Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 226 - 219: Zhang San’s Weakness, Got a Grip on It!

Chapter 226: Chapter 219: Zhang San’s Weakness, Got a Grip on It!

That very night, Xia Chenglong led the Heavenly Punishment Sect once again to strike at Hu Feipan.

Only this time, they weren’t after the treasure in Hu Feipan’s residence as before, this night was different.

After all, even though they hadn’t managed to take away all of Hu Feipan’s money last night, they had indeed taken a great deal.

Fearing that tonight, Hu Feipan’s greedy hounds would guard their gold and silver even more closely than their own parents, Xia Chenglong thus decided to target some of Hu Feipan’s close confidants instead.

After all, Hu Feipan’s ability to establish a foothold in Fuling City depended on more than just his backers in the capital, he naturally had to have a group of loyal lackeys at his disposal to help him exploit the common people.

The next morning as dawn broke,

Hu Feipan, who hadn’t slept well all night, came out of his room and immediately summoned his steward.

"Last night, the thieves from the Heavenly Punishment Sect didn’t come, right?"

With a smug smile, the steward replied, "Master, Zhang San was right after all, the Heavenly Punishment Sect really did go by the ’one night on, the next night off’ pattern."

Hu Feipan chuckled proudly, believing that the reason for the suppression of the Heavenly Punishment Sect this time was mainly because he knew how to take advantage of the Town Martial Office’s influence.

Hu Feipan also knew that within Fuling City, even throughout the Lingzhou region which he controlled, there had always been members of the Heavenly Punishment Sect who opposed him, but they had never been so brazen before.

This time, they were audacious enough to attack his residence directly. When he caught those thieves from the Heavenly Punishment Sect, he would have to strip them naked, tie each of them to a flagpole, and hang them on the main street for all passersby to see.

No!

That wouldn’t be enough!

He would also need to hang cloth banners on them, listing all the heinous crimes they had committed over the years.

Even those who were exceptionally vicious would be hung at the city gates on the inner side, for all who passed by to witness their disgrace!

Only then would his heart be rid of its resentment!

However, just as Hu Feipan was leaving his residence with the steward, pondering whether to go to the office today or not, he was stunned the moment the front gate opened.

Right there, in front of Hu Feipan’s residence, stood a dozen long bamboo poles, inserted into the ground and reaching skyward.

And hanging from these poles were Hu Feipan’s own dispossessed subordinates, nearly naked.

Their bodies were tied with white cloths, on which their committed crimes were written.

Meanwhile, patrolling guards hurried over to report to Hu Feipan.

"Reporting to the Governor, there are many people hung on the gate inside the city walls. They all look to be important figures in Fuling City well-acquainted with you, Governor. Each one is currently showing their backside high on the city wall, should we take them down?"

Upon hearing these words, Hu Feipan exploded in rage, "Outrageous! What insolence! This must definitely be the work of those treacherous dogs from the Heavenly Punishment Sect!"

"They’re not just exposing my friend’s backsides here, they are humiliating Emperor Kaihuang himself!"

Hu Feipan had originally planned to leave the house today, but now standing at the entrance of his estate, he was in a dilemma, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

At this moment, the nearby steward angrily said, "It’s all because of that Zhang San. Had he and his men from the Town Martial Office stayed in the city, such insult wouldn’t have happened!"

Hu Feipan nodded, thinking to himself how in his whole life he’d always known when to advance or retreat, and when had he ever been made to feel such a bind?

Just then, another messenger arrived to report to Hu Feipan that Zhang San had returned to the city with his men. Hu Feipan immediately ordered his sedan chair to be prepared to go find Zhang San.

Zhang San, just like the previous night, had again led everyone out for barbecue and dancing.

And just as they were entering the city, they saw those figures, buttocks bared, hanging from the city walls.

Out of curiosity, Zhang San remarked, "What are these decorations? Is this some special festival tradition unique to Fuling City?"

Standing beside him, Tie Wuheng burst into laughter, "Military Chief Zhang, don’t kid around. It’s clear as day that the Heavenly Punishment Sect took advantage of your absence and hoisted Hu Feipan’s friends and subordinates up on the city walls, stripped bare. Otherwise, who else in Fuling City would dare such boldness?"

Of course, Zhang San knew it was the work of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, but how could he openly admit to such a thing.

"Damn those from the Heavenly Punishment Sect, they better not let me catch them! Otherwise... hmph..."

In any case, I just hmph, not saying anything more.

Afterwards, Zhang San took everyone to breakfast. But since he had been preoccupied with drinking the night before, he was now famished and thus entered a restaurant for some particularly tasty food.

As they ate, voices from Hu Feipan’s men could be heard outside.

However, Zhang San, dining inside the restaurant, pretended not to hear anything and continued with his meal.

"Excuse me, is Military Chief Zhang here? The Governor requests your presence."

At this, Prince Wang Ziteng glanced at Hu Feipan’s steward, smirked, and replied, "My Brother San is hungry and eating, he’ll come over once he has finished."

The steward, looking rather troubled, said, "But the Governor has already arrived; he’s nearby in his sedan chair. Could you please make an exception? Don’t make it difficult for me."

Wang Ziteng glowered at the steward and snapped, "Your trouble is none of my business! Stand aside and wait!"

The steward, very displeased, returned to report everything to Hu Feipan.

Hu Feipan guessed that Zhang San knew he was in a difficult position and hadn’t helped to recruit people for the Town Martial Office, and so he was deliberately leaving him to hang.