"After all, he is the father of Tan Wu, the Minister of Revenue. If he is killed like this, the impact will be too great."
Zhang Tang was unwilling to take such a huge risk and openly do such a stupid thing.
"well!"
Upon hearing this, Da Hu immediately deflated.
Zhang Tang then smiled and sneered, "Just tell everyone to calm down. And even if we were to take action, there's no need to use such methods. If they're really after me, we can turn the tables on them."
"Let's stage a scene of using someone else to do the dirty work, and give the Minister of Revenue, who's so eager to claim credit, a proper return gift."
A sly glint appeared at the corner of Zhang Tang's mouth.
...
Time passed quickly, and evening arrived.
The relief army arrived at Luohe Post Station and set up camp around the station.
Only generals were allowed to enter the post station to rest.
When the postmaster met Zhang Tang and his party, he was so respectful that he didn't want to say a word.
The postmaster looked at Zhang Tang obsequiously and quickly said, "Imperial Envoy Zhang, I have already prepared a feast. Please enjoy yourselves."
Zhang Tang nodded in agreement.
Soon, the food and drinks were served.
Zhang Tang looked at the banquet and nodded in satisfaction. Then he waved his hand and said, "Go and invite all the generals to come in and eat."
Upon hearing this, the postmaster immediately bowed and retreated.
Before long, dozens of generals walked in. Their eyes lit up when they saw the table full of food and wine. They had suffered a lot during the past few days of marching!
"Generals, please have a seat."
Zhang Tang greeted them with a smile, then immediately raised his glass and said with a laugh:
"I thank you all for escorting me along the way. Everyone should get a good rest tonight and eat and drink as you please."
"Haha, thank you very much, Imperial Envoy Zhang."
The generals laughed heartily and raised their glasses in a toast.
In the midst of the revelry, Zhang Tang, his face flushed, stood up and waved his hand, saying:
"I am not a good drinker, so I will go back to my room to rest."
"Please take care, Lord Zhang."
The officers immediately bowed and saluted.
Zhang Tang went straight upstairs to the only room in the inn, Room No. 1, and once inside, the drunkenness on his face completely disappeared.
...
Downstairs, the generals were still eating when Tan Qian arrived.
He walked into the post station with a beautiful maid in his arms, his withered old hands kneading her body as he did so with a wicked grin.
"Oh, my beauty, stop complaining. There's an inn here, so you can still get a good night's sleep tonight."
Tan Qian stroked the maid's delicate skin and chuckled strangely.
"Sir, you're so annoying!"
The beautiful maidservant pouted coquettishly.
Tan Qian, however, became even more smug and chuckled, "Little darling, there's something even more annoying coming up."
After saying that, he reached out and grabbed and pinched the maid's body hard, which made her moan softly.
But just then, seeing so many rude and uncouth men at the post station, Tan Qian's expression immediately became somewhat displeased!
He had no idea who these people were, or even that ten assassins had been planted among his guards.
"Where is the postmaster? Get him here right now!"
Tan Qian frowned and shouted.
The moment his voice fell, the postmaster came out from inside.
He didn't know Tan Qian, but he was a well-traveled and knowledgeable man. Seeing the man's imposing air of nobility, he quickly apologized in a low voice:
"Please forgive me, sir. I am the postmaster of this post station. I was just entertaining those soldiers. I apologize for my neglect and hope you will forgive me."
Tan Qian glanced at him sideways and smiled contemptuously: "You're the one who's trying to curry favor with me, but you're trying to curry favor with those stinking soldiers. No wonder you can only cower in this little post station."
The words were spoken in a sarcastic tone, and upon hearing them, the postmaster immediately broke out in a bead of sweat the size of a bean.
He dared not refute, but merely smiled apologetically and asked in a low voice:
"May I ask who you are, sir?"
The maidservant said arrogantly, "Hmph, my master is Tan Qian, the father of the current Minister of Revenue. Are you blind? Hurry up and serve him!"
Upon hearing this, the postmaster trembled with fear and nearly knelt on the ground.
Even high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital would show Tan Qian a great deal of respect when they met him.
The postmaster looked terrified, trembling like a leaf.
Seeing this, Tan Qian's old face immediately showed an arrogant expression, and he curled his lip and said:
"Enough with the nonsense, quickly prepare your best private room for this old man!"
After saying that, Tan Qian touched the pretty maid's hand and said lecherously:
"My beauty, you weren't satisfied in the carriage. Once we get to the private room, I promise I'll make sure you're satisfied."
The maid nodded shyly.
But to everyone's surprise, the postmaster remained standing there without making a move, only looking quite helpless.
Seeing this, Tan Qian's expression immediately turned quite displeased, and he glared at him, asking:
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and prepare a fine private room for this old man!"
The postmaster remained motionless, swallowed hard, and said bitterly:
"This...this is probably...impossible!"
"Um?"
Tan Qian frowned.
The postmaster explained with a bitter expression, "Sir, the last private room is already occupied."
Upon hearing this, Tan Qian and the maid in his arms immediately changed their expressions.
The maidservant, enraged, began to hurl insults at the postmaster:
"You insolent fool, are you blind, you lackey? Someone's already staying here, can't you just kick him out?!"
The postmaster quickly shook his head and said:
"Miss, how could I dare to chase you away?"
"Then tell me, who stole my private room!"
Tan Qian flew into a rage and shouted angrily.
Upon hearing this, the postmaster immediately looked troubled.
He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking:
"Sir, it's Imperial Envoy Zhang Tang. How could I dare to turn him away? That's why there are no private rooms available!"
"This is absolutely outrageous!"
Tan Qian immediately flew into a rage, stepped forward, and slapped the postmaster hard across the face, roaring:
"You audacious wretch! How dare you defy me! What kind of imperial envoy is this? That Zhang Tang is clearly a criminal who just got a miserable job by luck. You blind fool, get me a room right now, or I'll chop off your head!"
The postmaster was slapped across the face, and tears welled up in his eyes from the pain.
But at this moment, he couldn't care less about the pain, and covered his cheek, pleading:
"My lord, please spare me! But... but I can't let the Imperial Envoy have nowhere to stay!"
"Hmph, aren't there still regular rooms? Let him switch with me. I'll stay in a private room, and he can stay in a regular room."
Tan Qian dismissed it with disdain.
Upon hearing this, the postmaster looked dejected, but no matter how wronged he felt, he could only endure it.
"In that case, sir, please wait a moment while I go and ask."
The postmaster wiped away his cold sweat and quickly turned around and went upstairs.
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