The Great Seminary

Chapter 209 Character Collapse

In reality, not everything in this world is simply black and white.

Most of them operate in a gray area, which is what is meant by "blending in with the world".

Zhang Gui sighed and turned to look at a black and white pointed felt hat on Chu Tuantuan's desk.

"This must be the 'Wuchang Hat' worn by the secret agents and spies of the Eastern Depot of the Inner Court, who were feared by the people of the Ming and Song dynasties more than two hundred years ago."

Their status is extremely lowly and base, yet their power is extremely high and supreme.

Open the imperial prison, order the court flogging, and execute high-ranking officials such as ministers and regional governors!
It's actually a manifestation of power out of control.

However, this also made your identity as the head of the Eastern Depot in Siyang County extremely sought after once it was made public.

Aside from the uncertainty of when he might die a violent death, he has absolutely nothing to complain about.

"There was no choice to begin with."

Hearing Zhang Gui's teasing, Chu Tuantuan sighed and said:

"I have another important piece of news to tell you: His Majesty is considering moving the capital to Jinling, and is about to..."

Wait a minute!
Emperor Hezheng wanted to move the capital; given his temperament, he would be willing to do such a thing!

Even if you were reincarnated and given another chance to live, you probably wouldn't!

Relocating the capital of a dynasty is a major event that shakes the foundation of the country and should never be done lightly.

Especially when forced to do something out of necessity to avoid the enemy's military might, it is a sign of national demise.

In Zhang Gui's previous life, there was an emperor who, despite the empire's northern region being utterly corrupt, stubbornly clung to the capital for the sake of saving face, refusing to relocate to the relatively prosperous south.

In the end, he actually hanged himself from the crooked tree.

It's clear that, let alone the extraordinary world where 'great power originates from oneself,' even a completely mortal emperor, if he had any backbone...

They would rather die than stay, earning the eternal infamy of being 'cowardly and incompetent'.

Not to mention that after ascending the throne, he consistently displayed the qualities of a wise and capable ruler.

Emperor Hezheng was so arrogant and headstrong that he turned against Emperor Changsheng Temu of Yuanshan for a mere million bolts of fine cotton cloth.

This is a complete and utter collapse of her public persona!

"I didn't expect such rumors to circulate in the inner court, but since someone of my rank knows about it, it's probably true."

In fact, people's hearts are not only hidden behind their skin, but also change nine times a day.

Perhaps the Emperor has finally come to a realization and is no longer so stubborn.

"That's true, haha."

In fact, Emperor Hezheng had served as the crown prince for a full twenty-nine years before ascending the throne.

During that time, I heard that he paid homage to his father day and night without missing a single day.

Even if he were that stubborn, he wouldn't have made it through.

Alright, let's stop bringing up these disgusting things.

Let me tell you all about what happened on Fresh Velvet Island these past few days.

If the current emperor really wants to move the capital to the south, the intelligence value of his sons who have been sent out to "inspect the country on behalf of the emperor" in the southern provinces will skyrocket.

Especially Prince Zhen, his eldest son who is the most prominent…”

In the study, Zhang Gui and Chu Tuantuan exchanged information that was useful to each other.

We talked non-stop from the afternoon until evening before finally ending.

"The world changes."

Although we two small chess pieces can only drift with the tide, we still need to strive for a better outcome.

And Tuantuan, I have a secret plan, but I can't tell you about it right now.

But if one day you find yourself in dire straits, whether alone or with a few trusted followers, as long as you can escape to Zhihai Town, you will surely turn danger into safety and find a new world.

"A change of world, a change of world..."

Upon hearing Zhang Gui's final words, Chu Tuantuan murmured to herself thoughtfully.
"Brother Gui, you really have endless tricks up your sleeve."

"As the saying goes, 'He who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present.' Even a cunning rabbit needs three burrows, let alone a clever person. Alright, we've run out of things to talk about, I need to get down to business."

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"I'm not eating anymore."

I plan to save my appetite for roasted whole lamb at Yuanshan Grassland.

Zhang Gui seemed to be joking, but Chu Tuantuan sensed a hint of truth in his words.

"Why would you go there for no reason?"

"You, the head of the Eastern Depot in Siyang County, are not even my best friend, the dignified heir of the Stone Corpse King."
Zhang Jiuqing, the Imperial Censor of the Eastern Guangdong Province, was his biological cousin.

Didn't you know that Zhang Jiugui, a former student of Qingdou Academy, went to Yuanshan with a group of classmates to retrieve the remains of their great abbot?
He went to retrieve Mr. Huaihe's non-existent 'skeletons,' so naturally I had no choice but to go retrieve him as well.

“I won’t investigate anything that concerns you.”

But Brother Gui, why are you bothering with an idiot?

Chu Tuantuan seemed to think little of Zhang Jiujiang, and curled her lip in disapproval.

They obviously knew the name.

"He's not stupid, he just has his own ideals."

Having ideals is never a bad thing.

Zhang Gui smiled, cupped his hands in farewell to Chu Tuantuan, and then flew away into the night.

The following morning, on Silver Fish Street in 'Civilization Vanguard City', west of Giant Snake Head Island.

The manager's office is on the second floor of a standalone commercial building with a sign that reads "Black Lion and Tiger United Trading Company".

Zhang Gui sat comfortably on a soft, beige calfskin leather seat and shifted his position.

He gave a thumbs-up to his trading partner in the West, Saliza.
"I must say, Salissa, this soft rubber chair is a really clever invention."

You got the exclusive sales rights for it in 'Civilization Vanguard City' for just one Golden Eagle—that's incredibly brilliant!

As they were talking, the office door was opened, and Saliza's sister, Harifa, walked in.

A cup of coffee was placed in front of Zhang Gui.

"Please come in, Your Highness the Shogun from the East."

"Miss Harlequin, has your style returned to gentle and graceful this time when we met?"

Thank you for the coffee.

"The nine sizes of the Eastern 'Ironwood Turtle Mechanical Ship' you provided have made our company a fortune."

What's the most profitable business in a major ocean-going port city? Shipbuilding, of course—raising the goose that lays the golden eggs…

"Okay, Harley, don't get so excited."

The 'Civilization Pioneer City' has a thriving business, with each door having its own owner.

If it weren't for the hundred skilled men sent by Suo, they would indeed be 'good' enough.

Our "Black Lion and Tiger Joint Trading Company" has been vandalized countless times by gangsters and thugs in the city.

Even so, selling armed merchant ships under 100 metric tons on the open ocean is already the limit.

“Indeed.

"So, General Taro, could you send more capable people to support our joint company and uphold the justice of free trade?"

Harleph asked, half-jokingly.

“Of course, Miss Harlequin.”

Currently, I have 10,000 skilled workers at my disposal, but this number will expand to 30,000 to 50,000 by early next year.

Zhang Gui replied with a grin.

Since he had already decided to rely on his Western connections for this trip to Yuanshan, he didn't mind revealing some 'truths' at the appropriate time.

(End of this chapter)