Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 439 - 413: I’m in Charge Outdoors, I’ll Do Whatever I Want!

Chapter 439: Chapter 413: I’m in Charge Outdoors, I’ll Do Whatever I Want!

Mozi was just about to speak when he heard a commotion coming from outside the palace.

Moreover, the roar filled with anger was immediately recognizable as the Crown Prince’s.

Kaihuang was furious!

Originally, he had summoned four senior officials to discuss important matters, but since the Crown Prince happened to come to pay respects, he let the four officials leave first, while he thought of a strategy.

Yet, this disobedient son came to cause trouble again.

Kaihuang stormed out of the grand hall to the gate, just in time to see the Crown Prince outside, yelling at Zhang San.

And Zhang San, with his hands clasped in greeting, bore an unyielding demeanor despite the storm and stress.

"Crown Prince! Why do you always trouble Zhang San!?"

It was only then that the Crown Prince realized he was outside his father’s palace, and frightened, he hastily bowed, saying to Kaihuang, "Father, it’s not my fault! Zhang San has taken so much from my Eastern Palace! Even the prettiest pebbles from the little garden pond, he took two-thirds of them! It’s too much! Concubine Yun, just—"

"Enough!"

Kaihuang shouted angrily, "It’s just a big water tank, a few broken pebbles, right? Have you gone mad with poverty? Zhang San took just these little things and you still fuss over them? What’s there to fuss about?"

At that moment, the Crown Prince was completely dumbfounded.

"Father, it’s not like that! Zhang San took many valuable things! Those were all my treasures!"

Hearing this, Kaihuang furrowed his brow and couldn’t help but show a look of disappointment.

"Crown Prince, Crown Prince, I originally thought you were just immature, but now why have you become so petty? Zhang San has saved your life, even the whole Yang Clan; what’s wrong with giving him a few things?"

"Don’t you see your own reflection now? Where is there a hint of a Crown Prince in you?"

"Are you still going to slander Zhang San for taking all your valuables?"

"Why don’t you claim Zhang San has gone mad with poverty and has taken away all the supplements for Concubine Yun’s pregnancy?"

The Crown Prince was just about to say that Zhang San truly had gone mad with poverty and had indeed taken all of Concubine Yun’s supplements, but just as he was about to speak, he saw his father’s angry face staring down at him from the steps.

The Crown Prince realized that whatever he said now, Kaihuang would not believe him.

Since he would not believe, saying anything was useless. It was better not to speak.

The Crown Prince took a deep breath and clenched his teeth as he lowered his head.

"Your son... acknowledges his fault."

Kaihuang snorted coldly, flung his sleeve and said angrily, "Go back to the Eastern Palace and stay there! Without my command, you are not allowed to come out!"

As Kaihuang turned and left, the Crown Prince did not even glance at Zhang San and walked away with his people toward the Eastern Palace.

Han Yanqiu timidly said, "Is that... it then?"

Zhang San smiled and said, "There was never much to it, let’s go, find a pawnshop that can pay up."

As the group of five walked outside, Zhang San suddenly said, "Just now when I went in, Kaihuang told me to join Changsun Bubai’s command once I reach the Northern Army."

Shen Zhongdian coughed slightly and whispered, "There’s no need to tell us about such military matters."

Zhang San glanced at the expression on Shen Zhongdian’s face, realizing that what Shen Zhongdian actually meant to say was that he was worried about Han Yanqiu leaking the news.

"Don’t worry, Han Yanqiu is one of our own. At least I now consider Han Yanqiu one of us."

Han Yanqiu couldn’t help but be startled upon hearing this.

After all, such words are usually spoken in secret—who would say them to your face?

But Zhang San did just that.

Zhang San continued, "I took Han Yanqiu to the Eastern Palace today mainly to have Han Yanqiu offend the Crown Prince. Although today’s affair is no big matter, with the Crown Prince’s temperament, he will certainly hold a grudge. The Han Family is one of the first four families of Legalism to know that I am a disciple of Pharaoh. Han Mingshi intends to use me to help the Han Family rise, so if you let me down, Han Yanqiu, not only the Han Family but also the other three families of Legalism, even the Crown Prince, won’t let you off. What do you say, Han Yanqiu?"

Hearing this, Han Yanqiu sighed helplessly.

"The truth is, the incident initially was indeed my fault. I later found out it was Yun Shengxu from the Crown Prince’s side who approached Zheng Zaisuang, instructing Zheng Zaisuang to trick my elder brother into troubling you, originally intending to stir up conflict between the Town Martial Office and the Ministry of Punishment and then align the Ministry of Punishment with the Crown Prince. But to everyone’s surprise, you demolished the Crown Prince’s plan with a single stroke, and my elder brother was killed in the process."

"After I knew the truth, I still chose to direct my anger at you. Although my elder brother died by your hand, how could I not know that it was really the Crown Prince who caused my elder brother’s death? I knew it!"

"But that’s the Crown Prince! Could I oppose him? Would I dare? I could only make trouble for you, Zhang San. But I never expected that you, Brother San, would possess capabilities and skills nearly equal to the Crown Prince. I, Han Yanqiu, have never willingly followed anyone, but to you, Brother San, I truly submit."

Zhang San smiled and shook his head, then said to Han Yanqiu, "Han Yanqiu, you got one thing wrong. My struggle with the Crown Prince is not evenly matched."

"I can defeat the Crown Prince! If you’re willing, you can also take part in this. Consider it avenging your elder brother!"

THUD—

Upon hearing this, Han Yanqiu knelt straight down before Zhang San.

"Though my elder brother died by your hand, it was ultimately the Crown Prince who manipulated him into that situation! The one who truly caused my elder brother’s death is the Crown Prince! If Brother San can help me avenge this, I... I... I am willing to die for Brother San!"

Zvang San frowned and helped Han Yanqiu up, saying, "There’s no need to speak of dying so freely. I see the three of them as friends and brothers, and by inviting you over, I regard you the same way. Since we’re friends and brothers, we should strive to live together. As for the Crown Prince... huh, remember, only a Crown Prince who ascends to the throne is a Crown Prince. Before that happens, anyone can die!"

Shang Bufa, upon hearing Zhang San’s rebellious words, couldn’t help but turn pale.

Shen Bao was also somewhat panicked, his face turning a bit white.

Only Shen Zhongdian remained composed. After hearing Zhang San’s words, he whispered in Zhang San’s ear, "Since Brother San trusts Han Yanqiu, I’ll speak frankly. I heard that Kaihuang favors Mei Fei as the most esteemed general in the Northern Army, not Changsun Bubai. In fact, Kaihuang might not trust Changsun Bubai as much."

"I already knew about this."

All four men were shocked upon hearing this, but Shen Zhongdian especially so.

He had only realized that Kaihuang didn’t greatly favor Changsun Bubai after his father had casually mentioned the situation in the north.

But how did Brother San know this?

Zhang San smiled and said, "When Kaihuang mentioned Changsun Bubai as a hero of Northern Zhou, I sensed that Kaihuang might not actually want to praise him. And then he mentioned how his three sons served in the military for the country and even his daughter was serving, calling it a ’door of loyalty and righteousness.’ What kind of loyalty and righteousness? Pei Renwu was so loyal, yet his eldest son, Pei Shouqi, is still in the military. Clearly, he was dissatisfied that Changsun Bubai didn’t place his son in the Capital. He even mentioned that Changsun Bubai has good relations with many leaders of the Tujue. Kaihuang wants to confront the Tujue, and then a high official below has good relations with Tujue leaders? Is that reasonable?"

"It’s probably his way of suggesting I should confront this Changsun Bubai, but Changsun Bubai hasn’t done anything egregious in recent years; otherwise, Kaihuang’s attitude would be different."

Curious, Shen Zhongdian asked, "Brother San, once you’re in the north, what do you plan to do? Follow Mei Fei or follow Changsun Bubai?"

Zhang San chuckled and responded, "We’ll see! If Changsun Bubai is capable, I’ll follow him. If Mei Fei proves capable, I’ll follow Mei Fei. When outside, do I really have to do everything according to Kaihuang’s wishes? A general commands abroad; I’ll do what I want!"