C97

Zhang Zhou did not have a direct understanding of large-scale battles, but he knew that the accumulated strength of both sides for the next war could be imagined. What kind of momentum would this collision bring! What kind of destructive power was this! Once the battle started, even if the flames of war did not affect the entire Hezhou, who in the entire kingdom would be able to escape this calamity? As the largest businessman in the north, the Nine Prefectures' business would most likely be affected.

Although the intelligence analysis on the prairie made Zhang Zhou feel more at ease, he still had to be prepared. He didn't want to start a war, but once it started, he would have to think of a way to reduce the losses.

He had an idea that he had never told anyone else. Although the two worlds were different, he felt that his homeland should be the Northern Yan land. He really wanted to go there and see if he could find any familiarity with it. As long as the time was ripe, even if Tang Dynasty did not make a move, he would lead people to establish a new home and territory. At that time, becoming the second 'Sima Family' might also be a way out!

Zhang Zhou did not deny that he was a ambitious person! In his mind, there was no true Son of Heaven, nor would he believe in anyone's family. Even though the king of peace had a good relationship with him, he did not want to betray him. However, he could trust his friends, but not the political interests. Thus, he wanted to create the strength to ensure that no one would be willing to suffer through his hands.

He could not decide on history, nor did he covet a name that would last for thousands of years. He only wanted to live his life as long as he could, but right now, he was still far from his goal!

Now that he was familiar with his responsibilities, Yang Kui no longer needed to accompany him. On a daily basis, Zhang Zhou would take You Nan and the rest of the seven to wander around the military camp to enrich their military knowledge!

Because Zhang Shuhe was in charge of supervising the supply of military goods, he was able to personally witness and understand how terrifying the words "humans eat horses" were. It was said that once the war began, the supply would double. No wonder so many people liked to keep fighting with their weapons, because it was really difficult for the logistics to meet the requirements. If they had to ensure every battle, they would have lost their fighter jets long ago!

The infantry were still better off, but the cavalry was the most expensive! Take Zhang Shu and this large battalion for example. They had a total of 50,000 cavalry and all kinds of transport support units. There were 20,000 of them. Almost all the young and strong people in Dragon State were conscripted as support units! This was also the reason why there were no youngsters in Mei Changqing's military town.

The vehicles responsible for transporting military rations and fodder almost never stopped. Even so, there are frequent supply delays!

The three great cavalry armies of the Empire: the Dragon Prefecture Army, the Sima Family of Nanping Prefecture, and the Imperial Cavalry! The consumption rate was about 80% of the empire's military expenditure. It had reached the limit of the empire's supply! If there were no more battles after three to five years, then Tang Dynasty would take the initiative to attack before the bowstring broke, seizing the opportunity to exhaust his opponents before he could bear the strain.

With so many men together, no matter how strict the military discipline was, it was impossible to guarantee that there wouldn't be a fight.

Zhang Zhou ran into each other. The process was not complicated as the veterans bullied the recruits. However, the highlight was that four or five veterans did not succeed and instead got cleaned up by the short but sturdy recruit. If it was before, Zhang Zhou's eyes would definitely light up and think of a way to recruit people. But today, Zhang Zhou, who had seen a lot and was extremely rich, was not envious of this kind of martial arts man. Although he was not some expert in martial arts, he still had many such people in the Nine River Trading Company. Some time ago in Hezhou, he had watched the internal selection of Yaksha once. There were more than 300 people who had registered, and only 50 of them were recruited. There was a vulgar disciple from the Great Cloud Temple whose fist arts were extremely powerful.

In this fight, what caught Zhang Zhou's attention was that after that kid wiped the blood off his nose, he said something very impressive.

"You guys better remember this. If you dare to bully people from Hezhou again, I'll beat you up every time I see you!"

Zhang Zhou did not appear on the spot and did something like stopping or reprimanding him. Instead, after the crowd had dispersed, he called this kid, who was not even twenty years old, into his own living quarters.

Their positions and postures reminded him of the time he had talked to Zhang Shu for the first time two years ago.

"Are you from Hezhou?"

The youngster with the red and swollen mouth looked at this young officer in front of him whom he had never seen before.

"The people of Hezhou are being bullied here?"

"En!"

Zhang Zhou frowned.

"Can you tell me why?"

That kid looked at Zhang Zhou with some hesitation. Yunan laughed and said, "We are also from Hezhou, just say that you know it!"

That brat seemed to have found his backbone as he relaxed and said, "General, I'll be honest then!" There's a Kyushu business in Hezhou, you know? "

Zhang Zhou nodded, indicating that he should continue, while You Nan smiled playfully.

"In the past two years, there have been very few people who joined the army in Hezhou. Some of them have had good abilities and some of them have even joined the Nine Prefectures for business. The conditions of the Nine Prefectures' business are good, so it is normal for them to want to join, right? However, there were also many He Zhou soldiers who managed to find a way to retire and join the Nine Prefectures' business. Just like that, there was a lot of gossip coming from the border army! They say that the people of Hezhou are afraid of death! "

Zhang Zhou was not bothered by this. Instead, he asked curiously, "Why didn't you join the Nine Regions Business, and instead came to join the army?"

"My ambition is to charge into battle! Killing the enemy to return home! Besides, both of my older brothers work in the Nine Regions' caravan! My parents are no longer worried! "

"Forgive me for being blunt, but your martial arts can only be considered decent. Are you really not afraid of death?"

"General, fighting with fellow soldiers is not a battlefield where one can kill the enemy!" "I am not bragging in front of the general. When we are on the battlefield and have the saber in my hands, I would be dead if even a single hair of these scum can't hurt me!"

"Oh?" "He's that confident?"

"Of course. When I was fifteen, I personally killed more than ten sand bandits at Uncle's home in Meng Province!"

"Your uncle? "The Meng Province?"

"Yes, my uncle is in Meng Province and is raising a horse for the government. I grew up with him, so he taught me his abilities!"

Zhang Zhou's eyes lit up as he asked, "What's your name?"

"General, your subordinate is called He Qi!"

September was about to arrive. Calculating the date, the second twin meeting was about to be held in Hezhou. Zhang Zhou asked for a leave to return to Hezhou. Zhang Shu and Zhang Zhou had their own requests from Zhang Zhou. Plus, his duties were not too far from Hezhou, so naturally, he was allowed to take up residence in Hezhou.

At Mei Changqing's camp, Zhang Zhou also met a few acquaintances.

Tang Siniang, Old Scholar, Qingyi, Old Jiu, and Baldy He Wu could be said to be the best apart from Second Mother Yuan and Eleventh Lang, whom they had never seen before. They came to Mei Changqing's place to discuss the 'He Zhou Lie's agreement'. Along the way, they wanted to go down south for some business. Unexpectedly, they met with Zhang Zhou, so they suggested to go together with him. He also wanted to use this opportunity to rope in a bit of friendship between the two of them.

Along the way, other than Tang Si Niang and the old scholar, the other two were like wood. Zhang Zhou didn't have any other choice. He had never fought with two or three people, so it was normal for him to not give the other party face. Zhang Zhou didn't mind this at all!

The old scholar and Zhang Zhou would only talk for a short while before Tang Si Niang became the only person Zhang Zhou could talk to.

"Boss Tang, are you an expert?"

"How can you call him an expert?"

"Can you beat Ol 'Nine?"

"Even if he can win, he can't!"

"Why?"

"In terms of martial skills, he is indeed much stronger than me!" But when I hit him, he only gets beaten up, and doesn't dare to retaliate! "

"Because you're his boss?"

"No, because I'm his sister!"

"Ugh …" He's so ordinary, you're so beautiful, are you really siblings? "

"What is it? Is it a crime? If you are ugly, will your brothers and sisters look ugly? "

Zhang Zhou was speechless.

"Did you guys receive a big business deal and need to send out this kind of force?"

"What kind of business is this? If I don't take along a few experts in this world, then I'm just a little girl. How can I let those stinky men swallow me whole!"

"That's true. With Boss Tang's looks, she's definitely worth a fight!" It would be even worse if he was a few years younger! "This must cause chaos in the martial arts world!"

"Oh, really? But I heard that Boss Guan is not any younger than me.

Zhang Zhou was speechless.

"Master Hou, I'd like to pay my respects to the two ladies. Is that alright?"

"We're all business partners. We'll naturally meet then!"

"I wonder which Madam is the first lady. It wouldn't be good if I addressed her wrongly!"

"There is no difference in size, treat them equally!"

"Then why is Madam Guan the business manager of the Nine Prefectures?"

Zhang Zhou was speechless! This woman did not know how to chat! On the way, Tang Si Niang teased and teased him nonstop.

Returning home like an arrow, fast as a horse! When they arrived outside of Hezhou City, Zhang Zhou used a cloth to cover his face before starting to enter the city. Confused, Tang Si Niang asked Zhang Zhou why, "Along the way, I realized I don't like to chat anymore. I covered my face and covered my mouth, so I couldn't see anyone I know, so I naturally didn't need to greet them!"

Tang Si Niang naturally understood his meaning and couldn't stop laughing! Zhang Zhou thought to himself, "We're going to the city together. We're talking and laughing. If we don't cover our faces, how many people will misunderstand us?" When it reached his wife's ears, it would be a huge disaster!

Zhang Zhou had long since gotten used to Tang Si Niang's shocking He Zhou appearance. He only wanted to get back to his residence quickly and didn't dare let the horse run too fast. If it was caught, it would be caught.

After arriving outside his residence, Zhang Zhou jumped off his horse, threw away his veil, and shouted to a stiff gatekeeper, "Are you there, Madam?"

Without waiting for a reply, he had already jumped through the door.

"It's in the backyard!"

The doorman replied numbly. He didn't mind Zhang Zhou's actions at all. It seemed like he was already accustomed to the master's actions. Zhang Zhou heard the concierge's reply, he had already run far away, and shouted loudly: "Wives, I'm back ~ ~!"

The faces of Tang Fourth Mother and the others were stunned, while the rest of the group dismounted from their horses with dull expressions. They each went to their own business!

Just as Tang Si Niang and co. were preparing to follow them into the courtyard, the stiff old gatekeeper lightly raised his hand and coldly said, "Report your name."

Everyone could tell that his gaze was fixated on the old scholar. The old scholar looked at the old gatekeeper, and after a few moments, he actually took a step back, his face full of unease.

Zhang Zhou was hugging Guan Yu-niang's waist and rubbing his head against her plump bosom, making Guan Yu-niang shy and fond, when he heard You Nan seven call out from outside, "Big Brother, let's go out and have a look. There's a fight outside!"

Only then did Zhang Zhou think of Tang Si Niang and the rest. He reluctantly got up and gave Guan Yuiniang a fierce kiss, saying in a low voice, "A few guests have arrived, I'll go pick them up!"

After Guan Yu-niang shyly agreed, Zhang Zhou walked out of the house and listened to the narration of the story of Yunan's seven brothers who couldn't hold back their laughter.

"..." The old scholar took a step back, but Qing Yi and Old Jiu couldn't bear it anymore, so they rushed out, intending to teach Old Ding a lesson. Hahaha, Old Ding is too awesome, with one kick, he directly kicked Old Jiu there! It's just too cool. Didn't you see the expressions on their faces?

He intentionally coughed a few times, then stuck the thumbs of his hands into the sides of his belt, straightening his chest, smirking as he walked out of the door with the disposition of a foppish young master, shaking his head. He saw Ding Qi, with his wooden face, sitting in the chair by the door, and the incredulous Fourth Madame and He Li, who were facing a great enemy, supporting Ol 'Nine, who was covered in cold sweat, frowning and looking at the old scholar, who was staring at Ding Qi, motionless!

"Old Ding!" What, just a few friends! All day long, I haven't been able to relax! "

Ding Qi rolled his eyes at Zhang Zhou, then leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, as if nothing had happened. Zhang Zhou did not mind, and laughed loudly: "Are you not convinced again? Do you believe that I will deduct your wages? So what if your child doesn't need to pay tuition for his studies? "

Ding Qi was already accustomed to his roguish look, and sighed. Although he didn't say anything, his face was stiff, but his heart had long accepted this family. He stood up and said to the old scholar, "Esteemed guests, please forgive us! Please come in! "

The old scholar cupped his fist and greeted Ding Qi. Ding Qi merely nodded his head in return.

Although Ding Qi's kick was very measured, it did not cause any serious internal injuries to Tang Jiu. However, this kick still ruthlessly shattered the conceit in their hearts!

At this moment, Guan Yuniang also came out with Xia Qingyi. Ding Qi's face immediately changed, and a smile actually hung on the corner of his mouth.

"Madam, why did you come out as well?"

"Uncle Ding, you're no longer a child, why are you acting so impulsively?"

"Ah, please forgive me, madam. This is all my fault. I will definitely change my bad temper in the future!"

Zhang Zhou was not the least bit jealous of the Patriarch's "contempt" towards this kind of behavior. Instead, he acted like a fox taking the shape of a tiger, appearing extremely proud.

When Tang Si Niang felt that her brain wasn't enough, Zhang Zhou made some introductions. Tang Si Niang and Guan Yuniang greeted each other. Both sides secretly sized each other up. In terms of elegance and dignity, Guan Yuniang was even better, and in terms of looks, Tang Si's self-confident beauty couldn't win by even a little!

Ding Qi instilled fear into the old scholar, and Xia Qingyi, who was standing behind Guan Yuniang, also made him not dare to underestimate her. He inwardly sighed at Zhang Zhou's remarkable background.

As they entered the living room, Guan Yuniang called for a few people to take a seat. Just as she was about to find someone to treat Tang Jiu, she heard someone call out, "Zhang Zhou, you're back. I've found something new …"

Following the voice, an old Daoist quickly walked in. When he saw the person, the old scholar immediately stood up. Tang Si Niang and He Wu also did not know what was going on and stood up, looking vigilant. As for the old Daoist Yunfeng, he noticed that there were a few strangers in the room. He restrained his expression and then glanced at the old scholar. The poor old scholar unexpectedly felt a chill run down his spine, and his expression became extremely unnatural!

After Yun Feng looked around, he looked at the old scholar for the second time. The old scholar hurriedly bowed and cupped his fists in greeting. This action caused Tang Si Niang to be shocked and her expression became nervous.

Zhang Zhou still sat there, taking a sip of tea and smacking his lips. "If you discover anything new, we can talk about it later. First, I want you to help me see if this person is alright!"

Yun Feng looked at the sweating Tang Jiu and blandly said: "First, I think it was Ding Qi who did it, it must be fine. If there's anything wrong, then it's already dead! Second, stop putting me in the position of a servant! Every single one of you, let me take action! "