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Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Zhan Lan and Si Jun Fight Over Someone!
On the day Zhan Beicang entered the city, Xiao Chen and Zhan Lan met in private.
Xiao Chen spoke in a low voice, "Miss, the pirates of Chunshui City along with the evidence have been brought to Ding’an City by General Zhan."
How could Zhan Lan not know about the capture of the pirates? This was one of her plans after all.
The bandit leader of Qiying Mountain, Qi Ying, almost managed to raid the pirates’ lair last time.
The affair between the pirate leader Shui Zhongyue and Zhan Feng, everything was under Zhan Lan’s control.
Including the pirates impersonating refugees to steal military provisions, all took place right under their watch.
Zhan Lan had Qi Ying’s men accompany Shen Shan to transport grain, which was just a matter of convenience.
She not only won over a merchant like Shen Shan but also conveniently obtained evidence of collusion between Zhan Feng and Shui Zhongyue.
Zhan Lan has not forgotten how the second branch of the Zhan Family framed the main branch back then.
She meticulously plotted each step for the sake of revenge.
Whether or not she could bring down the second branch of Zhan Family and Si Jun in one fell swoop depends on this very gamble!
Right now, the majority of the evidence and witnesses are with her father Zhan Beicang, it all depends on his choice.
If he chooses to protect his nephew Zhan Feng!
Then she would have no choice but to carry out the next step of her plan.
As for her father’s decision, Zhan Lan felt uncertain.
She was betting that Zhan Beicang would disown his kin for the sake of the common people, for the refugees, in the name of justice and righteousness!
Looking at the dust-covered Xiao Chen, Zhan Lan said, "Good, you have worked hard. How is Dark Night coming along?"
Xiao Chen nodded affirmatively, "Miss, please rest assured, everything is proceeding in an orderly manner. Yesterday, I met a friend from my exile days, Qin Ming. May I ask if we can make use of this person?"
Zhan Lan’s eyes lit up, "Qin Ming, are you talking about the swordsman Qin Ming?"
"Yes, during my time of exile, when I was aimlessly getting bullied, he helped me out. I didn’t expect to recently find him here in Ding’an City, nor did I expect that he would be doing menial work in a sword casting shop."
Zhan Lan curved her lips into a smile, "Qin Ming’s ancestor, during times of destitution, pawned the Soul Chasing Sword, which later was bought by the owner of the sword shop. With his skills, Qin Ming could easily threaten the swordsmith and retrieve his ancestral sword, yet he chose the most foolish and sincere approach. This man is usable!"
Xiao Chen nodded in agreement.
Zhan Lan instructed, "Xiao Chen, take some silver and help Qin Ming redeem his sword, and then give it to him. You know what to say, right?"
"Understood. If Qin Ming is willing to join us, we don’t need to inform him of our real intentions right now. We just need him to assist with Dark Night," replied Xiao Chen.
Zhan Lan stood up excitedly, "Good, we must act quickly. I’m afraid Si Jun might recruit him!"
She remembered that Qin Ming was a loyal person, who in her previous life was devoted to Si Jun.
It was because Si Jun redeemed his Soul Chasing Sword for him that he swore undying loyalty; later, when Si Jun became emperor and was targeted by assassins sent by Prince Yu, Qin Ming was gravely injured protecting him. However, in Si Jun’s heart, a swordsman without an arm was as good as a cripple.
Moreover, after ascending to the throne, Si Jun purged everyone who knew his secrets, including Qin Ming.
He personally killed Qin Ming, who only learned before his death that Si Jun had also murdered his mother.
In the end, he died full of resentment.
Sadly, such an upright man had wrongly believed Si Jun to be a wise ruler, blindly loyal to him.
It was only in death that he learned Si Jun had his own mother killed to ensure his undivided loyalty, free from others’ influence.
With this thought, Zhan Lan stopped Xiao Chen who was about to leave, "Wait, his mother must be well-protected. I’m going to find Doctor Tian Heng to treat the Old Madam right away. Make sure the doctor uses the excuse that her current house is too cold and damp for recovery, and move the Old Madam swiftly. We’ll operate separately."
"Yes!" Xiao Chen did not dare to delay and quickly disappeared.
...
Within the Marquis Mansion, Si Jun was having a meal when a confidant reported, "Master, the swordsman Qin Ming has arrived in Ding’an City with his mother. Shall we recruit him?"
Si Jun put down his chopsticks, his eyes brightening.
"Find a way to recruit him quickly. Find out what he values most and spare no expense, no manpower; start from there."
"Yes, Master!" Seeing Si Jun’s urgency, the confidant knew that Qin Ming was not a simple character.
He did not dare delay and immediately set out to accomplish the task.
Si Jun sat down to continue his meal, thinking to himself: If he could have the talents of the whole world at his disposal,
what would stop him from achieving greatness!
...
After returning to the General Mansion, Zhan Beicang first went to see his father, Zhan Xinzhang.
He recounted the issue with Zhan Feng to Zhan Xinzhang in detail.
Zhan Beicang spoke solemnly, "Father, this is the current situation."
Zhan Xinzhang, infuriated, pounded the table, "Zhan Feng, that bastard! How did our Zhan Family produce such a disgrace, it is my failure in discipline!"
He covered his chest, coughing violently twice.
Zhan Beicang immediately consoled, "Father, please don’t blame yourself. Now with my second brother wounded and the affair with Zhan Feng, who is also Grandmother’s favorite grandson, I’m a bit worried..."
Zhan Xinzhang pondered for a moment, then closed his eyes and said, "Just go and handle it. Regarding Zhan Feng’s matter, if you do not act impartially, and if it gets exposed by others, it may implicate the entire Zhan Family!"
"I am not afraid of dragging us down, but you all are still young, and we cannot let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel!"
Zhan Xinzhang rubbed his temples in pain.
Too many things had happened to the Zhan Family recently.
First was Madam Ji’s adultery and her subsequent execution by drowning, then Zhan Peng insulting the Imperial Princess, and Zhan Qingqing being imprisoned.
In the end, it turned out that Zhan Peng and Zhan Qingqing were not even Beicang’s children.
These three people had fooled the Zhan Family for so many years.
Their Zhan Family lineage was loyal and upright; how could they fall for the schemes of cunning individuals?
Perhaps, it was because of their straightforwardness that they failed to see through these villains’ ruses.
Zhan Xinzhang urged, "This matter cannot be delayed, go quickly and handle it!"
He then remembered something and added, "I will go with you, and also the four veteran generals!"
Zhan Beicang naturally understood his father’s hard decision.
Since Emperor Xuanwu usurped the military power and the incident involving Zhan Peng which led to the neutralization of merits and demerits, Emperor Xuanwu’s stance towards the Zhan Family had become unsettling.
If Zhan Beicang went alone, and if Emperor Xuanwu seized the opportunity to play any political games in the absence of witnesses,
the affair with Zhan Feng could end up implicating the entire Zhan Family.
At this point, only if the father and son, along with the four veteran generals, acted together in exterminating kin for the sake of justice would it ensure the Zhan Family’s survival.
Zhan Beicang nodded heavily, "Yes!"
"Bind Zhan Feng and escort him to the palace!" Zhan Xinzhang closed his eyes.
At present, this was the only path left—justice over kinship. Emperor Xuanwu’s Tingyu Tower had many eyes and ears; they could not hide the truth.
Besides, Zhan Feng had done wrong and deserved to be punished!
