Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 457 - 431: Three Factions of the Northern Army

Chapter 457: Chapter 431: Three Factions of the Northern Army

At night, amidst the military camp, toasts and laughter intertwined.

Although drinking was generally not allowed in the camp, fearing it could lead to mishaps, it ultimately depended on whether the commander-in-chief agreed.

Usually, they only had the opportunity to drink during festivals and that too, in batches, with those on night patrol going without. But the next day, you were allowed to rest, and more food and drink were provided for you.

This time, the military envoy had permitted everyone to drink merely to welcome a newcomer to the Lingwu Army.

Suddenly, the name Zhang San spread throughout the entire Lingwu Army.

Everyone was grateful to Zhang San, for without him, they would not have had this chance to drink.

Of course, in their hearts, they were even more thankful to the benevolent Changsun Bubai.

At that moment, at the banquet in the center of the camp, Changsun Bubai had Zhang San sit right next to him, with Changsun Wuji just a little further from Zhang San.

Merely this seating arrangement was enough to show Zhang San’s status in Changsun Bubai’s heart, at least, that’s what the officers thought.

"Zhang San, I originally thought you were just famous, but I never imagined you were also so capable. Far better than my three sons!"

Zhang San immediately raised his cup to Changsun Bubai.

"Each Young Master has his own strengths, those are precisely what I should learn," Zhang San replied.

"Stop speaking well of those three. Come on, let’s drink."

"As the military envoy commands!"

As the two of them drank together, the officials observing felt Zhang San seemed like a son to their own military envoy.

After all, the military envoy only smiled more with his daughter and the Second Young Master among his sons.

But looking at his attitude towards Zhang San, it definitely didn’t seem feigned.

It could well be genuine admiration.

Of course, there were also those who felt that the young Military Envoy Changsun, who was dashing and elegant in his youth, and still refined and graceful in his older age, found Zhang San exceptionally handsome.

Could it be... an illegitimate son?

"Come, Brother Zhang San, I also offer you a toast. We must find an opportunity to drink properly... I’m just inviting Brother Zhang San for a drink next time, grandpa, don’t glare at me!"

The officials were amused by Changsun Wuji’s remark and burst into hearty laughter.

Zhang San turned around and shared a drink with Changsun Wuji.

"Honestly, the way you hide your Storage Ring in your mouth, I had never thought of that. Impressive, and I’ve heard you’re quite talented. It’s a pity, my sister is already betrothed to someone else, otherwise I would have made you my brother-in-law!"

Unable to contain his curiosity, Zhang San asked, "Which young master is so fortunate? Do share so I can envy him."

"My future brother-in-law is from Jin River Path, the Second Young Master of the Li Family in Taiyuan, named Li Sandao. He’s also one of the Four Young Masters of the Capital. Speaking of which, you should have a good relationship with the Four Young Masters of the Capital, right?"

Changsun Bubai glared at Changsun Wuji again.

Do you even know how to speak!

Four Young Masters of the Capital, one possibly killed by Zhang San.

One nearly killed by Zhang San.

God damn good relationship!

"Do you really want your sister to be a widow?"

Zhang San immediately laughed and said, "When I was in the Capital, I had a misunderstanding with Zheng Poyue of the Zheng Family, but later the misunderstanding was cleared up. We have especially good relations now. I must take you to visit him sometime."

"Absolutely, absolutely. Next time let’s go out for a drink together!"

After the banquet, Changsun Bubai and Zhang San walked out of the military camp and strolled under the moonlight outside the camp.

"Zhang San, I apologize. My daughter was just worried about me and her three brothers, which is why she specifically ran to deliver a blanket to you. She’s just a child and might have said some things she shouldn’t have; don’t take it to heart."

Zhang San laughed and said, "Not at all, not at all. Having such a sensible daughter, I, Zhang San, am indeed very envious of you, Military Envoy! Hahaha..."

Zhang San continued, "Moreover, having just arrived at the Northern Army, I actually do not understand the situation here. If someone comes and talks to me about it, I naturally want to listen. Would you care to explain the situation within the Northern Army in detail?"

Changsun Bubai gave a meaningful smile and looked at Zhang San.

Under the moonlight, Zhang San’s eyes were clear and pure, like those of an innocent child.

But Changsun Bubai knew, if he completely believed Zhang San’s words, he would be a fool.

"Would you believe what I say alone?"

"Listening is done with the ears, not the heart."

Changsun Bubai laughed loudly, such frankness combined with shrewdness was indeed rare to see.

"Well then, let me tell you about the three major factions within the Northern Army."

"In fact, we’re mainly talking about the Frontier Army in the north of Longyun Path and Jin River Path. As for farther west on Longyou Road and farther east on Longwang Road, they are actually different from us because they have other tasks. Our two paths’ Frontier Army, targeting the enemy, only has the Tujue!"

"The entire army is divided into three major factions."

"The first faction is the Radical Faction. Mostly young officers and soldiers, eager to achieve fame and wishing to confront the Tujue with all their fiery passion. Led by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mei Fei from Longyun Path, they are ready to fight Tujue whenever they see them. But..."

"They only know brute force. Over the years, although they have won the most victories, they have also suffered the greatest losses."

Zhang San nodded slightly, understanding that the Radical Faction was reckless, lacking in strategy.

"The second faction is the Conservative Faction. But don’t be misled by the name; the Conservative Faction isn’t just about defending. We think we need to build ourselves up, improve, and then annihilate the Tujue—or at least deal them a heavy blow in one fell swoop. Otherwise, it’s like using a small knife to slowly cut meat—hardly noticeable but gradually letting the Tujue grasp our combat style and true strength, which is not advantageous."

"The Conservative Faction is led by me, and I think that the Radical Faction is actually the real conservative one, just thinking about fighting. If you’re going to fight, fight to the death! With just their approach, they even dare to call themselves the Radical Faction?"

Zhang San understood. The Conservative Faction scorned the Radical Faction for being too conservative; they didn’t just go after Tujue upon sight, they wanted to decisively end them!

Even more radical than the Radical Faction!

"The last ranked as the Centrist Faction. Of course, it’s called the Centrist Faction, but it’s really more like a marginal faction. Because among the officers of the Centrist Faction, either some still have the Northern Zhou’s mark and don’t receive Kaihuang’s trust, or they are involved somehow through marriage ties."

"And some are just the neglected ones who eventually had to join the gloomy Centrist Faction."

"Of course, over the years, there are also some who were marginalized by Mei Fei, having nowhere else to go, they could only end up in the Centrist Faction."

Zhang San initially thought it was a tripod of balanced forces, but now it seemed, the Radical Faction dominated alone.

The Conservative Faction was untrusted.

The Centrist Faction was utterly untrusted throughout.

It’s just that these people were still useful and, after all, they were people of the Great Sui, unlikely to join the Tujue just because they were overlooked, so they kept them around.

At this moment, Changsun Bubai turned to Zhang San and asked with a smile, "Zhang San, I am very curious about which faction you would choose?"