"You... do you know who I am? I am Zhang from Taoyuan, and I am the son-in-law of the magistrate of Ruifeng County. I advise you to let me go, otherwise you will be in trouble."

Ma Lian kicked him and said, "You are a noble family, so great! Believe it or not, I will kill you."

After saying that, he drew out a knife and pointed it at Zhang Zeshan's neck.

Zhang Zeshan couldn't hold it anymore. The gleaming blade made his hair stand on end. If he was stabbed by the knife, he would really die.

A smell of urine wafted out.

Pei Yun was speechless. Is he so cowardly? He was so scared that he peed his pants.

Weren't you quite tough just now?

Ma Lian said: "Boss, there is no point in keeping this pretty boy, why not just kill him directly."

When Zhang Zeshan heard this, he collapsed to the ground.

"Don't... don't kill me. My family is rich. I can give you money. Please don't kill me!"

Pei Yun smiled and said, "How much money can your family afford to redeem you?"

"One... one thousand taels?"

Pei Yun squatted down and patted his face. "Your life, Master Zhang, is only worth one thousand taels?"

"So...how much do you want?"

"One hundred thousand taels."

Zhang Zeshan was shocked and cried, "My Zhang family doesn't have that much money. There was an epidemic in Taoyuan County and my family fled. All our money was robbed and we can't get it out at all."

"Don't you have a wide network of contacts and connections? If you can't afford it, you can borrow from other noble families."

"There are so many noble families in Ruifeng County and Taoyuan County. If you borrow 10,000 taels from each family, then 10 families will have 100,000 taels."

Zhang Zeshan nodded and said, "I'm afraid those nobles won't lend it to me."

"That's your Zhang family's business."

Pei Yun stood up. He had finally caught a fat sheep, so he would definitely blackmail him. Isn't that what bandits do?

He looked at the two trembling servants and said, "You two go back and tell Zhang Zhen that I have kidnapped Zhang Zeshan. Ask him to prepare 100,000 silver coins to redeem him."

Zhang Zeshan was stunned. "You know my name and my father?"

Even Li Kui doesn't know his name.

How did the bandit leader of Yiyun Village know this?

"Return to the village!"

Pei Yun ignored Zhang Zeshan's question and shouted, and immediately everyone escorted the people from the Black Wind Village down the mountain.

Zhang Zeshan was temporarily safe and breathed a sigh of relief. No matter whether his father could borrow money or not, at least he was safe until the bandit got the money.

After rolling his eyes, Zhang Zeshan had some ideas.

"Good man, you are not that old, but you have become the leader of Yiyun Village. I think you have some outstanding qualities. But being a bandit is not a long-term solution."

Pei Yun glanced at him. "So?"

Zhang Zeshan said hurriedly, "I hit it off with the hero right away. I was just angry at your men's bragging in Black Wind Village just now, so I spoke out. In fact, the people I respect most in my life are the heroes of the outlaws. You can ask Li Kui how I treat him?"

Seeing that Pei Yun didn't say anything, Zhang Zeshan continued, "I am also thinking about the good guys. There is no future in being a bandit. The class structure of the court is rigid and the barriers are strict. It is impossible to get ahead by robbing and looting."

"Even if you are a martial arts expert and can dominate the mountains and forests, you are still not allowed to be seen in public. Once you are targeted by the government, it will be a disaster."

Zhang Zeshan shook his head, a look of regret on his face.

Pei Yun smiled and said, "So you want to recruit me to work for your Zhang family? Just like Li Kui did to help you do some shady things, right?"

Zhang Zeshan's face straightened, "My dear, that's not what I meant. The world is now ruled by the nobles. Only by relying on the power of the nobles can we have a real place to settle down."

"Although my Zhang family is far away in Taoyuan County, we have connections in the court. If you are willing to follow me, I can guarantee that you will live a life of wealth and glory. When I become an official, your status as my bodyguard will be incomparable."

"Perhaps I can even find you a leisurely official position. From now on, not only you, but also your descendants will be superior people. This is no better than you being a bandit."

"Even if you recruit all the bandits and become the only mountain king, what does it matter?"

“Prejudice in people’s hearts is like a mountain. No matter how hard you try, you can’t move it.”

"Even if you don't rob houses, even if you rob the rich to give to the poor, even if you help others, you still can't change this prejudice."

"In the eyes of the world, you are still a bandit, your descendants are all bandits, and your descendants are all bandits. You have no ability to change your fate, but now that you have met me, the opportunity to change your fate has come."

"That's all I have to say. Whether you stay in the mountains and continue to live a life of poverty and hunger, or follow me out to enjoy wealth and glory, all depends on a hero's decision."

After Zhang Zeshan finished speaking, he put his hands behind his back with a proud look on his face.

He believed that Pei Yun would make the right choice. Not everyone had the opportunity to come into contact with the aristocratic families like them.

Zhang Zeshan still vividly remembers Li Kui's ecstatic expression when the Zhang family approached him.

As long as a bandit is ambitious and far-sighted, he will never refuse the olive branch thrown by the nobles.

Of course, Zhang Zeshan didn't really want to recruit Pei Yun, he just wanted to keep him stable. It would be best if he could trick Pei Yun into sending him to Ruifeng County, so that the officials could catch him at that time.

How could Zhang Zeshan have bandit guards around him? Even if he did find guards, they would have clean family backgrounds.

Bandits, the lowest scum of society, are not worthy of being his guards.

Pei Yun didn't expect Zhang Zeshan to be so talkative. He was buzzing like a fly and was a bit annoying.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!