Chapter 124: Heart Demon (Part 2)

Now the population of the Upper Stone Corpse Capital is close to one hundred thousand.

Not only is the produce rich, but the government's exploitation is also minimal, and it provides sufficient employment opportunities.

In addition, there is never a curfew.

Before twelve o'clock in the morning, the whole city is lit with 'whale fat lamps' in the style of street lamps.

The streets are full of traffic, truly having a bit of a prosperous scene.

Arriving at Guiyang Palace.

Song Huawen discovered that Sang Gui had arrived and paid respects to Zhang Gui one step ahead, and was now listening to the holy sound.

"... ability has improved further, and I can refine thousand-Stone Corpse Soldiers.

Then the professional troops currently being organized should be upgraded from a hundred-person sequence to a thousand-person sequence, which can be considered a step in place.

After all, the establishment of Ming Song's Flower Dragon Cavalry hasn't reached the 'ten thousand' character head.

Song Gong has arrived, sit down, sit down.

I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news to tell you.

The good news is that by chance, I have gained a blessing in disguise and my strength has greatly increased.

Along with it, the military power of our True Dragon Kingdom can also advance suddenly.

The bad news is that Yuanshan and Ming Song are making more and more trouble, and I am implicated and it is difficult to be a person..."

He told the encounters of the past few days in detail, and finally asked:

"Song Gong, Old Sang Gui, what do you think I should do next?"

The heart demon had just stabilized, and Zhang Gui didn't want to use his brain much, so he kicked the ball to the two major confidants who were resourceful.

Song Huawen thought for a while and expressed his opinion, "It is still better to stay still than to move.

Great King, to say something unpleasant, although you hold a Fourth Rank official title in Ming Song, in reality, your power is not as good as a hundred-li Marquis.

The only benefit is that the frame is big, there are few constraints in the local area, and no one dares to provoke you.

But now the one who dares to provoke has come, so what can be done."

Having been together for years, feeling that he is already a soul mate in politics with Zhang Gui, Old Song has become less and less scrupulous when communicating.

"Song Gong is truly more and more straightforward the longer we are together, but it is better to be tactful next time."

Zhang Gui joked and sighed,

"In the past, in legendary storybooks, I felt that the power struggles were very enjoyable.

Now that the novel has entered reality and it is my turn, I know how unbearable it is.

Li Yunbo, he is truly a kind person. I feel that if it is according to his blessings, living for a thousand years is the truth.

As a result, a good Fifth Rank Zaicheng of the Mansion just died like this!

A Fifth-Rank Na, although both a local official and a barbarian official, cannot compare to those local rotating officials who come from hereditary titles or the two imperial examination lists.

But he was killed by the emperor's son for his own selfish desires for no reason, and he died without knowing it.

What kind of thing is this!"

"This is a sign of a dying country!" Old Sang Gui concluded gloomily:

"If a Prince can casually plot against a Fifth-Rank local official, then what about those hereditary officials whose family backgrounds aren't strong enough in the future? Can they be killed too?

And then the local officials who are properly imperial examinations?

The pure stream from the Jinshi background?

Anyway, the emperor is far away, why not?

Walking step by step like this, troubled times are imminent!"

"Only remember that you, Old Sang Gui, were once a leader among the rebels, but forgot that you were a proper scholar sixty years ago.

Forget it, I know. In the future, eighty percent of the effort must still be used on the 'disk'.

From today on, I will continue to go to the island to steal slaves from the Western He people.

Steady and steady, the plan of expanding the population by fifty thousand in three years must be changed to at least one million.

Time and momentum!

In the past, I could only refine ten thousand Stone Corpse Soldiers if I worked hard.

But now, as long as the population is enough and the corpses are sufficient, I can organize one hundred and eight thousand-person Stone Corpse Soldier armies.

It doesn't matter if the steps are bigger.

However, this Stone Corpse Soldier is not selected and trained after all.

But a special arm that I directly achieved with the bloodline strange technique inherited from ancient times.

It still needs to be trained well in daily life."

Mentioning military affairs was naturally Old Sang Gui's duty, and he immediately sat upright and agreed: "Yes."

Next, it was Song Huawen's turn.

"Great King, looking at these days, I feel that although Southern Red slaves are generally more stupid and temperamental than our Eastern Continent people.

But they are stronger and more obedient to authority.

Naturalization into True Dragon citizens is completely unobstructed and natural.

So your plan to continue transporting Southern Red slaves to fill the population will not pose too much of a challenge to the future development and current order of the Upper Stone Corpse Capital.

However, their literacy rate is almost zero.

In non-mandatory situations, less than 30% are willing to use their own time to study at night.

It is not that I discriminate, let alone compare with the Ming Song people who advocate 'all things are inferior, only reading is high', even the grassland barbarians like Yuanshan are not as good.

Truly unwilling to make progress."

Zhang Gui felt that Song Huawen's imitation of his wording and face was quite similar to some old experts and scholars he knew in his previous life, and felt it was funny.

"This kind of thing cannot be forced.

Those who are unwilling to make progress will be sent to do rough work.

When they see the difference in income between mental labor and physical labor, and more importantly, personally realize that hard work will be rewarded.

Then they will have the motivation to make progress."

"It can only be so." Song Huawen said helplessly.

He was a wealthy merchant's attendant and manager, and for most of his life, he had been a small ox and horse, a big ox and horse, and a high-level ox and horse.

He actually agreed with Zhang Gui's practice of never forcing in governance and only guiding.

It's just that seeing some Nan Chi people with incredible luck, who transformed from slaves whose life and death were not their own into True Dragon citizens, having the opportunity to grasp their future destiny yet wasting it wantonly,

preferring to eat, drink, and play every night rather than making the slightest effort to improve and seek a better future, I feel inexplicably regretful in my heart.

Zhang Gui seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a smile:

"Old Song, you are absolutely right to want to 'grind,' for how many times in life can one truly struggle?

But if they aren't willing to grind and just want to enjoy life, there isn't the slightest bit of fault in that.

It's not like they are completely lying flat and not working; they finish their eight hours of work every day, take their wages, and eat and drink what they earned themselves.

Can we even manage that?"

"That is indeed something we can't manage, nor should we."

Old Song sighed, considering the serious business finished.

Next, Zhang Gui was just about to suggest having a meal with his right-hand men to maintain their bond.

He happened to hear Song Huawen's ravenous stomach growl quite opportunely: "Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle..."

"Mr. Song, you must be hungry. It's just the right time for a meal; I'll treat you and Old Sang Gui to..."

"Your Majesty, this humble official has promised his granddaughter to eat together tonight.

Little Que'er also asked me to wish you ten thousand blessings and peace.

If you don't mind the simplicity of this official's residence, why don't you and Lord Sang Gui come home with me for a family meal?"

This was more convenient, and the effect of harmony between monarch and subject would be the same, but Zhang Gui still asked Old Sang Gui:

"Old Sang Gui, Mr. Song has invited us so warmly, what do you think?"

"It is entirely up to Your Majesty to decide." Old Sang Gui naturally wouldn't spoil the mood and smiled. "However, after eating this family meal at Lord Song's,

for the next meal, if Your Majesty wishes to enjoy the company of us subjects again, you must let me be the host."

"Eating your food and saving my own—that couldn't be better."

Zhang Gui stood up and, with Song Huawen and Old Sang Gui one in front and one behind, left Guiyang Palace in a leisurely manner.

(End of this chapter)