Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 487 - 456

Chapter 487: 456

The next day, Zhang San went to Spring Breeze Town once again with Changsun Wuji.

It was still the same time, the same place, and there were still numerous cattle and sheep, with still fair prices.

This time, the numerous residents of the entire town and the martial artists in the area were once again abuzz.

Previously, everyone had heard that a person named Zhang San had joined the Lingwu Army and had looted many cattle and sheep from the Tujue, which they found very satisfying.

Buying cattle and sheep was partly because their homes really needed them, and partly as a veiled support for the army.

But what no one expected was that Zhang San had gone raiding again.

And this time, he had brought back so many again.

"Who exactly is this Zhang San? I hadn’t heard of him before. He’s quite formidable! I think he might just bankrupt the Tujue!"

"He’s new to the Lingwu Army, and no one knows what he did before. Could this man have been a bandit before?"

The common people naturally had their own guesses and thoughts.

And no matter what everyone said, the soldiers selling the cattle and sheep all smiled.

Did they really expect the common people to stop gossiping just by sewing their mouths shut?

Zhang San spent some time drinking with Changsun Wuji before finding an excuse to wander around for a bit.

Soon, Zhang San spotted Secret Officer Niu, clad in a black robe, at the corner of a street and walked towards him.

The two men walked deep into a small alley, winding their way quickly into a desolate and dilapidated courtyard.

Secret Officer Bi was sitting inside.

"Greetings, Officer Bi."

Zhang San bowed his hands in greeting towards Bi.

The other glanced at Zhang San, puzzlement showing in his eyes—a mix of red and white.

"Zhang San, I heard you have won over the Ying Zhao clan?"

Zhang San nodded with a smile and said, "Pretty much. Because the Ying Zhao clan needs a place to flourish and reproduce, and in fact, we also need more strength to help us fight against the Tujue. It’s perfect timing for mutual benefit!"

Bi curiously asked, "So, are you just using the Ying Zhao clan?"

Zhang San grinned and shook his head, "See, that’s a misunderstanding. Am I, Zhang San, someone who uses friends?"

"But I, from the Town Demon Office and All Things Path, have deep-seated hatred for many demon clans, and now your actions are clearly making the Ying Zhao clan our scouts! How can you say that’s not using them?"

Zhang San didn’t know why Secret Officer Bi was so sensitive about the Ying Zhao clan’s affairs but still patiently tried to explain.

"It’s certainly not using them. Kaihuang had accused me of being the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect before, and many didn’t believe me. But Kaihuang believed me!"

"Later, before I went to the Northern Army, Kaihuang personally came to talk to me, saying he really believed me. Moreover, as long as I made notable achievements in the Northern Army, I would return and be appointed as a marquis!"

"I was actually also worried that Kaihuang might just be deceiving me. Then Kaihuang showed me the imperial edict he had already written—of course, it wasn’t sealed with the Jade Seal yet."

"Kaihuang then said, not only does he not believe I’m the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, but even if I was, so what? If the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Punishment Sect could become a marquis of Great Sui and serve Great Sui, then the Heavenly Punishment Sect could also become a part of Great Sui and be utilized by it!"

"Since Kaihuang has the inclusiveness to accept the Heavenly Punishment Sect, how could he not have the inclusiveness to accept the Ying Zhao clan!"

"The guys at the Town Demon Office... frankly, in my eyes, pure rubbish! The difference their absence makes is negligible!"

"If they had my brains, All Things Path would have already joined us in fighting the Tujue long ago!"

"Just like the Ying Zhao clan, strong and fast, faster than horses, fiercer than humans, we in Great Sui consider them people, so they are people. The Tujue only thought of capturing the Ying Zhao clan to use as mounts! The Ying Zhao clan would definitely get along with us! Forget about whether it’s using them or not. Right now, everyone is unfamiliar, so they’re just staying a bit to the north. Once we cooperate more in the future, resisting the Tujue together, and defending our homeland, then we will become the firmest of allies!"

Bi nodded slightly, seemingly grasping Zhang San’s thoughts, then refrained from mentioning the matters related to the Ying Zhao clan and instead brought up the issue Zhang San had mentioned last time.

"Previously, you asked us to convey a message to Principal Officer Xuanwu, who also consulted the Chief. In the end, she agreed that you could establish a branch of the Town Martial Office north of Longyun Path."

Zhang San was thrilled.

With the privilege of establishing a Town Martial Office branch, the things he could do next were plentiful.

"However..." Bi’s tone shifted, and he said, "Logically speaking, establishing a Town Martial Office branch means initially we should send some people to help you and also provide some material resources. Yet currently our resources at the Town Martial Office are tight, so... there’s nothing."

Zhang San had anticipated such an outcome, so he was not surprised.

But while he was not surprised internally, on the surface, he had to display an expression of utter shock and somewhat unbearable pain.

"Not even a little bit of money?"

"Not even a little bit of money."

"Then... if I have no money, I should at least have some authority, right? I mean, when I establish the branch north of Longyun Path, I should still have the power of appointment. Apprentice Warriors can be appointed according to regulations, but I should be able to personally appoint the Military Chief, right?"

Bi glared, his pupils—one red and one white—looking somewhat frightening.

"You a Military Chief appointing another Military Chief? What’s the difference between you and an Officer? Even Officers have to report when appointing a Military Chief. You’re nearly on the level of a Principal Officer!"

Zhang San chuckled and said, "The capable have more duties. Since you’re not giving money, you have to give some support in other areas, right?"

After a moment of silence, Bi reluctantly spat out two words: "Fine then."

"Thank you, then I’ll start preparing to establish the Town Martial Office branch."

After sending Zhang San out, Niu said to him in a low voice, "You’re really something! Still a Military Chief, but now your status and authority are much higher than ours as Officers."

Zhang San chuckled and said, "Where, where, it’s just that Principal Officer Xuanwu has good judgment and values me. Help me thank Principal Officer Xuanwu later, I think she was a bit upset."

"Sure, next time I see Principal Officer Xuanwu, I’ll pass on your words."

"Isn’t she just sitting in that broken courtyard over there?"

Upon hearing this, Niu realized that Principal Officer Xuanwu had been recognized.

"How did you figure it out?"

Niu knew that Bi was Principal Officer Xuanwu’s daughter, and the mother and daughter had identical pupils. Principal Officer Xuanwu often impersonated Bi, and no one had ever been able to tell. So how did Zhang San, meeting Principal Officer Xuanwu for only the second time, figure it out?

"Oh... I didn’t figure it out, I was just bluffing you. Brother, you’re not good at keeping secrets!"

At that moment, Niu broke into a sweat.

"Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. If it really gets out, I’ll just say I had the unique insight to see through it. So, brother, do me a small favor. Since the Town Martial Office branch is being established and I have neither money nor people, you could at least give me some Secret Manuals to curry favor with others, right? Also, help me deliver this letter to Chief Li. Of course, if Principal Officer Xuanwu wants to see it, she can. It’s not sealed."

Zhang San said this, handed a letter to Niu, and then turned and left.

Niu watched Zhang San’s departing figure, went back, gave the letter to Principal Officer Xuanwu, and also told her about Zhang San figuring out Xuanwu’s identity.

Principal Officer Xuanwu smiled, whispering to Niu, "Don’t be nervous, he definitely figured it out and just bluffed you to confirm it a bit more."

"What!?"

The honest old Niu was completely baffled.

"He’s supposed to establish a Town Martial Office branch in a place as complex as Longyun Path. If he didn’t even have that much insight, I would actually be worried! As for this letter, take it to Chief Li right away."

Upon glancing at the contents of the letter, Xuanwu finally understood why Zhang San kept saying he didn’t need money or people; this had been his plan all along.