Chapter 263: Two Faces (Part 2)

Lü Zhenduan, who came from the Imperial Academy of the Ming Song Empire, which is the top official family academy on the Dongsheng Continent.

He is billed as a "Heavenly Son's Disciple," but in reality he is a one‑in‑ten‑thousand standout among scholars.

So when he feels stifled, he will gamble his future, voluntarily leave the capital with Zhen Wang, and crawl like a worm, sharpening his mind to climb upward.

After a heavy setback he quickly goes flat, lets things drift, lowers the banner and stops the drums, appearing utterly decadent.

Yet, in depth, his actions can be said to show a deep mastery of the art of advance and retreat.

He dares, at a pivotal point in his life, to stake heavy capital on a heavy gamble.

He also knows, after repeated setbacks, not to let his "sunk cost" become unbearable, so he makes a swift, courageous retreat.

He is a figure equipped with both strategy and cunning!

Thus, when Lü Zhenduan makes his second life‑long gamble, accepting Zhang Gui's task to integrate the "Heavenly Craft Nine Cities" of Nei Dong Hai, he does not merely follow his instructions.

He sails a fleet around the "Heavenly Craft Nine Cities" for a lap.

Considering that Zhen Wang's Xingzai has become completely mired in the war quagmire of Xianrong Island, lacking supplies internally and without external reinforcements,

there might be an opportunity to exploit.

He turns the Imperial Decree issued by the Ming Song Court to the "All Under Heaven," ordering the Dragon Tiger Shogunate to seize the "Heavenly Craft Nine Cities" of Dong Neihai, from a mere formality into reality.

He also acts under the title of Heir Apparent of the Shishi Vassal State and "Full‑Authority Representative" of the Dragon Tiger Shogunate's maritime affairs.

He searches for forces that can be utilized,

regardless of righteousness or evil, as long as they have some reputation and strength, he makes a deal.

To those of the "Pirate King" type, he promises that if they are willing to wave flags and shout when the Dragon Tiger Shogunate subdues the "Heavenly Craft Nine Cities," they may have a share.

After opening the dock of a certain Heavenly Craft Island city, he will lease it to them for ninety‑nine years at a price of ninety‑nine copper coins.

He also attaches a genuine, Ming Song Empire‑recognized "Fifth Rank Sea Patrol Commissioner" position belonging to the Barbarian official hierarchy.

He offers a chance to "wash clean" their slate.

As for the "armed maritime merchant" type, he notes that the cavalry of Yuanshan Kingdom is about to trample into Nanguo.

These Barbarian Tribes practice a "Tax Farming System."

If everyone casually smooths relations, the good days of cheating on taxes and evading duties will soon be over.

Then "people become the cutting board, I become the fish flesh," what can you do?

Or do you think that joining those barbarians who rode light‑backed horses since childhood, drank goat's milk, and shot field mice, and listening to you preach the "Way of Economy," would be collusion?

Hence "people without foresight will inevitably have immediate worries,"

Everyone should now bet on cooperating sincerely with the Shishi Man Guo and the Dragon Tiger Shogunate, jointly subduing the "Heavenly Craft Nine Cities" and managing them together—that is the wise choice.

It should be known that the General of the Dragon Tiger Shogunate is the future "Barbarian King" recognized by a decree of the Ming Song Empire.

Although the Shishi Kingdom's territory is not vast now, it has been established for several millennia, far longer than the Ming Song Empire.

Even in official histories, there is a record of that.

After the Yuanshan People attack, if they are willing to surrender voluntarily, following the generous custom shown by Chang Sheng Tie Mu, they will inevitably be granted the title of ruler of a barbarian state.

The seized "Heavenly Craft Nine Cities" will naturally become part of the Shishi Kingdom's territory.

In that case, a simple "hand‑over" suffices; taxes and trade will be settled accordingly.

As a result, using this rhetoric, Lü Zhenduan actually managed to win over some half‑true, half‑false so‑called allies who cast nets for fish.

Continuing his "swindle and deceit," he then ran into the Zhenlong Kingdom on Giant Snake Head Island, which had just inexplicably "risen up."

Like "divine assistance," it became the Zhenlong's first ally on Donglu…

Standing on the deck, he gazes out at the boundless, rippling blue sea.

The founding ruler of the maritime Zhenlong Kingdom, listening to his land‑based subordinates, proudly displays the promise of military assistance from the Zhenlong Kingdom.

A look of delighted surprise appears on his face,

"Now that we've taken the 'Heavenly Craft Nine Cities,' there's actually some prospect,"

I recall there were rumors that the "New World Sea City" was a force secretly built at sea by our Pingyang Zhang Family,

I, Zhang Jiuqing, was the original instigator.

I truly don't know where to begin.

Later, many people, including you, guessed that Zhen Wang's Xingzai left a remnant on Giant Snake Head Island and was the mastermind behind the "New World."

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be only the tip of the iceberg, with a hidden indigenous micro‑state in the jungle of an outer‑sea island behind it.

"Indeed." Lü Zhenduan nods thoughtfully,

"The saying 'Three men make a tiger' applies even more when continents and islands are separated by thousands of miles, with countless rumors passed by word of mouth."

"Yes, but regardless of its origins, the Zhenlong Kingdom always appears mysterious.

It should not be fully trusted."

Zhang Gui, feigning contemplation, says,

"Heir Apparent, actually my push for the Dragon Tiger Shogunate to ally with that Zhenlong Kingdom was never without a hint of 'seeking the tiger's skin.'"

Such islands that rise and fall on the Outer Wild Ocean are mostly "aware of small courtesies but lack great righteousness, fear power yet lack virtue."

Legends say many sea‑king barbarians even eat enemies raw and gouge out eyes…

"Alright, alright, however they speak they're still our allies; just be cautious."

It shouldn't be described as so terrifying.

Also, Old Lü, why are you still circling around in front of me? Just say what you want to say quickly.

Right now we're like stirring a pot with a horse‑screw; feel free to speak openly whatever's on your mind.

"Then I'll say it; I ask the Dragon Tiger Shogunate to pardon me of any guilt."

Lü Zhenduan fell silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and said in a wavering voice:

"Our only remaining way out is to, when the Yuanshan cavalry tramples into Nanjiang, be the first to submit to Chang Sheng Tie Mu."

In that case, even for the Qianjin Maigu, Chang Sheng Tie Mu would…

"You've said this kind of thing countless times over the past few months.

Why bother saying it so solemnly?"

Zhang Gui deliberately smiled and said,

"Back then it was just rhetoric; now it's sincere advice. How could they be the same?

Dragon Tiger, no matter who we deal with or how many favors we grant, as long as they become a vassal of the Yuanshan Empire, we can handle them with ease.

Especially the Zhenlong Kingdom, the key to seizing the Heavenly Craft Nine Cities.

Zhang Gui, hearing that, made a strange expression and opened his mouth,

"When you sent the message back, didn't you say you'd detour to the Northern Frontier to see how the 'wind direction' is?

Why does it keep circling around the Zhenlong Kingdom?"

"This barbarian nation is different; it can train its own elite Goldstone Soldiers.

There are rumors that this army once fought the Flower Dragon Cavalry in the wild and achieved a complete victory.

Although no one takes such absurd talk seriously, no wave arises without wind.

The combat power of the Goldstone Soldiers is undeniably significant.

It is essentially our best trump card for 'using force against force' right now, without equal.

How could I possibly not care?

As for the Northern Frontier, the overall situation is already settled.

Chang Sheng Tie Mu, on the contrary, is not in a hurry to carry out that whale‑swallowing move.

He waits for the 'fruit' to ripen, so it will naturally fall into his arms.

In that case, when implementing the Three Officials Four People system, the people of the Ming‑Song Northern Kingdom will become much more obedient.

I wonder how much 'civil governance' effort we could save."

(End of Chapter)