Zhangjiazhuang stands on flat land, only about three miles away from the county seat.
The walls of the manor are very high and thick, with a place for archers to stand and a watchtower. It doesn't look like a manor, but like a castle.
In the northeast corner of the manor, there is a small temple. The golden body of Buddha is enshrined in the temple. There are two monks, one master and one disciple.
The temple and the monks were all supported by Zhang Guangcheng, and it was his family temple.
Inside the Mahavira Hall.
Zhang Guangcheng, who is in his fifties, is dressed in monk's robes, with disheveled hair, kneeling in front of the gilded golden body of the Buddha, holding rosary beads and reciting the Diamond Sutra.
The handsome young monk accompanied him in chanting sutras. An old monk tapped the wooden fish regularly.
Sandalwood is burning, and the hall is filled with smoke, which is very Zen-like.
Zhang Guangcheng has been rich for more than 20 years. In the first ten years, he drank and had sex, and in the next ten years, he fasted and chanted Buddha's name. In his later years, he even thought about becoming a monk.
"Da da da!"
There was a sound of rapid footsteps, and Zhang Guangcheng's eldest son Zhang Yongyuan walked in quickly from outside, breaking the Zen mood in the main hall.
The two monks looked up at Zhang Yongyuan, clasped their hands together and said. "Amitabha." Then he stood up and left.
"What's the matter?" Zhang Guangcheng sighed, opened his eyes and asked.
"Father, a large number of people are coming straight towards us." Zhang Yongyuan walked up to Zhang Guangcheng, knelt down and said.
"Do you know who it is?" Zhang Guangcheng lowered his eyes, clasped his hands and asked.
"He is from Wu Nian, the Liaodong Tiger." Zhang Yongyuan nodded and said.
"Misfortune has come. The peak will then decline, the moon will be full and then lose. This is the end of our Zhang family." Zhang Guangcheng opened his eyes slightly, sighing and feeling relieved, and said.
Zhang Yongyuan frowned. The older the old man got, the weirder his temper became. What does it mean to eat fast and chant Buddha's name all day long?
And he said nothing but depressing words.
"Why should father be so pessimistic? Is there any difference between Wu Nian and the Meng Yuan people, and the generals of Liaodong? As long as we give them money, we can have a harmonious relationship with them. The Zhang family can stand firm."
Zhang Yongyuan retorted.
"Hey." Zhang Guangcheng looked at his son and sighed. This son is like his early self, daring to do anything, fearless of anything, and ruthless.
Is there any difference between Liaodong Jiangmen, Meng Yuanren and Wu Nian?
There really is a difference.
People who serve as generals in Liaodong can be deceived and bribed.
Meng Yuan people can be afraid and bribed, but they cannot deceive.
Wu Nian cannot cheat or bribe. It's like a stone with no gaps, no oil or salt can enter.
This kind of person is the most terrifying.
"Just do whatever you want. It's up to you." When Zhang Guangcheng thought of this, he said no more, clasped his hands together, knelt in front of the Buddha's golden body, and chanted in a low voice.
"Father. You. Hey." Zhang Yongyuan felt suffocated when he saw his father like this. He stood up with a sigh and stomped away.
It is impossible to stop.
Can't stop it.
After Zhang Yongyuan left the temple, he turned to his confidant slave and said, "Let Miss Wang prepare. I have raised her for ten years, and it is time for her to help me."
"Prepare a banquet of the highest standard."
"Count the silver, gold, cloth, and granaries in the treasury."
"Yes." The confidant's servant responded, turned around and left.
"I don't believe it. How is Wu Nian any different from the generals of Liaodong and the Meng Yuan people?" Zhang Yongyuan sneered, and quickly came to the door of the manor. Someone opened the door and asked the slaves to put away their swords and wait for Wu Nian. .
Miss Wang's name is Wang Xuanji, she is sixteen this year, and she was born in a beautiful country. Due to the decline of his family, he almost fell into prostitution. He rescued her, helped her get revenge, and kept her in his house, teaching her chess, calligraphy, and painting, and how to serve men, just in case she needed it.
He planned to find an opportunity to give Wang Xuanji to Wu Nian as his concubine.
"General. The Zhangjiazhuang is ahead." A large group of people surrounded Wu Nian and Li Tianbao and moved forward along the avenue. The Zhangjiazhuang appeared in front, and Li Tianbao pointed at the manor.
"Yes." Wu Nian hummed and rode on his horse. After a while, he arrived at the gate of the manor.
"Li Tianbao?" Zhang Yongyuan recognized Li Tianbao, narrowed his eyes slightly, and showed a trace of murderous intent. As soon as Wu Nian's army arrived in Jinghai County, someone from Wu Nian suddenly visited his manor.
It must be related to Li Tianbao.
But Zhang Yongyuan was puzzled. His family's affairs have always been very secretive. Even Mengyuan people can get away with it. Why would Li Tianbao know?
Zhang Yongyuan didn't have time to think too much, and quickly bowed to Wu Nian and saluted, and said: "This sir. I am Zhang Yongyuan. I don't know why this sir came to my Zhangjiazhuang?"
"I am Wu Nian. Come to find your father." Wu Nian glanced at Zhang Yongyuan, and then waved his right hand.
The hundreds of households that followed immediately said hello and filed in with soldiers. The whole Zhangjiazhuang was in a state of panic in an instant.
Whether they were old people, women, domestic slaves, or guards, they were all invited out.
Zhang Yongyuan suddenly felt something bad. Wu Nian actually came in person? ! ! ! ! !
Sweat was pouring from his head, but he did not dare to resist at all. He could only forcefully laugh, clasped his fists and saluted, "Greetings to General Fuhan."
"Yeah." Wu Nian hummed, but still had no intention of dismounting. Li Tianbao gave Zhang Yongyuan a sneer.
"General. Zhang Guangcheng is in the manor." Soon after, a member of the household came out and bowed to Wu Nian to report.
Wu Nian got off his horse, turned around and said to the soldiers: "Keep them all under guard. Don't let any of them escape."
"yes."
The soldier responded. Wu Nian and Li Tianbao entered the manor together.
"General." Zhang Yongyuan was sweating like rain and wanted to chase him quickly. However, he was stopped by the fierce guard. The guard held the handle of the knife at his waist and said solemnly: "Don't test my bottom line. If you dare to take another step, I will kill you."
Zhang Yongyuan suddenly became decadent and stood there in fear.
Now how to do?
He, who had always been smart and capable, was at a loss for a while.
Wu Nian and Li Tianbao walked along the corridor, with soldiers standing guard on both sides. Soon after, they came to the small temple and entered the main hall.
A group of soldiers were scattered in the main hall, eyeing Zhang Guangcheng.
"Are you Zhang Guangcheng?" Wu Nian glanced at Zhang Guangcheng's dress, then looked at the surrounding decorations, especially at the golden statue of Buddha, and mocked: "Put down the butcher knife and become a Buddha immediately?"
"If you are so afraid. Why don't you raise your butcher knife and start killing people. Kill people when you stand in your way, and kill Buddha when you stand in your way."
"General Wu. Please be careful with your words in front of the Buddha." Zhang Guangcheng had already learned Wu Nian's identity from his own soldiers. He sighed, clasped his hands and said.
"In my life, I killed people, set fires, slaughtered cities and destroyed countries. I have no connection with Buddha. There is no need to be cautious." Wu Nian waved his hand, then sat down opposite Zhang Guangcheng, raised his head and said, "Old boy. I know what you did. I’m just going to ask you one thing. Just one thing.”
"You help me kill Kunihiko Torii, and I will let your family go. Otherwise, I will kill your whole family. Men, women, old and young, not even chickens or dogs."
