The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 30 - The Situation

At this moment, a dark cloud obscured the sun, casting a shadow over the room. Zhang Kang’s expression shifted from respectful to twisted and fierce. He lifted his long robe and drew a gleaming dagger from his waist.

The cloud quickly passed, and sunlight streamed back into the room. The dagger’s reflection cast a bright spot on the door. Zhang Qian turned around, puzzled, and his eyes widened in horror as he shouted, “What are you doing!”

“To kill you!” Zhang Kang shouted, thrusting the dagger into Zhang Qian’s chest with force.

“You… you…” Zhang Qian’s face was a mask of disbelief.

“Brother, don’t blame me. You are too incompetent. Only I am fit to be the family head of the Zhang Family; otherwise, Prince Yan’s Mansion would have been reduced to ashes long ago,” Zhang Kang said, his face contorted with rage. He twisted the dagger, and Zhang Qian collapsed limply.

The butler, Zhang Yue, standing nearby, showed no reaction. Instead, he bowed and said, “Lord Prefect, your reputation among the regional magnates in Yan Prefecture is unmatched. You should have been the head of the Zhang Family long ago.”

Zhang Kang wiped the blood from his hands and nodded slightly, “Dispose of the body. Say the family head died suddenly. From today onwards, all matters of the Zhang Family will be handled by me.”

“Yes, Lord Prefect,” the butler replied, turning to leave.

Casting a glance at Zhang Qian’s lifeless body, Zhang Kang looked towards Prince Yan’s Mansion. Killing Zhang Qian was partly due to personal vendetta, partly due to Tuoba Lie’s orders, and partly to protect the Zhang Family. Only with the Zhang Family intact could he fulfill the task given to him by Tuoba Lie.

Zhang Qian was greedy and impulsive, prone to foolish actions. In the past, when Prince Yan was insane, it didn’t matter what was done. But now, with Prince Yan recovered and his actions showing complexity, along with the increased strength of the mansion, provoking Prince Yan’s Mansion would only make Prince Yan wary of the Zhang Family.

Moreover, the Beidi cavalry would take at least two months to arrive, so he had to ensure the Zhang Family’s safety during this time. Besides, killing Zhang Qian and taking control of the Zhang Family was Tuoba Lie’s command. In his view, the time was ripe.

With Zhang Qian dead, he could attribute all the persecution of Prince Yan’s Mansion to Zhang Qian, feign reconciliation with the mansion, and deceive them to buy more time. This time was precisely what he needed, even if the mansion didn’t trust him.

Once the Beidi army arrived, he would have won.

…

“Zhang Qian is dead?”

At Prince Yan’s Mansion, Zhao Xu was stunned upon receiving the news.

“It’s absolutely true. Zhang Kang just visited me and handed over a list of crimes Zhang Qian committed over the years, asking me to present it to Your Highness,” Liu Fu said, handing a piece of paper to Zhao Xu.

“Utterly baffling. What’s your take on this?” Zhao Xu was puzzled by the Zhang Family’s sudden actions.

With Zhang Qian dead, the crimes in hand couldn’t be used against a deceased man. Liu Fu scoffed, “Your Highness, in my opinion, Zhang Kang is ten times more difficult to deal with than Zhang Qian. Zhang Qian was straightforward, his actions clear, while Zhang Kang is subtle and unpredictable.”

He paused before continuing, “Moreover, Zhang Kang expressed loyalty to Your Highness, claiming he was coerced by Zhang Qian in the past, presenting himself as a loyal subject eager to serve Your Highness.”

“Interesting,” Zhao Xu mused, rubbing his chin.

But he wasn’t foolish; his mind was filled with knowledge from ancient times to the present. In Yan Prefecture, with his greatest enemy, the Zhang Family, undergoing such a change, it was either out of fear or part of a larger conspiracy.

But what exactly was the conspiracy? He couldn’t figure it out. The unknown was the most frightening part.

What disgusted him the most was that the Zhang Family now appeared virtuous, making it difficult for him to act against them.

Suddenly realizing something, Zhao Xu asked urgently, “Wait a minute, with Zhang Qian dead, Zhang Rang should be the head of the Zhang Family. How did it fall to Zhang Kang?”

“I asked the same thing,” Liu Fu replied. “Zhang Kang claims that Zhang Rang is guilty of heinous crimes and is imprisoned, thus unfit to inherit the Zhang Family.”

Zhao Xu suddenly understood. “Go to the prison at the government office immediately and bring Zhang Rang here.”

Liu Fu nodded and hurried out. He returned after a short while, looking dejected. “Your Highness, Zhang Rang was found hanged in his cell. The guards say he committed suicide out of guilt.”

Zhao Xu sighed. “It seems Zhang Qian didn’t die of illness. Zhang Kang must have had a hand in it.”

“This means there’s internal strife within the Zhang Family. But with Zhang Kang as the prefect of Yan Prefecture, now holding the power of the Zhang Family and showing such obedience to the Prince’s Mansion, having someone like him so close is unsettling,” Liu Fu expressed his concern.

It’s not the thief you fear, but the thief who covets.

Zhao Xu shared Liu Fu’s sentiment. Zhang Kang’s hope that blaming Zhang Qian would earn the trust of the Prince’s Mansion was too naive.

But Zhang Kang was anything but naive.

What exactly was his scheme? Zhao Xu and Liu Fu exchanged glances, feeling like blind men groping an elephant.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Xu said, “No matter what Zhang Kang is plotting, since he implies loyalty to the Prince’s Mansion, issue a decree from the mansion and see how he reacts.”

“Your Highness is wise. Testing him will reveal everything,” Liu Fu said with a sly grin. “What decree would you like to issue?”

“Exempt the people of Yan Prefecture from taxes for three years,” Zhao Xu said with a mischievous smile.

Liu Fu gave a thumbs up. “The taxes from Yan Prefecture never reached the Prince’s Mansion anyway. Exempting them wins the people’s favor and cuts off the corrupt officials’ profits.”

Zhao Xu continued, “Also, take control of the Armory Office in Yan Prefecture and assign officials from the Prince’s Mansion to manage it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Liu Fu departed to carry out the orders.

Zhao Xu then summoned a servant from the Prince’s Mansion to bring Wang Yanzhong.

“Have you found the whereabouts of your wife and children?” Zhao Xu asked.

He intended to clip the wings of the Zhang Family. With the current upheaval, it was the perfect opportunity to act and probe further.

Wang Yanzhong replied, “Your Highness, I have found them. They are in a courtyard on the west side of the city, guarded by more than ten people.”

“I will send someone to help you rescue your family,” Zhao Xu assured him.

Wang Yanzhong was overjoyed. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Zhao Xu then called Zhou Yi. “You can let those three into the brewery. Once they see enough and try to escape the Prince’s Mansion, capture them.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Zhou Yi responded.

Meanwhile, Liu Fu, accompanied by two officials from the Prince’s Mansion’s private administrative office, headed to the government office.

It was his first time visiting the government office. Considering it was supposed to be under the Prince’s Mansion’s jurisdiction, its current lack of control was infuriating.

As the chief counselor, he was even more angered, for he should have been in charge of the government office.

“Chief Counselor Liu.”

Upon Liu Fu’s arrival, Zhang Kang came out to greet him with a broad smile.

The regional magnates following Liu Fu also wore smiles on their faces.

Zhang Kang’s smile was undoubtedly a facade, but the flattery from the regional magnates was genuine.

Regardless of the Zhang Family’s upheaval, Zhang Kang’s change in attitude towards the Prince’s Mansion, coupled with the current circumstances, left them no choice but to show respect.

“Prefect Zhang,” Liu Fu called out warmly, grasping Zhang Kang’s arm with familiarity.

Zhang Kang knew how to put on a show, but Liu Fu was even better at it.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the officials, the two walked into the government office together, presenting a united front for Yan Prefecture.

Inside the government office, Zhang Kang ordered tea for Liu Fu. After some pleasantries, he asked, “I just visited the chief counselor, and now you are here. I assume you carry the Prince’s orders?”

Liu Fu nodded, acknowledging Zhang Kang’s perceptiveness. “Your Highness mentioned that he has been feeling unwell recently and plans to host a banquet for the prefect soon.”

“The Prince’s consideration is truly overwhelming,” Zhang Kang replied, feigning surprise and gratitude.

Liu Fu continued, “Additionally, Your Highness has issued two decrees.”

Zhang Kang’s eyes shifted, realizing Prince Yan was indeed a challenging figure. He had just shown submission, and now this test had arrived. Still, he maintained his smile, listening intently.

“Your Highness commands the prefect to issue a decree today, exempting the people of Yan Prefecture from taxes for three years,” Liu Fu announced loudly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kang and the other officials were visibly shocked.

“Chief counselor, if taxes are exempted, what happens to the salaries of Yan Prefecture’s officials?” Zhang Kang inquired.

This decree was truly unexpected; he hadn’t anticipated it. After all, no sane person would issue such a decree. He now seriously doubted whether Prince Yan’s madness had fully subsided.

“Your Highness has stated that the salaries of Yan Prefecture’s officials and the army provisions for prefectural troops will henceforth be issued by the Prince’s Mansion,” Liu Fu said calmly, sipping his tea.

He supported Prince Yan’s decision. It was simple: regional magnates naturally didn’t lack silver, but Yan Prefecture had many officials from humble backgrounds. For these officials, receiving their salaries from the Prince’s Mansion rather than the government office made a significant difference. Once they received their silver, they would understand to whom they should pledge loyalty.

Especially the prefectural troops, who, like the Prince’s personal guards, would naturally serve the Prince’s Mansion once they received its silver. Thus, this move effectively transferred financial control from the government office to the Prince’s Mansion.

“If the Prince’s Mansion can sustain Yan Prefecture’s finances, I have no objections,” Zhang Kang replied with a forced smile.

At this moment, he couldn’t openly oppose the decree. Opposition would imply that his previous submission was merely an act. He had already decided to endure until autumn. Everything he lost now could be regained once the Beidi people destroyed Prince Yan’s Mansion.

Liu Fu was secretly pleased. He continued, “Furthermore, Your Highness wants the Armory Office to be directly managed by the Prince’s Mansion.”

Zhang Kang had no objections to this decree, so he nodded in agreement.

Liu Fu was very satisfied. Zhang Kang was indeed following his lead.

This time, Liu Fu truly experienced the power of being the chief counselor.