Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 284 Commander of Zhenhai Guard! The Second Dimensional Reduction Attack
"Big boatman, take care! The wheat and those crops are all fine, don't worry."

"Your Majesty, please don't hesitate to ask for our help next time! Don't be shy about asking us!"

In Yuegang, the managers of several large grain shops and trading companies respectfully saw Wang Cheng and Yan Yunxiao off at the guild hall gate.

After receiving information about the Five-Colored Rat Demon, Wang Cheng acted swiftly, immediately dispatching Zhang Wu to lead a group to collect corn seeds that might be used as ornamental plants.

Upon hearing this, Huang Yuanzhou, one of the three major ship captains of Yuegang, known as the "Mirage General," also leveraged his long-standing presence in Yuegang to mobilize his men to help with the search.

Although he became the General Who Dives into the Sea, he did not retreat overseas like others, but returned to Yuegang to help Wang Cheng manage this world trade center that made a fortune every day.

This time, they successfully contacted a group of grain merchants and brought them all together.

Wang Cheng personally visited them, not only buying out their meager corn stocks but also encouraging them to increase their purchases.

If a merchant in the family discovers traces of potatoes or sweet potatoes in the Southeast Asian region while at sea, a generous reward will be given if they can bring them back.

This is a two-pronged approach, working in both Britannia and other countries. Good news from either side would be a great victory.

"Xiao Chengzi, is the yield of this 'coconut' really as high as you say?"

The Dragon Girl, dressed in a pure white gauze dress, was graceful and elegant, like a water lily swaying in the wind, beautiful as a dream.

Holding a plump, golden corn kernel between his fingers, his eyes were filled with curiosity. Despite having lived a long enough life, this was the first time he had ever seen this kind of crop.

"Haha, that's not all."

Wang Cheng smiled confidently:
"Corn can be planted in barren mountainous and hilly areas where staple crops such as rice and wheat are not suitable for growth."

Although the taste was a bit off, I was starving, so I didn't care about the taste.

Moreover, it does not require intensive farming or extra fertilizer, and the yield per mu can reach 300 jin, which is more than double that of wheat. If you find a good place to plant it, the yield can double.

The key significance is that it will not compete with rice and wheat for territory, but will open up a completely new battlefield, and any increase in production will be an increase in output!

Minzhou is characterized by eight parts mountains, one part water, and one part farmland. Jiufan Island isn't exactly a fertile land either, so corn, a staple crop, is a perfect fit.

The quality of incense offerings and the divine energy of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is linked to people and productivity.

Regardless of the actual population size, the number of registered residents in Dazhao who are eligible to pay taxes has not exceeded 100 million. If it could break through 100 million, it might truly usher in a qualitative change.

Yunxiao nodded gently:

"I consulted the Heavenly Consort for divination. If planted in Xiangzhou Prefecture, it can be sown in autumn between the fifteenth of July and the eighteenth of August."

We'll find a barren mountain and plant it in the middle of the night on the fifteenth of July.

If those "big rats" near Minzhou can sense the large-scale planting of this crop that can greatly increase the people's strength, they are very likely to take advantage of the "opening of the gates of hell" to gather from all directions and cause trouble.

Then we can mobilize our troops and wipe them all out in one fell swoop!

Wang Cheng agreed:
"That's what I think too. Our strength is limited, so we should manage our own territory first, lest we become complacent and attract the attention of the Guishan Publishing House."

The two walked and discussed their plan.

"What a coincidence, Commander Wang!"

Suddenly he heard someone call his name from behind.

Looking back, I saw a person emerging from the street corner behind me.

However, it was Xing Yulang, dressed in an embroidered long gown and exuding an air of ostentation, who was waving a "Chong Er" fan, a symbol of "boundless romance."

This "romantic lover" looks elegant, but in reality, he has dull skin, dry hair, and bloodshot eyes.

During this period, Lu Yunchen treated him like an "experience point expert," using him to punish evil and promote good every day.

I can't do anything bad under the watchful eyes of the gods and spirits; I'm practically going crazy with frustration.

However, at this moment his eyes were burning, and he was clearly somewhat excited.

why?
Naturally, it was because he received news that Lu Yunchen, the "Ghost God's Jealousy" who had seized his position as commander of Zhenhai Guard, was about to return to the capital.

He is not only about to end this hellish period, but he will also be able to set things right and return to his position as commander!
Last time, he was completely overwhelmed by imperial power, but this time he has finally risen up again.

Moreover, he learned from his mistakes and carefully investigated all his competitors.

Lu Yunchen, the man with connections who carried the imperial edict, is gone. The remaining officials and generals are all locals who know each other well; there isn't a single ruthless character with the emperor as their backer.

"This time it's my turn, even if it's going to be!"

Feeling confident of success, they naturally became arrogant and overconfident.

However, Xing Yulang, the "prospective commander of Zhenhaiwei," did not receive Wang Fugui's flattery, but instead gave a lukewarm "oh."
"So it's Brother Xing, the paid officer."

Upon hearing this name, Xing Yulang almost broke down on the spot.

This was the name he hated hearing most lately, and his face immediately darkened.

"Don't waste time on people who don't matter. Let's go."

Ah Xiao held Wang Cheng's hand, not even bothering to lift her eyelids towards him. Xing Yulang's face twisted in disgust at the Dragon Girl's attitude, his heart burning with jealousy.

When his father, Xing Baichuan, was buried last time, this kid was accompanied by his charming and alluring senior sister, Shen Yueye, the daughter of the senior official.

This time, she transformed into the aloof and ethereal Dragon Girl Lady Yan, all stunning beauties that ordinary people would rarely see in their entire lives.

But no one paid any attention to him, this "quasi-commander of Zhenhaiwei".

They lack even the most basic respect.

'You're all very kind! I, Xing Yulang, am the military commander in charge of Yuegang. How dare you ignore me?'

Wang Fugui, what good is it if you fight and kill your way through Meizhou City and make great contributions?

If your father isn't the commander of Zhenhai Guard, you're not worthy to compete with me.

Once I inherit the position of Commander of Zhenhai Guard, just wait and see how I deal with you all!

at this time.

At the other end of the street, suddenly a group of officers dressed in military robes surged in, shouting from afar:
"Congratulations, Commander! Congratulations, Commander! The appointment document has been issued. Hurry to the city to welcome the angel!"

Xing Yulang was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"It's here! My official document from the Ministry of War has finally arrived."

He straightened his clothes, gave Wang Cheng and Yan Yunxiao a cold snort, and went to greet them.

"Gentlemen, this commander is here."

However, the group of officers didn't even glance at him, brushing past him and bowing repeatedly to Wang Cheng.

"Commander, you've given us a hard time finding you. Please set off immediately."

"The angels are still waiting. People from the General's Office and the Governor's Mansion have all come. The scene is even more impressive than when Lord Lu took office last time."

Clearly, officialdom is not about fighting and killing, but about interpersonal relationships and social interactions.

Under normal circumstances, when there are vacancies among the garrison officials, the superior officials would usually "recommend" or "recommend" suitable candidates, and then the Ministry of War would submit a memorial requesting their appointment.

As a hereditary official position, the commander was usually succeeded by a son or brother who met the inheritance requirements. This was the most common and essential method for filling vacancies among military officers in the garrison.

However, if there is no suitable successor or there are special circumstances, the successor will be selected through recommendation by the superior.

Wang Cheng falls into the latter category.

Although "Wang Fugui" was only a hereditary commander of a thousand households bestowed by the emperor himself, he did not have the emperor as his backer.

But if the emperor asks local officials to make recommendations, what's the difference between that and giving away official positions for free?
Now, the governor of Minzhou, You Zhende, is dead.

Yu Long and Yu Zhifu, the general in charge of defending Minzhou against Japanese pirates, were his half-division commanders; Qi Hu and Qi Yuanjing, the deputy generals, were his sworn brothers-in-law; and even the former commander of Zhenhai Guard, who was the lowest-ranking official, was a sworn brother who fought alongside him through thick and thin.

This doesn't even include the fact that nearly half of the soldiers in Zhenhaiwei, which now mainly recruits soldiers, are his core group of Tanka people.

How can we lose this?
So it's not that fighting and killing are useless, but rather that they should be used in the right places.

Xing Yulang couldn't even manage to "be timid in private fights but brave in public battles," while Wang Cheng, having fought in one major battle after another, had long been a pillar of the Minzhou government and had won over everyone in the Minzhou military.

As he watched everyone leave, Xing Yulang, who had been struck down once by "imperial power" and then twice by "human relationships," turned pale and then flushed.

Having been stripped of his official position, he recalled the humiliation he had suffered during this time when Lu Yunchen had repeatedly sought him out to "punish evil and promote good."

I couldn't help but feel hatred rising in my heart, and evil thoughts taking root in my courage.

He silently grasped the Blood Soul Banner in his palm.

He had previously heard that Qi Hu's wife had done a good deed by asking a living ghost or god for a sword to kill the Rejuvenating Immortal.

The master who controlled him is gone, but the half of the Blood Soul Banner that was integrated into his body is still there. He is still the [Wind and Moon Gentleman] whose combat power surpasses that of an ordinary fifth-rank!
That's why they didn't run away, but instead stayed to look for opportunities.

“You guys forced me to do this.

This damned bureaucracy has been bullying honest people like me!
I originally intended to inherit the commander's position that rightfully belonged to me based on my strength and status, but it's all your fault for not following the rules.

Then I'll show you what the treacherous world of martial arts really is!

He seemed to hear a noise nearby, and turned around abruptly, only to find two boys, one in a red robe and the other in a gold robe, standing behind him for who knows how long. They were none other than Zhaocai and Jinbao, the two boys under Wang Cheng's command.

The golden-robed boy spoke in a childish voice, calling out to him:
“You won’t even call me brother.”

Xing Yulang instinctively clasped his hands in a fist and bowed respectfully, saying:
"Brother, please accept my humble respect."

He was forcibly controlled for three breaths.

Then the red-clad boy summoned the [Witchcraft and Calamity Aura], transforming into the original form of the Paulownia Wood Man. It split open its large, fanged mouth and swallowed him whole.

On his deathbed, he vaguely heard:
"This will show you what the treacherous nature of officialdom is!"

(End of this chapter)