Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 122 What should I bring back to the modern world if I travel to ancient times? [Seeking monthly votes]

Few people in this world can understand what Zhang Biao has done.

Even if he were to express his true feelings about "abolishing Confucianism," others would only think he was pretending to be a loyal subject.

They might even mock him, saying things like, "Weren't you just looking for death?"

Therefore, throughout history, those who have been concerned about their country and its people have mostly been lonely.

Because very few people can understand them.

Fortunately, Zhang Biao has a rather open-minded personality and never argues with idiots; he knows what he's doing, and that's enough for him.

For example, if it were any other death row inmate, they would probably be living in constant fear right now.

And he
But he was doing something that left Li Jinglong and Guo Ying speechless.

After he had eaten and drunk his fill, he stood up.

In that cramped cell, he twisted his waist, stretched his legs, and even threw a few clumsy, unorthodox punches, all while humming an off-key tune:

"Three circles to the left, three circles to the right, twist your neck, wiggle your hips."

"Auditing, auditing, for good health!"

"It feels good to check the accounts and yell at people!"

Li Jinglong: "???"

What is he doing?
Has he really gone mad?!
Guo Ying: "!!!"

Shameless scoundrel! A disgrace to civilization!

This...this is outrageous!
Zhang Biao's bizarre "prison exercise routine" lasted for quite a while, until he started to sweat slightly before stopping.

He wiped his forehead with his sleeve, then nodded in satisfaction and said:

"Yes, after a good meal and some exercise, we need to stay in shape to continue fighting against wolves and tigers."

His words were pointed, and his gaze swept across the opposite side and the next door with a smile.

Li Jinglong was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

Guo Ying snorted coldly and closed his eyes again, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.

Just then, footsteps sounded again from the end of the corridor.

This time, the footsteps were steady and rhythmic, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

The newcomer was none other than Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

His face was cold and stern, and his gaze, like that of a hawk, slowly swept across the three prison cells.

Li Jinglong trembled even more violently, as if he had seen a lifeline or a death knell.

Guo Ying immediately opened her eyes, instinctively sat up straighter, and her eyes were filled with vigilance.

Even Zhang Biao put away his cynical smile and looked at Jiang Huan with a leisurely air.

Jiang Huan stopped in front of Zhang Biao's prison door, staring at him with icy eyes:
"Zhang Biao, this is an imperial edict."

Zhang Biao raised an eyebrow but made no comment.

As long as he isn't executed immediately, all those imperial edicts and pronouncements are just nonsense.

Jiang Huan, used to his recklessness, continued to speak to himself:

"You shall report in detail all the illegal activities you know concerning Duke Li Jinglong of Cao, Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding, and other related persons, without any concealment or omission."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

But before he could finish speaking, he added a sentence that struck Li Jinglong and Guo Ying like a heavy hammer:
"The Emperor has decreed that if what is said is verified to be true, it may be considered on a case-by-case basis."

This statement is vague, but it leaves room for endless imagination.

Especially for Li Jinglong and Guo Ying, who were in dire straits at the moment, it was like seeing a faint ray of light in the darkness.

The Emperor's meaning
If Zhang Biao tells them everything he knows, and it can be verified, might they be treated leniently? Or perhaps Zhang Biao himself would be treated leniently?
How much does Zhang Biao know? What would he say?
No, the Emperor is encouraging Zhang Biao to fabricate accusations! He's also forcing them!
Just as Li Jinglong and Guo Ying were racking their brains, Jiang Huan stopped looking at Zhang Biao and turned his gaze back to them, coldly reminding them:
"My lords, the Emperor is waiting for you. If you have something to say, say it now, there's still time."

Without waiting for their response, he turned and left, his footsteps fading into the distance, leaving behind a deathly silence and an even heavier psychological pressure.

Jiang Huan's imperial edict was like salt sprinkled on Li Jinglong and Guo Ying's bleeding wounds, and like a fire thrown into a pile of dry wood filled with suspicion and fear.

Zhang Biao looked in the direction Jiang Huan had disappeared, a playful smile on his face: "Is the Emperor trying to start a competition? To see who can vomit the fastest and the most?"

His gaze shifted back to his two neighbors, his smile growing even brighter: "Gentlemen, did you hear that? Your chance has come. How about we have a contest to see who dies first?"

Li Jinglong's face was deathly pale, his lips trembling. He looked at Zhang Biao, then at Guo Ying next door, his eyes filled with utter confusion.

Guo Ying's face was ashen, her chest heaving violently as she stared intently at the cell bars, lost in thought.

The atmosphere in the imperial prison instantly became more eerie, tense, and calculating because of Jiang Huan's "oral decree".

"It seems neither of you dukes and marquises are interested in communicating with me?"

Zhang Biao then spoke up, "In that case, let me have a chat with you!"

After saying this, he turned his gaze to Li Jinglong and clicked his tongue:

"Lord Li, you have a large and powerful family, the Duke of Cao's mansion, which is built on mountains of gold and silver."

"Now that things have come to this, won't all those good things just end up in the hands of the corrupt officials in charge of confiscating our property and those parasites in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Li Jinglong's body visibly stiffened for a moment.

Zhang Biao continued slowly, his voice seductive: "Rather than letting them ruin it, why not..."

As he spoke, his eyes darted around, and he grinned, "How about taking it out to benefit society? Like, let me see it?"

Li Jinglong suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with fear and confusion:

"You've ruined me like this, and you still want what's mine?!"

"Oh, you can't say that."

Zhang Biao waved his hand and said in a serious tone:
"I call this 'rescue protection'! It's to prevent the loss of cultural heritage!"

"Think about it, what a waste it would be if those antiques, paintings, jade artifacts, and other precious items fell into the hands of uncouth people and got damaged or broken."

"Let me see, let me appraise it. Maybe I can even put in a good word for you before the Emperor, saying how you voluntarily 'donated' and redeemed yourself?"

"Really?"

Li Jinglong grasped at a straw like a drowning man, a faint glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

His fear of Zhang Biao remained, but his will to survive was even stronger.

"When have I, Zhang Biao, ever lied to anyone?"

Zhang Biao spoke with great righteousness:

"Tell me, do you have any particularly good, unique treasures in your manor? Like rare calligraphy or paintings from the previous dynasty? Or rare items from overseas? Sparkling gemstones would also be fine?" Li Jinglong was caught in a huge struggle.

He was greedy for money, but also afraid of death.

On the one hand, they couldn't bear to part with their beloved children, and on the other hand, they fantasized that they might be able to exchange this for a chance to survive.

His lips trembled, his eyes flickered, and he was torn between his inner turmoil and his own mind.

Guo Ying next door, though her eyes were still closed, had her ears perked up and was sneering inwardly.

You idiot! How could you believe this lunatic's nonsense?!
Zhang Biao didn't urge him. He leaned leisurely against the cell bars and continued humming a tuneless little tune.

Although he wasn't sure if he could bring the things from this world back to the modern world this time.

Because the "0kg" label doesn't specify whether to take it back and calculate it later, or bring it over and calculate it later.

But he was 100% certain that he could travel between the two worlds to bring things back.

Since that's the case, why not give it a try this time? Whether it succeeds or not, it's still an experiment.

And a 'rich guy' like Li Jinglong is definitely the first choice!

This is also why he didn't audit Li Jinglong too harshly before.

After all, no matter how much was seized, it was all wiped out by Old Zhu in the end.

Finally, as if he had made a tremendous decision, Li Jinglong said in a trembling voice:
"I have a painting by Wu Daozi called 'The Heavenly King Sending a Child.' I acquired it at a high price."

"Wu Daozi?"

Zhang Biao's eyes lit up, but he immediately curled his lip:

"Forget it, I'm too famous. No way, I might get invited for tea."

Li Jinglong was taken aback, not understanding what "inviting you for tea" meant, but he knew Zhang Biao looked down on him, so he thought for a moment and reluctantly said:

"There is also a half-foot-tall blood jade unicorn, which is from the Western Regions."

"Jade? It's too fragile! No way!"

Zhang Biao rejected it again, adding, "I'm a pragmatist; I need someone durable!"

Li Jinglong was almost in tears; he simply couldn't think of any other treasure that was both precious and durable.

He cried, his face contorted with despair: "It's gone. It's really gone."

Zhang Biao showed a disappointed expression:
"Lord Li, that's not very fair. It seems you don't want to cooperate. What a pity, I was hoping to do so before the Emperor."

"Yes! Yes!"

Li Jinglong was terrified by the words "unwilling to cooperate" and hurriedly shouted:

"There's another set! A set of crystal wine vessels! Completely translucent, vibrantly colored, reflecting a rainbow of brilliance in the sunlight! It was a tribute from a Persian merchant, which I... I kept for myself."

Crystal glass? Seven colors?
Zhang Biao's heart stirred.

This sounds like glass? Or perhaps carved from natural crystal?

If it's a high-quality antique glass artifact, it would be priceless in modern times! And it is indeed relatively more durable.

"Oh? That sounds interesting."

Zhang Biao feigned nonchalance: "How big? How many are in one set? Are they intact?"

"Nine items in total! Wine glasses, wine jug, and tray. All intact!"

To demonstrate his loyalty, Li Jinglong was eager to reveal all the secret compartments and mechanisms: "Absolutely intact! I wrapped it in brocade and hid it in a secret compartment in the study!"

"Um"

Zhang Biao feigned hesitation, as if weighing his options:

"Alright, it's nothing special, but at least you've shown some sincerity. Send it to me to be buried with me before I die!"

To be buried with someone?!
Li Jinglong was completely bewildered, utterly unable to comprehend Zhang Biao's thought process, but he managed to pass the test nonetheless.

"Thank you, Censor Zhang! Thank you, Censor Zhang!"

Guo Ying, who was next door, felt even more contemptuous upon hearing this conversation.

That idiot Li Jinglong is really grasping at straws in his desperation!

This madman can't even protect himself, how could he possibly protect your precious treasure? Dream on!
Just then, Zhang Biao's gaze suddenly turned to him, and he said with a smile:

"Old Marquis, what about you? You've fought your whole life, you must have acquired quite a few rare treasures, right?"

"Are there any really tough, unbreakable, and shiny items?"

"Humph!"

Guo Ying snorted coldly, her tone carrying a resolute refusal: "I am upright and honest, unlike some people who are greedy and corrupt! I don't have any! Even if I did, I would rather destroy it than give it to a shameless scoundrel like you!"

Zhang Biao wasn't angry at all; instead, he laughed even more heartily: "No? That's great!"

He suddenly raised his voice, speaking as if to himself towards the corridor, yet making sure everyone could hear him:

"Commander Jiang should be back soon, right? I heard that the Marquis of Wuding's children and grandchildren are particularly filial. Perhaps, in order to atone for their crimes, they will voluntarily reveal where the old man hid the treasure."

"Alas, what a pity, what a pity. Originally, the old Marquis's voluntary 'donation' could have been considered self-rescue."

Upon hearing this, Guo Ying's face instantly turned extremely ugly.

Zhang Biao's words were so venomous!
This is an attempt to sow discord between him and his children and grandchildren!
This also implies that the Embroidered Uniform Guard will investigate thoroughly!
"you!"

Guo Ying was so angry she almost choked, pointing at Zhang Biao with her fingers trembling.

Zhang Biao ignored him, sat back down, and took a sip of wine with relish, as if he had only said, "The weather is nice today."

Seeing Guo Ying's discomfiture, Li Jinglong felt a strange sense of satisfaction, and even felt that his choice was absolutely correct.

Zhu Gaosui watched in the dark, dumbfounded, and his admiration for Zhang Biao surged like a mighty river.

Brother Biao is really amazing!

With just a few words, he made the Duke of Cao obediently hand over the treasure, and even made the Marquis of Wuding furious!

Zhang Biao, however, was making plans in his mind.

Glass wine sets sound pretty good.

You can take them back and sell them individually or as a set, it's all fine.

I just don't know how to bring it back.
Could it be that, before he dies, he wants to be clutching those treasures in his hands? Or perhaps, carrying them in a bundle?

If it's the former, then isn't that a bit too little? If it's the latter, then that old hag Guo Ying definitely can't be let go!

After all, I only asked him for three thousand taels. He should ask himself honestly, did I ask for even one tael more than that?!

(End of this chapter)