Dong Zhao repeatedly agreed after hearing this.
Ju Shou frowned slightly and said, "Lord, there is something I don't understand. I wonder if it is appropriate to ask?"
Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Gongyu, there is no need for this between us. Just speak your mind."
Ju Shou slowly said, "Lord just said, 'The chaotic world has not yet appeared,' and 'Wait for the opportune moment.' Could it be that Lord has already predicted the general trend of the world?"
Zhang Chen smiled slightly after hearing this and slowly walked to the window.
He pushed open the window, stood by the windowsill with his hands behind his back, looked up at the vast sky, and observed for a long time.
Seeing this, Dong Zhao and Ju Shou couldn't help but look at each other, also looking at the vast night sky, but they didn't understand.
Zhang Chen was seen pinching his fingers slightly, and said in a serious manner, "I have observed the celestial phenomena at night. Although the imperial aura of the East Capital is strong, it hides a hint of misfortune. In the northwest, there is a faint flickering of a demonic star. This is by no means a good omen. If my prediction is correct, His Majesty is already afflicted with illness, and his lifespan is probably within five years. Once His Majesty passes away, the disaster of factional disputes will inevitably arise. At that time, the demonic star in the northwest will also have grown. He will be the source of the world's chaos!"
As soon as Zhang Chen finished speaking, both Dong Zhao and Ju Shou were startled.
Ju Shou couldn't help but think to himself, when did Lord learn the method of observing celestial phenomena at night? Could it be that Lord truly has the ability to predict the future? Isn't this the means of a divine being?
Sweat beads had already appeared on Dong Zhao's forehead. He couldn't help but glance at Ju Shou, his eyes full of doubt.
Ju Shou was also full of doubt, half believing and half doubting.
After a while, Ju Shou still couldn't help but ask, "Lord, when did you learn this method of celestial phenomena?"
Seeing the expressions of the two, Zhang Chen knew that his rambling had indeed intimidated them.
So, Zhang Chen immediately said, "What you don't know is that I have loved reading extensively since I was a child. I have dabbled in medicine, divination, and celestial phenomena, but I haven't studied them deeply. What I said just now, you can also take it as a joke."
Zhang Chen said it carelessly, but the more he said it, the more suspicious the two became.
Dong Zhao pondered in his heart, although the matter of celestial phenomena is profound and mysterious, what Lord said just now was not without reason.
His Majesty currently has only two princes. The birth mother of the eldest prince, Empress He, is a jealous and strong person, and her Brother, He Jin, holds military power. Once His Majesty passes away, she will definitely force her way into the palace to seize the throne.
And He Jin has always disliked eunuchs like Zhang Rang. At that time, the two will inevitably have a conflict. Isn't that the factional dispute that Lord mentioned?
Could it be that Lord truly has the ability to predict the future?
And on whom does that demonic star in the northwest fall? How will this person become the source of the world's chaos?
Just as the few of them were talking through the night by candlelight, they did not notice that a figure outside the door hurried away...
The next day, Zhang Chen bid farewell to Dong Zhao and went to the Military Camp to check his troops and prepare to return to Guangping County.
Before leaving, Dong Zhao quietly brought Jiang Qi to see him.
It turned out that Dong Zhao had found Jiang Qi this morning and was about to persuade him. Unexpectedly, when Jiang Qi heard that Dong Zhao had pledged allegiance to Zhang Chen, he was not surprised but greatly delighted. He immediately asked him to make an introduction, saying that he also intended to pledge allegiance to Zhang Chen.
This was truly a perfect match, so Dong Zhao immediately brought Jiang Qi to see him.
As soon as Jiang Qi saw Zhang Chen, he bowed down in greeting. Zhang Chen hurriedly helped him up, exchanged a few pleasantries, and instructed the two of them to manage the county affairs well.
The two received the order, and Zhang Chen led Generals Gao Shun, Qu Yi, and Zhang He, along with his troops, and returned directly to Guangping County.
...
At the same time, within Taiping Manor, Zhang Ning and Zhang Mancheng were listening to a subordinate's report.
After the subordinate finished speaking, Zhang Ning waved her hand and ordered him to withdraw.
Zhang Mancheng then said, "I didn't expect this Zhang Chen to have such ability. He is actually skilled in celestial phenomena and can see through the general trend of the world!"
Zhang Ning immediately shook her head and said, "The method of celestial phenomena is profound and unfathomable. How can he, at such a young age, know it?"
Zhang Mancheng was surprised and said, "You mean he is deliberately saying surprising things and actually has no real talent or knowledge?"
Zhang Ning's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said with hesitation, "The method of celestial phenomena is vast and profound. I only have a superficial understanding of it. A few days ago, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and did not find a demonic star in the northwest, but the imperial aura of the East Capital was indeed somewhat dim. However, with my ability, I cannot calculate when Liu Hong will die."
"According to what you say, what that brat said is somewhat credible?" Zhang Mancheng couldn't help but sigh lightly, "It's a pity that such a person is willing to work for this corrupt court!"
"How about we make things a little bigger..."
Zhang Ning smiled slightly, called Zhang Mancheng over, and whispered a few words to him.
...
Zhang Chen and others led the army north along the official road, heading straight for Guangping County.
After traveling for about half a day, they heard a rapid sound of hooves from the front.
Zhang Chen then reined in his horse and stopped, looking into the distance.
After a moment, a person was seen galloping on horseback. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be an official courier.
The courier arrived at the front of the formation, dismounted, and cupped his hands in a bow to the generals.
"May I ask which one is Magistrate Zhang, the County Magistrate of Guangping?"
"I am Zhang Chen." Zhang Chen sat on his horse and replied indifferently, "Who are you, and why have you come here?"
The courier bowed to Zhang Chen and said, "Reporting to Lord, I am a courier from the Prefect's Residence. By order of Lord Li, I request Lord Zhang to come to the commandery to meet. In addition, Lord Li already knows about the matter in Yingtao County and has ordered General Zhang He to lead his troops back to the Military Camp first."
Saying this, the courier took out a letter from his Pregnant and handed it to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen opened it and saw that it was exactly as the courier had said. The letter was also stamped with the Prefect's seal and could not be faked.
Zhang Chen handed the letter to Zhang He and then said to Gao Shun and Qu Yi, "Since that is the case, Gao Shun, you lead the Trapped Camp and the new army back to Guangping County first. Brother Qu, this victory was thanks to you. Please return to Qu Family Village first. When I meet the Prefect, I will definitely report your great achievement this time!"
"Alright, Brother, we will meet again!"
Qu Yi cupped his hands and signaled his subordinates to leave. Gao Shun also agreed and then led the Trapped Camp and three thousand cavalry away.
Immediately, Zhang Chen and Zhang He led the commandery troops and traveled with the courier, heading straight for Ye City, the commandery seat of Wei Commandery.
After traveling for two days, everyone arrived at Ye City. Zhang He parted ways with Zhang Chen and led the army back to the Military Camp first. Zhang Chen, guided by the courier, went directly to the Prefect's Residence.
Ye City, being both the commandery seat of Wei Commandery and the provincial capital of Ji Province, was wealthy and prosperous, far beyond comparison with Guangping County. As soon as Zhang Chen entered the city, he was attracted by the city's prosperity and hustle and bustle, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Zhang Chen followed the courier, passed through two streets, and then through the East Market before arriving at the gate of the Prefect's Residence.
The courier asked Zhang Chen to wait for a moment and then went in to report. Shortly after, the courier returned and said that the Prefect had invited him in. Only then did Zhang Chen enter the residence with him.
The courier led Zhang Chen to the flower hall, offered fragrant tea, and said that the Prefect still had some official business and asked him to wait for a moment.
Zhang Chen immediately thanked him and sat down in the flower hall, looking around.
This Prefect's Residence was indeed much more imposing than his County Government. It had three courtyards, with the front hall where the Prefect handled official business, the middle section containing bedrooms, a study, a flower hall, side rooms, etc., and finally a garden at the back with a pavilion and a fish pond for relaxation and enjoyment.
In comparison, his own residence was truly much more humble.
The Zhang Family in Guangping County was considered wealthy, but at this moment, Zhang Chen realized that there was a world of difference between a mere merchant and a high-ranking official or noble!
Not long after, the courier came and said that the Prefect had invited him to meet in the study.
Upon arriving at the study, he saw a middle-aged man sitting in the main seat. The man was dressed in brocade robes, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. There was a hint of heroism between his brows, and he exuded an air of authority without being angry.
Zhang Chen knew in his heart that this person was the Prefect of Wei Commandery, Li Wen.
Zhang Chen stepped forward, bowed deeply, and performed a salute.
"Your subordinate, Zhang Chen, the County Magistrate of Guangping, pays his respects to the Prefect."