Chapter 230: Zhang Biao: I Really Want To Shoot You Dead! Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter 31
Geng Zhong’s original plan was to invite Duke of Liang, Lan Yu, over through his connection with Blue Dragon.
Upon hearing Blue Dragon’s explanation, he suddenly realized, thinking that Lan Yu wasn’t as reckless as the legends claimed!
However, even though Lan Yu didn’t come, Blue Dragon’s presence was just as good.
In any case, Lan Yu treated his adopted sons as his own flesh and blood; with a little guidance, he wouldn’t be afraid of him getting involved in this mess.
With this thought in mind, Geng Zhong immediately became enthusiastic towards Blue Dragon.
“Brother Lan, it’s been many years, I’ve missed you dearly! I never expected we’d meet again here today, we must have a good drink!”
Geng Zhong personally poured wine for Blue Dragon, his expression excited, his eyes even turning red, as if truly immersed in the joy of reuniting with a brother from life and death.
Seeing Geng Zhong’s genuine emotion, Blue Dragon felt quite touched and raised his wine cup:
“Brother Geng, I often think of the days when we fought side by side against the enemy! So many years have passed, and Brother is now a Commander capable of handling matters independently! I toast you!”
The two clinked cups and reminisced about their glorious past, the atmosphere fervent.
After three rounds of drinks, Geng Zhong sighed as if inadvertently, the joy on his face fading, replaced by a trace of sorrow.
Seeing this, Blue Dragon put down his wine cup: “Why do you sigh, Brother? Is there some difficulty?”
Geng Zhong hesitated to speak, shaking his head with a wry smile:
“It’s nothing, nothing… just some troublesome official matters, I wouldn’t want to disturb your good spirits, Brother Lan.”
The more he acted this way, the more Blue Dragon pressed:
“What are you saying, Brother! We are brothers, so speak freely! Is some troublemaker in the camp causing you grief? Let your brother handle it!”
Geng Zhong shook his head with a bitter smile and lowered his voice:
“If it were something within the camp, it would be simple. It’s an ‘Imperial Envoy’ from the Capital City, named Zhang Biao.”
“You say Zhang Biao?!”
Blue Dragon’s face changed, and he frowned deeply: “Why has this jinx come to your place?”
“Brother Lan, you know this person?” Geng Zhong was slightly taken aback, not expecting this.
He saw Blue Dragon nod heavily:
“This fellow is infamous as a madman in the Capital City. It’s said that relying on the Emperor’s favor, he caused quite a stir in the Capital some time ago, and even my adoptive father is quite wary of him!”
Saying this, he turned to Geng Zhong again, puzzled: “How did Brother provoke this person?”
“Alas!”
Geng Zhong sighed. Although he was shocked that Lan Yu was wary of Zhang Biao, he continued to act: “How could I have provoked him! Clearly, he came to trouble your elder brother!”
“Brother Lan, you don’t know, a few days ago, at the Jiujiang Guard, he made a scene with the Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings, and as if that wasn’t enough, he incited the surrounding populace and harmed several garrisons in succession.”
“And my Raozhou Guard, because we refused to yield, he personally brought his men.”
“Claiming to be inspecting affairs, he arrived aggressively, using the Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings to force his way into the storeroom, demanding non-existent hidden accounts.”
Geng Zhong said with a look of helplessness and indignation:
“I, according to regulations, asked him to show documents from the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, but he accused me of ‘defying ancestral instructions’!”
“Yesterday, he even allowed a group of ruffians to cause trouble outside the camp gate, tearing down the Ancestral Teachings and falsely accusing my soldiers!”
“Under duress, I invited him into the guard post and, according to procedure, allowed him to review the account books.”
Saying this, he slammed his fist heavily on the table, making the bowls and plates clatter:
“But this madman, unable to find fault with the account books, resorted to unreasonable accusations, insisting that I aided the enemy and harbored bandits!”
“Brother Lan, you tell me, isn’t this a frame-up?!”
“I, Geng Zhong, swear to heaven that if there is a single word of falsehood, may lightning strike me and may I die a terrible death!”
His half-true, half-false plea, coupled with the solemn oath, instantly ignited Blue Dragon’s anger.
Blue Dragon already detested Zhang Biao immensely, and now hearing his sworn brother suffer such ‘injustice’ brought old and new grievances to the forefront.
“Damn it! This madman is becoming more and more lawless! Causing trouble in the Capital City wasn’t enough, he’s now coming to the provinces to bully border generals!”
Blue Dragon stood up abruptly, the scar on his face twisting, his killing intent palpable:
“Brother, don’t worry! With your brother here, I absolutely will not allow this madman to act with impunity!”
“My Duke of Liang’s Mansion’s people are not to be bullied by a pedantic censor like him!”
Geng Zhong secretly rejoiced but feigned worry on his face:
“Brother Lan, I appreciate your intentions! But he is an Imperial Envoy, you absolutely must not be rash, lest you cause trouble for the Duke of Liang…”
“So what if he’s an Imperial Envoy?!”
Blue Dragon said, his neck stiff:
“He has no proof, slandering a border general, I can’t stand it!”
“Let’s go, Brother, take me to meet him! I want to see if he dares to spout nonsense in front of me again!”
Saying this, he grabbed Geng Zhong and pulled him towards the door without further ado.
At the same time, Zhang Biao, along with Song Zhong and others, came to find Geng Zhong, and incidentally to see the ‘distinguished guest’ from the Duke of Liang’s Mansion, but were stopped by Geng Zhong’s personal guards.
“Imperial Censor Zhang, please wait. The Commander is entertaining a distinguished guest and has ordered that no one be disturbed.”
The leading personal guard’s expression was impassive, but his hand remained on the hilt of his saber.
Song Zhong whispered, “My Lord, it seems Geng Zhong is determined to leverage the Duke of Liang’s influence. It would be inappropriate for us to force our way in.”
Zhang Biao’s eyes narrowed slightly, and just as he was about to speak, he heard the sound of noisy footsteps and clamor from the other end of the corridor.
Geng Zhong and Blue Dragon arrived side by side, followed by a group of Blue Dragon’s personal guards.
Geng Zhong’s face held a hint of helplessness, while Blue Dragon’s expression was grim, his gaze like a hawk sweeping over, instantly locking onto Zhang Biao, who was wearing an official robe as a censor.
In that gaze, there was undisguised hostility, scrutiny, and a condescending contempt.
Geng Zhong stepped forward, a strained smile on his face: “Imperial Censor Zhang, why have you come here? It’s my fault for being too eager to see my brother; regarding the accounts, perhaps we can postpone it for a couple of days?”
Although his words were polite, they were actually meant to solidify Zhang Biao’s image as someone ‘unreasonably making trouble’ in front of Blue Dragon.
Blue Dragon, without waiting for Zhang Biao’s reply, strode forward, stopping a few paces away from Zhang Biao, with his arms crossed, and scanned Zhang Biao from head to toe with the scrutinizing gaze of a soldier appraising a civil official, then snorted from his nose:
“Heh, so you’re Zhang Biao?”
His tone was full of provocation and disdain:
“The mad censor who caused so much chaos in the Capital City, making a nuisance of himself?”
Geng Zhong chimed in at the right moment, whispering: “Brother Lan, be careful with your words, Imperial Censor Zhang is an Imperial Envoy after all…”
“So what if he’s an Imperial Envoy?”
Blue Dragon raised his voice, deliberately making sure everyone could hear:
“Does being an Imperial Envoy mean he can act without following rules? Can he slander people out of thin air? My Brother Geng has guarded this region with great merit; how can he be so arbitrarily insulted by you!”
He pointed at Zhang Biao, his tone becoming more aggressive:
“I heard you used the Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings as an Imperial Sword, chopping at people everywhere? And you falsely accused my elder brother of aiding the enemy and harboring bandits? Where is the evidence?! If you can’t produce it, you must kowtow and apologize to my elder brother today!”
The personal guards from the Duke of Liang’s Mansion behind him echoed with laughter, their eyes playful, as if watching a monkey show.
Song Zhong and the old soldiers’ faces turned ashen with anger, but due to the other party’s status, they could only suppress their rage.
Facing the overwhelming malice and provocation, Zhang Biao showed no anger; instead, he seemed to find something amusing and let out a soft laugh.
This laugh made both Blue Dragon and Geng Zhong pause.
“What are you laughing at?” Blue Dragon’s brow furrowed.
Zhang Biao didn’t answer, but instead, he looked at Blue Dragon with great interest, his gaze so calm that it made Blue Dragon uncomfortable, as if he were the one being scrutinized.
“General Lan.”
Zhang Biao finally spoke, his tone plain, yet with a strange penetrating quality:
“I, by imperial decree, am here to audit the military equipment accounts of the Raozhou Guard. Where does the insult come from? Rather, Commander Geng has evaded key points and refused to cooperate, and I have yet to accuse him of neglecting an Imperial Envoy.”
“Talk nonsense!”
Blue Dragon cursed loudly: “What key points? Didn’t you fail to produce the documents and seal, and try to force your way into the storeroom?! Let me tell you, the military has its own rules!”
“Without the permission of the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, let alone you, even the Minister of War would not have the right to forcefully investigate the storeroom of a guard post! This is an ironclad rule!”
He stepped forward, almost face-to-face with Zhang Biao, the strong smell of alcohol and killing intent emanating from him:
“You can’t find any problems, so you want to frame my Brother Geng? I’m telling you today!”
“With me here, you will not be able to harm my Brother Geng even a single hair! Immediately take your people and get out of Raozhou Guard! Otherwise, don’t blame my saber for not recognizing any damn Imperial Envoy!”
The personal guards behind him simultaneously drew their sabers half an inch, their cold gleam sharp.
Song Zhong and two old soldiers also quickly stepped forward defensively, protecting Zhang Biao behind them, the atmosphere instantly becoming extremely tense.
Geng Zhong, standing aside, lowered his head, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curving upwards.
Facing Blue Dragon’s aggressive pressure and almost tangible killing intent, Zhang Biao still showed no panic.
He knew that reasoning with Blue Dragon, who had been incited, was useless, and a head-on confrontation would only fall into Geng Zhong’s trap.
He chuckled softly again, the sound seeming even more out of place in the tense atmosphere.
“What are you laughing at again?!”
Blue Dragon’s eyes widened in anger.
Zhang Biao didn’t look at him, but rather looked past him, his gaze falling on Geng Zhong’s face, his tone carrying a peculiar mix of pity and mockery:
“Commander Geng, truly a clever plan. Knowing that General Lan is hot-tempered and values loyalty, you used this brotherhood to have him shield you.”
He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold, piercing Geng Zhong like an ice pick:
“But have you considered, by having him forcefully obstruct an Imperial Envoy’s investigation, even resorting to drawing weapons, once this matter escalates and the Emperor is enraged, and an investigation is launched, what would be the fate of your ‘good brother’ Blue Dragon, and even his adoptive father, the Duke of Liang’s Mansion?”
“You are talking utter nonsense!”
Geng Zhong’s face changed, and he quickly retorted:
“When did I ask my brother to obstruct the Imperial Envoy! My brother simply couldn’t stand seeing you bully a border general and spoke up righteously!”
“Spoke up righteously?”
Zhang Biao sneered, finally turning his gaze back to Blue Dragon, whose expression had slightly changed:
“General Lan, ask yourself, are you shouting and fighting here truly for the sake of ‘righteousness’? Or is it because… someone deliberately exaggerated my ‘arrogance’ to you, stirring up your old resentment towards me and towards audits?”
He took a step forward, ignoring the blade a mere inch from his face, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing into Blue Dragon’s heart:
“If I am ‘scared away’ by you today, you, Blue Dragon, will have gained some prestige and avenged your Brother Geng. But then what?”
“Then I will report truthfully to the Emperor that the Duke of Liang’s adopted son, Blue Dragon, disregarded imperial orders, interfered with an Imperial Envoy’s investigation, used force, and intended to shield the Raozhou Guard Commander Geng Zhong, who may have significant issues!”
“At that time, how will the Emperor view the Duke of Liang? How will the civil and military officials in the court discuss the Duke of Liang’s Mansion? Are you helping your Brother Geng, or are you pushing your adoptive father, and everyone in the Duke of Liang’s Mansion, into a fiery pit?!”
Zhang Biao’s voice grew louder with each sentence, each more sharp than the last, like heavy hammers smashing into Blue Dragon’s heart.
The rage on Blue Dragon’s face froze, and the alcohol in him instantly cleared by half.
He wasn’t afraid of trouble, but he absolutely dared not cause trouble for his adoptive father, Lan Yu.
Zhang Biao’s words were like a basin of ice water, waking him from his stupor induced by alcohol and righteous indignation.
Yes, if he really did something to Zhang Biao here, or forcibly drove him away, things would not end easily!
This madman’s memorial would definitely reach the Emperor’s ears!
He had only been thinking of standing up for his elder brother and venting his dissatisfaction with Zhang Biao, forgetting to consider whether the consequences were something he and the Duke of Liang’s Mansion could bear!
Geng Zhong, seeing Blue Dragon’s changing expression, knew something was amiss and quickly said:
“Brother Lan, don’t listen to his provocations! He can’t find any problems, so he’s trying to sow discord between us brothers!”
But at this moment, seeing Geng Zhong’s anxious gaze and recalling his previous words of complaint, Blue Dragon felt a trace of doubt for the first time.
Was Brother… really just wronged?
Was he so eager to drag me into this, perhaps…
Blue Dragon looked at Geng Zhong with a complex expression, then at Zhang Biao, who stood his ground with a cold gaze, his hand gripping and then loosening the saber.
Finally, the surging rage and murderous intent slowly subsided.
He snorted coldly, but no longer shouted threats. Instead, he said stiffly to Zhang Biao:
“Zhang Biao, stop trying to frame me! I know what I’m doing!”
He then turned to Geng Zhong, his tone no longer as unreserved as before:
“Brother, since he is an Imperial Envoy, let him investigate! The innocent have nothing to fear!”
“If he dares to slander you without proof, I, your brother, will be the first to disagree, and I will accompany you to the capital to file a complaint!”
While these words still sounded supportive of brotherhood, the stance had shifted from forceful intervention to ‘let him investigate’ and pursuing the matter afterward.
This subtle change made Geng Zhong’s heart sink.
After speaking, Blue Dragon immediately stepped aside, then looked at Zhang Biao fiercely and said again:
“Zhang Biao! I remember you!”
“You’re here to investigate a case, right? Fine! You investigate!”
Zhang Biao smiled slightly, as if treating his threat as mere wind, then slowly walked up to Geng Zhong, his voice not loud but carrying an undeniable pressure:
“Commander Geng, your backing seems to have failed.”
“Now, only you can decide your fate.”
“These hidden accounts of Raozhou Guard, will you hand them over, or not?”
Geng Zhong’s face turned extremely grim the moment Blue Dragon’s attitude subtly shifted.
He knew that although the enraged tiger Blue Dragon had been momentarily cowed by Zhang Biao’s ‘consequences’ argument, his trust in his ‘good brother’ remained.
If he appeared too weak or guilty now, it would only confirm Zhang Biao’s provocation.
His face flickered with indecision.
Finally, as if making a decision, he gritted his teeth, met Zhang Biao’s piercing gaze, and put on an expression of grief and indignation, as if deeply wronged:
“Fine! Fine! Imperial Censor Zhang! If you insist on investigating, I will let you investigate clearly!”
“I only hope that after your investigation, you can clear the name of Raozhou Guard and speak a word of justice for us border generals before the Emperor!”
His demeanor was that of a loyal minister and good general, pushed to the wall and forced to prove his innocence against an oppressive authority.
Immediately after, he turned and sternly commanded his close subordinate:
“Pass the order! Open the ‘Jia’ Storeroom and ‘Yi’ Accountant’s Office! All files, ledgers, and proof shall be available for Imperial Censor Zhang’s perusal! No one is to obstruct!”
“Commander!”
The deputy general beside him seemed to want to dissuade him.
“Open—!”
Geng Zhong roared, seemingly in a frenzy:
“Let the Imperial Envoy see clearly! Whether I, Geng Zhong, and Raozhou Guard, are the worms of the state he speaks of!?”
The order was given, and the heavy storeroom door slowly creaked open.
Zhang Biao’s eyes narrowed, sensing something was not quite right, but still, he, along with Song Zhong and a few capable subordinates, quickly entered.
Although Blue Dragon stood at a distance, observing coldly, his gaze followed closely, wanting to see for himself how Zhang Biao would be exposed.
Inside the storeroom, various military equipment was stored in an orderly fashion, and account books and files were neatly stacked and categorized.
Zhang Biao’s men immediately became engrossed in intense verification, comparing physical items with accounts, checking inventory records, and verifying proofs and vouchers…
Time passed little by little, and within the storeroom, only the sound of turning pages and hushed conversations could be heard.
However, the results caused Zhang Biao and his men’s hearts to sink.
Too clean.
Just like the account books, the physical items in the storeroom and the records were perfectly aligned.
All transfers, losses, and replenishments of military equipment were clearly recorded with proper procedures, and no obvious loopholes could be found.
The traces of ‘Beast Tokens’ that might have been problematic seemed to have never appeared in Raozhou Guard.
“My Lord, all accounts, proofs, and vouchers have been checked three times… Indeed, there are no problems.”
Old Qian walked up to Zhang Biao, lowered his voice, his tone filled with unwillingness and confusion.
Song Zhong also shook his head slightly, indicating he had found nothing.
Zhang Biao’s brow furrowed, and his sharp gaze swept across every corner of the storeroom.
Finally, it landed on Geng Zhong, who stood at the entrance of the storeroom, his back straight, his face a mixture of tragic resolution and a faint, elusive mockery.
This old fox… did too clean a job!
Either he received prior warning and erased all traces, or the problem isn’t in these obvious storerooms at all!
Just then, Blue Dragon, who had been observing coldly, strode over.
He had witnessed the entire inspection process and saw that Zhang Biao and his men had found nothing. The suppressed rage and shame of being ‘fooled’ instantly overwhelmed his brief moment of reason!
“Finished checking?!”
Blue Dragon’s voice boomed like thunder, echoing in the storeroom.
He shoved Song Zhong, who stood in his way, aside and advanced directly to Zhang Biao, the scar on his face contorted with anger:
“Zhang Biao! What else do you have to say?! Is my Brother Geng’s storeroom clean? Are his accounts clear?!”
His spittle nearly sprayed onto Zhang Biao’s face:
“You slandered a border general without proof and disturbed my brother’s peace! Now you can’t find anything, are you satisfied?!”
Zhang Biao took a deep breath, suppressing the surging killing intent in his heart, and calmly said:
“General Lan, the storeroom shows no problems on the surface, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any problems in secret. Military equipment is lost through subtle means…”
“Go to hell with your ‘subtle’!”
Blue Dragon rudely interrupted him, drew the saber at his waist, its gleaming tip almost touching Zhang Biao’s nose, and a strong killing intent swept over.
“I see you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin! Now! Take your men and get out of Raozhou Guard!”
“Dare to utter another word, and I don’t care if you’re an Imperial Envoy or not, I’ll cut you down first!”
The personal guards behind him also drew their sabers simultaneously, menacingly surrounding Zhang Biao and his men.
The soldiers of Raozhou Guard, with Geng Zhong’s tacit consent, also began to gather subtly.
The situation took a sharp turn for the worse!
Song Zhong and his subordinates, along with the old soldiers, immediately moved to protect Zhang Biao, their sabers unsheathed, but facing an army that greatly outnumbered them and was backed by Lan Yu’s adopted son, the situation was precarious.
“Blue Dragon! Are you trying to rebel?!”
Song Zhong shouted sternly, but his voice sounded somewhat weak in the face of the other party’s absolute strength and imposing aura.
“Rebel? I am ‘clearing the ruler’s side’! Eliminating traitors like you who frame loyal officials!”
Blue Dragon sneered, pressing forward step by step.
Zhang Biao looked at the gleaming saber before him and Blue Dragon’s ferocious face, clouded by anger and a sense of ‘justice,’ knowing that any reasoning was now useless.
If they resisted head-on, he and his men might very well spill blood on the spot.
Geng Zhong was eager to use Blue Dragon as a knife to eliminate him!
He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh, a violent killing intent almost bursting out of his chest, truly wanting to draw his pistol and kill this meddling brute first!
But his remaining reason told him he couldn’t!
Once he made a move, he would have completely fallen into Geng Zhong’s trap, giving him the perfect excuse to crush them!
Patience is a virtue when great plans are at stake.
Zhang Biao forcibly suppressed his overwhelming rage, his facial muscles twitching a few times, finally turning into a cold composure.
He slowly raised his hand and pressed down on Song Zhong’s hand holding the saber.
“We’re leaving.”
Just three words, as if squeezed from between his teeth, carrying humiliation and resolve.
Song Zhong looked at Zhang Biao in astonishment. He saw Zhang Biao’s ashen face, but his eyes were exceptionally calm, even with a chilling depth.
Seeing Zhang Biao back down, Blue Dragon let out a triumphant snort and sheathed his saber.
However, he still ‘escorted’ Zhang Biao and his group like he was escorting prisoners, walking out of the guard post’s gate under the indifferent or mocking gazes of countless Raozhou Guard soldiers.
Only after ‘politely’ seeing them hundreds of paces beyond the camp gate did Blue Dragon stop with his men, spitting fiercely at Zhang Biao’s retreating back:
“Pah! What is this! I thought this madman was so capable, but he’s just a coward who bullies the weak!”
Having said that, he led his men away, returning to the guard post.
Outside the camp gate, the wind of the open field blew, carrying a hint of coolness.
Zhang Biao stopped, looked back at the imposing fortress of Raozhou Guard, his eyes as cold as eternal ice.
Song Zhong walked up to him, his tone heavy:
“My Lord, you have been wronged. This Blue Dragon… alas, what do we do next?”
Zhang Biao did not answer. His gaze seemed to pierce through the high walls, seeing the triumphant Geng Zhong and the self-righteous Blue Dragon, who had been used as a pawn.
Geng Zhong… Raozhou Guard… there is definitely a problem!
The storeroom being too clean is the biggest doubt in itself!
And that Blue Dragon… a mere brute, not worth worrying about, but the Duke of Liang behind him…
Could this Lan Yu be involved with the mastermind?
Zhang Biao’s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly remembered the beginning and end of the Lan Yu Case.
Please vote for monthly tickets~
