The Great Seminary

Chapter 163 The Treasure Under the Lamp
As the old saying goes, those who are involved are often confused.

After hearing Chu Tuantuan's reminder, he thought about the poor condition of King Zhen's new army on Xianrong Island. They had suffered heavy losses and were almost wiped out, but they finally broke through Seoul.

I used to think that it was probably because of the unfathomable Mr. Yin and his fellow disciples’ strenuous support that the situation was finally reversed.

But now think about it, in fact, Yuanshan's national strength is still higher than Ming and Song, and there must be no shortage of top-level or even top-level strongmen in the country.

The first time I suffered a loss was because I was not prepared. How could I fall into the same pit twice!
After pondering for a long time with a gloomy expression, Zhang Gui frowned and said:
“Brother Tuantuan, what you said is very likely.

But even if it is true, this is an "open conspiracy" targeting human weaknesses.

There is no way to break it.

Even because it concerns some unspeakable dark thoughts of the 'Current Emperor'.

Most people can’t talk about it.

What can I do?"

Chu Tuantuan smiled bitterly and nodded:

"That's why I came to you.

Now the news about Xianrong Island has caught the attention of the bigwigs in the inner court.

Siyang County is the Ming and Song Dynasty county closest to Xianrong Island;

The Longmen Port Authority was once the most powerful local tyrant in Siyang County.

I am the most loyal and righteous person in the Longmen Port Authority, and the most versatile person in dealing with people outside.

So it is said that the eunuch Yang Gong Sanchun, who was in charge of the internal affairs, personally selected a general from among the lame men.

I was appointed as the new chief eunuch of the Longmen Port Bureau.

Then, because the current emperor felt that the "Fengwen Division" alone was not effective enough, he issued a secret decree to re-establish the East Factory.

I once again became the "big obstacle" of the East Factory in Siyang County.

But apart from the seals and imperial edicts, not a single penny was taken away.

It's like wanting the horse to run, but not eating grass.

I was so worried that I thought about it and it came to my mind: you.

Trying to get some free information.

First deal with the three things a new official will do when taking office.

After some inquiries, I found out that you happened to have returned from Xianrong Island.

By the way, you have been back not for one day, but for three days and three nights.

I can sleep really well.”

"Have I slept for so long? No wonder it feels like time has sped up."

Zhang Gui showed a look of surprise.

While distractedly sensing the various changes in the nine islands of 'Heavenly Creations' in the East Inland Sea;

While saying:
"You want to know from me the inside story of King Zhen's stay during this period.

no problem.

If it wasn't top secret, I would have heard about it at least once.

Anyway, King Zhen is very hostile to me and even murdered my right-hand men in Zhihai Town.

I would love to be able to trip him up..."

As he spoke, Zhang Gui told Chu Tuantuan in detail what had happened on Xianrong Island in the past two months.

The final analysis said:

"In fact, King Zhen just occupied Hancheng Prefecture again.

But because of his big name, his reputation quickly grew.

Think about it and understand.

After all, it was once the ancient capital of the island country for thousands of years, so it naturally has some luck and feng shui blessings.

Many theories have arisen.

That's all I know.

In fact, Xianrong Island is like a colander. As long as you have money, you can get any kind of information..."

"Okay, brother Gui, stop teasing me.

It has been said that in the inner court, apart from the eunuch who was the chief of the Longmen Port Bureau and the chief of the East Factory in Siyang County of Dongyue Province, there were only two hats.

Not a penny was allocated to me.

The money from Longmenbo Wharf has stopped coming in for a long time. Now I live solely on the little money I receive from the "Bagong".

Even this 80% has to be handed over to the inner court in Beijing."

Chu Tuantuan's words sounded quite ridiculous.

It was a time when the country was in turmoil, facing internal and external troubles, and its survival was at stake.

However, the key local intelligence hub still needs to pay the silver that should be supplied to the inner treasury.

The entire system is so rigid and everything seems to be operating as usual.

“After the Middle Ages, the duration of a dynasty was no more than a thousand years at most, and only three or four hundred years at least.

What's more, the Ming and Song dynasties happened to encounter an enemy country, Yuanshan, which produced a peerless hero.

It’s really unbearable.”

"But Yuanshan State has 'three categories of officials and four classes of people'. If our Song and Ming dynasties were to fall into the hands of them, we would all be living a life worse than death.

For this reason, we cannot willingly become slaves of a conquered nation."

Chu Tuantuan heard the discouragement in Zhang Gui's words and responded encouragingly.

"Alas, there's an old saying: 'A wise bird chooses a tree to roost in, and a wise minister chooses a master to serve.'

The world is not just the Ming and Song dynasties, or the Yuan and Shan dynasties. Some particularly civilized countries may be born with equality for all people, and there is no such class as "slaves" at all."

Chu Tuantuan sensed a hidden meaning in Zhang Gui's words and asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing special, I just think 'when you reach the mountain, there will always be a way out'.

We don’t know how many variables there will be in the future, so why should you be worried and sad from now on?

Okay, we have finished talking about serious matters.

are you hungry.

In the kitchen there should be shrimp paste my mother left for me, washed vegetables and fruits, and stretched noodles.

Let’s cook two bowls and eat them.”

“I really want to eat.

But he came in such a secretive way, and after finally getting the information he wanted, he revealed his whereabouts when he was leaving because he was eating noodles.

Do you think it’s worth it?”

"Of course it's not worth it."

Zhang Gui imagined what Chu Tuantuan said and laughed first.

He casually took out a stack of gold notes from under the pillow at the head of the bed.

"This is the tax I just received from the counter in Zhihai Town.

I plan to use it to visit people when I return to Xianrong Island in the future.

I calculated that one thousand taels would be enough, but my subordinates were very helpful and we made more money..."

“Okay, stop inking.

Friends share money.

Anyway, it has always been you who is rich and me who is poor between us.

If you are willing to give, there will be a time when I won’t accept it.”

Chu Tuantuan stood up and interrupted Zhang Gui, and directly pulled the gold note from his hand.

Then he put the gold note into his arms and took out an extremely thin half-inch jade book from his arms.

Throw it into Zhang Gui's arms,
"After I inherited my godfather's position, I stumbled upon this in a copy of the 'Ten Thousand Years Almanac Collection' in his study cabinet.

My godfather is truly the most courageous and careful person in the world who is proficient in the art of 'keeping things dark under the lamp'.

If he had not hinted before his death that sacrifices should be held according to the lunar calendar one hundred days after burial.

I’m afraid I’ll never find it.”

"This is the 'Four Seasons, Wind, Rain, and Thunder Chronicles'. Wang Dashou actually collected them all!"

As soon as Zhang Gui started, he felt something strange. He immediately widened his eyes and said in a lost voice.

"Yes, a treasure book like this, Godfather said he only got the copy of Rainwater, but he actually got all of them.

This shows how capable and favored he was when he was working in Beijing.

But in the end, such a person, at the mercy of the general trend, still died so quietly."

Chu Tuantuan said with a sigh.

(End of this chapter)