In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

At this moment, four burly men, with some difficulty, placed two boxes containing approximately 100,000 taels of gold in front of Foreign Minister Cai Jing.

One hundred thousand taels of gold, each box weighing at least three thousand catties, its golden gleam filled Cai Jing with immense joy.

Beside Cai Jing was an elderly man with white hair, wolf-like eyebrows, and hawk-like eyes. His face was gloomy, and his eyes revealed a ruthless intent.

"There's nothing wrong with it, is there?"

"Don't worry, Prime Minister Cai, our spies have been keeping watch all the way. If anyone is following us, they will definitely be discovered."

"That's good. The Zhang family's strength should not be underestimated. They should be more restrained in the future."

Furthermore, the twelve zodiac assassins have been summoned to the capital. The political situation in the capital may be about to change drastically; be prepared for any potential shifts!

"Yes, Prime Minister!"

The old man nodded at the old man, who was none other than the expert who had followed him for many years.

First, protect his safety;

Secondly, she secretly handled some shady matters for him.

Thirdly, they train assassins, such as the assassin who imitated the Flying Guillotine in this case, which is just one example.

The most powerful are undoubtedly the twelve zodiac animals, each a top-tier master in the martial arts world, and each possessing different identities to conceal their skills, such as constable, knight-errant, assassin, merchant, and so on.

Moreover, the Zhang family also has twelve zodiac assassins, so as long as we act carefully, we can completely frame the Zhang family.

"The Zodiac Killer?"

Zhang Xiaoshan frowned as he read the message brought by Yi Zheng Shenren.

Cai Jing thought he was very discreet, but Ghost Street was Zhang's territory. Wherever Cai Jing went to sell stolen goods, he could not escape the Zhang family's eyes and ears.

Even if it changes hands multiple times, gold will never end up in someone else's hands.

Therefore, with Yin Zheng's shrewdness in the face of danger, Cai Jing's secret base was naturally no longer a secret.

Cai Jing was too confident in himself, and actually brought the gold directly to his own residence, completely unaware of how terrifying the 'subservient' Zhang family really was.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan did not expect that, in addition to that group of mysterious assassins, Cai Jing also had twelve zodiac assassins.

It should be noted that in addition to the Blood Droplets, the Zhang family also has twelve zodiac assassins.

However, they are not just top-tier experts, but all of them are absolute masters.

For example, Yue Laosan is represented by a pig with golden hairpins, Yingxue by a rabbit with a moon in the well, and Mei Chaofeng by a rooster...

These were all highly skilled individuals around Zhang Xiaoshan who couldn't openly appear; they could only serve Zhang Xiaoshan as assassins.

The eldest of the twelve zodiac animals is a master of unparalleled skill – the Brocade-Clad Marquis Jin Jiuling (Monkey)!

The Twelve Zodiac Killers are mysterious and unpredictable. The Zhang family has only activated them twice. At the Blood Droplet base, there are only four people: Yingxue, Yue Laosan, Mei Chaofeng, and Cui Wenhao. The others are scattered in various industries.

For example, if Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't activate Jin Jiuling, this piece will be a dead piece.

Once activated, Jin Jiulong would absolutely not dare to betray Zhang Xiaoshan.

Because of the Life and Death Talisman!

After all, none of the twelve zodiac killers are kind-hearted; they all have the potential to backfire.

Even though Mei Chaofeng was Huang Yaoshi's disciple, she was no exception.

As for Bloodthorn?

This is a group similar to suicide squads, like the Flying Guillotine, but not entirely.

The Bloodthorns are a mysterious group of assassins who use a weapon similar to a triangular bayonet. The Zhang family trained as many as a thousand of them, and Zhang Xiaoshan originally intended them to be backup candidates for the Iron Cavalry.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan later sent the Ironclad Cavalry directly to the sea base, and the 150 trained experts were named Bloodthorn, similar to a combination of special forces and assassins.

In terms of strength, they are probably far inferior to the Flying Guillotine and the Twelve Zodiac Animals.

However, Bloodthorn was something Zhang Xiaoshan valued highly.

After all, the Blood Droplet is too cruel, and in terms of protection missions, it is far inferior to the Blood Thorn.

Bloodthorn is not strong in terms of individual strength, but has extremely strong overall abilities.

As for the guards of the Zhang family business, or even the guards of the Zhang family mansion, they are not members of the Zhang family; their relationship is more like that of employers and employees.

Perhaps once the Zhang family leaves, these people will disperse as well.

But Bloodthorn is different; they are Zhang family's elite assassins, and they will follow Zhang family from beginning to end.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan invested a considerable amount in Bloodthorn, but no one in the Zhang family dared to provoke him, which is why it has not appeared in the world.

But now, with chaos looming, these Bloodthorns have become the foundation upon which the Zhang family stands.

Although the Zhang family has many experts, it is impossible for them to do everything personally.

"In that case, let's keep them for now."

The political situation is changing? It seems Emperor Huizong is about to abdicate in favor of a more worthy successor. Cai Jing must have sensed the crisis; once they've all gathered, he'll kill them all!

Emperor Huizong abdicated; history repeats itself.

If Emperor Qinzong wanted to achieve something, he would have to purge treacherous officials, both inside and outside the court, as well as opportunists like the Zhang family.

A wave of slaughter will directly replenish the national treasury, let's make a big splash!

However, the Zhang family may seem mediocre, but that doesn't mean Zhang Xiaoshan is really a 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle'.

Especially since the Zhang family was about to leave, they no longer had any reservations about Cai Jing and the Song Dynasty imperial family.

As for luxury businesses like the Red Mansion, pastry shops, and beauty salons, the Zhang family naturally wouldn't keep them.

The Hong family mansion cannot be taken away, but without the Zhang family, the Hong family mansion would no longer be the Hong family mansion.

Moreover, the Zhang family possesses the absolute secret recipes for their pastry shop and beauty salon.

As long as the secret recipe remains secret, the Zhang family can train a group of people anywhere, and they can even take these people away with them.

Chapter 372 Fang La's Army Approaches, Night Massacre of the Prime Minister's Residence

"Master, young master, Fang La's army is about to attack."

Zhang Mansion!

Early in the morning, the butler, Uncle Yang, rushed into the hall.

The main reason was that when he went out in the morning, Uncle Yang received news that Fang La's army was about to attack.

However, all of this was within Zhang Xiaoshan's expectations, and his information channels were many times better than those of ordinary people outside.

In everyone's eyes, this was a futile attempt, like throwing an egg against a rock.

But Zhang Xiaoshan pretended to think about it and used this as an opportunity to bring up the matter of leaving.

It wasn't that the Song Dynasty was weak, but rather that it simply didn't respect the various rebel armies.

Not to mention the deadly crossbows and ballistae, the generals who led the armies were mostly scholars.

They were all armchair strategists, and had absolutely no practical experience.

Faced with Fang La's ferocious army, the consequences were predictable; they were no match for him.

Now that Fang La's army is about to attack the capital, Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't think the Imperial Guards can defend Bianjing.

"Uncle Yang, get ready. We're leaving Lin'an Prefecture in a few days!"

"Young Master, Lin'an Prefecture has 800,000 Imperial Guards stationed around it, while Fang La's mere 200,000 rabble are no match for him. How could he possibly conquer Lin'an Prefecture!"

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's arrangement, even Uncle Yang couldn't help but frown.

But Zhang Xiaoshan knew that it wasn't that Fang La's army was too powerful, but rather that it was a complete rout.

Although the 800,000 Imperial Guards were not a round number, they numbered at least 200,000 to 300,000, and were well-equipped and highly trained.

Let alone two or three hundred thousand, even an army of thirty thousand could sweep away Fang La.

But Zhang Xiaoshan knew that the weakness of the Song Dynasty was not due to weak soldiers or poor equipment, but rather to the fact that it was led by scholars.

At least for now, Zhang Xiaoshan can't see a single capable civil official in the imperial court.

"Alright, Uncle Yang, let's be on the safe side and go prepare."

"Yes, Master!"

Although Steward Yang didn't believe the Imperial Guards couldn't stop Fang La's army, it was better to be safe than sorry.

If Fang La's army is annihilated, the Zhang family can return at any time; if things really turn out as Zhang Xiaoshan fears, the Zhang family can escape this calamity.

"Piaoxu, in three days, summon the twelve assassins to meet with the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion!"

"Yes, son!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng Piaoxu's beautiful eyes flickered, realizing that Zhang Xiaoshan had murderous intent.

During this period of peace, Zhang Xiaoshan is determined to unleash a powerful move before leaving. The Twelve Assassins are assassins that Zhang Xiaoshan deliberately trained. Originally, each of them was among the top masters in the martial arts world, and later, with the Zhang family's training, they are now all top-notch masters.

The fact that everyone is gathered at this time indicates that a major operation is imminent.

Merchants like the Zhang family could not simply leave Lin'an Prefecture with a few words; it would require donations of gold—

As long as the Zhang family donated enough money, Emperor Huizong could even send off a grand display of fireworks.

Not wanting to be taken advantage of, Zhang Xiaoshan naturally chose another way to pay—

I need to borrow money!

Whose money did they borrow? Naturally, it was Cai Jing's money.

"The Zhang family is going to donate one million gold coins!"

Emperor Huizong looked at Tong Guan in disbelief. The Zhang family were Tong Guan's "people," so naturally Tong Guan would be notified of the donation.

Tong Guan was also extremely shocked when he received this news.

But after Zhang Yuan's complaints, Tong Guan had no doubts.

After all, the Zhang family now consists of more than just two people; they also have a baby who is less than 100 days old.

Even with a one in ten thousand chance, it's impossible to put that baby in danger.

Now that Fang La's army is heading towards Lin'an Prefecture, it's normal for the Zhang family to take refuge.

Moreover, the Zhang family donated a million taels of gold to help the imperial court fight against Fang La's rebel army, making them veritable "red-hat merchants" (merchants with official connections).

However, Zhang Xiaoshan would not accept this official position!

"Yes, Your Majesty, as you know, the Zhang family has just been blessed with a son, and now Fang La's army is attacking Lin'an Prefecture. The Zhang family is worried that the city will be thrown into chaos."

"I understand, accurate!"

One million gold coins, when converted into silver, amount to fifteen million taels, enough to cover the annual military pay of a million-strong army.

How could Emperor Huizong of Song possibly disagree? Even a toll of 100,000 taels of gold would be enough!

However, in his eyes, the Zhang family's donation of one million gold coins was a testament to their commendable loyalty.

"The Zhang family and this servant agreed to meet at the palace gate at dawn three days later, and the Zhang family also set off early in the morning."

"The Zhang family's loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon!"

"Pass down my order: the Qiantang naval checkpoints are to allow Zhang's merchant ships to pass directly within three days!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

···

Three days later, at midnight!

Even with Fang La's army approaching, the people of Bianjing still had nothing to lose sleep over.

The main reason was that they had full confidence in the imperial guards stationed in Bianjing.

Every time the Imperial Guards were mobilized, the black torrent of steel was far superior to a group of rebels who didn't even have armor.

If Zhang Xiaoshan hadn't known that Fang La was very likely to capture Lin'an Prefecture, he wouldn't have believed it either.

But Zhang Xiaoshan didn't want to gamble, nor did he want to get involved.

Even if he intervenes, the Song Dynasty will not be grateful to her; in fact, it might even lead to her overstepping her bounds and becoming a major threat to the court.

Inside the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion at this moment.