In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 286

If one's internal energy remains intact, one's vital essence will naturally remain intact as well.

He knew the odds of winning were low, but he never expected it would take so many years before he finally had his first child.

"Son!"

Looking at Zhang Xiaoshan, Bai Feifei's beautiful eyes were filled with spring-like desire, but also with a hint of jealousy and envy.

Zhang Xiaoshan could guess what was going on as soon as he heard the number 19. As Manager Feng's maid, how could she not know?

"I heard from Sister You that Manager Feng isn't feeling well? What happened?"

"Congratulations, sir!"

"Really?"

Zhang Xiaoshan's eyes lit up, and he picked up Bai Feifei and rushed towards the side room.

He dared not hold the pregnant woman, but Bai Feifei was as light as cotton and as soft as willow catkins.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Manager Feng was quietly reading the classics. Her abdomen did not appear swollen, and her expression was normal, indicating that she had only recently noticed the problem.

Even so, they have entered the pregnancy maintenance stage.

After all, the Zhang family bloodline was such a major event, and it was also the thing she looked forward to the most.

"Why weren't you told about something this big?"

"Young Master, about this matter..."

Shopkeeper Feng hesitated. As a girl from a scholarly family, her views were naturally bound by worldly etiquette.

It's important to understand that she wasn't Zhang Xiaoshan's concubine, so the child's birth would be illegitimate and lack legitimacy. Furthermore, for the Zhang family, which currently has no heirs, the impact would be immense.

Once the child's existence is confirmed, it will have a profound impact on the abyss!

“I know what you’re worried about, but it’s completely unnecessary.”

Commerce, ghost towns, shipping... the Zhang family's future cannot be supported by one person alone.

Just as the state of Jin was divided into three, the Zhang family in the future will be divided into more than three branches. It mainly depends on how they choose to go about it and their talents.

Moreover, the Zhang family only has a few direct descendants now, and even with this one, it's just a single heir across three generations.

Zhang Xiaoshan held Manager Feng's soft hand, finding her worries somewhat laughable.

The eldest son inherits the throne? This isn't the imperial palace.

The capable rise and the weak fall; this is the hope for a family to rise.

Not to mention, this is the Zhang family's first offspring.

Even if there are ten in the future, Zhang Xiaoshan will not make any special exceptions.

He'll live for hundreds of years, how could he not control a few kids? There's no need to worry about dividing the spoils at all.

"But···"

"Alright, this is a joyous occasion, there's no need to worry about these issues."

However, this matter should not be publicized too much. Not to mention the Zhang family's enemies, it's best not to make this little guy's existence public.

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark!"

"I understand!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan acknowledge the child, Manager Feng breathed a sigh of relief.

Moreover, as Zhang Xiaoshan said, this is the first person in three generations of the Zhang family, and in fact, he is the only person to have been born in the same lineage for three generations.

Therefore, the Zhang family has no choice but to acknowledge it.

"Everything will remain the same from now on, but I will arrange for several experts to be nearby, and I also ask Palace Master Lianxing to protect you!"

"Young master!"

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's request, it was already a strategic-level preparation, but Manager Feng still looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with some expectation.

"Okay, I'll come to see you from time to time, but not too often."

Too frequent an increase in power would only give away a clue. After all, if someone notices something amiss, they'll inevitably suspect something.

Shopkeeper Feng nodded in agreement, knowing that Zhang Xiaoshan's concerns were not unfounded.

Although he was somewhat frightened, this was Zhang's bloodline, so it was not surprising that Zhang Xiaoshan was considering things too much.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan's biggest worry was the jealous woman beside him; once she started making a scene, she would absolutely not consider the consequences.

This is what Zhang Xiaoshan is most worried about.

···

Very few people knew that Manager Feng was pregnant.

Even the women around Zhang Xiaoshan were known only to Liu Sheng Piaoxu.

Liu Sheng Piaoxu was in charge of information around Zhang Xiaoshan, and naturally, he had to distinguish between information of varying importance and urgency.

Now, news about the Zhang family bloodline is undoubtedly the most important thing.

In addition, Zhang Xiaoshan also appreciated Liu Sheng Piaoxu's composure as a samurai.

The reason why many aristocratic families along the coast like to send their elite warriors to Japan for training is that the loyalty and resilience cultivated by the Bushido code are first-rate.

Unlike Huang Rong, who, once she becomes willful, completely disregards the consequences.

Even though this is a possible consequence, Zhang Xiaoshan still wants to take precautions.

"Young Master, Zhuge Shenhou and Commander Hengdao have arrived!"

Zhuge Zhengwo? Hengdao?

Zhang Xiaoshan nodded and had Liu Sheng Piaoxu lead the people to the study.

The arrival of these two people was tantamount to the Ghost Street incident.

As for the ancient tortoise shell?

Zhang Xiaoshan had just returned to Bianjing when he was taken away by the imperial guards, who then left him to his own devices.

At the same time, Zhang Xiaoshan slowly stood up and lowered the wooden carving in his hand.

Planning ahead, Zhang Xiaoshan was creating the prototype of Lego bricks.

Although it may be a bit premature to try now, Zhang Xiaoshan is not just going to create a prototype.

After the basic design was completed, it was finally finished by the Zhang family's most skilled carpenter.

In addition, the finest Phoebe zhennan wood will be used!

"Lord Zhuge, Commander Hengdao, you've been quite a rare guest lately."

"Young Master Zhang is a very busy man. We would rather not disturb you if we could avoid it!"

With a cup of top-quality fragrant tea beside them, the two men also sized up Zhang Xiaoshan as they stood up.

At this moment, there were still wood shavings left in Zhang Xiaoshan's hand. Even Hengdao was extremely impressed by Zhuge Zhengwo's ability to lie through his teeth.

This spoiled young master is so idle that he plays with wood, yet he calls himself a busy person?

As for other things, everyone knows that this young master likes unusual and ingenious techniques and enjoys hands-on practice.

"Mr. Zhuge has come because of a recent misunderstanding on the black street."

Misunderstand?

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's casual remark, Zhuge Zhengwo suppressed his inner rage and said solemnly:

"Indeed, I am curious about the relationship between Ghost Street and Hell's Gate?"

"Since when did the imperial court get involved in the feuds of the martial arts world?"

With a light laugh, Zhang Xiaoshan glanced at Zhuge Zhengwo and Hengdao's serious expressions and explained:

"This is a gift from Buddha to the Gates of Hell."

The specific reason was not given, but Ghost Street did not receive any instructions to cooperate with Hellgate.

Or rather, the Zhang family wouldn't get involved in this江湖恩怨 (jianghu grievances), the rights and wrongs, the conspiracies and intrigues. Zhang would rather stay home and enjoy the company of beautiful women!

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's dejected state, the two men immediately exchanged strange glances.

133 However, they also got the answer they wanted, as long as it wasn't a joint effort between the two major powers.

Otherwise, the combined power of the Tathagata Palm and the Heavenly Crippled Divine Skill would likely plunge the entire martial arts world into an eternal night.

"The return of the Fiery Cloud Evil God will inevitably poison the Holy Spirit. Can the Zhang family's 'great compassion' truly turn a blind eye to this?"

Where did this feud originate? We all know.

Ancient Sword Soul's killing is wrong, but if you don't cause others suffering, don't advise others to be kind.

Zhang had previously handed Xie Xun over to the Southern Shaolin Temple because this feud involved Wudang. If it continued to develop, it would inevitably escalate into a situation where many heroes were pressing against the mountain.

Zhang was helping Wudang out of its predicament!

Xie Xun's crimes were indeed heinous, and therefore, during the public trial, the Zhang family did not utter a single word.

But even the most hateful person has a pitiable side. If the tragedy that befell Xie Xun had happened to Zhang, Zhang might not have done any better than Xie Xun, and might even have been more ruthless.

Ancient Sword Soul was no exception; back then, many heroes coveted the Tathagata Palm and killed his wife and children.

Ultimately, he came here for nothing more than revenge.

What the heroes coveted back then, and what so many people are after now, is still the unforgettable Tathagata Palm.

Neither the Zhang family nor Ghost Street can become a tool in someone else's hands!

Having said so much in one breath, Zhuge Zhengwo, still holding his sword, understood that the Zhang family could not interfere.

Zhang Xiaoshan's attitude was even more clear.

Hellgate is an evil entity, and he doesn't interfere simply because he doesn't want to become a tool in someone else's hands!

"What about the Buddha?"

"They probably won't interfere. I knew about the meeting between Gu Jianhun and Buddha when they met."

In the ensuing battle, Buddha gained a slight advantage. Ancient Sword Soul is unlikely to ally with Buddha, but cooperation is certainly possible. Don't forget what Ghost Street is all about.

After the Hell Gate raided and wiped out a family, how did they dispose of the stolen antiques, paintings, and rare treasures?

Ghost Street is undoubtedly the best place.

Chapter 347 Lady Dongming's Worries

"Meet Madam!"

On a large, well-built warship outside Lin'an Prefecture, the Dongming Sect had just delivered a batch of goods.

After receiving the order from Ghost Street, the Dongming Sect forged a terrifying weapon that previously took three months to forge in just ten days.

Everything is due to the results of assembly line operations.

With the help of hydraulic presses, both forging costs and time are greatly reduced.

Even in terms of quality, with the experience of the master craftsmen, the quality is even better.

You should know that the Dongming faction itself started by selling 'arms'.

In addition to the weapons, the Zhang family's snow salt was also delivered at the same time.

Snow salt has now become another major industry for the Zhang family, spreading across the four great empires.

One should never be too particular about how finely one prepares food, nor about how exquisitely one eats it!

The major families and even the royal family naturally had an enormous demand for snow salt. It wasn't a matter of clearing a difficult path; every time a shipment arrived, it was snapped up immediately.

Even the price of fine salt was raised by the salt merchants to ten coins per pound.

The main issue is the conversion between privately owned salt and refined salt, and whether or not salt licenses are in place.

Therefore, those salt merchants quickly set their sights on fine salt and refined salt, since these were the best quality salt besides snow salt.

With competition from both sides, prices have naturally increased significantly compared to before.

"It's been a long time since Meixian has seen Young Master!"