Zhang Xuansu is a petty person. He has been criticized by Yang Cheng several times and has long held a grudge.
The previous celebrations of Yang Cheng's triumphant return were all due to the various victories of the Great Zhou in its external campaigns, and according to custom, they had to be celebrated; otherwise, it would be too disheartening.
But this time it's different.
The Zhenwu Hall's rampage through the martial world is actually not closely related to the imperial court; it falls within the Zhenwu Hall's own responsibilities and, in principle, does not require celebration.
However, Zhang Xuansu pulled this stunt, and Grand Tutor Cai, who was extremely perceptive of the risks of conspiracies, immediately sensed that something was amiss and warned Yang Cheng.
Yang Cheng squinted and said, "Perhaps Zhang Guozhang has suddenly come to his senses and wants to befriend me, the Grand Commander? He's going to such lengths to throw me a banquet to celebrate my victory. If I were to doubt him again, that would be rather unkind."
As he spoke, Yang Cheng laughed and pulled Cai Yan into the front of the main hall of the palace.
Grand Tutor Cai shook his head with considerable envy.
A civil official like him, who frequently engages in intrigue, must be constantly careful, otherwise he might stray onto the wrong path and fall into an abyss.
However, for a powerhouse like Yang Cheng, his strength lies in his own courage.
Any conspiracy or trickery is futile in the face of absolute power.
If Grand Tutor Cai weren't already old, he would want to practice internal energy cultivation techniques. Even if it didn't make him incredibly strong, it could at least prolong his life.
The celebration banquet that Zhang Xuansu organized this time was quite grand, so grand that it couldn't be contained in the main hall of the palace. Therefore, a row of banquet tables had to be set up in the square in front of the main hall.
Many ministers and others had already taken their seats. Upon seeing Yang Cheng arrive, Zhang Xuansu actually took the initiative to come out and greet him with a smile, saying, "Congratulations on your triumphant return, Grand Commander!"
Yang Cheng said calmly, "Thank you, but isn't it a bit inappropriate for the Imperial Father-in-law to be so extravagant as to celebrate for me?"
Zhang Xuansu laughed loudly: "My Great Zhou is fortunate to have the Grand Commander as its pillar. If it weren't for the Grand Commander, those major martial arts sects wouldn't have taken my Great Zhou seriously. No matter how much we congratulate him, it's all worth it."
Everyone is here. Grand Commander, please take your seat.
As Yang Cheng took his seat, the song and dance performances began and lasted for about half an hour, making Yang Cheng yawn a little.
To be honest, although these singers are all stunningly beautiful, it's fine to watch them for entertainment occasionally, but it gets really boring after a while.
After all, no matter how well someone dances, can they compare to the beauty of a Victoria's Secret model? Only kids care about looks.
After the song and dance performance ended, Emperor Zhou Yuan raised his cup to Yang Cheng and said, "Grand Commander, your horse has traversed the rivers and lakes, displaying the might of our Great Zhou. I shall toast you with a cup."
Yang Cheng obligingly drank it all in one gulp, but then he looked at his cup and gave a playful smile.
Zhou Yuandao said, "The Zhenwu Hall under the Grand Commander is very powerful and has become the mainstay of our Great Zhou."
During this period, I have also discovered several martial artists with considerable skill, and I plan to send them to the Zhenwu Hall as commanders to bolster its strength. I wonder what the Grand Commander thinks?
Yang Cheng toyed with the wine glass in his hand, a half-smile playing on his lips.
No wonder Zhang Xuansu was so attentive today, even the emperor personally offered him a toast; it turns out he was waiting for him here.
Everyone in the martial arts world knows that Yang Cheng was able to dominate the martial arts world because his strength was unparalleled and he had no equal.
However, in the eyes of the emperor and others, how could Yang Cheng alone be so extravagant? He must have relied on the power of the entire Zhenwu Hall.
Moreover, the Zhenwu Hall's performance in eliminating the White Lotus Sect and the Thirty-Six Great Bandits was extremely impressive, and Zhou Yuan and Zhang Xuansu probably had their eyes on the power of the Zhenwu Hall long ago.
After all, the Zhenwu Hall has become so powerful under Yang Cheng's leadership, yet the entire Zhenwu Hall only recognizes Yang Cheng and doesn't even recognize the emperor. How can this be allowed?
Their attempt to infiltrate the Zhenwu Hall isn't just adding people to the ranks; it's tantamount to seizing power.
Yang Cheng said with a half-smile, "Your Majesty can certainly strengthen the power of my Zhenwu Hall if you wish, but my Zhenwu Hall is not a place where just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come."
The leaders of Zhenwu Hall must either have strength or seniority. To enter Zhenwu Hall, one must possess at least one of these two qualities.
Why don't we call them over and let me see their strength?
Zhang Xuansu frowned and said, "Grand Commander Yang, you've gone a bit too far. Does the Zhenzhenwu Hall belong to you or to my Great Zhou?"
Does His Majesty need your permission to send someone into the Zhenwu Hall?
Yang Cheng said calmly, "Of course Your Majesty can arrange for people to enter the Zhenwu Hall, but you can't just let any Tom, Dick, or Harry enter the Zhenwu Hall and become a Grand Commander, can you? What will the other brothers who have been Grand Commanders for so long think?"
"Alright then, Marquis Anguo, bring your men here. If they can outmaneuver three of my men, I will agree to make them Grand Commanders. What do you say?"
"Okay! It's a deal then!"
Zhang Xuansu immediately called for reinforcements, and several martial artists were brought up.
Zhou Yuan wanted to take control of the Zhenwu Hall. He had already tasted the joy of being an emperor, and of course he wanted to experience what it felt like to be in power.
However, he seems to have no real power now. The civil officials are controlled by Grand Tutor Cai, and the military forces are dominated by Yang Cheng's Zhenwu Hall.
Replacing Yang Cheng is definitely impossible, but it's still possible to place a few people in the Zhenwu Hall to control some power.
These people were not chosen by Zhou Yuan, but were Jianghu people recruited by Zhang Xuansu during this period.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
