Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 375 - 354: Someone in the Han Family Colluding with the Heavenly Punishment Sect?

Chapter 375: Chapter 354: Someone in the Han Family Colluding with the Heavenly Punishment Sect?

Han Mingshi, accompanied by a group of elders of the Han family and important younger members, headed straight to Han Baiwen’s residence.

On the way, Han Mingshi turned to his son and asked, "What exactly is going on with Yanqiu?"

"It’s... it’s about siding with the Crown Prince, thinking of stoking the fire to warm things up, in case it turns out well for our Han family too."

Han Mingshi glared at his incompetent son and scolded, "Foolish! Now you see we’re dragged into it, don’t you? His Majesty is in the prime of life; the Crown Prince may have to wait for many years. Our Han family is already of the Legalism lineage, why would we need to rely on any Crown Prince! In the future, no matter who takes the throne, could it be that they won’t need law and order?"

"But... I heard that Yanqiu and Eastern Palace’s Horse Washer Yun Shengxu have both been captured. Yun Shengxu is the Crown Prince’s uncle; it seems likely that the Crown Prince wants to cajole those from the Heavenly Punishment Sect in the Capital to defect. It might just be a misunderstanding," his son replied.

Suddenly, Han Mingshi stopped in his tracks and glanced at his son.

Slap—

A fierce slap sent his own son almost flying, turning midair before crashing down.

"If he wanted to surrender, he shouldn’t have actually done it! Besides, can you clearly explain the grudges between the Town Martial Office and the Heavenly Punishment Sect? When the time comes, if the Town Martial Office wants to claim a merit, they’ll say these people had no intention of surrendering, then what could you do? The Crown Prince is the Crown Prince; would he really give up his position for an uncle or some unrelated person to come out and speak on his behalf? How foolish!"

At this moment, Han Mingshi had already figured out what was going on.

In the end, it was still Han Yanqiu unable to let go of the feud with his own brother.

If the Crown Prince were truly capable of protecting his subordinates, then the Zheng family wouldn’t have been suffering increasing deaths.

After all, what had the Zheng family gained, besides fatalities, from assisting the Crown Prince, starting from Zheng Zaisuang and including the later severely injured Zheng Poyue?

By now, everyone had finally arrived outside the courtyard of Han Baiwen.

Although Han Mingshi was the Head of the Han family, he knew that the Pharaoh did not think highly of him, so he had to invite the Sixth Master to meet the Pharaoh with him.

"Head of the Han family, Han Mingshi, greets the Sixth Master!"

While reading in his study, Han Baiwen had heard the disorderly footsteps outside and was somewhat worried but did not expect even Han Mingshi to come.

Had something happened?

Han Baiwen glanced around his study, saw nothing amiss, and then walked out to open the door.

Upon opening the door, Han Mingshi stepped inside alone, and upon seeing Han Baiwen, he bowed deeply in a formal gesture of respect.

"What is this? Why such a grand gesture as to bow deeply to me?" Han Baiwen felt that something must be amiss with the Han family but did not know what it was, and he felt somewhat nervous.

Han Mingshi straightened up, bowed to Han Baiwen, and said, "I implore the Sixth Master to save us. News from the Town Martial Office has arrived, claiming that someone from my Han family is colluding with the Heavenly Punishment Sect!"

Upon hearing this, Han Baiwen staggered backward two steps.

"You... you knew already?"

Han Mingshi was startled by Han Baiwen’s response.

On his end, news had only just been gathered from the Town Martial Office and relayed back to him.

He had only just found out about it himself, the time it took to run from the main hall to the backyard here, and yet Han Baiwen already knew?

Indeed, he had underestimated this Sixth Master—who although reluctantly returned to the family at the beginning—had recently handled the family’s shops and estates with great earnestness.

Han Mingshi had initially thought that the Sixth Master was unrestrained and disliked the ways of Legalism, instead favoring the path of the merchant.

But now it seemed, this Sixth Master’s abilities were deeply hidden.

Otherwise, for such critical information, how could he act as if he knew before everyone else?

Due to the newfound wariness in his heart, Han Mingshi did not dare to posture before Han Baiwen as he had done previously.

Little did he know, Han Baiwen was also in great turmoil at this moment.

In the Capital, I haven’t even started to arrange the matters for the Heavenly Punishment Sect. I merely used a secret technique passed to me by my master a few days ago to sneak into the Heavenly Punishment Sect’s underground archive and took everything away.

Could it be that I’ve been exposed so quickly?

What am I to do?

I’m feeling so panicked right now!

Just then, Han Mingshi turned to Han Baiwen and said, "Sixth Master, it’s my lack of discipline that led my grandson, Han Yanqiu, to still resent Zhang San and side with the Crown Prince. Who would have thought the Crown Prince intended to persuade those from the Heavenly Punishment Sect in the Capital to defect, and just when the deal was about to be struck, Han Yanqiu wanted to claim a share of the credit. However, at this moment, people from the Town Martial Office raided and now Han Yanqiu has been caught. I worry that the Town Martial Office will take this opportunity to accuse our Han family!"

Han Baiwen, whose heart had been in his throat, felt relieved upon hearing this.

Knowing that it was not his own exposure, he immediately relaxed and began to ponder countermeasures.

"What do you propose I do?" he asked.

Han Mingshi gave a bitter smile and explained, "Our Han family has contributed little to Legalism over these years. Now, with Han Yanqiu involved in this affair with the Heavenly Punishment Sect, I’m afraid it will cause trouble for both the family head and the Sixth Master. Therefore, I thought it best to ask the Sixth Master to plead with the Pharaoh. After all, for such a serious matter, our Han family really cannot endure on our own!"

Now that Han Baiwen knew his cover hadn’t been blown, he grew much calmer. After hearing Han Mingshi’s words, he thought a moment and concluded there was no risk in meeting the Pharaoh himself.

"Very well, lead the way!"

After the arrival of the Sixth Master of the Han Family, Han Mingshi, accompanied by his family and a large number of valuable gifts, went straight to the Pharaoh’s residence.

The residence of the Pharaoh was not some grand compound; the current Pharaoh was at home alone, attended only by some old servants, primarily seeking tranquility.

Having heard that the Head of the Han Family and the Sixth Master intended to visit, he allowed them to come in directly.

"Little Sixth has come. It seems like the last time I saw you, you were at home arguing with your father,"

Upon seeing the Pharaoh, Han Baiwen immediately performed a respectful bowing gesture.

Han Mingshi only dared to stand behind Han Baiwen, not moving forward rashly.

"Pharaoh, I should be considered your junior and should inquire about your well-being first, but my Han Family is facing a major crisis, and I’m afraid that the four families of Legalism may soon become three. So may I speak directly?"

The Pharaoh’s brows furrowed slightly, not used to someone seeking help being so poor with words.

However, the Pharaoh also knew that Han Mingshi of the Han Family would not be someone who would easily relinquish power just because the Sixth Master had returned.

Since Han Mingshi had invited Han Baiwen to come to see him, it was clear that something serious had indeed occurred.

"Speak, what happened?"

Han Mingshi promptly recounted the grievances between the Han Family and Zhang San, as well as the actions of Han Yanqiu.

After listening, the Pharaoh sneered and asked, "The Han Family’s Han Yanqiu repays kindness with enmity. What now, you want me to help you petition the Town Martial Office for people?"

Hearing the anger in the Pharaoh’s tone, Han Mingshi immediately knelt down.

The members of the Han Family behind him also knelt down.

Only Han Baiwen remained standing.

"It’s not about wanting people, it’s just that we’re worried Han Yanqiu has been slandered. After all, accusing this lad of colluding with the Heavenly Punishment Sect — he really doesn’t have the guts for it. But if this matter implicates the Han Family, it would be a loss for Legalism as well. Thus, we hope that you can make a move."

The Pharaoh glanced at Han Baiwen and smiled.

"I have recently taken a new direct disciple. For this matter, you can seek him out; he will surely help the Han Family resolve it. However, once he saves the Han Family, how will the Han Family repay him?"

Everyone knew that the Pharaoh had taken disciples before, but most of the Pharaoh’s disciples either died or were captured; few met a good end.

Unexpectedly, there was now a new direct disciple.

Considering what the Pharaoh meant, it was clear that after previously saying they would repay Zhang San, then someone wanted to stab Zhang San in the back, and now they were asking for help again, so naturally, they needed to reassure others that the Han Family would not cause trouble again.

Kneeling on the ground, Han Mingshi bowed and said, "The Han Family is willing to become the direct disciple’s followers! If necessary, we’re also willing to sign a servitude contract."

Han Baiwen was startled. He knew that if the Han Family signed a servitude contract, they were likely to be in the other party’s grasp from now on.

But then he thought, the Pharaoh’s direct disciple might become the future Legalism leader.

The offer from Han Mingshi seemed to place the Han Family at a disadvantage at the moment, but in fact, it might turn out to be a huge advantage.

So, Han Baiwen quickly said, "Pharaoh, I am willing to be the witness to this. Starting with Han Mingshi and down through all the members of the Han Family, we will all sign the servitude contract to become his followers."

The Pharaoh nodded slightly and said, "There’s paper in my study. Take that and get yourselves signed up first."

The Pharaoh was not one to indulge issues. He wanted the Han Family to sign first before discussing anything further.

After all, with such matters, if one later shamelessly reneges on the agreement, it would be troublesome.

Han Mingshi originally planned to hold off on signing until after the issue was resolved, by which time only a part of the Han Family needed to sign.

But now it seemed that with him as the Family Head and all the Elders under him, along with important younger members of the family having signed the servitude contract, it would be impossible not to sign if one day he wanted the rest of the Han Family not to sign. Even if he agreed, those who had already signed could not.

They were originally free citizens, but now they had become someone else’s private property.

Han Mingshi had no choice but to grit his teeth and sign.

After all, if the Town Martial Office found out that the Han Family had colluded with the Heavenly Punishment Sect, it would mean certain death.

The ancestors of the Han Family had united the practices of Techniques, Martial, and Authority to achieve Great Achievement within Legalism, but also passed down a tendency for unscrupulous conduct.

Han Mingshi believed that if he were from the Town Martial Office, annihilating the stronghold of the Heavenly Punishment Sect in the Capital and taking down the Han Family would naturally earn even greater merit.

Even if others were innocent, if he could benefit, there was no reason not to proceed.

Applying the same logic to others, if the Pharaoh did not intervene, he feared that the Han Family might truly be doomed.

Once everyone had signed their servitude contracts, Han Baiwen carefully collected them and stored them in a Storage Ring.

Only then did the Pharaoh take out a piece of paper, hand it to Han Baiwen, and whispered a few sentences in his ear.

"All right, I’ve given you the location. You should take the Han Family members and a substantial gift to pay a visit. Don’t worry, he will surely be able to smooth things over for the Han Family!"