If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Qu Yongnian finally agreed to take on the role of chief person in charge of railway construction.

In fact, Zhou Wu had already roughly figured out the process. Qu Yongnian's role was to handle some unexpected situations and problems that arose after implementation.

To avoid another corruption case, Zhou Wu continued to use the railway line segment bidding method, which not only saved a lot of money but also made it possible to hold people accountable.

For the first few days, Zhou Wu worked alongside Qu Yongnian, but later he basically handed everything over to him and became a hands-off manager again.

However, while Zhou Wu was slacking off, someone was keeping a close eye on him.

Although Zhang Fan was not punished after his failed attempt to frame Zhou Wu's student, he knew that the emperor was giving him face.

However, a person's pride cannot last a lifetime. When the emperor has lost patience with you, you will continue to challenge his bottom line.

Therefore, Zhang Fan must be absolutely certain before he can make a move, aiming for a fatal blow.

His goal was the same as Hou Zhenghao's: to get Bai Yujing's secret from Zhou Wu.

. . . . . . . .

Although Qu Yongnian is in charge of the railway affairs, Zhou Wu spends most of his time in the capital, at least initially.

Once the railway construction is on track, Zhou Wu will return to the South China Sea.

That day, Zhou Wu was strolling around the streets of the capital, but he always felt that a pair of eyes were watching him from the shadows, and this was not the first time.

Having been kidnapped before, Zhou Wu was so frightened that he immediately went home and hid there, too afraid to come out.

It wasn't until Hua Rong, Wang Cang, and Song Gong found out about Zhang Fan that they finally got the information.

"Sit down and speak slowly."

The three of them looked travel-worn, but judging from their expressions, they probably had some clues.

"My lord, there is indeed something more to this than meets the eye."

This time, the three of them not only went to the main hall in the capital, but also went to the north, to Zhang Fan's post.

"My lord, Zhang Fan has always kept a low profile in the capital, but I still managed to find out about him. Zhang Fan used to be quite normal and got along well with his family, but I heard that his personality changed drastically after his only son died a few years ago."

As if he had overheard some incredible gossip, Zhou Wu actually grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and started cracking them open while listening.

"Keep going."

"I heard that since then, Zhang Fan has kept to himself and his attitude toward his family has changed. It is said that he even set up a Buddhist shrine at home, but he doesn't let anyone in."

"Oh, a Buddhist shrine."

People who value martial arts generally don't believe in ghosts or gods, especially a warrior like Zhang Fan, whose hands are stained with countless blood.

But this same person built a Buddhist shrine in his home because of the death of his son.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Cang took over the topic.

"My lord, we have learned from the north that Zhang Fan has gathered many cultivators there, but we do not know exactly what he intends to do with them."

"What exactly is Zhang Fan trying to do?"

Zhang Fan's actions all indicate that his personality has undergone a complete transformation because of his son's death.

Considering his acquaintance with Hou Zhenghao, Zhou Wu had a very bad feeling, but he had no evidence.

"Any further news?"

"Nothing else is particularly noteworthy. Oh, by the way, a few months ago someone saw Hou Zhenghao and Zhang Fan together in the north."

Wang Cang suddenly remembered something small, but it was a small matter to him, yet it was of great importance to Zhou Wu.

“A few months ago? Those were the months when Hou Zhenghao disappeared. It seems he went to Zhang Fan’s place before coming to find me.”

Zhou Wu is now increasingly certain that Zhang Fan, like Hou Zhenghao, may aspire to attain immortality and eternal life.

Moreover, it is highly likely that Hou Zhenghao mistakenly told Zhang Fan that Zhou Wu knew about Bai Yujing, which is why Zhang Fan tried to trip up Zhou Wu at every turn.

. . . . . . . .

Zhou Wu thought about it for a long time, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Zhang Fan was definitely the same kind of person as Hou Zhenghao, so Zhang Fan would definitely make a move against him next.

"From now on, have people keep a close eye on Zhang Fan at all times, and follow him to see who he comes into contact with."

Now that he knew about the hidden danger, Zhou Wu felt a little more at ease, at least the enemy was no longer lurking in the shadows.

"Yes, my lord."

The three men now have a large number of local ruffians and ordinary people under their command in the capital, so it's not a problem for them to secretly follow and monitor someone.

"My lord, does this Zhang Fan intend to harm you?"

From the moment Hua Rong and his companions received Zhou Wu's assignment to investigate Zhang Fan, they guessed that Zhang Fan was very likely to have a conflict with the adults.

“I suspect he might be cut from the same cloth as Hou Zhenghao.”

They weren't outsiders, and Zhou Wu didn't hide anything. Besides, he was going to rely on them to monitor Zhang Fan, so their stance had to be clear.

"what!"

The outside world doesn't know much about Zhou Wu and Hou Zhenghao's affair, but Hua Rong and the other two, as Zhou Wu's spies, actually know very much about it.

So when Zhou Wu said that Zhang Fan and Hou Zhenghao might be on the same side, the three of them were quite surprised.

"Sir, would you like some?"

Wang Cang made a decapitation gesture, but Zhou Wu immediately rejected it.

Zhou Wu had actually considered the idea of ​​secretly eliminating Zhang Fan.

However, Zhang Fan was not an ordinary citizen, but a high-ranking official in charge of the Great Dragon Garrison. If he really died under mysterious circumstances, Li Tiancheng would definitely investigate thoroughly.

If things really come to this, Zhou Wu's troubles could be even greater.

So Zhou Wu simply glanced at it and then abandoned this unrealistic idea.

"Don't cause trouble for yourself. Just send someone to keep an eye on him. He'll definitely find another opportunity to strike."

"Yes."

Zhou Wu had no doubt about the loyalty of Hua Rong, Song Gong, and Wang Cang.

. . . . . . .

Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Fan was meditating alone in the "Buddhist hall".

What lay before them was Hou Zhenghao's severed finger.

The surrounding area was also very eerie, with all sorts of things, such as drums made of human skin and ritual implements made of human bones, which sent chills down one's spine.

These things were all treasures presented to Zhang Fan by the cultivators under his command when he was in the north.

Behind almost every treasure lies a bloody story.

At this moment, Zhang Fan was sitting cross-legged holding a magical artifact, chanting incantations.

However, given his burly physique, it just looks awkward no matter how you look at it.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Fan slowly opened his eyes, casting a sinister glint in the dim candlelight.

"Zhou Wu, you wait. I won't be like Fellow Daoist Hou. If you confess politely, I'll keep you safe. But if you're stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Zhang Fan had always felt that Hou Daoyou was too soft-hearted, otherwise he wouldn't have died at Zhou Wu's hands.