Under One Person: Rebuilding the Glory of the Beast Master

Chapter 64 Request

San Du'ao Wharf remains busy today.

Goods from all over the country are loaded and unloaded here.

Zeng Su walked along the dock in a white robe, and many people on the dock nodded to him. The Sanyi Sect held a very high status in the area, and people respected these Taoist priests.

It's not that only those of the Zhengyi and Quanzhen schools are considered Taoists. Anyone who seeks immortality and asks the Dao can be called a Taoist. It's just that the Sanyi School doesn't call itself a Taoist school but a Xuan School, so they can be called cultivators or Xuan scholars. Of course, it's also acceptable for others to call them Taoist masters.

"Oh my, Master Zeng, you've actually come!" A portly middle-aged man on the dock ran over to Zeng Su as if he were flying, his expression like that of a young wife who hadn't seen her husband for many days.

"Boss Zhang." Zeng Su greeted the middle-aged man with a cupped-hand salute, recognizing him.

Boss Zhang's real name is Zhang Defu. He is a wealthy merchant with a family lineage that dates back to the Ming Dynasty, and his family is still very prominent.

Moreover, one of Zhang Defu's grandfather's elders had once studied under a master at the Sanyi Sect, but after several years of trying, he failed to achieve the Reverse Life Triple Level and returned home to continue his business.

However, this established a connection between the Zhang family and the Trinity Sect, making the Zhang family one of the Trinity Sect's financial backers. The Trinity Sect would help resolve some of the Zhang family's thorny issues, but of course, these issues couldn't violate social conscience or national laws.

Zeng Su met Zhang Defu three months ago when he was collecting lightning-struck feed for Fei Peng.

At that time, Zhang Defu encountered a thorny problem: he had a batch of goods that needed to be transported to Zhejiang quickly. Originally, there was no problem, but who knew that the sea was too rough, which caused the ship to arrive several days late. Moreover, the roads that were usually used in Zhejiang were in chaos. It was like adding insult to injury, and he didn't know what to do.

This shipment consists of a box of medicine weighing approximately 100 kilograms, which is extremely precious. It was specially imported from Europe and has an expiration date. If the goods are not delivered on time and spoil, the company will suffer huge losses in terms of cost, penalties, and shipping fees.

Zhang Defu also knew where the extraordinary person was, so he asked around to find out which extraordinary person could travel a thousand miles a day.

But it's not that easy. There are quite a few people in the country who can travel a thousand miles a day, but finding one on short notice is troublesome. Besides, even if you find one, it's another matter whether you can actually get them to come.

Zeng Su happened to hear about this and offered to take care of it. The hundred or so catties of goods were just the right amount for Fei Peng to handle. Although Fei Peng couldn't read a map, it knew the way to Lujia Town.

It just so happened that Zhang Defu also had businesses in Lujia Town, so Fei Peng grabbed the goods and a letter and sped off towards Lujia Town. The round trip of more than a thousand miles took less than four hours, and during this time Fei Peng even had a simple meal in Lujia.

This was a lifesaver for Zhang Defu, and it also made him realize that Zeng Su had such means to transport goods over long distances, even while flying in the sky, without any safety concerns.

Fei Peng got ten large yellow croakers in that one trip. The money was too easy to earn, and it made up for the shortage of medicinal materials needed for the lightning-struck feed.

At this moment, Zhang Defu ran up to Zeng Su, his chubby face beaming with smiles, rubbing his hands together in front of him, looking eager...

He seemed hesitant to speak.

"Boss Zhang, just say what's on your mind. There's no need to hide anything," Zeng Su said, looking at Zhang Defu with his hands behind his back. He had other business to attend to at the dock today and didn't have time to chat with Zhang Defu.

"Master Zeng, it's like this—" Zhang Defu pulled a letter from his sleeve and respectfully handed it over. "Ever since I witnessed Master Zeng's skills, I've been deeply impressed. I originally intended to visit the Sanyi Sect in person, but fortunately, I was able to meet you at the dock today."

Zeng Su ignored the other party's flattery, took the envelope and opened it. There weren't many words written on the letter, but after glancing at it, he knew why Zhang Defu had come to see him.

"You want me to go and rescue people?" Zeng Su handed the envelope back.

"Yes, Immortal Master Zeng, after much thought, the only one I can easily do is you, Immortal Master."

Zhang Defu rubbed his hands together, and the smile on his chubby face faded, revealing a hint of seriousness.

"Master Zeng, to be honest, if this matter succeeds, you will be my great benefactor," he said, lowering his voice and leaning closer, "and also a great benefactor to our community."

He pointed to the ground beneath his feet.

Zeng Su looked at him, unconvinced by those two sentences. What benefactor or not? Some things can't be believed just because someone says them a few words.

The docks were bustling with people. Porters carrying bags walked past them, shouting their work songs. In the distance, several foreign steamships were billowing black smoke as they sailed out of the harbor, their whistles drifting in the sea breeze.

"Let's go inside and talk." Zeng Su turned and walked towards a teahouse by the dock.

Zhang Defu quickly followed.

The teahouse was small, with two floors. The second-floor window seats offered a view of the entire dock. Zhang Defu quickly went in first and asked the waiter to bring the best tea and snacks.

He thoughtfully pulled out a chair for Zeng Su, and only after Zeng Su sat down did he carefully sit down opposite him.

"Boss Zhang, I'd like to understand what you're saying before making any plans," Zeng Su said after taking a sip of his tea.

The letter contained very little information. He was willing to do some things if he could, but he needed to understand the reasons behind them.

Upon hearing Zeng Su's words, Zhang Defu knew that the matter was feasible, so he took out two photos from his pocket and placed them on the table, one on each side.

Zeng Su looked down.

On the left is a man in his thirties, with a square face, wearing round-framed glasses, tightly pursed lips, and messy hair. He's dressed in a white lab coat, exuding the air of a laboratory researcher. On the right is a man in his early fifties, with a thin face, high cheekbones, and sharp, shrewd eyes.

"These two men are Zhou Mingyuan and Chen Hansheng," Zhang Defu said, pointing to the photo. "Mr. Zhou is a gunpowder expert who worked at the Royal Institution in the UK, specializing in smokeless gunpowder formulations. Mr. Chen is a mechanical engineer who worked at the Krupp factory in Germany for thirteen years and has extensive knowledge of artillery design and shell fuse technology."

He paused, then looked up at Zeng Su: "Master Zeng, you should understand the value of these two gentlemen!"

By the way, Zhang Defu didn't know that Zeng Su was only 9 years old. On the surface, Zeng Su was just a teenager, but in Zhang Defu's mind, these extraordinary people were all remarkable, and they should be treated with respect regardless of their age.

Zeng Su's gaze lingered on the two portraits for a moment. He understood, of course.

In this era, China's military technology lagged far behind the West. The artillery that they could manufacture had short range and poor accuracy, and the shells often misfired. Furthermore, the gunpowder formula was controlled by foreigners. Chinese experts like Zhou Mingyuan and Chen Hansheng, who had worked their way up from the West, were few and far between in the entire country, and their value was immeasurable.

"How did they get back?" Zeng Su asked, wanting to know more clearly.

"It's a long story, the young marshal in the north—" Zhang Defu didn't hide anything from Zeng Su and told him everything.

"That person had been planning this for several years, and contacted Mr. Zhou and Mr. Chen through several channels. Although the two gentlemen were well treated in the West, they were working for foreigners after all, and they had long wanted to return to serve their country."

At the end of last year, both sides finally reached an agreement. This spring, the two gentlemen resigned, disguised themselves, and set off separately from England and Germany, traveling halfway around the world before meeting in Shanghai in August.

"Then they were detained," Zhang Defu said with a wry smile. "Those people have noses like dogs; they spotted the two gentlemen the moment they landed. They weren't detained openly; they weren't even allowed to leave their hotel before being 'invited' to a villa in the French Concession. 'Invited' was really just house arrest."

Zeng Su picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then asked, "Was it done by the French?"

"Not entirely." Zhang Defu shook his head. "On the surface, it was the French Concession police who took them away, but the Japanese were the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes. The Japanese have considerable influence in the French Concession. They had been keeping an eye on Mr. Zhou and Mr. Chen's whereabouts, and as soon as they landed, they used their connections to get things done with the police. The French Concession didn't want to offend the Japanese, and they didn't want these two gentlemen to go north to help develop their military industry, so they simply went along with it and detained them."

Why didn't the Japanese just take the person away?

"We wouldn't dare," Zhang Defu said bluntly. "The French Concession is French territory. No matter how arrogant the Japanese are, they still have to give the French some face. If we forcibly take the two gentlemen away, it would be a slap in the face to the French, and it would be difficult to explain diplomatically. Moreover, Marshal Zhang has also sent people there, so they can only keep the people trapped in the concession, not letting them leave or allowing outsiders to contact them, and just keep them there."

Zhang Defu was silent for a moment, then looked up at Zeng Su and said, "The two gentlemen are not having a good time in the mansion. Mr. Zhou has lung disease and needs to take his medicine on time. He has stopped taking his medicine for almost a month now, and his cough is getting worse and worse. Mr. Chen is in better physical condition, but he is also exhausted and listless. If this drags on any longer, I'm afraid he will suffer." He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.

Zeng Su put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table. "You want me to rescue them? How? By storming into the French Concession? By directly confronting the Japanese and French?"

If Zhang Defu dared to say that, he would slap Zhang Defu twice.

Zhang Defu quickly waved his hand: "Master Zeng, you misunderstand. How could I let you force your way in? You don't need to do anything. Just wait in a certain place in the French Concession. After our people bring the two gentlemen out, we only ask that you quickly escort them out of Shanghai to our meeting point. That's all."

"Master Zeng, if you still have any concerns, we can still—" Zhang Defu quickly continued. This matter was dangerous no matter what, and if Zeng Su was unwilling, there was nothing he could do. However, he still wanted to try again.

But before he could finish speaking, Zeng Su raised his hand to stop him from continuing.

Then Zeng Su spoke up, saying, "Boss Zhang, I'll take this job."

Zhang Defu's eyes lit up instantly, and the flesh on his face twitched twice: "Master Zeng, you..." "But I have three conditions." Zeng Su held up three fingers.

"Go ahead and say what you want, I'll agree to any conditions." Zhang Defu nodded repeatedly.

"First, I want fifty-eight pieces of top-quality jade, the really good stuff."

Zhang Defu paused for a moment, but quickly nodded: "Okay, I happen to have a batch of jadeite imported from Myanmar that is of high quality."

"Wait, if it doesn't meet your requirements, I'll go find some right away."

"Okay, that's fine." Zeng Su didn't rule out the possibility entirely. "Secondly, I'm doing this, but it doesn't represent the Sanyi Sect. I'm acting in my personal capacity, and it has nothing to do with the sect, so only you and I know this, and it can't be revealed to anyone else."

Zhang Defu nodded hurriedly, "Of course, of course. If I, Zhang Defu, were to go around spreading rumors, may I be struck by lightning."

"Third," Zeng Su held up his third finger, paused, "I can save people, but if I encounter unavoidable obstacles, I will prioritize my own safety. I will do my best to ensure the safety of the two gentlemen, but I cannot guarantee it."

Zhang Defu remained silent for a moment, his fat face trembling slightly.

"Alright," he said. "I understand that principle. Master Zeng, it's already a great favor that you've helped. If anything happens, it's fate."

Zeng Su nodded and turned to walk towards the stairwell.

"Master Zeng!" Zhang Defu called out from behind, "When are you setting off?"

Zeng Su did not turn around, but simply pointed to the top of his head.

Outside the window, a small dark shadow was hovering high in the sky.

Flying tumbleweed.

"Now," he said.

Zhang Defu was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly pulled out a stack of things from his pocket and caught up: "This is the information and letter of the two gentlemen, as well as the contact information of the person in Shanghai. You only need to take this letter to the contact person, and you don't need to worry about the rest."

Zeng Su took the stack of things, quickly flipped through them, and stuffed them into his pocket.

"And another thing," Zhang Defu pulled out another document and handed it over, "this pass is valid in all the concessions in Shanghai. If you encounter any questions, just show this pass and it will make things much easier."

Zeng Su took the pass and flipped it open. There was a photo on it, but it was so blurry that the face was not visible. He could only vaguely confirm that it was a young man. The following pages were written in several languages.

He carefully put away his pass and went down the stairs.

Zhang Defu followed to the stairwell and was about to help her down when Zeng Su raised his hand to stop him.

"Boss Zhang, you just wait here. No need to see me off."

Zhang Defu stood at the top of the stairs, his chubby face filled with complex expressions. He then solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Master Zeng, please take good care of yourself."

"Forehead!"

Zeng Su shook his head. The feeling that this hero was destined to go and never return made him feel very uncomfortable, but he was too lazy to say anything more to the other party.

However, before doing this, he didn't forget what he was supposed to do at the dock: buy feed for the pigs and chickens in the animal pen.

After agreeing with the shop owner to deliver the feed to Sanyi Gate, he and Feipeng flew to Shanghai.

If things go smoothly, I should be able to make it back to Sanyimen for breakfast tomorrow!