PDLP Chapter 325
Chapter 325
"In that case, does Lord Zhou think I should attend the Wang family's banquet?"
Zhu Junzhang looked at Zhou Chu and asked.
This was a veiled indication of whether he wanted to attend the banquet at the Wang family's residence and secretly help Zhou Chu.
“What is Your Majesty’s status? The Wang family is merely a merchant family. How could Your Majesty deign to condescend to us? The Wang family is nothing to me.”
Zhou Chu smiled.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Junzhang immediately understood Zhou Chu's meaning.
“Lord Zhou is right. It would be beneath my dignity to go to a mere merchant like myself. I shall return home now.”
As Zhu Junzhang spoke, he glanced at the maidservant serving beside him and gave her a meaningful look.
The maidservant came to the sedan chair door and lifted the curtain.
"The master has ordered us to return the way we came."
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
Zhou Chu stood up and bowed.
"I hope that Lord Zhou can make great strides. Lord Zhou may not know this, but although I am a prince, I have no real power and no military authority. I am often constrained in Datong City and have no choice but to do many things."
Zhu Junzhang sighed.
Zhou Chu naturally understood the meaning behind Zhu Junzhang's words; he was simply trying to distance himself from the situation.
It's not entirely fair to say that the Prince Dai's Mansion was entirely innocent, since they did benefit from it. However, it's also hard to believe that they colluded with the Mongols and actively colluded with them. But these are not things that Zhou Chu needs to consider.
The Prince of Dai had been guarding Datong for generations and could not be easily moved, as any move would have far-reaching consequences. Zhou Chu was well aware that the emperor would not touch any of the vassal kings unless absolutely necessary.
Any imbalance in the power of a regional prince can lead to the rampant growth of local forces.
"Your Majesty need not worry. The Prince Dai's Mansion has guarded Datong for generations. Even if His Majesty knew, he would not pursue the matter. For His Majesty, Datong is much better off with the Prince Dai's Mansion than without it."
Zhou Chu said.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Junzhang felt reassured.
"Lord Zhou is indeed a straightforward man. If you don't like these things, I will have someone send you a few young ones later."
Zhu Junzhang laughed.
"Lord Zhou, please don't refuse. If you refuse again, I won't feel at ease."
Zhu Junzhang said with a hint of reproach.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Zhou Chu bowed and said.
Zhou Chu understood that since the Prince of Dai had put it this way, he had no choice but to accept the gift, as only by accepting it would Zhu Junzhang be completely at ease.
After Zhou Chu left Zhu Junzhang's sedan chair, the sedan chair bearers lifted the chair again, turning the back into the front, and returned along the same route.
Zhou Chu did not want the Prince of Dai's mansion to get involved in this mess; with Zhu Junzhang around, Zhou Chu could not act freely.
Zhou Chu mounted his black horse and led a group of Imperial Guards straight to the Wang family's residence.
Even when they were still quite far from the Wang family's residence, Zhou Chu could see it from afar. This was because the Wang family's compound was so conspicuous. The so-called grand mansion was nothing more than this. The Wang family's compound walls were very high, more than three meters high, and they looked very sturdy.
Even from the outside, the Wang family compound looked enormous. Zhou Chu knew very well that the Wang family kept countless private soldiers. If he had rashly entered the Wang family compound when he first arrived in Datong, he would probably have met with dire consequences.
When Zhou Chu came to the Wang family this time, he also brought with him the few evil servants of the Wang family that he had captured before, and the leader was that fat man.
Soon, the group arrived at the gate of the Wang family's residence.
What brings you all here?
The gatekeeper of the Wang family stopped Zhou Chu and said...
Zhou Chu glanced at him, then looked at Yu Hai.
Yu Hai drew his embroidered spring knife and placed it against the man's neck.
"Are you blind? You, a mere servant, dare to stop the Imperial Guards?"
Yu Hai roared angrily.
Zhou Chu had an invitation in his hand, and he believed that the gatekeeper knew that his family head had invited him. Now, seeing him wearing the flying fish robe, the gatekeeper was asking him a question he already knew the answer to, which was obviously an attempt to intimidate him. Zhou Chu was not about to tolerate such behavior.
"So what if they're the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Even they have to state their purpose and announce their arrival before they can enter my Wang family's gate."
Even with a knife to his neck, the man remained defiant, seemingly certain that Yu Hai wouldn't dare do anything to him.
Upon hearing this, Yu Hai looked at Zhou Chu, seemingly seeking Zhou Chu's opinion, and Zhou Chu nodded.
Yu Hai's face instantly lit up with excitement. With a slash, the Embroidered Spring Blade sliced across the man's neck, killing him instantly. As he died, he clutched his neck, his eyes filled with disbelief. He never imagined that the Embroidered Uniform Guard would dare to kill him in the street.
Seeing the man killed, dozens of private soldiers hidden inside the Wang family gate rushed out, each wielding a long knife. The leader was an old man who looked to be around fifty years old.
"Gentlemen, you've killed members of my Wang family right at our doorstep. Aren't you taking my Wang family far too seriously?"
This person was none other than the Wang family's steward.
"Oh? So, you Wang family are going to oppose my Imperial Guard?"
Zhou Chu raised an eyebrow and said.
As soon as Zhou Chu finished speaking, the dozen or so Jinyiwei centurions behind him took out flintlock pistols and pointed them at the old man in front of him.
The old man, used to being a tyrant in Datong, had never seen anything like this before. He panicked instantly, cold sweat pouring from his forehead, unsure of what to do.
"Haha, Lord Zhou, you misunderstand. We servants were unaware of your identity and have offended you greatly. We hope you will forgive us."
Seeing that the situation was becoming increasingly tense, another person from the Wang family stepped forward. This person was dressed in fine clothes and was over forty years old.
"My name is Wang Changshan. I have just met Lord Zhou."
This man was none other than Wang Changshan, the head of the Wang family, who came before Zhou Chu and bowed.
"What are you all standing there for? Put your knives away! You bunch of clueless idiots!"
Wang Changshan turned to look at the private soldiers behind him, and said with a look of disappointment.
Zhou Chu had no interest in Wang Changshan's charade; it was nothing more than an attempt to intimidate him. Seeing that it couldn't control him, Wang Changshan stepped in to play the good cop.
"What is Master Wang up to? If I remember correctly, it was Master Wang who sent this invitation to me, wasn't it?"
Zhou Chu looked down at Wang Changshan and said.
"It was my fault for not arranging things properly and disturbing Lord Zhou."
Wang Changshan said with a face full of apology.
"Master Zhou, please."
As he spoke, Wang Changshan gestured for Zhou Chu to enter the Wang family home.
Zhou Chu showed no politeness whatsoever, riding his black horse straight to the Wang family's residence without any intention of dismounting.
Just as Shen Lian and the others were about to follow, Wang Changshan stopped them.
"Lord Zhou, I only invited you, my subordinate..."
Wang Changshan's meaning was clear: he wanted Shen Lian and the others to wait outside the Wang family's gate.
“Master Wang, since you invited me here today, my subordinates should naturally come with me into your house. Since you have invited me, they have no choice but to enter this door.”
Zhou Chu looked at Wang Changshan and said, word by word.
When Wang Changshan saw Zhou Chu's firm attitude, his expression finally changed.