Chapter 439

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Chapter 439: Extensive and Discerning

The history of the Eastern world is quite mysterious. It has some similarities with history, but not entirely.

There’s a saying that humans cannot learn any lessons from history, but that doesn’t seem appropriate in Chinese history.

However, in reality, the Yangming School of Thought and others interpreted ancient ideas repeatedly based on history. The ancient feudal dynasties were built upon Confucian rituals and principles. In the ancient government and court, the emperor was like a father and the officials were like children. Once faced with internal and external troubles, scholars and intellectuals would seek various interpretations. Various schools of thought, like Xin Xue and Li Xue, emerged.

But now, it seems that they were all wrong.

The difference between the Ming Dynasty in this world and the historical Ming Dynasty is actually in the reign of Jiajing. Instead of pretending to cultivate immortality, he actually went to cultivate immortality. After fifty years of cultivation, he gained a lifespan of several hundred years and became enlightened with the help of immortals. He gave up his half-formed immortal body, studied history, and organized a grand discussion in the Hanlin Academy. He inexplicably came up with the materialistic view of history. Subsequently, several generations of emperors were led astray by Jiajing, deviating from the right path…

Because of distant seas and other reasons, the Ming Country developed peacefully and carried on its 500-year legacy.

Among them, there were many times when various old and new thoughts emerged. In terms of civilization, the Ming Country couldn’t quite compare to a few modernized China’s, but it retained many ancient elements. Different thoughts collided and compromised with each other, eventually forming a delicate system that seemed a bit awkward to Bai Wei.

One thing they did right was that the land belonged to the state in the form of public ownership. Even if the scholar-official class could hold onto it for one or two generations, sooner or later it would have to be returned.

The process was also extremely difficult, with a lot of bloodshed and spanning many generations. It wasn’t just a top-down approach, but also bottom-up.

The two top-tier educational institutions in the Ming Country, the Academy and the Imperial College, relied on each other.

The academic development had reached a point where it wasn’t much different from the various schools of thought back then. Ultimately, it was just different scholars taking different paths.

With modernization, the different paths were divided into specialized fields. Rather than calling it the various schools of thought, it was more like different areas of expertise. Medical practitioners were students of medicine, legalists were students of law, and economists were students of commerce. As for Confucians… that belonged to basic education. Anyone who could speak about it was a student of Confucianism, which resolved the disagreements of many schools of thought.

The School of Diplomacy was a very niche category. It was rarely chosen as a subject in the Academy and the employment prospects weren’t that great. Many predecessors of the School of Diplomacy ended up switching to economics and finance because it was best suited for times of chaos and crisis. Otherwise, with a better background and outstanding abilities, one could end up like Wang Yu, polishing oneself in the consulate.

After all, diplomats from the School of Diplomacy were sharp-tongued and rarely lost in arguments outside. They didn’t bring shame to the nation.

The Ghost Valley Master in the Zongheng family is a title passed down from generation to generation.

Zhang Yi, Su Qin, and others are names, not titles like Ghost Valley Master, which have been passed down through generations.

Each generation of Ghost Valley Master holds the prestigious title of traveling through the study palace. They are responsible for resolving troubles throughout the Nine Provinces. The connections, contacts, and wisdom of this lineage are quite astonishing.

However, it is not an easy task to choose the next Ghost Valley Master. In the end, only one person can inherit this title.

Everyone in the Zongheng family who has studied under a previous Ghost Valley Master must find a way to outshine others and compete for the title.

The chaotic era when the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom’s nobles rose to power is the best stage for their competition.

"It has been almost ten years since my senior brothers and sisters went to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom," sighed Wang Yu. "Unfortunately, I was still young back then. Otherwise, maybe I would have gone with them. But the teachers didn’t agree. They said it was better for me to stay behind just in case they all disappeared, so there would still be a connection to the Ghost Valley Master."

Bai Wei asked, "Can I listen to these stories without spending any money?"

"I can tell you. Actually, they are not really secrets. The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom is in such chaos, with constantly shifting dynamics. The Ming Country might not directly intervene, but many ambitious individuals have infiltrated. Some became kindling, while others fueled the turmoil. It has been going on for a long time," exclaimed Wang Yu. "Included among them are members of the Zongheng family. Those who went there, my senior brothers and sisters, the previous generation, and even before that… Countless covert and overt confrontations, including the rapid disintegration of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom after the Demon Emperor’s death. It can’t be explained in just a few words."

Bai Wei, "…"

He wasn’t feeling complicated, actually, this kind of thing is quite common in history. It’s just that he doesn’t really like it. Bai Wei doesn’t like politics. His mentor overthrowing the empire is naturally considered just. He knows this is the right thing to do, so he doesn’t hesitate to execute it.

However, whether it’s the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period, or the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, they are not really class revolutions. They are just cycles of dynasties.

This is quite different from the scripts he has led before. But what the strategists like the most is the division and hereditary succession of powerful families and territories.

"Luckily, I am a person from the Ming Country," Bai Wei sighed, "Otherwise, there would be no way to continue this conversation."

The weak Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom is naturally beneficial for the Ming Country. Resources and food needed for war have to be imported, a large amount of profit has to be released internally, and the inevitable trade deficit cannot be stopped. Moreover, the currencies of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom’s vassals are not recognized by the international market and have reverted to the gold standard. They can only export large amounts of cheap raw materials and local specialties. The development of processing, contract manufacturing, and complete industries is still a distant prospect.

That is also one of the reasons why it is tacitly allowed for the strategists to cause chaos within the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom.

The Ming Country stands by and watches, enjoying the benefits while enjoying the show.

No one hopes to watch the neighboring country grow stronger without any reaction. Even if the Ming Country has no intention of annexing the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, its population far exceeds that of the Ming Country. While they are fighting a civil war, they can still maintain a population of twenty billion. Once they enter a period of development, their potential for growth is quite terrifying. If they quickly become powerful, it is uncertain whether the two countries can continue to coexist peacefully.

The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom may or may not become the next ally country.

The world situation between the East and the West will tend to assimilate in the future. The Great Ming is not like the Sacred Religion with extreme beliefs, but we should still learn from it.

This part of the operation is all speculation by Bai Wei, but after Wang Yu mentioned it, it feels almost certain, like it’s almost there.

"Now, there are only two major princes left in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. I believe there have been many deaths among the strategists," said Bai Wei.

"Of course," nodded Wang Yu. "They have each chosen their positions in the game of the country. Once they are involved, even they themselves become a part of the chess pieces. Now, only Lord Qiongqi and the Xiangliu family are left. Each side has their own abilities, and it is still uncertain when this balance will be broken… As for the specific details, I actually know more than most people. Even in Yingzhou, I didn’t even have a chance to see the chess game."

"The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom’s current chaos is caused by the strategists, right?" Bai Wei asked, startled.

"The strategists are definitely involved in pushing and stirring things up, but I’m not sure about the specific moves," replied the King.

"What do you think of the current situation in the Bai Ze Kingdom?" Bai Wei asked, expressing his thoughts.

Wang Yu adjusted his posture slightly and said, "So, this is Brother Bai’s purpose for coming."

"It seems you know a lot."

"I know Brother Bai will come because I know you have met her. She escaped after attacking the ambassador of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom that day. I also heard from Bo Heya that Princess Chao Lu has returned to Yingzhou. She wants to leave Yingzhou, and the only way is to use the underwater shipping routes of the Four Seas Group. Coincidentally, I know Xue Hanlei, so out of curiosity, I talked to her about it."

Bai Wei frowned and asked, "Did she tell you?"

Wang Yu replied, "As long as the price is right, there’s nothing we can’t discuss."

"This is both powerful and capitalistic… I didn’t ask her to keep it a secret."

Wang Yu added, "Miss Xue doesn’t have a good impression of Princess Chao Lu."

Bai Wei raised an eyebrow, not understanding the meaning of this sentence.

Wang Yu cleared his throat and said, "Miss Xue said that if you ask about this, she hopes I can pass this message along to you."

Bai Wei said, "It’s inexplicable."

Wang Yu shrugged helplessly. He was only responsible for delivering this message, playing a guessing game without any need to explain it clearly.

Bai Wei took a sip of the slightly cool tea and gestured for him to continue speaking.

Wang Yu continued, "The small country of Bai Ze is about to collapse, this is just one step in the game of national strategies."

"Bai Ze Kingdom doesn’t have much benefit."

"But it’s a tough nut to crack. We’ve been chewing on it for almost five years and still can’t swallow it." Wang Yu sighed, "During the Gray Tide, the resources in the entire Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom are running out. Lord Qiongqi, who controls most of the territories north of the equator, wants a direct trade route to the Ming Country. They want to exchange products like fur, luminous snow, and tiger feathers for winter supplies. The trade route of Bai Ze Kingdom must be opened, even though the investment is already greater than the gains. Now, we have to push forward with determination."

"What about the Four Seas Group?"

"It seems that Brother Bai doesn’t have a deep understanding of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. Most of the southern ports are controlled by the Xiangliu family. Lord Qiongqi only has one unfrozen port and can only do business with the Black Dragon of the North Sea. The Black Dragon clan can provide abundant fish products, but not the winter supplies like coal."

After a slight pause, Wang Yu continued, "Five years ago, the Xiangliu family used a poisonous plan. They took over Bi Fang’s territory but abandoned that continent, taking away food and wealth and tightly sealing the borders, leaving nearly seven million refugees to flocked to Lord Qiongqi’s territory… Lord Qiongqi accepted one million, but couldn’t accommodate more, leaving six million people in this chaotic and desolate land."

"Now, no one has taken over this area. Lord Bi Fang has passed away, and the noble families have fallen apart. The continent is filled with hungry and displaced people. Once a small grain warehouse, it has now become a drifting continent, a land of exile."

"What about this move?" Bai Wei asked cautiously.

"In the Xiangliu Clan, my third senior brother is named Wang Ran, also known as Poisonous Schemer. His strategies have always been ruthless, especially when dealing with demons. He harbors no sympathy in his heart. I’m afraid he went to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom with the intention of eradicating them. His whole family was killed by demons." Wang Yu couldn’t tell if he was admiring or lamenting.

Bai Wei knew he was not worthy to pass judgment on such hatred and malice, so he remained silent.

"Lord Qiongqi’s territory cannot sustain such a large population. Every winter, it sheds off a handful of its fur. That’s why Bai Ze Kingdom cannot hold on. The longer they resist, the more catastrophic their situation becomes." The consulate counselor chuckled self-deprecatingly. "So, I understand why Mr. Bai came here. I’m sorry, but I can’t do anything about the situation with the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom."

Bai Wei asked, "Is there really no solution at all?"

Wang Yu sighed, "With Bai Ze Kingdom in such dire straits, who can save them? And who would be willing to?"

Bai Wei said, "I have a piece to play on the chessboard of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom."

"What kind of piece?"

"A sword that once defeated a million soldiers."

"A bit exaggerated, this is a high-level heroic spirit. You don’t need to do anything, just place it on the wall of Bai Ze Kingdom’s Yunmeng City." Wang Yu shrugged, "If there are already high-level heroic spirits, who needs a cat-style tank?"

"Once upon a time… not possible now, maybe around one thousand to ten thousand." Bai Wei humbly said, but if it was a life-or-death battle, he was confident in cutting off ninety thousand heads.

"This is a bit like a supermodel, but never mind. With this level, it’s definitely impossible for them to defend Bai Ze City. Maybe you can search for this person."

Wang Yu stood up and opened a cabinet, handing over an item. It was a green feather, like it was burning with flames. It was placed in a roulette and pointed to a fixed direction.

Bai Wei held the feather, asking, "Who is it?"

"My second senior sister, Nalan Jinghuai. She should be in Liuzhou now."

"Okay."

"By the way, she’s already married and in her thirties. Don’t think too much."

"Oh… wait, what do you mean?"