Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 97 Don’t say you didn’t predict what you said

Kunshan, Zhangjia Manor.

Inside the study, Zhang Ruifu sat facing his trusted advisors, the black and white pieces locked in a fierce battle on the chessboard before them. This was his sanctuary of tranquility, and also the true central hub of his Zhang clan.

A series of hurried, undignified footsteps sounded outside the study, followed by a heavy knocking on the door, accompanied by a sobbing voice.

"Master! Master! A carrier pigeon from Suzhou! Something terrible has happened!"

Zhang Ruifu's hand, which was about to strike the Dragon Slayer, paused slightly in mid-air. He had a premonition, but he still forced himself to remain calm and slowly put the black jade chess piece back into the chess jar. Only then did he exchange a glance with his advisor, a hint of hope still lingering in their eyes.

The staff opened the door from the inside, and the old butler rushed in, his face deathly pale.

"The Chen family... the Beijing Garrison and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, break down the door directly... and arrest the entire family!"

With a "buzz," Zhang Ruifu felt his mind go blank, and the composure he had just forced down instantly crumbled!
He had anticipated that the imperial court would investigate, but he never imagined that it would be the Beijing Garrison and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, two monsters representing the emperor's violence and will, who would take direct action!

The aide's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and he muttered, "He's gone mad, the emperor! He's leaving no room for compromise! He's gone insane!"

Zhang Ruifu and his advisors exchanged another glance. Their last shred of hope vanished, leaving only shock and solemnity at the harsh reality that had slapped them in the face.

"He's not crazy."

Zhang Ruifu's voice was unusually hoarse, as if his throat was filled with sand. He didn't look at the letter because the contents were no longer important. Years of trials and tribulations had made him understand everything in an instant, and also made him feel a chill run through his body.

He had always thought he was playing chess with the imperial court, but now he realized that the emperor had overturned the chessboard and drawn his sword.

This is not a case of making an example of someone.

Because what the emperor wanted was not the fear of the monkeys, but the lives of the chickens, and the lives of all those who thought they were monkeys!
Chen Wannian, that stupid pig, was merely a sacrificial offering pushed to the forefront to attract everyone's attention. While the entire Jiangnan region focused on the bloody massacre in Suzhou, the real blade was already hanging over everyone's head.

He suddenly stood up, his eyes devoid of their usual elegance and composure, replaced only by the resolute and ruthless determination of someone driven to the brink of despair.

Zhang Ruifu didn't waste a single moment in anger or fear, but instead issued a series of orders at an extremely fast pace.

"Uncle Fu!" He stared at the old steward, his voice as cold as ice. "Go, summon your two most capable grandsons, and bring Dalang with you! Don't go through the main gate, go to Songjiang Prefecture immediately to find the governor!"

His fingers tapped heavily on the table, making a "thump-thump" sound, as if he were striking at the fate of his family.

“Tell the Governor that my Zhang family is willing to offer all the land in Kunshan and Taicang without taking a single penny. We only ask that the Governor petition the Emperor to grant the Zhang family a way out! Tell him that I, Zhang Ruifu, have been foolish and offended the Emperor's majesty. We only ask that for the sake of the peace in Jiangnan, the Zhang family be spared!”

The old butler was terrified and could only nod blankly.

Zhang Ruifu took a deep breath and turned to his pale-faced advisor: "If the governor dares not accept it or is unwilling to meet with us, tell them to immediately change course and go to the capital by water! Tell Dalang to take all the valuables we can carry, including those paintings and calligraphy from the previous dynasty, rare Song dynasty editions, and those boxes of pearls... Go to the capital, find Vice Minister Liu of the Ministry of Rites, and Grand Secretary Huang of the Cabinet! Tell them that they will divide the spoils, and as long as His Majesty is appeased and my Zhang family is protected, they can name their terms!"

A flicker of painful struggle crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a greater resolve.

"Tell Dalang that our Zhang family can leave Jiangnan! We can go anywhere, even to the border of Liaodong or to the malaria-ridden southwest!"

He paused, then his voice suddenly lowered.

"If we really can't protect him, then tell those officials to kill only me, Zhang Ruifu! I'll take responsibility for my own actions!"

However, when he uttered the phrase "one person does the work, one person takes the blame," Zhang Ruifu himself suddenly froze.

A chill that penetrated to the bone, accompanied by boundless helplessness, instantly overwhelmed him.

One person does the job and one person takes the responsibility?

He recalled all the recent rumors about that young emperor—ruthless and decisive, disrespectful to ancestors, and disregarding rules!
Most importantly, the Shanxi merchants and Zhou Yanru were truly executed along with their entire families!
Seeking the Governor-General?

The governor probably wouldn't even dare to leave his house now! Go to the capital?
Those adults who usually call each other brothers are probably busy burning the letters they exchanged with the Zhang family right now!
Upon realizing this, Zhang Ruifu's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, and his previously composed face was completely distorted, consumed by immense fear.

He shook his head violently, as if trying to shake off all the foolish and unrealistic fantasies in his mind. In his cloudy old eyes, a kind of clarity and madness, like a final burst of light, burst forth!

"no!"

He let out a hoarse growl, which then suddenly rose in pitch, turning into a hysterical roar as he grabbed the old butler by the collar.

"It's all wrong! It's all wrong!!"

His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman: "Now! Immediately! Send those two grandchildren who haven't been recorded in the family genealogy away! Right now! Arrange for Uncle Liu and the others to be guards, give them gold, give them everything they have! Send one overseas and the other to the Western Regions, to a place where no official documents can reach!"

"Tell them to forget their surname is Zhang, forget Kunshan, forget everything! Hide their names and never return!"

He stared intently at the old butler, and with his last ounce of strength, he roared, word by word:
"As long as the incense is preserved, that's enough!"

This final instruction was like a spell written in blood, exhausting all of Zhang Ruifu's energy and spirit.

"Go! Go quickly!"

Zhang Ruifu shoved the old butler out the door with such force that the elderly butler staggered forward.

However, the old butler, who staggered as he turned around, did not rush out the door as expected.

He only took two steps before letting out a short, dull thud, as if he had crashed into an invisible wall. Then, with a "thud," he slumped back to the ground, his face blank, and his crotch quickly became wet.

At the only exit of the secret room, three or four tall figures had appeared.

They stood there quietly, like silent judges in hell, their figures completely blocking the entrance to the study, extinguishing the last spark of hope in Zhang Ruifu's heart.

A laugh, tinged with both admiration and endless mockery, drifted from the shadowy figure at the head of the group.

"Hehe... This is really well arranged."

Zhang Ruifu and his staff in the room felt as if all the blood in their bodies had been drained and replaced with lead and mercury in that instant!

They stiffly raised their heads to look at the doorway, their eyes filled with the terror and despair of mortals witnessing a deadly demon.

The man in the lead slowly strolled in from the doorway, and Zhang Ruifu finally got a clear look at his intimidating flying fish robe.

The man's gaze swept around the room, finally settling on Zhang Ruifu's face, which was contorted with extreme fear, and his smile became increasingly playful.

"Master Zhang, do you intend to send your family's young talents to the bandits of Taihu Lake?"

One sentence made Zhang Ruifu feel cold and numb all over.

They even knew that!

The commander of the Imperial Guards strolled into the study as if he were taking a walk in his own backyard. He went straight to the unfinished chess game and gently placed a sheathed embroidered spring knife on the chessboard, suppressing the chaotic black and white pieces.

"Your survival strategy is indeed very good."

He raised his eyes, gazing with a compassionate yet cruel look at Zhang Ruifu, who had collapsed to the ground, and said, word by word:

"Unfortunately, His Majesty doesn't like his opponents when playing chess..."

"Leaving midway!"

(End of this chapter)