"Senior Brother!"
"Left Guardian!"
Seeing this, the two were greatly shocked. Zhang Ning hurried forward a step, placing her fingers on his wrist and neck.
A moment later, Zhang Ning's face was blank, ashen, and she slumped to the ground.
Zhang Mancheng had severed his own meridians and passed away!
"Senior Brother!!!"
Zhang Ning and Zhang Yan were heartbroken, kneeling by the bed, weeping uncontrollably.
To save Zhang Yan, Zhang Mancheng had exhausted his life's cultivation. Now knowing that living would only be a burden, he resolutely chose death.
Zhang Mancheng was Zhang Jiao's favorite disciple, and much older than Zhang Ning. Since childhood, he had treated Zhang Ning like his own daughter. With his death, Zhang Ning felt as if the only remaining relative in this world had also left her.
Church affairs were complicated, and Guan Hai was watching like a tiger. Where should they go in the future?
Zhang Ning's heart was filled with immense unease and fear.
No, I cannot be defeated like this. The will of Yellow Heaven, my father's last wish, cannot be destroyed in my hands!
Zhang Ning suppressed the grief in her heart, stood up, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and called out, "Someone!"
Soon after, several followers dressed as household servants walked in.
"The Left Guardian's old injuries relapsed, and he unfortunately passed away. My order is for him to be buried with full honors!"
"Ah! This..." The few followers were immediately stunned when they saw this.
"Take him away, and bury him with full... honors," Zhang Ning said with difficulty, suppressing her grief.
"Yes, may the Holy Maiden restrain your grief!" The few followers said, stepping forward to bow before Zhang Mancheng's body, and then carried his body away.
Zhang Ning wiped away her tears and said to Zhang Yan beside her, "A'Yan, I have a very important matter to entrust to you now."
Zhang Yan also wiped away his tears and replied, "Holy Maiden, please command. Your subordinate will not hesitate to go through fire and water!"
"I want you to leave Taiping Manor, gather the remnants of the Black Mountain forces, and also search for Taiping Village to find the Yellow Turban Warriors that Senior Brother mentioned!"
"How can this be?!" Zhang Yan was shocked. "I promised the Left Guardian that I would protect the Holy Maiden well. How can I leave alone and leave you here by yourself?"
Zhang Ning shook her head and said, "Don't worry, Guan Hai still needs to open the 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove', so he won't do anything to me. Your staying here is useless. Now that Guan Hai holds great power, more than half of the people in the church are his confidantes. He also has nearly one hundred thousand followers under his command. Once he makes a move, we won't be able to resist at all! Only if you leave and gather forces can you contend with him!"
"But, but how can your subordinate feel at ease leaving the Holy Maiden alone in a dangerous place?"
"A'Yan, listen, I can only give you half a year's time. Within half a year, you must find the Yellow Turban Warriors and expand the Black Mountain forces to one hundred thousand. Only then can we contend with Guan Hai."
As Zhang Ning spoke, she looked at Zhang Yan with an unquestionable gaze.
Zhang Yan met her eyes, and his heart couldn't help but tremble. Zhang Ning was clearly only a few years older than him, so why did she suddenly seem like a different person?
"Yes, your subordinate will strictly obey the Holy Maiden's command!"
"Also, don't go looking for trouble with that Zhang Chen. I know you have a close relationship with Niujiao, but Zhang Chen... is still useful to us. I still need to borrow his strength to help me restrain Guan Hai. Remember, everything must prioritize the overall situation, understand?"
"Yes, your subordinate will remember," Zhang Yan replied. "Holy Maiden, when your subordinate is not by your side, please... take care!"
After Zhang Yan finished speaking, he bowed to Zhang Ning and then withdrew.
Zhang Yan packed his bags and left Taiping Manor that very day, heading down the mountain alone.
Holy Maiden, you must wait for me to return!
...
Wei Commandery, Ye City.
Half a month had passed unknowingly. In these past few days, Zhang Chen could be said to be 'in high spirits from good news', as good news kept arriving, making him overjoyed.
First, the 'Call for Talents' had received a response. In just a few days, dozens of people came to apply.
Although Zhang Chen didn't know most of them, he had Ju Shou and Gao Shun assess their literary talent and martial arts respectively. Although these people couldn't compare to those famous historical generals, there were also many outstanding individuals among them, sufficient to serve as minor officers in the army or as petty officials in the Prefect's Residence.
However, among them, he had indeed recruited a famous person.
That day, when Ju Shou handed over the list, Zhang Chen's eyes swept over it and immediately lit up.
Gao Lan's name was prominently listed!
Gao Lan, one of the Hebei Four Pillars, his combat strength should not be weaker than the other three. Historically, he defected to Cao Cao along with Zhang He because Guo Tu slandered him. He should have had a great future like Zhang He, but unfortunately, he had bad luck. During the Battle of Runan, he encountered Liu Bei's top fierce general Zhao Yun and was killed beneath his horse.
It was precisely because of this that he seemed to have the least presence among the four, and was even categorized as a second-rate or even third-rate general.
Thinking about it, this person was indeed a bit regrettable.
Therefore, Zhang Chen immediately ordered someone to invite him in and personally met with him.
As soon as Gao Lan entered, Zhang Chen saw that he was eight feet tall, with a broad back and thick waist, and a robust physique. From a distance, one could tell he was a fierce man.
Zhang Chen then used his "Insight Eye" to carefully observe the traits on his body.
【Name: Gao Lan】
【Possessed Traits: Immense Strength (Purple), Pinnacle of Spear Skill (Gold), High Righteousness and Arrogant Bones (Gold), Hebei Four Pillars (Gold)】
【High Righteousness and Arrogant Bones (Gold)】: You are righteous, strong, and unyielding. Your subordinates are also influenced by you and possess the same character. (When appointed as a general, the defense of your subordinates is greatly increased)
【Hebei Four Pillars (Gold)】: One of the Hebei Four Pillars, you have a deep bond with each other and can obtain boosts to different attributes. (When in the same faction as Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Zhang He, defense is increased)
Like Zhang He, Gao Lan was also a general with three Gold traits, but his main focus was high defense and thick health!
This could also be seen from his burly figure and strong muscles.
More importantly, his subordinates could also greatly increase their defense.
If a heavy infantry unit were to be built in the future and led by him, one could imagine how terrifying it would be!
The second piece of good news was that the Han Family's promise was finally fulfilled.
However, what Zhang Chen didn't expect was that Han Fu actually ordered someone to deliver three appointment letters via eight hundred li urgent dispatch. The imperial seal was already stamped on them, but the name field was left blank. Zhang Chen could simply fill in the name of whoever he wanted to appoint.
Zhang Chen looked at these three appointment letters, on the one hand lamenting how powerful the methods of aristocratic families were to be able to do this, and on the other hand lamenting how corrupt the imperial court was to treat such a major matter as appointing and dismissing officials so casually!
However, this was good news for Zhang Chen.
Without a word, Zhang Chen picked up his brush and wrote down three names.
Ju Shou appointed as Magistrate of Guangping, Qian Zhao appointed as County Magistrate of Cheng'an, and Fang Ping appointed as County Magistrate of Linzhang County!
After the appointment letters were written, Zhang Chen immediately ordered someone to deliver them quickly to the three counties and hand them over to the three individuals.
By this time, the three counties were firmly in his hands.
After Zhang Chen dealt with the affairs of the three counties, he immediately drafted a list of promotions and transfers for a group of officials.
Tian Feng was appointed as the Officer of Officials, in overall charge of the Merit Officer and other departments.
Gao Lan was appointed as the Officer of Soldiers and Horses, assisting the Commandery Commandant Qu Yi in managing military affairs.
In addition to his original position as Army Sima, Zhang He also served as the Officer of Thieves, responsible for Ye City's city defense and security, as well as the capture of bandits and other matters.
Gao Shun was promoted from County Commandant of Guangping County to Army Sima, leading the "Trapped Camp" to Ye City for deployment, while the new army in Guangping was handed over to Ju Shou to command.
As for the other talented individuals who had applied, they were also given important civil and military positions according to their abilities.
By this point, Zhang Chen's core team had initially formed, and all affairs in the commandery began to operate in an orderly manner.
On this day, after Zhang Chen finished handling government affairs, someone suddenly reported that Dong Zhao, the County Magistrate of Yingtao County, was seeking an audience outside the gate.
Dong Zhao is back!
Presumably, he has brought back good news!