Chapter 76

In just four or five days, Zhang Erlang rescued his elder brother and sent a group of people to prison, looking incredibly impressive. Zhang Erlang seemed to be a heavenly sword, invincible and unmatched!

In reality, Zhang Ke was well aware that he merely had the advantage of speed over slowness and the element of surprise.

No one could have imagined that a minor figure could have such power, linking together the general He Shixian, the supervising censor Hong Fuchao, and even the mining supervisor Zhang Ye, representing the military, the inner court, and the government. They formed an iron triangle, and with Zhang Ke's sufficient agility, he quickly obtained irrefutable evidence, catching the other side off guard.

However, political struggles ultimately depend on power. The opponent had been operating in Liaodong for many years, with tentacles reaching every corner, like a giant octopus with deep roots. Even if a few tentacles were cut off, the counterattack would still be ferocious.

And indeed, as Zhang Ke had anticipated, the move was both ruthless and precise, directly targeting the throat.

Don't be fooled by He Shixian's rough appearance; he held the most powerful armed force in Shenyang. With him as a backing, Zhang Ke dared to investigate and arrest people everywhere. And with He Shixian around, no one dared to play dirty tricks. In short, he was a super enforcer and a guardian deity.

Now, however, an order came to transfer He Shixian, effectively cutting off Zhang Ke's arm.

Even Zhang Ye frowned and couldn't help but say, "Is there no one left in Shenyang? Why must General He be transferred! I'll go find Zhou Yongchun; even though he wears the hat of a governor, he won't wear it for long!"

"Wait!" Zhang Ke hurriedly stopped Zhang Ye and said, "Sir, there seems to be a plan here. We need to think carefully."

He Shixian, with a furrowed brow, couldn't help but say, "What plan? They just want to send Old He away. I won't go, and who can do anything to me, He Shixian!"

Zhang Ke knew about Uncle He's bravery, but his mind wasn't sharp enough.

"Zhou Yongchun's excuse for transferring Uncle He is the attack on the mines at Hupi Post, which are under the supervision of Sir Zhang. This is a two-pronged attack!"

"Oh, what do you mean?"

"Uncle He, think about it. If you follow the order, the city will be left without an army, and nothing can be done."

"Then I won't go!"

"Not going will cause even more trouble. Have you forgotten the attack on Fengji Fort? These people can collude with the Jurchens. If you don't go, it will be seen as cowardice in the face of battle. And with the mines under threat, Sir Zhang will also be held responsible, and someone will surely impeach both of you."

Zhang Ye, listening, couldn't help but nod. "Yongzhen's analysis is correct. This move is ruthless, leaving us no room to maneuver!"

"What if I split my forces?" He Shixian suddenly had an idea.

Zhang Ye also thought it was a good idea. "General He, that's a good plan!"

"Absolutely not!" Zhang Ke opposed again, leaving He Shixian and Zhang Ye puzzled.

"Uncle He, how many troops do you have?"

He Shixian was taken aback but then answered truthfully, "About 15,000, including over a thousand household troops, all elite. Among the generals in Liaodong, my household troops are the best!"

Zhang Ke smiled bitterly. "Uncle He, if you split your forces, the city will only have a few household troops. Without you to command, how can you control the riffraff? And if you only take a few soldiers out of the city, what if these people, in a fit of madness, collude with the Jurchens to harm you?"

Listening to Zhang Ke's analysis, He Shixian opened his mouth wide, speechless for a moment. Finally, he stomped his foot and cursed, "Damn, these despicable people, I won't let them off!"

Zhang Ye waved his hand. "General He, don't be hasty. Since Yongzhen has thought of this, he must have a plan. Tell us."

Zhang Ke smiled. "As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy to win. We need to understand their purpose. Guo Yuntu is dead, Zhu Jinhai is insane, and next, Little Sir Zhang, even He Guangxian, will be in danger. This is to eliminate evidence and prevent further investigation. On the other hand, it's a feint to lure the tiger away, seemingly targeting Uncle He, but with another goal!"

"Who?" Zhang Ye and He Shixian asked together.

Zhang Ke smiled slightly, pointed to his nose, and said, "It's Little Zhang Ke!"

Zhang Ye was startled, his brows furrowed, but then gradually relaxed.

Logically, Zhang Ke was just a minor figure, but this minor figure was not so minor. He was the soul of the "iron triangle." He Shixian had a powerful army, Zhang Ye was a favorite of the inner court, and Hong Fuchao was a government official. Moving any of them would cause a major earthquake in the Liaodong bureaucracy.

Only Zhang Ke, a minor figure, was the easiest to deal with. No matter what means were used, it wouldn't cause much of a stir.

"Transferring General He means no one can protect Yongzhen. They can frame him at will. This move is indeed powerful!"

He Shixian thought for a moment and suddenly patted Zhang Ke on the shoulder.

"What's there to fear? I've heard you've been in battle. Come with Uncle and fight. I'm short a thousand-man commander for supplies. Are you willing?"

Offering a thousand-man commander was a step higher than Zhang Feng's position as a hundred-man commander. As the saying goes, comparing people can be frustrating. He Shixian desperately needed a clear-headed advisor by his side.

He Shixian was eager for talent, but Zhang Ke had other plans. His base was still in Fengji Fort, and rescuing his elder brother was purely an accident. Moreover, the struggle in Liaodong was just beginning, with various figures making their appearances. He, a small ant, would eventually be crushed in the whirlpool. It was better to withdraw early.

"Uncle He, if they know I'm in your army, they will keep causing trouble. While you're not afraid, it will inevitably distract you. I have a better plan to ensure safety."

"Tell us!"

"Both my elder brother and I will return to Fengji Fort!"

"Go home!" He Shixian frowned and couldn't help but ask, "Yongzhen, can you handle it alone?"

"Ha ha ha, Uncle, I'm not alone. In Fengji Fort and Heyuan Village, I have two soldiers. Moreover, the vice commissioner of Guangning, Wang Huazhen, will also take care of me. Away from the是非圈 (trouble circle) of Shenyang, I'll be absolutely safe!"

Zhang Ye listened and couldn't help but laugh and scold, "You little brat, you've already planned this out and are ready to run. But with such a big mess, can you bear to see us struggle while you quietly become a deserter!"

Zhang Ke scratched his head. "Sir, you are wise and capable, and these riffraff are nothing to you..."

"Stop flattering me. I'll let you go back to Fengji Fort, but remember, I'll have the Jinyiwei send you letters, one every five days, and you'll help me with any matters."

Zhang Ye's request wasn't too much, and Zhang Ke quickly nodded.

"Sir, if you don't mind the trouble, I can write every day!"

...

"I never thought He Shixian would listen and take his troops out of the city! Brother Jin's plan is brilliant!"

Jin Wangguan looked out the window and smiled. "Sir Ge, He Shixian has a smart person by his side. If he didn't leave the city, your impeachment would already be prepared. Don't be fooled by He Shixian's arrogance; he can't withstand the pressure!"

"Ha ha ha, Brother Jin, your insight is indeed profound. But how should we resolve this case now?"

Jin Wangguan smiled. "Sir Ge, don't worry. As long as He Shixian is transferred, Zhang Ye and Hong Fuchao will lose their enforcer, and the investigation will be suppressed. At this time, we need to quickly eliminate evidence. Once Little Sir Zhang and He Guangxian die in prison, without witnesses, the investigation will stop!"

Ge Chunfang nodded and then smiled bitterly. "Brother Jin, your plan is good, but this time it's different. Zhang Ye is Chen Ju's godson, a high-ranking eunuch who can reach the emperor. If the emperor is alarmed and sends the law department, the Eastern Depot, and the Jinyiwei to investigate, our affairs will be exposed."

"Ha ha ha, Sir Ge, rest assured. I have already made arrangements. Some things the palace dares not investigate!"

Ge Chunfang looked at Jin Wangguan with doubt. He couldn't understand how a small merchant could have such confidence, threatening the palace, but he didn't dare to ask too much.

At this moment, a large man rushed in, came to the tea table, and took off his fur cap. Jin Wangguan and Ge Chunfang quickly looked up and saw that it was General Li Guangrong.

"Old Li, how's the preparation?"

Li Guangrong chuckled. "My five battalions are already in ambush outside the city. I heard that He Shixian values that young Zhang, making him a thousand-man commander for supplies. Don't worry; once he leaves the city, I'll personally lead the attack and ensure he's eliminated. Eunuch He has already said that if anything goes wrong, he will take the blame. No one has ever dared to offend someone sent by the palace!"

Jin Wangguan nodded slightly. "Ah, Zhang Ke, that young man, found my villa and captured Zhu Jinhai. He's not simple! Killing him and then Zhang Feng, without the aggrieved party, the case will be resolved, and we can all rest easy."

As they were talking, someone else rushed in, came to Li Guangrong's side, and whispered, "Sir, the supply wagons are coming. What should we do?"

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