Chapter 73 - 66: Tongzhou Association

Chapter 73: Chapter 66: Tongzhou Association

It was just that realizing it now seemed a bit too late. However, at the time, no one had anticipated that Zheng Jun would rise to power so rapidly. Had they known this day would come, they would have dropped to their knees the moment he first visited them.

Seeing this, Ma Rou’Er also stepped forward graciously. She bowed respectfully to Zheng Jun and said, "Captain Zheng, if you do not mind Rou’Er’s weak strength, I am also willing to serve you and ask for a position."

Hearing this, Zheng Jun glanced at Du Ding and Ma Rou’Er. Ma Rou’Er seemed to have just completed one round of Blood Refining not long ago. As for Du Ding, he had already undergone Blood Refining two or three times. At his age, he was a good seedling and would step into Qi Storage sooner or later. There was even a sliver of possibility for him to reach Outer Gang. However, to Zheng Jun, neither of them could actually keep up with his pace. But...

"Please rise quickly, both of you."

Zheng Jun stepped forward and helped the bowing Ma Rou’Er and Du Ding to their feet. Then he said to them, "Both of you are outstanding talents of our Black Mountain County. How could I, Zheng Jun, be worthy of your allegiance? If I were to let two such capable individuals stoop to serve under my command, it would truly be a waste of your talents!"

Ma Rou’Er grew anxious upon hearing this. Just as she was about to say that even ’washing clothes and cooking’ would do, Ma Zhiyuan pulled her back.

Ma Rou’Er glanced at him in confusion. Ma Zhiyuan merely shook his head at her before stepping forward, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Captain Zheng, my son—Rou’Er’s father—was killed in the streets by the Vast Sea Sect years ago after getting into a fight! No one even collected his corpse! Now, hearing that Captain Zheng injured that Gao Jingxing with just two saber strikes, I immediately offered a sacrifice to my son to comfort his spirit in heaven.

"Our Ma Family Fist Hall has received a profound grace. We are willing to work like horses and oxen to repay Captain Zheng’s great kindness. I beg Captain Zheng not to decline!"

Hearing Ma Zhiyuan’s words, Du Ding was dumbfounded, and Ma Rou’Er was equally bewildered. It was true that her father had roamed the Jianghu and was killed after getting into a fierce fight with someone. But the killer was not from the Vast Sea Sect; he was just a passing Jianghu wanderer from Xuanzhou. That person was now an Outer Gang Martial Artist whom they did not dare to offend, so they simply pretended the incident had never happened. She wondered why her grandfather would claim he was killed by the Vast Sea Sect. Ma Rou’Er was slightly confused, but she was not stupid enough to deny it on the spot.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jun immediately said, "Since that is the case, I was just planning to establish a Personal Soldier Squad. I am only lacking a Crew Leader and a Decurion. I wonder if Brother Du is willing to enlist in the army?"

"I am willing."

Overjoyed by the offer, Du Ding hurriedly stood up and bowed. "A true man earns his merits and fame on horseback! If I have the honor of serving under Captain Zheng’s command, I am willing to spill my blood and fight until my dying breath!"

Hearing that Zheng Jun had accepted Du Ding, Ma Rou’Er also looked at him with a face full of anticipation. However, Zheng Jun looked at her, feeling a bit troubled. There were indeed female generals in the Great Zhou Army. But that was because those female generals possessed superb Martial Arts prowess, usually being Outer Gang Martial Artists; otherwise, they would not have been specially recruited. After all, mixing men and women in a military camp would inevitably lead to disciplinary problems and chaos in military management. The only solution would be for Zheng Jun to establish a special female soldier squad, but that was not very realistic either.

Therefore, under Ma Rou’Er’s burning gaze, Zheng Jun pondered for a moment before saying tactfully, "As for Miss Ma, you can act as my eyes and ears in the fist hall and provide me with some intelligence..."

"Ah?"

Ma Rou’Er couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed upon hearing this.

Just as Ma Zhiyuan was about to say something, Zheng Jun raised his hand and spoke. "In the past, Zhang Qingyu established the Qingshui Gang here. I, Zheng Jun, also wish to take over Zhang Qingyu’s old business. I wonder if the Ma Family Fist can lend me a helping hand?"

Hearing Zheng Jun’s words, Ma Zhiyuan froze for a moment before instantly understanding everything. Back then, the Qingshui Gang had been highly lucrative. When the Court raided them, they confiscated nearly ten thousand taels of silver from the Qingshui Gang’s hall! Zheng Jun had even confiscated nearly one thousand taels of pocket change from Zhang Qingyu’s paramour’s house and treated everyone to drinks. Therefore, Zheng Jun also wanted to inherit this operation. Of course, he wouldn’t engage in businesses like bullying commoners or collecting protection fees. The remaining ventures, such as escorting goods and trading, could still be taken over. Even if the revenue dropped sharply, it would still be a source of extra income.

"This..."

Du Ding was shocked upon hearing this, feeling a bit apprehensive. After all, everyone had seen what happened to the Qingshui Gang.

Ma Rou’Er was also somewhat hesitant, but at that moment, Ma Zhiyuan immediately scolded the two of them, "What are you afraid of?! We are not remnants of the Shattered Jade Sect. Have you colluded with Southern Chu?"

After reprimanding them, Ma Zhiyuan turned to Zheng Jun and said, "Captain Zheng, we accept this matter. What name do you think this gang should go by?"

"Let’s just call it the ’Tongzhou Association’." Zheng Jun casually came up with a name and said, "I hope everyone can cross the river in the same boat, practicing Martial Arts and growing stronger together."

Ma Zhiyuan nodded in agreement at once upon hearing this. Establishing a gang was not considered difficult at the current stage. At most, it would just mean changing the name of the Ma Family Fist Hall. These Martial Arts Halls were essentially just the foundational levels of a gang anyway. Only now, there was an additional umbrella over their heads—an umbrella from the Black Mountain Guard. Since ancient times, a backer with a military background was undoubtedly the strongest one could have. Their backer was far more powerful than the County Magistrate who had supported the Qingshui Gang back then! Thinking of this, Ma Zhiyuan brimmed with confidence!

Seeing Ma Zhiyuan in such high spirits, Zheng Jun thought of something else. He wondered what would happen if he also brought Xu Tianfang of the Xu family’s Martial Arts Hall and Luo Lei of the Nameless Martial Arts Hall into the fold.

"Hall Master Ma, you may head back first. When the County Soldiers are recruited, have Brother Du come over. In a few days, I will go meet Xu Tianfang and Luo Lei to discuss this matter together."

Zheng Jun waved his hand. The streets were crowded, and it was not good to talk too much here. After giving his instructions, Zheng Jun closed the door and headed toward his sister’s home.

Meanwhile, Ma Zhiyuan, Du Ding, and Ma Rou’Er remained where they were, their expressions a mix of complex emotions. Ma Rou’Er looked delighted, feeling that she had successfully joined Zheng Jun’s command; Du Ding’s expression was conflicted, hiding his inner thoughts. As for Ma Zhiyuan, his face was extremely solemn, countless thoughts swirling in his mind.