Chapter 256: The Voting Chief

In the great hall of Guiyang Palace.

Zhang Gui leans against the round, plump sofa, bends his elbows, and props his chin with his fists.

Listening to the flattery of the ministers below, a fake smile appears on his face, but he does not intervene.

Because he has been Emperor for a long time, he has come to understand that sometimes, as the highest ruler, accepting the ministers' ingratiation is also a matter of human relations.

Because you, Emperor, as the nation's supreme leader, are too straightforward and lofty.

All those below then develop an inexplicable sense of being at a loss.

Everyone, tier by tier, learns to act as rigidly as those above, and consequently, being unable to lean on their superiors, they become as if treading on thin ice.

As time passes, even when doing the right things, they dare not act freely, adhering to the old ways.

At the same time, Zhang Gui, being at the top layer, gradually falls into the awkward situation of "the more one scrutinizes, the fewer companions remain."

He becomes, in another sense, a solitary recluse, truly gaining nothing—why endure it?

Far less suitable than the method of "alternating tension and relaxation, the way of martial cultivation," which is more fitting.

Thus, after the ministers' flattery had been sufficient, Zhang Gui finally clapped his hands and said:

"Esteemed ministers have lifted me to the heavens; I will now take advantage of the momentum and fly for a while."

Now that the flight is over, we shall all return to the ground and continue.

The three cities of Roujin, Civilization Vanguard, and Sacred Ode to the west of True Dragon Island, we have decided not to move.

Not only will we not move, but we will also conduct business with the various groups of Xihezhou Ocean Merchant Group through them.

Except for the slave trade, anything else can be done.

Lord Song, after the court session, you shall dispatch envoys to Roujin, Civilization Vanguard, and Sacred Ode, informing their leaders that True Dragon Island is our territory.

But due to historical reasons, we can lease the territories of Roujin, Civilization Vanguard, and Sacred Ode to them for a price of one or two silver pieces per year.

Lao Sang Gui, divide all the combat‑ready forces of our True Dragon Kingdom into three groups.

Guard the three envoys to Roujin, Civilization Vanguard, and Sacred Ode.

Remember, only intimidation; do not lightly draw swords.

"Do not lightly draw" means that when necessary, you may "act."

Sang Gui pondered for a moment, without pressing Zhang Gui on the specifics.

He simply, together with Song Wenhua, bowed and replied, "Yes.", agreeing.

"Very well, the matter with the Xihezhou Ocean Merchant Group is settled."

Now let us discuss those so‑called corporate explorers from Beixuan Continent to the north of True Dragon Island.

According to my observation, they are essentially a group of destitute families who, aside from their lives, are nothing but empty shells.

Besides being reckless and daring to fight and kill, they are also rogue types who, for money and ideals, will dare to do anything.

However, as the saying goes, even a rotten ship can have three pounds of nails pulled out.

Even a single piece of paper can be used when one is in the bathroom, can't it?

Beixuan is the last piece of territory of the Four Continents of Diyuan, and its civilization, including its political system, is very interesting.

Therefore we must keep those explorers.

Waiting for these people to approach us voluntarily.

To see if we can open a trade route between us and Beixuan Continent.

Island nations at sea, unlike the massive continental giants, can form their own systems.

Striving by any means to expand trade is a matter of course.

Thus, when Zhang Gui finished speaking, the ministers in unison echoed, each offering many suggestions on how to connect with the Beixuan people.

Zhang Gui listened silently, and finally adopted the proposal put forward by Song Wenhua.

Since those destitute families who have trekked thousands of miles from Beixuan Continent to the Chaotic Tooth Archipelago have no money yet love money.

Then using money to manipulate them is undoubtedly the simplest method.

"Lord Song, you are truly seasoned in statecraft; this tactic of leveraging others is optimal."

Leaning on the sofa, Zhang Gui changes his posture, claps and laughs:

"Dealing with the Beixuan matter is now over; next comes the final agenda."

In the past year, our original plan was to extensively build a new county along the banks of Zhenlong River.

The wondrous artifact 'Tiangang' used for constructing the county, a peerless masterpiece of heavenly craftsmanship, its creation principles subtly align with the 'Imperial Ultimate Classics.'

It requires building twenty‑nine towns and villages, plus one county seat, together forming a complete county jurisdiction.

Such a county can accommodate a population surpassing that of a major mainland county; a county holds ten thousand households, averaging fifty thousand people.

Eighteen or nine townships, three or five towns together amount to one hundred thousand households, exceeding five hundred thousand people by a good margin.

One county needs to house roughly seven hundred thousand people.

But we don't have that many people.

At that time we thought of a plan: after the county is built, migrate the entire townships together, totaling fifty thousand households.

First set up the framework, then speak further.

But we did not anticipate the sudden shift in Donglu, with Ming Song He Zheng Di being all ambition and no ability.

He suddenly caused chaos in the court, turning that great empire into a setting sun.

It also gave us a chance; in a year the population surged nearly fivefold, jumping from one million to almost five million.

Continuing the previous plan stubbornly would be a joke.

Thus, in reality we built thirty‑three counties, three commandery cities, forming three commandery systems.

One commandery relocates one and a half million citizens.

So now, counting, Shangshi Shijing still has five hundred thousand households remaining.

It is over a hundred thousand fewer than before.

But if Dongzhou, especially the Mingsong Empire, experiences another upheaval, tens of thousands of households may relocate here within a short time.

Therefore I plan to expand 'Shangshi Shijing'.

It will truly be built according to the regulations of a capital city of a nation.

What do the ministers think?

Zhang Gui's tone immediately sounded "over the top".

Moreover, the ministers of the True Dragon Kingdom present were also stirred by a series of victories, their passions inflamed.

Naturally, no one objected.

Only Song Wenhua suggested:

"Your Majesty, since we are to undertake massive construction in the capital, should the local 'county establishment' be suspended?"

"Exactly so."

Zhang Gui nodded, then his expression gradually grew solemn as he began to brew his emotions.

All the ministers below sensed the uneasy atmosphere, their anxious gazes collectively turned upward.

He announced in a deep voice:

"From this day forward, proclaim to All Under Heaven.

After the first month of the True Dragon Kingdom's 'True Manifestation' system, the local commoners will elect the officials by an unrecorded floating ballot…

The head's identity must not be a serving official…

Anyone found cheating shall receive the sole penalty of death…

Those who ignore reports, and anyone proven guilty, shall also receive the sole penalty of death…

As for the former township heads, they will be reassigned as local deputies, with rank and salary unchanged.

I know that this initial reform will inevitably cause turmoil.

But this is the great trend of civilization…

Just as he was speaking, Zhang Gui suddenly felt a mysterious tremor, and his whole body began to shake.

Having just broken through to the Fifth Rank 'Bing Shang Zhong' extraordinary level, there were already faint signs of further promotion.

"Last time when I teased Zhen Ciyun for fun, I inadvertently did,

In the future, to become king and sage, we must break the old rule that the human race's supreme beings 'preset many taboos for others'.

Henceforth, 'judge a person's virtue solely by their actions, not their words'.

The result stirred the mystery and received a positive response.

I didn't expect that, and today another even larger one arrived.

What an unexpected surprise!

It's just a pity it's still a bit short of the right timing, not achieving an instant leap to the next level.

But it shouldn't take too long either.

(End of chapter)