"Presumptuous!"
Ding Lin possessed considerable Internal Skill, and at this moment, he unleashed his Internal Skill, roaring loudly, "To say that General Zhang is a traitor is merely your own opinion! The higher-ups have not yet reached a decision, and General Zhang remains the Assistant Commander of Shu Province. It is you who have committed insubordination and disobeyed military orders; that is a crime deserving of death!"
His voice carried far and wide.
"Good!"
Xu Cheng stopped arguing with him, "I'm going to lead my troops to bring the witness to Shu Province City now. If you want to stop me, feel free to do so!"
After saying this, he turned to the soldiers assembled on the training ground and said, "Those who are willing to follow me, Xu Cheng, to eliminate the traitors and protect our country, follow me!"
Xu Cheng was the first to turn his horse around and head out of the training ground, and soon a general followed him with his men.
In the end, all of the more than one thousand soldiers on the training ground followed behind Xu Cheng!
Ding Lin watched this scene with a gloomy expression.
He frequently turned his head to look to the north, as if waiting for some signal.
On the north side of the drill ground, on a tall building.
Zhang Da, also clad in full armor, stared intently at the departing army in the distance.
"General, shall we make our move?"
A general asked from behind.
Zhang Da's face was full of murderous intent, but he shook his head.
Of the four commanders of Shu Province, Xu Cheng held a very aloof position. Although he outwardly obeyed his orders and Shu Prefecture had always tried to win him over, there was always a barrier between them, and they had never truly opened their hearts to each other.
Now that the rift has been completely severed, there's no need to elaborate further.
Of the remaining three commanders, two were employed by Zhang Da, while the third was a fence-sitter, playing both sides. He was respectful to Zhang Da and always tried to curry favor with Xu Cheng.
Previously, everyone got along well, and naturally, Zhang Da was the leader. Now that Xu Cheng has taken the initiative to step forward, Zhang Da is unsure how that fence-sitter will choose.
Perhaps Xu Cheng dared to step forward at this time because he had already secretly won over that commander?
Moreover, the Xu Family was deeply entrenched in this garrison, wielding even greater influence than Zhang Da, the military commander of Shu Province.
Therefore, even if Zhang Da were to take action, he wouldn't choose to do so here.
"General, I think Xu Cheng is using a provocation tactic, deliberately trying to provoke us into attacking!"
Adviser Wang, was also standing to the side when he suddenly spoke up.
Zhang Da looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Adviser Wang, said, "Commander, consider this: wouldn't it have been better if he had secretly brought the Pu Lineage father and son into Shu Province City first, and then jumped out to accuse you? At that time, with sufficient witnesses and evidence, the case could have been directly advanced. Instead, as it is now, the witnesses haven't arrived, the evidence hasn't been presented, and you are still the Shu Province military commander. His open mobilization of troops to pick up the Pu Lineage father and son has already violated the rules, giving you a reason to punish him. Xu Cheng isn't stupid; the reason he made this choice is probably because he was deliberately waiting for you to take action against him!"
Zhang Da frowned slightly. "Isn't it because he realized he couldn't secretly bring the Pu Lineage father and son back to Shu Province City?"
After Zhang Yu suffered a loss at Wu Shuangren's hands, Zhang Da immediately ordered his men to keep a close watch on all the major transportation routes from Yi Province to Shu Province after he brought the news back.
Once he discovers that Yi Province is trying to secretly send the Pu Lineage father and son back to Shu Province, he will send men to intercept and kill them!
Wu Shuangren was able to lead a group of men into Shu Province because the Xu Family had made arrangements, Zhang Da cooperated, and the Shu Province government did not make things difficult for him.
In this situation, if Wu Shuangren dares to lead a large force into Shu Province without authorization, Zhang Da can directly accuse him of plotting a rebellion!
By then, before the case of Zhang Da's treason and collusion with the enemy has been fully investigated, the case of the Xu Family's son-in-law leading troops in rebellion will likely be brought up first!
Therefore, if Yi Province wanted to escort the Pu Lineage father and son back to Shu Province, they could only send a small team to act secretly.
As the military commander of Shu Province, Zhang Da had too many excuses to mobilize a large force to intercept and kill the enemy on his own territory!
Adviser Wang nodded. "It's also possible that they realized they couldn't secretly send the Pu Lineage father and son back, so they had no choice but to go and pick them up like this. But I always feel that they're being a bit too deliberate."
Zhang Da looked at him. "According to you, what benefit would Xu Cheng gain from provoking me to take action?"
"If we lead a large force into Shu Province without authorization, Zhang Da will surely accuse us of treason."
Before deciding to take action, Guo Jiwang and Wu Shuangren discussed the plan.
"Zhang Da is worried about not having anyone to help him attract attention, so we can't give him any ammunition to criticize us."
Guo Jiwang said.
Wu Shuangren nodded, indicating his understanding.
Just like how the best way to suppress a trending topic is to create an even more attention-grabbing one.
Zhang Da's case has attracted the attention of the entire Shu Province. If he were to bring up the matter of the Xu Family's son-in-law leading troops in rebellion at this time, it would confuse the public and give the other side more room to maneuver.
Moreover, the Wu Dynasty still exists, and Wu Shuangren does not want to be accused of treason.
"However, sending only a small number of people to escort the Pu Lineage father and son back to Shu Province would be too risky, and it would be difficult to ensure that everything would go smoothly."
Guo Jiwang continued, "Even if you, my lord, personally lead the team, you can guarantee your own safety, but you can't guarantee that the Pu Lineage father and son won't get into trouble."
Wu Shuangren thought for a moment and nodded again.
Killing someone and protecting someone are vastly different in difficulty.
Even if he and Lin Qian joined forces, they might be able to escape from a large group of people, but they could not guarantee the safety of the Pu Lineage father and son.
"Therefore, the safest plan is for us to send only a small number of elite troops into Shu Province, while Commander Xu sends a large contingent to meet us."
Guo Jiwang said.
Wu Shuangren: "But that would be too obvious. Zhang Da will definitely guess that we plan to expose him!"
"Then let Zhang Da know."
Guo Jiwang and said, "Before sending the Pu Lineage father and son to Shu Province, we can have Commander Xu report Zhang Da in advance."
"Oh?"
"The advantage of doing this is that we can first test the attitude of the Shu Province government towards this matter, especially the attitude of that observer. Secondly, we can let everyone clearly see the outcome of this confrontation."
What do you mean?
Wu Shuangren was starting to lose track of Guo Jiwang's train of thought at this point.
Guo Jiwang explained, "In fact, Zhang Da's treason is shocking to ordinary people and infuriating to some patriots. But for some, what they really care about is whether it will implicate them and what benefits they can gain from it."
Wu Shuangren seemed to be deep in thought.
"Ordinary people might care about the truth of the matter, whether Zhang Da colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. But some people only care about the outcome, whether Xu Cheng has the ability to bring down Zhang Da. Ironically, these are the key figures who truly influence this case, such as that Inspector."
Guo Jiwang said calmly.
During this period of time, although he and Wu Shuangren remained inactive and did not rush to target Zhang Da, they were not idle and had been secretly investigating the matter.
What both of them were most concerned about was how many important figures were involved in this matter, and whether the Jiannan Circuit Intendant was implicated.
If Su Jinfan is also one of the beneficiaries behind this matter, then to make this case airtight, it will probably be necessary to rely on the Yuan Clan's power.
After investigation, it can be largely determined that Su Jinfan was not involved in this matter.
Zhang Da smuggled swords and knives to the border via the Ancient Tea Horse Road, which used the Grand Canal. He started from Shu Province, passed through Xi Province and Yi Province, and finally arrived at Lu Province before heading to the border.
Because the canal is of great importance, Zhang Da needs to maintain good relations with all the major powers along the canal. This is how Mist Hidden Temple previously contacted Zhang Da and purchased infantry armor from him.
On the day Wu Shuangren went to get married, Zhang Da took the initiative to make overtures, which was also to pave the way for his future smuggling activities. After all, the two important locations, Yi Province Wharf and West River Wharf, were now under Wu Shuangren's control.
Through these two docks, Wu Shuangren also discovered some clues.
The Shushan Mount Shu Sect Shu Province, is backed by Su Jinfan, the military governor of Jiannan Circuit. The Mount Shu Sect Mount Shu Sect also does business through the Grand Canal, but in recent years, they have hardly transported any goods to Lu Province.
If Su Jinfan was truly involved in the sale of weapons, there's no reason why the Mount Shu Sect wouldn't expand its business to Lu Province.
Of course, it's also possible that Su Jinfan, in order to protect himself, would stay completely out of the matter and only take a cut of the profits.
However, the military governor doesn't hold military power, so Zhang Da isn't necessarily obligated to give Su Jinfan face. If this military governor doesn't contribute anything, why should Zhang Da give him money for nothing? Just for an extra layer of protection if something goes wrong in the future?
Based on Zhang Da's style of doing things over the years, Guo Jiwang judged that the other party was more likely to act arbitrarily in this matter and to monopolize the benefits.
He was more inclined to believe that Su Jinfan was not involved in the matter, thus making the observer the key to the case.
Su Jinfan's attitude will directly affect whether this case can be resolved in the end.
"Such a heinous crime occurring under his jurisdiction will certainly have an impact on him personally. Therefore, Su Jinfan will not have any goodwill towards Commander Xu in this matter, but he may not necessarily side with Zhang Da either, because he is unsure of the extent to which we can achieve this. After the Xu Family has the Yuan Clan behind them, and the Yuan Clan has not yet fallen."
Guo Jiwang said, "What we need to do is to put the outcome of the matter completely out in the open, so that everyone can clearly see that we have won against Zhang Da! As long as that observer believes that we can win this battle, he will be more inclined to side with us."
Wu Shuangren nodded, already understanding. "So, sir, you had my father-in-law publicly accuse Zhang Da first, and then have him come to pick up the Pu Lineage father and son in a grand manner to go to Shu Province City. This puts our confrontation with Zhang Da on the table. As long as we can successfully send the Pu Lineage father and son to Shu Province City, many people will subconsciously think that Zhang Da has lost to us."
Guo Jiwang picked up the gourd and took a sip of wine. "That's right. From the perspective of investigation, the arrival of the Pu Lineage father and son in Shu Province City is just the beginning of this case. But in terms of the outcome, as long as we send the Pu Lineage father and son into Shu Province City, this case will be closed."
"Sir, you are truly brilliant."
Wu Shuangren raised his teacup and smiled as he gestured to Guo Jiwang.
He originally thought that to solve Zhang Da's case, he would need to bribe officials at all levels and engage in various favors. He might also need to find more evidence and push the case forward step by step until it became an ironclad case.
But after Guo Jiwang's explanation, everything became simple!
Wu Shuangren's thinking is more like that of an ordinary person, as Guo Jiwang described. He focuses more on the case itself and wants to bring the truth to light.
Ordinary people care more about the truth and right and wrong.
Those who truly hold power are more concerned with victory, defeat, and personal gain.
Wu Shuangren didn't think the latter's thinking was necessarily correct, but he silently told himself that he should learn to think about problems from that perspective in the future.
Because he is no longer a person.
The forty-third day since Long Lie was killed.
At the border between Shu Province and Yi Province, Xu Cheng arrived with more than a thousand men.
Of the more than a thousand men, two hundred were cavalry, and the rest were infantry.
The vast majority of infantrymen wore full leather armor, a small number wore light lamellar armor, and the cavalrymen all wore light lamellar armor.
Compared to the soldiers under Fan Yu, the military commander of Yi Province, Xu Cheng's soldiers were all fully armored!
Xu Cheng salaries without working, did not exploit soldiers, and did not embezzle soldiers' armor and weapons.
This is why when he publicly broke with Zhang Da on the training ground, all his soldiers were willing to follow him.
A moment later, a cavalry caravan appeared on the official road ahead, led by Wu Shuangren.
This time, Wu Shuangren brought more than two hundred riders, all of whom rode two horses each.
This number is basically the limit; if there are any more, many things will be impossible to cover up.
"Greetings, father-in-law."
Wu Shuangren rode up to greet them and bowed respectfully.
"Haha, no need for such formalities."
Xu Cheng nodded with a smile.
Soon, the two groups joined forces and headed towards Shu Province City.
Wu Shuangren did not pull any tricks like feigning an attack while secretly advancing; Pu Zheng and his son Pu Yuan were indeed in the group.
He didn't have the father and son hide, but instead had them ride alongside him on horseback, so that the spies Zhang Da sent out could clearly see them.
Now, let's see if Zhang Da dares to send someone to rob it!
P. S.: Less today, more 10,000-word chapter tomorrow.
206 Dragon Descends! Golden Traits (Large Chapter)
Sichuan is a mountainous region, and the official roads are lined with towering mountains and lush greenery.
Such terrain makes it easy to set up ambushes, so Xu Cheng sent out a large number of scouts to explore the way ahead, and at the same time mobilized informants in various places to gather information.
The Xu Family had been operating in Shu Province for many years and had extensive connections, making it virtually impossible for Zhang Da to launch a surprise attack without anyone noticing.
"... Zhang Da was originally a captain in the Shanbei Army. Later, he was transferred to Lu Province to guard the border. It's likely that he had already conceived the idea of smuggling at that time, and also built up his network of connections during that period."
On the way, Xu Cheng introduced Zhang Da's situation to Wu Shuangren.
"He stayed in Lu Province for four years, and was promoted to deputy general of Shu Province for his military merits in capturing Tubo spies. Five years later, he was promoted to assistant general of Shu Province. All in all, I've known him for nearly ten years."