The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 18 - Extorting the Zhang Family

“Zhang Qian pays respects to Your Highness.”

“Official Zhang Kang pays respects to Your Highness.”

In the guest hall of Prince’s Mansion, Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang bowed in greeting to Zhao Xu.

With a slight nod, Zhao Xu lazily gestured for them to dispense with formalities, deliberately showing a troubled expression. “What brings you two here today?”

Zhang Kang exchanged a glance with Zhang Qian, secretly pleased that although the assassination had failed, it seemed to have frightened Prince Yan considerably.

Feigning concern, Zhang Kang said, “I just returned from Fanyang yesterday, intending to visit Your Highness, but was delayed by official duties. Upon hearing of the assassin’s attack on the mansion last night, my brother and I came to check on Your Highness. Now that you are well, we are relieved.”

Zhao Xu inwardly scoffed, thinking that they were likely more aware of his condition than anyone else. He knew better than to reveal his suspicions, though the mastermind behind the attempt on his life was standing right before him. This made him furious, prompting him to curse, “No need to mention it. Those who wish to kill me are nothing more than beasts. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang’s expressions stiffened momentarily.

Awkwardly, they agreed, “Yes, indeed.”

Zhao Xu nodded, “I appreciate your concern, but this incident has left me exhausted, and I am unable to entertain you further.”

His words were a clear dismissal.

Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang’s visit was merely a pretense; their true intention was to discuss Zhang Rang.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Qian shamelessly said, “Your Highness, I shouldn’t disturb you further, but my son Zhang Rang was detained at the mansion yesterday. I hope Your Highness will show mercy and release him.”

Zhao Xu knew this was their real purpose.

He continued his act, pretending to have just remembered.

“So Zhang Rang is Squire Zhang’s son.”

“Indeed, he is my son,” Zhang Qian replied, bowing even lower.

Zhang Rang was his only son, and without Prince Yan in Yan Prefecture, murder would be a trivial matter.

But now, with Zhang Rang in Prince Yan’s hands, the situation could be as serious or trivial as Zhao Xu wished.

“This is difficult,” Zhao Xu frowned. “Zhang Rang killed someone right in front of me, witnessed by many. If I release him just like that, how will I explain it to the people of Yan Prefecture?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kang and Zhang Qian both realized that Prince Yan seemed unconcerned about the Zhang Family’s influence in Yan Prefecture.

Indeed, in just a few days, Prince Yan’s Mansion had established a personal guard, unlike the barren state during Zhang Han’s time.

This realization made them both uneasy.

Zhao Xu noticed their expressions and decided to intimidate them further, “The law of the Dasong Dynasty states that those who kill without cause must die. Rest assured, I will ensure he has a proper burial.”

“No, Your Highness,” Zhang Qian exclaimed in shock.

He finally realized that the Prince he had underestimated was beyond his control.

For the first time, he felt that he could not act with impunity in Yan Prefecture.

This realization was both uncomfortable and infuriating.

Zhang Kang was equally anxious. His eyes darted around, and he decided to test Zhao Xu’s character, saying, “Your Highness, it’s merely a courtesan. Why take it so seriously? Our Zhang Family is wealthy in Yan Prefecture, with treasures and beauties aplenty. If Your Highness desires, we can offer them in exchange for my nephew’s life.”

“Oh?” Zhao Xu feigned greed, then quickly returned to his usual demeanor, sighing, “It’s difficult, the reputation of Prince Yan’s Mansion…”

Zhang Qian and Zhang Kang exchanged a smile.

It seemed this Prince Yan was not immune to the allure of wealth and beauty.

If that’s the case, then things would be easier.

Zhang Qian offered, “I am willing to contribute ten thousand taels of silver to renovate the Prince’s Mansion.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu turned to leave, “I think it’s better to choose a day for the execution.”

“Your Highness, wait!” Zhang Qian was so frightened that he nearly lost his soul.

He cursed inwardly, thinking this Prince Yan was greedier than he was.

Suppressing his reluctance, he raised ten fingers, “One hundred thousand taels of silver.”

“The young master’s life seems to be worth less than the art of ice making,” Zhao Xu remarked casually.

Zhang Qian’s face twisted, “I’ll add sixty thousand mu of fertile land. If Your Highness still doesn’t agree, the Zhang Family in Yan Prefecture is not to be trifled with.”

“Hahaha…” Zhao Xu laughed.

He had merely been applying extreme pressure, and the effect was achieved.

However, with Zhang Qian threatening him so blatantly, he wasn’t inclined to yield, and coldly replied, “My personal guard is not to be underestimated, and the Dasong Dynasty’s imperial family is not just for show.”

Zhang Qian paused, his tone softened, “I hope Your Highness shows mercy.”

“Alright, send the items over, and Zhang Rang can be spared from death. But while the death penalty can be avoided, he won’t escape punishment. Transfer him to the government office for detention,” Zhao Xu waved his hand.

Zhang Qian was not satisfied and wanted to say more, but Zhang Kang stopped him, “Thank Your Highness for your grace. Once the items are delivered, I will transfer Zhang Rang to the prison at the government office.”

Zhao Xu nodded, then sternly asked, “Also, what are the prefectural troops in Yan City doing? So many bandits entered the city, and they didn’t notice at all. Who is the military commandant of the Yan Prefecture troops?”

“Your Highness, it’s Huang Gang, the eldest son of the Huang Family,” Zhang Kang’s heart sank.

This time, they truly ended up losing more than they gained.

As expected, Zhao Xu said, “He’s utterly useless. With him around, the Prince’s Mansion will never have peace. Remove him from his position and appoint Chang Wei, the commander of the personal guard, instead.”

“This…” Zhang Kang was extremely unwilling, but didn’t know how to argue.

After all, they had initially planned for a single decisive strike to deal with the Prince’s Mansion.

They hadn’t considered this loophole at all.

“What? Does my command not hold in Yan Prefecture? Don’t forget, Yan Prefecture is my fief, and my orders are absolute,” Zhao Xu said sternly.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Zhang Kang replied reluctantly.

Seeing that staying any longer would be pointless, the two took their leave and exited the Prince’s Mansion.

Back at the Zhang Family, Zhang Qian picked up a vase in the study, ready to smash it.

But thinking of the large sum of silver they were about to lose, he slowly put it down, angrily saying, “When has the Zhang Family ever been humiliated like this?”

Zhang Kang remained silent, as he too was infuriated.

Not to mention the Zhang Family’s one hundred thousand taels of silver and sixty thousand mu of land.

Losing the position of military commandant of the Yan Prefecture troops was a significant loss.

Because this meant the Prince’s Mansion now had control over the military power in Yan City.

And since the regional magnates of Yan Prefecture had their lands outside the city.

Their fortresses were also built outside, with private troops stationed there.

Now, with the Prince’s personal guard and the prefectural troops in Yan City.

Inside the city, their influence was completely overshadowed by the Prince’s Mansion.

“Three months, just three more months,” Zhang Qian muttered in frustration, “In three months, the Prince’s Mansion will be wiped out.”

Zhang Kang nodded slightly, “This matter should be meticulously planned from now on, ensuring nothing goes wrong when the time comes.”

Zhang Qian clenched his fists, speaking with venom, “Prince Yan’s Mansion won’t have a second chance.” Remembering something, he added, “By the way, go immediately and find out who leaked the assassination plot. Once found, kill them without mercy.”

“Rest assured, brother. Anyone who dares oppose the Zhang Family will meet their end without a trace,” Zhang Kang’s eyes narrowed.

The two plotted for a while longer before Zhang Kang departed. Zhang Qian then instructed his servants to carry the silver and take the land deeds to the Prince’s Mansion. He provided the silver, and the Prince’s Mansion transferred Zhang Rang to the government office prison. That was their deal. With the Zhang Family’s reputation, no one would dare harm Zhang Rang in the government office prison. And in a few months, once Prince Yan was dead, Zhang Rang could be released.

Soon, a convoy of carriages headed towards the Prince’s Mansion. Zhang Rang was escorted out, on his way to the government office prison. Meanwhile, a hundred meters away from the mansion, under a willow tree, an old farmer selling vegetables glanced over, then hurriedly left.

Within half an hour, the Zhang Family’s servants arrived at the Prince’s Mansion. Boxes of silver were carried to the storage, the silver gleaming under the sunlight. Liu Fu held a heavy ingot of silver, sighing, “Your Highness is truly formidable. Killing Zhang Rang would make his life worthless, yet it brings so much silver and fertile land, further strengthening the mansion. Once the Zhang Family is destroyed, Zhang Rang will still meet his end.”

“Silver is nothing; gaining control of the prefectural troops is the real matter. From now on, Yan City is in the hands of the Prince’s Mansion,” Chang Wei declared in a booming voice.

Zhao Xu smiled. Crisis, crisis-sometimes danger comes hand in hand with opportunity. Although the assassination attempt was perilous, it brought great benefits to the mansion. However, even so, caution was still necessary. He said, “We can’t be careless now, and do you know where the real threat lies?”