Midnight (11 PM - 1 AM).

A secluded courtyard for both refined and common tastes.

Tu Ziming and Lu Chen both looked to be in their early twenties, actually older than Zhao Cheng. However, they kept their heads down and trembled slightly as soon as they entered the hall, seemingly very afraid of Zhao Cheng.

They were all just young men of low status and unpopularity in their respective families.

Zhao Cheng was the eldest son of the Right Chancellor, the Imperial Son-in-Law, a victorious general, and a notorious spy whom the people of Southern Zhou hated to the bone!

Despite being of similar age, they had vastly different experiences and achievements, which inevitably made Tu Ziming and Lu Chen feel nervous when facing him.

"Tu Ziming of the Tu family pays respects to the young prime minister!"

"Lu Chen of the Lu family pays respects to the young prime minister!"

"Hmm..." Zhao Cheng simply responded softly, glanced at Huang Hua, and then Huang Hua led the three of them into the courtyard.

A table of food and wine had been set out in the courtyard, and Xu An was sitting to the side waiting.

Including Tu Ziming and Lu Chen, there were only Zhao Cheng, Xu An, and Huang Hua in the courtyard.

After Zhao Yan and Zhao Wu had a fierce battle, Zhao Cheng didn't let them follow and gave them permission to rest early that night.

There was no need for Zhao Yan and Zhao Wu to protect these two young men.

"Please sit down, everyone. Oh... let me introduce you, this is Xu An." Zhao Cheng waved his hand.

Tu Ziming and Lu Chen, having done their homework thoroughly, immediately showed expressions of being flattered and bowed to Xu An.

"Tu Ziming of the Tu family pays respects to the young marquis!"

"Lu Chen of the Lu family pays respects to the young marquis!"

"Hey!" Xu An laughed, "Introduce me to more polite young men like this in the future!"

The four sat down, and Huang Hua served them.

Although he was the son of the prefect and was once a spoiled brat, after being disciplined by Zhao Cheng and tempered over this period of time, Huang Hua's temperament was no longer what it used to be.

He clearly understood his position; Zhao Cheng was his boss.

Xu An even teased him, saying he was becoming more and more like a eunuch...

Even though he really doesn't have that thing anymore.

Zhao Cheng picked up his wine glass, drank with everyone, and then got straight to the point: "I am somewhat surprised that you two still dared to come when my relationship with the Tu and Lu families is so tense."

Tu Ziming and Lu Chen exchanged a glance, then said, "We dare not refuse the young prime minister's summons."

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "So you mean... you didn't really want to come?"

Tu Ziming was taken aback for a moment, then quickly raised his glass and said, "Absolutely not! I am but a nobody, and it is my great honor to have the chance to drink at the same table as the young prime minister!"

"Since I've called you here, let's skip the formalities and talk about things that concern your future."

Zhao Cheng made the final decision, saying, "I know all about your past. The reason I found you is not only because of your hatred for your families, but also because you are capable people. Without the right opportunity, you would either leave your families, be trampled underfoot by your families forever, or, in a moment of youthful impetuosity, try to rebel, only to end up as a pile of bones buried in your own yard."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen's eyes lit up, but he didn't say anything more.

Tu Ziming thought for a moment and said, "Does the young prime minister want the two of us to help him?"

Zhao Cheng smiled but remained silent.

Tu Ziming continued, "I am aware of my own limitations, but with my meager status, I am afraid I cannot help the young prime minister."

"A large family is like an imperial court; generational changes are inevitable. But if one can overthrow the existing class and become the leader of the new class, one can change one's own life and the honor and disgrace of one's descendants."

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "If this succeeds, do you still think you're helping me?"

Tu Ziming said solemnly, "It's not that I don't understand what the young prime minister means, nor that I'm too timid to discuss this matter, it's just that I really don't know what to do!"

Zhao Cheng gave Huang Hua a wink, and Huang Hua immediately went over to pour the wine.

Zhao Cheng raised his wine glass and said, "I don't know what you're going to do. But I can guarantee that after things are done well, Lord Deng and I will clean up your mess."

"I only care about the results."

"If the result satisfies me, I can satisfy you."

After speaking, Zhao Cheng finished his wine.

Tu Ziming fell into deep thought, but Lu Chen immediately got off the chair and knelt down in front of Zhao Cheng.

"Lu Chen is willing to serve the young prime minister!"

Zhao Cheng remained calm, unsurprised by Lu Chen's reaction.

Although Zhao Cheng intended to use them as pawns, he was actually giving them a good chance to turn their lives around.

Without Zhao Cheng and Deng Fugui's help to clean up the mess, even if they succeeded temporarily, they would be overwhelmed by the family's counterattack.

What they lack most is opportunity.

Zhao Cheng was pleased that Lu Chen could quickly understand, and said, "It's not a matter of service. If you are truly capable, you can cooperate with me for a long time."

"I, Zhao Cheng, am determined to have this business in Jiangyang County!"

"Lu Chen, give it your all!"

Seeing Lu Chen's resolute decision, Tu Ziming could easily understand. He got off his chair, knelt down, and said, "Ziming is willing to serve the young prime minister like a dog or a horse!"

"Get up and drink," Zhao Cheng said calmly. "I've made myself clear. I'll only clean up after you; I won't offer you any help beforehand. You weren't here today, so what you do after you go back is none of my business. If you fail, it's your own incompetence. If you succeed, it has little to do with me; it's your own good fortune."

Tu Ziming and Lu Chen returned to their seats with trepidation.

Zhao Cheng glanced at the two of them and called out into the darkness, "Xiao Fei."

A shadow leaped down from the tree, startling Tu Ziming and Lu Chen, who shrank back a little.

Before this, they had no idea there was someone in the tree.

"master."

"Have you found out the situation?"

"As you predicted, they have already left the city."

Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Although the assassination attempt on Lord Deng was carried out by Shang Dongyang, there were two highly skilled assassins among the assassins, both of whom were Lu Yuan's men. There's also Tu Wanhu. This matter seems to have nothing to do with him, but you may not know that Lord Deng went to inspect the mine because of a mining accident, and this mining accident was caused by Tu Wanhu. His purpose was to create an opportunity for Lord Deng to go to the mine."

"Now that Shang Dongyang has been executed, the two of them have gone out to lay low."

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Since these two are not in Jiangcheng, your chances are better, so don't delay."

Tu Ziming and Lu Chen both glanced at Yuan Fei in surprise, then understood Zhao Cheng's meaning and clasped their hands in greeting, saying, "Understood!"

"Then have a good taste of my fairy wine."

Zhao Cheng raised his glass and said, "I wish you success."

The moonlight was dim.

After the two left, Xu An exclaimed in surprise, "Is this what you called internal strife? But they are just the lowest-ranking members of their families, what can they possibly do?"

Zhao Cheng shook his head, glanced at the dark night sky, and said, "These two families have more than just their lower-class members, but I ultimately chose them because they have reasons to fight for themselves."

"Their past experiences are terrifying..."