Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 438 - 412: Open a Back Door!

Chapter 438: Chapter 412: Open a Back Door!

Hearing Zhang San’s complaints, Emperor Kaihuang couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

He exactly wanted Zhang San’s expression—smiling with bitterness, sweetness mixed with sourness.

"After all, the Jade Seal hasn’t been cast yet. If you later achieve greatness in the north, truly disrupt the Tujue’s peace, and buy Great Sui some time to prepare against the Tujue, I might consider granting you the title of ’Marquis of Champion.’ But first, you would need to establish some admirable achievements in the military to convince everyone!"

Zhang San nodded repeatedly, though he felt that going to the Northern Army and unsettling the Tujue might not be an easy task.

"So... once I’m in the Northern Army, whose orders do I follow?"

Emperor Kaihuang hadn’t really considered this question before; he only thought that wherever Zhang San went, it wouldn’t be peaceful, so heading north to deal with the Xiongnu was perfect.

Now that Zhang San had asked, Emperor Kaihuang suddenly thought of a general he trusted, but he swiftly dismissed that option.

Though that man was only moderately skilled, he was very loyal to him.

There was no need to send Zhang San to trouble him!

Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in Emperor Kaihuang’s mind, and he uttered four words with a laugh— "Changsun Bubai."

For some reason, upon hearing the name, Zhang San felt that this person must be an expert!

Perhaps even an expert among experts.

After all, commoners named ’Unbeatable’ typically didn’t live many years before being defeated by others.

This man who was known to Emperor Kaihuang and stationed in the Northern Army must have some skills.

"Changsun Bubai was originally a minister from the Northern Zhou, has merits to the country, and has established quite a few achievements."

"He even escorted the Princess Qianjin of Northern Zhou to marry into the Tujue and stayed in the Tujue for a long while. He knows Tujue well and is on good terms with many of their leaders."

"Now, he defends the borders of Great Sui in the Northern Army, having even recruited his three sons into the military and his daughter too; truly a family of loyalty and righteousness!"

"Serving under his command, though starting from scratch, you would certainly learn a lot!"

Zhang San, hearing Emperor Kaihuang praise Changsun Bubai, nodded vigorously.

"Your Majesty, since Changsun Bubai is so esteemed by you, how about you cut through the red tape for me and write him a private letter now? He can prepare in advance, and when I arrive, I can get straight to work! Plus, ask him to nurture my talents. Think of it as a favor for a fellow sect brother, what do you say?"

Emperor Kaihuang smiled awkwardly and said, "I trust him a lot, so really, there’s no need for a secret letter."

Zhang San retorted, "No imperial edict, no secret letter. I didn’t dare to take anything too valuable from the Crown Prince’s share either; the biggest thing I took were several large water jars, to use as big pots on the road when hungry!"

Zhang San said this and directly pulled out the large water jars he had taken from the Eastern Palace from his Storage Ring.

Seeing Zhang San’s actions, Emperor Kaihuang frowned.

But indeed, he had previously promised rich rewards to preserve the Yang Clan, including a marquisdom.

Now, with the marquisdom not given, and the rewards turning into these big water jars, it indeed seemed rather indefensible.

"Alright, alright, stop playing the pauper. I’ll write you a secret letter."

As he spoke, Emperor Kaihuang picked up paper and pen and began to write rapidly.

Zhang San, although he didn’t peek, knew that for such matters, Emperor Kaihuang wouldn’t cheat him.

Once Emperor Kaihuang finished writing, he gently blew on the ink on the paper a couple of times to dry it.

At this moment, Seal walked over.

The moment Zhang San saw Seal, he was momentarily startled.

But he quickly recognized him; this was not Yuwen Ming, but the little boy who had saved their lives on his first night on Capital Region Road.

Seal walked over and slapped a hand down on the secret letter.

Emperor Kaihuang folded the secret letter neatly, called someone to pack it properly, and sent it to the Northern Army for Changsun Bubai.

"Your backdoor is set; are you relieved now?"

Zhang San immediately thanked Emperor Kaihuang, followed by a flurry of extravagant flattery.

After Zhang San had left, Emperor Kaihuang watched his retreating figure and murmured, "This boy couldn’t have figured out that I was sending him to outsmart Changsun Bubai and deliberately tricked me, could he?"

After all, Emperor Kaihuang had sent Zhang San to the Northern Army and even told him whom to find.

Normally, someone sent on such a mission wouldn’t suspect anything.

But why did Zhang San insist on having a secret letter written for Changsun Bubai?

That doesn’t make sense!

Not many people knew he disliked Changsun Bubai!

He hadn’t even discussed it with Pharaoh, so how could Zhang San know?

No, it must be a coincidence.

Zhang San likely just wanted someone to look out for him when he arrived.

Yes, that must be it.

Feeling reassured, Emperor Kaihuang then glanced at the screen next to the palace.

"Gentlemen, now that the trivial matters are dealt with, let’s continue discussing the major military and state affairs of our Great Sui Dynasty!"

As soon as Emperor Kaihuang’s words fell, four people walked out from behind the screen.

Legalism’s Pharaoh, the leader of Legalism, the core figure in Great Sui’s laws, and one of the strongest in the field of Runes.

Mohism’s Mozi, the leader of Mohism, head of Great Sui’s secretive Ministry of Works, specializes in Thousand Mechanisms Path, and is also among the strongest in Runes.

Wen Chudao, Family Head of the Wen Family, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of War, manages the mobilization of Great Sui’s forces. Though he appears to be aging, he is actually one of Great Sui’s peak experts.

Dugu Zhaoxuan, the current Prime Minister, originally under Yang Jian’s father-in-law’s command and granted the surname Dugu. Although an in-law, his outstanding abilities have made him highly esteemed by Emperor Kaihuang; he is also a formidable figure in Martial Style.

These four men might not represent Great Sui’s top combat strength, but each, with their influence and control over their departments, could significantly affect the entire Great Sui.

Seeing the four men, especially as he noticed Pharaoh’s grim face, Emperor Kaihuang quickly joked, "This Zhang San, really loves to joke. Even asked me to write him a secret letter. Just child’s play. Hahaha...."

Pharaoh remained silent with a stern face.

However, Wen Chudao smiled and said, "Emperor Kaihuang, although my Wen Family previously had some misunderstandings with Zhang San, I do believe, given Zhang San’s intelligence and cleverness, he must have guessed Your Majesty’s thoughts. Hence he asked for a secret letter to ensure his own safety."

After hearing this, although worried that Zhang San might have guessed his intention, Emperor Kaihuang still laughed off casually, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Well, I didn’t call you here to talk about Zhang San. On the night of August 15th, our Great Sui lost three parts of its national fortune. Regarding this matter, what plans do you four ministers have?"