The Great Seminary

Chapter 218 The Willful Emperor

If it was just last night, then it's the right time.

Zhang Gui would never be so straightforward as to tell Zheng Changgong Baoyin, who clearly came from an extraordinary background, his main purpose for coming to Yuanshan Kingdom.

Even if it's vague or half-true, it's still the same.

Because the former headmaster of Qingdou Academy, Huaihe, is now the key figure in the Yuanshan Empire's quiet disintegration of the resistance will of the prominent Ming and Song families.

In this situation, if Zhang Gui were Changsheng Tiemu, he would definitely strictly control every plant and tree around Mr. Huaihe.

Therefore, everything must be done in a roundabout way and gradually.

But as it turns out, Changsheng Tiemu was not the same Zhang Gui who boasted in both his reincarnations that "his muscles are well-developed, but his mind is not simple."

Instead of staying in the palace, he lived in the military camp's large tent all day.

Aside from his love of horseback riding and warfare, where he was unparalleled in skill, the capricious emperor devoted nine-tenths of his remaining energy to cultivation and feasting.

Both he and Zhang Gui adopted a hands-off approach to governing their countries.

Zhang Gui used a relatively complete and fair legal system as a means to control the state so that it would not deviate from his will.

Changsheng Tiemu, through his near-miraculous martial prowess and continuous glorious victories, made himself the sole will of the nation, controlling the Yuanshan Empire.

This works perfectly well on the battlefield.

However, due to his negligence in governing, the Yuanshan court was even more like a makeshift organization than the current Zhenlong court.

Although Zhang Gui could not yet guess what was happening under the central leadership, which relied almost entirely on the Changsheng Ironwood Banquet to handle state affairs, he was still in a position to do so.

Why was Wonsan able to so effectively pool national resources?

But through his long conversation with the parrot spirit last night, he was certain that even the Big Wolf only needed to find the right approach.

Bringing home a Ming-Song scholar's son who had secretly surrendered was "no big deal at all."

As expected, Zheng Changgong Baoyin, upon hearing Zhang Gui's answer, showed no fear of being implicated, despite her surprise.

“You Western merchants, driven by greed, will do anything, even resort to underhanded tactics.”

"Where do we even begin?"

“A few days ago, one of your fellow Westerners built a gambling den in our ‘Big Wolf City’.”

All you need to do is exchange ten taels of gold chips, and you can eat, drink, and have fun without spending any money.

I initially thought this person was probably an idiot.

But who would have thought that in less than a year, he would have driven out all the gambling dens in the three surrounding markets.

He also became a disciple of Princess Timuron.

From that moment on, I was truly impressed by the business acumen of you Western merchants.

That's not how it's said.

Like East Victory Continent, West He Continent is a vast expanse of fertile land, with dozens of large and small states.

How come that Westerner who ran the gambling den is from my hometown?

I would never get involved in this kind of harmful business.

As they were talking, the waiter brought over a sizzling, roasted lamb, baked buns, and a large plate of noodles.

Without further ado, Zhang Gui grabbed a lamb.
"Hero Baoyin, the food is served, let's cut to the chase."

Let me show you how to feed ten people to one sheep. Watch closely.

He tore off half a piece of mutton in one bite.

"You're quite an interesting person."

No wonder the adults say that Western merchants are good at maneuvering and building connections; they really do have some tricks up their sleeves.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin burst into laughter, and while he was sitting on the table eating heartily, he stated his price.
"In that case, we'll help you out, but we can't guarantee it will work out."

"I need to give you three thousand taels of gold first as working capital." "Okay, I can give you the money first."

But within three days of receiving the money, you must let me in for a look around 'Xianhezhai'.

"Give me the money first, and I'll think of something."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded emphatically.

Seeing this, Zhang Gui did not hesitate to take out three 'Dangqian' gold nuggets from his sleeve and stuff them into Zheng Changgong Baoyin's palm.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin, no longer able to eat and drink heartily, blew a strong breath into the dog-head gold in his hand.

Seeing the golden light almost blinded him, he couldn't help but mutter:

"It really is a 'thousand-dollar' gold nugget!"
No wonder those bastards who hang around on the streets don't say anything to my face, but they actually look down on everyone.

This is called 'rent-seeking by power'.

Whether it's inherited, borrowed from someone with connections to a benefactor, or earned through hard work and struggle.

Power and influence always command high prices.

"You were acting like a businessman just now, but now you've turned into a know-it-all scholar."

That's really doing whatever they want.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin tucked the three thousand gold nuggets into his pocket and casually said:

"Eat quickly, let's finish eating sooner and set off sooner."

Once you arrive at 'Xianhezhai,' don't linger; get things done quickly and efficiently.

"That would be perfect."

Zhang Gui smiled and nodded, then said nothing more and continued to eat and drink in silence.

Zheng Changgong and Baoyin quickly finished eating and drinking, then got up and went to their companions who were eating at two wooden tables put together.

He stealthily pulled a gold coin with the character "当千" (a type of ancient Chinese currency) from his pocket, stuffed it into the hat of a short, stocky young man, and whispered:
“Gerilang, keep this thousand gold nuggets safe and deposit them into the public account of our ‘Eagle Faction’.”

The short, stocky youth pulled the hat off his head, crumpled it together with the gold-plated hat in his hand, and said:
“Brother Baoyin, although my Zongma family is not a noble family, several of my brothers and uncles are ‘Imperial Guards’.”

Besides, I've now entered the path of enlightenment, and I can be of help in doing legitimate things.

You should have someone else return the money…

"It's because you, Zongma Gerilang, have become quite accomplished in both family background and ability that I'm keeping you here to keep order in our 'Azure Eagle Society'."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin put the hat back on Gerilang's hand.

Then his gaze swept over a tall, slender, handsome young man and a girl of medium height, slightly overweight, but with a round face and beautiful features.

"Song Batu, Wuyun Gaowa, you two come with me in a bit."

Song Batu and Wuyun Gaowa exchanged a smile and nodded.

Upon seeing this, the maned horse Gerilang snorted angrily.
"Song Batu, don't try to curry favor with Sister Gaowa while I'm away..."

"Alright, you idiot, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

Zheng Changgong Baoyin angrily covered his good brother's mouth.
"Given your talent, you could put even a small portion of the energy you have for pursuing girls into cultivation."

He wouldn't have been riding a horse and shooting rabbits with a soft bow at the age of four; he didn't even begin his training until he was almost eighteen.

It seemed that the mane-horse Gerilang also knew shame, for upon hearing this, it hung its head dejectedly and remained silent.

Seeing this, Zheng Changgong Baoyin glared at him again and let go of his hand.

By this time, Zhang Gui had finished eating and drinking, washed his hands and mouth with soap, and got into the rented carriage with Zheng Changgong Baoyin, Song Batu, and Wuyun Gaowa.

After a long drive, we finally arrived at the foot of Tianyuan Mountain at noon the next day.

(End of this chapter)