The governor of Nujiang Prefecture, Zhang Chong, did not return to the prefecture capital immediately. Instead, he found a courtyard by Nujiang and stayed there.
Then, he stood by the window and stared at the surging river, motionless.
He had been in the bureaucracy for many years. Because he had no backing, and because he was stubborn and not good at flattery, he could be said to have been down and out in the bureaucracy for more than a decade.
He had also been a second-rank scholar, and could be said to be proud of his success.
But first, he polished himself in the Imperial Censorate for a few years, and then did odd jobs in the Secretariat for a few years.
It sounded like an impressive unit. Yes, the Imperial Censorate and the Secretariat for a few years.
But he had no power at all. All he did was write and copy, and anyone could order him around.
For the scions of the rich, these positions were gilded, but for ordinary people, they were used to polish their edges.
The Secretariat was the prime minister's office.
In the third year of Zhang Chong's tenure, the Secretariat and Secretariat were abolished, and the three provinces merged into the Secretariat.
The officials who did odd jobs were cleared out. Zhang Chong left the capital and became the governor of a small, remote city.
Several governors had been in office for more than a decade.
Until a few years ago, when he destroyed the Dong River Count, he entered the eyes of the Monarch and Governor Zhu Jung.
He immediately rose to the top, and after a short period of gilding in the capital, he was immediately promoted to governor.
He was already a governor, the pinnacle of a local official.
Of course, there was a governor above him, but it was not permanent.
If he successfully destroyed the Xuan Wu Mansion, his promotion to governor of Yan Province would be a foregone conclusion.
This was his chance to make the leap.
The position of governor of Yan Province was not to implement new policies, nor was it to be a cruel official.
It was to test Zhang Chong's ability to see the big picture in military affairs, politics, and diplomacy.
Yan Province originally belonged to the Wu Kingdom, and the Duke of Weiwu, Bian Xiao, joined the State of Yue and brought this territory with him.
Twenty years had passed, but the people in this area had not completely surrendered.
Merchants, spies, and brokers from the Wu Kingdom, the Chu Kingdom, and even the Great Yan Empire were active here.
Assuming the position of commander-in-chief in this place was a great test of one's abilities.
But once it was done well, it meant that the next step would be to enter the core of power in the capital as an assistant minister of the Six Ministries, followed by the Six Ministries Minister, and finally, one of the Prime Ministers of the Secretariat.
That was the pinnacle of life.
The Monarch treated Zhang Chong as a ruthless official, a knife.
However, he didn't want him to be a cruel official to the end. He wanted to train him to become a pillar of the country.
Previously, because he had been idling away in the officialdom, when it was difficult to fulfill his lofty aspirations, Zhang Chong often stayed by the Nu River, watching the surging river water.
Soon, his heart would burn again.
Once again, he was valiant and full of fighting spirit.
No matter how turbulent the political tide was, could it compare to the surging river in front of him?
Furthermore!
I, Zhang Chong, am the tide of this furious river. Xuan Wu Mansion is just a rock in this river.
No matter how hard a rock is, it can't withstand the shocking tide. One day, it will break and disintegrate, turning into gravel and rolling away.
Zhang Chunhua came over with a bowl of medicine and said gently, "Father, the river is windy. Your body hasn't recovered yet."
Zhang Chong took the bowl and drank it in one gulp.
"Chunhua, I've let you down. I've made you kill your emotions."
Zhang Chunhua shook her head and said, "Love is just a pastime. Compared to fate, it's nothing. Besides, what's love? It's just an urge to reproduce. In the end, it's all for that moment of trembling. "
They couldn't continue the conversation.
Zhang Chunhua said, "Father, Shen Lang won the battle for Jinshan Island. Is it bad for us?"
Zhang Chong said, "It is! Originally, I could have gracefully staged an ambush from all sides and used gentle methods to end the fate of Xuan Wu Mansion. I didn't need to use too fierce methods, and there was no need for large-scale bloody battles. This is a successful politician. If I kill people and make Count Jin Zhuo's family die, it will show that my ability is inferior. "
"If I have a choice, I really don't want to cooperate with a beast like Chou Tianwei. That will be a stain on my political career in the future."
"But now that the Kim family has won the battle for Jinshan Island, the situation has instantly changed from a political struggle to a military struggle, and there will be endless blood flowing. And my reputation, Zhang Chong, will be even worse. "
Zhang Chunhua said, "Although the battle for Jinshan Island has been won, the predicament that Xuan Wu Mansion is facing has not changed. Instead, it has become more dangerous and intense, right?"
Zhang Chong said, "As long as the Monarch's determination to implement the new policy remains unchanged, the crisis of the Kim family will never be resolved. When you are fighting with a colossus, a small loss is actually the best outcome. If you win, the consequences will be even more tragic. "
This was the truth.
Just like on the earth, a superpower taught a small country a lesson because of territorial friction.
If the big country won, everyone would be happy.
If the big country lost, then in order to save face and consolidate its international position, it would be angry and escalate the war into a war to destroy the country.
Zhang Chunhua said, "Then at the moment when Xuan Wu Mansion is completely destroyed, I will provoke Shen Lang and then sleep with him."
Zhang Chong wanted to cover his ears, but he sighed and said, "There is no such possibility. Before, no matter whether we win or lose, we can still maintain a trace of dignity. But then it will be a battle of life and death, and corpses will be everywhere. "
… …
An hour later, Zhang Chong dragged his sick body and took a carriage to Jin Hai Count House.
At this time, the entire Jin Hai Count House was in a mess.
Tang Lun was madly venting the anger in his heart.
The beautiful rockery was directly smashed by him with a heavy sword.
The expensive porcelain from the famous kiln was smashed into pieces by him.
The calligraphy and paintings on the wall were also burned.
The servants in the mansion were killed by Tang Lun because they could not escape in time. Their corpses were lying on the spot, and no one dared to collect the corpses.
When Zhang Chong walked into the study.
Tang Lun, the Count of Jin Hai, rushed over with a big sword and shouted, "Do you want to die? Didn't I say no one can come in? "
The next second.
He found it was Zhang Chong and immediately put down the big sword.
"Governor Zhang, what's the matter?"
Zhang Chong said, "I came to ask Count Jin Hai, what's your next plan?"
Tang Lun said coldly, "What other plan can I have? Of course I won't give it to you. I signed the contract, but if you want me to hand over Jinshan Island, it is completely a fool's talk. "
Zhang Chong said, "Even so, how long can you delay it? When the Monarch decrees, will you still not hand over the island? "
Tang Lun sneered, "Wait for the Monarch's decree? When will it be? The Monarch can't wait for Xuan Wu Mansion to die. "
Zhang Chong said, "Can Count Jin Hai listen to me?"
Tang Lun said, "Speak."
Zhang Chong said, "Immediately hand over Jinshan Island, and immediately carry out the handover. Don't destroy the ironworks inside, and don't destroy the mines. Hand it over to Xuan Wu Mansion in its entirety."
As soon as he said this, Count Jin Hai Tang Lun said sternly, "Governor Zhang, are you crazy?"
Zhang Chong said, "This way, Xuan Wu Mansion will be wild with joy and send a large number of people to Jinshan Island. The quality of Wangya Island's iron ore is too low, and the Kim family is in debt. They will definitely restore Jinshan Island's production in the shortest time possible. They will invest a lot of manpower, material, financial, and military power in Jinshan Island. "
Tang Lun said, "If I hand over Jinshan Island to him in its entirety, won't I be following his wishes? Governor Zhang, you really know how to plan for Jin Zhuo. "
Zhang Chong said, "Count Jin Hai, all the steel weapons of Pirate King Chou Tianwei's army are provided by your Jinshan Island, right?"
Count Jin Hai Tang Lun said, "Governor Zhang, you can't talk about this kind of thing. There's no such thing."
Really interesting, even at this time, he is still playing the fool?
Who doesn't know that Jin Hai Count House and Chou Tianwei wear the same pants? Even Tang Lun is one of Chou Tianwei's white gloves in the State of Yue.
Zhang Chong said, "After you hand over Jinshan Island to Count Jin Zhuo, sign a secret contract with Pirate King Chou Tianwei to give him 70% of Jinshan Island. But if you need him to send troops to take Jinshan Island, do you think Chou Tianwei will come? "
"Of course he will?" Tang Lun said, "Chou Tianwei is a cruel and greedy shark. If I give him Jinshan Island, how can he give up this big fat meat?"
Actually, Tang Lun didn't say a secret.
Every year, 30% of Jinshan Island's iron belongs to Chou Tianwei. This is a kind of protection fee.
Zhang Chong said, "Chou Tianwei will lead the army to kill Jinshan Island and Xuan Wu Mansion. At that time, will the Monarch send troops to help Jin Zhuo Count eliminate the pirates? "
Tang Lun said, "Of course not. The Monarch can't wait for Jin Zhuo to die. Chou Tianwei's military strength is several times that of Jin Zhuo, so he will definitely win. "
Zhang Chong said, "And at that time, Xuan Wu Mansion has already invested a lot of manpower, military strength, and financial resources on Jinshan Island. Once they fight with Chou Tianwei, how many people will die? How much financial resources will be lost? For Jin Zhuo Count, Jinshan Island is not only not a piece of fat meat, but a meat grinder. It will make the Kim family bleed to the last drop of blood. "
Tang Lun said, "Then, Yinyuan will ask for a huge debt from the Kim family and ask for the Wangya Island as collateral. The Kim family will be finished. In this way, the Kim family taking back Jinshan Island is not only useless, but also accelerates their death? "
That's what he said.
But the price to pay is to attract the greedy shark Chou Tianwei into the game.
And this pirate king is an uncontrollable factor.
It can be said that if it is not necessary, Zhang Chong really doesn't want to go to this step.
Zhang Chong said, "So Earl Jin Hai, please hand over Jinshan Island completely to the Kim family."
Earl Jin Hai Tang Lun frowned and said coldly, "Why should I hand it over? What good will it do to me to destroy the Kim family? If I don't hand it over, in a year or two, the Kim family will be destroyed, and Jinshan Island will still be in my hands. "
This is to undermine me.
I have no opinion on destroying the Xuan Wu Mansion, but if you want me to pay the price of Jinshan Island, then don't talk about it.
Anyway, the new policy has nothing to do with me. Destroying the Xuan Wu Mansion is your duty, Zhang Chong.
Zhang Chong frowned.
The character of this Earl Jin Hai and Xuanwu is really like heaven and earth.
One is upright and resolute, noble and pure.
The other is vicious and fickle, greedy and selfish.
Zhang Chong said faintly, "Jin Hai Earl, you must hand over Jinshan Island intact, and you must do it as soon as possible."
Earl Jin Hai laughed and said, "Oh? I want to know why I should listen to your orders? As the Nujiang Governor, you can't control my Jin Hai Count House, right? "
Zhang Chong said, "Because I will present a memorial to the Monarch and force you to hand it over. If you don't hand it over, then I don't need to attack the Xuan Wu Mansion. My fist of the new policy will directly hit you. I will destroy your Tang family first, you are also an old noble family anyway. "
As soon as this was said, Earl Jin Hai's face changed and he said sternly, "Zhang Chong, you dare?"
Zhang Chong said, "I have already sent the memorial to the capital, the Monarch's decree will come soon. If you have the guts to resist, you can try not to hand over the island. I want to see if you have the backbone of Jin Zhuo's Count. "
Of course, Tang Lun's backbone wasn't as hard as Jin Zhuo's, otherwise he wouldn't have been so eager to betray the old noble camp and join the Monarch camp.
"Zhang Chong, you are so vicious …" Tang Lun pointed at Zhang Chong and said with a trembling voice.
Zhang Chong said, "First a villain, then a gentleman. It's better to make things clear. Tang Lun, Count, if I were you, I would not wait for the Monarch's decree. I would hand over Jinshan Island in advance to show my loyalty and cooperation. "
Earl Jin Hai Tang Lun roared madly, "I'll hand it over, I'll hand it over, I'll hand it over …"
Zhang Chong, I'll f * ck your mother!
… …
In Lanshan Viscount's Mansion, Zhu Lanting galloped madly on his horse.
It was only a hundred miles, but he had to change horses a few times.
The closer he got to his home, the faster his heart beat. Even his chest was hurting.
Not only that, the closer he got to his home, Zhu Lanting felt a sense of suffocation, even breathing became difficult.
Because he was too worried.
The Kim family still had their fief, Wangye Island, a manor, and a castle.
But he, Zhu Lanting, only had the family manor!
That was tens of thousands of acres of farmland and plantations, beautiful gardens, and countless workshops.
That was the only property of the Zhu family.
The family property that had been accumulated for hundreds of years.
If something happened, his family would be finished.
It would be fine, it would be fine.
I'm just scaring myself.
Around the mountain in front, was the valley where the Zhu family manor was located.
But Zhu Lanting could not wait any longer. He abandoned his horse and used his qinggong to climb the mountain.
He had not used his kung fu for many years, and now he was using it to climb the mountain.
Faster, faster, faster …
He used all his strength. Even on the battlefield, Zhu Lanting had not worked so hard.
Finally, he climbed the mountain.
He quickly looked down.
Inside the valley, there was a vast body of water.
The manor, castle, workshops, fields, and plantations of the Zhu family had all been swallowed by the flood.
Only the tip of the tallest tower in the family castle was exposed to the water.
The flood had subsided, and it was in the soaking stage. There were all kinds of ruins floating on the water.
It was over!
Everything was over!
The only property of the Zhu family was destroyed.
A hundred years of property.
The glory and wealth of the Zhu family, all gone!
All destroyed!
"Ah … Ah … Ah …"
Zhu Lanting let out a series of miserable howls.
He was like a wounded … stray dog.
It was unprecedentedly tragic and mournful.
"Shen Lang, I'll f * ck you!"
"Shen Lang, I will definitely tear your body into ten thousand pieces, tear your body into ten thousand pieces …"
Suddenly, Viscount Zhu Lanting could no longer withstand the huge blow. In addition, this roar had exhausted all of his vital energy, and he desperately tore his chest apart.
There was a sharp pain.
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
Zhu Lanting's body fell hard and rolled down the hillside.
… …
A whole day later.
Shen Lang and the others returned to the Xuan Wu Mansion.
His mother-in-law had been waiting for a long time. She was waiting at the gate of the castle with a group of people.
As soon as she saw Shen Lang and the others, she immediately rushed out.
Count Jin Zhuo was excited and happy. He broke his restraint and wanted to tell the good news to his closest lover.
Jin Mucong also sped up. He wanted to proudly tell his mother that he had turned the tide and won the battle for Jinshan Island. Moreover, he had completely crushed Tang Yun.
Mother, I want you to know that your son is not useless. Your son has contributed to the family.
However …
Jin Zhuo Count missed.
Jin Mucong opened his arms awkwardly and hugged the air.
His mother-in-law immediately rushed in front of Shen Lang and hugged his shoulders. "Aiyo! Mother's good son, mother's good Lang 'er! "
"My son is amazing."
"My son is amazing."
"The reason why our clan obtained complete victory in the battle for the Golden Mountain Island this time is all because of my son, Shen Lang."
"Fortunately, you have my son. Otherwise, with your father-in-law and Jin Mucong, I don't know how we would have lost."
"Let me take a good look." His mother-in-law stared at Shen Lang's face and found a bite mark. She was about to cry out in concern, but she immediately swallowed it back. "It has only been two days, and my son has lost weight."
Maybe this bite mark is a sign of the couple's love?
Maybe Mulan also has it, but it can't be seen from the outside.
This kind of thing, as his mother-in-law, I don't want to expose it.
Jin Zhuo Count was speechless.
Jin Mucong really wanted to cry.
I also have the credit.
I am the one who needs the most praise.
Does brother-in-law lack praise? Does he lack attention?
He almost hooked up with another woman in the Nujiang hunting ground.
I have been desperately copying and reciting books for more than a month. Is it easy for me?
Seeing the fat otaku in such a miserable state, even Jin Zhuo Count, who had a heart of stone, let go of his reservedness. He stepped forward and patted Jin Mucong's back. "You have worked hard."
Suddenly, the fat otaku burst into tears.
"Father, ten years ago, I said I had a wife. Where is my wife now? Where is she? "
… …
Jin Hui and Shen Shisan had returned.
They quietly knelt on the ground.
"Son-in-law, fortunately, we did not fail. Shisan and I have completed the task."
Shen Lang nodded.
Something was wrong in front of him!
Because there was a woman beside Jin Hui, a beautiful woman.
This woman was covered with wounds. She had a beautiful face and a pair of stubborn eyes. She stared at Shen Lang without showing any weakness.
The key point was that her hands and feet were still tied, and her mouth was covered with a cloth.
Shen Lang: "Jin Hui, you couldn't get a wife, so you took the opportunity to snatch one back?"
… …