Chapter 218: The Willful Emperor

If it just arrived last night, Great Wolf Capital is the time.

Zhang Gui would absolutely never be so straightforward, telling the clearly distinguished Zheng Changgong Baoyin his main purpose for coming to Yuanshan Kingdom.

Even if it is vague and half‑true, half‑false, it is the same.

Because the former Qingdou Academy Head, Huaihe, is now the key to the Yuanshan Empire's covert dismantling of the Ming‑Song noble families' resistance will.

In this situation, if Zhang Gui were Chang Sheng Tie Mu, he would inevitably strictly control every plant and tree around Mr. Huaihe.

Therefore everything must be handled indirectly, plotted slowly.

But the facts show that Chang Sheng Tie Mu is not the Zhang Gui who, across two reincarnations, boasts that "though his muscles are developed, his mind is not simple."

Instead, he doesn't even reside in the imperial palace, spending all day in the army camp's Da Zhang.

Besides his love of horseback warfare and "dominating" the world unmatched, the willful Emperor must devote ninety percent of his remaining energy to cultivation and feasting.

He and Zhang Gui, although both adopt a "hands‑off manager" style, govern their own nations.

Zhang Gui uses a relatively complete and fairness‑valuing "legal system" as a means to keep the state from deviating from his will.

Chang Sheng Tie Mu relies on his near‑miraculous martial prowess and continual brilliant victories to become the sole will of the state, manipulating the Yuanshan Empire.

That works perfectly on the battlefield.

But in ordinary governance, his negligence makes the Yuanshan Imperial Court seem more like a makeshift troupe than even the current Zhenlong.

Although Zhang Gui still cannot figure out, under this almost total reliance on Chang Sheng Tie Mu's banquet‑filled handling of state affairs by the central leadership.

Why can Yuanshan so effectively consolidate national strength?

But through last night's lengthy exchange with the parrot spirit, he can confirm that in Great Wolf Capital one only needs to find the right path.

Bringing a subtly pledged Ming‑Song scholar's disciple home is "not a big deal" at all.

Sure enough, Zheng Changgong Baoyin, upon hearing Zhang Gui's reply, was surprised but showed no fearful or implicated expression,

"You Xi Zhou merchants, for profit, indeed will do anything, 'drilling holes and making tunnels' to get it done."

"Where does this start?"

"A few days ago, one of your Western compatriots built a gambling den in our Great Wolf Capital."

With a stake of ten taels of Dog Head Gold, one can "eat, drink, and revel" without spending any money.

I originally thought this person might be a fool.

But who would have thought that in less than a year he would have crushed all gambling houses in the three surrounding market towns.

He even submitted to the Long Princess of Tiemulundun.

From then on I was convinced of you Western Ocean Merchants' business acumen.

"That's not how it is."

Xihe Continent, like Dongsheng Continent, is fertile for billions of li, with dozens of small states numbering in the tens.

How could that 'gambling‑opening' Westerner be my compatriot?

I never get involved in such harmful businesses.

In the meantime, the old shop assistant brought up sizzling roasted fatty lamb, baked buns, and a large platter of noodles.

Zhang Gui stopped the idle talk, reached out and grabbed a lamb,

"Baoyin the chivalrous, the food is here, let's cut the idle chat."

"I'll perform a 'ten‑bites‑one‑sheep' for you, watch closely."

One bite tore off half a slice of lamb meat.

"You're quite amusing."

No wonder the elders say Western Ocean Merchants are good at drilling camps and networking; indeed they have methods.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin burst into laughter, leaning on the table, chewing loudly, and then stated his price,

"Since that's the case, we'll help with your task, but we can't guarantee success."

We still need to provide three thousand taels of Dog Head Gold as capital.

"Alright, I can give the money first.

But within three days after the payment, you must let me visit Xianhezhai."

"Give me the money first, I'll think of a way."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, and gave a firm nod.

Seeing this, Zhang Gui without hesitation slipped three 'Dang Qian' Dog Head Gold coins from his sleeve into Zheng Changgong Baoyin's palm.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin, unable to continue his gluttony, blew sharply at the Dog Head Gold in his hand.

Seeing a flash of golden light that nearly blinded his eyes, he couldn't help but mutter:

"It really is Dang Qian Dog Head Gold!"

No wonder those kids I deal with on the streets don't say it outwardly, but in fact no one looks at them.

"This is called 'rent‑seeking power.'"

Whether inherited, borrowed through connections with nobles, or earned through one's own hard struggle.

Rights and influence can always be sold at high prices.

"You just now seemed like a merchant, now you've turned into a pedantic scholar."

Truly very whimsical.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin slipped three thousand Dog Head Gold into his pocket and said casually:

"Eat quickly, the sooner we finish, the sooner we set off."

"When we get to Xianhezhai, don't dawdle; handle the matter briskly and cleanly."

"That would be perfect."

Zhang Gui smiled, nodded, said no more, and continued to eat and drink in silence.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin quickly ate his fill and drank his fill, then got up and went to the companion who was sharing a meal at the two patched wooden tables.

He furtively took a 'thousand' Dog Head Gold from his bosom, slipped it into a short, stout young man's hat, and whispered:

"Ge Ri Lang, keep this thousand Dog Head Gold safe and deposit it into our Cangying Faction's public account."

The short, stout youth pulled the hat off his own head, gathered the Dog Head Gold together in his hand, and said:

"Brother Baoyin, my Zong Ma family may not be noble, but among my brothers and uncles there are a few who serve as Qie Xue Imperial Guard."

Moreover, I have now entered the Dao, so I can help with legitimate matters.

You should have someone else send this money back…

"It's precisely because you, Zong Ma Ge Ri Lang, regardless of lineage or ability, have now become capable that I let you stay to hold down our Cangying Society's venue."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin put the hat back on Ge Ri Lang's head.

Then his gaze swept over a tall, slender, handsome young man and a medium‑built, slightly plump girl with a round face and delicate features,

"Song Batu, Wu Yun Gao Wa, you two will follow me in a moment."

Song Batu and Wu Yun Gao Wa exchanged a smile and nodded.

Zong Ma Ge Ri Lang, seeing this, let out an angry snort,

"Song Batu, don't take advantage of my absence to court Sister Gao Wa…"

"Enough, you simpleton, aren't you afraid of people laughing at you."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin, irritated, covered his good brother's mouth,

"According to your talent, even if you split the drive to pursue a maiden half into cultivation,

you still wouldn't be riding a foal with a soft bow shooting wild rabbits at four, and only near eighteen would you enter the Dao."

Zong Ma Ge Ri Lang seemed also to know shame; hearing this, he hung his head in dejection and fell silent.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin, seeing this, glared at him again and released his hand.

At this moment, Zhang Gui had also eaten his fill and drunk his fill, washed his hands and mouth clean with soapwort, and boarded the rented carriage together with Zheng Changgong Baoyin, Song Batu, and Wu Yun Gao Wa.

The carriage sped along, and by noon the next day they finally arrived at the foot of Tianyuan Mountain.

(End of Chapter)