Chapter 4: Explanation (Part 1)
Although he became the deputy incense master, he had no money and no one came. Zhang Xuanning did not do anything big. He just dragged a dozen thugs of similar age to the street.
There are five markets in the city, and the most prosperous one is the South Gate Market facing the Yangtze River. However, there are many streets in the market. Zhang Xuanning took one of the streets and never crossed the line. He only collected some tips from these gangsters, but it was more than enough to support them.
With the support of the Bamboo Flower Gang and Master Su, perhaps this movement would be noticed, but there was no obvious hostile force coming to attack. It seemed that time passed by while trying to figure out the intention.
At the Bai Family Academy, Mr. Bai gave lectures and taught. The gift money was very meager, and Zhang Xuanning read every morning.
During this period, Zhang Xuanning only listened to his teacher's lectures in the morning, practiced swordplay in the morning and afternoon, and patrolled the streets. Although he originally did not know calligraphy and had to practice calligraphy from scratch, perhaps because he had learned it before in this body, the residual habits and memory made him improve quickly. In just two months, he had already written very well.
It was an ordinary day, and at noon, his men arrived.
"How's it going today?"
"It's nothing, it's normal. My brothers have practiced for a while and have made great progress." The one who said this was Kou Zhong. Beside him was Xu Ziling, who presented a basket of buns.
Originally in the book, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were peripheral thugs of the Bamboo Flower Gang. Now that they have officially set up a base in Yangzhou, they are naturally his subordinates.
Zhang Xuanning took the buns and ate them. He was not at all upset about the two dragons. He just calmly treated them as his subordinates. He was neither enthusiastic nor suspicious. He just said calmly, "Do a good job. I know you have time to come to Bai's Academy to learn secretly. This is a good thing. I won't say anything, but don't delay your work. Otherwise, the gang rules will not forgive you."
"Don't worry, Master Xiang, we will not delay the important matter."
"Well, you guys should learn some real kung fu from Master Su. In June, I will prepare an assessment. Those who can achieve something will be promoted and given the Fengzhu." Zhang Xuanning picked up another bun and said, "Then we can negotiate with Boss Yan to see whether they will surrender or prepare to fight with us. In short, in the second half of the year, we will launch an attack on the entire Nanmen Market!"
"Practice more martial arts, it can help you get promoted and stay alive longer, do you two understand?" Zhang Xuanning scolded them like they were children.
"I understand, Master Xiang, we will try our best." Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other and then said.
“I’m glad you understand.” Zhang Xuanning actually knew it clearly in his heart. According to the description in the book, when these two were small gangsters, they always wanted to join the rebel army and become generals and prime ministers. They were very ambitious. But this had nothing to do with him. As long as they were his subordinates now and did their jobs well, it would be fine.
From the perspective of those in a higher position, sometimes, the requirement is just this.
In the Bamboo Flower Gang, the gang leader has ten bamboos, the military advisor has nine bamboos, followed by the hall master with eight bamboos, the deputy hall master with seven bamboos, the helmsman with six bamboos, the deputy helmsman with five bamboos, the incense master with four bamboos, and the deputy incense master with three bamboos. Those with two bamboos are small leaders, those with one bamboo are formal gang members, and there are even peripheral gang members who don't have any bamboo at all.
Currently, Zhang Xuanning is a third-rank bamboo, and his status is not high, but generally speaking, the staff can be expanded to hundreds of people, and second-rank bamboos can be appointed and promoted. Second-rank bamboos can also manage thirty people. A small one can run a street, and a big one can run a market, which is considered to be a success.
Instead of looking forward to these two people, it is better to look forward to the others. Currently, there are five people in the team that Zhang Xuan Ning has taken in, namely Gui Xiliang, Xing Rong, Zhou Feng, Wang Chengzhi, and Jiang Feng. When Zhang Xuan Ning heard these names at first, he felt a little familiar, but as a person who has read them ten times, he remembered them after waiting for a while.
Isn't Gui Xiliang a gangster of the same generation as Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling? They had fought with another gang several times, but they were always defeated. But they had a good relationship. Moreover, I remember that three years after Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling left Yangzhou City, Gui Xiliang was spotted by the leader of the Bamboo Flower Gang and accepted as his apprentice and promoted to incense master. He was not young at that time, but he was accepted as an apprentice, which meant that he was very outstanding in at least one aspect, and his talent might be no worse than Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. At that moment, he was more attentive.
As for Xingrong, I remember that he has some resourcefulness and can be trained.
Therefore, let’s promote them to get some wind bamboo first!
"Okay, then you guys wait a moment. I'll talk to Master Bai before I leave." Zhang Xuanning finished his buns, waved his hand, and sent the two away.
The two of them had to wait outside, not knowing what was being said inside. After waiting for half an hour , Zhang Xuanning did not come out.
"Damn it, Zhang Xuanning is the same age as us, and he just has a godfather? But he's so arrogant and makes us wait outside anxiously!" The person who spoke was Kou Zhong.
Xu Ziling said comfortingly, "It's not bad. After all, we have food and drink now. Although practicing martial arts is a bit hard, it is better than secretly learning at the Shi family's dojo. After practicing for a few months, I feel that I am much better than before. When we have mastered martial arts and got a few more silver coins, we can join the rebel army."
Kou Zhong was immediately excited after hearing this, and he put his arm around Xu Ziling's shoulders and said, "We are brothers for life. You really understand my intention. When we have mastered martial arts, we will not be hooligans anymore. With my vision, I will definitely pick the most promising rebel army. When we conquer the world in the future, with our brothers' virtues and talents, I, Kou Zhong, can be a general at the youngest, and you will be the prime minister."
Just when they were beaming with joy, at this moment, a coughing sound was heard. The two of them immediately stopped talking, but saw a man turning around from a distance, dressed in green, it was the young incense master Zhang Xuan Ning. The two of them couldn't help but look at his face, wondering if he had heard these outrageous words, but they saw that he had a calm face and there was no sign of any expression.
"What are you two doing standing there? Why don't you follow me? Let's go now. It's Lao Feng's bun shop's break time. You two should go and help Sister Zhen, ok?" Zhang Xuanning said as he walked over. There happened to be a few peach trees nearby. It was the time when peach blossoms were falling. The petals fell on him, and even the two of them had to admit that he had an indescribable aura, as if he was elegant, but not entirely.
Speaking of Sister Zhen, the two nodded their heads in acceptance. Xu Ziling was even a little moved and said, "Master Xiang, you are really good to Sister Zhen."
As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Zhang Xuanning's expression.
Zhang Xuanning said calmly, "People are grateful. After all, Sister Zhen saved me, so I asked you two to take care of this matter. Don't pay the protection fee in Lao Feng's store, and don't let anyone harass you. In addition, you were also taken care of by Sister Zhen in the past. I asked you to handle this matter so that you have a chance to repay her kindness, and it will be easier for you to do a good job."
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling couldn't help but nod after hearing this.
"However, our favor is owed to Sister Zhen. In fact, what does Lao Feng and his shop have to do with us? I heard that the eldest wife treated Sister Zhen very badly. You all should take care of her and don't let Sister Zhen suffer any injustice."
"We brothers will not let Sister Zhen suffer any injustice, of course, but there are some rumors on the street..." Xu Ziling hesitated: "Also, it is difficult for us outsiders to wipe our hands of family affairs."
