Chapter 42 You don’t think that a despicable person like me would keep my word, do you? Colluding with Zhuang Xiaocheng? Tipping off others? Before Zhao Duan said this, Zhang Changji's muscles were tense, but after he said it, they relaxed. "What nonsense are you talking about?" He seemed to have heard something ridiculous, and was so angry that he pointed at Zhao Duan and said: "You said I was colluding with that traitor Zhuang Xiaocheng?" Zhao Duan said sincerely: "It's just a suspicion. You can go to the Imperial Prison to explain." Zhang Changji was so angry that he laughed, his whole body was shaking. He turned his head suddenly, stared at Zhou Cang, and said: "Captain Zhou! I don't know what nonsense he talked to you, but this matter has absolutely nothing to do with me! I admit that I have an old grudge against him. A few days ago, a new grudge was created. Zhao Duan wanted to retaliate against me, so he framed me. Brothers of the Zhaoya should not be fooled by this man!" He felt that he understood. Zhao Duan, this bastard, was vindictive. Not only was it not enough to injure him, but he was also shameless enough to drag him into the rebellious party. It's just a false accusation against him.
Facing Zhang Changji's accusations, Zhao Duan acted as if to say, "I am just framing you," and "What can you do to me?" It's just short of having the word "intentional" written on his face. next to. After a brief moment of shock and confusion, Zhou Cang turned his head to look at Zhao Duan, and suddenly remembered what happened when he was about to enter the door. The former reminded, "All things are subject to my orders." Blessed with joy, he said expressionlessly: "Whether it is a false accusation or true, we will know after the trial." And added: "My family's governor already knows about this matter. It's useless for you to tell us." Was it Ma Yan who sent you here? Zhang Changji was stunned, his eyes widened, and he almost blurted out "a secret deal". He felt that Zhao Duan bribed Ma Yan and the two were in cahoots, but he had no evidence. "Okay, let's talk about it in the Imperial Prison," Zhao Duan said lazily. "Do you want to go by yourself, or do you want us to tie you up and walk with you?" Zhang Changji's expression changed drastically, as if he was hesitating. After a moment, he suddenly took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said: "Envoy Zhao, can we have a few words in private?" As soon as the word "Envoy" was uttered, everyone present looked strange. Zhao Duan glanced at him with a hint of surprise and sneered: "You want to trick me into going to the house alone to do it?" Zhang Changji raised his right hand, which was still wrapped in gauze like a rice dumpling, and said: "Is the envoy afraid?" "Ha, what a crude way of provoking someone," Zhao Duan said with disdain. “But I really like this.”
He put his hands behind his back, looking calm: "Captain Zhou, would you please wait outside for a while?" Zhou Cang smiled and said, "You can go on your own." …… …… Backyard, inner hall. The maid handed over the cold tea and fruits, then bowed and closed the door. In the room, only two people were left, seated as host and guest. Well——the one sitting in the host seat is Zhao Duan. "The weather is hot, please try some herbal tea to cool down." Zhang Changji took the opportunity to put on an outer robe, which restrained his temper and acted like a hospitality guest. It can be seen that although this soldier has a hot temper, he can also see the situation clearly and know when to advance and retreat. "Haha, forget it. I don't dare to taste it. Who knows if there is poison in the tea?" Zhao Duan smiled and said: "Now it's just you and me here, if you have anything to say, just say it directly." "Okay." Zhang Changji didn't want to be polite with him, and his expression turned cold when he saw this. He said: "You should know that this kind of cheap accusation is meaningless, there is no real evidence, and it is just based on words. When my elder brother and my uncle find out, they can naturally get me out. Even if they tell His Majesty, I won’t be afraid.” Zhao Duan said lazily: "Whether it's meaningful or not, you have to try it to know. Even if you go in today and get out tomorrow, I'll be happy if I let you suffer a little." Having said that, let’s make it clear. Zhang Changji took a deep breath, stared at him, and said: "It's true that you and I have a grudge. But my elder brother was grounded and suffered a setback, and I went to your house to cause trouble and got hurt. Now you've brought people to attack us... No matter how you look at it, you haven't suffered any loss. Isn't this enough?" Zhao Duan's face darkened when he heard this, and he said: "It seems that you really don't understand. You brothers suffered losses because of your own fault. You did something wrong and offended the wrong people. You should pay the price. Do you think this is fair? What a joke! If we really want to make it even, you can bring your wife here and tease her for me, and you can be the audience... If you can do that, then we'll be even, how about it?" "Zhao!" Zhang Changji was furious: "Don't deceive people too much!" Zhao Duan stood up coldly: "If you're like this, there's nothing to talk about." As he said this, he pretended to walk out. "and many more!"
Zhang Changji's hands, which were pressed on his knees, were bulging with veins, but he finally called out to him. Zhao Duan smiled and sat down again leisurely: "Can we have a good talk now?" Zhang Changji was silent for a moment, and said stiffly: "Tell me what you really want." In the end, he chose to compromise! It was not because he was afraid of Zhao Duan, or because he was afraid of the punishment in the imperial prison. In fact, he firmly believed that with the Zhang family's connections and power, he would not suffer too much even if he was thrown into the imperial prison. Although "Ma Yanwang" is cold-blooded, he still has to give his uncle some face. If it were his temper, he would rather go to the imperial prison for a tour and then walk out in a swagger, or even take the opportunity to make a big fuss and attack Zhao Duan in return, rather than bow to him. But he had another worry: The disappearance case of the Beijing camp firearms craftsman. He knew very well that the imperial court was investigating the case, and it would be very troublesome if he was arrested at this juncture. First, it would be easy to attract attention and expose suspicious points. No one was watching him originally, but what if these people found out something when they were framing him? Second, if he was caught, it would easily touch the sensitive nerves of some people who had contact with him. By then, who knows what changes may occur. Zhang Changji didn't dare to gamble. There was no need for him to put himself and even his entire family at risk of being confiscated and beheaded just to get angry with Zhao Du'an. At the same time, after he confirmed that Zhao Duan was simply framed him. Then I realized that the best solution was to swallow my anger temporarily. Pay some price and reconcile with Mr. Zhao. As for today's humiliation, the worst that can happen is that I can get back at it later. Although he is not smart, he is not stupid either. This is why he asked for a private conversation. When Zhao Duan heard his words, a bright smile also appeared on his face. Hey, this idiot took the bait! "So, you want to negotiate with me?" Zhao Duan had a victorious smile on his face, and he was almost crossing his legs. Zhang Changji had no expression on his face: "Yes. You name the price. How can we reach a settlement?" After a pause, he added: "Don't mention my wife's affairs!" "Haha, don't worry, my last name is not Cao, and I have no interest in other people's wives." Zhao Duan smiled, thought for a moment, and said with embarrassment:
"I'm a little short of money lately, I wonder if Brother Zhang has enough money to lend me some. Last time you came to my house, didn't you say that I owed you money? Why don't you just make it true?" What Cao... Zhang Changji automatically ignored the first half of the sentence, which he didn't understand, and contempt appeared in his eyes: "Okay, name your price. How much do you want?" He is indeed a greedy villain! Zhao Duan slowly raised a finger. "One thousand taels?" Zhang Changji frowned, and although it hurt, he nodded: "Sure. I'll ask the accountant to get it for you right away." "No, no, no," Zhao Duan said slowly, "It's ten thousand taels of silver." Zhang Changji was stunned when he heard this number, then he could no longer hold back and stood up angrily: "Don't go too far! Ten thousand taels, why don't you go rob the treasury! I sold everything in this house, and I still don't have ten thousand taels!" In the capital city of Dayu, a mansion with a great location, area and other aspects has a market price of around five thousand taels. How many people work hard all their lives but cannot afford a toilet in the capital. Although the Zhang family has some wealth, it belongs to the entire family. After Zhang Changji's family was divided, he, a low-ranking military officer in the Beijing camp, had saved only a little over 1,000 taels, a considerable portion of which was given by his father when the family was divided. Of course, this does not include the black money earned from doing things for the "people in the south". "Why are you so excited?" Zhao Duan frowned. "Business needs to be negotiated. Talk about it. Everything can be discussed." Zhang Changji was appeased and his expression eased a little: "At most one thousand taels!" "Eight thousand taels." "...One thousand five hundred taels!" "Five thousand taels." …… The two of them bargained fiercely for a long time. In the end, with Zhao Duan standing up again and about to push the door open to leave, the transaction price of "three thousand taels" was reached. Although he estimated that this should not be Zhang Changji's limit, his goal was to solve the case and make meritorious service, and just make money. There's no need to push people into a corner, lest you lose the big picture for the small. "Wait here." Zhang Changji's face was already livid. He used the last bit of his rationality to force himself to stay calm: "I'll get the money." "Go ahead." Zhao Duan smiled happily. With Zhou Cang and others outside, he was not worried that he would play tricks. Thinking about: “This way, the family’s financial hole can be filled, and we can finally have money to provide living expenses for Eugene and her daughter. Well, look at how hard they are living. They can’t even afford clothes. It’s really not easy. With this money, they can improve their lives.”
Not long after, Zhang Changji came back and presented a huge stack of silver bills, totaling three thousand taels. His expression was extremely ugly: "Now, is it okay?" "Sure, sure." Zhao Duan smiled and put the banknote into his arms. Zhang Changji said: "Then please take Zhou Cang and his gang away. I need to rest." Zhao Duan was surprised: "Aren't you coming with us?" Zhang Changji was stunned: "What? Where are you going?" He had a bad feeling in his heart. Zhao Duan stood up leisurely: "As a suspect, follow me to the Imperial Prison. What else can you do?" Zhang Changji couldn't believe it: "Didn't we agree on this..." "What to talk about? Don't make random accusations and frame others. What can I talk about with a suspect?" Zhao Duan said unhappily. Then, he said sarcastically: "You don't believe that a despicable person like me would keep my word? Childish!" He said in a deep voice: "Someone come!" Bang! Zhou Cang and others who were guarding outside the door broke down the door with knives, looking ferocious and vicious. Zhao Duan said righteously: "Arrest the suspect and bring him to justice!" …… 3,000-word chapter, no more chapters (End of this chapter)