Chapter 17: Zhang Cheng

By the Bian River, in the pleasure district,

the sound of a flute rose, its melodious notes drifting far and wide.

Listening, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but show a look of approval as the women playing the pipa and guzheng began to perform in harmony.

Now he finally understood why the ancients loved listening to music in pleasure houses.

Because this was simply a combination of a KTV, a music hall, and a nightclub!

Zhang Cheng: Our ancestors really knew how to have fun!

"Elegant, it is truly too elegant!"

Sipping his wine, Zhang Cheng turned to look at Zhang Dingding and said, "Tip them, brother!"

"No, you took all my banknotes, how am I supposed to tip?"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in shock, Zhang Dingding had never seen such a shameless person.

"Don't you still have gold beans in that money pouch of yours? Come on, lend them to me to try!"

Looking at Zhang Dingding earnestly, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but smile.

"How did you know I still had gold beans?"

Covering his pocket, Zhang Dingding looked at Zhang Cheng with a face full of fear.

Because this was his "private stash" of money!

"Don't be afraid. In a couple of days, brother will find you a business that makes money fast—no capital required!"

Leaning in close to Zhang Dingding to speak, Zhang Cheng's last two words made him widen his eyes instantly.

Because no matter what kind of business it was, as long as it required no capital, it was pure profit!

"You must remember to find me that business! Don't you dare lie to me!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng earnestly, Zhang Dingding couldn't help but turn serious.

"Rest assured, I never break my word when it comes to ways to make money fast!"

Gazing at Zhang Dingding, Zhang Cheng revealed a meaningful smile.

Because this business had one major risk: it required someone powerful to cover for you from behind the scenes!

As an adopted son pushed out by Zhang Erhe to marry a princess, he certainly couldn't be that person.

But Zhang Dingding was different; as the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the only son of Zhang Erhe, as long as he didn't commit treason, this kid could live a very comfortable life!

But there was one trouble, and that was the Chai family, who stood above the Great Song!

One must know that after Zhao Kuangyin seized the Chai family's empire, he issued an imperial decree: as long as the Chai family did not rebel, they were the ultimate nobility!

But regarding this point, Zhang Cheng was not worried in the slightest; after all, his surname wasn't Zhao.

Zhang Cheng: People your Zhao family dares not manage, I manage; people your Zhao family dares not kill, I kill. By the special permission of the Heavenly Emperor, I may execute first and report later!

Zhang Bairen:

"Bastards, are you the ones who snatched away all the girls?"

Kicking open the door, a man of slightly short stature roared.

And behind him were several others who looked just like him.

Blinking his eyes in confusion, Zhang Cheng tilted his head and asked, "Your friends?"

"No, I don't know them!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in bewilderment, Zhang Dingding also widened his eyes in anxiety.

"Oh my, dear guests, I already told you, our girls have already been booked..."

Running up to explain, the procuress spoke with a face full of grievance.

Hearing the procuress's words, Zhang Cheng stood up and said, "No, what are these things?"

"Audacious! You actually dare to speak to us like this. Don't you know that we are tribute students of the Imperial Academy, specially permitted by His Majesty?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, the short man in the lead raised his head and shouted angrily.

"Not Song people?"

Squinting his eyes, Zhang Cheng seemed to have already guessed the other party's identity.

To be specially permitted by Emperor Renzong to enter the Imperial Academy, they were undoubtedly from a vassal state.

And just now, the other party's tone and accent—this was clearly a Japanese pirate!

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Zhang Cheng's face as he said, "Gentlemen, I am truly sorry. I actually did such a thing; I am truly very sorry. Come, come, come, come inside and let's chat!"

After saying this, Zhang Cheng let the girls leave first, then signaled for the procuress to depart.

"Eh, where are the flower girls going?" Looking at Zhang Cheng in confusion, the leader still intended to say something, but in the next second, he heard a roar: "Cousin, close the door!"

"Coming, cousin!"

Charging forward at lightning speed, Situ Yaozu immediately slammed the door shut and even reinforced it for good measure.

"Crack!"

Pressing his index finger, Zhang Cheng pulled a folding stool from behind him, sat down, and said, "Are you tired of living, actually daring to come here and act wild? Do you know who I am?"

"Who are you?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng as if he were a monkey dressed in a hat, one of the Japanese men asked.

"My father is Zhang Erhe!"

Speaking with dominance, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but roar.

"Zhang Erhe?"

Suddenly hearing this name, the Japanese men were all stunned.

Because they seemed to have vaguely heard this name somewhere before!

"Wait, isn't that my dad?"

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Staring at Zhang Cheng in surprise, Zhang Dingding was dumbfounded at this moment.

Because he actually saw the image of himself shouting "My father is Zhang Erhe" in the past reflected in Zhang Cheng; how arrogant was this!

"I wonder what you intend to do, sir?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with slight worry, the leading Japanese man also seemed to realize that he had kicked an iron plate.

"The girls I just ordered were scared away by you. Tell me, what should be done about this? If it's less than three thousand taels, I will let you know that there is an old saying in the Great Song: 'Those who know the times are heroes!'"

Standing up, Zhang Cheng held the folding stool from behind him in his hand.

"Bastard, you actually dare to extort us!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng angrily, the Japanese man who had stepped forward had just opened his mouth when he heard a crisp sound.

"Duang!"

Wielding the folding stool to smash down, Zhang Cheng smiled hideously: "If you don't give me money, then I'll sell you all off."

"Pfft!"

Spitting blood and flying backward, the Japanese man immediately collapsed onto the ground.

Staring at this scene in shock, Zhang Dingding had already guessed what was going to happen next.

And just at this moment, he saw Zhang Cheng, wielding the head of the seven great folk weapons, charge forward like a fierce tiger.

Standing at the doorway, Situ Yaozu couldn't help but glance at his own precious sword, then silently hid it away.

Because compared to a folding stool, his sword really couldn't achieve one-smash-one-down!

"Pah, what kind of status do you have to be worthy of snatching people from me!"

Speaking with disdain, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but wave his hand: "Dingding, come over here!"

"Brother, why don't you put down the weapon first!"

Looking at the blood-stained folding stool, Zhang Dingding began to feel afraid.

"Click!"

Reopening the folding stool, Zhang Cheng sat down elegantly, lifted his long robe, and said, "Go find some people to come over. Tonight, we'll pull out their tongues and send them to the Northwest."

"Cousin, are you playing for real? They are tribute students of the Imperial Academy!"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in shock, Situ Yaozu was stunned.

"There are so many people in the Imperial Academy; who would know if one or two are missing!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu earnestly, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but stroke his chin: "Remember, give the people to the Chai family firm, and it must not be for less than five taels of silver!"

"This isn't just one or two, but over a dozen people. You're really selling them!"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in surprise, Zhang Dingding was also dumbfounded.

Because Zhang Cheng had actually even mentioned the Chai family firm; wasn't this clearly looking for a "scapegoat"?

"Otherwise, did you think I was joking!"

Lighting a cigarette, Zhang Cheng exhaled a thick cloud of smoke: "With the Chai family providing the guarantee, Bao Heizi wouldn't dare to investigate. You can rest easy!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Zhang Dingding and Situ Yaozu both revealed smiles.

That's right, with the Chai family providing the guarantee behind them, even if Bao Zheng came, he would be helpless!

Chai family: *Yawn! * Is it autumn yet?

Leaving the pleasure house, Zhang Cheng put the blood-stained folding stool back into his "Exchange Space."

Because this weapon would still be needed next time.

It was a pity he couldn't attend court; otherwise, wielding a folding stool, looking at all the civil and military officials, besides Di Qing, who could beat him?

Civil and military officials: Your Majesty, you must forbid this person from attending court!

Emperor Renzong:

(End of chapter)