Chapter 1520: Expedition

At this moment, Longyan Port.

Ever since the Minister of Revenue of Longyan, Li Hongfei, was transferred here by a written order from Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng's bitter days had begun.

He had expected to spend a few peaceful days, but this dutiful Li Hongfei, while highly efficient in his work,

was also extremely annoying, especially that mouth of his.

Whether there was an issue or not, he would say: "The two capitals and thirteen provinces of Longyan, plus all the surrounding vassal states, are all carried on your shoulders; how can you be obsessed with beauty!"

Liu Zheng was stunned; he had already told this old fellow that he was currently Liu Sheng.

What did the things Liu Zheng had done have to do with me, Liu Sheng?

There were even several times when such words were overheard by Teresa.

Liu Zheng had to expend a great deal of effort to smooth over such remarks.

He told Teresa that this old fellow was simply obsessed with his Learning, believing that everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world.

And that a commoner like him still had to keep the world in his heart.

Who would have thought that after hearing this, Teresa grew even more admiring of this old gentleman, Li Hongfei.

Because what he said made a lot of sense, especially the phrase "everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world."

If only they had such talent in Austria, how wonderful that would be.

Consequently, every time Teresa came to find Liu Zheng, she would visit Li Hongfei to seek his advice on statecraft.

It even developed to the point where, although Teresa came to see Liu Zheng in name, she was actually coming to see Li Hongfei.

Li Hongfei also developed a bit of appreciation for this studious European woman.

As time went on, Li Hongfei became both a teacher and a friend to Teresa.

Today, Teresa came to find Li Hongfei again.

Every time Liu Zheng saw this scene, he would cry out: "I regret not knowing better in the beginning!"

Liu Zheng now felt a deep sense of frustration; I, Liu Zheng, the legendary Chief Minister of Longyan, spent six years developing a weak Longyan into a behemoth that the whole world fears.

Yet now, I am not as attractive as an old man under my own command.

Liu Zheng squatted to the side, like a resentful little wife, without saying a word.

Teresa glanced at him and chuckled twice.

Then she turned her head, looked at Li Hongfei, who was busy with his Learning, and asked, "Sir, what do you think is the most important thing in governing a country?"

Li Hongfei put down his brush, looked at Teresa, and after some thought, said in a deep voice: "The ancients once said, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish."

"But I have not truly understood this saying."

"You should not look far for answers when you have the most experienced person right by your side."

Hearing Li Hongfei's reply, Teresa frowned.

She did not quite understand the meaning of this sentence; what did it mean to look far for answers, and who was the most experienced person by her side?

"Sir, what does this mean?" Teresa asked in confusion.

Li Hongfei glanced at her, signaled slightly with his eyes, and then lowered his head again.

Teresa frowned slightly and looked at Liu Sheng.

Teresa did not understand Li Hongfei's meaning; among those around her who claimed to be capable of governing, the Councilors and Nobles,

most were Nobles who relied on the shade of their ancestors and were enfeoffed, passing it down through generations.

When it was their turn, they naturally became Councilors, became Nobles, and became the center of power in Austria.

Just like Franz.

Although this guy was a shameless rascal, a playboy, a bastard!

He was a member of the Lorraine Family, his grandfather was a Duke, and this hereditary title would fall to him after his grandfather died.

And even now, although the Lorraine Family had declined and the Duke of Lorraine and Franz were both dead,

the title of Duke of Lorraine still circulated within his family.

It still had not disappeared.

She did not know when

another noble descendant like Franz would appear.

This was the helplessness faced by the upper echelons of power in Austria today.

But there was no Method to change it.

As for Liu Sheng, in Teresa's eyes, Liu Sheng was indeed stunning; he did not fear death, nor did he fear the powerful.

He was even able to win a port in a gamble against the Duke of Lorraine.

This was simply unimaginable.

He was multi-talented, and his music would surely be passed down for generations.

He was a man of sentiment and righteousness.

His image in Teresa's eyes was almost perfect.

But Liu Sheng was just a merchant, not some capable minister for governing a country.

If he were in the imperial court, he might achieve something, but he was not in the court, so Teresa did not believe Liu Sheng had any experience in governing.

Liu Zheng sighed inwardly.

No matter how much Li Hongfei hinted or suggested,

Teresa would not believe that a merchant like him would have the ability to govern a country.

"Alright, Teresa, we should pack up and set off."

Liu Zheng said with a faint smile.

"Mm." Teresa nodded.

Teresa looked at Li Hongfei and, following Longyan etiquette, she bowed three times.

"Sir, after today, I may never see you again; I wish you take care."

Li Hongfei's brush stopped, not even noticing the ink from the brush dripping onto his Learning.

"So you are leaving, hmm..." Li Hongfei looked up at Teresa and sighed: "You are the most gifted student I have ever met, and also the best teacher I have ever met."

In just over ten days, Li Hongfei had been won over by the European woman before him.

Although she was a refugee, the ambitions in her heart were truly grand.

Li Hongfei looked at the Learning he had compiled; it was a book, and on its cover was a drop of ink that had spread.

He sighed: "I had wanted to give you the best, so I hand-copied a volume of 'Learning', but the moon has its phases..."

He picked up the hand-copied book of "Learning" and handed it to Teresa.

"Read this book carefully; consider it a gift from me."

Teresa accepted it and bowed once more: "Many thanks to you, Sir, for the gift of the book; this student will keep it in her heart."

"No need, you and I are not master and student; there is no need to address each other as such."

"This junior understands," Teresa said with a slight nod.

Li Hongfei looked at Liu Zheng again, his gaze somewhat complex.

Liu Zheng was the Chief Minister of Longyan, but he acted as a hands-off manager in Longyan, and now that he had come to Europe, he still wanted to be a hands-off manager.

Moreover, Li Hongfei could not refuse.

"You, sigh... take care of yourself," Li Hongfei sighed.

Liu Zheng chuckled and looked at Li Hongfei: "I'll have to trouble you, Grandfather; I am taking half of the one million shi of grain."

"... Very well," Li Hongfei replied.

He already knew what Liu Zheng intended to do, and even if Liu Zheng didn't take less, as the Chief Minister of Longyan, fifty thousand shi of grain was not a major problem for him.

On this day, there were not many people out at Longyan Port to see them off.

Liu Zheng's purpose for this life was kept secret, and Li Hongfei took over this Longyan Port.

On this day, Liu Zheng set off with only thirty Horse Carriages and a few servants, accompanied by Teresa on the road.

In the shadows, fifty thousand Longyan troops followed like a phantom.

This time, the first goal was to provide disaster relief.

The second was to destroy the Holy Cross Army.

This journey was fraught with crises, and Liu Zheng recalled a line from his previous life that was very fitting.

"Great Sage, what is your intention in going?"

"To trample the High Heavens."

"And if you go and do not return?"

"Then I shall not return."