The Great Seminary

Chapter 316 The Nation Will Fail
Time flew by and it was already evening the next day.

sunset.

Zhen Ciyun and Zhen Shijing wore veils that could also cover their faces and shield them from the sun, and rode two magnificent flower dragon beasts.

Taking advantage of the evening breeze, we traversed mountains and valleys to reach Zhihai Town.

Although the officer on duty in the drill ground didn't recognize the names of the two sisters whose faces were covered, he could tell from their demeanor that they must have a background.

Furthermore, Zhen Shijing, riding on the flower dragon beast, did not dismount and directly asked to see Zhang Gui from his high position.

The officer on duty dared not say anything more and went directly to report to the Grand General of the Dragon Tiger Shogunate, and received permission.

He led the two into the backyard of the newly rebuilt 'Shogunate Office'.

Passing by the screen wall engraved with a dragon soaring through the sky, one enters a newly built, large courtyard.

Flower gardens, unique rocks, fish ponds, bird groves, and many other places to enjoy yourself—it has it all.

The pavilion where the host sat was even more impressive.

Zhen Ciyun smiled and said:
"Everyone else is worried sick because the old emperor has passed away and the new emperor is about to fight for the throne to determine who will be the successor. They don't know what to do."

But the Dragon and Tiger of the Central Plains were calm and composed as they embarked on a massive construction project; what remarkable composure they displayed!

"Isn't this all just money to burn?" Zhang Gui said with a smile.

"Take today for example, I arrested the eldest son of the Ming and Song Dynasty's three Wu families, the Chigu Jianghai family."

He asked for 500,000 taels of gold, and after receiving the money, he'll need to expand the courtyard.

"Five hundred thousand taels of gold is an outrageous demand."

Na Haizhenqing is the young master of the direct line of the 'Chigu Jianghai family'.

He may even inherit the position of one of the "Three Great Martial Families" of the Ming and Song Dynasties in the future, which is no doubt.

But since ancient times, both the imperial court and powerful families have always believed that there can only be one sun in the sky.

As long as he hasn't become the head of the 'Akagani Ekai family,' he can't possibly come up with 500,000 taels of gold privately to redeem himself.

Zhen Shijing and her sister walked into the pavilion and sat down next to Zhang Gui.

The Rong family of Shuanghu bought more than 10,000 literate and skilled young men from the Ciren Society for a mere 100,000 taels of gold.

In order to learn the "Great Secret Realm Creation Method of Earth Vein Acupoint Pointing" for creating secret realms, Zhang Gui was captured by the exiled White Porcelain Immortal, but was only extorted for 380,000 taels of gold.

You should know that in exchange, you receive the most useful complete set of extraordinary rituals in this world.

So, although the decision was made at noon that they would kill if they didn't get it,...

But in fact, asking Hai Zhenqing for a ransom of 500,000 taels of gold already left room for maneuver.

Waiting for someone you know to smooth things over.

"After I broke Hai Zhenqing's sword formation, he said that I 'like to follow Western rules' and he was willing to surrender and pay a ransom."

I immediately realized that he must have some friends like mine to say such a thing…

"You're right and wrong," Zhen Ciyun interrupted Zhang Gui.

'Chigu Jianghai Family' has a history with our 'Jinling Flower Fish Zhen Family'.

A few days ago, Emperor Hezheng summoned Hai Yuanyuan, the head of the Hai family, to the capital. He brought several of his direct descendants with him to gain experience.

Having met with the late emperor and finished my important business.

Haiyuan Yuanshun visited several long-time friends in Jinling, including our Zhen family.

Hai Zhenqing and his brothers and sisters also came along, and their father had the direct descendants of the same generation entertain the guests.

During a casual chat, the conversation somehow turned to the heroic figures of the younger generation during the Ming and Song dynasties.
Then Shijing mentioned you…

"Ah, I see, it's all because of a beautiful woman!"
Hai Zhenqing, that bastard, has always secretly liked Zhen Shijing or you, so…”

"Shijing mentioned that you are outstanding among your peers in both civil administration and military affairs. Not only are you exceptionally talented, but you also turned a remote little fief into a port, making a fortune."

At that time, Hai Zhenqing asked you many questions with great interest, showing considerable admiration.

Who knew this would turn out like this?

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhen Shijing, who was standing to the side, said softly and expressionlessly, "This matter originated with me..."

"Zhen Shijing, you are a really interesting person, whether it's a femme fatale or a gold-plated femme fatale."

How can something 'bad' be a beautiful woman or gold?

Even a fool could understand that the truly 'bad' ones are the villains who covet beautiful women or gold.

The thug, in particular, seemed arrogant and of noble birth, but in reality, he was a poor, destitute man.

This is really unreasonable.

"I'll chop that seaweed into pieces and sell it in a bit."

Zhen Shijing chuckled, then turned her head to the side and said:
"Hai Zhenqing is greedy, not poor; he has a fortune of over 100,000 taels of gold."

I heard that he obtained one of the three great secret techniques of the Akaya Ekai family, the 'Eight-Headed Sword'.

The family gave him a private army of 1,111 'Bloodworms' and a 'Centipede Boat' as the foundation for his business.

In order to demonstrate his ability to run a business and to become the head of the family in the future, he strives to be the best in everything.

Unexpectedly, seeing the Ming and Song dynasties beset by internal and external troubles and the collapse of order, they took the lead in plundering the local areas under the guise of righteousness.

As a result, I deserved my bad luck; I kicked a hornet's nest.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui's expression turned serious, and he said bluntly:
"During the Ming and Song dynasties, the customs of the people in the south and the north were different, and their levels of wealth were also very different."

If the powerful families and clans in the northern frontier take advantage of the country's current state of infighting to kill each other, the military resources they use to wage war may exceed the spoils of their plunder.

Furthermore, since the Northern Frontier was a 'fruit' plucked by Tie Muchangsheng, this behavior feels somewhat like taking advantage of him.

In the future, they may be forced to "spit out" several times or even ten times more by this seemingly magnanimous but actually ruthless "ruler" who is actually extremely calculating about interests.

Therefore, the less control the imperial court had, the more the powerful families in the northern frontier would act like cowards.

But things are different in the South.

Putting everything else aside, plundering my small town of Zhihai, including my goods—ah, that Hai Zhenqing is probably planning to steal my 'Cloud Whale Kunpeng Ship'!
A warship with a capacity of 35,000 tons could fetch 100,000 taels of gold even if sold off.

Whether there are dates or not, it's worth taking a shot.

Zhen Ciyun nodded and said, "You finally remembered."

Everyone outwardly obeys but inwardly defies the court these days, but what you're doing is far too blatant.

First, in order to solidify the ownership of the 'Nine Islands of Heavenly Craft,' six of them were directly allocated to the True Dragon Kingdom.

Then it became its spokesperson for Donglu Haimao, making a fortune in just over a year.

A few days ago, they said they were even going to sell the 'Cloud Whale Kunpeng Ship' on consignment…

"Alas, the 'Cloud Whale Kunpeng Ship' will no longer be available for sale."

Prince Zhen's collusion with Japan in the "struggle for the throne" truly had far-reaching influence, affecting people everywhere...

Zhang Gui waved his hand to stop Zhen Ciyun from speaking, and told her about the alliance between Zhenlong Kingdom and Yingri, whereupon military supplies would be sold on a "one-time-only" basis.

"So, in this unexpected 'succession struggle,' what role does the True Dragon Kingdom intend to play?"

"As far as I know, people avoid it like the plague."

I also considered taking a temporary refuge at sea, and even my mother, aunt, and cousin were transported to Tianqiao Island first.

What he couldn't bear to part with was his family business in Zhihai Town, and his titles as the heir of the Ming-Song Kingdom's foreign land, Shishi Kingdom, and the general of the Longhu Shogunate.

(End of this chapter)