The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

"My lord, what should we do with all this wealth?" A timid voice roused Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng looked up and saw that his wife, Xu, looked frightened, but her fright was mixed with a hint of unconcealed joy.

Zhang Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he glanced again at the three ragged children. Finally, he sighed deeply and said, "Indeed. I cannot support my elderly mother, nor raise my children. How can I be called a true man?"

With a determined look on his face, he said to Madam Xu, "Put everything away. Then go to the Wang family and invite Madam Wang over to help me, my mother, you, and our children make clothes."

"Chun'er, go and invite your Uncle Chen, Uncle Zhao, and Uncle Han over." He then turned to his son, Zhang Chun, and said.

Birds of a feather flock together. The people he was talking about were all strong men from the same village, and also people he was close to. He was reading military books left by his grandfather. Although he had never actually commanded troops, he was very familiar with all aspects of military leadership.

The sons of the powerful and wealthy often produce scholar-generals, but rarely fierce warriors. Ordinary people with high living standards cannot produce elite troops. Therefore, the world's best troops are stationed on the frontiers or in remote, impoverished areas.

The elite Qiang and Hu troops, the Bingzhou cavalry, and the Yan-Yun cavalry—these were all formidable frontier soldiers.

Danyang County in Yangzhou was a poor and remote place, and its people were brave and fierce, mostly outlaws. Therefore, the elite troops of Danyang were the best in the world.

The people he was talking about were all courageous and ruthless, the same kind of people as him.

Becoming a general isn't simply about obtaining an official position and having followers flock to you with a single call to arms. It requires trusted confidants.

Why are some generals able to recover after countless defeats? It's because their core remains intact, and their trusted and close confidants are still there.

For close confidants, clan members are the first choice. Their cohesion is incredibly strong; they can't be broken or destroyed. Next are fellow villagers. A familiar accent brings warmth; when they're on the battlefield with a sword, they're one of their own.

He, Zhang... had no relatives, so he had to choose his neighbors and close friends as his confidants.

"Yes." Zhang Chun respected his father very much. He was also confused by all the things that had happened today. But whatever his father said, he did, so he simply agreed and turned to leave.

"Making clothes? Not buying land and houses?" Madam Xu was taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise. Madam Wang's husband, Wang Chong, was a wealthy local tycoon and a close friend of Zhang Sheng. The Wang family had provided significant assistance to her mother-in-law during her illness.

Zhang Sheng sighed softly and shook his head. Although his wife was diligent in farming, she came from a humble background and only knew how to buy land and houses.

Zhang Sheng said, "From now on, I will not concern myself with land or houses, but only practice martial arts and raise strong men. I have no prestige, so if I want to raise strong men, I must dress smartly, ride fine horses, and be full of vigor. In this way, the local ruffians will admire me and come to join me. I will then use money to win them over. With the strength of my troops, I can become a bandit, like Gan Ning. If I go ashore and become a general, I will become my grandfather, General Zhang."

Gan Ning, nicknamed "Jin Fan Thief," was from Yizhou. "Fan" refers to a river pirate. "Jin" refers to his bright and colorful clothes, which he used to flaunt his wealth.

Needless to say, his grandfather Zhang Ren was also a great man.

These are examples from our predecessors.

He won't be himself anymore.

Zhang Sheng, who used to travel long distances to hunt in order to make a living, is dead.

Zhang Sheng spoke very clearly, but Xu Shi couldn't understand him and remained completely bewildered.

"Go quickly and come back quickly," Zhang Sheng said.

"Oh, um, oh." Xu Shi woke up with a start, her heart trembling. She glanced back at the wealth scattered on the ground. If this wealth had been used to buy land, how much land could it have bought... What a tragedy! With a sigh, she hurried away.

Zhang Sheng turned around, politely bowed to the three imperial physicians, and inquired about his mother's condition.

Upon learning that his mother, though bedridden for a long time, was not seriously ill and could recover with proper care, he breathed a sigh of relief, took the prescription written on the bamboo slip by the imperial physician, and then respectfully saw the physician off.

No sooner had the imperial physician left than Zhang Chun arrived with Chen Shan, Zhao Hu, and Han Lang.

The three men already knew that Young Master Chen had arrived and had some guesses in their minds. But when they saw the wealth scattered all over the ground, they were still greatly surprised. Looking at Zhang Sheng, their faces showed anticipation and excitement.

"Brother." The three exchanged a glance, bowed, and clasped their hands in greeting.

"Come in and sit down. Wait for Brother Wang to arrive. I'll explain everything to you in detail then." Zhang Sheng invited the three of them to sit down in the study.

After a long while, he heard the sound of carriage wheels. A look of joy appeared on his face. He stood up and led the three men to the corridor. He smiled at Wang Chong, who was arriving in a carriage, and said, "Brother, I knew you would come."

He only sent his wife to invite Madam Wang, but not Wang Chong.

But then Wang Chong arrived.

"I knew this day would come. Brother Zhang, with your courage and bravery, how could you possibly grow old in vain?" Wang Chong, wearing a short cap and a brocade robe, was strong and robust, with a sword at his side, exuding a rough and heroic air. He laughed loudly, took his sword, and stepped down from the carriage, bowing to Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng smiled and nodded, inviting everyone to sit down in the study. He then told them what had happened.

"Why not go and join the imperial court? The General has been launching northern expeditions for years, aiming for the Central Plains. Brother, gather the strong and capable men and lead us to join the General. Perhaps we can become captains, fight a few battles, and then be promoted to general." Wang Chong had great confidence in Zhang Sheng's abilities, but he was very puzzled by Zhang Sheng's desire to join Prince Chen.

Even if one were to pledge allegiance to a prince, one should pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince. Who is Gongzi Chen? He wouldn't even have a chance.

Zhang Sheng's mind conjured up Liu Chen's face, Liu Chen's words and actions, and Liu Chen's resolute words.

Prince Chen is very talented and also wants to become the crown prince. However, the emperor is currently incompetent, and the crown prince has a bad reputation.

One cannot achieve anything by associating with insects. He gambled on Prince Chen.

However, he did not say these words to Wang Chong and the others. He only said, "Young Master Chen has treated me well."

Wang Chong was still puzzled, but with brothers united, their strength could break metal, so he said nothing more.

The group sat and discussed for a long time before dispersing.

Wang Chong was a wealthy man, so Zhang Sheng didn't offer any thanks. He gave Chen Shan, Zhao Hu, and Han Lang ten gold coins each.

"If we're lucky, we'll rise to prominence together. If we're destined to die on the battlefield, this is our money to buy our lives. Take it back and buy land and houses so your families will have no worries," Zhang Sheng said.

"Yes." Chen Shan, Zhao Hu, and Han Lang accepted the gold without hesitation and left.

After seeing everyone off, Zhang Sheng turned and entered the west wing, then pushed open the door to the south room.

There are three special boxes in the room.

Zhang Sheng opened them one by one, revealing a horse lance, a set of gleaming fine armor, and a saddle.

These things all need maintenance; otherwise, they will rust or be eaten by insects.

These are all things passed down from my grandfather.

During the most difficult times, he considered selling the spear countless times, but he always gritted his teeth and resisted.

"It turns out I've always harbored a dream of being a hero." Zhang Sheng bent down, picked up the heavy lance, removed the sheath, revealing the sharp spearhead.

The spear is a fine spear, incomparably sharp.

With a spear in hand, he is a general.