Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 290 - 279: Isn’t Kaihuang Going to Reward Me?

Chapter 290: Chapter 279: Isn’t Kaihuang Going to Reward Me?

As thirteen bodies, each cleaved in two, fell to the ground, various strange and ghastly screams emerged from the onlookers who had gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Within less than a minute, people from the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture had rushed over.

"Who is causing such a disturbance... and committing murder in the street!?"

The individuals from the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture were bewildered.

Hadn’t Zheng Zaisuang earlier said it was just a probe, a minor friction?

That if things got out of hand, they would come over and smooth things over.

But now, how had this disturbance escalated into a homicide?

Zhang San took out his Town Martial Office token and tossed it to the leader of the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s group.

"I am Zhang San, Acting Military Chief from the Town Martial Office of Chuan-Yu Road, and this is the Acting Officer from my road. Commanded by the Emperor, we were returning to the Capital to report for duty when we encountered these thirteen Martial Artists posing as officials from the Ministry of Punishment. Not only could they not prove their identity as officials of the Ministry of Punishment, but they also drew their weapons in public and resisted stubbornly. I had no choice..."

At this point, Zhang San even sighed deeply with great sorrow.

"...but to slay them all with a single stroke."

Although Zhang San’s statement was matter-of-fact, to the ears of those from the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture, it was like a bolt from the blue!

To slay them all with a single stroke!?

Do you even hear what you’re saying?

"Since we are in a hurry to return and report for duty, and to resume the tasks assigned by Emperor Kaihuang before his directive, we would like to leave the handling of these bodies to the brothers of the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture. Please ensure their identities are clarified, and naturally, the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture will share the credit in resolving this case where Martial Artists impersonated the officials of the Ministry of Punishment."

The leader from the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture caouldn’t even muster a bitter smile.

Because he recognized them, one was Han Yanxia, the Second Young Master from the Han Family, and the other was Zheng Zaisuang from the Zheng Family.

Genuine second-generation officials!

Sharing credit with me will only involve me when you die.

Just then, another group of riders arrived.

This time, the riders were clad in splendid, radiant armor, each astride a majestic, tall horse and looked extraordinarily imposing.

"I am Cao Demeng, under Emperor Kaihuang of the Left Valiant Guard with the Thousand Cattle Guards. What has happened here?"[Note 87]

Zhang San then repeated the incident of slaying the thirteen Martial Artists who had posed as officials from the Ministry of Punishment.

"Did you act alone?"

Zhang San nodded.

"Then come with me to see Emperor Kaihuang. The rest will go to the Town Martial Office and await further instructions."

Zhang San followed Cao Demeng, heading straight for the Imperial Palace.

Of course, it was unlikely that Zhang San would meet Emperor Kaihuang upon just arriving here.

At this moment, Zhang San did not know which hall he had been led to; he only knew that Cao Demeng had instructed him to stand there, so he obediently did so.

"Brother Cao, should I hand over my Horizontal Blade before seeing His Majesty, or would it be problematic to carry it with me?"

Cao Demeng smiled at Zhang San and said, "Are you still worried about that? And here I thought you were fearless. Don’t worry; not just one blade, even if you were covered in blades from head to toe, it wouldn’t matter. We of the Left and Right Valiant Guards rely on those who recklessly come to deliver us some credit."

After Cao Demeng went in to report back, Zhang San continued to wait outside.

Meanwhile, Zhang San also noticed that more people had steadily arrived.

A luxuriously dressed young man in his early thirties arrived amidst a throng of people but, just like himself, also waited not far off.

Yet, for some reason, the young man’s gaze toward Zhang San was far from friendly.

Particularly, there was an official standing next to the other party, who looked neat and clean, but he always broke out into nervous sweat, seeming to suffer from kidney deficiency.

Then, another young man, slightly younger than one clad in opulent clothes, approached.

This youth gave a very favorable impression, even flashing a smile at Zhang San.

Thus, Zhang San also greeted the other with a bow and a gentle smile.

At that moment, someone rushed out to announce, "Crown Prince, King Jin, please enter!".

The two youths, one after the other, passed by Zhang San and walked into the great hall.

Only then did Zhang San realize that the first one, who looked like he had kidney deficiency, was the Crown Prince, and the one who had greeted him was King Jin.

And as King Jin passed by, he intentionally slowed his steps and whispered, "The Emperor favors capable officials. Show yourself. As for the issue of ghosts and monsters in Fengdu, who is responsible? Is it the Town Demon Office or you all?"

After hearing King Jin’s words, Zhang San’s mind began to whirl rapidly.

Soon, another person came out and called Zhang San inside.

It was only then that Zhang San discovered that the entire great hall was filled with civil and military officials, the lower ranks at the back, the higher ranks at the front, and seated on the dragon chair on the highest step at the front was Yang Jian, the ruler of Great Sui!

At this time, as Zhang San entered, he heard many ministers in the hall engaged in heated debate.

"This person has committed public acts of violence upon his first arrival in the Capital, utterly disregarding the law!"

"Such a brazen and rebellious individual, utterly unfilial and treasonous! He should be executed along with his entire clan!"

Zhang San knew they were talking about him, but pretended not to hear and continued walking a few more steps forward, then bowed deeply to Emperor Kaihuang above.

Anyway, I’m also not familiar with the proper etiquette for meeting an Emperor, and if you don’t ask me to kneel, then I certainly won’t.

Just ask me, I simply don’t know.

At that moment, Emperor Kaihuang noticed this newly arrived martial artist from the Town Martial Office, and smilingly asked, "Here comes the man himself. Zhang San, what are your thoughts?"

Zhang San hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so direct; wasn’t there a preamble or something?

So, Zhang San, straightening up, looked around, then smilingly asked, "Emperor Kaihuang, weren’t you going to reward me? I’m really not picky. Cultivation resources would be best, as I’m currently only at the Perfect Position of the True Core Realm, not yet perfected. If there are some pills of this nature, that would be ideal."

Actually, Zhang San’s position in the Five Emperors’ Proper Position was basically perfected; he was only consolidating and perfecting his Power of the Five Elements, but he declared himself unperfected, feigning a lower realm.

Upon hearing Zhang San’s words, all the ministers present were stunned.

We are discussing how to handle your case after a murder, and you come asking for a reward?

Are you mad?

At this moment, the Minister of Punishment, Shen Wei, stood up and angrily said, "Why should you be rewarded? Have you accomplished something worthy on the Chuan-Yu Road, or have you achieved merits in the Capital?"

Zhang San, looking entirely composed, replied, "This respected minister whom I do not know, I just entered the Capital and cut down thirteen individuals pretending to be officials from the Ministry of Punishment in public. This act would be considered a great service even in Chuan-Yu, surely it counts as a major case here in the Capital, right?"

"Such a significant merit? Emperor Kaihuang summoned me here wanting to personally commend me; is that unreasonable?"

"We won’t even discuss what Emperor Kaihuang will reward me; given that I have resolved such a major hidden danger for the Ministry of Punishment, even the Minister should at least treat me to a good meal!"

At this moment, the face of the Minister of Punishment, Shen Wei, looked even uglier than an untrimmed cow’s hoof.

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[Note 87]Knowledge tidbit

The employment information of Cao Demeng is derived from "Tang Liudian" and other historical sources.

"Tang Liudian" Volume Twenty-four, Section on Various Guards: "Under Emperor Yang of Sui, the left and right personal guards were changed to the Left and Right Valiant Guards; subsequently, the title Leopard Cavalry was assigned to the units previously managed by the Left and Right Valiant Guards, and separate personal protection units were reestablished."

Initially, the protection units were established as part of the emperor’s security, which was later changed to the Left and Right Valiant Guards in the third year of Daye. Therefore, the Left and Right Valiant Guards are referred to here as the protective troops of Emperor Kaihuang, where a significant position is the Thousand Cattle Guards, ranking just below sixth rank.