The Great Seminary

Chapter 237 Shock
Facts always speak louder than words!

Although Zhang Gui had long believed that his Stone Corpse Warriors were fully capable of competing with the special forces of many powerful nations in the Eastern Continent.

Meanwhile, the stone warriors of the True Dragon Kingdom also displayed an arrogant and fearless demeanor during their 'martial arts training' in the country.

But this kind of self-imagined 'victory' is completely different from the victory achieved after a real, head-on battle!
Even though Zhang Gui personally provided an objective analysis of the clash between the Stone Corpse Warriors and the Flower Dragon Riders, listing three major accidental factors contributing to the Stone Corpse Warriors' victory:
"First, the 'True Dragon Armor First Legion' consists of tens of thousands of stone-level corpse warriors fighting against two thousand four hundred and one flower dragon knights."

It's like having a four-on-one advantage with some room to spare, so a 'big win' is only natural.

Secondly, this battle was won by Zhang Gui, the leader of the Stone Corpse Warriors, who personally led the charge, deploying a 'Golden Army March' battle formation of ten thousand men.

It will be difficult to replicate next time.

After all, in reality, it's impossible for an emperor to personally lead an expedition in any country.

First, the Flower Dragon Riders, unfamiliar with the characteristics of the Stone Corpse Warriors, chose the wrong tactics at the start of the game.

Instead of guerrilla tactics, they launched a full-scale attack, and were immediately routed.

He also made his analysis public, but when the more than 700 frozen flower dragon beast corpses were sent back to the True Dragon Kingdom.

The whole country was still shocked, and more and more citizens began to voluntarily ask to serve in the military.

It's no longer the same as before, when we just left things to fate.

After Zhang Gui discovered that the Ming and Song empires had begun to pay attention to the existence of the "fish-dragon giant ship", he gave up his idea of ​​continuing to "pick up bargains".

After all, if one takes precautions beforehand, a small magic circle can counteract his elemental rule power, making the spellcasting much more difficult and resulting in a net loss.

So Zhang Gui returned to the True Dragon Kingdom, used the metal flying man from "Tiangong Kaiwu" to build the "Great Monument" and pay tribute to the stone corpse warriors who died in battle.

He then teleported back to Zhihai Town, where he idly awaited the arrival of the New Year...

Before we knew it, it was January.

That morning, a heavy snow began to fall over Zhihai Town.

Before long, the entire town was covered in silver, making it exceptionally enchanting.

Zhang Gui was enjoying a hot pot meal in the pavilion in the backyard of the Longhu Military Government office, feeling the cold wind blowing and admiring the snow scene. He was quite content.

Suddenly, a star-watching officer reported:

"Your Highness, a staff member of Prince Zhen's temporary residence, Lü Zhenduan, requests an audience."

Zhang Gui was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "Who?"

“Lu Zhenduan, a staff member of the Prince Zhen’s temporary residence, requests an audience.”

"Old Lu is here. He's still the prime minister of our Dragon Tiger Bureau. What does he want to see?"

"Let it in now."

"Yes." The officer on duty felt he had done something wrong and hurriedly retreated with a bitter face.

Just as he was about to leave the courtyard, Zhang Gui suddenly called him back.

"Wait a minute, go and tell Ding Youzai."

From this day forward, he will be a third-rank official in the Prince's residence of the Stone Corpse Kingdom.

From now on, you will use this new identity to oversee all civil and military affairs of the 'Dragon and Tiger Shogunate.' Go forth."

The official on duty responded, "Yes," and withdrew from the backyard.

Before long, a trembling Lü Zhenduan walked into the backyard of the yamen (government office).

Seeing his distraught appearance, Zhang Gui sensed that while there was definitely an element of acting involved, at least 30% of it was genuine.

He hurriedly got up to greet her and helped Lü Zhenduan up.
"Hey, Lao Lü, hurry, hurry, hurry into the pavilion, have a couple of hot soups, and warm yourself by the fire."

You came to see me after a long and arduous sea voyage, braving wind and snow.

Could something have happened to that person?

As he spoke, Zhang Gui pointed in the direction of Fresh Velvet Island and flicked his head.

Lu Zhenduan shook his head, panting.
"No, no, it's not that bad yet."

"It's not that bad yet" means the time hasn't come yet, but it will come in the future.

Zhang Gui pressed Lao Lü down onto the heated stool in the pavilion, tucking his legs into the blankets of the kotatsu.

He picked up a small hand warmer from the table and placed it in his hand. He found a new bowl, filled it with hot soup, sliced ​​meat, mushrooms, and the like.

"Eat up, eat up, let's talk after you've calmed down."

"Don't let it leave you with rheumatism or bone pain, causing you lifelong suffering."

Even knowing that he was also putting on an act.

However, given the contrast in their identities and circumstances at this moment, it is already extremely rare that Zhang Gui is willing to put on such a heartwarming performance in front of Lü Zhenduan.

Tears welled up in Lü Zhenduan's eyes, but for a moment she felt speechless.

Finally, shivering, he ate the slices of meat, shifting his legs, which were becoming increasingly comfortable under the warm blanket.
"Dragon Tiger, you really know how to enjoy life!"

Zhang Gui chuckled and sat back down opposite Lü Zhenduan.
"Old Lu, it seems you've really suffered these past few days."

Only then will they feel that being well-fed and warmly dressed is true enjoyment.

If you had known these things earlier, why did you come to this world?

Lu Zhenduan was taken aback, gave a self-deprecating laugh, and let out a long sigh.

They ate and drank in silence.

At this moment, Ding Chengqi rushed in from outside to thank the official. Seeing that Lü Zhenduan was also there, he grinned widely.

"Oh my, it's Lü Zaicheng here too. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Without waiting for Lü Zhenduan's reply, he faced Zhang Gui and was about to kneel down respectfully.

But Zhang Gui personally stopped him.

"Alright, alright, you've got what you deserve. Actually, I've never liked people kneeling before me."

It's not a clay or wooden puppet in a temple, nor a memorial tablet in a shrine, so why are you kneeling on it?

Therefore, from now on, we can bow and pay our respects, but we don't need to kneel.

You should also pass on what I've said. I don't care about others, nor can I control them.

But from this day forward, all civil and military officials of the "Dragon and Tiger Secretariat," as well as all idlers in government offices, are "allowed to bow but not kneel."

Did you hear me clearly?

"Your humble servant obeys," Ding Chengqi said, bowing with his hands clasped.

“That’s right,” Zhang Gui clapped and laughed. “And that ‘Third-Rank Official of the Prince’s Mansion of the Stone Corpse Kingdom’ is just a title.”

It's actually pointless to dwell on it; you don't need to take it too seriously.

"Young Master, as the old saying goes, 'A person lives for their reputation, and a Buddha earns a stick of incense!'"
The vast majority of people in this world live their entire lives for nothing more than the pursuit of fame and fortune.

Therefore, how could I not be grateful for the 'title' you bestowed upon me?

Ding Chengqi retorted seriously.

Zhang Gui was taken aback, then nodded in deep agreement, patted Da Ding on the shoulder,

"Alright, let's keep trying and we'll eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Let's put everything else aside for now, eat and drink, and just enjoy the present moment.

Come on, come on, you come to the table too.

"Your Highness, today is the day rice arrives at the docks. It's the beginning of the first month of the lunar calendar, so we're extremely busy."

"I understand, I understand, then you can go and get busy."

Just don't work too hard.

Even the busiest days must be lived slowly, yes, slowly.

"I have benefited immensely from your teachings, which are like 'hearing thunder in silence and finding profound truth in the ordinary'."

Upon hearing this, Ding Chengqi gave a thumbs-up and exclaimed in a half-joking, half-serious, half-doubting tone.

He then leisurely withdrew from the backyard of the government office.

(End of this chapter)