radicalducati Page 308
Page 308
This is true for most people from poor families!
Reading can change one's destiny, which is a good thing, but after that, should one follow the crowd or remain virtuous?
In the face of overwhelming forces, those who try to remain aloof will inevitably meet a bad end!
By going with the flow, they undoubtedly became the most hated executioners, capable of anything to climb the social ladder.
In contrast, during the Wu Tang and Later Zhou dynasties, the interest groups represented by commoners acted to counter the nobility and pave the way for commoners, which represented a different meaning.
Therefore, the consequences of a single spark igniting a fire under the rotten roots of the Song Dynasty are predictable.
In just three months, the rebel army, which the court originally thought could be easily subdued once the army arrived, has become a stalemate and is now too powerful to control!
Undoubtedly, war is the most expensive form of warfare.
At the court's suggestion, the Zhang family made five donations, totaling over 100,000 taels of gold.
This completely treats the Zhang family like easy prey to be slaughtered.
However, the Zhang family had no choice. Zhang Xiaoshan wanted to leave, even though the vast fortune in Lin'an Prefecture was nothing more than fleeting clouds in his eyes.
But Zhang Yuan still held a glimmer of hope for the Song Dynasty, which is why Zhang Xiaoshan has tolerated him until now.
····
"The Zhang family's Blood Droplets?"
"no!"
In a murder-wiping case in the south of the city, all the victims were decapitated, making it look like they were killed with a flying guillotine.
However, how could the experts of the Six Doors possibly discern that this was a frame-up?
Even if the Six Doors copied the Blood Droplet, imitating the Zhang family's Blood Droplet to kill people would not be a simple matter.
The Zhang family's training of the Blood Droplets had long since reached a level of unparalleled skill.
Moreover, over the years, the Zhang family has continuously improved their killing weapon—the Flying Guillotine—making it quite different from the Flying Guillotine on the market.
The flaws can be seen simply from the traces.
Moreover, they used to be able to obtain the templates for the Blood Droplets, but now the Blood Droplets are much stronger, unless it's a direct confrontation or a raid by a master.
These flying guillotines, which appear and disappear without a trace, leave no trace whatsoever.
"This wasn't a case of the Flying Guillotine killing people, or rather, it wasn't the Zhang family's Flying Guillotine!"
Hengdao frowned as he looked at the scene of carnage before him.
To frame the Zhang family?
In these chaotic times, bandits roam freely.
After killing someone, they looted all the money; it seems like the work of bandits.
After all, the Zhang family has no shortage of gold and silver.
Therefore, what appears to be a perfect crime is actually full of flaws and suspicious points.
As the head constable of the Six Doors, he knew best the Zhang family's profits and Ghost Street's money-making ability.
"Who exactly framed the Zhang family?"
Looking at the murder scene before her, Ji Yaohua observed that the perpetrators had acted swiftly and decisively, unlike the bandits of the outlaws. Instead, they seemed to be a nimble assassin organization.
But this assassin organization framed the Zhang family? Aren't they afraid of a counterattack from the Zhang family?
"Who knew that with the world in chaos, everyone would want a piece of the Zhang family's wealth?"
But whether those teeth can even swallow it is another matter.
Hengdao looked at the people who had died tragically and sighed.
Such a blatant framing of the Zhang family—he wondered if the Zhang family had simply forgotten how terrifying they were because they hadn't made any overt moves in recent years.
It should be noted that over the years, the Zhang family has taken down many notorious bandits in order to hone their skills with the Blood Droplets.
Upon receiving the news, the Six Doors immediately chose to impose a blockade.
Because only they knew the true strength of the Blood Droplets; at this moment, the power wielded by the Zhang family was extremely terrifying.
Even Hengdao didn't understand why the Zhang family trained such terrifying assassins.
"Alright, collect the body and have the coroner perform an autopsy!"
"Yes, Commander!"
Having confirmed that it wasn't the work of the Flying Guillotine, Hengdao naturally stopped caring.
There have been far too many cases of petty thieves committing murder and robbery lately; it's simply not his place to deal with them.
In chaotic times, human life is the cheapest thing!
Besides, there's no need for them to intervene in such a scheme against the Zhang family. The Zhang family will handle it once the news gets out, so why waste the Six Doors' time?
Soon, a spark ignited in the rotten roots of the Great Song Dynasty, and the first probing of the Zhang family by the rats in the darkness began.
However, everyone knew that the Zhang family was not like the corrupt and decadent Great Song Dynasty!
The Zhang family is like a dragon lurking in the abyss; once it emerges, it will surely soar to the heavens.
"The Flying Guillotine: A Murder and Massacre of an Entire Family? 2.0"
Zhang Xiaoshan, looking at the message in his hand, frowned.
Unexpectedly, just as the chaos began, someone set their sights on the Zhang family. For a moment, a cold smile appeared on Zhang Xiaoshan's face.
Subsequently, Zhang Xiaoshan placed the message directly in the brazier.
It was clearly an organized operation; how could Zhang Xiaoshan not understand the intricacies involved?
Since that's the case, why should the Zhang family bother to prove it?
Or rather, why should he try to stop the other party's growing ambition?
When this matter escalates to a certain point, it will inevitably lead to a qualitative change. He wants to see who will ultimately step forward.
Because he no longer had any attachment to this place, the downfall of the Song Dynasty was inevitable.
He even believed that Fang La's army would soon attack this place.
The Zhang family did not possess the blind loyalty to share hardships with the Song Dynasty.
Especially in the chaotic times to come, if the Zhang family doesn't leave, they'll become easy prey.
After all, everything in the Song Dynasty costs money. The Song Dynasty is rich, but the imperial treasury is not necessarily full, with most of it in the hands of people like Cai Jing.
But when they need money, they won't take it out; they'll just pick an unlucky person.
Given this, how could they possibly let the Zhang family off the hook?
Chapter 371 The Twelve Zodiac Assassins: Blood Thorn Death Warrior
"Oh!"
A resounding slam of the fist echoed from inside the six doors.
Within just half a month, three families were wiped out, and Lin'an Prefecture was now in a state of panic.
All the clues in the family annihilation case point to the Zhang family.
The Zhang family seemed indifferent, making no move whatsoever, as if letting things unfold as they would, and even the number of visitors to the Hong Mansion plummeted.
However, those who truly understand know that this was not done by the Zhang family.
Or perhaps the Zhang family had just had a newborn son, so there was no need for them to suddenly kill someone.
Moreover, it's all for the sake of making money.
"Has the Zhang family's 'Flying Guillotine' been thoroughly investigated?"
Hengdao looked at the four great constables in front of him. The main breakthrough point in this case was the Blood Droplet. He needed to know if the Zhang family had moved the Blood Droplet and whether they had left any traces or clues.
"The Zhang family's Blood Droplets are elusive and impossible to find at all."
Besides, you know who the Zhang family member is; they are extremely cautious and exceptionally cunning.
"Is there still not a single clue?"
"No, after this group of killers finished killing people, there were no eyewitnesses at all. They left no trace, not even a trace of anything."
Such an organization is either a well-known assassin organization in the martial arts world, or a group of assassins kept by high-ranking officials and nobles.
Considering the location of Lin'an Prefecture, Jin is more inclined to believe the Zhang family's reaction this time!
These words immediately created an oppressive atmosphere in the entire hall.
This also involves those troublesome nobles and aristocrats, and such rampant wealth accumulation has only one purpose—
rebel!
Considering the current situation, Hengdao vaguely understood everything.
Lawless, disregarding human life, and acting recklessly...
But in the end, it all boils down to four words: the victor is king, the loser is villain!
"Jin Jiuling, are you sure?"
"This is merely my speculation. While the assassin organization appears to be tightly organized, the strongest of these assassins is actually only at the first-rate level."
"Not bad!"
Everyone nodded. They knew perfectly well the strength of the Zhang family's Blood Droplets.
The four commanders alone are top-tier experts, and there are also experts at the pinnacle of mastery.
A top-tier assassin is at most the captain of a ten-person squad within the Blood Droplets, and there are many top-tier assassins among them. Besides, the Zhang family has no motive.
"There is another matter, which is that the Zhang family has been gradually closing down their shops recently."
Nearby shops were either donated or sold off at low prices. Even the Hongfu family mansion in the capital region began large-scale layoffs due to declining customer traffic.
"Close down stores? Layoffs?"
Everyone's expression turned serious; this was news they hadn't received before.
And with such big news, how come there was no prior indication of it?
"The reason it didn't cause a stir is mainly because the Zhang family had made arrangements for most of the people."
For example, the donated shops are actually given to the former head manager, and the old employees own 70% of the shares, but have no management rights;
As for the laid-off employees, the Zhang family gave them a year's severance pay and arranged nearby jobs for them. Although the pay wasn't as good as before, these employees were aware of the Zhang family's business situation and knew that if the Zhang family did well, they would have priority for re-employment.
"No wonder, this is the Zhang family's way of doing things!"
Hengdao nodded. The Zhang family had arranged all the escape routes, so naturally those people wouldn't cause trouble.
If things escalate, they will ultimately suffer the greatest losses.
Ultimately, at that time, there were no labor protection laws or organizations to protect the rights of ordinary people like them.
What is a six-door system?
The government offices are wide open, but those with reason but no money should not enter!
Moreover, the Zhang family's generous provision of a year's worth of resettlement fees is more than enough to earn their deepest gratitude.
They just lost a high-paying job.
"The Zhang family is ready to leave at any moment."
"But the Zhang family has such a large business here. If they were to withdraw, the losses would be unimaginable!"
Everyone was taken aback by the conclusion.
However, everyone understood the Zhang family's actions regarding Guo Jing's question. If they hadn't stayed, they might have become easy prey for others.
Moreover, they have great faith in the Zhang family's abilities, believing that if they were to rise up, they would be able to turn against the entire Lin'an Prefecture.
···
"Prime Minister Cai, this is 100,000 taels of gold that was sold from Ghost Street!"
Inside the secret room of the Grand Secretary's residence!