Chapter 23: Obtaining a Fierce General

  Dian Wei was a famous top-notch bodyguard, and now that they had met, how could he just let him go like this.

  Even if you don't need a bodyguard for yourself, such a fierce person must be kept by your side, there's no way to let them go.

  Zhou Jian's face sank, and he shouted in a stern voice: "Wait!"

  Dian Wei stopped in his tracks and glared at him with an unpleasant expression, asking: "What are you going to do?"

  Zhou Jian asked: "It seems like you have some misunderstanding about this official, what is the reason?"

  Dian Wei angrily said: "The treacherous officials have no way, the people are not alive, you are the hawks and dogs of the imperial court, what good things can you be?"

  Zhou Jian's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "You are mistaken, sir," he said sternly. "Although the Han dynasty is not virtuous, there are still wise ministers and honest officials who govern the people with justice. Although I bought this official position with money, I have never taken a single penny from the common people. When the people had nothing to eat, I opened up my granary to provide for them, and I have also provided relief to refugees. I can assure you that I have done what is right by the people. Can you kill an entire boat of people with just one blow?"

  Dian Wei was shocked and asked: "Is this county magistrate also bought with money?"

  Zhou Jian didn't conceal it either, this kind of thing others would know as soon as they heard about it, there's nothing to hide, nodded and said: "That's right, however my intention for being an official wasn't to extort money from the common people, if you don't believe me, you can leave on your own."

  Dian Wei's expression slightly cleared up, and he said in a deep voice: "You have spoken frankly to me, and I believe you are sincere, so I won't deceive you."

  Zhou Jian said, "What I have done and what I am doing can be known by going to the county once. You might as well follow me to the city, and wait for me to order a skilled craftsman to make a handy weapon for you, and then fight again?"

  Dian Wei said: "If someone is a murderer and you don't fear that he will drag you down and cause you to lose your official position?"

  Zhou Jian smiled a few times, then walked forward and pulled up Dian Wei, stepping into the dense forest. In a low voice, he said: "Killing a few people is nothing. Before I became an official, I often killed people and robbed them of their goods. I did some unscrupulous things to buy my way into office, plundering local tyrants and bullies, taking their money and silver to settle refugees. As long as you stay in my mansion and don't wander around the streets, who would know that I'm harboring a fugitive with a price on his head?"

  Dian Wei was shocked and after a long while, he said: "You are so frank, I am indeed narrow-minded."

  He paused for a moment before saying, "Alright then, I'll go with you to the county town."

  Zhou was secretly delighted in his heart and smiled: "That's right, let's go back to the county town."

  At this time, Xie Yu led Wei out of the dense forest and called for his followers to bring their horses.

  Zhou Wu took a deep breath and said in a low voice: "Congratulations, young master, you've obtained an extraordinary and powerful general."

  Zhou Jian nodded and instructed, "I'll take Dian Wei back first. Feng Xi and the fifty Han men will be handed over to you for training. However, try to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention to yourself, lest some rumors leak out. Even if nothing happens, it could still cause some trouble."

  "Please be at ease, young master," replied Zhou Wu, "I understand."

  Zhou Jian hummed in agreement and stopped talking. He took his horse and left with Dian Wei and two attendants, heading back to the county town.

  It was already late at night when I rushed back to the county town.

  Two attendants led the way in front, shouting back the defending soldiers, without dismounting, they rushed straight into the city from the north gate.

  Weitian's massive body was like a small mountain on the horseback, wrapped in a green robe, with his head and face covered. The guards saw that he was the county magistrate's entourage and didn't dare to stop him for inspection, so they entered the city unimpeded and rushed straight to the county government office.

  As soon as he entered the county government's back yard, a follower hastily came out to greet him.

  "Everyone, this is Dian Wei. His bravery in battle is second only to mine. From now on, he'll be living with us in the rear courtyard. You all have plenty of time to learn from him about martial arts. However, keep in mind that Dian Wei has a warrant out for his arrest, so don't go spreading the word."

  The attendant glanced at Dian Wei and hastily said: "Your subordinate obeys orders."

  As for Wu Yong being stronger than Zhou Jian, he didn't quite believe it in his heart.

  Twenty followers have been taught martial arts by Zhou Jian since childhood, and are deeply familiar with Zhou Jian's bravery. They think that more than half of what the young master said is humble words. This evil man is intimidating in stature, but there are many people who are as big as a cow. In all these years, however, not one has been seen to surpass the young master in martial prowess.

  Zhou Jian said: "First get some food, this afternoon and Dian Wei had a fierce battle of three hundred rounds, really tired."

  Only then did he reveal a stern expression, and his gaze turned back to Dian Wei, with a few more points of respect.

  Able to fight Zhou Jian for 300 rounds, regardless of victory or defeat, is absolutely a rare and fierce man.

  The servant hastily replied and rushed off to prepare food.

  Dian Wei glanced at Cao Cao's back and said, "This man may not be as good as you or me, but he is also a brave warrior."

  One of the attendants standing beside Zhou Jian said, "You don't know this, but we are all young masters' close followers, twenty people in total. We were refugees taken in by the young master and have been following him since childhood, learning to read and write, and studying martial arts, which is why we are here today."

  Dian Wei was taken aback by the words, turned his head and glanced at Zhou Jian with a few more appreciative glances.

  It doesn't take much bravery, as long as you have a strong physique, it's not difficult to cultivate extraordinary martial arts skills.

  However, it's not easy to teach a group of disciples who are equally skilled in martial arts.

  This young man is quite capable despite his youth.

  Although his strength is slightly inferior to mine, he's only eighteen years old and hasn't fully grown yet. In a few more years, if I were to fight him again, I'm afraid I wouldn't be his match. He's indeed the strongest opponent I've ever met in my life.

  Zhou Jian smiled silently, waiting for his attendants to bring wine and food, then invited Dian Wei to eat with gusto.

  Dian Wei's appetite was astonishing, he ate five kilograms of mutton, three large bowls of rice, and only then was he full.

  Zhou Jian had just finished speaking when a follower hastily came to report that Jiang Qin and Chen Fang had arrived.

  I am going out of the South Gate.

  Jiang Qin, Chen Fang, Hu San and more than 500 others entered the city, causing extreme panic.

  Especially Jiang Qin's two hundred water bandits, not only were their formations strict and tight, but each and every one of them exuded a murderous aura, the civilians waiting to enter the city didn't dare to get close to them, subconsciously keeping a safe distance from this group of people.

  One of the soldiers on guard was quick-witted and hastily blocked his way, loudly questioning him.

  The leading attendant showed his documents and shouted: "This is the County Magistrate's family returning home, why are you not letting us pass?"

  The soldier was startled and hastily examined the documents, not daring to say anything more, and immediately let him go.

  There were also over a dozen horse-drawn carriages in the crowd, all of which were loaded with family members.

  Hu San recruited more than thirty ironwork apprentices, nearly half of whom were married with families. Chen Fang's three hundred disciples also had some who became family members, and this time they brought their families along when they came to Ji Wu.

  Everyone knows that this time coming to Zhongyuan, I won't have to go back to Anhui County again in the future, so I will naturally bring my family with me.

  As they entered the city, Chen Fang hastened his steps and asked the attendant who was leading the way, "Li Qi brothers, how can we accommodate so many people?"

  "Don't worry, the young master has already arranged for a house and sufficient money, there won't be any problems."

  Chen Fangdao said: "Hundreds of people eat, drink and use up a lot, the money and grain needed in a year is not a small sum. Myself and hundreds of disciples are used to working hard, if we can have ten hectares of land, myself and hundreds of disciples can be self-sufficient, no need to let the young master worry again."

  Li Qi smiled and said: "Mr. Chen, don't worry, young master has already thought of a plan, let's settle down first and talk about it later."

  Chen Fang nodded and didn't say anything more.

  Jiang Qin and two hundred water bandits were strictly disciplined, not a sound was made, they formed neat rows and moved forward.

  Chen Fang's over 300 disciples and Hu San's over 30 iron apprentice were curiously looking around, the Central Plains had been prosperous since ancient times, these men who had never been out of their hometown thought everything was fresh.

  Hu San asked impatiently: "Li Qi brothers, what is that little man doing?"

  Li Qi smiled and said: "Old Hu, what's your hurry? Since the young master has let you move to our place, he won't let you idle around."

  "That's good, that's good!"

  Hu San scratched his head and let out a long sigh.

  These men are different from scholars, they are all used to relying on labor to earn a living, if there is nothing to do, I'm afraid they will be at a loss, feeling that their existence has no value.

  There is no value in existence, and there will be a sense of crisis.

  People living at the bottom have a strong sense of crisis, and their concept is different from that of bookworms.

  Although Hu San brought his whole family to Yiwu, he was still anxious in his heart. After all, moving the whole family wasn't a small matter. Although he trusted Zhou Jian's character very much, he was afraid that after coming to Yiwu, he would have nothing to do, which would be frustrating.

  Not long after entering the city, three attendants soon arrived with news.

  Chen Fang, Jiang Qin and Hu San's men were separately settled in three large courtyards.

  After the horses and men had settled down, the attendants took the three of them to see Zhou Jian at the county government office.

  Zhou Jian had received the news early and prepared a banquet in the inner courtyard of the county government office, waiting for the three to arrive.

  "See you later."

  The three men entered the inner hall and hastily stepped forward a few steps to pay their respects.

  Zhou Jian is now an official appointed by the imperial court, and not only is he no longer a commoner, but the way the three of them address each other has also changed.

  Only twenty attendants remained, and even when there were no outsiders, they still addressed Zhou Jian as "Young Master".

  Zhou Jian raised his hand and said, "Sit down, let's talk."

  Chen Fang and the other two finally turned around and sat down, while Jiang Qin couldn't help but take a few more glances at Dian Wei sitting next to Zhou Jian.

  Dian Wei's physique was quite large and his breathing was fierce, making him extremely eye-catching. Even Chen Gong and Hu Zhen were secretly sizing him up.

  Zhou Jian introduced the crowd, then pointed at Jiang Qin and said to Dian Wei: "These three people each have their own strengths, they are all my household generals. Hu San is good at forging knives and swords, Dian Wei, if you want a suitable weapon, you can ask Hu San to cast one for you."

  Dian Wei shot Hu San a sideways glance and said in a deep voice: "You're good at wielding knives, I'll entrust this to you."

  "Hu San hastily said: 'I dare not, but I will tell you the requirements, and let me try them.'"

  "Alright, let's talk about forging weapons later. I've called you all here this time because after this, I'm afraid there won't be another chance to return to Lujiang again. Moreover, this place isn't a place for long-term stay either. You all need to prepare to leave at any moment."

  "Sir, what do you mean by this?"

  Zhou Jian's eyes gleamed, and he said in a low voice: "You are all my trusted men, I won't hide it from you. It won't be long before the world is thrown into chaos. When the beacon fires are lit, even I will not be able to rest easy. Before we can find a place to settle down, we will have to roam about in all directions. Unless you want to stay here and live a peaceful life, you will also have to follow me on this journey."

  Chen Fang was stunned for a long time before he nodded and said: "I understand now."

  Jiang Qin's face was calm and unruffled, completely unmoved.

  For these rough and tumble men from humble origins, anywhere in the world can be home, and going wherever doesn't make much difference.