Zhao Kai guessed that Zhang Shixun had no ill intentions in coming to ask for food, and that he was probably trying to help him.
He went to Jiangnan with the retired emperor, and was confined to his home by the new emperor after returning. He was told that he was to recuperate at home, but in fact he was imprisoned.
The housekeeper, access control, and servants in the house were all replaced.
Although he was still the Prince of Yun in name, he had lost his freedom and could not even leave the house.
The Prince Yun's Mansion, which used to be crowded with guests, is now deserted.
Zhang Shixun was the first person to come to the door in so many days.
Although he came to ask for food, he was still a guest after all.
Prince Yun called the steward and asked, "How much grain is left in the storehouse?"
The housekeeper glanced at Zhang Shixun and replied expressionlessly, "It's recorded in the account book. If you want to know the exact amount, you have to look at it..."
"Then go get the account book."
The butler hesitated for a moment, as if he had something to say, but when he saw Prince Yun's eyes that were about to spit fire, he swallowed his words and turned away.
The account book was brought over quickly.
"Your Highness, the food in stock isn't much. We have some rice, some flour, and some soybeans..."
After hearing this, Prince Yun said to Zhang Shixun with a stern face, "You heard it too, but my food reserves are limited. I can't provide the 10,000 kilograms of grain you requested."
Zhang Shixun grinned, "It's okay. Disaster relief and charity are all about showing your kindness. Give me half."
Prince Yun's face flushed red as he pointed at him and said, "Don't push me too far."
"Your Highness Prince Yun, I, Zhang, don't want this food. I'm using it to help the disaster victims... Don't worry, the Women's Federation will vigorously promote Your Highness Prince Yun's compassion when they distribute the porridge."
The housekeeper finally couldn't help but interrupt, "Master Zhang, there are dozens of people in Prince Yun's family who all depend on these stored grains for their survival. If you take away so much at once, what if..."
"Shut up!" Zhang Shixun's face tightened. "I'm talking to your master, so why should you speak?"
The housekeeper said, "Master Zhang, I am also an official, why can't I speak?"
"Oh! Are you an official?" Zhang Shixun showed an exaggerated expression of surprise.
"I am a fellow Jinshi, no worse than you."
Zhang Shixun looked him up and down for a long time, then sneered, "Are fellow Jinshi scholars so worthless these days? They've actually degraded themselves to the point of being a housekeeper."
The steward's face flushed, then paled, feeling both ashamed and angry. "Master Zhang, don't humiliate me like that. I'm a steward sent by the imperial court..."
He had just said half of his words when he realized that something was wrong and immediately swallowed the rest.
The emperor was reluctant to spread the news of Prince Yun's house arrest due to his reputation.
"Speak up! Why don't you say anything?" Zhang Shixun began to pressure him.
The butler stammered for a long time but didn't say a word.
Zhang Shixun snorted, turned around and asked Prince Yun, "In Kaifeng City right now, unscrupulous merchants are hoarding goods and selling grain at exorbitant prices. Countless people are struggling to find food, and countless disaster victims are struggling on the brink of death... Your Highness, your family's stockpiled grain is simply too much to eat. If you could take the lead in donating grain, you would set a good example for those wealthy merchants and save countless victims, benefiting both the country and the people. Your merits are immeasurable."
"I……"
Prince Yun smiled bitterly. There was nothing wrong with donating some food, but he was afraid of arousing the suspicion of his brother, the emperor.
When the time comes, he will be charged with the crime of "buying the hearts of the people" and he will never be able to leave Sifangtian in this life.
Zhang Shixun observed Prince Yun's concerns and decided to help him.
"Your Highness Prince Yun, just an hour ago, I went to the Five Mountains Temple to ask that idiot Zhang Hu for food, but was met with rebuff. In a rage, I summoned heavenly thunder and demolished his Sanqing Temple."
"Ah!" Prince Yun was startled and stammered, "Those two thunderous sounds, were they your masterpiece?"
"Yes! That's exactly what I did." Zhang Shixun gave him a furtive wink, then a furtive glance at the housekeeper. He raised his voice and said, "If Your Highness won't give me food, I'll have no choice but to tear down Prince Yun's Mansion... Let me see, where should I start?"
He said, glancing around.
Prince Yun was secretly happy and thought to himself, let's demolish it. It would be best if the Prince Yun's Mansion was completely demolished. The bigger the noise, the better. It would be best if it could alert all the people in Tokyo City. Then, people would know that Prince Yun had been treated unfairly and would speak up for him.
He was making his own plans, but the housekeeper was terrified.
If the Prince of Yun's Mansion was demolished by Zhang Shixun, he, the so-called steward, would also suffer. If the court blamed him, the lightest punishment would be no accountability.
If that happens, my career will be over.
Thinking of this, the steward hurriedly said to Prince Yun, "Your Highness, the food stored in the palace cannot be eaten in several years. Instead of letting it molder in the warehouse, it is better to donate some."
Prince Yun had a stern face and remained silent.
Zhang Shixun saw this and laughed, "Since Prince Yun is unwilling to donate, don't blame me for being rude."
As he spoke, he pointed to the study, "I'll start with the study... Your Highness Prince Yun, give me some advice. Should I summon heavenly thunder to strike it down, or set it ablaze with heavenly fire?"
A group of servants rushed over upon hearing the news, staring at him hungrily.
Zhang Shixun glanced at them and said with a smile, "What's going on? You bunch of dogs are so eager to try. Are you planning to bite me?"
After saying that, he took out his pistol and played with it in his hand, muttering to himself, "Magic weapon, ah magic weapon, since you followed me, you haven't tasted fishy for a long time. I hope to meet some ignorant people today so that I can sacrifice their blood."
Upon hearing this, the servants turned pale with fear and took several steps back.
They all knew about Zhang Tianshi's magical powers.
"Zhang Shixun, stop making trouble."
A voice came from the door.
Zhang Shixun turned his head and saw that it was Wang Shiyong, the prefect of Kaifeng, who had arrived.
"Hey! Your Excellency, why are you here? And you've brought a group of yamen runners with you. Are you going to raid Prince Yun's house?"
Compared with Nie Shan, Wang Shiyong was much less timid. When he heard about the house search, he couldn't help but shiver, thinking that this man was really fearless and dared to say anything.
"Zhang... Zhang Shixun, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say anything you want," Wang Shiyong explained hurriedly. "Someone came to Kaifeng Prefecture to report that someone had broken into Prince Yun's mansion with ill intentions. I received the report and rushed here."
Zhang Shixun clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Your Excellency, you have arrived just in time. I am the one who broke into the palace. Come and arrest me."
Wang Shiyong was about to speak when he heard a loud "crash" and a big hole was knocked open in the courtyard wall. A man came in from outside. It was Hei Wuchang.
He walked up to Zhang Shixun, picked up the dirt on his body, and said in a muffled voice, "Master, I am here."
Everyone was almost frightened silly, and they all opened their eyes wide and looked at this uninvited guest who did not come from the usual place.
Zhang Shixun was also stunned.
Shit! Did I ask you to come?
Even if you come, wouldn't it be better to come in through the main gate?
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