Chapter 148: Duke of the English Realm, Zhang Wen!

Over the next few days, Li Yuanjing made thorough preparations for his trip to Boshan.

Above all, Li Yuanjing had by then come to a profound realization:

Even if it were not for the matter of the fine porcelain, he would sooner or later have to deal with the Boshan Gang, particularly the Ten Brothers of Boshan.

Various clues and signs were pointing to this conclusion.

The Ten Brothers of Boshan might look like ordinary bandits on the surface, but in reality, they were fundamentally different!

They were quite independent and not easily manipulated by local powerful gentry factions, which directly resulted in their formidable combat capability.

That being the case.

They naturally belonged to the category of figures Li Yuanjing could attempt to win over.

The only pity was that...

The second brother of the Boshan Gang, "A Wall" Zhang Kewang, the third brother "Golden-Spanning Beam" Feng Da, and the seventh brother "Dragon Crossing the River" Zhao Baitiao, had nearly all died at Li Yuanjing's hands...

To resolve such a sea of deep-seated blood feuds would undoubtedly require Li Yuanjing's utmost wisdom.

Fortunately—

During this very period, Li Yuanjing's distilled liquor enterprise had finally welcomed a turning point!

Although the effects after double and even triple distillation were still not quite satisfactory, Li Yuanjing inadvertently obtained some aged distiller's yeast from a winery in the neighboring Dagou Village, and things finally began to change for the better.

After triple distillation, blending in the aged distiller's yeast, and then undergoing a fourth distillation, the alcohol content of this liquor could basically rival the lower-tier products of later generations of Fen liquor.

Li Yuanjing had finally pinpointed the problem!

The wine he had previously procured from commercial wineries looked polished on the surface, boasting centuries of heritage, but they were actually far too commercialized.

Consequently,

In pursuit of profit and cost-efficiency, grain was merely used as a secondary ingredient, while various fruits served as the primary material.

As for the small winery in Dagou Village, they did not have such deceptive tricks; their core material was entirely grain, so how could the alcohol content not be high?

...

After carefully planning and preparing for two more days,

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Li Yuanjing finally led over forty skilled fighters from Quanzizi Village, alongside eighteen barbarian cavalrymen provided by Dong Peng, and forty bailiffs from Fengcheng County dispatched by Ma Huan.

A fierce and imposing contingent of over a hundred people embarked on the road to Boshan.

Meanwhile,

In the capital,

Zhang Kun and his companions, travel-worn and dusty, finally arrived outside the Estate of the Duke of Ying in the Fugui Ward.

"Ha-ha."

"Brother Zhang, I truly never expected that you would hit it off so well with Mr. Li and become such close confidants. Rest assured, Brother Zhang, my father is extremely satisfied with Mr. Li. Furthermore..."

Inside the Estate of the Duke of Ying,

Murong Kai was twirling a folding fan while drinking and chatting with Zhang Zhiji.

At this moment, Zhang Zhiji was naturally no longer the novice he had been a few months ago. Seeing that Murong Kai was deliberately withholding information, he hastily chimed in with flattering compliance:

"Brother Murong, the reason your younger brother was able to achieve even this modest success—regardless of what others might say, I didn't care to pay attention—is something I know very well in my heart. If not for the patronage and care of you and Lord Murong, what would your younger brother even be?"

"Ha-ha."

Hearing this, Murong Kai could not help but laugh heartily:

"Brother Zhang, you are far too modest. Brother Zhang, since you treat me with sincerity, how could I possibly keep anything hidden from you? To tell you the truth, Brother Zhang, my father is also very pleased with your performance. I imagine it won't be long before Brother Zhang has the opportunity to have an audience with the Emperor."

"Ah?"

Naturally, Zhang Zhiji was not going to tell Murong Kai that he had always maintained a very private connection with the Longtai Emperor. Yet, upon hearing Murong Kai say this, he still feigned excitement, his face flushing red.

After all,

For this news to come from Murong Kai's mouth meant that the Longtai Emperor had already communicated with the imperial court and was about to confer honors upon Zhang Zhiji.

He hastily bowed deeply to Murong Kai, lowering his hands to the floor:

"Brother Murong, I must ask you to convey to Lord Murong that your younger brother's sentiments toward you and Lord Murong have never changed!"

...

Having seen off the refreshed and departing Murong Kai, Zhang Zhiji had just barely caught his breath when a trusted subordinate hurried over to report:

"Young Master, someone has arrived from Qizhou, escorted by our elite barbarian cavalry. The leader says his name is Zhang Kun, and he is a man sent by Mr. Li."

"Oh?"

Zhang Zhiji jolted awake and hurriedly said:

"Quickly invite him in, invite him in!"

"Understood."

A short while later,

Zhang Kun, suppressing his shock, entered the Estate of the Duke of Ying, which was practically larger than the entire city of Fengcheng.

Zhang Zhiji had long since grown impatient.

The moment Zhang Kun arrived in his courtyard, he hurried out to greet him, laughing heartily as he gave Zhang Kun a massive hug:

"Brother Zhang, you've had a hard journey! Was the trip smooth?"

How could Zhang Kun have expected that Zhang Zhiji would show him such immense respect?

He hurriedly knelt down respectfully and saluted:

"Thanks to the blessing of the Young Duke, everything went smoothly. This is the gift list given to you by my先生 (Sir/Mr. Li)."

As he spoke,

Zhang Kun handed the gift list to Zhang Zhiji.

Zhang Zhiji opened the list, clicked his tongue in silent wonder, and was filled with mounting admiration.

It was not because the gifts on Li Yuanjing's list were exceptionally precious, but rather because of Li Yuanjing's extraordinary grasp of human affairs—he had genuinely considered every single person who needed to be looked after and every single aspect that needed to be managed.

Entering the warmly heated main hall, Zhang Zhiji had a maid serve Zhang Kun hot tea while he carefully examined the gift list. Many of the perplexities that had been weighing on his mind over the past few days rapidly dissipated.

He hurriedly looked at Zhang Kun and asked:

"Brother Zhang, did the Mr. Li have any other instructions?"

Zhang Kun had been prepared for this and carefully produced the confidential letter Li Yuanjing had written for Zhang Zhiji, saying respectfully:

"Young Duke, this is a personal confidential letter written to you by my master..."

"Oh?"

Overjoyed, Zhang Zhiji hurriedly and carefully received the confidential letter to read it.

Before long,

His brows knitted tightly into three vertical creases, his expression turning quite solemn, though for a moment he clearly found it difficult to make a decision.

At this moment, Zhang Kun, who had been watching Zhang Zhiji closely, spoke up with careful caution:

"Young Duke, before my master sent me off, there was one more thing he asked me to convey to you. If... you find yourself unable to make a decision on this matter, you may discuss it with the Elder Duke before reaching a verdict..."

"Huh?"

Zhang Zhiji, whose forehead was already beaded with sweat, suddenly looked up at Zhang Kun.

Daring not meet Zhang Zhiji's gaze, Zhang Kun hastily bowed in a most deferential manner.

After a brief pause,

Zhang Zhiji burst into unrestrained laughter:

"Brother Zhang, there is no need to be so restrained. I will go and consult my father right away."

"Young Duke, wait a moment."

Just as Zhang Zhiji was about to leave, Zhang Kun spoke up once more.

"What is it?"

"Is there anything else?"

Zhang Zhiji felt a slight flash of irritation. Could this fellow Zhang Kun not say everything he had to say in one breath?

Zhang Kun hastily cupped his hands respectfully and said:

"Please do not take offense, Young Duke. My master instructed me to do this. My master said that if the Elder Duke agrees with my master's plan, he earnestly requests that you and the Elder Duke discuss it so as not to reveal my master's name..."

"This..."

Zhang Zhiji was momentarily dumbfounded.

He never imagined that Li Yuanjing would actually push away such a supreme honor as having an audience with the Emperor and enjoying direct imperial favor...

Yet, upon second thought, Zhang Zhiji realized this was entirely in line with Li Yuanjing's style.

He nodded heavily and said:

"Brother Zhang, rest assured, I understand this clearly."

With that, he hurriedly called out to his attendants:

"Someone come, escort my Brother Zhang and the others to rest properly. If anyone dares to show the slightest negligence, I'll have his head!"

"Yes..."

...

"Father, what do you think of this..."

Half an hour later,

In the study of Zhang Wen—the Duke of Ying, a top-tier noble of the Great Qian Dynasty, one of the Six Dukes, Pillar of State, Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent, Right Director of the Palace Administration for the Crown Prince, Grand Commander of the Xishan Grand Garrison, and a figure of formidable renown—

Seeing that Zhang Wen, whose face was as lean and withered as an old street vendor's, had finished reading Li Yuanjing's confidential letter, Zhang Zhiji finally lost a bit of his composure and cautiously asked.

"What do *you* think?"

Zhang Wen's aged eyes, which had seemed perpetually asleep, suddenly snapped open. Devoid of any obvious menace, they locked onto Zhang Zhiji with a hard, indescribably sharp intensity.

"Uh..."

Still deeply afraid of his father, Zhang Zhiji carefully weighed his words before speaking:

"Father, this child believes that Mr. Li's deduction is quite reliable. The roving rebel leader Li Huangchao is very likely making a feint toward Qizhou while actually marching south to Zhongdu, Fengyang! Furthermore, Mr. Li possesses lofty aspirations; he clearly intends to cede all the credit for this grand achievement to this child, and this child..."

"You blockhead!"

"You fool!"

"Utterly beyond redemption!"

Before Zhang Zhiji could finish, Zhang Wen slammed his hand down on the desk with a sharp *clack* and interrupted him with a merciless sneer:

"Mr. Li possesses lofty aspirations? His aspirations are nothing of the sort!

"Only a thick-skulled blockhead like you would be sold off and still help count the money! He wants to cede this merit to you? Who do you, Zhang Zhiji, think you are? That young man is trying to drag this old skeleton of mine straight into the mire!!"

"Uh, well, Father..."

Zhang Zhiji was not entirely stupid, and at this moment, comprehension finally dawned on him. He anxiously looked at his father.

"Hmph!"

Zhang Wen let out a cold snort:

"This little brat actually has some substance to him; that was quite a brilliant calculation. It's been many years since this old bone of mine encountered someone so interesting.

"However, even I cannot pick a single flaw in this little brat's methods! Since that is the case, you shall proceed according to his plan! What harm is there if this old bone of mine takes the blame this once?"

"Ah!"

"Father, you are truly wise..."

Seeing that Zhang Wen had finally agreed, Zhang Zhiji could not help cheering aloud.

However,

Just as he was about to shower his father with a few more flattering remarks, a household servant hurried in from outside to report:

"Your Grace, Young Duke, an imperial envoy has arrived. You are requested to enter the palace immediately for an audience with the Emperor..."