Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 504 - 472: Drink Together, Eat Meat Together, Fight the Tujue Together!

Chapter 504: Chapter 472: Drink Together, Eat Meat Together, Fight the Tujue Together!

On the evening of that day, the martial forces of Spring Breeze Town successively received invitations from Zhang San.

At noon, they had just heard that the Third Hall Master of Wind Divine Hall was going to marry off her distant younger sister as a live-in son-in-law to Zhang San, and now they had received a letter of invitation to a banquet from him.

Everyone knew that last time it was okay not to go, because Wind Divine Hall did not attend either, and it was even Feng Bubian who took the lead in not going.

But this time, not to mention that Feng Bubian had become Zhang San’s brother-in-law.

Just the matter involving Fuyuan Temple and Ma Licheng alone was enough to prove that Zhang San had complete control over the intelligence of the entire martial forces in the northern part of the Longyun Path.

"Sect Leader, are we really going to attend Zhang San’s banquet tomorrow?"

Many martial forces immediately called together all their high-ranking members to discuss this matter.

After all, attending a banquet was a top priority.

"Not going? I really don’t want to go, but isn’t the lesson of Fuyuan Temple and Ma Licheng’s not clear enough?"

"But indeed, they had colluded with the Tujue martial artists, we didn’t collude, what are we afraid of?"

Hearing this, many nodded in agreement.

However, some astute individuals realized the severity of the situation.

"Afraid of what? We haven’t colluded with Tujue, but have we colluded with Fuyuan Temple? Have any of us had dealings with Ma Licheng and his group? Are we clean, are all the people we know clean?"

Hearing this, some began to realize the gravity of the issue.

"In fact, the methods Zhang San is using right now are still clean. If we really encounter a ruthless person, with the Town Martial Office’s intelligence capabilities, do you think we could be easily framed with any charges and be able to clear our names? You should know that the previous two cases were ironclad. Even if there is no evidence later, guess who everyone will believe, Zhang San or us? This time, I’m afraid we have no choice but to go!"

Such conversations were happening in many Sects.

Although no one wanted to deal with the Town Martial Office, this time they had no choice but to go.

However, there were some martial forces that, although they had no ideas of their own, they did have eyesight.

They immediately sent people to inquire with Wind Divine Hall.

If Wind Divine Hall was united internally, they would go.

If there was dissent within Wind Divine Hall, they would consider the situation further.

But the result was that the people who went to inquire at Wind Divine Hall quickly ran back to report to their own Sect Leaders and Sect Masters that Wind Divine Hall had already begun purchasing gifts to present to Zhang San the next day.

Hearing this news, everyone knew there was no point in being haughty anymore! They hurried to prepare, lest there be no chance to fawn over Zhang San later.

If everyone else had already filled Zhang San with flattery by the time you got there and there was no opportunity left, that would be truly awkward.

...

The next day at noon, at the same two-hour, in the same restaurant.

The difference was the restaurant’s doors had not yet opened, and the queue outside nearly blocked the entire street.

Inside the restaurant, Niu and Bi looked at the bustling crowd outside and then at the calm Zhang San, who was leisurely sipping wine, their eyes full of admiration.

"Zhang San, you really are capable!" Niu gave Zhang San a thumbs-up.

Zhang San smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Oh no, it’s all thanks to the help of you two, and more importantly, the strong support from Principal Officer Xuanwu. Please, both of you, stay and have a meal."

Niu hastily waved his hands, "Isn’t that inappropriate? Actually, everyone is more comfortable with your attitude, but if they see other Officers of the Town Martial Office here, they might get worried."

Zhang San laughed, "Don’t worry about it. Your presence here will only make them feel more at ease."

After keeping the two Secret Officers, Zhang San then let the restaurant owner open the doors.

As the crowd came in, the restaurant began to bustle.

Before long, all the guests present had taken their seats.

Even some who weren’t invited pulled strings and shamelessly shoved their gift list directly into Zhang San’s hands.

Zhang San learned for the first time just how gratifying it feels to have gifts forced upon him.

"First, I, Zhang San, thank you all for coming. Knowing that I, Zhang San, am setting up a base for the Town Martial Office in the northern part of the Longyun Path, you all came with such eagerness. I, Zhang San, thank you all!"

As Zhang San spoke, he raised his cup and everyone else quickly did the same.

Although Zhang San did not mention a toast, if your big brother raises his cup and you don’t, then it will become very difficult to hold your head up high in the future.

So, no one dares not to raise their cup at this moment.

"Next, these two are officers from the Town Martial Office who heard that I was establishing a base to the north of the Longyun Path and came to give their congratulations, Officer Niu and Officer Bi. I have a deep friendship with these two. Upon hearing that I was establishing a base, they came to add to the numbers and show their support. They are both cultivators of the half-step Purple Mansion Realm, so everyone, please give some face?"

Initially, when they heard that two officers had arrived, everyone felt somewhat resistant.

After all, martial artists have a natural aversion to the Town Martial Office.

If it were not for the fact that it was an inevitable trend for Zhang San to establish a Town Martial Office base in Spring Breeze Town, many would likely not have come.

But now, hearing that these two officers are both of the half-step Purple Mansion, everyone was shocked and immediately raised their cups again.

This is hardly just adding to the numbers; it’s more like they’ll be taking our heads if we don’t obey!

After everyone drank the second cup, Zhang San poured the wine and raised his cup again.

"Lastly, I have something to say to put everyone at ease. I know many have misunderstood and think that by establishing a Town Martial Office base in Spring Breeze Town, we are going to start controlling the many martial path powers to the north of the Longyun Path, and that you will no longer be free?"

"Absolutely not! That’s not the case at all! I am here by the order of Kaihuang to join the army and assist them. It’s just that perhaps you’re not clear about the army’s situation. The army excels in deploying troops and arranging formations during battles, but when it comes to intelligence gathering, discerning details, assassinating martial artists, and sneak attacks, we are naturally more professional in these areas."

"Therefore, I requested the help of Changsun Bubai, the Duzhi Military Envoy of the Lingwu Army, for a long time, and he has finally agreed. From now on, any martial artist from our Longyun Path to the north, who is registered with our Town Martial Office and kills a Tujue martial artist, can report to the army and claim their reward."

Upon hearing the word ’reward,’ the eyes of many sparkled.

But even more people paid attention to the words "in the military."

Today, many martial path powers have come, some of which are flourishing in the north of the Longyun Path, but there are also some whose situations are quite wretched.

If they can seize the opportunity to cling to the might of the military, and their entire Sect joins the ranks of the army, even if they become a minor faction, it’s still better than having to look up to the face of a Great Sect Leader now, isn’t it?

"Even more so, if you all are willing, you could be invited to join military operations and receive rewards based on your contributions after the battle. The possibility of actually joining the military is not out of the question!"

Upon hearing these words, not only the small martial path powers were moved, but even some Great Sect Leaders were tempted.

No matter how powerful a martial path power develops, can it win against the Town Martial Office?

At least, the Great Sui has proven over twenty years that, looking across the entire world, no martial path power can surpass the Town Martial Office.

Even the Heavenly Punishment Sect has to bow its head in front of the Town Martial Office.

But after all, the Town Martial Office is the Great Sui’s.

If everyone could join the military, or if their own Sect had a strong presence in the military, then the Town Martial Office would have to think twice before trying to control them.

At this time, someone curiously asked, "Military Chief Zhang, can we really join the military? I’ve heard that the military has very strict rules!"

Zhang San laughed and said, "Military discipline is indeed strict, that’s true. So for now, let’s focus on killing Tujue martial artists. Our Town Martial Office will help communicate with the military, allowing everyone to earn rewards. Later on, we can consider cooperating with military operations. Once you all have had more contact and understand the situation within the military, you can decide whether to join. After all, some people like to be lone rangers, wandering the world with their swords, but others have always dreamed of becoming a Great General! Just make sure, if any of you rise through the ranks in the military, don’t forget about me!"

Zhang San said this and raised his cup high.

Everyone raised their cups again.

Originally, everyone was worried that with Zhang San establishing a Town Martial Office base in the north of the Longyun Path, he might turn against them.

But now it seems that his intentions are merely to earn military merits, and he’s using his position in the Town Martial Office to involve the local martial artists.

At this point, someone asked, "Military Chief Zhang, I have heard that sometimes the Town Martial Office also recruits some local martial artists. Do we have a chance of joining the Town Martial Office?"

Zhang San knew that this was something some people were hoping for, but also something others were worried about.

"As everyone knows, although I, Zhang San, was the first Military Chief of the Town Martial Office who was not of the Spiritual Platform Realm, I have now broken through to the Spiritual Platform Realm and still, I am just a Military Chief."

"In this Town Martial Office base in Spring Breeze Town, I, Zhang San, can only appoint an Acting Military Chief. So, naturally, the treatment for joining our Town Martial Office is quite average. And since we often have to deal with the military, there might actually be quite a lot of tasks. Therefore, I would rather hope that those among you with strong abilities would consider the military rewards more."

"As for our Town Martial Office, to be honest, our base here isn’t primarily about combat or suppressing some martial path powers with thoughts against the Great Sui, so we don’t need much in terms of fighting strength. Therefore, I’m afraid we won’t be recruiting martial artists to join in the short term."

Those who were initially worried that Zhang San would annex their martial path powers now had their doubts dispelled.

The banquet lasted from midday until the evening, and then everyone went back home.

After everyone had left, Niu came to Zhang San’s side, curious, and asked, "Your actions right now seem to be just about leading us against the Tujue, and the rewards from the military are probably not that high. Would many people really be willing to follow you?"

Zhang San smiled and explained, "The military rewards are naturally limited in value, but the honor they confer is different. Not to mention glorifying the ancestors, just take how every time I loot from the Tujue and sell the spoils, the people of Spring Breeze Town and the surrounding towns, who doesn’t say a good word when they hear my name, Zhang San? Fame and profit, if I can’t give one, I give the other."