Chapter 5: Capturing Guan Yu

  Three major villages, these are three villages that do not engage in farming. The name of the three major villages can be seen from their role. Although this place is a barren land in the eyes of outsiders, after Zhang Xu's careful management, it can be said to be his foundation for starting a business. This is precisely the case with these three major villages.

  Salt-making village, as the name suggests, is a village that mainly produces salt. The role of this village is to produce salt, and it is also one of the villages closest to the sea. In ancient times, salt and iron were monopolized, and the price of salt was even ten times that of grain. Salt was also an important means for the country to obtain financial resources. Now that the world is in chaos, the salt industry of the Han Dynasty is not very developed. This method of producing edible salt is extremely ancient and naturally cannot be used on a large scale. Zhang Xu used the method of drying salt in salt fields, and the role of this salt-producing village can be imagined.

  Zhang Xu had never been to a salt farm, but he knew about the process of making salt. Although he didn't know how to do it himself, he had heard about it before. Many things were unknown to him, but that was only because he lacked the concept. When Zhang Xu used his clever followers and tried according to method, he naturally succeeded in restoring a part of modern salt-making techniques.

  Although this method is rough, without the help of chemical materials, it can only produce coarse salt for the time being. However, the method of making salt in a salt pan is still much more advanced than that of this era. Although the villagers who make salt do so during the few months when sunlight is most abundant, this modern method of making salt produces a fairly rich output every year. In recent years, many salt merchants from various provinces such as Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Jizhou have been smuggling salt through a series of methods, and in this process, although various families have taken away some benefits, the bulk of it still goes to Zhang Hui.

  It was because of this salt-making village that Zhang Xu had a large amount of funds in his hands, which supported the development of subsequent villages, including the workshop village and the smelting village, all of which relied on the funds obtained from salt production.

  Workshop village, this is also a very important village, many advanced agricultural tools are produced here, and some of Zhang Xu's ideas are also realized here. It is one of the most important villages in Qinglin Town. The weapons and equipment of the 500-strong guard team in Qinglin Town are all provided by this village.

  As for the smelting village, it is even more important and its role is so great that it's hard to imagine. The development of Qinglin Town on such a scale, the opening up of so much land, and the possession of many advanced tools are all thanks to the original materials from this village, which is also an important raw material supply base in Zhang Xu's hands.

  The smelting of iron, the firing of bricks and tiles, and the great killer cement, were all of great help to the construction of Yancun Salt Pan and Zhang Xu's planning for Qinglin Town.

  These three villages can be said to be the most important means in Zhang Xu's hands, and also his foundation, his capital. With the existence of these three villages, Zhang Xu dared to have such ambition in an era dominated by aristocratic families, with a humble origin and nothing at all.

  As the deputy head of the three major villages, Chen Gang was naturally Zhang Xu's most loyal follower. He was the first to stand up and speak in a flustered tone, which didn't come as a surprise to Zhang Xu, after all, he was considered a divine teacher by everyone. Now that they were discussing matters with the crowd, it was only natural that they would be shocked and intimidated. After all, they were used to Zhang Xu giving orders, and now suddenly wanting to discuss things, they didn't dare think too much about it.

  "Master Xianshi has given an order, we must complete it even if it means sacrificing our lives!"

  Everyone was busy and anxious.

  "Alright, this matter concerns things under your jurisdiction, so it's only natural that we need to investigate clearly before we can let it go. You don't have to panic!"

  Zhang Xu's face showed a smile, but in his heart he sighed: "Alas, these people are indeed very loyal, but their abilities still lack a bit!"

  "Please instruct, Master Xian."

  Many of the onlookers felt slightly more at ease, but still spoke with extreme reverence, saying that Zhang Xu's display of abilities had truly made them believe he was a divine being, and they naturally didn't dare to be slow in their actions.

  "Now our Qinglin Town's development has also reached its limit, Master Xian decided to expand the Guardian Squad after the harvest is complete. This expansion of the Guardian Squad is not a trivial matter, all of this needs to be prepared for now."

  Zhang Xu said in a low voice.

  "The immortal master is going to expand the guard team, this is a great thing!"

  The person in charge of Qinglin Town, who is also the deputy manager of external business operations, Wu Xinji, said with a smile. The other managers also showed joy on their faces. They had long wanted the immortal master to expand the guard team. This was not only to protect the immortal master but also to protect the disciples. The guard team was the most honorable disciple. The immortal master expanding the guard team was the glory of the disciples.

  "I plan to expand the guard team to one thousand people, this matter requires Vice Manager Li and the seven major farming villages to arrange, each selecting fifty people from the seven major villages, and selecting 150 militiamen from Qinglin Town, this matter is entrusted to you eight people!"

  Zhang Xu thought for a moment, but didn't plan to mobilize the manpower of the three villages after all. If they were to take down the county town, they would still need to make great progress, which would require the hard work and overtime of the three villages. The workforce was extremely tight, so it wasn't good to mobilize them.

  "Yes, Master Xianshi, we will definitely choose the most loyal and most refined followers!"

  The deputy director in charge of farming villages is named Li Ming. He said with respect, and the other seven managers also showed a happy expression.

  "This is the foundation, you must not be careless!"

  Zhang Xu reminded him of one thing.

  "Yes, Master Xian!"

  The eight of them hastily guaranteed, still looking somewhat frightened, afraid that the immortal master would not trust them. After all, they were in charge, which was an extremely honorable job, but they dared not to slack off at all.

  "Hmm!"

  Zhang Xu was still very reassured by these followers, the recruitment of soldiers was handed over to others to handle, and then he went on to instruct things one by one. The three major villages had a total of four people in charge, who needed to supervise the preparation of all necessary resources. Next year, they would have to use troops, and this matter could not be delayed.

  Three officials in charge of Qinglin Town and foreign affairs, the burden is also very heavy, need to do a good job of coordination, but also need to do a good job of reconnaissance on the county situation, as well as the purchase of some personnel, after occupying the county's series of follow-up things, and the official government needs to be in good communication. Now Qinglin Town's foundation is still thin, although Huangjin Army is rioting seriously in Qingzhou, the power of the official government is weak, but it is also not dare to call attention to it.

  After the division of labor was completed, everyone discussed some details and then kowtowed to the god statue, offering incense. This was a farewell gesture. The god statue housed Zhang Xuan's spiritual soul, which living people could not absorb. This was a method that Zhang Xuan had explored, using the god statue to expand his spiritual soul, with considerable effect.

  "Now things have been arranged, just wait for Guan Yu to surrender!"

  A faint smile, absorbing the divine soul from the statue, feeling that his own divine soul had grown a lot, even the cloud energy on his head was more majestic. A faintly satisfied smile, then again, he split off a strand of divine soul and merged it into the statue.

  "General Wu Zhong, you can get rid of him at Master Xian's place!"

  As he walked out of the thatched hut, Guan Hai couldn't help but feel a little tense. Although he knew he was highly valued by Zhang Xu, after conducting some investigation and discovering the power possessed by Qinglin Town, he felt somewhat uneasy. After all, in his heart, Zhang Xu's position had undergone significant changes.

  "The young boy reported back, 'General Guan Hai wants to pay his respects to the immortal master!'"

  The gate creaked open and Tongzi Zhang Liu stuck out his head, seeing that it was Wu Zhong, he walked out. Wu Zhong slightly bowed his hands at the moment.

  "General Wu Zhong doesn't have to wait any longer, the Great Master has given his orders. If the General brings General Guan Hai along, they can enter and pay their respects!"

  "General Wu Zhong, please!"

  Zhang Liu opened one of the doors of the thatched cottage and stood solemnly to one side, his right hand on the door and his left beckoning him in.

  "General Guan Yu, the immortal master has seen us, let's enter together!"

  Wu Zhong's face broke into a smile.

  "Ah!"

  Guan Hai also slightly let out a breath of relief upon hearing this. His previous worries instantly dissipated into thin air.

  "Is General Guan Yu willing to offer incense?"

  Entering the thatched cottage, Wu Zhong saw Zhang Xu's immortal master statue. He slightly respectfully kowtowed and lit incense to worship the statue before standing up. Guan Hai didn't hesitate, took a deep breath and said: "I am willing!"

  At this moment, he didn't hesitate, with a very solemn expression, he bowed to Zhang Xu, then knelt down and kowtowed. Instantly, the virtual line on his head solidified and became extremely thick, connecting directly to the statue of the god. After the transformation in the statue, it landed on Zhang Xu's body behind him who was quietly cultivating.

  Zhang Xu suddenly opened his eyes and smiled slightly: "Guan Hai has been subdued!"

  He immediately stopped doing his homework and stood up. Under the service of Tongzi Zhang Yao, he walked into the main hall of the thatched cottage.

  "Greetings, Master Xian!"

  Wu Zhong slightly respectfully said, then Guan Hai also reverently saluted Zhang Xu, obviously having thoroughly submitted and become a follower of Zhang Xu.

  Feeling the extremely thick incense faith cloud gas provided by Guan Hai, even if Zhang Xu knew that there would be a change, he was secretly amazed in his heart. At this time, the cloud gas rolled over and became more severe. If someone could see the aura, they would naturally see that the cloud gas on top of Zhang Xu's head had already become extremely white and dense, as if it had solidified. This was extremely frightening. According to the flow of air, this meant that he had already reached the peak of the common people's aura, and next, he could dominate a county as a high-ranking official.

  Feeling the change in the cloud energy above his head, Zhang Xu also took a subtle deep breath and secretly thought: "This conquest of Guan Hai has actually caused such a change in my cloud energy. It seems that after rectifying the army, the timing for attacking the county city has indeed arrived!"

  He smiled slightly and said, "Please get up, both of you!"

  "Great Immortal Master, save Guan Hai's life! From now on, Guan Hai will be the Great Immortal Master's disciple. Please accept him!"

  Guan Hai extremely respectfully bowed again and said.

  "Good!"

  Zhang Xu's smile reassured him, and Guan Hai completely relaxed. Everything in Qinglin Town met his expectations. For Zhang Xu, it was a matter of boundless admiration, replacing the position of Da Xianliang Shi. After all, although Zhang Jiao's magical powers were strong and almost reached the level of an immortal, they had not brought the Yellow Turban Army the life they had promised. But in Zhang Xu, he saw hope...

  PS: New author and new book, requesting everyone's recommendation votes and collection support!