Chapter 13: The Master of Incense (Part 1)
With gold and partners, everyone can work together.
Yan Kuan's original residence became a stronghold in the city, while the new residence was outside the city.
In the east of Yangzhou city, there used to be an abandoned manor covered with weeds. It was very large and most of the buildings had fallen into disrepair, wind and rain erosion. There were some orphans and beggars hiding inside. It was originally the home of Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong. Now it is known that it was an official residence of the Southern Dynasty. The family was confiscated and the property was exterminated. Later, there were some ghosts that scared people away, so it was abandoned.
Therefore, after getting through some connections, he only spent twenty taels of gold to buy this ruined manor, which covered an area of 300 acres.
The guys worked together to build a two-person-high brick wall outside.
Inside, rows of small houses were built, each with a small courtyard. This will be the home of the little brothers in the future. As for the main house, warehouse, forest garden, etc., they are all waiting to be gradually completed in the future.
With such a large area, it would be enough to be used as a base even if it became the leader of a thousand people in the future. Zhang Xuanning was very satisfied with this, but what made him even more satisfied was that his younger brothers cheered like thunder. These people who were born as homeless children and lived in fear day and night had a different feeling than others. After getting this house, they felt differently from others.
"Brothers, are you practicing martial arts seriously?" Zhang Xuanning looked at the big square and saw forty people practicing martial arts in the sun, meticulously and gradually developing rules.
"Yes, once you go to the battlefield, you will know that it is a matter of life and death. Who wouldn't work hard to train?" Gao Zhandao is already old, and it is useless for him to practice. He is the training leader and supervises their practice.
Only when they know that martial arts is not only related to honor and disgrace, but also to life and death, will these young people truly transform spiritually and make rapid progress with unremitting efforts.
Even Zhang Xuanning himself made some progress in the battle. When he took over another body and reincarnated, the remaining true energy of this body dispersed throughout the body and slowly dissipated. However, at the critical moment of life and death, he gathered it all together at once. Over the past few days, he has been slowly refining it and has actually reached an intermediate level.
As he spoke, Zhang Xuanning thought for a while and took out a book. These were the four books he found in Ma Xiongyuan's residence that day. They were all some third-rate martial arts, but they were also obtained by Ma Xiongyuan in order to revitalize Majiaji. He spent a lot of effort and spent more than ten years to obtain them.
Zhang Xuanning had obtained it without any effort. This was the omnipotent theory of robbery. In the past half month, Zhang Xuanning had studied and comprehended it one by one. Even if one understood the joints of many martial arts, it was difficult to use them immediately. However, Zhang Xuanning organized them, deleted some things, and connected some things together, and turned them into a book called "Introduction Volume". Then he said: "This is the secret passage of my family. If brothers have made great achievements or excelled in martial arts, I will truly teach them."
"Master Xiang is so generous." Gao Zhandao couldn't help but be moved. Martial arts are the capital of this world. If you have one, you can improve your status and be superior to others in the military or politics. Therefore, although martial arts are widely spread in the world, they are not easy to obtain. Most of them are taught within the family.
"Although teaching in this way is definitely against the family precepts, for the sake of my brothers, I can't care so much." Zhang Xuanning said calmly: "Gao Zhandao, among your subordinates, there are no people who are over fifteen years old. For the others, the team leaders and those who have made great contributions this time, make a list and I will teach some of them."
The reason why he didn't teach everything was because he was well aware of people's shortcomings. No matter how good something was, if he taught it directly, people would not find it rare. However, if he taught it in part with caution, not only would it encourage them to practice hard, but it would also make them feel grateful.
The imprint of power was built up bit by bit on this basis, and it took about two years to be completely finalized. Zhang Xuanning was of course very clear about this.
"Yes, I'll tell my brothers right away." Gao Zhandao certainly knew his intention, but so what? In the so-called superior-subordinate relationship, there is affection and loyalty, but the gap in interests and strength is nothing more than one willing to fight and the other willing to be beaten, and they both know it tacitly.
"Master, Master Su asked you to go back to the city, saying that someone from the headquarters has arrived." Just then, a servant came to tell them that there was even an ox cart parked outside.
"Okay, I'll go right away." Zhang Xuanning said, and then got on the ox cart.
Although the ox cart was slow, it was not far from the city. After asking a few questions on the way but getting no answer, Zhang Xuanning had no choice but to wait until he reached Sujialou to talk about it. As soon as he arrived at Sujialou, he realized that the atmosphere was a little strange.
The atmosphere upstairs was very solemn. A guard with three bamboos embroidered on his head signaled the others to stop. Then he looked at Zhang Xuanning and said, "Are you Zhang Xuanning?"
Who is this person? Even his guards are three bamboos? He is on the same level as me? Zhang Xuanning already had an idea in his mind, and he replied respectfully: "It is me."
"Follow me." Zhang Xuanning followed him upstairs, and in front of the door of the quiet hall upstairs, he signaled him to stop, then he stepped over the threshold and said respectfully to the person sitting in the hall: "Military Advisor, Zhang Xuanning is here."
"Let him in!"
"yes!"
Zhang Xuanning then went in. The air was filled with the aroma of tea. A middle-aged man was drinking tea, looking relaxed and contented. When he saw him come in, he said, "Are you Zhang Xuanning? You are so young, yet you have such martial arts skills and have done such things. It is indeed rare."
"Ning'er, this is the military advisor, why don't you pay your respects to him?" Master Su said hurriedly.
"Yes, Zhang Xuanning greets the military advisor." Zhang Xuanning quickly knelt on the ground and knocked his head to the ground.
"Get up, no need to be polite, the boss is very interested in you!" Shao Lingzhou said casually. Shao Lingzhou was the Nine Bamboos, second only to the boss. He was truly second to none.
In particular, he has a slender figure and is very tall. He has a handsome face with five long beards. He is about forty years old and has the demeanor of a Taoist monk.
"How dare I? Working for the gang is my duty." Zhang Xuanning kowtowed again respectfully before he stood up.
"Well, that's right. If you join my gang, you must abide by the rules of my gang. Those who violate the gang rules will be punished according to the severity of the offense. Do you understand?"
Zhang Xuanning lowered his head and nodded repeatedly.
"However, the gang will also reward and promote meritorious officials. You are so young, and you are appointed as the incense master, which is very special. But you are the adopted son of Brother Su, and you have made great contributions. The gang leader has spoken, so this time I came to promote you to be the official incense master, and officially belong to the main hall."
"Yes, thank you military advisor, and thank you gang leader for your promotion!" Zhang Xuanning knelt on the ground again.
"Get up!"
Such an attitude still made Shao Lingzhou relatively satisfied. He paused, his eyes flashed with coldness, and said: "If you work hard, you will have a bright future."
“Yes, yes!” With a flash of light before his eyes, Zhang Xuanning almost felt like he was seen through. Although he remained calm in front of him, he felt like he was facing a mountain - is this the power of a first-class master, or is it the power close to that of a first-class master?
However, he forcefully suppressed his inner strength and refused to resist. Having been in this world for a year, he had already deeply understood this. If he showed the potential to resist, the consequences would not be good no matter what.
"Okay, put on the incense master's clothes. I won't pick up all the rewards from the gang leader." Shao Lingzhou waved his hand and said, "Let me introduce you. This is my apprentice Mai Yunfei. You are both rising stars in the gang, so get closer to each other."
"Yes, I'm here to greet Brother Mai!" Zhang Xuanning stepped forward and bowed.
Mai Yunfei is the first disciple of military advisor Shao Lingzhou, and also the chief incense master. He has four bamboo sticks and is quite handsome and dignified, but there is always a sense of arrogance and conceit in his expression. He stared at Zhang Xuanning and reluctantly returned the greeting.
