Cao Zhang pretended to be serious and said to Dong Cheng: "General Dong, to be honest, my father has the idea of rebuilding the ancient capital of Luoyang and developing farming in the surrounding area. You also know that the emperor has always hoped to return to the hometown of the late emperor. My father also tried his best to fulfill this wish for the emperor."
Dong Cheng frowned slightly and immediately understood Cao Zhang's intention. This was definitely to blackmail him for the purpose of rebuilding Luoyang.
He knew that as an important minister of the imperial court, he was supposed to contribute money and efforts. Now that his life was in danger, how could he dare to say no?
"Cao Sikong is really the mainstay of the Han Dynasty, and he wholeheartedly cares for the emperor. How can we, as Han Dynasty courtiers, not follow him? In this way, I will donate three million yuan to fund this matter." Dong Cheng immediately took the initiative to express his position.
After hearing Dong Cheng's words, Cao Zhang frowned slightly and said with a hint of sarcasm: "Three million dollars? Does General Dong remember how much Cui Lie spent on buying a Situ when the late emperor was selling his officials?"
During the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, he had reached the point of being extremely shameless. He openly sold his official position and listed the price of San Gong at 10 million yuan.
Later, the famous official Cui Lie used his connections to buy Situ for 5 million yuan. Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty even expressed regret in person and said that he should have insisted on selling for 10 million yuan.
Cao Zhang's words meant that he thought Dong Cheng was too stingy and wanted to get rid of him with three million dollars.
Dong Cheng heard what Cao Zhang meant and quickly changed his words: "When I said three million dollars, I meant the amount that the young master can take away today. If I can raise more money, I should be able to make up for another two million dollars, for a total of five million."
Cao Zhang stopped talking, stood up and walked out.
Dong Cheng was frightened and quickly got up to catch up, changing his words and saying: "Eight million dollars!"
Cao Zhang still didn't speak, walked to the door and started to put on his shoes.
Dong Cheng panicked and gritted his molar teeth to express his position: "Ten million dollars, this is enough, right, Mr. Cao?"
Cao Zhang turned back to Dong Cheng and said coldly: "General, do you think your own head and the lives of the three members of your Dong family are only worth ten million?"
Looking at Cao Zhang's expression, Dong Cheng understood that this time he would definitely not be able to get away with a small amount of money. He would have to bleed heavily or even cut off his flesh to be satisfied.
Dong Cheng could only apologize with a helpless smile and said: "I am old and foolish. Please tell Mr. Cao how much is enough to express my loyalty to the court?"
Cao Zhang held out five fingers: "Fifty million dollars, hand it over within three days, and I will prepare a letter to prove the general's innocence. Otherwise, the general will wait to be a guest at the school affairs office."
Dong Cheng didn't expect Cao Zhang to be so ruthless, but at this point, there was no room for bargaining, so he could only grit his teeth and agree: "Okay, I'll do it, Master. I promise to deliver the money to your house within three days."
Cao Zhang looked at Dong Cheng and immediately changed his smile: "General Dong is worthy of being the father of the country and is so loyal to the court. Then I would like to thank you on behalf of my father. I believe that my father will no longer doubt him when he sees how loyal General Dong is. You are colluding with Li Jue. The so-called letter of collaboration with the enemy must be Li Jue’s conspiracy."
"I would like to thank you for your help. I will definitely express my deepest gratitude to you when the time comes!" Dong Cheng was relieved when he heard Cao Zhang's words, and quickly added another sentence, so that Cao Zhang himself would not treat him badly.
Cao Zhang smiled and nodded: "Then I'll be disrespectful and take my leave!"
Dong Cheng quickly put on his shoes and sent Cao Zhang off together.
Cao Zhang walked to the door of the mansion and was about to mount his horse. Suddenly he saw the blood stains at the door of the mansion that had not been cleaned up and thought of Yin Bi's atrocities.
He turned around and said to Dong Cheng: "General Dong, there is something I forgot to tell you. When Dong Ji reported you, he insisted that he was often beaten and scolded by your nephew Yin Bi with a grudge. When I arrived just now, it seemed that he I'm lecturing my family again, this is your family matter, I can't interfere, I just mentioned it casually to you."
After Dong Cheng heard this, his heart suddenly moved. He realized that it was precisely because of Yin Bi's abuse of his servants that Dong Ji and Li Jue colluded to frame him. He instantly felt infinite hatred for Yin Bi.
Moreover, Cao Zhang's refusal to join Cao Gongzhi's business was also because Yin Bi had offended him before.
Now that I think about it, my nephew really caused me a lot of trouble, and I really feel sorry for his love.
"Thank you, Master, for reminding him. After Master taught him a lesson last time, I told him to restrain himself and stop being arrogant and domineering, but I didn't expect that he still doesn't repent. Please rest assured, Master, I will definitely punish him and make sure he doesn't do anything again." You dare to act wantonly!" Dong Cheng responded to Cao Zhang seriously.
Cao Zhang looked at Dong Cheng and smiled slightly. He knew that the purpose of this trip had been achieved. The 50 million yuan had definitely meant Dong Cheng had to cut his flesh. This was also a warning to him.
"General Dong, I'll take my leave then. I'll have a banquet waiting for you in the mansion in three days." After Cao Zhang finished speaking, he got on his horse.
Dong Cheng understood that Cao Zhang's words before leaving were a reminder to him, and he quickly responded respectfully: "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely arrive on time."
Cao Zhang smiled with satisfaction and urged his horse forward.
As Cao Zhang left, Dong Cheng felt an uncontrollable anger in his heart. Yin Bi's behavior caused him to suffer huge losses. This bad breath was held in his heart and he had to vent it out.
"Where's Yin Bi!?" Dong Cheng turned around and asked the servants sternly.
Yin Bi was hiding in the gatehouse of the mansion and secretly watching Dong Cheng and Cao Zhang. When he heard Dong Cheng greeting him, he ran over in a panic: "Uncle, are you looking for me? What on earth is Cao Zhang doing in our house..."
Before he could finish his question, Dong Cheng slapped him hard on the face.
Before Yin Bi could react, Dong Cheng's fists and kicks were already like raindrops hitting Yin Bi's head and body.
After all, Dong Cheng was also a general of the Xiliang Army in the past and had martial arts skills. Now in a rage, he beat Yin Bi with all his strength, which also made him scream in pain. He fell to the ground and rolled around to avoid it, loudly begging for mercy.
Dong Cheng ignored his plea for mercy and just vented his anger to his heart's content.
Not far ahead, Cao Zhang rode his horse forward slowly. Hearing the faint screams from behind, a smile appeared on his lips.
Yin Bi was arrogant and domineering, so he took the opportunity to provoke Dong Cheng and asked him to teach Yin Bi a lesson, which was equivalent to breathing a sigh of relief for the poor servants.
Cao Zhang walked all the way to the school affairs office, found Zhao Da, and informed him of his purpose.
Zhao Da did not dare to show any slightness and hurriedly accompanied Cao Zhang to the cell in person.
For two months, although he still maintained a good diet every day, Cao Pi's mood had reached rock bottom after being locked up in this dark cell.
In addition to writing poems every day, he just looked at the small window in the cell and looked at the sky as big as a palm.
Cao Pi felt unspeakable regret, regretting that his plan was not thorough enough and that he failed to kill Cao Zhang and gave him a chance to come back alive!
He also regretted why he had left a clue for Cao Zhang to find out and ended up in this situation.
In order to survive, he had to choose Cao Xiu's idea, but he didn't expect that Cao Zhang would keep him locked up like this.
Now it seems that although Cao Zhang can't find any evidence of collaborating with the enemy, he will continue to keep him locked up here under the pretext of investigation. Maybe he will really spend the rest of his life in a prison cell.
There were footsteps in the corridor, and they were walking towards the cell where Cao Pi was.
Cao Pi felt a little confused and a little frightened. Could it be that Cao Zhang had found any evidence that could accuse him? Otherwise, why would he suddenly arrange for someone to find him?
Accompanied by Zhao Da, Cao Zhang stopped in front of the cell door where Cao Pi was located, and looked at Cao Pi quietly in the cell.
Cao Zhang waved his hand to Zhao Da to open the cell door, and Zhao Da quickly stepped forward to execute it.
Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhang in confusion, not knowing what he was going to do.
Cao Zhang walked into the cell slowly and looked at Cao Pi closely.
Cao Pi thought that Cao Zhang was going to interrogate him, or even punish him, but his face still remained calm enough, and he just looked at Cao Zhang in front of him indifferently.
Cao Zhang looked at Cao Pi and suddenly knelt down on one knee towards Cao Pi, saying, "Brother, it's my fault that you have been wronged!"
Cao Pi didn't expect Cao Zhang to show up like this, and his eyes widened in surprise...
