Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 458 - 432

Chapter 458: 432

Hearing Changsun Bubai’s life-or-death question, Zhang San thought for a moment before chuckling and saying, "I’ve just arrived, not quite familiar with everything yet. Let’s start by getting to know each other, shall we? Hahahaha..."

Changsun Bubai also burst out laughing along with Zhang San.

After all, at this moment, even if Zhang San claimed he chose the Conservative Faction, Changsun Bubai wouldn’t believe it.

But Zhang San’s comment about starting by getting to know one another actually put Changsun Bubai at ease.

At the very least, this man didn’t speak untruths.

The two laughed for a while, and then Zhang San asked, "I’ve heard that Military Envoy Changsun has profound mastery in cultivating the Five Viscera Wheel Seas. I wonder when you could give me some pointers? Teach me, someone who has just come into contact with the Wheel Seas."

Changsun Bubai smiled at Zhang San.

"It depends on your performance. Hahahaha..."

Zhang San responded to Changsun Bubai’s condition with ’we’ll see.’

And Changsun Bubai repaid Zhang San’s question with another ’we’ll see.’

It seemed like the teasing between children, but in reality, both knew that even though the other was agile in mind, they also retained their integrity and straightforwardness.

On their first day of acquaintance, this let both of them lower their guards slightly and foster a fragile but foundational trust.

Back in his tent, Zhang San tidied up a bit, ready for bed.

However, considering he was in a military camp, one could never be sure when an enemy attack might occur.

So Zhang San didn’t dare to be careless, and after changing into a new set of clothes, he lay down in his outfit.

If there was any noise of battle, he could rise at a moment’s notice.

Zhang San even tried out methods he had read about in books, taking an empty quiver and laying it on the ground, then resting his head on it to listen carefully.

Zhang San hadn’t expected to really hear the faint sound of horse hooves and footsteps,

Upon listening, he realized that the people and horses seemed to be nearby.

Could it be that the Tujue had infiltrated the camp now that I’ve just arrived?

Zhang San immediately got up, kicked Hei who had just gone to sleep, and then motioned for Hei to keep quiet.

He drew his Horizontal Blade and slightly lifted the tent curtain to peek through the gap.

At that moment, Zhang San noticed indeed a troop was moving through the camp.

They were just passing by, however.

In the middle of the night, if it was merely many people passing by, Zhang San thought it might be soldiers patrolling or the change of guard on schedule, which would be normal.

But so many men, and with horses, seemed a bit abnormal.

Consequently, Zhang San had Hei follow him, and the two stealthily trailed behind the troop.

Eventually, Zhang San was surprised to discover that this troop actually left the great camp of the Lingwu Army and was heading directly north.

Using Wind Series Techniques, he took Hei into the sky to avoid attracting the attention of the guards, then circled around the north side of the camp from the west to catch up.

The troop ahead comprised eight groups of soldiers, totaling over four hundred men.

Leading them was none other than Changsun Wugen.

After Changsun Wugen had led the men some distance, he felt something was amiss. He immediately ordered four teams to continue forward, while the other four teams and himself quickly ambushed the vicinity.

Changsun Wugen faintly sensed that someone might be tracking them from behind. If there indeed was someone following, then seeing some men continue on would certainly make them pursue further.

At that time, he could take the opportunity to...

"What are you guys squatting here for?"

The sudden voice near Changsun Wugen’s ear gave him a start.

The Horizontal Blade in his hand almost instinctively stabbed into the body of the person who had appeared suddenly behind him.

Fortunately, just as his Horizontal Blade was grasped by the opponent, Changsun Wugen then saw clearly that the person who suddenly appeared behind him was none other than Zhang San.

"Brother San, why is it you?"

Seeing the startled Changsun Wugen, Zhang San couldn’t help but laugh and said, "I just heard some noises outside tonight and found out someone was leaving, got a bit curious. So it was you guys! Are you up to something?"

Changsun Wugen felt that Zhang San was a pretty good guy, and considering Grandpa’s attitude towards Zhang San, he didn’t think Zhang San was an outsider, so he decided to tell the truth.

"It’s not really an operation, just that tonight Grandpa and I reported, and now we’re heading over to Tujue to snatch some stuff!"[Note 102]

"What stuff are you planning to snatch?" Zhang San was curious, wondering if Tujue had taken something important from Great Sui.

"We’ll snatch whatever we see! In other words, whatever’s valuable, we’ll take!"

At this moment, Zhang San was a bit dumbfounded.

Because according to his ingrained impression, it had always been Tujue who looted everywhere.

On the side of Great Sui, the soldiers sold their lives, and the people suffered.

It was always evil forces like Tujue who kept plundering the people and wealth of Great Sui, while our Great Sui was always righteously safeguarding the property safety of the masses.

And now you’re telling me that, on a moonless and windy night, we’re going to rob Tujue?

Seeing Zhang San’s confused face, Changsun Wugen couldn’t help but laugh and began to explain.

"Brother San, let’s talk while we walk."

Zhang San asked Hei to transform into a Black Chi Horse, then mounted it and started walking north with Changsun Wugen.

"Brother San, you’ve just joined the Lingwu Army and aren’t aware of our situation here. The Northern Boundary Army has a large number of troops, and although the Imperial Court does send military pay, the money has to pass through Mei Fei’s hands before it gets to us, so naturally, it would be less."

"Moreover, Mei Fei deliberately makes things difficult for us, not allowing us to recruit more troops. So, whether it’s military pay, military rations, or even horse expenses, they are all far from enough. Therefore, sometimes when Tujue people come to rob us, we might also go rob Tujue."

"After all, Tujue itself is a nomadic tribe that migrates everywhere. If we’re lucky and encounter a tribe with average strength but plenty of cattle and sheep, we’ll strike it rich!"

Zhang San suddenly realized the situation.

"In that case, can I go and rob on my own?"

"Of course, you can. And if you bring back cattle and sheep, you can sell them for money or exchange for cultivation resources. If you kill Tujue people, you’ll earn military merits. It’s just that these merits aren’t easy to calculate. But if you bring back war horses, you definitely earn military merits!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang San realized it was a way to get promoted and make a fortune.

It’s not that I, Zhang San, want to be a villain, it’s just that with no guns and no cannons, I must rely on the enemy to equip me!

"Since that’s the case, then I’ll go and give it a try."

As Zhang San spoke, he patted Hei, who leapt up and transformed into a Black Chi Dragon, racing towards the north in the night.

Leaving more than four hundred soldiers on the ground with their eyes wide open, along with a gaping Changsun Wugen, watching as Zhang San rode the Chi Dragon away.

"Second Young Master, did Zhang San... just fly away?"

"Second Young Master!?"

"Ah!? Oh... that... no need to panic! Zhang San is one of our own! His mount is just a bit more impressive, that’s all. No need to panic!"

"Second Young Master, should we follow?"

Changsun Wugen glanced at the Brigade Commander beside him and said coldly, "Do you think our war horses can catch up with a dragon?"

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[Note 102]Historical trivia

The plot mentioned about the Great Sui Army going to rob Tujue not only serves the needs of the storyline but is also historically accurate.

The Sui Dynasty general Shi Wansui, initially implicated in other people’s conspiracy cases, was exiled to Dunhuang as a garrison soldier. The chief of the garrison was extremely brave, often going deep into Tujue territory alone to loot—ahem, "acquire" sheep and horses. He looked down on Shi Wansui, who, feeling insulted, also started raiding and brought back a lot. Then the two looked at each other and smiled, joining forces to rob Tujue.

Therefore, there were rumors like when the Sui Dynasty went to war with Tujue, upon hearing that the coming general was Shi Wansui, the Khan confirmed it was the garrison soldier Shi Wansui from Dunhuang? His men confirmed, and the Khan said his mother was about to give birth, and he needed to go home—stories like that.