Chapter 18: Kaifeng Prefecture, The Prison

Kaifeng Prefecture, the prison.

Sensing that the time was about right, Bai Yutang observed the cell, then skillfully unlocked the door.

But just after she stepped out elegantly, she slowly took out a face mask and wrapped it around her face.

Just as Bai Yutang intended to wander around the Prince's Mansion tonight, she suddenly saw dozens of figures appear on both sides, holding torches to illuminate the alley.

Staring blankly at this scene, Bai Yutang couldn't help but blink her eyes.

Because what kind of situation was this? She was just leaving the prison as usual; what was going on today?

"Bai Yutang! You've committed a crime!"

Pointing at Bai Yutang and shouting angrily, Zhang Cheng walked out from the crowd.

Looking at Zhang Cheng before her, Bai Yutang couldn't help but say in astonishment, "No, have you forgotten? We went to the Grand Tutor's mansion together back then, didn't we?"

"Cough, cough, cough, stop spouting nonsense. Zhang Mou will be an Imperial Son-in-law in the future; how could I do such things with you! Everyone, am I right?"

Turning his head to look at the yamen runners all around, Zhang Cheng hurriedly whispered, "The silver will be doubled later!"

"Young Master Zhang is right!"

"How could Young Master Zhang be that kind of person!"

"The silver from Grand Tutor Pang's mansion was clearly taken by Pang Yu! Stop slandering our Young Master Zhang!"

Just as the yamen runners on the side were shouting sternly and angrily, Bai Yutang couldn't help but raise her finger and say, "I..."

"Shut up. Now you only have two paths to choose from: one is to obediently return to the Kaifeng Prefecture prison, and the second is to sign a contract and work for me for one year, with a hundred taels per month, and one day of rest every seven days."

Just as Zhang Cheng stated his conditions, Bai Yutang stood frozen on the spot and said, "I choose the second one!"

"No, don't you need to consider it?"

Looking at Bai Yutang curiously, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but ask.

"What else is there to consider? Anyway, I've lived in Kaifeng Prefecture until I'm sick of it!"

Pulling off her mask, Bai Yutang walked forward and said, "If I'm with you, then the Giant Sword..."

"The Giant Sword is yours to use!"

Hearing Bai Yutang's words, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but cover his face.

Because he had thought he possessed "the aura of a king," but he hadn't expected that she was actually coveting his Giant Sword!

Zhan Zhao: I will reiterate once more, that is my Giant Sword!

"Come, come, everyone, collect your rewards. I will have to trouble you all in the future."

Arriving in front of the yamen runners, Zhang Cheng skillfully took out silver notes.

And looking at Zhang Cheng, many people chose to take cigarettes and betel nuts instead.

Regarding this, Zhang Cheng did not object; after all, for the yamen runners, a small amount of betel nut was quite refreshing!

But this kind of thing must absolutely not be taken in excess.

Fortunately, all the betel nuts in the Northern Song Dynasty were in his hands; otherwise, Zhang Cheng would have had to consider how to solve the trouble!

"Brother, your connections in Kaifeng Prefecture are quite something!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in surprise, a look of astonishment appeared on Zhang Dazuiba's face.

They were originally at the brothel, but when the Kaifeng Prefecture yamen runners learned that something had happened, they immediately rushed over.

But as a result, when everyone met, they discovered they were "their own people"!

As for those Japanese pirates, they were fooled by Zhang Cheng handing them cigarettes upon meeting.

Now, the most important thing was to find the people from the Chai family and then pack these Japanese pirates up and send them out.

How much money could be earned wasn't important; what was important was "accumulating experience"!

As for whether the Chai family would think they had encountered a big fool, that wasn't something Zhang Cheng needed to worry about.

After all, all he had to do was use their name as a shield, and if anything happened in the future, once Bao Qingtian investigated, he would definitely target the Chai family first!

Zhang Cheng: Is being a tribute student of the Imperial Academy so amazing? I have the Chai family behind me!

Chai Family: It's over, he earns the money, and I take the blame!

Watching the yamen runners leave with satisfaction, Bai Yutang asked curiously, "You got me out; aren't you afraid of Zhan Zhao causing you trouble?"

"You don't have any cases in Kaifeng Prefecture! Do you think I don't know that?"

Looking at Bai Yutang beside him, it was the first time Zhang Cheng felt this woman was smart.

Because she had moved in herself and stayed for over half a month, and not a single person had discovered it.

You have to know, this was Bao Zheng's Kaifeng Prefecture!

"You're actually quite smart!"

Teasing Zhang Cheng, Bai Yutang backhanded the Giant Sword into her hand and said, "This precious sword is mine now!"

"Cousin, that is the Giant Sword!"

Looking at Bai Yutang in surprise, Situ Yaozu couldn't help but be astonished.

But looking at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Cheng spoke up, "Don't be afraid, cousin, I have something even better here!"

After saying this, Zhang Cheng handed over a "boning knife" and said, "Use this, forged from refined steel! It's good for cutting bone and 'dealing with people'!"

"But I use sword techniques!"

Looking at the boning knife in his hand, Situ Yaozu was dumbfounded.

Because he didn't understand where his cousin had pulled out a boning knife!

"That's not important; what's important is 'dealing with people'!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu seriously, Zhang Cheng was full of sincerity.

When he was in Florida, he dared to rob snakeheads while holding a brick; with a boning knife, he would even dare to rob the Federal Reserve!

Federal Reserve: Oh, what the hell?

Having Zhang Dazuiba find a few "tattooed and painted" men unique to the Northern Song, a business without capital began.

After being busy for a long time, looking at the Japanese pirates who could no longer speak, Zhang Cheng said with satisfaction, "Not bad, you guys have good craftsmanship!"

"Not at all, not at all, it's all thanks to this gentleman's guidance!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a full smile, Niu Er couldn't help but explain.

Because they also knew Zhang Dazuiba; after all, they all made a living on the street, so who didn't know this playboy who shouted "My father is Zhang Erhe"?

But what Niu Er hadn't expected was that one day, they would actually be dealing with such a young master!

"Come, take this ingot of silver. I, in dealing with people, never mistreat my own people!"

Patting Niu Er on the shoulder, Zhang Cheng smiled.

Because craftsmen like this were simply one in a thousand!

"You are too polite, sir. I used to be a 'pig castrator'! If there's anything in the future, just find me!"

Patting his chest proudly, Niu Er explained with a full face of smiles.

"Eh, a pig castrator craftsman? Why not demonstrate it on the spot?"

Looking at Niu Er in surprise, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but be astonished.

You have to know, pig castration was a good craft.

"But there are no pigs here!"

Looking around, a look of confusion appeared on Niu Er's face, and the brothers beside him were also dumbfounded.

"Isn't that one there?"

Pointing to the Japanese pirate wailing not far away, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"But that's a person, sir!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, cold sweat broke out on Niu Er's face.

Because he had long heard that the young masters of the Great Song knew how to play, but he hadn't expected them to know how to play like this!

"If you don't treat them as people, won't that be fine?"

Looking at Niu Er seriously, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "In the future, I have more business to introduce to you, and this batch of goods is a gift for the Chai family!"

Suddenly looking at Zhang Cheng, Niu Er immediately swallowed his saliva and said, "Sir, I understand!"

After saying this, Niu Er waved his hand, and several tattooed men immediately held down one of the Japanese pirates.

Before long, when a shrill sound came from the small courtyard, Situ Yaozu walked out with cold sweat on his face.

"No, what are you doing inside? It's midsummer, why are you breaking out in cold sweat?"

Looking at Situ Yaozu, Zhang Big-Mouth asked with some confusion.

"Go in and see for yourself!"

Without answering Zhang Big-Mouth, Situ Yaozu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

And just after Zhang Dazuiba went in and took a look, he immediately ran out, his cheeks pale, and said, "You were right to come out!"

Half an hour later, Zhang Cheng walked out, his face calm and indifferent as he said, "It's time to find the people from the Chai family. In matters like this, one must not let the night drag on!"

"Brother, you are too ruthless!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in shock, Zhang Big-Mouth and Situ Yaozu both swallowed their saliva.

"In this imperial court, if a person isn't ruthless, they can't stand firm. If you want to stand tall, you have to be ruthless and vicious, understand?"

Looking at Zhang Big-Mouth and Situ Yaozu, light flickered in Zhang Cheng's eyes.

The Northern Song was already weak enough; if he couldn't be even more ruthless, how could he recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in the future? Should he rely on his cheap father-in-law, Emperor Renzong?

For a goal, sacrifice is necessary, and what's more, the ones sacrificing aren't his own people!

(End of chapter)