Chapter 701
is offensive to Heaven and Earth
Zhou Xing, whose demeanor seemed to have changed completely, appeared even more imposing and profound. He glanced indifferently at the officials, both high and low, who had previously been trembling with fear in Ganning County, then looked at the information he had gathered beforehand. With a general understanding in his mind, he stood up and said calmly, "Handle it according to protocol."
He left after uttering those five simple words, with Gao Jingyu following closely behind.
He came to accept these people's submission, not to decide their future fate. If he had to handle such a small matter personally, he would be too tired. Even ten clones couldn't handle it, especially since he was currently leading a personal expedition.
The so-called "rule of procedure" is nothing more than a follow-up investigation to find out if these people have a history of corruption and abuse of power, whether they are suitable to continue in their previous positions, arrest those who should be arrested, execute those who should be executed, and dismiss those who should be dismissed. The key positions are replaced with one's own people. There is already an efficient process.
After years of planning, Zhou Xing has managed to expand the business to its current scale in a short period of time. He naturally has no shortage of talented people under his command, and many things can be resolved properly with just a word. He only needs to keep an eye on the overall direction.
As for how many talented people he has under his command, only he himself probably knows. Chen Xuan and his group only stayed for less than a day before leaving, and they only met a few people. Even at such close range, Chen Xuan, a Grandmaster, couldn't see through Zhou Xing's hidden side. He is truly remarkable. It can only be said that such a person of great talent and ambition has extraordinary abilities.
Of course, although Chen Xuan did not see his other side, he always firmly believed that Zhou Xing was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. In terms of cultivation alone, Zhou Xing was the first person Chen Xuan had not been able to see through in all these years.
Conversely, Zhou Xing also couldn't see through Chen Xuan. As long as Chen Xuan didn't actively reveal his skills, he was no different from an ordinary person who had never practiced martial arts.
Soon Zhou Xing arrived at the highest point in Ganning County, the top floor of a twelve-story building. It used to be a restaurant, a high-end establishment, but now it was deserted.
Standing on the top floor, those with good eyesight can overlook the entire city of Ganning.
The entire city has been taken over by Zhou Xing's army. Soldiers are stationed at key intersections, and many people are wandering around. While advising the people to stay at home and not to run around, they are also quickly collecting various data, such as population, shops, and supplies in the city. In addition, the army has also taken over the city's defenses, and the logistics department is quickly transporting various supplies and equipment to reinforce the city's defenses.
The entire city was like a efficiently operating machine, with countless people as its parts, busy but not chaotic, and everything was in perfect order.
As Zhou Xing stood on the high place surveying the surroundings, a scholar in black slowly and deliberately walked up the stairs, eventually arriving beside Zhou Xing half a step behind.
A table was set up on the top floor, with only the faint aroma of tea. Only Zhou Xing, Gao Jingyu, and the scholar in black who arrived later were present.
The man looked to be in his forties. He was dressed simply in a plain black cloth long gown, and his hair was neatly combed and secured with a wooden hairpin.
His expression was unnaturally pale, slightly sickly, as if he had been suffering from a chronic illness for many years. His breathing was somewhat weak, his face was gentle, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if he could see into people's hearts. However, his eyebrows were long and narrow and slightly raised, which gave people a sense of ruthlessness.
This man, Shuiyue, is one of Zhou Xing's most trusted advisors and his most capable strategist. It can be said that his wisdom accounts for at least one-third of Zhou Xing's current achievements!
Within Zhou Xing's group, Shuiyue was someone no one dared to disrespect, even Zhou Xing and Gao Jingyu treated her with the utmost respect.
It is said that Zhou Xing was able to obtain Shuiyue's help. Whether it was luck or fate, it is unknown. Ten years ago, one winter, when the snow was falling heavily, Prince Qing Zhou Xing, who was stationed at the border, went out hunting and met Shuiyue on his way back.
Shuiyue was at his wit's end. He collapsed by the roadside from the cold and hunger, holding a one-year-old baby in his arms. It was his daughter. If no one took care of her, the father and daughter would surely die tragically by the roadside.
When Prince Qing encountered her, out of kindness, he casually sent someone to take her to a clinic in the city and also gave her some money. Zhou Xing didn't think much of it, but half a month later, Shuiyue actually came to thank him with a baby in her arms. Zhou Xing happened to be free, so they chatted for a while. Shuiyue's conversation impressed him, and they had an unexpected in-depth conversation. He found that Shuiyue was quite knowledgeable, so he kept her at his residence. Gradually, Shuiyue also showed her talents. Zhou Xing gave her more and more responsibilities, as if testing her limits. However, Shuiyue's performance greatly surprised Zhou Xing. It seemed that nothing could stump her. Now, she has become Zhou Xing's trusted advisor and strategist.
If it weren't for Zhou Xing, Shuiyue and his young daughter would have died on that snowy day. Filled with gratitude, he wholeheartedly helped Zhou Xing achieve his great cause.
Shuiyue possessed extraordinary wisdom and resourcefulness, unmatched by Zhou Xing in his entire life. She could handle any situation with remarkable efficiency, seemingly without limits, but she had no opportunity to demonstrate her abilities before meeting Zhou Xing.
Perhaps it was a case of heaven being jealous of talent, for Shuiyue suffered from a stubborn illness, which was hereditary and difficult to cure with medicine. Even Zhou Xing could not cure her completely, but he could prolong her life. If it weren't for Zhou Xing, neither he nor his daughter would have lived past thirty, as if it were a curse from heaven.
Turning back, Zhou Xing nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work, sir. Please have a seat."
As he spoke, he personally helped Shuiyue toward the table, while Gao Jingyu pulled out a chair first.
She coughed lightly, covering her mouth, and her face seemed to paler even more. She gently shook off Zhou Xing's support and respectfully said, "It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens. Your Majesty, I congratulate you on winning another victory."
After the emperor and his ministers were seated, Zhou Xing smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the soldiers. How is Yue'er?"
Mentioning her daughter, Shuiyue's brows relaxed, but she shook her head helplessly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Yue'er hasn't fallen ill for a long time, but now that she's grown up, making her study is like torture. Instead, she prefers to practice martial arts, and her body can't handle it. It's a real headache for me."
"Haha, all children are like that. Sir, you shouldn't restrict her nature too much. Appropriate activities are also good for her health," Zhou Xing laughed heartily.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shuiyue said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I have recently had several meetings with the Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce and have reached an agreement. From now on, there will be no more worries about food supplies."
Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Zhou Xing's eyes flashed with a hint of joy. However, seeing Shuiyue's weary expression, he knew that this matter would likely be difficult, and said with concern, "Sir, your health is of utmost importance. Please do not overexert yourself."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This matter has been settled, and there is no longer any worry about supplies. We can now speed things up a bit," Shuiyue said calmly.
The most crucial element in warfare is logistics and provisions, especially since Zhou Xing harbors ambitions to seize power. If even the soldiers are starving, how can he hope to sweep across the land? Shuiyue had been busy with this matter recently, which is why she couldn't accompany him to meet Chen Xuan. Zhou Xing was also concerned about this, so upon learning of his early return, he ordered someone to invite him. Nodding, Zhou Xing pondered and asked, "Recently, I've learned that the Zheng family's merchant guild is gradually being taken over by the eldest daughter of the Zheng family. It seems your journey, sir, has been quite difficult?"
Shuiyue sighed, "This humble servant secretly traveled north and, after many twists and turns, finally contacted the young lady of the Zheng family. We negotiated with her several times behind a screen. Although we never met her, I must say she is truly a business genius. At first, things didn't go smoothly because we needed supplies and were asking for her help. I don't know how she knew this, but she was adamant and wouldn't budge. We were almost completely controlled by her."
"Oh? The eldest daughter of the Zheng family is not very old, is she? Even you, sir, have difficulty dealing with her?" Zhou Xing asked in surprise.
Shuiyue shook her head and said, "Her intuition is too sharp. Originally, we disguised ourselves as grain merchants and negotiated in many different places, but she saw through our guards who were protecting me and realized that we were not ordinary grain merchants. Because of the amount and the cycle, she could easily guess that we were working for His Majesty. This gave her the upper hand. She is truly an extraordinary woman. If this business acumen were applied to military affairs, it is unimaginable how great her achievements would be."
"It's rare to hear you speak so highly of someone, sir. That young lady from the Zheng family must have something special about her. No wonder she was able to take over such a large family business. How did you manage to persuade her to reach an agreement?" Zhou Xing asked, speechless.
"Your Majesty is aware of the martial arts tournament in Yinlong County some time ago. After that day, almost all the bandit leaders in the southern part of Beijing were wiped out, which made trade routes smoother and reduced costs. Merchants pursued profits, and I promised her a condition. She seemed to be in a good mood at the time and readily agreed to the cooperation." A hint of admiration flashed in Shuiyue's eyes.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xing's eyes flashed. Everyone knew about the martial arts tournament; he knew it all too well. Zheng Wanqian only agreed to the cooperation because she was in a good mood? Probably because of his brother-in-law who had recently passed away.
Thinking about this, he asked curiously, "What are the conditions?"
"It's very simple. She's willing to sell us grain at the current average price, on the condition that any spoils we don't need after conquering cities and territories be handed over to the Zheng Family Merchant Guild. Your humble servant has agreed," Shuiyue said helplessly, her face showing a conflicted expression that seemed like she had gotten a bargain but had actually suffered a great loss.
Upon hearing this answer, Zhou Xing couldn't help but sincerely say, "That young lady from the Zheng family is truly remarkable."
"Yes, it's because we're the ones who need our help and they have the upper hand. In the current situation, it seems like she's losing out by selling grain at the average price, but with our current momentum, we have mountains of useless spoils. With a little manipulation, they can make ten times the profit. Such long-term vision is more than just impressive. The Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce will surely reach new heights under her leadership!"
Objectively speaking, even someone as talented as Shuiyue would be deeply impressed.
With my brother-in-law around, who would dare touch this enormous piece of meat, the Zheng family? This thought flashed through Zhou Xing's mind, and he laughed, "It's alright, it's just a matter of mutual benefit, not a loss. Besides, given our progress, few people besides the Zheng family can afford the spoils. We can use these seemingly useless items to create a continuous source of fighting power for us through the Zheng family."
“That’s right,” Shuiyue nodded with a smile. As long as Zhou Xing’s cause progresses steadily, these are all minor issues.
You can't put all your eggs in one basket. Zhou Xing has his own channels for grain and supplies. The more of these things, the better. Otherwise, how can he appease and provide relief to the common people wherever he goes? If he relies entirely on the Zheng Family Chamber of Commerce to buy grain and supplies, wouldn't he be at the mercy of small merchants?
Having said that, Zhou Xing got up and went to the window, looking at the distant southern horizon with a deep gaze, and said, "Sir, do you really want to do this?"
Knowing what he was talking about, Shuiyue got up and came to his side. The middle-aged man, who looked sickly, inexplicably made people feel cold. Even Gao Jingyu, who had been in the Innate Realm for many years, felt fear when he looked at his back.
He said, "Your Majesty, compassion is not suited for military command, nor is righteousness for financial management. The great cause is paramount; do not hesitate or be indecisive."
Nodding, Zhou Xing said indifferently, "I naturally understand, but it's simply too contrary to the natural order."
"As long as Your Majesty's great cause succeeds, all the sins will be pinned on me. If it weren't for Your Majesty, my daughter and I would have frozen to death in the snow long ago. I am grateful for Your Majesty's favor and am just a lucky escape from death. Even if I am sent to the eighteenth level of hell and never reincarnated, what does it matter? I only hope to see my daughter grow up and start a family in my lifetime," Shuiyue said calmly, but her words sent a chill down one's spine.
Gao Jingyu remained silent, not knowing what they were talking about. She felt a chill run down her spine, as if the atmosphere was suffocating her. Her back was damp with cold sweat. She didn't know what earth-shattering thing they were planning, and she dared not ask.
Looking at Shuiyue, Zhou Xing shook his head and said, "Sir, please don't say such things. With me here, although I cannot cure your incurable illness for the time being, I can still ensure that you and Yue'er live to be a hundred years old. I still need your help to complete my great cause, especially the challenge ten years from now. I will need your advice and strategies."
Shuiyue smiled and said, "Ten years from now is not just Your Majesty's concern. Let's focus on the present. We need to tie down Rong Kingdom's main focus elsewhere and secretly manage Shanglin Prefecture. When the weather turns cold, that will be the time to overthrow Rong Kingdom in one fell swoop. Your Majesty, I have people keeping a close eye on the situation at Qingping River. Half a year is more than enough time."
"Hmm, six months is enough time to recover and return," Zhou Xing murmured, the vertical line between his brows, no longer concealed, becoming more pronounced...
As Chen Xuan and his companions headed south, they avoided towns as much as possible, traversing mountains and valleys, mostly sleeping in the wilderness. As they entered the territory still controlled by the Rong Kingdom, the situation was no better than in the north. They were frequently robbed along the way, and the situation was even worse, with many refugees and bandits fleeing to the mountains to avoid trouble.
If the drought continues unabated, the signs of Rongguo's impending doom will become increasingly apparent. Externally, Prince Qing's army is poised to strike, while internally, rebel armies are rising up everywhere, leading to turmoil in the court and widespread suffering among the people.
A month later, Chen Xuan and his group arrived at the coast safely. The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Perhaps due to the coastal climate, there was more greenery in sight. The scene of withered and lifeless grass and trees under the drought was relieved, and they witnessed the tropical landscape.
They returned to the ship for a while along the way, traveling down the Qingping River through the primeval and wild forest, encountering many poisonous insects and ferocious beasts. The route passed through the Snake Valley of Rongguo, where a grandmaster-level expert once lived. Chen Xuan originally wanted to visit it, but it was already deserted, just like the Divine Elephant Sect.
However, Snake Valley is close to Qingping River and has no shortage of water, so it shouldn't have moved away. After a little thought, Chen Xuan roughly understood that the grandmaster expert from Snake Valley had probably already gone to the underground cave.
After this period of time, the little princess, who is over two months pregnant, has started experiencing morning sickness... (End of Chapter)