knife

Chapter 304 Frightened
Zhang Songlin, the Minister of War, came from a poor family.

Of course, this so-called "humble family" doesn't mean they were poor; in fact, they were quite wealthy.

Prestige and wealth are sometimes two completely different concepts.

Those who are noble must be rich.

Having money doesn't necessarily mean being noble.

So, starting with Zhang Songlin's grandfather, they worked tirelessly to scheme and plot. Zhang Songlin was also a promising young man, achieving the third-highest rank in the imperial examinations. After entering officialdom, he had money to pave the way and carefully made his way up step by step to the position of a high-ranking official of the third rank.

However, he was able to become the Minister of War because he had no influence in the army and was not proficient in military affairs.

It's almost a joke that the Minister of War of a country was a complete novice when it came to military affairs.

But this is the current political norm in the Qin Dynasty.

Zhang Songlin has not only held this position for a long time, but he has also held it extremely firmly.

How could someone who could pass the imperial examination as a third-ranking scholar and have been so adept at navigating officialdom for so many years be a truly useless person?
He just hid it very well.

Unbeknownst to outsiders, this person has always been like a diligent little bee, cultivating their own power and building their own little circle.

Ma Dacheng of Yangguan has always been his important ally.

Through Ma Dacheng, he also established connections with Li Dachui and Tai'an City.

Over the years, he has made a fortune through this line of business, but this money did not enter the Zhang family; instead, it was distributed outside.

The Zhang family is not short of money; what they lack is the power to command widespread support.

Zhang Songlin may lack influence within the military, but over the years, he has spent a great deal of money building his own network in the Ministry of War's extensive arsenals, workshops, craft camps, and granaries.

Within these areas, Zhang Songlin has already established his kingdom, and his loyal followers have taken control of these places without anyone noticing.

In times of peace and prosperity, the most important role these people play is simply to embezzle and make a little money. But if chaos comes, things will be different.

Zhang Songlin could easily make a large amount of military equipment and food disappear without a trace. As for where they went, the world was in chaos, so how could they be found out?
This person was actually extremely politically astute. Perhaps from the moment he took office as Minister of War, he had already discovered that the Qin Dynasty was in danger of collapsing, so he began to focus on managing it.

The reality is, he made the right bet.

Controlling these things will greatly increase his value, turning him from an insignificant nobody into a highly sought-after commodity.

It's just that many people haven't realized this problem yet.

Zhang Songlin planned to use these things to choose a future for the Zhang family.

Betting at this time was almost a form of gambling; if you succeeded, your descendants would be nobles for generations, but if you lost, not even your chickens and dogs would survive.

Unlike the Yang family of Hongnong, the Zhang family could not place bets on multiple things, and everyone was proud to have their favor, so they had the confidence to do so.

The Zhang family's strength only allows them to choose one option, and once they make that choice, there is no turning back.

Therefore, Zhang Songlin is still hesitating.

Making choices has always been a difficult task.

As things stand, Linghu Ye seems to be the most promising candidate.

If Linghu Ye can capture Luoyang in one fell swoop and advance on Chang'an this time, then choose him and lend him a hand.

Wu De's visit surprised Zhang Songlin, and at the same time made him a little uneasy.

There are no kind people inside the Black Ice Tower.

Especially after Kou Zhong's unexpected death in Luoyang, the Black Ice Guard, having lost its leader, became like a mad dog, constantly baring its teeth at what it considered its enemies.

They don't just threaten; they take a bite out of anyone they've targeted, and those they've set their sights on are invariably subjected to horrific treatment.

Wu De is now the most powerful figure in Black Ice Station.

The sheer number of the inspection team that ran rampant in Chang'an was enough to terrify everyone.

"Father, should we arrange for some people to come and call Mr. Han and the others, just in case?" his son Zhang Rui asked anxiously.

Mr. Han's real name is Han Qinhu. He is a martial arts expert whom Zhang Songlin has recruited into his household. He is highly skilled in martial arts, and although he is a little short of the ninth rank, his peak eighth-rank skills are well-known in Chang'an. Moreover, there are many such martial arts experts in the household. Zhang Songlin shook his head: "Who is Wu De? What kind of place is this? We can't solve this problem by force alone."

What if Wu De gets violent?

“If the Black Ice Guard wanted to make a move against us, the area would have been surrounded by now. Would Han Qinhu and his men dare to fight against the army?” Zhang Songlin glared at his son: “I made you learn martial arts from a young age just to make you strong and healthy, so that if anything bad happens, you can have some self-defense skills. But I didn’t make you all muscle and brain!”

Zhang Rui blushed.

There was nothing I could do. I had five siblings, and apart from myself, they were all academic achievers. My second sister and younger sister were also renowned talented women in the capital before they got married. Only I had some problems while I was in my mother's womb, and I could only barely get started with my studies. Compared to the others, I was far behind.

However, with a martial arts cultivation level of the seventh grade of the Profound Origin Realm, he is still considered outstanding among the younger generation.

"Go and invite Commander Wu here!" Zhang Songlin took a deep breath. What is meant to be will be. He had always been careful and cautious, and was known in the court as a harmless and easy-going person. No one should be targeting him.

Standing in front of the main hall, Zhang Songlin stood with his hands behind his back.

Given his status, he really didn't need to greet guests. However, the situation was unclear. Wu De might not seem to hold a high position, but he wielded considerable power. Given Zhang Songlin's consistent attitude towards people and affairs, he was unwilling to take any risks.

Wu De and an attendant strode in with their heads held high.

"Commander Wu, your presence at my humble abode is truly an honor!" Zhang Songlin, standing on the steps, clasped his hands in a fist and smiled.

He was polite without losing his dignity, and Zhang Songlin certainly knew how to strike a balance.

Wu De laughed and returned the greeting: "If Minister Zhang's residence is considered shabby, then my home can only be described as dilapidated."

The two exchanged a smile. Based on this one exchange, Zhang Songlin was basically certain that the other party meant no harm. Given the current uncertain situation, Wu De, despite holding considerable power, was probably having a tough time and would naturally seek alliances and support from all sides.

Chang'an still has some strength and the ability to choose; who wouldn't be doing this?
One after the other, the two entered the hall. When Zhang Songlin saw that Wu De's attendant also walked straight in, he frowned slightly, feeling a little strange.

"Commander Wu, please take a seat!" Zhang Songlin gestured for him to sit down.

Wu De did not take a seat, but looked at Zhang Songlin and said, "Minister Zhang, the reason I came here today is actually to introduce someone to you. I am not even a guest of honor!"

Zhang Songlin's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze fell on the person next to Wu De. It was an ordinary face, with no special features, the kind of face you would forget as soon as you saw it.

Who is this guy?
Seeing Wu De's gaze fall on his son Zhang Rui, who was standing at the door, Zhang Songlin did not hesitate and turned to Zhang Rui, saying, "Go out and look around. Don't let anyone unrelated get close!"

Zhang Rui hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked out.

"Commander Wu, do you not know who this gentleman is?"

Li Dachui smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Minister Zhang, I have long admired you. Our two families have been doing business together for many years. However, I have been unable to travel to the pass for many years, so I have never had the chance to pay my respects. Now that I have finally arrived in Chang'an, I came to see you as soon as possible!"

Zhang Songlin's smile instantly froze.

We've been doing business together for many years.
They are visitors from outside the pass.
Very few people are truly qualified to say this to themselves.
Moreover, Wu De brought him here.
In that instant, countless people and events flashed through my mind like lightning, finally settling on one name.

He looked at the other person and tentatively asked, "Li Dachui, Protector Li?"

The Protectorate General of Andong and the Protectorate General of Anxi outside the pass have been merged back into the Protectorate General of Beiting. The imperial decree has been issued to appoint Li Dachui as the Protector General. As a military institution, the proposal for the Protectorate General was initiated by the Ministry of War.

He never expected that Li Dachui, who was now the number one person outside the pass, would actually enter the pass.
Li Dachui's current status is exactly the same as Linghuye's in the past.

Zhang Songlin blinked, looking at the other person in disbelief, then turned to look at Wu De.

"Minister Zhang is indeed astute, guessing my identity in an instant!" Li Dachui ran his right hand across his face, revealing a new face before Zhang Songlin: "This is my true face, not a fake. I entered the pass secretly this time, not wanting too many people to know, so I had to resort to this method to meet Minister Zhang. Please don't take offense!"

Zhang Songlin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and his gaze towards Li Dachui and Wu De became exceptionally solemn.

Linghu Ye arrived and seized the opportunity to occupy both the east and west banks of the river. Tens of thousands of troops were poised to march south at any moment.

But Li Dachui wasn't idle either!
Moreover, judging from the looks of it, Li Dachui's schemes are probably even deeper than Linghu Ye's.

Wu De, the most powerful commander in the Black Ice Guard at present, had already colluded with the other party.

This is truly unexpected.

“Governor Li, this is truly unexpected. I never imagined you would enter the pass at this time,” Zhang Songlin said, shaking his head.

"Heroes from within the pass have gathered here. Wouldn't it be a pity not to come and see?" Li Dachui laughed. "Especially heroes like Minister Zhang, I must get to know them. Otherwise, I would regret it deeply if I missed this opportunity."

(End of this chapter)