Chapter 61 Tian Feng (2/2)

”What a mess. Just because of a simple soap recipe and that new wine, he created a formidable enemy for the family.”

Tian Feng shook his head. Afterwards, he read the records of the Zhang family members.

”… Zhang Tong, is it? A very interesting way to gain popularity and authority, I see. Zhang Jiao, aside from his persuasion, commerce and his Taoist knowledge, there is nothing to worry about. Zhang Bao is the same as Zhang Jiao, but he is more inferior. Zhang Liang is a muscle brain, so another one to overlook.”

Then he looked at the records of Hua Shi. Tian Feng frowned.

”Zhang family cannot thrive without Zhang Tong. That's for certain. But Hua Shi is suspicious. At first glance, she is just a simple pretty daughter of a physician with medical skills. But why was there a rumor about 'Goddess of Death' showing up in the last battle? Is she Zhang Tong's hidden chess piece?”

Tian Feng took out a blank scroll, after which he wrote down an instruction for the intelligence agencies of the Yuan family.

”Get more information about Hua Shi and Zhang Tong. Record everything no matter how absurd it is. I want every rumor and details about the two!”

…

…

Meanwhile, Ningjin County.

Tong and everybody returned to the Zhang family hometown, including the escorted prisoners of war. Tong left 200 men in Anping Fortress to repair the damages from the battle, and to keep it safe from the looters.

Tong found out that the Zhang Manor was in a mess because the officials and guards ransacked the place. All servants quit the job and ran away.

Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang were furious at the sight. Tong appeased their anger and promised them that they would get a better place once they took Julu City.

Hua Shi helped Tong in the remuneration for the family of the dead soldiers and the handicapped soldiers. Their family members broke into tears in sadness because of the loss, and gratefulness for Tong's generosity.

The reputation of Tong, Hua Shi and the Zhang family rose.

A few days after their return, many strong men in the nearby villages approached Tong and his family members. Because they were enticed by the remuneration and the generosity that Tong and his family had displayed, they asked if they could join the family as servants or soldiers too.

Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang were happy about this development as their troops were crippled from the last battle. They needed new bloods to replace the dead and the injured.

Tong did not bother recruiting the villagers. He focused his attention to the 500 soldiers of Guo Dian. After some difficulty, the 500 soldiers agreed to join Tong as his private soldiers.

Wen Chou, Yan Liang and their 300 ex-cavalries were different. They would not join Tong no matter what. Therefore, Tong confiscated the warhorses, their weapons and armors. So he could recycle these for his troops later.

…

November 30th. Zhang Manor.

People kept spreading rumors about the servant recruitment of Tong and his family and their generosity. Many farmers who had finished harvesting their crops were tempted, after which they traveled far from home to offer their services to Tong.

Another rumor was also spreading among the civilians which also contributed to the temptation to join Tong forces. Guo Dian unjustly attacked Zhang Family and were defeated. Furthermore, it was a fight with 20,000 troops against the Zhang 5,000 men, and the Zhang won!

People loved gossiping and dramatic stories. The story about a humble family with 5,000 men defeating the overwhelming adversary of 20,000 imperial soldiers interested everyone.

As a result, some rumors were exaggerated, as it said that Tong transformed into a beast and killed over 10,000 men himself. Some said that Hua Shi was a real goddess that she could fire a hundred arrows of light that would never miss a target with a fickle of finger. Some said that Tong was a genius tactician that defeated Guo Dian army with his miracle stratagems.

Tong and Hua Shi felt like they were celebrities in the 21st century. Every times they went out of the Zhang Manor, they would be swarmed by fans, admirers and Tong's servant wannabes.

A dozen of rich and handsome cliché young masters of wealthy merchants and nobles also appeared to seduce Hua Shi. Several young girls also offer themselves to be Tong's concubine or wanted to bear his child. Both of them could not handle these people, so they avoided them like plague.

Although it was inconvenient in a lot of ways, yet Tong was happy about this occasion. From the remaining 800 good soldiers that his family had, it increased to 6,000 within a month and the number still had not stopped increasing. Good reputation could bring miracles like this, which was the reason why nobles deemed it as more valuable than gold.

The time to counter-attack to claim Julu County into his own was sooner than he had expected.