When Shen Zhi entered, Ji Bei Hou was still fuming with anger. When he saw Shen Zhi enter, he said, "Shen Zhi, you said that third brother was intelligent when he was young. Now that he's grown up, he's become like this. He doesn't think about improving himself, and doesn't think about Hou Mansion at all. How infuriating."
"Master Hou, third young master still has some things he doesn't understand. Stay here for a few more days, and maybe he will." Shen Zhi tried to persuade him. Seeing the broken teacups on the floor, he shouted, "Men, clean this up."
Someone came in from the outside, cleaned up the room silently, and left without a sound.
At this point, a voice came from outside, "Master Hou, Daoist Leader Li has arrived."
Ji Bei Hou and Shen Zhi looked at each other before Ji Bei Hou replied, "Please enter!"
At this point, Ji Bei Hou had regained his composure and was sipping his tea slowly. A Daoist walked out and bowed to Ji Bei Hou, "Master Hou, Mister Shen, this Daoist greets you."
Shen Zhi looked at this Daoist. He was wearing a Daoist robe and a bamboo crown. His face was lean and he had a long beard. He looked like he was out of this world. Shen Zhi didn't know why, but he felt disgusted by him. He asked coldly, "Daoist, why aren't you cultivating in the mountains, but here in Hou Mansion?"
The Daoist bowed and replied plainly, "I'm here to preach the Dao."
Shen Zhi didn't expect this Daoist to be so direct and laughed, "Preaching the Dao doesn't depend on words. I wonder what divine powers this Daoist has?"
The Daoist looked at Shen Zhi and said, "You're right. There are hundreds of Daoist sects under the heavens, and they don't rely on words. But today, I shall show you how talented you are. It's a pity you've chosen the wrong path."
Shen Zhi laughed coldly, "I'd like to hear the details."
The Daoist then said, "Let's not talk about physiognomy or fate. You've been intelligent since you were young. You started studying when you were six, and started writing essays when you were nine. When you were ten, you were known as a child prodigy. You have literary talent, but you failed many times. You only managed to become an Elementary Scholar. This is because of your talent and your stubbornness. How does he compare to Pei Zi Yun? "
Shen Zhi's cold smile froze on his face. He then saw the Daoist speak again, "Apart from the Four Books and Five Classics, you're also good at calligraphy and painting. You can play the zither, you're good at music, and you're good at painting. You can paint mountains and rivers, people, flowers and birds, bamboo and stone. Third Master's painting was taught by you right?"
"What a pity. Can these save my life?"
These words were as sharp as swords. The Daoist paced around and laughed coldly, "To change one's fate, it could be literature, Dao, military, or even a rich and powerful background."
"You were born into poverty. With your literary talent, if you were willing to hide it, you might have been able to pass the Imperial Examinations. However, in your early years, you were famous throughout the county, and many people were jealous of you. If you wanted to stand out, you had to be talented enough to make others speechless. However, you were distracted. If you didn't improve your literary skills, how could you have passed the Imperial Examinations? How could you have changed your fate?"
"Thirty years later, your fate has been decided. You can only rely on a wise leader to achieve success. As the saying goes, the green rope flies on its own, but it's only a few trees. If you rely on a horse's tail, you can travel a thousand miles!"
The meaning of these words was that Shen Zhi's literary skills, musical skills, music skills, and painting were all useless unless he wanted to be a craftsman. He was born into poverty, and couldn't pass the examinations. His literary skills were good, but he wasn't the best. What else could he say about his fate? He could only rely on someone else.
Ji Bei Hou saw that Shen Zhi was speechless, and his face was pale. He laughed, "What about me? I don't care about fortune. Please speak. "
The Daoist laughed and said, "Master Hou's heart has always been like this. Master Hou was originally very noble, but the time has passed. Originally, you still had one more chance. A month ago, your green energy started to solidify, and the Governor's green energy started to become chaotic. It was as though it was shrouded in smoke, and was about to dissipate. Now, it's the exact opposite."
"I'm afraid that not only will it be difficult for Master Hou to advance further, you might even be killed."
Ji Bei Hou's face twitched, as a murderous look appeared on his face. However, the Daoist was calm and collected. He looked at Ji Bei Hou and realized something. This Daoist had a special technique, and had Holy Jail Sect behind him. He wasn't a swindler. He then smiled, "Daoist leader, do you know why I've invited you here?"
"I know. Master Hou wants to deal with the Governor, but Free Cloud Sect refuses to help. Both sides are trying to take advantage of the situation. That's why Master Hou came looking for us." The Daoist said.
Ji Bei Hou maintained his composure and laughed, "It's good that Daoist knows."
The Daoist turned around and looked at Shen Zhi, "Mister Shen, I advise you to convince Master Hou to give up Free Cloud Sect. My sect has long favored Master Hou."
He then looked at Ji Bei Hou, "Master Hou, it was our sect that contacted the pirates. I believe Master Hou knows our intentions. It's a pity that Master Hou chose Free Cloud Sect. Now that you know that this sect isn't reliable, it's fortunate that Master Hou still has time."
"Fate has its own destiny. It's predestined, and it's also human. It's profound and mysterious. Master Hou, now is not the time to give up."
Ji Bei Hou picked up a cup of hot tea and took a sip. He then said, "Daoist leader, since you're here, let's talk about important matters."
"Yes, Master Hou." The Daoist bowed and said, "That's natural. But to be honest, times have changed. If Master Hou wishes to receive support from Holy Jail Sect, you have to show some sincerity."
"Oh? What sincerity does Daoist leader want? "Ji Bei Hou's face fell, he was feeling displeased. Seeing this, Shen Zhi raised his voice and asked.
The Daoist leader's expression didn't change, "Sincerity is a slow process. Let's work first, and gain mutual trust. If Master Hou wishes to kill Pei Zi Yun, we can do it for you."
"This kid has gone against my sect many times, and caused us to suffer great losses. He even ruined the plans of Hou Mansion. I think, if we kill this kid, no one would object right?"
"Of course, we can support the Daoist leader. Master Hou has the Secret Plate Guards, and they are all elite soldiers. We can send some of them to you. But can you track his movements?" Shen Zhi asked.
"You don't have to worry about that. I've got someone to help me." The Daoist leader laughed.
"Let's talk about serious matters!" Ji Bei Hou said, "Have you read the plan to exterminate the pirates? What's the plan? "
The Daoist leader retracted his expression, "I've read it, and I have some understanding of the pirates. In terms of origins, this was a matter within Fu Sang Country. Within Fu Sang Country, the Great General, who had received the seal of the previous dynasty, lost their destiny. The feudal lords fought amongst themselves, and many of the losers had nowhere to go. Hence, they took ships to invade China."
"In the next fifty years, Fu Sang Country would have a new government. Originally, there would be fewer pirates. However, they had already tasted the sweetness of victory, and were unwilling to give up. Most importantly, the previous dynasty had shut down the sea trade. Anyone who brought cattle, horses, military supplies, iron, copper, cloth, silk, and cotton into the sea would be punished with a hundred strokes of the cane."
"First, it was smuggling. When that failed, it was robbery. That's how the pirates are."
"In the plan to exterminate the pirates, there's a line that's very important. If the market is open, the pirates will turn to merchants. If the market is closed, the merchants will turn to pirates. This is a very important point."
Shen Zhi looked at Ji Bei Hou's face and said, "Daoist, are you here to praise the enemy?"
The Daoist leader nodded his head, "Of course not. What I mean is, the plan to exterminate the pirates is very ruthless and accurate. There's no luck involved in this."
"But since there's a plan, there has to be execution. We can take advantage of this opportunity to profit."
"I'd like to hear the details." Ji Bei Hou said.
"The plan to exterminate the pirates is a bad thing for us. However, when we think about it, it's a good thing." The Daoist leader continued, "Fu Sang Country has a huge need for silk."
"The plan to exterminate the pirates says that when the silk market opens, the sea will be at peace. This is a very important point. But because of this, can't we take advantage of the opening of the market and earn a fortune?"
"You're Ji Bei Hou. You have money, men, and ships. You're willing to enter the market. Isn't that the best way to profit?"
Shen Zhi and Ji Bei Hou exclaimed, "Ah!" Their eyes widened in shock.
"Silk is the most important, followed by pots, porcelain, lacquer, and medicinal herbs. Fu Sang Country produces a lot of silver. If we can get the most out of the trade, we'll be able to earn a few hundred thousand taels of silver."
"Master Hou, with this much silver, what's so difficult about it?"
"Besides, if the Governor were to open a lot of markets, we can earn a lot of money and create trouble. We can also send people to harass them. We can even raise the price of rice."
"There will be some righteous people who will jump out and challenge the Governor to a duel. They will say that everything is a crime against the Governor."
"Master Hou, the crux of the matter lies in the next few years. As long as the pirates are still around, and the sea has yet to be conquered, the Imperial Court will not be able to punish you. The Emperor's health isn't good. Once he passes away, the Crown Prince will be the next Emperor."
"When that time comes, we can advance or retreat."
When Ji Bei Hou heard this, he looked as though he was chewing on an olive. After some time, he sighed, "There are so many heroes under the heavens. Just by listening to you, a bad thing becomes a good thing."
Shen Zhi had just been criticized for being 'unprofessional'. At this point, he didn't utter a single word. Instead, he listened intently. At this point, he cleared his throat and smiled, "Daoist Leader is right. Since we can't go against the current situation, whether it's the right time or the right time, we should turn the bad into the good."
"Master Hou, this is a good plan. We can carry it out."
"Oh?" Ji Bei Hou paused as he paced back and forth, "Daoist Leader, this matter is too important. I need to think about it. You should go back first."
"Shen Zhi, send the Daoist Leader off."
"Yes!"
After sending the Daoist Leader off, Shen Zhi returned to his study. After some time, he said, "Master Hou, the Holy Jail Sect have wild ambitions. We have to guard against them."
Ji Bei Hou laughed coldly, "They have wild ambitions, but I don't care. As long as they can help me, I can tolerate them."
"But …." Shen Zhi wanted to speak, but Ji Bei Hou waved a hand to stop him, "There's no need to say all this. For the sake of our foundation, all this is necessary."
"Ai!" Shen Zhi let out a long sigh and didn't speak further. He then changed the topic, "This Daoist Leader has reminded me of something. I have an idea."
"Oh, tell me about it." Ji Bei Hou's eyes lit up.
"It's still the same words. Since we can't go against the current situation, whether it's the right time or the right time, we should turn the bad into the good. I didn't finish my words just now. How do we turn the bad into the good?"
"The court wants to reduce the military power. Then, should we voluntarily cooperate with the court, respond to the court's call, disarm the army, and turn the loyal soldiers into sea merchants?" "The court is going to reduce the military power. So, should we voluntarily cooperate with the court's policy?
"This way, we can earn money and protect our foundation. If we have the right time, we can advance. If we don't, we can still be rich."
"In front of the Imperial Court, we can gain a reputation of being respectful. That way, we can avoid the Imperial Court's suspicions."
"Ai?" Ji Bei Hou stood up and paced back and forth, "Good, good. Mister is indeed a genius."
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