Chapter 1315: Zhang Cheng

Late autumn arrived, and the annual imperial hunt was also approaching.

In the capital, where undercurrents were surging, the capital battalions were mobilized frequently.

In a secret residence, many dukes and marquises were conversing.

Sitting in a relatively forward position, Zhang Cheng gripped a lamb leg with both hands, having no intention of speaking at all.

"Brother Jue, still eating? We are about to lose our heads, and you are still this relaxed!"

Speaking to Zhang Cheng, Feng Tang couldn't help but turn serious.

Putting down the lamb leg in his hand, Zhang Cheng picked up a handkerchief nearby to wipe his hands, then smiled and said, "Does this have anything to do with us?"

"It has nothing to do with you? Haven't you already negotiated with Prince Yizhong?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in shock, many people were surprised.

Jiang Zining, who had returned from the military garrison to serve as Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, looked even more suspicious, "Could it be that you haven't boarded Prince Yizhong's ship?"

"Am I crazy? I go and board his ship? The Prince of Dongping and the others are crazy, but I am not crazy, am I?"

Looking at them suspiciously, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but speak up.

"But the Retired Emperor has no intention of changing the heir, how could he tolerate him doing this? You must know, we are all people promoted by the Retired Emperor; if we defect halfway, wouldn't it be too dangerous?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng before him, Jiang Zining narrowed his eyes.

"Although the Retired Emperor has not treated us poorly, you must know, this is plotting high treason, not inviting people to dinner; people will die!"

Looking at the people present, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but pick up a knife and slice the lamb meat, saying, "How many people do they have in their hands? Even at the very most, it's no more than twenty thousand. And Wang Ziteng was promoted to Commander of the Nine Provinces half a month ago; do you think it's because Prince Yizhong has gained power?"

Speaking with a face full of coldness, Zhang Cheng said slowly, "Whose people are the Nine Frontiers? Do I still need to say it?"

"If you hesitate, you will suffer the consequences! Neutrality is absolutely impossible; we can only go down one path to the end. Gentlemen, do you favor His Majesty? Or that Prince Yizhong?"

Tossing the lamb meat into his mouth, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but smile.

"Although I don't like this Majesty who obtained the throne by luck, he is the current Son of Heaven. For the sake of the Great Gan, I will abandon the pawn!"

After hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Feng Tang spoke with a silent face.

"Since the Marquis of Zhongyi says so, then I will also abandon the pawn!"

Speaking with a calm face, Jiang Zining also had a cold expression.

Because abandoning the pawn now was a good thing for everyone!

After all, Prince Yizhong had already gone mad, wanting to rebel before the Retired Emperor's time was up!

"But what if Prince Yizhong wins?"

Looking at the crowd, Qiu Liang couldn't help but speak up, because he had a good relationship with Jia She and also knew what Jia She had chosen!

But now, Zhang Cheng of the Ningguo Mansion had clearly decided to abandon Prince Yizhong!

"I will let him win? Gentlemen, you must think clearly; this is a crime punishable by the extermination of the nine clans. If you are not careful, the whole clan will be beheaded!"

Sticking the knife into the table, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but turn serious.

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Qiu Liang was also covered in cold sweat, because if he really decided to stand with Emperor Hongde, then the ownership of the throne was basically settled.

After all, in the Great Gan military, no one dared to say they could defeat this Marquis of Zhongwu!

As the Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises, they actually all knew Prince Yizhong's thoughts, but when truly facing a choice, even as old relatives, they would absolutely not hold back on the battlefield!

Because this was a life-and-death struggle; the winner would continue to sit high in the temple, and the loser would be completely defeated and perish!

After exchanging words with the people from the Liaodong military garrison, Zhang Cheng returned to his mansion.

After all, such things couldn't be done without prior notice; just like Qiu Liang, he didn't have the perspective of the future, so of course, he would think Prince Yizhong could successfully usurp the throne!

Because most people in the military were supporters of the Retired Emperor.

But he hadn't considered one thing, and that was that Emperor Hongde was not a soft persimmon either.

He could tolerate Prince Yizhong being so presumptuous during the Retired Emperor's reign; he must have had a backup plan!

Zhu Di: Nod yes, shake head no, "Respect Heaven and Pacify the Troubles" go go go!

Li Shimin: Come is "e", go is "go", double kill at Shi Xuan Wu Gate.

Zhang Cheng: Succession by order!

Inside the Ningguo Mansion, in the garden, when Zhang Cheng arrived, he found Qin Keqing leading people to comfort Yingchun.

Stepping forward, Zhang Cheng said suspiciously, "What is going on? Who provoked my Second Sister! Why is she crying so sadly!"

"Brother, Uncle She wants to marry Second Sister to Sun Shaozu for five thousand taels of silver! That man looks so ugly..."

Speaking to Zhang Cheng, Lin Daiyu explained.

Hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Zhang Cheng said in astonishment, "Uncle She really agreed?"

"Yes, it is said that Sun Shaozu came to the door with an IOU. For five thousand taels of silver, Second Sister is going to be married off!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Lin Daiyu's face was filled with sadness.

Because this was simply too unbelievable; why did Second Sister have to encounter such a thing!

After hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes, because Jia She was not being honest!

As the dignified heir of the Rongguo Mansion, marrying off a daughter for five thousand taels of silver—let alone Zhang Cheng not believing it, even others wouldn't believe it.

Thinking of the upcoming events, Zhang Cheng was more willing to believe that this was Jia She trying to win over Sun Shaozu!

One must know, Sun Shaozu had once paid homage to the Jia family when they were at their peak, later inherited a title, and became a border general. This time, with a vacancy appearing among the capital officials, he came to Jia She to collect a debt!

Because wasn't this clearly trying to win people over?

A lean camel is bigger than a horse; even if the Jia family was no longer what it was, it wasn't something a Sun Shaozu could toss around.

And for him to dare to be so arrogant, it was clear that Sun Shaozu had someone behind him.

Narrowing his eyes, Zhang Cheng turned his head and said, "Brother Wei, go help me arrange a meeting with this Sun Shaozu!"

"Brother, are you trying to...?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in surprise, Lin Daiyu and the others were all astonished.

"I am going to persuade him to call off this marriage; after all, Second Sister is so beautiful, how can she marry an ugly man!"

Speaking with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"Husband, if it works, please help Second Sister; I really can't bear it!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Qin Keqing couldn't help but speak up.

"You can rest assured, I, Jia Mouren, still have a bit of face in the capital! Presumably, he should listen!"

Saying this, Zhang Cheng walked toward the outside.

He didn't say what would happen if Sun Shaozu didn't listen, because the grass on the graves of those who didn't listen was already two meters high!

At the Yue Man Pavilion, Jia Wei quickly brought Sun Shaozu over.

Looking at the man before him who was sturdy and looked like a bear, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but say, "You are Sun Shaozu?"

"Sun Shaozu greets Marquis Jia!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a face full of smiles, Sun Shaozu stepped forward to build a relationship, "This subordinate will be marrying the Second Miss of the Rongguo Mansion in a few days. By then, perhaps in terms of relationship, I will be the Marquis's brother-in-law!"

"So it's my brother-in-law! In that case, kneel down, the Marquis has a favor to ask of you!"

Looking at Sun Shaozu, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes.

Because this guy with Second Sister Jia Yingchun was simply a Beauty and the Beast, and after the Jia family completely lost power, Yingchun was abused to death.

Thinking of the usually quiet but very well-behaved Jia Yingchun, Zhang Cheng's eyes flashed with cold light.

"Marquis, please speak, this brother-in-law will definitely do as you say!"

Kneeling on the ground, Sun Shaozu's face was filled with respect.

Because this was a genuine thigh to hug; not yet twenty, he was already a First-Rank Marquis of the Super Grade, and in the future, he would definitely be a pillar of the Great Gan military nobility.

"Brother-in-law, since you say so, then I won't be polite. I want your life!"

Looking at Sun Shaozu before him, Zhang Cheng curled his lips playfully, and a ferocious grin gradually emerged.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1316 =====