Chapter 363: Foreign Goods Are Good

After hearing the words "new craftsman," Xu Yuan no longer cared about Gao Wanli's origins or intentions:

She is my enemy!

The stepmother is an old craftsman, and she hates new craftsmen most of all.

A mere sixth-rank, thinking she can challenge the stepmother? Pure fantasy.

But Yan Lao wasn't talking about that—he told Xu Yuan: "Gao Wanli is an extremely stubborn new craftsman.

She firmly believes that all the mechanical arts passed down by the Laozu Sect are already outdated, and now everything must be solved using foreign methods.

She often tells people: Is it really so hard to admit you're incapable?

If we can't do it, we must accept it; if others are stronger, we must learn from them!"

Xu Yuan found this utterly baffling: "Aren't the battles we've fought against the Snow Saber Devils and the Red-Haired Barbarians all victories? How can what the Laozu Sect left us be inadequate?"

Yan Lao took a sip of wine and sighed helplessly: "It's not just Gao Wanli—there are quite a few people in the Northern and Southern Capitals who have always distrusted the court.

For instance, after several major wars with foreign powers, they've always believed the court's battle reports were falsified.

They're certain we lost, but frontline commanders lied about their achievements.

And the court doesn't expose the lie; instead, it proclaims a great victory to the entire realm.

Others insist that even though we won, it was at the cost of countless lives—saying we killed one Snow Saber Devil at the price of three soldiers.

They claim that when we sank a single small foreign sailboat in the Southern Seas, we lost three five-hundred-dan warships!"

Xu Yuan was even more confused: "Where do they get these numbers? Did they personally fight in these battles? Did they count each casualty one by one on the battlefield?"

Yan Lao shook his head: "Who knows?"

Xu Yuan could understand their distrust of the court.

By now, the Ming Court had rotted to the core—even Xu the Official had to admit it.

But if you don't trust the court, why do you so idolize the foreign powers?

The key point is, the foreign powers have lost every battle against the Ming.

Are you really going to twist the truth and claim they won by losing?!"

Yan Lao glanced at the others again—the banquet had reached its later stages; Shi Bading and the others were already drunk, pulling at each other, trying to get the other to collapse.

Drunkards in this state all believe: the opponent is done for; if I just hold out a few more cups, he'll fall.

No one noticed Xu Yuan and Yan Lao—so Yan Lao felt safe, pulled Xu Yuan closer, and whispered: "Gao Wanli's family strongly advocates buying new cannons, new ships, and other foreign goods.

They're also one of the biggest companies in Zhengzhou that specialize in this trade!

Gao Wanli came to Southern Jiaozhi specifically to compete with you for the position of City Controller, so her family can more easily transport the Red-Haired Barbarians' goods back to Zhengzhou."

Xu Yuan understood: "So there are many in the court who support them?"

Yan Lao smiled: "You've truly matured—you saw right through the trick at once."

Xu Yuan sneered: "It's always the same—just profit."

"Exactly." Yan Lao nodded. "Originally, the court's procurement was handled entirely by the major workshops in Zhengzhou. All the benefits had long been divided up.

Some people couldn't get a foothold, so they grew jealous and anxious.

Now, if the court opens procurement from foreign powers, they can slip in and skim profits, filling their own pockets.

So many who support the Gao family don't truly believe foreign goods are better—they just want the profits from buying them."

Xu Yuan's breath grew heavy with anger; Yan Lao patted his shoulder: "Xiao Yuan, do your job well. When you and the Commandant enter the Northern Capital, you'll have the power to root out these vermin—one by one—and crush them!"

…

Yan Lao returned to Luo City the next day.

Both Yan Lao and Ma Tianshou had full confidence in Xu Yuan now.

Previously, when Xu Yuan was only a Patrol Inspector, he had driven out He Youxing and Xie Qingman.

Now that he's the Controller, how could he fear a subordinate deputy?

Xu Yuan led his men to see Yan Lao off all the way to the city gate.

After returning, Xu Yuan officially took over the Chancery of Champa.

The largest office room, once belonging to He Youxing, now naturally became Xu Yuan's.

Xu Yuan sat in the main seat and tapped the table with his fingers: "Gather everyone. We're holding a meeting."

Soon, Shi Bading, Wan Yun, Fu Jingyu, Mao Dabin, Jia Yi, Di Youzhi, and others arrived.

Only then did Xu Yuan instruct Lang Xiao Ba: "Go and invite High Lord Gao."

Gao Wanli entered with her subordinates and found the office packed with people.

Only one seat remained—on Xu Yuan's left.

She was different from Xie Qingman.

Xie Qingman had shallow roots and relied entirely on her "close friends" in the Northern Capital.

When she took office, she brought only Wan Yun.

But Gao Wanli came with two full squads assigned by her family—one led by a seventh-rank Spirit Cultivator, the other by a sixth-rank Dan Xiu, no less!

Gao Wanli came as a "mighty dragon."

Now, in this office, Xu the Official had displayed an air of "strong troops and ample supplies"—Gao Wanli couldn't help but sneer.

Xu Yuan used "Wang Ming" to observe Gao Wanli.

He hadn't had time to look at her properly during their brief meeting yesterday.

But this one glance revealed something…

Xu Yuan remained expressionless and pointed to the seat beside him: "Come, sit."

Since their first meeting, when Gao Wanli had spoken disrespectfully to him, Xu Yuan had treated her with cold arrogance.

Gao Wanli, annoyed that he wouldn't even address her as "High Lord Gao," snorted and sat down.

She entered with six of her sixth-rank Dan Xiu and seven of her seventh-rank Shen Xiu, but now only one chair remained, so the two of them could only stand behind her.

Gao Wanli thought for a moment and decided to strike first to assert her strength.

She herself was a sixth-rank Jiang Xiu, and in this era, Jiang Xiu were held in higher esteem; thus, Gao Wanli had long felt her status was superior.

And since she was vying with Xu Yuan for the position of Chief of Law in Zhan City, she had thoroughly investigated her opponent and knew Xu Yuan was merely a sixth-rank Dan Xiu who had also dabbled in "Commercial Law," though his level was uncertain.

But he had studied Commercial Law for too short a time—it could not exceed seventh rank.

Thus, in the Zhan City Office, there were now three sixth-ranks, and her side held two of them.

In raw strength, she utterly surpassed Xu Yuan—why should she endure his insolence?

Gao Wanli spoke up first: "My lord Xu, bring chairs for Mr. Lu and Mr. Jiang."

The duty room was already cramped.

There was no space to add another chair.

Before Xu Yuan could refuse, Gao Wanli said: "Mr. Lu is—?"

Shi Bading and the others were indeed surprised.

Gao Wanli had taken office—and brought a sixth-rank subordinate!

Seeing their expressions, Gao Wanli felt satisfied—this was exactly the effect she wanted.

Gao Wanli continued: "If there is no room for more chairs, those without the right to sit should kindly give up one."

But Xu Yuan coldly asked: "May I ask what positions Mr. Lu and Mr. Jiang hold in the Purification Office?"

Gao Wanli replied: "They hold no official posts—I am preparing to appoint them as Inspectors."

Xu Yuan showed no mercy: "Since they are not of the Purification Office, and today's meeting is of the Zhan City Office of the Purification Office, please have them leave first."

(End of Chapter)