Chapter 31

1043 AD, Spring!

Bianliang,

Fan Zhongyan, who had solved the Western Xia problem, finally entered the capital.

And seeing Fan Zhongyan for the first time, Zhang Cheng was at "Heaven on Earth."

Looking at the man with a cigarette between his fingers, playing mahjong, Zhang Cheng couldn't believe that this was the man who had uttered the eternal famous quote.

"Come, Mr. Fan, let me introduce you; this is my foster son, Imperial Son-in-law Zhang Zhang Xinzhi!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a smile, Zhang Erhe pulled Fan Zhongyan over to introduce him.

Hearing Zhang Erhe's words, Zhang Cheng also hurriedly bowed and said, "Zhang Zhang Xinzhi greets Mr. Fan!"

Looking at Fan Zhongyan, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"Is this the Imperial Son-in-law? Truly a talent!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Fan Zhongyan smiled.

"Hey, I don't dare accept such praise from Mr. Fan. This foster son of mine just likes to engage in some fresh things!"

After saying this, Zhang Erhe took a cigar from his sleeve and said, "Come, try this, a gift from my foster son, it's powerful!"

"Oh, is that so?"

Looking at the cigar Zhang Erhe handed over, Fan Zhongyan's eyes immediately lit up.

When he was facing off against Western Xia back then, he often felt exhausted.

But ever since he smoked this, he found that he could actually concentrate; one could imagine how popular this thing was in the army!

Now that there was a cigar even more powerful than the cigarette, Fan Zhongyan immediately became excited, because this would allow him to handle quite a few more things!

Watching Zhang Erhe's recommendation of the cigar, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but have his mouth twitch.

Because he could now imagine the civil and military officials in the court with cigarettes and cigars in their mouths.

"Alright, you go down; I still have more to chat about with Mr. Fan!"

Signaling for Zhang Cheng to withdraw, Zhang Erhe pulled Fan Zhongyan toward the card room next door.

Watching this scene helplessly, Zhang Cheng also fell silent.

Because it was hard for him to imagine what Zhang Erhe would do once he found out Fan Zhongyan intended to reform!

"Cousin, the ships heading south are already prepared!"

Coming to Zhang Cheng's side, Situ Yaozu spoke in a low voice.

"I know!"

Nodding, Zhang Cheng touched his chin thoughtfully.

Heading south was something Zhang Cheng had always wanted to do; after all, heading north now meant the Sixteen Prefectures of Recover Yanyun, and on the Western Xia side, there was the Dangxiang Li Yuanhao.

However, the current Li Yuanhao had not yet been killed by his son Ninglingge.

And the reason Ninglingge killed Li Yuanhao was also very simple, because that old thief had committed incest!

If Prince Shou Li Cheng Jie had half of Ninglingge's temper back then, it is estimated that the prosperous age of the Great Tang would have continued to spread!

Ninglingge: I gave you a chance, but you didn't use it!

Li Cheng Jie: Father is kind and son is filial, father is kind and son is filial!

Zhang Cheng: It would have been better if Li Longji had died twenty years earlier!

Princess Mansion,

Princess Yingxing was helping Zhang Cheng put on his clothes.

Gently stepping forward, she leaned against Zhang Cheng's back and said, "Husband, must you head south?"

"Mind your own business. What I do, do I need you to manage?"

Looking at Princess Yingxing with a tough face, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but scold her.

And if anyone saw this scene, they would surely exclaim "Immortal,"

after all, as an Imperial Son-in-law, he was supposed to be living off his wife, but now, Zhang Cheng had turned into someone who ate soft rice hard—truly mighty!

"Husband, don't be so angry!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with her eyes, Princess Yingxing was already biting her lip.

Leaving the government office, Zhang Cheng sat in a carriage and headed outside the city.

And when he arrived at the Bian River, a large ship was already waiting there.

Standing on the shore, Chai Wenyi asked in confusion, "You have been seeking to head south all day; what exactly are you going to do?"

As an ally, Chai Wenyi didn't understand why Zhang Cheng was suddenly leaving the center of power.

"The conflict between Lü Yijian and Mr. Fan is becoming more and more obvious, and Ouyang Xiu is someone who can't control his hands. Once he is allowed to write some things and send them out, how long do you think these new policies can last?" Looking at Chai Wenyi before him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

And hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Chai Wenyi furrowed his brows and said, "You mean, Mr. Fan is bound to fail?"

"Our Emperor is too anxious; being anxious for success is not a good thing!"

Looking at Chai Wenyi with a smile, Zhang Cheng naturally knew that the two of them were standing in the "conservative faction" camp.

That was why Chai Wenyi was confused about Zhang Cheng leaving; after all, they were in urgent need of his "bad ideas" now!

But hearing that Fan Zhongyan was bound to fail, Chai Wenyi fell silent.

He didn't care about any "new policies"; after all, as long as he could cause trouble for the Zhao family, Chai Wenyi would even go to the street and shake his hands.

But there was one problem: Zhang Cheng was not a traditional "conservative"; his conservatism was that he felt the reform faction was too conservative!

This time heading south, Zhang Cheng planned to first look at the situation at sea.

After all, having stayed in Kaifeng for nearly half a year, besides earning quite a bit of money, his power hadn't seen any improvement!

Truth comes from the barrel of a gun; without soldiers and horses, everything is empty talk.

Taking advantage of the "martial arts show" currently being performed in the court, Zhang Cheng planned to first pull up a wave of soldiers.

Learning that Zhang Cheng's determination to head south was set, Chai Wenyi said, "When will you return?"

!. Read

"Longest three to five months, shortest one or two months!"

Boarding the ship with a smile, Zhang Cheng waved his hand and said, "No need to see me off; ensure someone takes good care of Imperial Consort Pang!"

"I understand!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Chai Wenyi hurriedly nodded.

Because they had all placed their "bets" on Imperial Consort Pang; once the imperial prince was born, the merit of supporting the dragon would be theirs!

Half a month later, South Asia, Li Chao,

Thang Long!

A group of soldiers and horses from the sea swept across the entire country.

Amidst the burning gates, a group of men wearing armor walked out slowly.

With long swords at their waists, Zhang Cheng's eyes were full of cold expression.

Because he discovered that Confucian culture simply couldn't persuade this group of people to submit.

Wearing armor made from melted spiral steel and wielding sharp blades, Zhang Cheng felt that tyranny seemed more suitable for him!

"You, you group of evil ghosts from the sea, sooner or later, you will be annihilated by the people of my Li Chao!"

Issuing a shrill curse, the man wearing the "Royal Robe" before him roared.

Stepping forward, Zhang Cheng drew the sharp blade at his waist and slashed it backhanded onto his neck.

"Pfft!"

Blood spilled onto the ground, splashing up a wave.

Zhang Cheng coldly put away his sword and turned around, saying, "What a pity, you won't see that day!"

"Cousin, if we do this, and the imperial court finds out, they will certainly..."

Looking at Zhang Cheng in fear, Situ Yaozu never expected his courage to be so great; he actually dared to provoke border conflicts and even lead the Xiang Army to invade a royal city—it was simply too crazy!

"Certainly execute the nine clans, right?"

Turning his head, Zhang Cheng looked at Situ Yaozu and couldn't help but laugh.

"Then you?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in disbelief, Situ Yaozu was shocked.

"Cousin, even if we get promoted and get rich, in this lifetime, we can at most enjoy glory and wealth, but as a man, to have no power in one's hands—isn't that too much of a pity!"

Looking at Situ Yaozu with a smile, Zhang Cheng walked to the city wall, looked at the thousands of Xiang Army soldiers below, and said with burning eyes, "A month ago, they were still repairing city walls and digging canals, but now, the silver they have earned is enough to marry, have children, and be rich for a lifetime. Tell me, are they willing to stop? Or rather, can we stop?"

Turning his head, Situ Yaozu looked at the Xiang Army soldiers below who were constantly looting gold and silver treasures, fear flashing in his eyes.

Because this group of Xiang Army soldiers could no longer stop.

People have greed; this is like a snowball, and Zhang Cheng had completely opened up the "genes" of the Far Easterners!

In five thousand years of history, Far Easterners weren't just good at farming; in the past, they were even better at farming people!

(End of chapter)