"Thus, father lost his temper with you, and you infuriated him to death." Zhang Yun stared coldly at Zhang Zun, pointing his sword at the latter’s neck.
Zhang Zun could not stop shivering, "No... not us... when we left, father was very well..."
"But after you had left, father suffered a heart attack caused by excessive anger. You should go and explain this to father in the underworld!" Zhang Yun pressed his sword forward, remaining unmoved.
Zhang Zun stood no chance of evading the sword, he yelled in fear as blood spurted out, then he collapsed onto the floor.
Having slain two people, Zhang Yun rubbed his sword on their bodies with an expressionless face, then raised his gaze to the people rushing into the tent.
"Third young master, what do you think you’re doing?" One of Zhang Ping’s confidants asked incredulously.
Le Shu walked forward, stabbing the man dead with his sword.
The man gave a scream before succumbing to the fatal stab wound, falling to the ground.
Following the unexpected turn of events, everyone took a step back, looking at Zhang Yun in horror.
Zhang Yun sheathed his sword with a flick of his wrist, "Is there anyone else who wishes to ask what I’m doing?"
Silence fell, no one dared to question him.
To question him would bring the same fate as the confidant. None of them wished to die.
Zhang Yun, known for his ruthless methods and cunning mind in the Zhang Family, managed to silence everyone even when they had doubts over the strange circumstances of Zhang Ping and the other two’s deaths.
At this time, Duan Xiao spoke out, "Just now, Dr. Zhang treated the general allowing him to regain consciousness for a moment. He left a final testament that henceforth, the Zhang Family and the Jibei Army will be under the command of the third young master. No one is permitted to question the third master’s decisions, those who violate this will be executed."
Cunning by nature, Duan Xiao had betrayed his wife for Zhang Ping’s approval. Now, with his own life and future at stake, he chose Zhang Yun without hesitation.
Dr. Zhang was present to corroborate. "Indeed, the general suddenly suffered a heart attack. I’m not sure why, perhaps it was because of the intense march, or maybe something the two young masters said which infuriated him. It was beyond my powers to save him, he died without closure."
The crowd saw Zhang Ping lying with eyes wide open, who could have imagined that just an hour ago, he was passionately discussing with them about the assassination of the Grand Duke?
All eyes fell on Zhang Yun in the silence.
Finally, someone spoke up, "Third...third young master, what do we do now? Do we return to Jibei? Or continue the march?"
Zhang Yun remained silent, heading out of the camp.
The crowd immediately followed.
Stepping out of the tent, they were away from the smell of blood. A cold wind blew past, making all shiver instinctively, their apprehension for the future reflected in their eyes.
Now that the general was dead, his last instruction had been to follow the third young master. Should they comply?
But if not? What else could they do? Who else in the Zhang family had the capability to succeed? To take command of the Jibei Army?
In hindsight, it seems there was no one more capable than the third young master.
Those who were away from home, had all passed away.
Some other sons from concubines were still in Jibei, but none of them was outstanding. Besides two older sons, there were younger ones like the seventh and ninth sons, as well minors such as the tenth, eleventh and twelfth. But none of them possessed the capabilities of the third son.
Zhang Yun wrapped his cloak around himself, gazing into the pitch-black night, the bright torches of the military camp. He spoke softly, "Father has died. Do you believe the grand plan can still go forth?"
"I swear my total allegiance to the third young master! We will do as you say." Someone pledged his loyalty on the spot.
"Yes, we’ll follow the third young master’s lead."
"We’ll follow whatever the third young master decides."
"The third young master will make the decision."
...
A series of voices pledging allegiance echoed through the air, no one questioned or objected to his taking over the Jibei Army anymore.
Zhang Yun was satisfied. He didn’t reveal his plans, simply saying, "Let me think about it."
The crowd nodded in unison.
Zhang Yun ordered, "Le Shu, take some men and dig out all the spies from Dawei and Nanchu in the army, execute them on the spot."
"Yes, sir." Le Shu immediately left to carry out the order.
Duan Xiao was shocked, "Third young master, why..."
He wanted to ask, why are you doing this? Aren’t you burning all your bridges? Dawei was supposed to be the general’s safety net. Don’t think that just because you killed the general, the Dawei imperial court will spare you, because you’re the general’s son.
Zhang Yun turned to look at Duan Xiao, "Are you questioning me?"
Duan Xiao’s face turned white instantly, he took a step back, "I wouldn’t dare."
"Good." Zhang Yun looked away, "Mr. Duan, you should be familiar with all the details, go help Le Shu!" After speaking, he waved his hand, "Go buy a coffin, to store the bodies of my father and two brothers. Feed the other one to the dogs."
Duan Xiao immediately agreed, not daring to raise any objection.
The crowd looked at each other, but none of them dared to refute either.
Over the years, Zhang Yun had not only managed to control a network of intelligence operatives in Daliang under Zhang Ping’s nose, he also infiltrated the army. Now, his cunning tactics had come into play. With just a few instructions, Le Shu and the others were efficiently rooting out all spies planted by Dawei and Nanchu’s Nangong Family within the army.
Their number totaled over a hundred people.
Never underestimate this number, they could cause serious trouble, such as setting fire to the granary, passing on information, betraying the marching route, monitoring the movement of the military commanders, and more.
As for Zhang Ping’s close associates, apart from Dr. Zhang and Duan Xiao, the rest were not spared. Even though Zhang Yun didn’t mind killing a few more for good measure, they didn’t give him the chance.
If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. But because it was Zhang Yun, known for his ruthlessness, things were quite different. Also, as Zhang Ping’s son, he was more acceptable than any ordinary general.
Therefore, an hour later, the entire Jibei army learned that the general had died suddenly. The death was caused by the two young masters, who were executed by the third young master. From this day forward, the third young master was in command of the Jibei Army, and the future of the Zhang Family and the Jibei Army would be decided by him.
After a brief period of panic when the spies from Dawei and Nanchu’s Nangong Family were exposed, the soldiers quickly quieted down.
They all waited silently for the third master’s decision, whether to continue with the general’s ambition and march onward to the Capital or give up the rebellion and seek another way out.
Most people naturally felt that Zhang Yun would continue to pursue Zhang Ping’s ambition, as he did not seem like a man lacking ambition.
The army rested a full day. Three coffins were prepared to house the bodies of Zhang Ping, Zhang Jin, and Zhang Zun. White banners were hung in the military camp.
One day later, Zhang Yun finally made a decision. He ordered the army to turn back and return to Longxi County.
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