Chapter 143

The word 'qualification.'

People who don't understand the joints will think it's no big deal; people who want to build a career must rely on their own ability and skills.

But those who have studied history books know how important qualifications are.

"In the past, the Gaozong of the previous dynasty, in the capacity of the Qi King, announced to the world at the 'Lijiang Training Ground' to raise an army and clear the monarch's side.

Of the thirty-seven civil and military officials present, all those who died had 'beautiful posthumous titles,' and those who lived were at least third-rank officials.

Listed in the 'Thirty-Seven Sages of Lijiang.'

And when the Yan King of this dynasty swept the north, he announced to heaven at Lu Jiao.

Of those present who had official status, none were left empty-handed after the ancestor succeeded; all were granted titles, and their families' wealth and honor lasted as long as the country!

The lessons of the past are the teachers of the future.

Now the Zhen King has shown the image of 'Nine-Five' ascension, but I am trapped in this small Zhihai Town, unable to stretch.

No wonder that day when I took over Lü Ju's errand, this kid didn't say a word..."

Lü Zhenduan's face turned blue, his heart was filled with thousands of thoughts and mixed feelings, and suddenly he heard Zhang Gui say:

"However, the situation is stronger than the people.

Nowadays, the most popular person in the entire Eastern Yue Province is His Highness the Zhen King.

I am a grass-roots general in the countryside of Pingyang Commandery City; what can I do if I am not satisfied?"

Suddenly, the situation turned around, and Lü Zhenduan widened his eyes,

"Caiyang Dragon-Tiger, do you mean you are willing to serve His Highness the Zhen King?"

"The ancients said, 'Good birds choose trees to perch on, and wise ministers choose masters to serve.'

And there is another wise man who said, 'If the monarch treats me as a national scholar, I will repay him as a national scholar;

If the monarch treats me as a passerby, I will repay him as a passerby;

If the monarch treats me as grass, I will repay him as an enemy!'

And the Zhen King treats me worse than a passerby; for a while, I really cannot be dispatched on the battlefield and entrust my life.

I can only 'listen to orders but not to announcements' first.

If His Highness really has the bearing you said, he should agree to this condition.

If he thinks I am arrogant because of this, then forget about this matter.

I will just leave it to fate."

Lü Zhenduan pondered for a long time upon hearing this, and slapped his thigh hard,

"Good, I will go to see the Zhen King right now and give you a good place to go."

"Old Lü is straightforward, then I will wait for your good news."

Zhang Gui smiled strangely and clapped his hands in response.

After that, the development of the situation was just as he expected; the Zhen King followed Lü Zhenduan's advice, and everything else remained as usual...

At noon, the waves of the Eastern Inner Sea of the Yuanluan Ocean were surging.

A thousand-liao large ironwood turtle mechanism ship was bobbing on the water.

It looked dangerous, but when it really lost its balance, the two-zhang-thick 'turtle fins' on both sides of the bow of the mechanism ship would paddle a few times, and it could stabilize the hull at once.

It was very magical.

In the helm cabin at the bow of the ship.

Zhang Gui was playing with the brass sea turtle on the 'helm' with both hands, steering the boat forward.

Riding the wind and waves, he was very comfortable.

Lü Zhenduan stood behind him, also in high spirits,

"Caiyang Dragon-Tiger, if this large ironwood turtle mechanism ship follows the regulations of your Pingyang Zhang family, it must be 'Class A.'

I heard that it wasn't even for sale before, but now it has been secretly given to you.

It even comes with a full set of blueprints for building mechanism ships.

Now you know how important the Zhen King is in the Eastern Yue Province.

And how smart you were to listen to my advice and defect to His Highness."

"That is indeed so.

And I think that after Master Zhang Liuduo became the head of the Pingyang Zhang family again, he went crazy.

Revealing the method of building the 'Ironwood Turtle Mechanism Ship' to me so easily, I'm afraid he won't even want to see his ancestors after he dies."

A look of agreement appeared on Lü Zhenduan's face.

After all, a complete set of blueprints for building mechanism ships capable of ocean voyages cannot be measured by mountains of gold and silver.

It is equivalent to the core secret of a commandery-level or prefecture-level aristocratic family.

Under normal circumstances, it would never be handed over to others.

But now, Zhang Liuduo, who has just regained a high position, has become the 'horse bone' for the Zhen King to buy a horse bone for a thousand gold.

As a staff member of the Zhen King faction, Lü Zhenduan must not belittle him, so he could only pretend to smile and say:

"Caiyang Dragon-Tiger, actually, you are also a descendant of the Pingyang Zhang family.

Whether close or not, even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected.

So Master Zhang Liuduo giving you the shipbuilding blueprints is not giving them to an outsider."

While speaking, he looked outside and asked casually:

"Haven't we reached Giant Serpent Head Island yet?"

"After leaving the Eastern Inner Sea and entering the Outer Wild Ocean, the first large island is Giant Serpent Head.

Looking at the sea chart, we'll be there soon."

Zhang Gui said with a smile, pressing the copper turtle hard with both hands.

The turtle feet and turtle fins at the bottom of the large ironwood turtle mechanism ship began to increase their sliding rate rhythmically.

At this time, a strong wind blew across the sea.

Behind them, a fleet could be vaguely seen chasing them.

Seeing the water curtain sea chart on the 'helm' showing the appearance of other ships.

Lü Zhenduan, who was a scholar, became nervous all of a sudden,

"Dragon-Tiger, look quickly, why is there a ship chasing us?

Is it a warship of the Qianji people!"

"Zaicheng Lü, don't be nervous.

The route we are taking is the fastest route from the Siping Commandery City sea area directly to Giant Serpent Head Island.

Now there are few pirates on the sea, so those who know the way all go this way.

Look, isn't Giant Serpent Head Island there?"

On the distant horizon, a huge gourd-shaped island slowly appeared.

"We really arrived.

Good, good, good, once we arrive here, even if the thieves from Yuan Mountain and Qianji come from behind, we don't have to be afraid."

Arriving at his own territory, Zaicheng Lü became calm and composed again.

"I heard that you, Caiyang Dragon-Tiger, once lived in Blackwood Town on Giant Serpent Head Island for a while.

You should be very familiar with this place."

On average, Zhang Gui has spent five out of ten days on Giant Serpent Head Island in the past two years; how could he not be familiar with it?

But he always traveled by teleportation, so he really rarely looked at the outline of the island with his naked eye.

"If you say familiar, I am indeed very familiar.

But I rarely travel by sea, so looking at it, I still feel that this island is quite shocking."

"Yes, such a huge island, with an area comparable to a large commandery or a small province, is indeed shocking to look at from afar.

I'm afraid that's why the Zhen King chose to establish 'Heavenly Chief' here."

Zhang Gui touched his eyebrows calmly upon hearing this,

"I have also seen the atmosphere of the cities built by 'Heavenly Craft Opens Things' on the nine islands of Heavenly Might, Heavenly Fierce, Heavenly Wealth...

It is indeed exceptionally mysterious.

But the scale is not as good as Zhihai Town, even if it is bigger in the future..."

"Hahaha... Caiyang Dragon-Tiger, we are friends now, so don't blame me for being straightforward.

Comparing your Zhihai Town with the cities of Heavenly Might, Heavenly Fierce... is really like comparing a tiger to a mouse.

It can't even be mentioned.

You must know that Zhihai Town, from the wharf to the training ground, barracks, fields, and vegetable gardens, all together is only a little over thirty thousand acres.

But the 'Heavenly Skill,' which ranks last among the thirty-six Heavenly Spirits of 'Heavenly Craft Opens Things,' must also be able to hold an 'Lower County.'

According to the regulations, that is thirty-three thousand households and one hundred and sixty-five thousand people.

And it's not just about living; food and clothing must all be self-sufficient.

Think about how many 'thirty thousand acres' that must be.

If the last Heavenly Skill is like this, what about the top 'Heavenly Spirit'!

It is said that it can build a giant city the size of a 'Capital Region.'

Encompassing ten million people.

Being able to witness this wonder with our own eyes is simply a topic of conversation for a lifetime."

(End of Chapter)