Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 682 - 624: I Wish for World Peace!

Chapter 682: Chapter 624: I Wish for World Peace!

"How has the announcement list changed?"

"What on earth is going on?"

"Be careful with your words, these are all Emperor Kaihuang’s Imperial Guards—they can kill with impunity!" As someone uttered these words, the previously noisy group of students instantly fell silent.

Cao Demeng, who had brought people to post the new announcement list, strode over to the student who had just spoken, and slapped him across the face, causing the student to fall to the ground, trembling with fear, as a pale yellow sweat began to seep through his trousers.

"Stop spouting nonsense! Who told you that just because we are the Imperial Guards of Emperor Kaihuang we can kill the innocent at will? Since we are the Imperial Guards, we uphold the laws of the country more than anyone else!"

At that moment, the fellow townsman and friend of the student who had just been slapped immediately stood up and said with a face full of righteousness, "Since you uphold the laws of the country, then why are you hitting someone without cause?"

Cao Demeng glanced at the fellow townsman and shouted loudly, "Where is the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s men?"

Not far away, Second Master Shen immediately responded.

"This person slandered the Imperial Guards of Emperor Kaihuang, leave him to the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s Government Office to deal with!"

The student who had indulged himself in speaking out was originally only slapped.

But now, he would likely have to spend some time inside the big jail.

After the announcement list had been completely replaced, Cao Demeng shouted loudly, "The previous list was incorrect. This new list is the authentic list of students who have passed this Imperial examination."

"The previous list was that of those who had heavily bribed the chief examiner."

"Let this be a warning to all students. In the Great Sui, everyone must abide by the laws of the country! No exceptions!"

Having said that, Cao Demeng left with his men.

The scene was left with students cheering and leaping for joy.

Meanwhile, in a private room on the third floor of a tavern opposite the Imperial Examination Hall, King Jin stood by the window, watching the students cheering below the walls of the Imperial Examination Hall, and smiled contentedly.

Then, King Jin turned around and bowed respectfully to the person beside him.

"Thank you, Marquis Beyond the Law, for your help. If it weren’t for you this time, I’m afraid I would also have to ask those who are on good terms with me to give gifts to Shen Wei. After all, everyone was giving at the time, and each one gave more than the last. When they came to ask me, I truly couldn’t make up my mind."

Zhang San smiled faintly and waved his hand, "It’s nothing. Just a small effort. After all, the water was too murky, so everyone had to descend to the same level. But, in the end, it’s because you, King Jin, have grand ambitions that you could associate with some upright people who were willing to listen to you and did not send gifts to the chief examiner."

Speaking of friends, Zhang San also knew that those people were actually part of King Jin’s party.

But such things were unnecessary to say directly to one’s face.

"Where do I have any ambitions? I’m nothing but a leisurely prince. It’s Marquis Beyond the Law who, with his own strength, repelled the Tujue’s four-pronged army."

"I don’t have that much ability. The most I can do is strive hard enough to replace the Crown Prince. But as for you, King Jin, I see the bearing of a true emperor."

After their mutual modesty, the two shared a knowing smile.

"Marquis Beyond the Law, the Crown Prince is my own brother! There must be some misunderstanding between you two."

Zhang San realized that King Jin was even better at beating around the bush than himself.

"King Jin, let’s not put on airs with each other. We’re friends, after all. I don’t like the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince wants to deal with me too—this is common knowledge in the Capital, who doesn’t know? Replacing him with one of my own friends would certainly be better than allowing my enemy to continue as Crown Prince. King Jin, what do you think?"

King Jin immediately clasped his fist and bowed deeply to Zhang San, saying, "It would be my honor to be a friend to Marquis Beyond the Law. But may I ask if there are any other conditions you have in helping me, aside from not liking the Crown Prince? Be assured, I naturally understand that among friends, we prioritize loyalty over benefit. But if a friend is in need, I shall do my utmost to help."

Zhang San, though sensing a mix of sincerity and pretense in King Jin’s words and demeanor, at least found some genuineness in them.

"Naturally, I would like to have a high-ranking position, one where I have authority and influence, without the need to work too much—I just collect the salary every day. Is there such a position?"

Upon hearing Zhang San’s words, King Jin couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

In this world, many people desire such positions but are too embarrassed to say it out loud. They even conjure up so-called excuses about assisting the world and serving the state.

But in reality, once such people climb to the top, they only do two things.

One is to do nothing, which, although may delay some matters, at least doesn’t add to the chaos.

The other is to pretend to do something for the country and the people, subsequently increasing the suffering of the commoners and causing more disarray in governmental affairs.

Yet, Zhang San was indeed a straightforward man.

I just want to take the money and not work!

"If Great Sui doesn’t have such a position, then I would create one just for Marquis Beyond the Law," King Jin said.

Zhang San knew that King Jin had agreed to join forces with him.

"Speaking of which, recently the Crown Prince’s men have indeed been spreading rumors about Marquis Beyond the Law through some secret channels. How do you plan to counter this?"

Zhang San smiled indifferently, saying nonchalantly, "No need to counter. Having just come from the battlefield, King Jin should know, as the one who once commanded the campaign to subdue Southern Chen, that when you’re used to chopping people every day and suddenly have nothing to chop, your hand itches for action. It just needs something unworthy to scratch that itch."

"What about you, King Jin? How would you like me to help you?"

At this point, King Jin responded with a helpless sigh.

"I must be honest—right now, I too am unsure of what to do. I simply try to perform well in front of the Emperor and Empress, but it seems insufficient."

Zhang San laughed and said, "Then King Jin will have to think harder. After all, the Crown Prince is filial to his parents and friendly to his brothers. Those around him are cautious and abstain from corruption and trouble. Such a paragon—I cannot make him disrespect Emperor Kaihuang and Empress Dugu. Nor can I make him send someone to assassinate his own brothers at an opportune moment. I certainly can’t force those around the Crown Prince to do foolish things."

At that moment, Zhang San seemed to have said nothing and yet everything at the same time.

King Jin had an epiphany and gave Zhang San a deep bow.

"I understand now."

"Whether you understand or not has nothing to do with me."

"Hahaha... Marquis Beyond the Law is truly cautious. When I ascend to the throne, I will surely value Marquis Beyond the Law. Whatever you desire in the future, just tell me directly. As long as you want it and as long as I have it, it’s yours!"

With a faint smile, Zhang San, looking out at the departing scholars laughing joyfully, whispered, "I wish for peace in the world."

"That wish, I shall fulfill for you!"