupid, but secretly having contact with the Prince of Yizhong. This is dragging the Jia family to the vegetable market!

As for why Zhang Cheng suspected Jia She instead of Jia Zheng, that's because this Uncle Zheng of his, even if you gave him weapons, he wouldn't know who to cut first!