Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 380 - 358 - Zhang San, a Man of Great Magnanimity!_2

Chapter 380: Chapter 358 - Zhang San, a Man of Great Magnanimity!_2

Zhang San originally had everyone keep his identity as Pharaoh’s secret disciple confidential; in fact, many people didn’t pay much attention to it.

But upon hearing that these things might cause trouble for the Han Family, they immediately cautioned themselves not to stir up trouble.

"Now that everyone knows I am Pharaoh’s secret disciple, the Han Family is all on our side. Since we’re on the same side, naturally, I should think of ways to make the Han Family stand tall."

Upon hearing this, many Elders’ eyes lit up.

Although the four Legalist families are originally one, there are actually competitive relationships between them.

The Shen Family and Merchant Clan now control the Ministry of Punishment, and the Shang Family has begun to take control of the Government Office of the Magistrate of Metropolitan Prefecture, leaving the Han Family with nothing.

If things continue like this, it’ll be fine within a few years, but after a decade or so, the younger generation of the Han Family will lack experience, the Han Family will lose its position in the court, leading to a gradual decline.

"Our Han Family is a major family that combines Techniques, Authority, and the Three Realms; its future is immeasurable. But look at the situation of the four Legalist families now. The Shen Family is smart, giving up the Ministry of Punishment and taking down the Government Office of the Magistrate of Metropolitan Prefecture directly. Do not think this Government Office is small. In this Government Office, the entire Capital, and even the entire Capital Region Road, are under the Shen Family’s surveillance! How many Imperial Relatives and the Aristocratic Families must curry favor with the Shen Family? And how much riches await the Shen Family to reap?"

Hearing this, many of the Han Family members were already tempted.

Even Han Mingshi secretly swallowed his saliva.

Zhang San knew that the hearts of the Han Family members were already moved.

"If the Han Family keeps focusing on their small plot of land, waiting for a chance to control the Ministry of Punishment, they’ll be waiting a long time."

"Although I don’t really take the Four Young Masters of the Capital seriously, I must admit that among the four Legalist families, only Shang Bufa of the Merchant Clan is one of them, which is enough to prove that the Merchant Clan’s future generation will not be weak. And with Shen Wei holding power in the Ministry of Punishment in his prime, it’s conceivable that once Shen Wei is incapable, Shang Bufa will replace him. Are we from the Han Family going to wait until Shang Bufa is too old to work before trying for the position of Minister of Punishment?"

Many from the Han Family lowered their heads because quite a few of them actually thought this way.

"Now, I have another way out. Of course, this is purely my personal thought. I’ll let you all hear it, and you all can consider whether it’s suited for the Han Family."

Zhang San spoke and stretched out his hand to write words in the air with Qi.

Inquiry.

Martial Artists.

Merchants.

After writing these three words, Zhang San pointed at the word "Inquiry".

The word "Inquiry" turned into the three characters for "Town Martial Office."

"The Town Martial Office is lacking experts in inquiry, and our Han Family has advantages in this area. Have you ever thought, if our Han Family henceforth became the sole authority on inquiries at the Town Martial Office, securing a position there? A Principal Officer’s post is also not out of reach to strive for."

Although everyone knows that the position of Principal Officer at the Town Martial Office is not high in rank, the Town Martial Office itself has a status apart from others.

Even the people from the Ministry of Punishment can’t just arrest someone from the Town Martial Office without an order from the Emperor Kaihuang.

At this moment, several Elders who originally thought the Han Family had lost many elites, started to feel that agreeing to allow sixty experts in inquiry to join the Town Martial Office was not a bad thing.

Zhang San again stretched out his hand towards the words "Martial Artists" and pointed, immediately transforming the words into "Strength."

Zhang San explained: "Our Han Family is one of the four Legalist families; it is right to focus on law, but without strong strength, how are we to enforce the law? You think the Town Martial Office is to suppress the forces of the martial path, but have you ever thought that they are actually the laws set for all martial path by Emperor Kaihuang?"

"If our Han Family’s strength grows strong and we have experts as numerous as clouds, you won’t think the Ministry of Punishment can truly do without us, right? You wouldn’t think that the Magistrate of Metropolitan Prefecture won’t have times when he must beg for our assistance, right?"

"Let me say something a bit audacious. Among the Four Young Masters of the Capital, Zheng Poyue, a Cultivator at the Spiritual Platform Realm who has experienced battles on the northern front, almost got killed by me on Shouyang Mountain! You see if he dares to show off in front of me now? With great strength, all can be crushed! The Han Family can respect the law, but must also value strength!"

In the Council Hall, after hearing Zhang San’s words, many young members felt their blood boil, and they seemed to be set ablaze!

Zhang San pointed his finger at the last words "Merchants," and in an instant, those two words turned into the especially large words "Cultivation Resources."

"Don’t say that the Han Family is so rich that all the children can avoid competition and freely distribute cultivation resources every month."

"In the social hierarchy of Scholar, Farmer, Worker, Merchant, merchants are looked down upon, but it cannot be denied that merchants make money more easily."

"And money, that is the foundation for the Han Family to train more experts in both inquiry and the martial path!"

Although Zhang San’s last words silenced many people present,

after careful consideration, quite a few nodded slightly in agreement.

When it came to merchants and traders, the word "money-grubbing" often came to mind, but when someone offered them money, they would be immediately delighted.

"Of course, I know many among you are reluctant to see the Han Family take to the path of commerce. That’s why I have a brilliant plan,"

Zhang San said this and glanced at Han Baiwen.

"Although Sixth Master Han has seniority, he is young. So if he does something outlandish, it’s most understandable and even prevents many from pointing fingers and intervening. Handling the affairs of commerce, it’s most suited for him!"

Upon reflection, everyone felt that it truly made sense.

After all, Han Baiwen’s ideas were already at odds with those of the Han Family, and now that he had returned, it seemed quite logical for him to seek wealth and to become a wealthy entrepreneur.

Add to that, he had spent recent years wandering, which could easily explain his fear of poverty.

Furthermore, given Han Baiwen’s high standing, the Han Family couldn’t outwardly criticize him, and the other three houses of the Legalism couldn’t say much either.

As for making a few comments behind the scenes, that was about Han Baiwen, not themselves.

Whether one followed the path of interrogation or forceful martial arts, there were resources to support them.

Why not do it?

At that moment, the way everyone looked at Han Baiwen heated up with eagerness.

Zhang San stood up, bowed to Han Mingshi and Han Baiwen.

"I’ve done as much as I can to help the Han Family’s affairs. But regarding the truth about my identity, for my sake, and even more for the Han Family’s, please keep it strictly confidential. I take my leave."

Han Baiwen immediately stood up to see Zhang San off.

After Zhang San had left, Han Mingshi gazed at the door, sighing with admiration.

"I had originally thought he intended to drain the Han Family to fill the Town Martial Office. But it just dawned on me that Zhang San was carving out a path for the Han Family. In the Town Martial Office, he’s merely a minor Military Chief, yet he is the Pharaoh’s closest disciple, and perhaps the future leader of Legalism! It seems as if the Han Family is integrating into the Town Martial Office, but in reality, we are also bringing the Town Martial Office onto the chariot of the Legalism! Ingenious! Truly ingenious!"

Just then, an Elder couldn’t help but speak up, "I have acquaintances in the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s office, and I’ve heard that Zhang San has very good connections with the Second Master of the Shen Family and Shen Bao from the Shen Family! There are even rumors that the reason Shen Erxian became the Magistrate was that Zhang San helped him. So, is Zhang San really trying to help our Han Family?"

Hearing this, Han Mingshi burst into laughter.

"If what you say is true, then we must follow Zhang San’s advice even more! Do you realize that the Shen Family relinquishing the Ministry of Punishment in favor of controlling the Government Office is still an expansion of our Legalism! Besides, he’s a disciple of the Pharaoh, the future leader of Legalism. If he would help our Han Family just because we offered him gifts, would such a leader be reliable?

"But now, by strengthening the Shen Family and proposing a transformative strategy for our Han Family, it proves that he’s truly sincere in wanting to help our Han Family!"

"Han Yanqiu previously wanted to take revenge on Zhang San, but Zhang San, setting aside personal grudges, has been wholly devoted to strategizing for our Han Family! Zhang San is a man of great magnanimity!"

Meanwhile, Han Baiwen, having escorted Zhang San to the exit of the Han Family’s gate, bowed and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Brother San."

Zhang San knew that Han Baiwen’s thanks were by no means solely for the Family’s affairs.

"What’s there to thank for such a trivial matter? I’ve heard you’ve been running to the Han Family’s businesses ever since you got back, putting on the airs of a merchant. Now, you should take the opportunity to take control of the entire Han Family’s business operations. With that..."

Zhang San’s voice lowered a few notches here.

"If you can’t establish the new intelligence network of Heavenly Punishment Sect, then it’s your problem."

"I understand, thank you, Brother San."

Zhang San waved his hand and turned away.

The affairs of the Han Family had been essentially perfectly handled.

On the surface, Han Mingshi still thought he was the Family Head, but in reality, the financial power was all in Han Baiwen’s hands, and what the future would hold was anyone’s guess.

Let’s hope the old fellow takes a few years to realize this.