Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 698 - 638: Grand Preceptor 2.0

Chapter 698: Chapter 638: Grand Preceptor 2.0

Using this opportunity to dine and drink together, Zhang San managed to fully understand the Crown Prince’s forces.

After all, he had had conflicts with the Wen Family before, and although he had eliminated quite a few of their members, Wen Chudao eventually declared that all matters with Zhang San were settled.

Even during the great battle at Longyun Path, he had encountered Wen Chudao.

But in the end, all previous interactions between them were based on enmity, not on any real acquaintance.

The information from the Town Martial Office was rich regarding Martial Artists, but it was lacking in court matters.

Legalism was even less helpful in this regard.

He certainly couldn’t seek out Mozi or use the networks of the Heavenly Punishment Sect just to gather intelligence on the forces surrounding the Crown Prince.

Therefore, the best method was still to obtain intelligence through the Wen Family.

Even Zhang San suspected that the old man Wen Chudao might have guessed that he would approach Wen Bi to inquire about some intelligence, so he purposefully revealed a lot of information regarding the Crown Prince to Wen Bi, who then relayed it to him.

This could be considered a kind of goodwill.

Based on all the intelligence Zhang San had acquired so far, the Crown Prince’s original power was not very large—it was only after he had left the Capital last time that the Crown Prince realized his followers were incompetent.

It was better to cultivate his own confidantes than to try to co-opt some readymade forces.

Especially after Kaihuang took personal command of the military campaign, more people became eager to act.

Thus, the Crown Prince took the opportunity to take control of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Works.

Since the Ministry of Household managed finance and bore great responsibility, the Crown Prince wanted it, but he didn’t dare to tamper with it now.

The Ministry of War was even so tight that he couldn’t fit a finger in.

As for the Ministry of Punishment, if the Crown Prince were to give gifts today, Legalism would have him jailed the next day.

The favorite activity of Confucianism was to advise the Emperor and then die in public.

In doing so, they demonstrated their backbone and integrity.

Legalism was different; they enjoyed making major headlines.

Initially catching corrupt officials was thrilling for them.

Latterly, discovering these corrupt officials were their colleagues in the Ministry of Punishment was even more thrilling.

Later still, uncovering that the supervisor was corrupt—tell me, what could be more exhilarating than personally sending one’s own boss to prison?

They would gladly do this job without a salary!

If they could arrest the Crown Prince, people from Legalism would be overly delighted.

Having understood these cards under the Crown Prince’s control, Zhang San felt rather confident about the situation.

Including Ghost Consort Xin Daoyin, Zhang San estimated these were all the cards the Crown Prince held, and it was not a big problem.

Once his classmates had nearly finished eating and drinking, Zhang San led them back to the Imperial College.

Staying outside overnight without returning to the Imperial College was against the rules.

As a teacher at the Imperial College, Zhang San naturally couldn’t let his students break these regulations.

And just as everyone was getting ready to leave, Ma Bi, who had tried to stay sober, spoke up, "Teacher, remember to pay the bill. I’ve been watching you, and you haven’t paid yet."

Zhang San hadn’t expected that Ma Bi would be quite so committed to the principles of law, already keeping an eye on his own teacher.

"Relax, when I eat at this restaurant, I never pay," he replied.

Upon hearing this, many students were taken aback.

What was going on? Surely their teacher wasn’t bullying others using his status?

Although everyone felt that their teacher probably wouldn’t, considering what Zhang San had done, it seemed there was nothing he couldn’t do.

At that moment, the door to the private room opened, and the landlady came over with the workers and girls who were cleaning up, smiling at everyone.

"Are all the students from the Imperial College satisfied? If you are pleased, make sure you come often from now on. Students from the Imperial College will receive a ten percent discount."

At this point, Ma Bi pointed towards Zhang San behind him and whispered, "Landlady, did our teacher pay? We don’t want to eat without paying. Our teacher is treating us today, and we must make sure he pays."

The landlady smiled slightly at Zhang San, walked up to him, and seductively asked, "Boss, how much do you plan to pay?"

Zhang San, amused by Hu Xingxiang, retorted, "How about I give you the entire restaurant as a wedding gift?"

"Okay, but that’s still not enough. I also want the title of Lady Marquis Beyond the Law."

"Alright, alright, alright. Once the imperial edict for the marquis is issued, I will make you my lady."

The students nearby, hearing their teacher’s unabashed conversation with the landlady, began to realize.

Could it be that this landlady is their teacher’s wife?

Wait a minute... is this restaurant actually owned by their teacher?

Zhang San cheerfully led the students out of the restaurant, whispering, "You should come here less often in the future, since this restaurant belongs to your teacher. Coming here to dine, even normal expenses can become difficult to justify. I wouldn’t have brought you here today if you hadn’t insisted."

Then the students understood what Zhang San meant.

After they finished eating, they strolled leisurely, chatting as they headed towards the Imperial College.

When they were almost at the gate of the Imperial College, Ma Bi suddenly came closer and whispered in Zhang San’s ear, "Teacher, I heard a bit of your conversation with Wen Bi earlier. I also know that many candidates in this examination are actually aligned with the Crown Prince. Even when Emperor Kaihuang led the campaign, the Crown Prince was already wooing many students. So, be extra cautious, teacher."

Zhang San knew that although Ma Bi might not have been approached, since the Crown Prince was wooing, he was likely casting a wide net.

It seemed that ninety-nine percent of the Imperial College was actually under the Crown Prince’s control. It was just unclear what the incoming Grand Preceptor would be like.

Just as this thought flashed through Zhang San’s mind, he saw an elder with a celestial demeanor and a potbelly at the gates of the Imperial College.

"Esteemed elder, are you lost? Where is your home? Let me take you back," said Zhang San, smiling at the old man.

The elder snorted coldly, looking furious, "I am Ren Buqun, the new Grand Preceptor of the Imperial College. With so many of you returning so late reeking of alcohol, what kind of example are you setting?"

Zhang San responded with an ’Oh,’ and continued walking inside with his students.

Seeing that Zhang San completely disregarded his authority, Ren Buqun became even angrier.

"How dare you! The Grand Preceptor is speaking to you, and you don’t even stop to listen to his counsel! Zhang San, do you not recognize any authority at all?"

Originally, Zhang San just thought it unnecessary for the Grand Preceptor to be blocking the school’s entrance at night waiting for him.

But judging by his attitude now, he was clearly here to cause trouble.

It was even more telling that he knew who Zhang San was on his very first day and without having met him before.

This was obviously a targeted confrontation.

In that case, there was no need to save face.

"Whether I recognize any authority or not, the former Grand Preceptor knows best. If the current Grand Preceptor has any doubts, he might as well consult with his predecessor to facilitate his future work at the Imperial College."

Saying this, Zhang San gestured dismissively, and his students followed him directly into the gates of the Imperial College, ignoring the new Grand Preceptor.

Ren Buqun was so furious that he felt an itch in his teeth.

He had long heard that this Zhang San respected no hierarchies.

Seeing him today, he was even more outrageous than the rumors suggested! It was utterly outrageous!

But did he think Ren Buqun had spent so many years at Confucianism for nothing?

Zhang San, just you wait! Tomorrow morning, you will see what’s coming to you!