bookrandom Chapter 335
Chapter 335
Seeing Zhou Chu leading a large army on his way back to the city, Wang Changshan, in order to create momentum and embarrass Zhou Chu, specially summoned all the wealthy merchants and gentry in Datong City to the city gate to welcome Zhou Chu.
He was certain that Zhou Chu had not gone to Liangshan to suppress bandits, but had simply taken a stroll outside the city and returned.
If it were Wang Changshan himself, he certainly wouldn't question Zhou Chu about why he didn't go to suppress the bandits. But all the wealthy merchants and gentry in Datong had contributed money, and Wang Changshan didn't believe Zhou Chu would be so shameless. He would have to give them an explanation eventually.
When Zhou Chu led his army to the gate of Datong, he saw the dense crowd at the gate and immediately realized something, and sneered inwardly.
He should be grateful he didn't go looking for Wang Changshan; who would lead someone to walk right into the line of fire? How thoughtful of him.
"Congratulations on your victorious return, sir."
Wang Changshan was extremely arrogant in front of everyone, and even officials like Hu Duo stood behind him.
"Thanks to the money provided by Master Wang and the other gentlemen, the soldiers have benefited and will naturally do their best. How could a mere blind man like Zhang possibly be a match for our army?"
Zhou Chu said with a smug smile.
Upon hearing this, Wang Changshan became even more certain that Zhou Chu was bragging.
He had been to Zhang the Blind's stronghold in Liangshan before. Those kinds of strongholds were useless no matter how many people went there. No matter how many people went, there was nowhere to put their feet, and they would only become live targets.
Wang Changshan's original plan was to have Zhang Xiazi and Anda's men attack from both sides. Ideally, they would kill Zhou Chu. Even if they couldn't kill Zhou Chu, if the army suffered heavy losses, Zhou Chu would be held accountable by the court and would find it difficult to stay in Datong.
It has to be said that Wang Changshan's plan was very clever. Anyone else would likely have fallen for his trick, but he happened to run into Zhou Chu.
"Oh? So Lord Zhou wiped out Zhang the Blind's gang of bandits?"
Wang Changshan's eyes lit up.
"That's natural."
Zhou Chu sat on his black horse, looking down at Wang Changshan.
"It's not that I don't trust Lord Zhou, but I've heard that Zhang the Blind's stronghold is easy to defend and difficult to attack. How did you manage to take it down in such a short time, Lord Zhou?"
Wang Changshan appeared to be humbly seeking advice.
"There's no need for you to worry about that, Master Wang. This is a secret of our army. Master Wang, are you perhaps harboring ill intentions by inquiring about this?"
Zhou Chu raised an eyebrow and said.
At this moment, Zhou Chu was just teasing Wang Changshan. He could have simply brought Zhang the Blind Man to Wang Changshan, but Zhou Chu wasn't in a hurry at all.
"It's not that I doubt your words, sir, but we've offered you one million taels to suppress the bandits. You should at least give us something in return. If you only offer a word, how can we be convinced?"
Wang Changshan said with ill intent.
"That's right, sir. We paid money, so we should at least see Zhang the Blind Man's body, shouldn't we?"
Behind Wang Changshan, a wealthy businessman expressed his dissatisfaction.
Hearing this, the others echoed his sentiments.
"Does Master Wang really want to see Blind Zhang?"
Zhou Chu looked at Wang Changshan and teased him.
"Of course, we want to see the person alive or dead."
Wang Changshan said with a confident expression.
In reality, he didn't really want to see Zhang the Blind. After all, they were colluding with Zhang the Blind, and if they actually saw him, they would panic. However, Wang Changshan and the others were certain that Zhou Chu hadn't suppressed the bandits, so they were just saying this to embarrass Zhou Chu.
"Since you all want to see Zhang the Blind so much, I can't just do as you please. Men, bring Zhang the Blind here."
Zhou Chu said.
As soon as Zhou Chu finished speaking, a gap appeared in the large group behind him, and Zhang the Blind was escorted to the front of the crowd by two men.
Upon seeing Zhang the Blind, the expressions of Wang Changshan and the other businessmen instantly changed; they never expected Zhou Chu to be serious.
The appearance of Zhang the Blind disrupted all their plans. Even an old fox like Wang Changshan couldn't help but panic the moment he saw Zhang the Blind.
"What? Master Wang doesn't recognize Blind Zhang?"
Zhou Chu looked at Zhang the Blind Man's forced composure and sneered.
"Lord Zhou is too kind. How could I possibly know Blind Zhang? But judging from his appearance, he is undoubtedly Blind Zhang."
Wang Changshan forced a smile.
"But that's not what Zhang the Blind Man said."
Zhou Chu's expression changed.
“Zhang the Blind, who exactly colluded with you to murder the previous prefects? Now point them out one by one.”
Zhou Chu looked at Zhang the Blind and said sternly.
Upon hearing this, the merchants, who were initially only somewhat flustered, became extremely panicked.
Wang Changshan's previously composed expression instantly crumbled.
"Why do you say that, sir? This man is a bandit. It's perfectly normal for him to make baseless accusations to save his own life. You can't believe a word that such a person says."
Wang Changshan hurriedly said.
"Yes, sir. We are paying to suppress the bandits, so how could anyone collude with the bandits? It doesn't make sense."
Another businessman also tried to absolve himself of responsibility.
It's no wonder they panicked; anyone facing this situation would have to say nothing.
"Please be patient, everyone. He can say whatever he wants. I will listen selectively, and of course, I will also investigate thoroughly, as this is the duty of my Embroidered Uniform Guard."
Zhou Chu smiled.
Upon hearing this, Wang Changshan's face turned grim. Once the Embroidered Uniform Guard was involved, how could they possibly have a good outcome?
If it were the old Embroidered Uniform Guards, they wouldn't take them seriously at all; in fact, the Embroidered Uniform Guards in Datong had no say back then.
But things are different now. The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has personally come to Datong. The key point is that the current commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard not only controls the military, but also wiped out Zhang the Blind's gang of the most troublesome bandits in a short period of time.
At this moment, both Wang Changshan and the others realized that something was very wrong.
"Reporting to your Excellency, regarding Wang Changshan and Li Wensheng..."
Since Zhang the Blind Man had decided to expose Wang Changshan and the others, he naturally wouldn't hesitate. He had clearly seen that the current situation in Datong was completely under Zhou Chu's control.
To defy Zhou and Chu is tantamount to courting death.
Zhang the Blind is terrified of death. If he weren't afraid of death, he wouldn't have colluded with Wang Changshan and his gang. He could have just robbed them himself without having to worry about anyone else. Wouldn't that have been much better?
As long as he can survive, he wouldn't hesitate to lead his men to wipe out Wang Changshan's entire family, let alone betray Wang Changshan and his ilk.
"Gentlemen, please come with me to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters. After the investigation is completed, I will give you justice."
Zhou Chu looked at Wang Changshan and the others with a smile on his face.
Wang Changshan and the others' expressions changed. They knew very well that Zhou Chu's words sounded good, but if they actually believed them, they wouldn't even know how they died.