Xiuxian, I can travel to another world

Chapter 37 The Third Prince

Of course, threats at sea must be dealt with at sea. Although Zheng State is now in decline, its navy still has the power to crush the Giant Whale Gang, otherwise this group of robbers would not dare to wander only in the distant sea.

Quhe River.

Where waterways meet.

Today, Lord Fang from Fangshi Temple is hosting a banquet here, and a few people came to visit after hearing the news.

"Chairman Zhu." A middle-aged man with a feminine temperament glanced at the few people, and then raised his hand to signal after receiving the message:
"Please come aboard."

This should be a flower boat built specifically for pleasure, with buildings and pavilions on it. Musicians are plucking the strings on the side, dancers are circling in the middle, and a faint and fresh fragrance is lingering in the air.

Such a luxurious and noble flower boat, not to mention Yan Jingfu and Shen Hu, even Zhu Ju had never seen one when his grandfather was still alive.

The cabin was like a hall, with several people sitting on each side. Lord Fang, as the prefect of Yuecheng, could only sit in the second seat on the left.

There is a screen standing in the main seat in the middle, and a figure can be vaguely seen behind the screen, which shows that the person has a different identity.

Without exception.

Several people in the field were of noble character, and the looks they gave him were condescending and full of scrutiny.

official!

Only officials have this trait.

Moreover, the official ranks of these people must be very high!

Although the court officials had no martial arts skills, they had the power to kill or take away the lives of ordinary people. They were more powerful because they had been in high positions for many years. Even a brave martial artist like Shen Hu felt uneasy under the gaze of several people.

Yan Jingfu and his companions turned pale and their legs went limp, wishing they could kneel on the ground right there.

"Zhu Ju?"

A soft and soothing voice came from behind the screen:

"I've heard of you. You have a great skill in dyeing cloth, and you built a Wancai Cloth Shop in just a few years..."

"amazing!"

Judging from the voice, it should be a middle-aged man.

"Your Excellency is too kind." Zhu Ju bowed and said politely:
"I am where I am today thanks to Lord Fang for clearing up Yuecheng's stubborn problems and doing all sorts of good deeds to help merchants. My abilities are irrelevant."

"Heh..." The man chuckled.
"Lord Fang is diligent in his work, loves his people, and governs well. All the officials in the court have heard of this. How could this king not know about it?"

"I'm ashamed." Lord Fang bowed his head.

"Your Highness is overly complimentary."

Your Highness?

The third prince Zheng Hong!
The one who was named King of Qi last year?

Shouldn't he be participating in politics and affairs of state in the capital? Why is he here?
Fang Shi'an addressed him as "Your Highness" to tell Zhu Ju and the others the identity of the nobleman behind the screen.

"Master Fang, there's no need to be so modest." The Third Prince Zheng Hong gently waved his hand.

"The capable are promoted, the average are given way, and the mediocre are demoted. This is the method of employing people established by Taizu. Sometimes you should fight for what you deserve, otherwise you will disappoint me."

"Yes." Lord Fang replied, turning his head to look at Zhu Ju:
"What is Zhu Huishou doing here?"

"Replying to you, sir." Zhu Ju bowed and recounted everything that happened in the guild hall today. He said:

"Yuecheng is close to the sea, and tens of thousands of people rely on the fishing market for their livelihood. If the Giant Whale Gang blocks their way to the sea, I'm afraid there will be chaos."

"Mr. Zhu is quite right." Lord Fang frowned, his face solemn.
"The Giant Whale Gang is to Haizhou what the Red Street is to Yuecheng. If we don't eradicate it, the trade routes will be difficult to flow and the people will have no peace."

"Your Highness!"

He knelt down in front of the screen:
"Your Highness, please order the navy to suppress the bandits."

"Lord Fang cares about the people, and this comforts me." Zheng Hongyin sighed, then changed the subject:
"However, the deployment of a large army is unusual. The local authorities should report to the Ministry of War and then have the Emperor review it. How can I, the Prince, make such an independent decision?"

"Well……"

"But with all this back and forth, I'm afraid I've already missed something important. Sir Li, do you have any ideas for a convenient solution?"

"Your Highness." Lord Li, who must be an official from the Ministry of War, stood up and bowed.

"War is as swift as the wind, changing with the situation. Sometimes it is indeed possible to kill first and report later, but..."

"It's difficult to handle the money and grain."

"That's right!" Zheng Hong nodded.
"The imperial court allocates troops and money and food to pave the way. If you don't have the official documents from the Ministry of War to send troops first, you will have to raise money and food yourself."

"Zhu Ju!"

"The grass people are here!"

"I have long heard that the dyed cloth of Wancai Cloth Shop is sold all over the country and is making a fortune every day. Would you be willing to donate money and food?"

Zheng Hong's voice was calm:

"Sir Li, if we were to send out the navy to suppress the bandits, how much silver would it cost?"

"At least one hundred thousand taels." Lord Li said:
"If you have 100,000 taels of silver, we can send out troops within three days."

"Okay." Zheng Hong clapped his hands lightly.
"Zhu Ju, how about Wancai Cloth Shop advance the payment of the 100,000 taels of silver? The court will return it once the bandits are defeated."

There was silence.

Shen Hu, Yan Jingfu and others were all cold.

Wancai Cloth Shop’s business is indeed getting better day by day, but it has only been in operation for less than two years. How much profit can it make?
There were indeed tens of thousands of taels of silver in the account, but this was from purchasing, shipping, advance sales, etc., not the cloth shop's own cash flow.

As soon as the 100,000 taels of silver were taken away, the cloth shop's business came to a halt, and even the workers' monthly wages could not be paid.

As for the return?

I'll get it someday! But if I don't...

The court officials in the field were watching eagerly, like greedy gluttons. Who dared to say "no"?

"Your Highness."

Lord Fang bowed and opened his mouth to speak.

"Alas!" Zheng Hong interrupted him directly:
"When the army and the people are united, their strength is unbreakable. If only the army is deployed while the people enjoy peace, wouldn't that chill the hearts of the soldiers?"

"This..." Lord Fang looked hesitant.

"Your Highness." Zhu Ju raised his head, his expression calm.

"Wancai Cloth Shop is not just Zhu's shop, and one hundred thousand taels of silver is not a small amount. We need to discuss it."

"However, Zhu can personally use 5,000 taels of silver to support the navy, and he does not need to return it."

?

There was a moment of silence in the field, and the officials all looked amused.

"Haha..." Zheng Hong's loud laughter could be heard from behind the screen. However, although the laughter was loud, it was hard to tell whether it was from joy or anger.
"it is good!"

"very good!"

Yan Jingfu's legs were trembling and his heart was in his throat, fearing that the other party would attack him with a knife or an axe at the first command.

"I heard that the head of Wancai Cloth Shop is a young man, but I'm not convinced." Zheng Hong said:
"Seeing you today, I can see how courageous you are. No wonder you were able to win over so many wealthy merchants and gain such a great reputation at such a young age."

"Five thousand taels is five thousand taels!"

"Master Li."

"Here." Lord Li stood up.

"Can you dispatch troops within three days?"

"If you hold a humble position, you can issue a military order!"

"it is good."

Zheng Hong picked up his wine glass:

"Everyone, please drink this cup to the full!"

A group of officials raised their glasses and drank them all in one gulp. Zhu Ju lowered his eyebrows and waited until everyone put down their glasses before bowing and taking his leave.

"Go!"

Zheng Hong waved his hand, and just as he was about to chase the people away, he moved slightly:
"Wait a minute, a body was fished out from the back. They said it was from the underworld. Go over and help take a look."

*
*
*
The deck was full of armored soldiers. These guards who came from the imperial palace were very powerful. Among them were many martial artists who had tempered their bodies, and even generals of the Guizang level. However, when it came to experience in the martial arts world, they were far inferior to people like Shen Hu who had traveled all over the country.

The bodies that were salvaged had pale skin, light livor mortis, and swollen skin on the hands and feet because they had been soaked in water for a long time.

But even so, it can still be seen that the deceased was a martial artist with considerable strength.

"Body Tempering Master!"

Shen Hu looked solemn:

"Such bones and muscles must belong to someone who has tempered his body. The fatal wound is in the heart. One palm strike will shatter the heart."

"No." Zhu Ju shook his head. He was an expert in exerting strength.

"It's not about breaking the heart, it's about bursting the heart."

"The palm force penetrated into the heart, causing the blood and qi to boil instantly, and the boiling blood burst the heart. This is..."

"The Blood Poison Hand of the Red Blood Cult!"

Red Blood Cult!
Several people's expressions changed slightly.

"To be able to achieve this level, one must be at least a Guizang Grandmaster." Zhu Ju frowned.
"The Scarlet Blood Cult hasn't been showing up so often in all these years. Why are they showing up so often recently?"

"Master Zhu doesn't know." A guard in the field said:
"A month ago, the leader of the Red Blood Cult, Dugu Wuwang, broke into the Golden Wheel Temple and killed Master Yuanding. He has since re-emerged from the martial arts world. During this time, many people have died at the hands of the Red Blood Cult members."

Ok?
Several people looked at each other.

…………

After bidding farewell to Lord Fang, several people rode their horses towards Yuecheng.

"Shut up!"

halfway.

Zhu Ju suddenly pulled the reins:
"You guys go ahead, I'm going to visit a friend nearby."

"Brother Zhu, do you have any friends around here?" Shen Hu asked curiously, then nodded.

"Then let's take the first step."

"Yeah." Zhu Ju turned his horse's head and galloped towards a small path.

Although it was not early morning, the mountains were still shrouded in mist, the road ahead was unclear, and his speed gradually slowed down.

at this time.

"A trapped beast will be a fierce tiger, and a poor fish will run after a whale." An old voice came from the front, and a figure gradually became clear:
“No matter how cunning a fish is, it can’t escape the hook and bait. An experienced angler can always find the path of the fish…”

"Is that so, young man?"

Zhu Ju gripped the reins tightly, looking at the old man walking slowly in the mist, his eyes narrowed slightly:

"Whale rider!"

The Grandmaster who breaks the limit!
(End of this chapter)