Chapter 1309

Capital, Shuntian Prefecture.

Inside the Imperial Study.

Looking at the memorial in his hand, Emperor Hongde's gaze became extremely cold.

Lin Ruhai's critical illness, the Zhen family's poisoning, and Zhang Cheng falling out with the Zhen family all appeared on it.

Looking at Nan E below, Emperor Hongde said, "My nephew is becoming more and more pushy! Relying on my father's favor, he now actually wants to come and sit on this chair!"

Kneeling on the ground with a face full of cold sweat, Nan E could already imagine how he would die in the future, because was this something he was supposed to hear?

"Order Jia Jue to govern the Jiangnan salt administration; I want him to chop off every hand that has reached out!"

Angrily slapping the table, Emperor Hongde was already so angry his liver hurt.

He had finally managed to recover the owed silver from the military nobility, and although it was all from the Liaodong military garrisons, this was enough for him to stand tall.

But who would have thought that just as he had been happy for two days, someone almost got Lin Ruhai killed!

One must know that the Great Qian salt tax amounted to a full ten million taels of silver every year!

If they were allowed to mess this up, could the Great Qian empire continue to function?

Ten days later, Jiangnan, Yangzhou.

In a certain restaurant, wealthy merchants and gentry gathered.

To be honest, the salt administration matter erupting so early had a lot to do with Zhang Cheng.

If he hadn't blockaded the maritime transport of the Japanese islands, it is estimated that this group of people would still have been able to refrain from touching the salt administration; after all, touching the imperial court's assets was a death sentence.

But now that the business with the Japanese islands was cut off, and they couldn't do anything about the Liaodong military garrisons, they could only find ways to make up for it.

Do not think that wealthy merchants and gentry wouldn't touch the imperial court's silver for the sake of money.

One must know that since the Song Dynasty, after maritime transport flourished, Jiangnan had always been a major tax revenue region.

Their silk, grain, and silver were all important foundations for stabilizing the country.

For the sake of a luxurious life, what wouldn't this group of people do?

Walking in from outside, Zhang Cheng wore a python robe, followed by Jia Wei and Cao Bianjiao.

"Greetings, everyone!"

Looking at this group of people with a smile, Zhang Cheng appeared very warm.

However, seeing Zhang Cheng's smile, Cao Bianjiao on the side broke out in a cold sweat, pulling on Jia Wei's sleeve and saying, "Is the General going to start a massacre tonight?"

"Pretty much, Uncle doesn't smile under normal circumstances!"

Nodding seriously, Jia Wei knew Zhang Cheng's style too well.

Because as soon as he started becoming humble and friendly, you were basically at the end of your life.

After all, Uncle often said that since he was almost dead, what was there to argue about with you!

"Greetings to the Marquis of Zhongwu!"

Rising to salute, many salt merchants bowed one after another.

Signaling for everyone to sit, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "I have come here today for three things: first for fairness, second for fairness, and third for damn fairness!"

Slapping the table, Zhang Cheng's smile vanished, and everyone present broke out in cold sweat.

Because only such a fierce man who had slaughtered his way through the battlefield could suddenly erupt with such a ruthless sense of oppression.

"The wealth of Jiangnan ranks first in Great Qian, but why are some people never satisfied?"

Speaking with a smile, Zhang Cheng turned his head and said, "Miss, come over here!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in fear, the woman who had been serving tea and pouring water slowly stepped forward, her face full of dread.

"Look at her, bright and gorgeous, but who would know that she was turned into this by you bastards back then!"

Speaking with disdain, Zhang Cheng became mocking.

"Marquis, please show some restraint, we..."

Just as one person stood up, Jia Wei, who had stepped forward, drew his blade and backhanded it across the man's neck.

"Splurt!"

Blood splattered everywhere, and many nearby felt fear, becoming terrified.

"Move? Whoever moves gets chopped too!"

Speaking coldly, Zhang Cheng scolded.

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, everyone present was stunned and dared not move rashly. Just then, the Transport Commissioner stood up and said, "Marquis Jia, what are you doing? You must know that these are all Jiangnan gentry. If you mess up the imperial court's salt administration, how will you answer for it when you return!"

"Answer for it? I'm out here on a mission; who do I have to answer to? Do you think the two capitals and thirteen provinces of Great Qian are carried on your shoulders? You're wrong, this burden is carried by His Majesty, and by us! You mess with the salt administration, mess with maritime transport, and even dare to poison officials—do you really think the imperial court is blind?"

Speaking angrily, Zhang Cheng said coldly, "I received a promotion yesterday to govern the Jiangnan salt administration. Starting today, the old rules are abolished; salt shipments will be checked by the Salt Transport Office, and everyone can participate in the auction..."

"Jia Jue, you are causing chaos in the imperial court; you will be a sinner of Jiangnan!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng angrily, the Transport Commissioner roared.

Because if this Salt Transport Office were allowed to control the salt fields, what use would they have?

"That's right, Jia Jue, the Retired Emperor will not agree!"

"We will definitely not agree with you!"

"Impeach him, memorialize the imperial court!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng angrily, many people roared.

Because Zhang Cheng wasn't just cutting off their financial path; he was digging up their ancestral graves!

Looking at this group of people with indifference, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "What are you all trying to do? Oppose the imperial court? Don't forget what I do; I am a frontline general. Once someone incites the salt workers to riot, I will immediately memorialize His Majesty that the Bai Lian Sect is causing chaos in Jiangnan. Tsk tsk tsk, you all had better be careful; the Bai Lian Sect doesn't recognize anyone..."

Gasping for air, everyone who heard this sentence was immediately terrified and broke out in cold sweat.

Bai Lian Sect causing chaos? Wasn't this clearly a threat to settle scores later?

"If you don't believe me, you can try it; that's just how we do things!"

Speaking in a breezy manner, Zhang Cheng turned his head and said, "Feed me grapes!"

"Yes, Marquis!"

Tremblingly picking up a grape, the woman stuffed it into his mouth.

"Ptooey!"

Spitting out the grape skin, Zhang Cheng sprayed it directly onto an official's face, appearing exceptionally arrogant.

Clenching his fists, the official looked at Zhang Cheng but ultimately dared not make a move, because Jia Wei was staring at him while holding a dripping blade!

"It's bad, Master, it's bad, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has come to the house..."

Just as a servant rushed up, a certain old man suddenly stood up and said, "Embroidered Uniform Guard? Jia Jue, what the hell did you do!"

"Time to confiscate the house! After all, if a newcomer wants to get ahead, they have to kick out the old guys! Isn't that right, everyone!"

Looking at the wealthy merchants present, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"The Governor is absolutely right! I agree!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a smile, a merchant from the Northwest immediately bowed in salute.

Because according to what Zhang Cheng said, the Salt Transport Office would be established to control all salt fields, so the power of this older generation would no longer be useful. Keeping them around would only add trouble for the newcomers, right?

Never mind that Zhang Cheng wouldn't make a move tonight; by the next day, they would have to face these people with blades drawn!

We're all out here on a mission; you can call me a small fry in Jiangnan, that's fine, but once you're out of Jiangnan, what will you call me!

"The robes of civil officials have birds, and the robes of military officials have beasts. Once we put on these official uniforms, who among us isn't a beast in human clothing? Right!"

Looking at the person before him with cold eyes, Zhang Cheng could not help but laugh.

Because he really liked the look of this group of people wanting to kill him but being unable to do so.

"Governor, the matters in the city have been handled cleanly, and Gusu is also sending word..."

Stepping forward, an Embroidered Uniform Guard looked at Zhang Cheng and spoke.

"Make arrests according to the list!"

Saying this indifferently, Zhang Cheng tapped the table.

As they watched the Embroidered Uniform Guard walk in, many people still wanted to resist, but they were directly pressed to the ground and beheaded on the spot.

Seeing Zhang Cheng's ruthless actions, everyone present was too scared to move, because this man wouldn't care whose person you were!

(End of this chapter)