The Great Seminary

Chapter 286 Noisy
Zhang Gui actually knew long before the common people of the towns surrounding Longmenbo that the remaining forces of the Prince of Zhen in the port city had been wiped out.

Those guys who pretended to be Prince Zhen's men and continued to swagger around Longmen Lake were actually agents of the Eastern Depot sent by the Ming and Song courts to "fish" for them.

Even now, across thousands of miles of sea, Emperor Hezheng was certain that his eldest son was about to die.

There was absolutely no need to be on guard.

Therefore, Longmen Pond was able to return to the embrace of the inner court's "Longmen Port Authority" in a legitimate and open manner.

Sometimes, people in high positions feel that they have a broad vision and foresight, but in reality, they may not have the same insight and wisdom as the general public.

Zhang Gui understood this principle, which is why he managed to hitch a ride on this fruit and vegetable truck and chat with the driver.

"How are the ordinary people in the city who rely on the water for their livelihood doing now...?"

"I'm earning more than before..."

"No one's spreading rumors of war at the docks..."

"I've never heard anyone mention it."

The restaurant where I deliver fruits and vegetables is one of the top shops at the dock.

Last year there was a huge uproar, and everyone was filled with anxiety, but this year it's all gone…

The two chatted as they passed through the "Burning Tail Gate" and followed the mule cart onto the well-connected streets of the port city.

The driver asked:

"Brother, I'm going to 'Old Hung Fook' pier, where are you going?"

"I haven't been here for a long time, so I'd like to wander around the city first."

The green hills remain unchanged, the clear waters flow on; farewell, young man.

Zhang Gui jumped out of the carriage and said with a smile.

"You're so agile, yet you say you're not a trained fighter?"

The driver grinned and turned onto the road leading to the dock.

Zhang Gui was indeed strolling around Longmenbo, which was considered one of the key trading hubs in southern China during the Ming and Song dynasties, until evening.

After listening to a multitude of local gossips, I finally arrived at the 'Longmen Port Bureau' with a satisfied heart.

He took out a blank invitation card given to him by Chu Tuantuan and handed it to the eunuch guarding the gate.

A short while later, someone politely led him into the Port Authority.

After passing through a courtyard whose layout had been drastically changed, and winding through several turns, we entered a Buddhist hall.

The statue enshrined in the hall is 'the Great Buddha Shakyamuni'.

Chu Tuantuan was offering incense when she heard a noise behind her and said softly:
"It's been a long time since I last saw you. Today is a lucky day, as it's the day I observe a vegetarian diet and worship Buddha."

Let's light the incense together first.

Whether you believe it or not, it can't hurt.

At this moment, the eunuch who had led the way quietly withdrew and closed the wooden door of the Buddhist hall.

Instantly, the magic array swirled, and secret patterns flashed and disappeared in all directions.

A mosquito with colorful legs, which was flying in the Buddhist hall, suddenly froze and remained suspended in mid-air.

Zhang Gui picked up three sandalwood sticks from the offering table under the Buddhist shrine, lit them, and placed them in the incense burner.

He casually clasped his hands together and waved them.

"Brother Tuantuan, you've really upgraded your equipment here, from 'bird guns to cannons'."

Not only was the entire courtyard of the Port Authority transformed into a magic array, but even the place where people burned incense and prayed for psychological comfort was…

Don't talk nonsense.

My Buddha statue has a hollow belly, inside which is a real relic of Shakyamuni.

Praying for good fortune is not guaranteed, but offending someone will almost certainly bring you great misfortune.

"Ah, Amitabha Buddha, well done, well done."

Zhang Gui was startled upon hearing this, and hurriedly put his hands together again and bowed deeply.

Chu Tuantuan then went around to the back of the Buddhist altar, activated the secret key to the mechanism, and revealed a downward tunnel.

He said to Zhang Gui, "Let's go inside and talk."

Zhang Gui nodded silently and followed Chu Tuantuan into the secret passage. They descended only a few feet into a room with a brass floor and elegant decorations.

"Alright, now the Buddha's relics are right above our heads."

"You're standing on copper bricks with the Ksitigarbha Sutra engraved on the ground. Speak your mind."

Chu Tuantuan turned around and looked at Zhang Guidao.

Zhang Gui was taken aback. "Why are you so serious? I just happened to have some free time, so I came to see you."

"Your elite troops plundered millions of people in the northern border regions of the Ming and Song dynasties."

You still have time to visit relatives and friends, how leisurely!

"You really do know."

"You said several times before that even if the Ming and Song dynasties were to fall and Yuan Shanren were to exterminate them all, there would still be a way out."

In recent months, they have once again openly clashed with the True Dragon Kingdom.

I had no idea you had entered the True Dragon Kingdom so early on…

"Wait a minute, Brother Tuantuan, so you haven't guessed it yet."

I founded the True Dragon Kingdom, I didn't join it.

Chu Tuantuan was stunned for a moment, and looked Zhang Gui up and down for a long time as if she had never met him before.
"So, the one that's circulating at sea..."

Is the absurd rumor that "the True Dragon Emperor is Zhang Gui, one of the two outstanding young talents of the Zhang family of Pingyang, and the Prince of the Foreign Land, Choyang Longhu, who died at the Stone Corpse" true?"

"That rumor is actually one of the tricks used by myself, the humble one, the underling, and me to create illusions."

"You actually have such abilities, regardless of the circumstances."

In terms of the speed of its success and the speed of its rise, it is already comparable to the 'Eternal Ironwood'!
It's a pity that others have been established for fifty years, while you haven't even made it in five years.

The opportune moment has been completely lost.

"Brother Tuantuan, do you think I can't see this for myself?"
Why do you have to say it so directly?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui pursed his lips and sighed.

Chu Tuantuan regained her usual expression and smiled before speaking:
I didn't mean to upset you.

Rather, I hope you don't act like you're carrying a destiny and become fearless.

He harbored ambitions to dominate the Eastern Continent and truly went head-to-head with Changsheng Tiemu.

He was badly injured and bleeding profusely.

Zhang Gui waved his hand and said, "If I really had such thoughts..."

They wouldn't steal, forcibly take, or launch surprise attacks on the four "fish-dragon warships" of the Ming and Song dynasties.

And the reason I came to see you this time was not only because I really wanted to visit you and relax.

It's also because you haven't left me a single secret letter these past few months; things have been too calm.

This made me uneasy, and I wanted to ask you in person.

“You’re not having doubts because things are too calm, but because you’ve caused too much trouble in the northern border region of Ming and Song, and you’re feeling guilty.”

Chu Tuantuan looked at Zhang Gui with a half-smile.

Zhang Gui said awkwardly, "Brother Tuantuan, we have such a good relationship, why be so blunt?"

My face doesn't look good.

"If you feel uncomfortable with your appearance, then I will make you feel better."

Do not worry.

Even I thought you were a treacherous villain who had colluded with the True Dragon Kingdom long ago, let alone others.

More importantly, think about it carefully.

Will the common people of northern Xinjiang still be regarded as subjects under the current emperor?
If they don't, they will fall into the hands of Changsheng Tiemu, whom the current emperor hates to the bone.

Should we farm, work, and serve as soldiers for Yuanshan Kingdom, pay taxes and grain to build up national strength, and then continue to attack Ming and Song in the future?

Or would it be better for them to fall into the hands of some uncivilized island nation or barbarian tribe, out of sight and out of mind, and simply die as if they were all dead?

(End of this chapter)