The Great Seminary

Chapter 319 Make a friend
Hai Zhenqing is the direct descendant of one of only three "lower-class" military families in the Ming-Song Kingdom.

He inherited his family's privileges at birth and was appointed as a seventh-rank official, "Yunqiwei".

After inheriting the 'Eight-Headed Sword' and having the possibility of becoming the head of the 'Red Valley Ekai Family', another imperial decree was immediately issued.

He was promoted to the rank of 'General of Pinghai Guard', a fourth-grade official.

Moreover, his fourth-rank general is completely different from Zhang Gui's Dragon and Tiger General; he is not a worthless local militia or barbarian official.

Instead, they were legitimate civil and military officials of the imperial court.

He is anointed by the people every month, and he sits high in the palace every year.

Although the symbolic meaning far outweighs the practical one, after all, anyone with a bit of power wouldn't care about the meager salary issued by the Ministry of Revenue.

But as the saying goes, "Man fights for a breath, Buddha fights for a stick of incense."

The powerful and wealthy eat delicacies from land and sea, wear fine silks and brocades, wield power over the world when awake, and rest their heads on the laps of beauties when drunk.

If you can have everything you want, then all that's left to fight for is face.

Hai Zhenqing, a proper fourth-rank military officer, actually had far more influence than Zhang Gui, a first-rank prince from a foreign land who had lost all his substance.

Therefore, he took advantage of the chaos that was brewing in the Southern Kingdom of Ming and Song to plunder Zhihai Town.

Therefore, Zhang Gui couldn't guess why Hai Zhenqing, after failing to rob the place and being swindled out of 150,000 taels of gold, suddenly came to "pay his respects" a few days later.

He had asked Hai Zhenqing directly, but had yet to receive an answer.

My confusion only deepened, and I thought to myself:
What do you mean?

Even if the anticipated internal strife between the two princes vying for the throne in the Northern Kingdom of Ming and Song did not occur for the time being, the order of the entire country did not slide to the brink of collapse.

But whether for public or private reasons, I still can't get revenge on Hai Zhenqing. Why is he trying to 'make amends' again? What is he really trying to do?
That's it.

I'm not a mind reader, how could I possibly read his mind?

The only option left is to remain still if the enemy doesn't move.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Gui stopped guessing and stared blankly back at Hai Zhenqing, who was 'gazing at him with deep affection'.

The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity before Hai Zhenqing finally composed herself and spoke:

"This is a time of great strife and upheaval."

No matter what your background or origin, a single wave can wipe you out.

And my dad is the kind of person who likes to let his children 'run wild'.

He always talks about how the great waves sift out the sand and true gold is refined by fire, but he never mentions that he inherited the position of family head at the age of twenty-three.

In short, unless I get killed outside, he might avenge me; otherwise, I'm left to fend for myself.

Therefore, I love making friends the most, firstly because it gives me more options, and secondly because we can rely on each other.

Even though I have friends all over the world, I have never seen anyone with such a promising future as Longhu.

"Stop, stop, stop, stop, what you're saying is going too far."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui finally understood why Hai Zhenqing had come back to him, but he felt that Hai Zhenqing's words were exaggerated and made him seem suspicious, so he interrupted his flattery.
"I don't mean to belittle myself; I do have some status, position, ability, and skill now."

But it's not worth it for you, a member of one of the three great martial arts families of the Ming and Song dynasties, to have a "traditional" family history.

"Dragon and Tiger, in the end, the great power of this world belongs to oneself!"

Although being the most outstanding tree in the forest may bring the risk of being battered by wind and rain.

However, there are also those who, after recognizing the value of something, do not harbor ill intentions but instead want to befriend and support it.

It should be known that "birds fly far when they follow the phoenix," although whether you will become a phoenix in the future is still uncertain.

That's enough to make me place a bet.

Zhang Gui was taken aback, and looked Hai Zhenqing up and down again.

"Since you wanted to 'bet' on me, why did you show no reaction when I let you go?"

"Back then, I was your defeated foe, and everything I said was considered contemptible. Wanting to 'befriend' you was practically begging for mercy, so it was really hard to show it."

That makes sense, Zhang Gui nodded and said:
"I understand, thank you for recognizing my talent, but I'm not interested."

"The army of Yingri Kingdom defeated the seventy-five warships sent by the King of Kui in the three ports of Feiyu, Zhenbao and Zhenzhuchang in Yuejiao Right County of Xiyuehai Province."

Among them, 22 of the "Jia" class warships and 13 of the "Jia Shang" class warships were completely annihilated.

Only one dragon-fish warship escaped the clutches of the shikigami.

There's something you're closely connected to, and you probably already know it.

Prince Zhen has already married the daughter of Emperor Eiri, Naruhito, and Naruhito Ori, who is now his queen.

But there's something else you might not know: Naruzuki Ori possesses the ability to wield the divine artifact 'Void High Plains'.

He is most likely the crown prince of the Kingdom of Yingri.

In other words, she personally intervened, summoning a torrent of millions of shikigami to annihilate the fleet dispatched by the King of Hell.

Hai Zhenqing interrupted Zhang Gui's words in a long, rambling monologue.
"I know that apart from my family background, I am not as rich or powerful as you. I originally wanted to take you away because of that, but I found that I am not as strong as you either."

Because of my family background, very little news from within the Ming and Song dynasties could escape my notice.

And the fact that I found out in such a timely manner, I wonder if this will earn me your favor?

Zhang Gui blinked, then suddenly clapped his hands and laughed loudly:

"When I first met Zhenqing, I felt as close to him as if he were a half-brother."

"Let's not talk about exchanging anything. Let's order some more food and drinks first, and then we can talk about the fighting in the three ports of Xiyuehai, Yuejiaoyou."

Those familiar with his character know that once Zhang Gui speaks in this strange way, it means he has initially recognized the value of the person he is speaking to.

Although Hai Zhenqing was unaware of Zhang Gui's quirk, she could always distinguish between kind and malicious words. She paused for a moment, then smiled.

"I happen to be starving, so I'll have a small feast with you, sir."

"Please, please."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui ushered Hai Zhenqing into the private room and loudly instructed the others outside:

"Hey buddy, prepare another feast, the best you can get in your restaurant."

I treated my new friend to a good meal.

"Yes, Your Highness." A quick-witted waiter replied in a clear, crisp voice.

"The dishes served to you are usually the finest, but the fresh seafood caught in the harbor varies, so the dishes are always different."

Just now, a fisherman caught a golden turtle, which would be perfect as a lucky charm for entertaining guests.

"I'll get it fixed for you right away."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui and Hai Zhenqing exchanged a smile, then sat down and began to talk quietly.

In this way, three rounds of wine were served and five kinds of dishes were served.

Hai Zhenqing felt that he and Zhang Gui had a good understanding and had become familiar drinking buddies.

Becoming closer would no longer seem presumptuous.

He then took out a copper coin tied to Jinxian from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Gui.
"This is a 'green cicada coin,' please take it so I can communicate with you."

Zhang Gui accepted the copper coin without ceremony and shook the gold thread in his hand.

It looked like an ordinary one-cash coin, so I humbly asked, "How do I use this treasure?"

“Blow on it with your mouth, and as long as the wind passes through the hole of the coin, there will be an ‘echo’ to report the news.”

Hai Zhenqing said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)