Chapter 17: Prior (Part 1)
You can only change one of your horoscopes.
Although it is possible to kill them both at the same time, that involves too many people and might trigger the destiny, resulting in failure. In comparison, it is better to concentrate all your efforts to kill one of them. Although it may leave troubles, it is more stable and feasible.
In fact, even if one does not believe this, but if one thinks about the fact that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were able to survive the desperate situation and that those who opposed him, no matter how powerful, would all die one by one, Zhang Xuanning's heart would be hot and cold at the same time - it would be better to kill them separately.
Zhang Xuanning thought with a bit of self-mockery: "If Kou Zhong dies, and I get his star destiny, will what he encountered be transferred to me?"
As for Li Bo's so-called theory of astrology and destiny, it is dispensable for people with his nature. He can believe in it but not completely. The root of it lies in his inner character.
Don't be influenced by anyone, but make use of all available factors in the world.
However, the previous idea of training brothers on a large scale through the salt road had to be aborted, and there was nothing that could be done about it.
Just at this time, Wei Zhenzhen knocked on the door outside.
"Come in." Zhang Xuanning said, and he put down the scroll in his hand.
Wei Zhenzhen took a small bowl of sweet wine, walked in, smiled, dimples appeared on her face, and said coquettishly: "Husband, you have been busy for an hour and a half, do you want to take a rest?"
Half a month after their marriage, her relationship with Zhang Xuanning became closer and closer. Although Zhang Xuanning was not like modern men who doted on women too much and allowed them to take over their heads, he still held a principle - a family must cultivate feelings, with both parties giving and receiving, even if one side had less, it was still indispensable.
For women of this era, this principle is already a quality of a superior man, so their feelings naturally warmed up and their tone became more intimate.
"Are Jiang Feng and Xu Ziling here? Ask him to come in too." Zhang Xuanning took the sweet wine from her and smiled at her.
"Yes, they have been waiting for half an hour. I will go and call him now."
After waiting for a while, three people came in again.
"This time, I called you three because this is the first piece of land I've managed. Jiang Feng, you take charge, Xu Ziling, you help with some things, Zhenzhen, you also participate, hand over the ten acres of land you got to your parents. Although ten acres is not much, it is enough for your family to have some rice and vegetables." Zhang Xuanning said, "Originally, this matter is not big and does not require three people, but in the future, if the brothers want to get married and have children, they must also follow this method to grant land, so the first time is to make it more important. Xu Ziling, you should learn more from Brother Jiang how to deal with land and tenants."
Xu Ziling firmly supported Zhang Xuanning in this matter: "Don't worry, Xiangzhu, I will study hard."
"Well, it's done. There's no need to rush. Gao Zhandao's brothers all need to start new families and they also need land. You can handle it later. As for Kou Zhong, I plan to let him go north with me this time." Zhang Xuanning said calmly, "It will cost a lot of money to settle the brothers this time. The money in the hall is definitely not enough, so we will leave early tomorrow morning. Sell the shipload of salt. If everything goes well, I will have capital when I come back."
Everyone already knew the rules, and they all responded without the slightest doubt. Jiang Feng said with emotion: "Master, why don't you ask a few more brothers to go together, so that we can share more of the burden for you."
"Gao Zhandao has more than a dozen brothers, all of whom are military veterans. Their families were executed, so the expenses of setting up a new family and settling them are huge. The other brothers also need training, and the shops in the city also need manpower. I really can't spare any manpower. This time, I will take Kou Zhong and a few new brothers with me. Once the salt is sold, I will come back quickly." Zhang Xuanning said distressedly: "Since I am the incense master, I have to consider my brothers. I will find a way to make money."
"I believe that the incense master will definitely have a way." Everyone said.
The so-called authority is actually built up from these little things. Everyone can see that he is truly working for his brothers and leaving a way out for them. It is not surprising that everyone has such a reaction.
In this world, in this era, treason is condemned and killed by everyone. No one will do it unless it is absolutely necessary. The ancients emphasized loyalty and filial piety, which run through the entire society and the power formed is really extraordinary. Therefore, in this society, Zhang Xuanning basically believes in the loyalty of his brothers.
Even a strong man like Li Mi suffered a fatal injury at this point.
Li Mi, courtesy name Fazhu, was born in Chang'an, Jingzhao, and his ancestral home was Xiangping, Liaodong. His grandfather was Li Yao, Duke of Xing in the Zhou Dynasty. His father was Li Kuan, who was brave and good at fighting, and had extraordinary strategies. From Zhou to Sui, he served as a general several times, and was promoted to the title of Zhuguo and Duke of Pushan County. During the Kaihuang period, Li Mi inherited his father's title of Duke of Pushan. He distributed his family property, supported relatives and friends, entertained guests and treated virtuous people well, and gathered a large number of people. However, because he participated in the rebellion of Yang Xuangan in the ninth year of Daye, he had to flee after the failure and joined the Wagang Army, becoming a subordinate of Zhai Rang. Although Li Mi's military orders were strict and the rewards were generous, a large number of talents joined him.
And who was Zhai Rang? He was just a native of Weicheng County, Dongjun. He once served as the legal officer of Dongjun, and was sentenced to death for breaking the law. In the final analysis, he was just a low-class commoner, which was not comparable to Li Mi's background.
But even in ancient times when rank and origin were important, and even though the two men had very different origins, after Li Mi killed Zhai Rang, the entire Wagang Army fell apart and people were in chaos. Li Mi's attack on Luoyang was not only a strategic consideration, but also a way to suppress internal rifts in order to win a big victory. Unfortunately, once he failed, hundreds of thousands of troops immediately collapsed - this is the inherent deficiency of rebels, and it is also the consequence of violating the mainstream morality and rules of the time.
It was not until this era that he deeply understood the power of loyalty and filial piety. Loyalty and filial piety are not omnipotent, but most of those who violate loyalty and filial piety will perish.
When studying in modern times, Zhang Xuanning had read many fictional novels and found that many protagonists were very ignorant. They thought that in ancient times, they could change jobs as easily as in modern companies, and could easily join a company and change people if they didn't want to work anymore. However, they didn't know that if they really did this in ancient times, it would be a dead end. Although the world is big, it is difficult to have a foothold.
Just like now, if Zhang Xuanning dared to rebel against the gang and establish himself, or kill his leader, not to mention anything else, the brothers in the gang outside Xiangkou would immediately become his mortal enemies, and his own subordinates would also be shaken and even abandon him - such a thing is not impossible to do, but the cost is too high.
"Okay, in that case, let's all get ready. I still need to go see Master Su and see if he needs my help. Hey, I'll be in the north for at least a few months. During this time, I have to leave Master Su's family affairs to you." Zhang Xuanning said sincerely, "Master Su is my godfather and promoted me. If a person doesn't have gratitude in this world, he is worse than an animal. When I'm not here, you can help me look after it."
"Don't worry, my husband. Although my status is low, I can still pay my respects and ask how you are. After you leave, leave the household affairs to me." Wei Zhenzhen was the first to speak.
"Master, rest assured. Master Su is a senior and also your godfather. As his subordinates, we will naturally take him to heart." Jiang Feng also expressed his opinion .
"Yes, yes, we will all go to see Master Su. I am really touched by what the Xiangzhu said!" Xu Ziling also said so.
This is the effect that Zhang Xuanning wanted. Now everyone in the gang knows that Zhang Xuanning is loyal and filial, and he is especially kind and caring to his brothers. Especially when the purchase of land and resettlement is implemented.
Only under this kind of power can he let go and do what he wants!
Zhang Xuanning smiled: "Okay, we'll leave tomorrow, everyone should get ready today. Also, Xu Ziling, I know you and Kou Zhong have a good relationship and rarely separate, so I'll give you a day off today, go ahead!"
