Zhang Chen said, patting Steward Wu on the shoulder.
Steward Wu couldn't help but be stunned. The Young Master was clearly only in his teens, yet why did his words today make people feel so at ease?
"Young Master, please rest assured. This old servant will do his best and will not fail your high expectations."
Zhang Chen smiled and nodded. Steward Wu then bowed and retreated.
Zhang Chen immediately closed his eyes again and fell into silent contemplation.
Since the business matters were left to Steward Wu, why not take this opportunity to travel around and get to know more people?
Having read the Three Kingdoms thoroughly, he naturally knew that the Ji Province area was full of talented individuals. The 'Hebei Four Pillars', Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, and Gao Lan, were all top-notch fierce generals. In terms of civil officials, there were also Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Shen Pei, Xu You, and others. Although they had a tendency for infighting, each of them could be considered resourceful and cunning.
If not for these people, how could Yuan Shao dominate four provinces and achieve hegemony?
At present, the chaotic world has not yet fully emerged, and these people are still hidden in the wilderness, unknown to others. If he could get ahead of others and recruit them under his command, why would he worry about failing in the future? Even if he couldn't recruit them, leaving a good impression on them would be beneficial.
Hmph! In this life, since Ji Province has me, there's no business for you, Yuan Benchu!
However, the book did not detail the residences of these people, so where should he look for them?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but ponder deeply.
Right, news spreads most widely in the streets and alleys. Gao Shun has been wandering the streets for a long time and might know some clues.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen immediately summoned Gao Shun.
Of course, he didn't state his true intentions, only saying that he had always admired virtuous talents and asked if there were any wandering knights or Scholars living in seclusion nearby so he could visit them. This way, if he encountered any difficulties in the future, he would have more connections.
After hearing this, Gao Shun did not doubt him and said after a moment of thought, "Gongzi, as you ask, this subordinate does remember one person. This person is skilled in archery and horsemanship and is quite martial. He also has eight hundred private soldiers under his command, all of whom are brave and fierce!"
"He even has private soldiers!" Zhang Chen couldn't help but be surprised upon hearing this.
Zhang Chen naturally knew that raising private soldiers was akin to rebellion, which was a serious crime in every dynasty.
But the Han Dynasty at this time was already rotten beyond repair, and selling officials and titles was commonplace. Keeping some troops under one's command, as long as one did not openly commit acts of rebellion and smoothed things over with the various levels, no one would pay attention.
Private soldiers were different from mountain bandits or ruffians; they were properly trained.
Zhang Chen was inwardly surprised and immediately asked, "Who is this person, and where does he live? Brother Gao, please tell me quickly."
"Ten li east of the city, there is a Qu Family Village. The village master is named Qu Yi. It is said that this person comes from West Liang, and in his early years, he fought against the Qiang, is familiar with their tactics, and is very skilled in archery and martial arts."
"Qu Yi!" Zhang Chen was inwardly shocked.
It's him! If that's the case, then those eight hundred private soldiers are the famous 'First to Ascend Soldiers'!
In the Battle of Jieqiao, Qu Yi, with eight hundred First to Ascend, utterly defeated Gongsun Zan's more than ten thousand cavalry, including his most elite 'White Horse义Cong'! After that battle, Gongsun Zan never recovered and was soon destroyed by Yuan Shao.
It's a pity that after this battle, he became arrogant due to his achievements and didn't put Yuan Shao in his eyes, eventually being killed by Yuan Shao.
I never expected such a person to be right beside me.
No matter what, I must go and visit him.
"Xiaofu, prepare a generous gift for me. Tomorrow, come with me to visit Village Master Qu."
"Understood!" Gao Shun accepted the order and left.
Early the next morning, as soon as Zhang Chen woke up, he heard a System notification sound.
【Ding! Transaction with Wang Family's textile business successful, obtained 50,000 silver. Triggered the 'Good Fortune' effect, increasing profit by 100%, silver +100,000!】
【Ding! Purchased 500 shi of grain, spent 30,000 silver. Triggered the 'Managing the Business Well' effect, decreasing cost by 20%, silver -24,000! Grain quality upgraded to fine grain, price increased by 20%!】
Haha! The combined effect of these two entries is truly powerful!
【Managing the Business Well】 not only reduces costs but also improves the quality of goods. When the quality of goods improves, the price increases, and 【Good Fortune】 can increase the final profit by 100%. This combination of punches has more than doubled the original profit. How could the Zhang Family not prosper?
Zhang Chen was full of satisfaction. He absolutely believed that in the near future, Steward Wu would give him a rather astonishing result!
And by then, his 'noble person' should also be arriving soon.
While he was thinking, Gao Shun came to see him, saying that the gift was ready and asking when they should go to visit Qu Yi.
Without further delay, Zhang Chen immediately had Gao Shun prepare the carriage. They left the mansion and headed straight out of the city.
Zhang Chen sat in the carriage, closing his eyes and concentrating, pondering inwardly.
Although Qu Yi did not appear much in the Three Kingdoms, he still knew about him.
This person first served Han Fu, and later betrayed Han Fu and switched to Yuan Shao. If one were to speak of loyalty and righteousness, this person would definitely not be considered loyal or righteous. However, if one were to say 'a good bird chooses its tree to perch on', this person did have some insight into people.
Understanding the situation and choosing to abandon the dark and turn to the light indicates that this person is driven by profit. Preparing a generous gift would not be wrong.
Gao Shun drove the carriage galloping on the official road. Zhang Chen sat in the carriage, and the 'ding ding' sound in his ears was incessant.
In just this short time, Zhang Chen had heard the System notifications one after another.
It seemed that Steward Wu was doing very well. In just one day, he had already concluded several large transactions. Under the effect of 【Good Fortune】, Zhang Chen was making a huge profit and was very pleased!
However, the constant 'ding ding' notification sound in his ears was also extremely annoying. Zhang Chen immediately summoned the System and asked if the notifications could be turned off.
The System naturally humanely agreed to Zhang Chen's request and also added an 【Assets】 page, which Zhang Chen could summon at any time to view his asset value.
"Whoa!" With a pull of the reins, Zhang Chen only heard a horse neigh, and the entire carriage shook violently.
"What happened!"
Zhang Chen was greatly alarmed and was about to get out of the carriage when suddenly, with a 'whoosh', an arrow shot into the carriage, grazing past Zhang Chen.
Then, there was a series of clanging sounds of weapons clashing.
"Gongzi, be careful, there are assassins!"
Before he finished speaking, he heard a few muffled thuds, as if something had landed on the roof of the carriage.
The next second, with a 'crack', the entire carriage was torn apart from the middle. Zhang Chen lost his balance and immediately rolled down from the carriage.
At this moment, on the hillside to one side, more than a dozen masked figures in black suddenly appeared. Each held a bow and arrow and immediately drew their bows to shoot at them.
In an instant, arrows rained down.
Gao Shun quickly shielded Zhang Chen, blocking the arrows left and right with his saber, deflecting each one. He then grabbed one and threw it back.
With a muffled groan, a man in black was hit by the arrow and rolled down the hillside.
Immediately after, Gao Shun leaped onto the hillside and began to fight with the men in black.
And just then, more than a dozen masked figures in black suddenly surged out from both ends of the official road!
Each of them held a steel saber and charged towards Zhang Chen.
Insight Eye, activate!
Zhang Chen activated his Insight Eye, and the information of these people immediately appeared before him.
【Name: Liu Erhu】
【Owned Entries: Bandit (White), Three-legged Cat (White)】
【Name: Ding Ernui】
【Owned Entries: Bandit (White), Low-level Thug (White)】
...
Bah! They're all trash, none of them can fight! Hmm?!
Zhang Chen's gaze swept around, and he suddenly discovered a few unusual people.
【Name: Huang Yong】
【Owned Entries: Servant (White), Roughly Proficient in Boxing (White)】
【Name: Huang Meng】
【Owned Entries: Servant (White), Low-level Thug (White)】
...
Servant? And surnamed Huang? Hmph! Very good, very good indeed!
Zhang Chen smiled slightly, immediately took a step towards the person closest to him, and struck as fast as lightning, punching him right on the bridge of his nose.
The blue entry 【Superhuman Strength】 can significantly increase strength. With this punch, it immediately broke the person's nasal bone, and blood immediately gushed out.
Zhang Chen took the opportunity to snatch the waist saber and swung it back at the few people behind him.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!" Weapons clashed, and the few people only felt a surge of immense force. Their palms were numb from the shock, and they immediately couldn't hold their sabers.
At this moment, Zhang Chen had already caught up in one step. Without waiting for the few people to react, he directly raised his saber and brought it down, slitting the throats of the four people.
Blood splattered, leaving a beautiful arc on the walls on either side.
I... I killed someone...!!!