Chapter 62: Preparing to Confiscate the Zhang Estate

The next day.

Early in the morning, Zhao Mang assembled his troops and officers.

This time, he did not bring Wang Wu along, considering that Wang Wu was formerly a retainer of the Zhang family. He wanted to avoid any stirring of old emotions that might ruin the critical mission.

Accompanying him were Wang Mazi, who handled data logging; Xiao Han, who provided tactical support; and Zhu Qiqi, who had eagerly volunteered to lead the vanguard.

Zhu Qiqi had declared, "I haven't done this sort of thing in a long time! You all must leave the house-seizing honors to me!"

His enthusiastic participation aroused no suspicion in Zhao Mang.

Taking the lead, Zhao Mang commanded three hundred cavalrymen, setting out grandly from the beacon towers of Dunzi Peak.

Before departure, Zhao Mang repeatedly instructed Zhu Wuneng to ensure the security of the Dunzi Peak encampment. At the same time, he asked Yu Zhiyuan to accelerate the production schedule for military equipment.

Zhao Mang constantly felt as though a storm was gathering on the horizon. The ten thousand Tibetan cavalry had now been reduced to a shattered, battered remnants, crawling back to Guzhou in disgrace. This windfall of wealth would likely descend upon him very soon.

During this period, he needed to accelerate his military preparation plans to defend against the onslaught of an eventual invading army.

By now, he had already built a reputation for himself within the frontier military camp, and the same held true on the Tibetan side.

Currently, the only thing he could do was continuously strengthen his own power and expand his sphere of influence so that he could cope with the troubles waiting for him in the future.

As yet, he lacked the strength to avenge the original owner's family.

Sitting in his saddle, Zhao Mang looked toward the direction of Guzhou, lost in deep contemplation.

The upcoming mission to confiscate the Zhang family's estate was clearly a lucrative assignment; it all depended on how well he could seize the opportunity.

By the time Zhao Mang and his troops arrived at the West District of Shacheng, the sun was already setting.

The soldier guarding the city gate was still Xie Hu, the familiar face from before.

Seeing Zhao Mang arrive at the gate with a detachment of cavalry, Xie Hu looked slightly surprised, but nonetheless greeted him with a smile, "Is the General here on official business, bringing so many foot soldiers along?"

"There are rules in this city, you know. Border troops are not permitted to enter Shacheng."

Recognizing the familiar gate guard, Zhao Mang returned a polite smile and said, "I am acting under the General's orders. Please open the gates, Captain."

With that, he pulled the official confiscation warrant from his tunic and handed it to Xie Hu.

After examining the official dispatch, the corners of Xie Hu's lips curled upward into a smile.

"Good news!"

Intrigued, Zhao Mang looked at the familiar gate guard and asked out of curiosity, "Why do you say that, Captain?"

Handing the official document back to Zhao Mang, Xie Hu spoke without reservation, "Those people from the Zhang family rely on powerful connections up high and have always been utterly arrogant. Having their estate confiscated is naturally a good thing!"

Hearing this, Zhao Mang reached down to touch the long saber at his waist, a smile spreading across his face.

"Then I suppose I am eliminating a scourge for the people?"

"Naturally!" Xie Hu replied. "Since the General has the official warrant, you should enter the city early!"

With that, he stepped aside and ordered the guards behind him, "Let them through!"

Zhao Mang adjusted his posture, pressed his heels against his horse's flanks, and led his men in a grand procession into Shacheng.

Meanwhile, inside the Zhang residence, Zhang Shirong was reading a letter. It had been written to him by Zhang Luoshui behind Li Huai'an's back.

Ever since Jiang Kuo died at the Louhong Brothel, the Zhang family had been in a state of continuous decline.

Everything they attempted went disastrously wrong, and members of the Jiang family constantly opposed them at every turn.

He had not expected to suddenly receive a secret letter from Zhang Luoshui today.

Now, the higher-ups had set their sights directly on all of his family's assets. Zhang Luoshui's letter mentioned that in just a few days, Zhao Mang would lead a troop to confiscate the estate.

She urged him to hurry and leave Shazhou to take refuge with relatives in the Western Regions.

Zhang Shirong was baffled. As formidable as the Zhang family was, how many of their kinsmen served in the Protectorate's Office?

How could Li Huai'an dare to so easily abandon a collateral branch like the Zhang family?

However, he noticed a particular piece of information in the letter.

It stated that a guide had been arranged for them along the route to the Western Regions.

Astonishingly, this guide was none other than Li Shewu.

Why was Li Shewu of the Li family also heading to the Western Regions?

This left him somewhat perplexed. After a brief moment of reflection, Zhang Shirong grasped the underlying reason.

This letter might not have been sent secretly by Zhang Luoshui alone, but rather dispatched with Li Huai'an's tacit approval.

If that were the case, the situation was truly critical.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Shirong immediately began to issue orders.

"Come here!"

A steward hurried in from outside the doorway. "What are your orders, Master?"

"Go at once and have people pack up all the family's assets. We are leaving for the Western Regions overnight!"

Upon hearing this, the steward stood straight up, staring in shock at Zhang Shirong before him.

"Master, what has happened?"

"Why are we suddenly leaving?"

Seeing the steward's bewildered questioning, Zhang Shirong's facial features twisted in annoyance as he rebuked, "You are a servant! Do not ask what you should not. Just execute the order!"

Chastised by Zhang Shirong, the steward turned and walked away with a crestfallen expression.

The moment he turned his back, a sharp glint flashed deep within his eyes.

After giving the instructions to pack up the household goods, the steward hurried back to his own quarters, took out a messenger raven, scribbled down the news that the Zhang family was about to migrate away in a mass exodus, and released the bird into the sky.

Although the sight of the raven taking flight was witnessed by several people, no one paid it any mind; the only unsettling thing was that a raven flying off always seemed to carry an ominous portent.

At that very moment, Zhao Mang had just arrived with his men at the Liuxiang Courtyard.

When they knocked on the door, the maid Xiaohong looked slightly startled. She glanced at the troops standing behind Zhao Mang before her expression shifted into a smile. "Why has General Zhao returned today?"

Zhao Mang grinned. "What else could it be? I naturally missed your young mistress!"

Zhao Mang's remark made the maid Xiaohong somewhat embarrassed. She thought to themselves that they weren't even married yet—how could he be so brazen, and bring so many men along to boot? It really was a bit excessive.

"Please wait here for a moment, General. I will go announce your arrival to the young mistress."

With that, she slammed the courtyard gates shut, leaving Zhao Mang and his men locked outside.

Zhao Mang was slightly baffled. What was going on here?

Everything had been fine before; why this sudden change in attitude?

Before long, the maid Xiaohong opened the gate once more. This time, instead of stepping aside, she stated directly, "My young mistress says this courtyard cannot accommodate so many people. She asks that you lead your men to stay in the courtyard next door."

"After all, the Young Mistress and Miss Zhenzhen are unmarried ladies and cannot be exposed to so many men."

With that, she handed a keying over to Zhao Mang.

Taking the key, Zhao Mang rubbed his head and suddenly understood.

He burst out laughing and said, "Tell your mistress that Zhao Mang understands."

With that, he turned his horse around and led his soldiers toward the adjacent courtyard.

Zhao Mang was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Jiang Wan to have rented out all the surrounding courtyards as well.

By the time Zhao Mang had everything settled, darkness had fallen.

At that point, Zhao Mang came alone to the Liuxiang Courtyard and vaulted cleanly over the courtyard wall.

His sudden entrance gave the patrolling estate guards a severe fright, and they immediately raised their sabers and rushed toward him.