Chapter 128

The imperial commissioners sent by the imperial court are actually graded.

For example, the most ordinary and common regional censor is actually a type of imperial commissioner.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for them, with a meager rank of Sixth or Seventh Grade, to restrain the frontier officials of a province and make them have scruples.

And the highest-grade imperial commissioner is someone like Prince Zhen, who "acts for Heaven on an inspection tour."

According to ritual law, he should be granted the Nine Bestowals and is truly "as if the Emperor himself has arrived."

But even so, an imperial commissioner acting for Heaven on an inspection tour is still a temporary errand within the civil official system.

Even if the "Nine Bestowals" are fully granted, apart from the "Huben" acting as bodyguards, there is no reason for him to lead an army.

So after Prince Zhen left the capital, he actually had no military power in his hands.

As for the fish-dragon giant warship under his command, it belonged to a means of transportation.

Of course, if he didn't have the possibility of inheriting the throne in the future, as a royal prince and noble, even if he were beaten to death and saved, he couldn't possibly have this grade and type of transportation.

But regardless, Prince Zhen took the opportunity of Yuan Mountain and Qianji attacking his temporary residence and miraculously succeeded in counterattacking.

Not only did he defeat the invading enemy, but he also counterattacked back to Xianrong Island and occupied the territory of an entire "Province."

During this period, because of Zhang Yan's surrender, he also had his own armed forces.

If he were a frivolous person who considered himself a favored son of heaven and destined by fate, he would probably expand the results immediately.

But Prince Zhen began to remain still after the great victory, began to cultivate his own forces, and highlighted his existence.

And the arrival of Guan Xihui's fleet at "Civilization Pioneer City" was the debut of Prince Zhen's forces in the East Inner Sea.

The purpose was to imitate Zhang Jiujiang and others of the Qingdou Academy to ransom Ming Song prisoners of war who had fallen into the hands of Yuan Mountain.

As the saying goes, having grace without power leads to cowardice, and having power without grace makes it difficult to gain followers.

This is an act of "cultivating prestige," which is truly profound.

And regarding this matter, Zhang Gui and Guan Xihui first communicated at the pier, then at the tavern, and finally ran to the outside of the church of the New God Yesaya in the Western He Continent.

They communicated from daytime until evening before finally parting ways.

Watching Old Guan's desolate back disappear at the street corner.

Zhang Gui turned and strolled back to the "Black Lion and Fierce Tiger Joint Trading Company."

It was already this late, and Salisa was still in the office counting the quantity of food pills that had just been put into storage.

Zhang Gui walked into the office with the door wide open and knocked on the wooden door behind him.

"Do you know, Salisa, there is no work in this world that can be absolutely finished.

So smart people always combine work and rest."

"That's just an excuse for lazy people," Salisa said without raising her head:

"But Caiyang, why did you come back to our company again?

I thought we should see each other less while Prince Zhen's fleet is docked in Civilization Pioneer City."

"The situation has changed a bit; according to the latest news I received, Prince Zhen has already defeated the armies of Yuan Mountain and the Qianji people.

And occupied the most fertile 'Province' on Xianrong Island..."

"Are you joking?" Salisa finally put down the documents in her hand and looked up.

Her business had intricate connections with ocean transportation; in fact, all the businesses, large and small, in the entire "Civilization Pioneer City" were like this.

And if the skin does not exist, to what will the hair attach itself?

If Prince Zhen, representing the Ming Song imperial dynasty, really defeated the Yuan Mountain forces in the East Inner Sea and subsequently developed a desire for revenge.

That would definitely not be good news for the Western He ocean merchants who had traded frequently with the Yuan Mountain Empire in recent decades.

Seeing the change in his partner's expression, Zhang Gui comforted her:

"Of course it's not a joke, but things are not as bad as you imagine.

Otherwise, Prince Zhen would have sent a huge fish-dragon warship to 'Civilization Vanguard City' instead of an armed merchant ship to ransom Ming Song prisoners of war."

Salisa widened her eyes and suddenly had some associations,

"You mean, Prince Zhen's fleet is also here to 'ransom Ming Song prisoners of war.'

But no one has ever done this before you; it wouldn't be that your vain actions have started some damn trend in your motherland, would it?"

"I don't know about that; the Ming Song Emperor has more than one son.

Next, there might be more and more Ming Song princes coming to do this kind of prestige-cultivating thing."

Zhang Gui said uncertainly:

"But what does this have to do with us little people?

Let's just continue to do what we planned step by step.

Before we parted last time, didn't you say that this time we meet, you would take me to the 'Qingmi' salon to formally meet Ms. Liliya?

To enter her social circle? What are we waiting for?"...

A salon is a type of high-society social venue that was born in the Gaul Empire of the Western He Continent and is now popular throughout the West and even in overseas city-states.

The most orthodox form is for the hostess of a great noble family, or even an imperial princess or queen, to be with close socialites, noblewomen, or female officials in her own court reception hall.

While receiving some of the top politicians, critics, philosophers, musicians, novelists, etc., who have huge influence in the court or among the people;

while enjoying elegant music, creating topics, listening, or participating in discussions personally.

Over time.

This type of salon would automatically transform into a tool for spreading information and controlling public opinion, and would gradually have extremely valuable social value.

Of course, it is impossible for such a noble salon to be born in Civilization Pioneer City.

The salon here is similar to the top-tier brothel in the East where a cup of tea can equal the income of a commoner for half a year.

Its hostess is like the madam from Zhang Gui's previous life.

You can express disdain, but smart people know that in some gray areas without government jurisdiction, such figures are usually not to be trifled with...

Philosopher Street, one of the only two streets in Civilization Pioneer City patrolled by city detectives day and night.

There is not a single trading company or low-end shop here.

Apart from public facilities like parks, bird-feeding grounds, and churches, there are only daily shops like restaurants, tailor shops, and candy stores that look quite high-end.

As well as various membership-based private clubs and more private salons.

And "Qingmi" is the third-ranked leader among the salons.

Its owner is the sister of Liliya Tang Tang'ang, the girl who invited Zhang Gui to visit Qingmi, Vina Tang Tang'ang.

A luxury rental carriage walked "clatter, clatter, clatter" on Philosopher Street.

The rent for this carriage is one Great Eagle Coin per day.

And it must be guaranteed by a shop that has been in operation for more than five years and has a certain scale.

And such harsh rental conditions make it almost immune to harassment by patrolling detectives.

At this moment, inside the carriage wrapped in velvet.

Salisa fiddled with the whale oil lamp and said softly:

"People say that Vina Tang Tang'ang not only naturally understands women's bodies and men's needs;

but also understands men's bodies and women's needs.

Among thousands of dying Nan Chi slaves who are like pigs, she picks out the 'good materials' who are most likely to become heartthrobs and gigolos.

Teaching them how to please guests as if turning stones into gold.

Not through words.

Because those Nan Chi slaves don't even know how to read, let alone philosophy, poetry, or prose.

Purely using the body, it's completely the body!

This is simply unbelievable!

You must know that the 'ladies' and 'gentlemen' of other salons are not only mostly Western He Continent people—of course, occasionally there are your fellow countrymen.

And they are all good-looking and well-educated.

Yet they are not as good as a group of illiterate slaves."

(End of this chapter)