It's the cyber age now, and you're still playing traditional villains?

At least Xu Shi had heard that the Vatican had a so-called killer weapon, and the royal family also had a top-secret treasure. Combined with their focus on the "Rust Mist" itself, the power of these objects must be quite large. Otherwise, why would "Heavenly Law" create such a test field? Playing house? It can't be underestimated.

But once someone brings up these issues, the situation will no longer be as one-sided as it was during the day, and it will be full of unnecessary trouble.

That's why Xu Shi turned around and had a private chat with Cheng Gujian to finalize everything as quickly as possible. It would be too late to say anything else, and there would be a lot more room for maneuver.

"Emissary Xu is right. I have broadened my horizons today."

Cheng Gujian smiled faintly and pointed at the gift Xu Shi had given him earlier. "So, is this your mental shock to me?"

"How can that be? This is at most a door-to-door gift for making friends."

Xu Shi also smiled, "I don't know what you need, so I can only be so vulgar... As for entrusting you with help, there is naturally another price."

As he spoke, he winked at Xia Wuyou who was standing beside him. The other party understood and opened the suitcase he brought.

"The weapons and medicine samples here are more effective than those displayed during the day."

Xu Shi explained with a smile, "If you need it, I can guarantee that these will only exist in your hands."

This is the real end of the argument and getting to the point. If you ask Cheng Gujian for help, or if you want to establish this kind of private cooperative relationship with him unilaterally, then of course you have to come up with something extra.

Of course, the gold and silver they had before were not enough. A great duke would not lack such valuable things, just like he never had to worry about money in the Night Sin City. At most, it was just used to show an attitude, or to put it more nicely, to call it a stepping stone.

And Cheng Gujian's words just now also hinted that he has not been as shocked as others - he himself has not been affected much by his own abilities, so he naturally recovers faster.

Xu Shi had anticipated this. In the situation during the day, it would be enough to intimidate 70% to 80% of the people. It was unrealistic to expect to do this to every single person, so he had already made arrangements for a backup plan, which was also the real condition he offered.

Providing better weapons only to Cheng Gujian is undoubtedly sending a signal - no matter how much the transportation between Night Sin City and Hualan Empire is built, the influx of new weapons will not affect your status, because I will give you better things to improve your private armed forces.

Chips with higher value are often only reserved for more important people.

Neither of them took the initiative to bring up this matter, but Xu Shi knew very well that Cheng Gujian's power was so great that he must have private armies and that was one of the foundations of his position as a powerful official.

Anyway, don't say "I am a minister who is devoted to the country and has no selfish motives". If you really want to do that, you won't even let me in the door. If you let me in and still say such dirty words, then you're just being hypocritical.

The weapons he brought were essentially aimed at this market. A serious high-level "Upgrader" might not need these things. When have you ever seen Mr. Wen care about these things? Even Xia Wuyou's level has always used alloy battle blades, and he relies on them, but not much.

But for non-"upgraded" and low-level "upgraded", the improvement brought by equipment is obvious. These people are also the largest combat force of a city-state or a country.

So, based on this premise, what Xu Shi promised him might not necessarily help maintain his status, and it’s even hard to say whether it could further enhance his status.

"…How much can you give me?"

Cheng Gujian paused, and began to speak frankly. His subconscious lip biting also showed that he was moved.

"That depends on how much you need."

Xu Shi crossed his arms and smiled, "Even when the diplomatic routes are fully opened in the future, I can guarantee that your people will have a higher priority."

"Then what do you want?"

Cheng Gujian pondered.

"What I want is very simple."

Xu Shi nodded and said, "In addition to direct trade with the royal family, I hope to obtain a license to open a trading post. These trading posts have only one requirement: our Night Sin City is run independently, and no one else, whether the royal family or the Church, has the right to interfere."

"Of course, you will get a share of the profits. The specific amount is... 80% to 20%?"

Cheng Gujian nodded, motioning him to continue.

"As for the goods we hope to obtain... here is a list. Would you like to take a look at it first?"

Cheng Gujian took the list and glanced at it with some curiosity, "Is this all you want?"

The things above are common to their Hualan Empire. They are all natural items that contain a lot of "divine energy", such as silver pine wood... If you want to say that there are rare things, they are just some minerals, but the empire's reserves in this regard are by no means small.

"To be more precise, is it this direction?"

Xu Shi smiled and said, "I made this list in a hurry. There may be some changes in the future. I can adjust it then. How about it?"

The so-called transaction is to exchange what you have. These things are not only for Cheng Gujian, but Xiaomei also had a similar reaction when she saw them. However, the Night Sin City lacks these diverse plants and animals that naturally contain "rust mist".

The means used by the major consortiums to extract "rust mist" are instead limited, either ore or seawater, and the species diversity is not as rich as that of the Hualan Empire.

The saying "everything has its own merits and demerits" is reflected here. These things are of great value to Xu Shi and his team, especially at this critical moment of researching superpower transplantation. They can provide a lot of unexpected research value. Just look at how much interest Jiang Chengcheng and Xie Qingyan have in them...

“…It makes sense.”

Cheng Gujian thought for a moment, then stood up and extended his hand to him.

Anyway, this deal is worth it, at least for him, as each party gets what they need.

He was also well aware of the subtext of Xu Shi's words "there will be changes in the future" - such a transaction would not be a one-time deal. For example, Xu Shi now provided the first generation of weapons, and he was given the second generation. Then, when the trade line was opened in the future, he could also bring the third generation, which would be a new cycle.

By then, when he puts the second-generation weapons on the table, with a little effort he can say that they were obtained through his own efforts. Not only will he always be one step ahead of others, but he can also gain more merit.

Xu Shi shook hands with him vigorously. This meant that the deal was done, and there was no need to worry about anyone breaking the contract. Everyone had ways and means to preserve evidence.

"I always call you Envoy Xu, which sounds a bit awkward. I am a little older than you. If you don't mind, I'd like to call you Brother Xu?"

Cheng Gujian was in a good mood and took the initiative to say this.

"Of course it's no problem, Brother Cheng."

Xu Shi didn't object at all. Doesn't this mean he has a new friend?

"Would you like a drink? I have some great vintage wine."

Cheng Gujian turned around and took three wine glasses, "Would you like some too, sister-in-law?"

"I can't drink much, so it's not shameful."

Xu Shi declined politely, "Rather than drinking, I have a question I want to ask you, Brother Cheng."

"you say?"

"Can you tell me in detail about the "Poseidon"? "

I'll update a little earlier today, mainly because I have to go out of town...

Xu Shi: I don’t need to tell you what will happen if you become my brother⑧? What, Pan Cheng? I have both his daughters in my hands…

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 223: Too Stupid People Can't Use It

"Oh? Brother Xu is also interested in the matter of "Sea God"? "

Hearing Xu Shi ask this, Cheng Gujian's hand holding the wine glass stiffened for a moment.

“I can’t help but be interested.”

Xu Shi smiled and sighed, "If it weren't for the Sea God, we might not have been able to contact your Hualan Empire... When I stayed on Yinsong Island before, I heard a lot from the people on the island."

"I see."

Cheng Gujian nodded slightly, "If that's the case, then what I can tell you is probably about the same... Of course, there's no harm in telling it again."

The fact is, even for a powerful duke like him, there is really not much difference between what Pan Cheng and others told Xu Shi - the unknown creatures living in the deep ocean, possessing unparalleled destructive power... these are all things Xu Shi has heard of.

The advantage is that compared to Pan Cheng, he has an extra atlas in his hand - this is an atlas of the imperial royal family that records various creatures, and the so-called "sea god" is of course included in it.

It is somewhat similar to the profile image that Ye Shanshan and Yu Xingchuan had made, but upon closer inspection, there are some differences, which adds an indescribable flavor to it.

Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou looked at each other, and the latter suddenly realized a problem and asked curiously, "From the record years in the atlas, the Sea God has existed for a long time, so why did the Hualan Empire only think of conquering it now?"

"Because its existence has begun to pose a threat to the empire, Madam Xia."

Cheng Gujian frowned, "If the Sea God only stays in the deep sea, then no matter how powerful it is, we have no intention of getting into trouble... After all, we don't live by the sea, and I guess your city-state is the same?"

Xia Wuyou remained noncommittal. The City of Night Sin had also kept its distance from the ocean before. The biggest reason for this was probably that parents would scare their children by saying “if you make any more noise, I’ll throw you into the sea”... At least before Xu Shi proposed the “going out to sea” plan, she had no such concept at all.

"Right?"

Cheng Gujian took a bottle of wine and drank a glass by himself. There was some melancholy in his words, "About two or three months before you came, a lot of strange things happened in the empire one after another."

"First, the tides began to rise and fall abnormally, and then the coastal towns and villages... The monsters in the sea jumped onto the shore desperately. Some of them could explode, and some were poisonous. Some people even witnessed the appearance of the "God of the Sea" with their own eyes."

This is the truth. It was fine before everything was peaceful, but once something went wrong it was a big trouble. In a sense, this can also be called a dark forest?

You know, there are more than just Silver Pine Island citizens living on the seashore, but Silver Pine Island is the only island in the Hualan Empire... Especially since the turmoil caused by this kind of creature that only existed in legends before, it brings even greater fear to these ordinary people.

In such a situation, neither the royal family nor the Vatican can sit idly by.

"So you found Yinsong Island as a scapegoat?" Xu Shi pointed out with a smile.

"Yes."

This was a blunt statement, but Cheng Gujian responded without evasion, "The people of Yinsong Island are good at water and have shipbuilding technology. Since ancient times, more than half of the documents and records about the ocean in the empire are their credit, so it is only right for them to do this kind of thing."

In fact, Xu Shi's choice of words was a bit imprecise. Rather than saying they were scapegoats, it would be more accurate to say that Pan Cheng and his group were assigned to fight the frontal battle - they were said to be responsible for the affairs of the "Poseidon", but it was obvious that neither the royal family nor the Vatican had much experience in this regard.

However, both sides did not want to act rashly and make unnecessary sacrifices, so they both set their sights on Silver Pine Island.

Let Pan Cheng and the others try it out first, so that they will have more time to prepare, and if things go well, they can also accumulate some experience.

On the surface, it seems that they are not doing nothing. They are able to stop people from talking nonsense. The people of Silver Pine Island don't go because they are cowardly and afraid of death, not because the empire does not take this matter seriously.

As for what the people of Silver Pine Island do, whether they live or die, that’s a small matter that can’t be taken care of... Well, let me be the scapegoat.

"The people of Yinsong Island are also citizens of the empire, and this is their responsibility and obligation."

Cheng Gujian also smiled, "But listening to what Brother Xu said, it seems like you are a bit of a traitor? Yes, you have a relationship with Yinsong Island... so why don't I apologize to you?"

Now they are not barbarians but subjects of the empire? Xu Shi secretly complained, adaptive identity, right?

However, he was also amazed at the open-minded character of the Grand Duke Gu Jian. After all, for a powerful official who could cover the sky with one hand, things like apology were often out of the question, even if it was in the form of a joke.

Isn't this just a joke? Anyway, he didn't hear any remorse from the other party. It was more like a warning - Yinsong Island is the territory of the Hualan Empire, and you, an outsider, shouldn't interfere.

However, Cheng Gujian's attitude is also here. You Xu Shi is on good terms with Yinsong Island. Since we are cooperating now, I will not make things difficult for them for your sake.

"It has already happened. There is no point in saying more. I was not there at that time."

Xu Shi smiled. He didn't mean to break up with the other party by saying this, so he just changed the subject. "So what are you going to do now?"

"Of course, we should gather our troops and set out to destroy the Sea God in one fell swoop."

Cheng Gujian said, "Recently I have been selecting personnel from the Royal Court Knights. Looking at the situation, I may have to go into battle myself."

"What about the Vatican?"

"...same thing. After all, no one expected the people of Silver Pine Island to be able to deal with the "Sea God"."

Cheng Gujian sighed softly, "During this period of time, priests from all over the country have been entering the main city one after another. If not for this matter, what else could it be?"

Take action yourself?

This statement surprised Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou. According to your current status, you can be considered as the emperor leading the army in person...

But if you think about it carefully, it makes sense - after all, in the environment of the Hualan Empire, the matter of conquering the Sea God can easily rise to the level of a political game.

There is no room for two tigers in one mountain. The royal family and the church, which are the checks and balances of each other, naturally hope to find an opportunity to further enhance their influence... Conquering Poseidon is no small matter. Once whoever can come out on top and then market it well, it will be easy to put a heavy weight on the scales and eventually form a one-sided trend.

In this case, both sides will naturally not take it lightly and will put in 120% of their attention.

“I was having a headache originally.”

Cheng Gujian took two more sips of wine, then suddenly smiled with relief, "If it were a dozen years ago, I might still be looking forward to returning victoriously with high spirits, but now I'm older, I have more things on my mind, and I'm less courageous. I'm even afraid of having to go out in person."

"Fortunately, you showed up in time, Brother Xu. The weapons you brought should be a great help in defeating the Sea God... I have an unwelcome request. Before we set off, you must help me train the people I selected."

"This is my job. How can I sell something without providing after-sales service?"

Xu Shi blinked and smiled, signaling him not to worry, "If Brother Cheng needs it, I can also go with you and give you the same guidance along the way."

"...Brother Xu, are you really willing to do this?"

Cheng Gujian looked surprised, as if he had never considered that Xu Shi would say this, "You are not from the Hualan Empire, how can I really trouble you to this extent?"

Xu Shi secretly rolled his eyes and thought, that's enough, are you some kind of official rookie? You look like a curious baby, but this is actually what you really think...

"To be honest, I'm not interested in just the story of 'Poseidon'."

But he didn't point it out. If he had, he wouldn't have followed Cheng Gujian's instructions. Instead, he said sincerely, "I have long wanted to find out the truth. If that's the case, you and I will be more confident together."

"I see."

Cheng Gujian looked as if he had just woken up from a dream. "It seems that Brother Xu is a brave man who loves adventure... In this case, I won't say much. I'll just toast to you."

"Brother Cheng has a lot of capacity."

Xu Shi complimented him indifferently, "But there is one thing we need to make clear in advance. You also said that we are not from the Hualan Empire. If we win the battle, how will the credit be calculated?"