The Great Seminary

Chapter 191 Dressed in crimson and purple, with a dragon pattern on his chest

Zhang Gui's original impression of Zhen Ciyun was extremely vague.

Even with great effort, I can only vaguely recall that she had a gentle temperament and a beautiful appearance.

She seems to be able to get things done, and there are always some close friends around her.

Besides that, all that's left is the word 'ordinary'.

Of course, this so-called "ordinary" refers to the students of the renowned Qingdou Academy during the Ming and Song dynasties, who were the direct descendants of prominent families in the prefecture or county.

But for Zhang Gui at this moment, what did it matter?

"This Zhen Ciyun seems a bit mysterious and not simple. Could she be hiding something?"

If that's the case, does that mean she had ulterior motives when she approached me in the first place?
But if we complicate the issue like this, I also have a disguise, and more than one layer.

But when I meet people, most of them are just going with the flow and have no real ambitions.

So, is it possible that Zhen Ciyun really only cares about my looks and temperament, which is why she went straight to the point with me?

If that's the case, then one has to admit, her aesthetic sense is quite remarkable, and admirable.

Zhang Gui stuffed another roll of shrimp paste-covered pancake into his mouth, thinking to himself.

At the same time, he asked several people in a row, trying to think outside the box.

As a result, everyone said they didn't see him talking to Zhen Ciyun and Zhen Bailusha, the siblings.

From this, Zhang Gui guessed that there must be something fishy going on.

Unlike Zhang Jiuqing last night, the Zhen siblings sealed the space with a treasure.

It means using some kind of extraordinary skill or divine power to disturb people's minds.

And those who once seemed like ordinary scions of prominent families are now beginning to reveal their true depth.

It also gave him the feeling that a great era of contention had finally arrived, and that everyone was no longer hiding their true selves, with "all things under the frosty sky competing freely".

Sensing that things might get increasingly difficult in the future, Zhang Gui rinsed his mouth with strong tea and strode over to his mother, who was busy doing accounts.

“Aunt, I just remembered something, I need to go to Longmenbo.”

Then it was almost time to set sail again.

Tsuneo Doge's hands trembled, and she accidentally moved several beads on the abacus incorrectly.

A calculation I was about to finish in my head suddenly became a mess.

But she didn't say much, she just lowered her head and started calculating the accounts again;
While smiling, he said:
"You are now in a high position of power and have your own 'important matters' to attend to. If you have something to do, you can leave now."

As long as you remember to be extremely careful, it's alright to have the imperial court as your backer when doing official business.

Be even more cautious when undertaking your own "big projects."

Zhang Gui's so-called "major affairs" were nothing more than secretly ascending the throne and establishing a state, preparing for "rebellion."

Although Takayoshi had been aware of this before, she had never specifically reminded her of it.

But now they've suddenly done this, clearly because they've seen some signs of trouble recently and have a gut feeling that chaos is coming.

A son with such a rebellious nature will inevitably take the opportunity to stir up trouble and create chaos.

This will significantly increase your own risk level, so please be aware.

"As expected, Amu is the last 'female stone crown' of the Stone Corpse Kingdom and the first 'Holy Mother Empress Dowager' of the True Dragon Kingdom. What a keen intuition."

A thought flashed through Zhang Gui's mind, and to reassure Tsuneo Yoshimi, he nodded earnestly.
"Don't worry, Mother, I'm being very careful now."

Mother and child were thus separated.

Zhang Gui activated the "Zongheng Ruyi" divine technique and arrived at Longmenbo on foot an hour later.

Unexpectedly, Chu Tuantuan did not stay at the Longmen Port Bureau, saying that she had gone to the local area on official business.

As for this local eunuch head of the 'inner court,' the gatekeeper knew nothing about where he could go on official business outside his own territory.

In this situation, Zhang Gui didn't even leave a hidden message.

He left only one message for the young eunuch to pass on to Chu Tuantuan:

The honey paste at home has already been used up, so he shouldn't worry.

As for drinking, we can talk about it next time we meet. Xiao Tai overheard the conversation and realized that this person must be an old friend or relative of Chief Chu.

Moreover, 'honey ointment' and the like seem sticky and gooey, which might indicate a relationship that's difficult to discuss openly, hence its rarity.

Regardless of whether it was true or false, their attitude immediately changed from calm to respectful.

"So you are a friend of the Prime Minister. Then, sir, may I ask your name?"

If it's inconvenient, nicknames are fine too, so I can relay messages to the head of the household.

"no, I'm fine."

Using the Divine Cong 'Kui Shou Po Tian' technique, which increased his height by half a foot and width by five inches, and made his face appear larger, Zhang Gui laughed heartily.
“As long as you say the words ‘honey ointment,’ he will know who I am.”

"Yes, yes, yes, I understand."

Hearing this, the young eunuch became even more confident in his guess and respectfully saw Zhang Gui off...

A month later, an imperial edict from the capital arrived at Longmenbo Post Station.

Emperor Hezheng demonstrated his ability to adapt to changing circumstances and delegate power to his son, Prince Zhen, at crucial moments.

The twenty-second generation descendant of the Shishi Kingdom, personally appointed by Emperor Taizu.

The hereditary Dragon Tiger General, the loyal and virtuous Lu Yang Shizhong, whose fief is Zhihai Town, Siyang County, Dongyuehai Province, greatly admires the overseas garrison and town-building project.

It is called,

"From a young age, he was pure and self-disciplined, never compromising with others, and possessed lofty ambitions, embracing the solemn principles of the classics."

He has received my instruction and thus become a virtuous son; his character is noble, and his future is promising.

After praising his son, he then commended his loyal minister, Tsugyo Seichō.

"Indeed, he possesses exceptional talent and wisdom, is loyal and respectful, a descendant of ancient sages, resides in the central region, and enjoys a widespread reputation both at home and abroad. He has truly saved countless people from suffering!"

Therefore, the matter of Zhang Gui's petition to the Prince Zhen, who was on imperial behalf, for temporary approval to occupy nine islands in the East Inner Sea to build cities and garrison troops was officially ratified.

Furthermore, "It was spoken by me, and the court seconded it, so it can be a permanent policy."

They also designated nine islands, including Tianmeng, Tianwei, and Tianfu, as funding sources for the Dragon Tiger Shogunate.

Although Zhang Gui was not promoted to a higher official position, he was allowed to inherit the title of Crown Prince of the Stone Corpse Kingdom.

From now on, they can wear scarlet and purple robes, and their status will be comparable to that of a first-rank official in the Ming and Song dynasties.

Furthermore, because the prince of a foreign state could become the ruler of a country in the future, his official rank and title were not only separate from those of the civil and military officials of the court, but his status was also that of a half-subject and half-ruler.

Therefore, Zhang Gui could also display a dragon on his chest, making him even more stylish than an ordinary first-rank official.

Although it has little practical significance, since "Jiao is a type of dragon," killing him would not be "killing" but "murder."

The symbolic meaning is quite significant.

When she officially received the imperial edict, Consort Zhang was already at the 'Coroner's Office' outside the Hanseong Prefecture on Seonjung Island.

In the courtyard, wooden tables were set up as cutting boards, and candle stubs were used as incense sticks and candles.

He smiled wryly, kowtowed three times, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" three times.

He received the imperial edict from the chief eunuch who was delivering it.

He carefully rolled it up and tucked it into his sleeve.

According to custom, when an imperial edict is issued to a subject, it should be enshrined and worshipped.

Therefore, Zhang Gui specifically explained:
"Your Excellency, please allow me to report."

It's not that I'm deliberately being negligent or failing to respect His Majesty's decree.

Fresh Velvet Island is truly not comparable to the Eastern Continent…

"Alright, my Prince of Zaoyang, General Longhu, it's already this late."

Do you think all of us in the inner court are sarcastic, mean-spirited idiots who only know how to pick fights and extort bribes?

"We also have different times!"

(End of this chapter)