"Speaking of which, I have a friend in Fengdu County City too."
Zhang San gazed at Fengdu County City and couldn’t help thinking of Zhang Pu, whom he had met previously on the boat on the Lu River.
"So, are we going into Fengdu County City? Looking at this weather, it seems rather dangerous."
Zhang San shook his head and said, "The name of the place doesn’t feel very auspicious, let’s bypass the county city and keep moving."
After Zhang San finished speaking, he glanced at Shang Bufa and the Deputy General from Long Xutuo who had come along and asked, "You two don’t have any problems with that, do you?"
The Deputy General didn’t care, as he was just here to help and was fine with any route.
Shang Bufa curled his lip; you give the orders, and then think to ask me?
However, Shang Bufa wasn’t one to sweat the small stuff. He nodded and said with a smile, "I will follow all of Military Chief Zhang’s orders."
So, everyone continued to follow Zhang San.
Zhang San called Luo Liangfeng over to inquire about the situation with the Maoshan Sect that day.
Inside the nearby prison cart, Zhang Peng, upon hearing Luo Liangfeng mention that the sky had turned dark as night in broad daylight, with heavy clouds shrouding the entirety of Dragon Tiger Mountain, leaving not a glimmer of light, and then being attacked by countless evil ghosts, shivered all over with fear.
"I... I am a Fourth Rank official of the Great Sui, you... you must ensure my safety... you understand?"
Zhang San glanced at Zhang Peng beside him, realizing for the first time that the man had a habit of eavesdropping.
Hearing Zhang San say this, Zhang Peng felt a little relieved.
"But if we run into danger, the first thing I’ll do is abandon you dog officials right where you are and let you wait for death!"
Hearing what Zhang San said, Zhang Peng was completely unsettled, and the expressions of the other officials in the prison cart, when they looked at Zhang San, were all angry.
Zhang Peng angrily said, "Do you know who I am? Do you know my connections in the Imperial Court? Do you know how many friends I had in the Capital? If something happens and you dare to abandon me, do you believe everyone here will lose their heads? Huh!"
Previously, Zhang Peng had been very compliant while being escorted by Zhang San.
But now, seeing the other officials in the prison cart, some speculated that the arrest of so many of them was just for show by Emperor Kaihuang, since most were from the Crown Prince’s faction. Could Emperor Kaihuang really depose the Crown Prince?
Over the years, their deeds had merely been seizing some properties, toying with some women, and killing off disobedient commoners.
Were such trivial matters really worth losing their heads over?
So now, hearing others say this, Zhang Peng’s courage grew.
Zhang San, however, had not expected Zhang Peng to be so audacious.
He immediately walked over to the prison cart with a grin, and with great respect, bowed and scraped to Zhang Peng, saying, "Governor Zhang, it was all my insensitivity before, and it has nothing to do with these brothers. I spoke out of turn, and I apologize to you... "
Hearing this, many of the Martial Artists around had a change in their expression.
Although it had been satisfying and glorious to arrest so many high-ranking officials from Chuan-Yu Road this time, clearly, these people were unlikely to suffer much upon reaching the Capital. If they were offended, it might truly spell trouble.
Otherwise, why would even Brother San be so accommodating.
Zhang Peng’s face was brimming with smug satisfaction as he laughed and said, "Little San, why don’t you get some wine and meat for your Governor here, and I might consider sparing you, eh?"
Zhang San nodded with a smile, raised his hands, and with his index fingers touching, he split them apart to the left and right.
Despite the seemingly flawless movement, it was as if the wooden bars of the prison cart were imbued with life, twisting to create a wide gap.
In the next instant, Zhang San grabbed Zhang Peng’s hair, pulled his head out from the cart, and slapped him across the face.
"Governor Zhang, I’m sorry! I, Zhang San, am apologizing to you. Did you receive my apology?"
As Zhang San spoke, he backhanded Zhang Peng with another slap.
Shang Bufa was taken aback by the sight.
Zhang San, what are you doing?
This is your idea of an apology?
The other Governors and County Magistrates in the prison cart, who had initially thought Zhang Peng was quite brave, now saw...
At this moment, Zhang Peng was utterly bewildered.
Wasn’t this supposed to be an apology? Why was he being smacked?
"Governor Zhang, I’m apologizing to you. Do you accept my apology?"
As Zhang San spoke, he slapped Zhang Peng’s face again, twice in quick succession.
One of the slaps, perhaps a bit too forceful, caused a tooth to fly out and land in another prison cart nearby.
At this point, the County Magistrates and Governors confined in these dozen-or-so prison carts all looked at Zhang San with utter trepidation.
"Ac... ac... accepted..."
Zhang San, still smiling, patted Zhang Peng’s face and said, "That’s more like it. You’re a generous man, Governor. If I, Zhang San, ever make a mistake, I hope you’ll be understanding, alright?"
After Zhang San finished speaking, he snapped his fingers, and the wooden bars straightened back to their original position, perfectly aligned.
As for Zhang Peng’s head, it remained stuck outside the prison cart.
Even so, Zhang Peng didn’t dare say a word.
He knew that speaking up would likely mean another round of "apologies" from Zhang San, and Zhang San’s apologies were damn well persuasive! He didn’t dare risk a second time.
Shang Bufa, with wide eyes, turned to Zhang San and sternly rebuked him, "Military Chief Zhang, do you realize what you’re doing? You’re assaulting an Imperial officer!"
Zhang San looked bewildered and retorted, "Who did I assault? You ask around; this little brother from the Ministry of Punishment says I assaulted someone. Who saw me assault anyone? Whom did I assault? Governor Zhang Peng, did you see me assault anyone?"