Chapter 1310

The new salt law was pushed forward with vigor, and Jiangnan was filled with wails.

But in front of Zhang Cheng, who governed Jiangnan, everything was just a louder wail.

He was down here to get things done, not to chat. If you can do it, you do it; if you can't, you can't. Taking a break is absolutely not allowed!

If there was no cooperation here, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would immediately come to the door to make arrests, and the new official would arrive the next day, without even giving you a chance to settle scores later!

Emperor Hongde really made a ruthless move this time, because if he didn't act, the salt tax would probably be held by Prince Yizhong.

And regarding the Retired Emperor's rebuttal, Emperor Hongde presented an irresistible condition: two years, two years to conquer Liaodong!

Thinking that Emperor Hongde changed the salt law for the sake of the Great Gan, the Retired Emperor acquiesced; it was definitely not because of Liaodong!

In the Lin residence.

Lin Ruhai, who was practicing the Divine Illumination Classic with his daughter, could not help but feel a wave of fatigue.

Ever since he could move his body, he had started practicing slowly.

And with the daily progress of the Divine Illumination Classic, Lin Ruhai felt he seemed to have returned to his peak.

Today, walking in from outside, Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Ruhai and immediately smiled, saying, "Uncle Lin!"

"Brother Jue has come, come over and sit! Yu'er, go and serve tea to your brother!"

Waving his hand with a face full of smiles, Lin Ruhai smiled.

"Father!"

Looking at Lin Ruhai with grievance, Lin Daiyu pouted.

Because why was it that after returning home, Father liked her brother even more?

"Go, go, go!"

Speaking to Lin Daiyu, Lin Ruhai laughed.

Sitting on a chair, Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Ruhai and said, "Uncle, I will return to the capital in a few days to report my duties!"

"And the new salt matter?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with suspicion, Lin Ruhai was surprised, because Jiangnan had only just been pacified, and he was already being transferred; was Emperor Hongde not afraid of problems arising?

"The new salt matter will be handed over to the new top scholar, Liu Bangyou, to be responsible for!"

Speaking to Lin Ruhai, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"Liu Bangyou?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with suspicion, Lin Ruhai was not familiar with this name!

And that Liu Bangyou could become the top scholar was something Zhang Cheng hadn't expected, because he had only chatted with the examiner in advance and also gave Emperor Hongde a hint, saying he was one of their own!

Who knew Liu Bangyou would actually become the top scholar!

The Salt Transport Office was a seventh-rank yamen, but its power was no weaker than ordinary institutions.

Sending Liu Bangyou to Jiangnan, Emperor Hongde probably wanted to use Zhang Cheng's power to protect him, and there was also the Jin Ling Jia family here; moving Liu Bangyou was equivalent to falling out with the Jia family!

Of course, the Jia family here was the twelve branches of Jin Ling, not the Rongguo Mansion.

After all, in Jiangnan, the face of the Rongguo Mansion was not as big as the sole of Zhang Cheng's shoe!

"One of our own, Uncle!"

Looking at Lin Ruhai with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng explained.

"That is good. After he arrives, I will certainly take good care of him!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng before him, Lin Ruhai smiled.

"I estimate that after I leave, you will also be transferred to the capital, Uncle. After all, the Salt Transport Office has the Embroidered Uniform Guard watching it, so there shouldn't be any major issues. Your future, Uncle, is in the imperial court!"

Speaking to Lin Ruhai, both of them laughed.

A month later, in the capital.

Longshou Palace.

The Retired Emperor sat above with a gloomy face, tapping his fingers and saying, "Brother Jue, I haven't treated you poorly, have I!"

"Your Majesty is joking. You treat Jia Jue as if he were your own junior!"

Looking at the Retired Emperor, Zhang Cheng hurriedly spoke.

"Then how are you repaying me? The Jiangnan salt merchants, it would have been fine if you killed one or two, but you little rabbit, you actually killed them all for me. How does this make me face my old friends!" Scolding Zhang Cheng, the Retired Emperor became angry.

Hearing the Retired Emperor's words, Zhang Cheng glanced at Emperor Hongde beside him.

Turning his head, Emperor Hongde didn't dare to look at Zhang Cheng at all, because these were things he had ordered to be done, but he hadn't expected Zhang Cheng to be so ruthless, leaving not a single one, raiding them all!

Although he had obtained more than forty million taels of silver from the nine salt merchant families, Emperor Hongde would absolutely not admit it!

After a long while, seemingly unable to bear Zhang Cheng's "burning" gaze, Emperor Hongde nodded, indicating something.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged. This was all done by the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Nan E; I was unaware. If there is any fault, I request the beheading of Wang Ziteng!"

Speaking to the Retired Emperor, Zhang Cheng's words stunned everyone present.

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Nan E was already breaking out in cold sweat when he heard his own name; this kid wanted to drag him to his death!

But in the next second, after Zhang Cheng turned to request the beheading of Wang Ziteng, Nan E's mouth twitched; it was the same old recipe! Awesome!

"Splurt!"

Spitting out a mouthful of tea, the Retired Emperor looked at Zhang Cheng and roared, "Why are you requesting the beheading of Wang Ziteng again? You are all old relatives; can't you speak properly!"

"Your Majesty, I couldn't possibly request my own beheading!"

Looking at the Retired Emperor awkwardly, Zhang Cheng laughed, spreading his hands innocently.

"You little rabbit, you're always acting out of line! Tell me, shouldn't I strip you of your title!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in anger, the Retired Emperor became annoyed.

"Your Majesty, I have fought foreign nations for you, suppressed the four barbarians, fought the Russians, and fought the foreign thieves. I have shed blood for the Great Gan; you can't do this!"

Hearing the Retired Emperor wanted to strip him of his title, Zhang Cheng was immediately shocked, because that wouldn't do; he had finally reached the third rank, and if he had to fight his way back up, how troublesome that would be!

"Fine, fine, I was just joking! Issue the decree, Dai Quan!"

Glaring at Zhang Cheng, the Retired Emperor sighed.

Because who didn't know that Jia Jue was cultivated by him? If he stripped him of his title, what would happen to his reputation?

One must know, when ten thousand nations came to pay homage, the one who was happiest wasn't Emperor Hongde, but him!

As someone who was almost the Emperor of the Ages in both civil and military achievements, the Retired Emperor's current obsession was Liaodong.

Although Zhang Cheng had gone a bit too far in Jiangnan, the Retired Emperor knew he was still young, just an ignorant young man, and it was inevitable that his killing intent was too heavy, but it was all for him!

After all, without silver, how could he conquer Liaodong and become the Emperor of the Ages!

Prince Yizhong: He is still young? He is ignorant?

Dorgon: Is there something wrong with your Great Gan Emperor?

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Marquis of Zhongwu, Jia Jue, has pacified foreign nations and suppressed the four barbarians, hereby promoted to a First-Rank Marquis..."

Following Dai Quan's words, Zhang Cheng raised his head and said, "I thank Your Majesty!"

"Get out of here, you little rabbit! Stop hovering in front of me!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with disdain, the Retired Emperor sighed, because there is always a trade-off!

If those Jiangnan salt merchants didn't die, how could he conquer Liaodong!

On the way out of Longshou Palace, Emperor Hongde looked at Zhang Cheng and said, "Brother Jue, well done, spirited, you didn't lose face for me!"

Looking at Emperor Hongde with a twitching mouth, Zhang Cheng said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, next time you need a scapegoat, let Nan E go! I almost lost my title!"

"He can't do it; if he goes, it would be a life-taking matter!"

Speaking to Zhang Cheng, Emperor Hongde laughed.

Looking at Emperor Hongde with depression, Zhang Cheng was speechless; he had raided more than forty million taels for him, and yet he still had to be the scapegoat upon returning.

"Oh, don't be angry. I have bestowed honors upon your mother, a super-rank title! Equal to Grandmother Jia of the Rongguo Mansion!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Emperor Hongde laughed.

"I thank Your Majesty, I will certainly go through fire and water for the Great Gan, and will not refuse even death!"

Hearing Emperor Hongde bestow honors upon his mother, Lady Jia Liu, Zhang Cheng hurriedly knelt and bowed.

And looking at Zhang Cheng's appearance, Emperor Hongde laughed.

Because after his mother's title was bestowed, it didn't matter; weren't there still Qin Keqing and Lin Daiyu?

(End of chapter)