In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

The world, after a long period of unity, tends to divide; after a long period of division, tends to unite.

Given the Zhang family's understanding of his identity, the prophecy he made was likely to be true.

Moreover, Zhang had a vague feeling that chaos was imminent, and the key to the Ming Dynasty's collapse might lie with some ambitious and ruthless warlord of the Dragon Guard Manor!

The impact of Zhang Xiaoshan's words on Wan Sanqian was immense, as one can imagine.

When businessmen invest and gamble, in addition to the reputation and ability of influential people, they also need to consider the environment.

In chaotic times, merchants are undoubtedly the money bags of those overlords.

The strategy of hoarding rare goods is shrewd; if you bet on the right thing, great—one person prospers, and everyone in their family benefits; but if you bet wrong, well…

The financial loss isn't a big deal; the real fear is being held accountable later and having one's entire family executed!

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan did not gamble on it, because the Zhang family did not need it.

But Wan Sanqian had already placed his bet. If Zhu Wushi failed, he would at most lose some money and could pay to avoid further trouble.

If they succeed, given Zhu Wushi's personality, once the birds are gone, the good bow is put away, and Wan Sanqian will definitely not have a good ending.

"Does Young Master Zhang have some prejudice against the Iron-Blooded Marquis?"

"No, the Zhang family doesn't need to gamble, so naturally they have no prejudice against Zhu Wushi."

The Zhang family's attitude towards Zhu Wushi depends on their understanding of Zhu Wushi (whether they get money or not). Therefore, objectively speaking, Zhu Wushi's failure might be a good thing.

However... Master Wan, you should take care of yourself!

Wan Sanqian came to express his gratitude, and thus brought some rare and precious treasures, which is why Zhang Xiaoshan gave Wan Sanqian some guidance.

Otherwise, what right would Zhang Xiaoshan have to guide Wan Sanqian?

"Thank you for your advice, sir!"

Seeing that Wan Sanqian didn't seem to care, Zhang Xiaoshan didn't say anything more.

It's hard to persuade the damn ghost!

The relationship between the Zhang family and the Wan family wasn't particularly good; they had already said what needed to be said.

Wan Sanqian wouldn't listen, and in the end he reaped what he sowed, which can't be blamed on the Zhang family. The Zhang family has done more than enough.

After all, what businessman never loses money?

However, this kind of "rare commodity" comes at a very high price.

Hooked!

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoshan flicked his long pole, and a golden carp from the Longhe River was flung onto the deck.

"A giant carp from the Longhe River? That's good stuff!"

Wan Sanqian looked at the big carp that Zhang Xiaoshan had caught with great surprise. It was a real wild carp, weighing more than ten pounds, and it tasted incredibly delicious.

At this moment, Hongxiao's graceful figure flew out, grabbing the Dragon River carp and heading to the kitchen.

This is real river seafood; we can have a feast today.

Chapter 398 The Bad Guys the Zhang Family Fears

"This Longhe carp dish is absolutely amazing!"

Having tasted delicacies from all over the world, only a handful of exquisite dishes could compare to this Yellow River carp. "Many thanks you for your hospitality, Madam. I'll drink this cup to the fullest as a sign of my respect!"

"You flatter me, sir!"

Huang Rong didn't hesitate or act coy; she covered her face with the wine and drank it all.

Longhe carp is a top-quality ingredient, and the delicacies made from it are incredibly delicious. Even Zhang Xiaoshan never gets tired of eating it.

However, the carp in the Longhe River are not easy to catch.

For example, Zhang Xiaoshan and his companion caught more than a dozen carp in one morning. They were all Longhe carp, but for Taotie, they were two different kinds of food.

This 'Longhe carp' is similar to the golden carp I caught last time.

However, golden carp are a species found in rivers, while Longhe carp are a unique specialty of the Longhe River and are considered a top-grade delicacy.

"What you just said, young master, is that the Ming and Zhao dynasties have not seen a great and ambitious leader who can unify the nine provinces. Does the Wu Tang dynasty have one?"

"I didn't see the Wu Tang either, but the Wu Tang Empire is stable, and the Empress is a Grandmaster of the world."

At least the Zhang family doesn't have to worry about suffering a fate similar to that of the Great Zhao Empire.

Moreover, the Zhang family was already considered a prominent family at this time, with wealth comparable to that of a country, top-tier prestige in the Nine Provinces, and unparalleled strength, giving them an absolute advantage in establishing themselves in the Wu Tang Empire.

Regardless of whether it was the Ming Dynasty or the Song Dynasty, the status of merchants was self-evident.

Those scholar-officials didn't consider the Zhang family a taboo subject at all; in a pinch, they would definitely kick someone when they were down, and even incite scholars to launch a verbal attack on the Zhang family!

Upon hearing this, Wan Sanqian fell silent.

Yes, with the Zhang family's current prestige and the power accumulated by Zhang Xiaoshan, they are definitely among the top prominent families in the Wu Tang Empire.

Even without political or military power, as long as Zhang Xiaoshan is around, absolutely no one will dare to mess with him.

Moreover, given the Zhang family's style of doing things, if Zhang Xiaoshan wanted to, he could definitely enter the upper echelons of the Wu Tang Empire in a short period of time.

On the contrary, in the Ming and Zhao dynasties, they were always the most lowly 'merchants'.

Moreover, this counterattack made Wan Sanqian realize the strength of the Zhang family.

The Blood Droplets' domineering nature meant that a single team wiped out ten years of hard work by the Dragon Guard Manor.

If it weren't for the special status of the Dragon Guard Manor, the Zhang family's Blood Droplets could have easily slaughtered the entire manor. With such power, what force wouldn't be wary?

"Furthermore, the power of the Li family bloodline of the Wu Tang Empire is far more than what Master Wan has seen."

"The Li family?"

Upon hearing this, Wan Sanqian looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with even more confusion.

Now that the Li family's empire is in the hands of the Wu family, Zhang Xiaoshan still has faith in the Li family.

"Could they be those loyalists of the Li Tang dynasty?"

"Those remnants of the Li Tang dynasty can at most bring the imperial family back to the Li family. What the Zhang family truly fears are the Bad People!"

Bad person?

This time, it wasn't just Wan Sanqian; even Huang Rong, Liu Sheng Piaoxu, and the other women looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with their beautiful eyes.

This was the first time they had ever heard of a force that Zhang Xiaoshan described as something to be wary of.

"Twenty years ago, Emperor Wu conquered the Tang Dynasty, and the most mysterious organization of the Li Tang Dynasty—the Bad People—suddenly disbanded."

This force seemed to vanish without a trace, like a fish entering the sea.

But the extremely mysterious Bad Leader, with his thirty-six Heavenly Generals, has concealed countless trump cards for hundreds of years. Once awakened again, just how terrifying this organization, which has been dormant for over a decade, truly is remains unknown.

Moreover, the Li Tang dynasty itself is a thousand-year-old aristocratic family, its profound heritage far surpassing that of newly rising martial families.

Hiss...

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's introduction, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Over time, most of them have forgotten that Li Tang had this trump card, and even if they did know, they thought it was just a dark organization.

But to my surprise, Zhang Xiaoshan praised him so highly, even describing it as something to be wary of.

"What Zhang said to Master Wan just now was to tell him that one should not judge things by appearances."

For example, the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi, the bodyguards of the great official.

The Blood Droplets reported that the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends practiced their martial arts.

My lord, do you know that the Four Devils of Xiangxi are so powerful that few in the world can rival them unless a Grandmaster intervenes?

But by passing on their martial arts to the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, you are essentially handing over their weaknesses to Zhu Wushi. If one day you turn against Zhu Wushi, your greatest trump card will be instantly countered by him!

"this···"

In terms of martial arts, Wan Sanqian did not achieve much.

But he knew that Zhang Xiaoshan was an invincible grandmaster, especially since he had indeed passed on his martial arts to the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi to the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends.

Unexpectedly, there was such a drawback. A big businessman like him naturally knew the consequences of falling out with Zhu Wushi.

"Young Master Zhang said that only a Grandmaster could defeat the Four Ghosts' martial arts. How could they possibly be countered by the Divine Marquis?"

"That was when Zhu Wushi was unaware of their weaknesses."

In the world of martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses. However, if any martial arts technique becomes well-known, its weaknesses will inevitably be found.

Moreover, the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan are known for their unpredictable and eccentric methods; in reality, they rely on unorthodox tactics. Once they know the energy absorption technique of Zhu Wushi, they pose no real threat.

"Thank you for your advice, sir!"

Wan Sanqian knew that Zhang Xiaoshan's suggestion might save his life in the future.

Previously, the Four Devils of Xiangxi were his best bodyguards, but now he understands that the Four Devils of Xiangxi no longer pose a threat to Zhu Wushi, and with his strength, it is not difficult for him to find a powerful bodyguard.

In this way, they can work together openly and covertly with the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan.

Needless to say, the four spies from Xiangxi in the shadows would have been completely unaware of how Zhu Wushi died if Zhang Xiaoshan hadn't given them a heads-up today.

They would never doubt the judgment of a grandmaster.

All good things must come to an end, and we departed at sunset.

Inside the cabin, under the dazzling lights, Zhang Xiaoshan admired the treasures that Wan Sanqian had sent.

It was precisely because Wan Sanqian had paid such a high price that he gave him some pointers.

A ginseng root that is at least 5,000 years old, a nine-curved luminous pearl, and a piece of black iron that weighs at least 20 to 30 kilograms!

All three treasures were carefully selected by Wan Sanqian.

For the average businessman, jade, antiques, and works by renowned artists are the top choices.

But the Zhang family had no shortage of such things. They knew that Zhang Xiaoshan loved collecting rare and precious treasures, and ordinary treasures were simply not worth mentioning. Even a thousand-year-old ginseng wouldn't be enough to impress the Zhang family.

Ginseng that is over 5,000 years old, weighing more than 15 taels, is an unparalleled treasure in any power.

Needless to say, Xuan Tie is an excellent material for forging divine weapons, and it is extremely rare on the market.

The Nine-Bend Night-Shining Pearl is a rare treasure. Legend has it that it is related to a peerless treasure. However, to find the treasure, one must first find the peerless divine weapon—the Crimson Sky Sword!

"This Master Wan is truly willing to spend a fortune, bringing out three such precious treasures for Shangguan Haitang."

Huang Rong looked at the Nine-Bend Beads in her hand, unable to put them down.

The main appeal is the fun of the item. The Nine-Bend Pearl has hundreds of holes inside, making it intricate and complex. Therefore, people who obtain this pearl find enjoyment in the challenge of piercing the pearl.

"Old men in heat, that's how crazy they are."

"Pah, you can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth."

Such sincere and touching emotions from someone else have been reduced to an old man's lustful outburst in your eyes.

Huang Rong rolled her eyes at Zhang Xiaoshan. The fact that Wan Sanqian took out these things could only mean that Shangguan Haitang held a very high position in their hearts.

Moreover, Wan Sanqian is busy with her career and is usually single, just like Zhang Yuan.

"However, it seems that Shangguan Haitang has no feelings for Wan Sanqian."

"Shangguan Haitang has many childhood sweethearts around her, and Wan Sanqian is just an old man in heat!"

But Shangguan Haitang should be grateful to him this time, after all, if it weren't for Wan Sanqian, she would definitely have died on Ghost Street.

···

The large ship sailed eastward, this time Zhang Xiaoshan brought his female relatives with him, intending to continue settling down in Jiangnan.

Although the Zhang family has established themselves in the Wu Tang Empire, they cannot directly expose themselves to the public, especially when it comes to maritime transport, particularly the super Fujian ships from the North Sea. They still need a foothold in Jiangnan.

Moreover, this stronghold cannot be an ordinary stronghold; he came here to personally set it up.

“I’m going to Blackwood Cliff. If anyone comes looking for me during this time, just say I’m visiting a friend and will return in three days.”

"Humph!"

Amid Huang Rong's displeasure, Zhang Xiaoshan leaped ten zhang away, skimming the water's surface like a dragonfly, and ascended towards the cliff face on the shore.

As Zhang Xiaoshan's figure disappeared, Huang Rong knew the purpose of his trip to Blackwood Cliff.