Chapter 1291: Zhang Cheng

In the bustling main hall, young people were raising their cups and exchanging toasts,

Looking at Zhang Cheng beside him, Jia She spoke vaguely: "Now the funds being raised in the mansion are less than three hundred thousand taels of silver, even if we sell the estates, we cannot come up with that much money!"

Looking at Jia She, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes and said: "Uncle She, don't forget, you are pretending to be foolish, not truly foolish; if you were truly foolish, you should accompany Grand Uncle Jing to the Daoist temple to cultivate immortality!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Jia She couldn't help but grit his teeth and said: "You doing this now, are you not afraid of that one?"

"You believed his father back then, and as a result almost ruined the Rong and Ning mansions; if I were still like you, then the Jia family would truly have no way out!"

Facing Jia She, Zhang Cheng also stared at him with a stern expression,

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia She fell silent for a moment and said: "Never mind, never mind, I will now have your second brother Lian go sell the estates!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng before him, Jia She clenched his fist, pondered for a moment, and finally released it,

And upon hearing Jia She say this, Zhang Cheng also understood that the other party had come to realize how terrifying it is to walk a single path to the end!

However, for Jia She and Jia Jing, who once served the Crown Prince, they are unwilling to give up hope!

Even if there is only a minuscule chance, they also want to ascend to the dragon!

But for Zhang Cheng, this gamble is truly too big, after all, the Rong and Ning mansions have already lost once before; if it weren't for the Retired Emperor's fondness for old ties, Emperor Hongde would have long begun purging the Four Wangs and Eight Baas and Twelve Marquises!

One generation of sovereign, one generation of ministers, generation after generation of sovereigns beheading the previous ministers!

To the Emperor, those who do not obey simply have no utility whatsoever!

Even if they can now rely on the Retired Emperor and Emperor Hongde to oppose each other, but once the Retired Emperor passes, everyone will have to sing the song of cooling off!

After night fell, Zhang Cheng had Jia Wei see off the guests, while he himself went to the study to chat with Feng Tang and others about something,

Regarding last year's profit distribution having already been issued, it must be said, monopolization is a highly profitable business,

Just the maritime transport alone brought in twelve million taels of silver for the Liaodong military garrison!

With such a huge sum, let alone the scholars and wealthy merchants of Jiangnan having objections, even if they wanted to rebel, they would have to ask whether the sword of the Liaodong military garrison could reach Jiangnan!

Those who toil bitterly in the frontier each year only earn a little over one hundred thousand taels annually,

But now, not only have profits increased tenfold, but they also no longer bear the guilt of selling soldiers' blood and salt and iron; who could let go of this!

Looking at the roster in his hand, Zhang Cheng said to Feng Tang: "Uncle, this money, you find people to distribute it; as for my share, you just send it over when the time comes!"

"I understand, Er Ge'er, but if you have any other ideas, remember to tell Uncle!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a full smile, Feng Tang, upon seeing the profit, couldn't help but burst into loud laughter,

And looking at Feng Tang's appearance, Zhang Cheng also laughed heartily,

Because they are merely earning money from freight, but Zhang Cheng is different—he is truly mining!

Just this year's Ishimi silver mine alone has brought him no less than four million taels of income; adding the Liaodong goods, he already has no interest in silver!

After finishing matters concerning the Liaodong military garrison, Zhang Cheng then came to the rear courtyard,

Seeing that his mother Jia Liu Shi had not yet slept, seemingly waiting for him to come over, Zhang Cheng quickly bowed and said: "Mother!"

"Er Ge'er, you've come, sit down; it seems we mother and son haven't had such a heart-to-heart talk in a long time!"

Gesturing to Zhang Cheng, Jia Liu Shi smiled,

Stepping forward, Cui Zhu held a teacup and placed down the pastries,

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia Liu Shi said: "I remember, you and Lord Qin have already agreed to the marriage, right?"

"That's correct, Mother, the date has already been set, to welcome Lord Qin's daughter into the household!"

Facing Jia Liu Shi, Zhang Cheng began to explain,

"Then when do you plan to tell me about your father's matter?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Jia Liu Shi gazed at him, her eyes filled with tranquility,

After a long silence, Zhang Cheng, however, wore a bitter expression and said: "Mother, I."

"Actually, even when you went to the frontier to serve in the army, I already knew, your father could not possibly go three months without sending a letter home!"

Looking red-eyed at Zhang Cheng, Jia Liu Shi said up to this point, pursing her lips: "But you cannot hide it from me! Er Ge'er!"

"Mother, your health was too poor back then, I feared I couldn't even protect you"

Looking at Jia Liu Shi, Zhang Cheng's face was full of helplessness,

And upon hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Jia Liu Shi wiped her tears and said: "Mother knows you are doing this for my good, so, after the wedding, take me to see how your father is doing? I miss him, and I also want to catch up with him."

"Son knows, Mother!" Looking at Jia Liu Shi, Zhang Cheng raised his head, his eyes also showing a hint of bewilderment,

Because he does not know, whether hiding this from his mother like this is right or wrong; perhaps, as she said, she may have already known all along, merely wanting to hear the truth from this son of hers!

Not long after, just as Zhang Cheng left, Jia Liu Shi also had Cui Zhu go out,

Alone looking at not far off the ceremonial robes, Jia Liu Shi wiped her tears and said: "Husband, Er Ge'er has succeeded, been ennobled."

Inside the Longshou Palace, rear garden,

Amidst blooming flowers, the Retired Emperor was pruning the branches,

Seeing the Retired Emperor like a retired old man, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth,

For in this cold winter month, the Retired Emperor is gardening and playing with emotions—how much silver must that cost!

"I once heard that you defeated the Russian royal family in Almaty?"

Curiously looking at Zhang Cheng, the Retired Emperor began to inquire,

"That's correct, Your Majesty, I indeed defeated the Russian royal general and even captured his sword."

Speaking, Zhang Cheng then gestured to Dai Quan,

Receiving a long sword inlaid with jewels and pearls and handing it over, Zhang Cheng smiled: "This is truly something befitting Your Majesty's status!"

And just as the Retired Emperor took Zhang Cheng's long sword, he immediately drew it from the scabbard and said: "Hmm, not bad, I like it very much!"

"This item is what I present to the Retired Emperor; if it weren't for your promotion, how could I serve the Great Qian?"

Looking solemnly at the Retired Emperor, Zhang Cheng smiled,

"Everyone says you are young and unaware, but I feel, youth should be full of vigor! Don't be too mature!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, the Retired Emperor gazed at the treasure sword in his hand, his face full of joy.

He is already this old, and has seen all kinds of rare treasures, but the sword presented by Zhang Cheng is truly to his liking!

Because what he wants now is "Wu Gong".

"I will remember Your Majesty's teachings!"

Smiling at the Retired Emperor, Zhang Cheng quickly clasped his hands.

"Convey the Emperor's decree, bestow the python dragon robe, from now on entering the palace, no need to report!"

Speaking to Dai Quan beside him, the Retired Emperor left happily, as if planning to find someone to show off to.

And watching the Retired Emperor leave, Dai Quan, who stepped forward, smiled and said: "Jue Ge'er, you chose this gift well, the Retired Emperor truly likes it!"

"This is all thanks to Dai Da Jian, otherwise I, a commoner, would not know what the Retired Emperor likes!"

Speaking to Dai Quan, Zhang Cheng placed the blue sapphire in his hand into Dai Quan's palm.

With a tacit understanding, they smiled, and Dai Quan then said to Zhang Cheng: "We are family, why are you being polite?"

"Precisely because we are family, we must not be rude, right?"

Smiling at Dai Quan, Zhang Cheng then tidied his robe and walked out.

Because the python dragon robe bestowed by the Emperor is not something ordinary people can wear.

Leaving Longshou Palace, Zhang Cheng then walked toward the Imperial Study; the Retired Emperor here has received his gift, will the Emperor send one? Of course he must, otherwise sending only one would be looking down on someone!

Sometimes, when you give a gift, the leader may not know who you are, but if you don't give one, he will certainly know who you are!

(End of Chapter)