Chapter 562: 562
Hong San’s Remonstrance

If he wanted to win, he had to have food and a knife.

He had a saber.

Where did the grain come from?

Han Zezheng’s suggestion was for the lord to use his powerful charisma to transport the grain from elsewhere.

Translate it…He was just a gigolo.

They transported food from Goethe, borrowed food from the elves, and bought food from the dragons.

Anyway, the love between Kant and Princess Tina was well known throughout the world. The gossip about him and the Elven King occupied the top search headlines all year round. The story of him wooing a female dragon in half a day had also started to ferment. It would be a waste not to eat this ready-made meal. All three could provide a large amount of food for the distant port.

Goethe was needless to say. The elves were rich in resources, and the defense of the dragons was the world’s largest second-hand dealer. Everyone knew that if there were any inconvenient goods, they only needed to sell them to the dragons first, and then the dragons would sell them to the target country. They could bypass all restrictions, disputes, and laws.

With such a relationship, selling food was nothing.

As for how to negotiate and how to maximize the use of the ” unique charm “, that was something the lord needed to consider. After all, this was his hegemony, and he had to make sacrifices.

“I’ll think of a way. You deal with the situation at hand, Old Han.”

“Yes.”

” Gather the forces that have pledged their allegiance to us,” Kant instructed his newly recruited retainers.” Consolidating the businesses that we have seized from the major families. Do everything you can to ensure the stability and supply of grain prices. Do you understand?”

” Yes.” Han Zezheng nodded.” Let our enemies see that we are doing everything we can to deal with the food shortage. The key is to let them see it and test the loyalty of our friends.”

Kant smiled and patted his shoulder.” You’re not bad.”

“Your Highness, you flatter me.”

“No, I’m not exaggerating. You’re really not bad.”

Kant smiled.” I like smart people because they know what they can and cannot do. It’s easy to deal with you because I only need to ensure your loyalty and you will always do the right thing…I have high hopes for your future, and I look forward to seeing you take on an even more important role in my shogunate.”

The shogunate here was not a Japanese term, but an ancient Chinese system. It was formed in the Qin and Han Dynasties and matured in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. It usually referred to the government offices of local military and political officials.

Han Zezheng was stunned for a moment before he lowered his head and said,” Thank you for your favor, Your Highness. I’m already over fifty years old and have white hair on my temples. I’ll be like this for the rest of my life. The only things I care about are a few useless children. I hope that they can be sensible and smart one day and serve Your Highness for me and give birth to children for the Han family…”

“An old man in the stable has ambition for thousands of miles.” Kant said,” If you have ambitions, you can do it yourself. Why force it on your child? How do you know that your son doesn’t have ambitions?”

” What?” Old Han shivered. He was uneasy and angry.” What did that bastard say to the lord?”

” What?” Kant was puzzled.

Therefore, the old man heaved a sigh of relief and smiled bitterly. When this old man was young, besides reading history, I also closed my books and was excited to do something great. However, I’m just a mediocre talent with limited talent…”

“Aptitude?”

Kant leaned against the table and turned to him.” The emperor that I admire the most traveled extensively when he was young. He had seen the world and was once ambitious. Perhaps he had great ambitions. Then, he returned to his hometown and became a small pavilion chief. He worked for decades. No matter how great his ambitions were, they were all worn down by the trivial matters in his hometown. When he was forty or fifty years old, the powerful dynasty was in turmoil and the world was fighting for him.”

” Then, he started something and took over the world in eight years.”

Which Emperor was this?

Han Ze was trying to figure it out in his heart, but it did not match the history books of the emperors.

” However, that’s not the main point. The main point is the famous ministers and generals who fought with him. There are more than thirty people from his hometown, and there are also more than thirty people around his hometown. Among the more than one hundred and forty founding heroes in the dynasty, almost half of them are from his hometown. These people are not people who make up the numbers, but truly peerless generals and capable ministers. Tell me, why is this?”

Kant asked.

Han Zezheng replied,”This…” The Saint Son of Heaven had the protection of the Hundred Spirits, so the stars descended and were born around the Son of Heaven. Was all of this predestined and arranged by the heavens?”

“No, that’s not right.”

Kant shook his head and said,” I don’t think so. The world is so big. It’s impossible for all the heroes of an era to be born in a small county. The reason why those low-born generals and generals can leave their names in history is because the king gave them a chance. It was the times that made them.”

” A brave and powerful dog butcher who has experienced countless battles without dying, from leading five people to ten people, then fifty, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand people. He keeps fighting, leading, and pondering. Naturally, he understands the art of commanding, and then he becomes a great general.”

” That’s why the coachman became a servant, the prison officer became a prime minister, and the lowly mortals eventually became famous and became heroes who overthrew the old dynasty and established a new era.”

” They are not pearls covered in dust, nor are they geniuses born with knowledge. They are just forcing themselves to continuously improve in a rolling and increasingly powerful corporation. They are constantly taking over greater power and responsibilities, and in this process, they gradually adapt and eventually grow…That’s all.”

Han Zezheng was already dumbfounded.

Kant patted him on the shoulder.” You don’t have to look at the famous officials of ancient times with sacred and worshipful eyes. We respect them and acknowledge them, but we don’t have to deify them. They can do it, and so can you.”

“Go ahead.”

“You choose your own path. How you walk and how fast you walk is also up to you.”

This old man who thought he had missed the best years of his life left in a daze.

“I find that you are very good at stirring up other people’s desires and ambitions.”

Lily poked her head in from outside the conference room.

” It’s not easy to provoke your ambition,” Kant said with a smile.

” I’m a dragon,” Lily said proudly.

“No, you’re a cat.”

“50%. I can even be a dog, let alone a cat.”

“Let me tell you. The Dragon Emperor instructed the Transfiguration Department to develop new techniques. The aim is to add certain beast-like characteristics to the dragon agents ‘human form. For example, cat ears and cat tails, as well as fox ears and fox tails…”

Kant’s eyes suddenly widened.” Change!” He jumped up.

“Five percent!” Long Niang laughed cunningly, but it was still pleasant to the ears. I’ll change it for you!”

“Too expensive!” Kant said unhappily,” Five percent is enough for me to make the entire city…”

He shut his mouth.

Obviously, money was not omnipotent here.

He only needed to use a little trick, a little money, and a small knife to make all the beautiful girls in the city wear cat ears and cat tails and meow in front of him, but he could not make them really become beast-eared girls.

Long Niang laughed arrogantly. You can let those male dragons transform for you to see!”

” Hmph!” Kant snorted.” There are female dragons on Dragon Island too, right?”

However, Lily did not feel angry or threatened at all. She grabbed the door and gently brushed her hair that was falling like a waterfall. She looked at Kant with a half-smile.” But you just want to see me change, right?”

“-smug!”

“Ahahaha, my face is red, my face is red!”

Miss Dragon was already very confident about this.

With the help of the shapeshifting spell, her beautiful skin could be modified and adjusted. However, in the entire Dragon Island, which dragon could have such a unique and interesting spirit soul like hers?

Hence, Kant ran away in exasperation.

After suffering a loss, he had to seek comfort.

“.. So what are you laughing about?”

Valentan, in the city lord’s mansion that had been repaired, Hong San asked in puzzlement.

Kant stopped smiling.” There have been many happy things recently. Can’t you smile a little?”

“Sure.” Hong San lowered his head and tidied up his book.” But it’s best not to smile like that in front of Princess Tina.”

“.. What do you mean?”

” It’s just a reserved and sincere loyal advice from a retainer.”

“..”

” So,” Kant changed the topic guiltily.” How’s it going?”

“It didn’t go well.”

Hong San quickly got into the mood when they talked about serious matters.” Valentan City’s attitude is unhesitant and supportive. It’s just that the attitudes of the nobles and high officials in other regions are extremely ambiguous. No matter what, our actions are actually splitting Goethe. It’s normal for them to be resistant.”

Kant grasped the details in the retainer’s words.

” Yes, they neither agreed nor objected. They denounced Distant Port and even Lucerne for their criticism and riots against you, but they did not express their loyalty to you.”

” Oh.” Kant nodded.” They’ll help whoever wins.”

“You can say that. In the end, humans are still creatures of interest.” Hong San replied,” There is a time limit to the benefits. Although His Highness has stopped the elf army and saved the war zone, after the Battle of Valentan, the time limit for the benefits has already expired. If you want them to submit, you need more benefits.”

“I don’t have to make them submit to me.” Kant said calmly,” Sometimes, accepting forced loyalty means long-term trouble. It will be even more troublesome to clean up later.”

Hong San easily followed Kant’s train of thought.

” But it’s a good idea to take them in and use them first, then gradually weaken them and cultivate new forces to compete with them.”

“It’s not a bad thing to rope in some sensible nobles,” he advised.”At least at this stage, we can’t expose your thoughts and concepts that are completely hostile to all nobles. Otherwise, it will be a waste of time.”

“You’re right. Then let them see my strength again.” Kant shrugged.” In other words, although the Rocky Mountain Province, where Valentan is located, is unwilling to follow me and openly break off relations with the Goethe Central Government, they do not dare to oppose or offend me directly. Is that so?”

“Yes.” Hong San nodded and said,” The biggest difference between them and the nobles from other places is that they personally witnessed the results of the forbidden spell’s fall and the scene. The deterrence in their hearts lasts longer and is more real.”

“Then are they willing to provide me with food?”

“There must be some who are willing and some who are unwilling. Isn’t that better?”

“Yes.” Kant smiled.” That’s even better.”

“What about my plan?” he asked as he pulled a chair across from Hong San.

After arriving here, he told Hong San about the operations and methods he had used in the past two days. Hong San praised him very much and sincerely paid his respects to the King.

“With Your Highness ‘peerless martial arts backing us up, we can’t go wrong no matter what.”

Hong San smiled and said,” The nobles of Distant Harbor intend to use the food issue to retaliate against you. This is essentially a political issue, but if you use the same method to retaliate and resolve it as an economic issue, not only will you be able to dispel the uneasiness of the mainland’s aristocratic system, but you will also be able to further demonstrate your strength and prestige.”

Kant crossed his legs and said,” What about Han Zezheng? You said that we should be careful when taking in dogs, and I think that’s about right. We can try to use this person. If he’s an R card, then he can do the R card thing. If he’s upgraded himself, that would be the best thing. It’s just a matter of loyalty and character. Although I’ve observed him for a while, if you have time, talk to him and help me find out more.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary.”

“Your Highness has always had a good eye for men,” Hong San pursed his lips.

“Why did you specifically emphasize the word ‘man’?” Kant glared at him. Do women not deserve to be looked at by me? Or am I not worthy of looking at women? When can women and I stand up?”

“You should think about how to raise a large amount of food.”

Hong San thought for a moment, then took out a blank piece of paper and started to draw.

” The enemy is trying to make an issue out of the food supply. This move is indeed vicious, but it’s not that there’s no way to crack it. For example, they can control the city by force, announce that the food ration is limited, and sell the food at a fixed price. No matter how they jump, as long as our food supply is stable, there will be no problem.”

Kant nodded.

He was familiar with this. Food stamps, limited purchase, very old.

” However, the price of grain in each city is meaningless. The essence of this confrontation is that they are trying to challenge your prestige and reputation. The entire continent is watching. Therefore, not only must we win beautifully, but we must also make them lose miserably. Moreover, directly sending troops to control a Goethe city will also make the middle-class people in Goethe uneasy. No country’s citizens will welcome powerful invaders.”

” That’s right.” Hong San poked the paper with the tip of his pen.” So using economic means is wise.”

Kang De stood up and stood behind Hong San, looking at the piece of paper.

” They used means to stop the transportation of grain, artificially creating a grain shortage, causing panic and panic, and raising the price of grain. This vicious cycle will repeat itself. The people will definitely panic and even riot in the midst of hunger, which is enough to make Your Highness’s previous efforts to buy people’s hearts fail. Logically speaking, we have to think of a way to transport grain into the city, maintain the supply, suppress the price of grain, and stabilize the people.”

” That’s why when we transport grain into the city, they will buy it at a high price, so that ordinary people will continue to be unable to buy grain.”

” They will take whatever we transport until someone dies of hunger, until further chaos and death occur, until His Highness is disgraced, or he chooses to negotiate.”

” And this is also our chance.”

“Because their money is not unlimited.”

Hong San listed out a few numbers.” When the amount of food we collect reaches a huge amount, a situation will occur. All the funds in their hands will not be able to eat up the food in our hands. Then, the price of the food will be completely reduced by us. They are afraid of losses and will sell in panic. Then, they will lose as much as they sell. They might not even be able to sell it at all…”

After a series of mental calculations, the advisor drew a number.

” 2.5. The enemy’s estimated funds will be multiplied by the current price of grain, and they will be able to get the amount of grain they can buy at that price. Multiply that by 2.5, and that will be the amount of grain that they will not be able to eat no matter what…In other words, the number exceeds their psychological limit.”

“It’s also a number that can guarantee our victory.”

” But the specific situation depends on the current situation in Distant Harbor. I don’t know about this.”

He folded the piece of paper and handed it to Kant.” Your Highness, when you get back, you can ask Han Zezheng if he has any considerations in this regard. If he can give you similar ideas and figures as I do, it means that this person is useful. At the very least, he should be able to take charge of the city’s commercial and economic operations.”

Kant took the paper and gave him a thumbs up.” Awesome! Awesome! You’re so smart!”

Hong San smiled faintly.” Your Highness, you flatter me. This battle is still going smoothly. With Your Highness’s martial strength and divine skills as support, we have a 70% advantage. If we don’t calculate the winner, we won’t be able to face Master.”

“That’s why the military counselor is important.” Kant sighed.” With you by my side, I feel much more at ease.”

“My lord, don’t belittle yourself.”

Hong San raised his head and looked at him.” You told Han Zezheng that story and encouraged him, but you didn’t touch yourself. In fact, you are the same. Perhaps you used to be ordinary, but you suffered setbacks and bloody battles. Today, your temperament, strength, tactics, and wisdom have also grown. The current Kant is enough to make all countries fear him. Only you still treat yourself as an ordinary youth.”

” Is that so?” Kant was taken aback.” Is that so?” he laughed.

“In short, Your Highness, just do it.” Hong San smiled as well.” As for Valentan, there are still some matters that I need to discuss with some representatives. If necessary, I will invite His Highness to meet them to stabilize the people and make some promises. As for the battle at the distant port, I will let His Highness handle it personally.”

He extended his hand and made a gesture of invitation.

” Now, you should go to Lucerne and use your relationship with Tedarell to gather some food.”

Kant scoffed.” I guess the balls are useless. I just f * cked them up a while ago. They don’t even have time to cause trouble. Why would they give me food?”

“But it doesn’t matter if we do it. There are only benefits and no disadvantages.”

At this point, Hong San revealed a mysterious smile.

” However, please emphasize to Her Highness Tina that you’ve been to Valentan.”

“.. Hmm?”

” In this way, Her Highness won’t care or pursue your occasional silly laughter.”

“..”

Hong San’s smile was calm, as if he had seen through everything.

“This is the loyal and sincere advice of a subordinate.”

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

[PS 1: Upgraded…] It’s been a little late recently. I’ll write it early tomorrow!