Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 380 The First Island Chain: Shocking News

Wang Cheng was unaware that he was about to meet two old acquaintances in Southeast Asia.

After cutting off communication with Chushu, he immediately added the identity of "brother of Lichun" to the [Yushui] position as well.

From then on, he was completely separated from the identities of Wang Cheng and Wang Fugui, and became an independent persona based on the secret identity granted by the Nine-Rank System.

Even if you peel away his skin layer by layer, in the end you'll only see an empty space behind him, nothing at all, which is more terrifying than a ghost story.

Feeling the extra fourth-grade cultivation level that had suddenly appeared within him, Wang Cheng touched his new disguise and smiled smugly.
"Heh heh, my legitimacy as a rebel from Guishan is above all of yours!"

Just then, he suddenly heard the sound of wind in his ear.

"Hehe, I've found out! Traitor, prepare to die!"

Wang Cheng dodged a flying kick to the side and grabbed the intruder's slender ankle with his backhand.

The only person who could sneak into the Earth Official's Realm and this palace without arousing his suspicion was Shen Yueye, who was in charge of the Earth Official's documents.

At this moment, Sister Fox changed into her signature Nuo mask, "Flying Apsara," and danced in the air, her graceful figure and stunning beauty captivating.

She wore a gold hairpin, a ruby ​​on her forehead, and a necklace made of gold, silver, jewels, and jade around her graceful swan neck. She also wore gold armlets and anklets adorned with jade bells.

She wore a silk dress that was barely visible, and colorful ribbons that were three zhang long danced in the wind, showing the graceful beauty of a flying apsara, which was so beautiful that no one could get enough of looking at her.

Wang Cheng held the girl's porcelain-white, delicate legs, admiring them as her fair skin blushed, making her look exceptionally adorable.

Finally, his gaze fell on the bare foot in his hand.

Her small feet were slender and beautiful, with the toes painted vermilion, like five sweet cherries. The soles of her feet had a clean, pinkish-white color unique to young girls, as if they were made of white jade with a touch of rouge.

He couldn't resist reaching out and gently tickling the sole of her foot, instantly draining all the girl's strength.

"Hehehe, spare me, Your Majesty, spare me! I won't dare again, I'll never dare again."

Wang Cheng's physical strength had long surpassed the limits of ordinary people. One of his hands was like an iron clamp. How could Shen Yueye, like a lamb entering a tiger's den, possibly escape?
Wang Cheng wrapped his arm around the fox sister's slender, paper-thin waist, picked her up in one swift motion, and looked at her with a playful glint in his eyes:

"My beloved concubine, you've come at the perfect time. The troublesome Jiang Jichun has been a problem for the past ten days or so, delaying our cultivation. Today, we'll make up for it all in one go."

"By the way, thanks to my status as the second patriarch of alchemy, anyone who gains any insight from my legacy will have to pay interest with their own knowledge."

This is because what I'm teaching isn't 'transmitting' the law, but rather 'lending' it.

I just stumbled upon a technique, but the rest is just filthy garbage that's an eyesore. If you practice it, you'll definitely develop a split personality and go insane.

However, the "Thirty-Six Forms of Mingfei's Harmony and Unity" is quite worth reading. My beloved consort, please come and assist me in my cultivation.

Cassandra, who had already reached the doorway, suddenly stopped. Hearing the noise inside, a strange, hesitant expression appeared on her face.

"You audacious Wang Fugui! I am the legitimate wife of the current Prince Jinghai of the East Sea Kingdom! How dare you be so disrespectful to me? Take your hands out immediately!"

"Shut up, you beast! I'm your senior sister!"

"Hehehe, I mean, he's already agreed. Sister Fox, even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you."

"Break your throat! Break your throat!"

The mother-in-law couldn't help but shake her head and sigh:
"Young people these days know so much; they already have seven-tenths of the skills that Yuting and I had back then."

She glanced at Wang Xiaoqi, who was covering her eyes with her small hands but with two gaps between her fingers and her eyes sparkling, and quickly covered her eyes and ears, pulling her away silently.

The bloated government apparatus was far less efficient than secret societies.

The Ministry of War's inquiry didn't arrive until the next day.

The Minister of War, Zhang Ao, personally intervened in the killing of Deputy Envoy Jiang Jichun.

However, the military historians accompanying the fleet, as well as many ship captains and officers, all kept records in the nautical logbook.

The idea came from Jiang Jichun himself, and he personally carried it out. Even his execution was carried out by the Franks and the judges. Chief Envoy Wang Cheng bore no responsibility whatsoever.

Moreover, they immediately mobilized troops to punish the rebels, using the technique of separating nine generations of their family to seek justice for their deputy envoy, greatly enhancing the prestige of the nation. Everyone was very satisfied with the outcome.

Finally, Zhang Ao only gave one piece of advice:
“Envoy Wang, you should know that the country is facing difficulties and we don’t have enough manpower to be stationed abroad for long periods of time.”

Even if you conquer a lot of overseas territory, you will inevitably have to retreat in the end, just like when a large army attacked the grasslands in history.

"The establishment of the Pacification Commissioner's Office and the official factories is intended to ensure a stable supply of elixirs, but you must carefully manage the balance involved."

Wang Cheng, however, had already made up his mind and said confidently:
"I wish to emulate the eunuch Zheng He in the past and entrust this land of the Manila Pacification Commissioner to the Da Zhao maritime merchants who came with the fleet."

They are the subjects of our Great Zhao Dynasty, and their branching out overseas naturally constitutes a potential force for the imperial court.

Moreover, maintaining an army of a million men doesn't cost the court a single grain of rice." Zhang Ao listened to this, and it was indeed a policy of the founding emperor, but something still felt off.

But he didn't want to interfere too much; he just wanted to report back to the emperor.

With more and more rebellions breaking out across the country, he, as the Minister of War, didn't have the energy to deal with overseas affairs.

"Wang Zhengshi, if you have any problems in the future, just go directly to Hu Ruzhen, the governor of the seven prefectures in the southeast. You can discuss things yourselves."

Even if you come to me, the central government doesn't have the resources to provide much support.

Come back to me when you have achieved results, and I will then recommend you to His Majesty for credit.

Wang Cheng was secretly delighted:

"Your inaction is just what I wanted."

He immediately presided over the trade fair and distributed all the spoils of war to Sihai Trading Company and United Fruit Products.

The seized ships, goods, land, slaves, etc., were appraised on-site by Zhang Quan and other officials, and converted into real gold and silver.

Each ship's captain received 15% of the revenue, officers and generals received 25%, ordinary crew members received 40%, and the remaining 20% ​​was distributed to the public.

The entire army was overjoyed, praising Lord Wang for his honest and upright conduct.

The even larger dividends from United Fruit Products were delivered to the local shareholders, including the Crown Prince, Governor, Generals, Deputy Generals, and Commanders, on the same day.

Let them all share in the company's growth dividends.

Then this military-industrial complex interest group worked together to provide Wang Cheng with more conveniences, and even began to work on the position of "Governor-General of the South Seas".

They can rightfully rule this dynasty, including all official factories and pacification commissions, including the Shanhaihui.

Subsequently, Wang Cheng issued a warrant in the temporary tent on the shore:

"By imperial decree authorized by His Majesty and resolution of the United Fruit Company's board of directors, I hereby appoint Director Zhang San as a third-rank Pacification Commissioner!"

Uncle Zhang, one of the very few who knew Wang Cheng's true identity, bowed deeply to him with tears in his eyes, his eyes filled with the joy of seeing his son succeed.
"Your Majesty, take your orders."

The Pacification Commissioner's Office existed as early as the Yunmeng era of the previous dynasty, but during the Dazhao dynasty, the Pacification Commissioner's Offices in the interior were abolished and were instead established in ethnic minority areas.

It was subordinate to the Provincial Administration Commission but was supervised by the Three Departments. Its chief official was hereditary and required appointment by the imperial court. It paid tribute regularly and was subject to military conscription.

The government established positions such as Pacification Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner, with assistant officials and chief officials mostly being appointed officials from other regions, forming a "combined governance by local and appointed officials" management model.

However, in order to ensure that Wang Cheng would provide him with a stable supply of the elixir of immortality, Emperor Shaozhi had long ago delegated all his powers.

There weren't many officials available overseas either. Apart from Wang Cheng, the Xuanwei Zhengshi, who was in charge, the Manila Xuanwei Division was basically an independent kingdom, able to do whatever it wanted.

This is the end.

Wang Cheng's power extends from the Donghai Kingdom on Yingzhou's nine islands in the north, through Yizhou Island controlled by Zheng Shiniang and Zhang Quan, to Luzon, which is now controlled by Zhang Sanshu.
Then, if our ally, Lin Daoqian of the "Blood-Soaked Boat-Building" faction, could become the prince consort of Borneo in the north, he could effectively control the entire country.

Finally, they reached Sambhara, the stronghold of the Shan Hai Hui in central Borneo, forming a long first island chain.

Privately, this business was enough to elevate Wang Cheng to an unprecedented first-rank official position.

In terms of public affairs, he was able to serve as a bulwark for China, laying the foundation for the subsequent "On Sea Power" to draw upon the Daoist energy of the Nine Heavens and the will of the world to support the Great Wall of Curses.

After the simple ceremony, company personnel began clearing the ruins and rebuilding Manila.

Whoosh!
A paper crane carrying a message suddenly flew from the direction of Borneo, bordering the Luzon Islands to the south, and was caught by Wang Cheng.

As he unfolded it, he smiled at Shen Yueye beside him:

The King of Brunei is looking for a husband for his daughter.

Lin Daoqian had known that princess for a long time and vowed to marry her, which is why he was determined to obtain the position of the fifth-rank Zhenhai General.

Now that he holds an official position in the suzerain state, marrying a princess from a smaller country would be a perfect match and would ensure he can suppress other competitors.

Judging by the dates, this should be good news.

Upon unfolding the letter, they discovered that it was not sent by Lin Daoqian, but by Sun Tianba, the "Needle and Pen Craftsman," who had been sent home ahead of time.

Upon reading the content, his expression changed drastically:
"The vice-captain, Lin Jinlian, was killed. The princess of Brunei, who had been betrothed to Lin Daoqian, was kidnapped. Lin Daoqian was seriously injured and fell into a coma."

The person who made the move was…

When Wang Cheng saw that name, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes:
"The newly promoted third-rank living deity of Siamese Theravada Buddhism, the Two-Faced Buddha, Longbi Monk!"

(End of this chapter)