Chapter 264: Buying a Casket to Return the Pearl

Zhang Gui heard the "Three Officials Four People" rule, originated from the First Dominator Chang Sheng Tie Mu of Dongsheng Continent, and his expression unconsciously grew gloomy.

He had not felt anything strange before, but as the foundation he created for the Civilized Path of "Respect Legal System, Equal Human Rights" left increasingly deep marks in the mysterious realm.

And it gave him ever greater positive feedback.

Recently, Zhang Gui gradually began to irrationally despise cognition that contradicts his Civilized Path.

And this is actually rather biased.

Because each country's productivity level, material resource conditions, and the cognitive level of its people and rulers differ greatly.

To ignore all this and reject irrationally, even if more civilized, is even less acceptable!

Lü Zhenduan beside him could not possibly know Zhang Gui's mental change, and seeing his face suddenly still as water, felt a bit puzzled.

But some words, if not said now, the timing is lost; better "die early, ascend early".

So he let out a heavy sigh,

"Dragon Tiger, we all know strategy is strategy, jokes are jokes, but with your lofty spirit you would certainly not ruin your reputation and defect to another lord.

Yet we ministers under your command cannot stand by and watch the state sink.

Therefore we wish to counsel Your Highness to put the Shishi Kingdom's realm above all…".

"So it was, in the previous life the Scientific World held that 'Matter Determines Consciousness'.

And now the Supernatural World, although its surface logic remains 'Matter Determines Consciousness'

But the core logic of the mysterious realm is 'Consciousness Determines Matter!'

By the way, I recall that in a previous life the indigenous religion of the Heavenly Punishment Kingdom, the Brahma Sect, had the legend that the whole world is Brahma's Dream.

A religion of the Scientific World actually deciphered the mysterious core of the Supernatural World.

Indeed, the end of science is theology!

Indeed, it is Consciousness Determines Matter!

So at that time when I made, everyone is their own savior, world…

Zhang Gui often introspects himself; this time he finally noticed his inexplicably uncontrolled emotions and did not let it go easily.

Instead, he carefully considered the reasons in his heart, resulting in a major discovery.

But because he inadvertently linked to past memories, he almost again fell victim to 'Heavenly Punishment Earthly Destruction'.

Fortunately, in the last second before his limit, he finally sensed something, hurriedly cleared his mind, and whispered rapidly,

"Do not think again, do not imagine again, now is not the time.

Do not think, do not imagine, do not imagine, do not think…".

Lü Zhenduan beside him saw Zhang Gui suddenly shaking his head and swaying like a madman, not knowing what he was muttering.

He didn't realize that he had never cared about what he said.

Startled, he quickly closed his mouth and averted his gaze.

After an unknown amount of time, Lü Zhenduan heard a drifting voice reach his ears,

"Old Lü, how many living people remain in the Northern Frontier?"

Although he did not understand Zhang Gui's purpose in asking, he immediately replied:

"Dragon Tiger, I only surveyed the provinces of Jilu and Songlong, which have sea inlets.

Where I passed, the population was still fairly dense, about ten houses to three empty, I'd say.

"That means thirty percent dead, leaving seventy percent alive.

Places where ships can pass have basic water infrastructure, so survival rates during natural or man‑made disasters are higher.

Thus calculated.

The six northern provinces of the Ming and Song dynasties plus the population of the Yanjing Capital Region should still total three to four hundred million.

With so many compatriots trapped in dire straits, how could I look away?

Lü Zhenduan knew well that Zhang Gui's temperament was 'hang it high when it doesn't concern oneself', and now suddenly an inexplicable compassion left him stunned.

After a while, he came to his senses and asked, bewildered, "So, Dragon Tiger, what do you mean?"

"You should rest a few days in Zhihai Town, then discuss with Ding Chengqi to gather troops and subdue the Tian Gong Jiu Dao.

Let the people of True Dragon Kingdom handle the military, and whatever conditions they propose, agree to them first.

Once the matter is settled, I will negotiate with them myself.

What do you think?"

Zhang Gui did not answer Lü Zhenduan directly, but weighed and replied with a question.

Such a fire‑in‑the‑hole undertaking, without knowing that True Dragon Kingdom is actually on the same side, is extremely difficult.

But historically, those renowned ministers and generals who were both civil and military excelled at such solo feats, 'snatching a biscuit on the street while the other side catches the thief'.

"Heir Apparent, I only ask, who leads this matter?"

"I will answer you with only one sentence: 'The general is abroad, the sovereign's command may not be received.'"

"I respectfully accept the command," Lü Zhenduan solemnly clasped his hands and bowed, accepting.

"Old Lü indeed has the temperament 'the greater the responsibility, the stronger the desire to perform.'

He pairs perfectly with Ding Chengqi, one inside and one outside, to act as the spokesperson for my Mainland forces."

Zhang Gui, seeing this, thought silently and nodded approvingly,

"Then the Heavenly Craft Nine Cities are yours; I will go to the Northern Frontier to relieve the suffering of the common folk.

And also relocate some Ding households for the Heavenly Craft Nine Cities.

"Heir Apparent, with your confidence I shall surely succeed; I will not disappoint your great expectations—if I fail, I shall die a martyr!"

Lü Zhenduan, hearing this, though thought Zhang Gui was like a weather‑vane, acting erratically 'hammer here, club there', hard to fathom.

But now the relationship between them has become 'lord and subject'.

As long as Zhang Gui does not commit the treacherous deeds of Jie and Zhou, he not only will not probe further, but will once again clasp his hands in a salute to demonstrate his loyalty.

"Rest assured, I have a premonition that subduing the Heavenly Craft Nine Cities will surely lead to immediate success.

By then, the common folk I rescue should also have arrived.

That will be perfect for filling the seas and consolidating the foundation."

Zhang Gui also adopted a harmonious ruler‑subject demeanor and laughed heartily.

He almost fell again to Heaven's Punishment just now, which made him realize that establishing the Civilized Path cannot be achieved in a single stroke.

But one cannot simply lend a hand when the idea comes, nor let it go when it doesn't, especially when every second counts!

Now the entire Ming Song Northern Border has fallen into a half‑anarchic state.

It is precisely a great opportunity to relocate refugees and fill Zhenlong's mouth.

After passing this village, when the Yuanshan Empire's iron cavalry arrives, a new government office is established, and a new population register is instituted.

Not to mention tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even if a hundred or eighty common folk disappear without cause, it could still rouse Tiemu Changsheng at this level.

After all, in a nation with stable social order, the words "Lives Hang in the Balance" are no joke.

In that case, trying to fleece would mean the shop no longer exists.

"One hundred birds in the forest are not as good as one bird in the hand.

First, increase the Divine Power Coverage of Fresh Furry Island;

the acupoints of the True Dragon Island 'Earth Vein Point‑Creating Secret Realm Method';

the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade army of Uesugi Kiryu, heir to the Yingri Kanto Governor, is temporarily set aside.

Then we will talk about raising the population of the True Dragon Kingdom to over ten million.

To leave a deeper imprint in the Mysterious Domain, the number of people who practice my Civilized Path is one of the most crucial factors.

At this moment, one must not buy a box and return the pearl.

(End of chapter)