Zhang Yu rode on Ming Yi's small boat and left the group of reefs. Under his guidance, they boarded a warship called the Thorny Heart. A middle-aged man was already waiting there with a few attendants.
He observed the noble that Ming Yi had mentioned. The man was in his forties and wore a sapphire blue robe. His hair was combed into a bun with an ebony hairpin, and his beard was neatly trimmed. He was full of energy and had an elegant bearing.
Ming Yi introduced, "Zhang Shaolang, this is Manager Zhao Xiangcheng from the security inspection committee. “
Zhang Yu clasped his hands and greeted, "Manager Zhao."
Zhao Xiangcheng finally saw Zhang Yu's appearance and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. At this time, he noticed Xia Jian beside Zhang Yu and couldn't help but ask, "Did Shaolang kill that Heavenly Salamander?"
Zhang Yu replied, "It was just a fluke."
Zhao Xiangcheng's heart was in turmoil after receiving an affirmative answer. The security inspection committee's main responsibility was to clean up pirates and mutant monsters on the islands. He knew very well how powerful spiritual creatures were. He had just confirmed from the guards that Zhang Yu was just an ordinary person.
It was hard to imagine that a young man without extraordinary strength could do such a thing.
He said seriously, "Zhang Shaolang, the Great Fortune is my property. I can rebuild it if it sinks, but I can't save lives if it's lost. I must thank you for saving the lives of everyone on the ship."
Solemnly, he clasped his hands and bowed.
Zhang Yu returned the gesture and said, "I was only saving myself."
Zhao Xiangcheng smiled. "Zhang Shaolang, you're too modest. You should act according to your heart and your heart follows your nature. A person's true character is often unknown even to himself and can only be seen in times of crisis. Your actions are worthy of being called a gentleman." At this moment, he seemed to have thought of something. He paused and said, "May I ask, Zhang Shaolang, are you Xia Zi?"
Zhang Yu replied, "According to the household records, my parents are both Xia people."
After the Protectorate was established, many aboriginals submitted to Tian Xia. The children born from their marriages with the Xia people were naturally registered as part of the Protectorate. However, only those whose parents were both Xia people could be addressed as "Child of Xia". As for the mainland, it was even harsher. One had to go back three generations before they could be counted.
"It really is Xia Zi." Zhao Xiangcheng's expression became even more amiable. He stared at Zhang Yu and slowly asked, "Zhang Shaolang, do you think … Tianxia is still here?"
Ming Yi had been standing to one side ever since he boarded the boat. When he heard these words, he lifted his head to look at Zhang Yu, as if wanting to know how the latter would respond.
On second thought, Zhang Yu recalled that sixty years ago, the arrival of the Turbid Tide had caused the Dongting Protectorate to lose contact with the mainland. Although the Dongting Protectorate had tried several times to send messages back, they had all failed.
Now, many people suspected that Tianxia no longer existed. Just like the civilizations that had risen in the previous eras, they had been drowned in this catastrophe.
He looked at the two of them and replied with certainty, "Of course."
Zhao Xiangcheng said in surprise, "Oh? Why do you think so? "
He had seen many people hold out hope for Tianxia's existence. At the same time, he had also seen quite a few pessimistic people. However, he had rarely seen such a firm reply.
Zhang Yu said calmly, "Because wherever Tianxia's people are Tianxia."
Zhao Xiangcheng was startled. After a long while, his eyes lit up as he nodded vigorously. "Well said! Well said, wherever Tianxia's people are Tianxia! " He turned to the side and invited, saying, "Zhang Shaolang, come. I've already ordered people to prepare a banquet. Please do come!"
Zhang Yu gladly agreed and followed him into the guest cabin.
It was at this time that the two of them saw several small boats sailing toward the reefs. Clearly, they were headed for the Heavenly Salamander corpse.
Zhao Xiangcheng paused in his steps and turned to say, "Zhang Shaolang, you killed this monster. How do you plan to deal with it?"
Spiritual creatures were quite valuable. Their tendons, bones, and skin could be used to make weapons, while their viscera and fat could be used to make medicine and boil oil. Moreover, many people in the protectorate believed that they could obtain power by eating the flesh of spiritual creatures. They would usually be sold out the moment they appeared on the market and could be sold for a high price.
Zhang Yu had considered this problem before. "I remember the protectorate has a clear law regarding the capture of spiritual creatures?"
Zhao Xiangcheng said, "There is such a law. As long as you can prove that you killed the spiritual creature yourself, 30% will go to the person who captured it, 50% will go to the public treasury, and the remaining 20% will be used by the local government. However, this group of reefs isn't under the jurisdiction of any island, so there's no need to calculate the local government's expenditure. "
Zhang Yu cupped his hands and said, "According to the treaty set by the protectorate sixty years ago, as long as it's in the Tenghai Sea region, it should be considered under the jurisdiction of the various islands. Manager Zhao, please pass the 20% to the various island lords on my behalf."
Zhao Xiangcheng pondered for a moment and said, "I understand Zhang Shaolang's concerns. Alright, I'll accept it on behalf of the various island lords. If it's not convenient for Zhang Shaolang, I can handle the 30% on your behalf. We'll discuss the details of the settlement when the time comes. What do you think?"
Zhang Yu didn't stand on ceremony. "Then I'll have to trouble you as well." He didn't have the means to deal with this Heavenly Salamander at the moment, and it would attract unwanted attention. It was best to hand it over to Zhao Xiangcheng.
After the two of them finished discussing this matter, they went to the upper deck of the Thorny Heart where it was the brightest.
Zhang Yu took off his cloak in the outer compartment and a maid brought over a copper basin. Another person brought over a long-nosed flask and poured water into it to clean his hands. After wiping them clean with a handkerchief, he turned around the screen and went into the inner compartment.
The table for the host and guest had already been set up. The dining table was covered with red silk, and there were shiny white jade plates, clean chopsticks, knives, spoons, and small plates. Behind the table, there was a green bamboo rack on which towels and handkerchiefs were hung. There was also a high-waisted porcelain bowl at the foot of the table.
At this moment, an attendant came forward and bowed with his head lowered. "Dear guest, there's no need for soldiers in a banquet. Please remove your sword."
Zhao Xiangcheng waved his hand. "I'm the one treating Zhang Shaolang today, and we're even on the ship. There's no need for such conventional etiquette." He turned around and made an inviting gesture. "Zhang Shaolang, please take a seat. We came out in a hurry, so the preparations are simple and crude. Please don't take offense."
Zhang Yu replied courteously and followed him into the banquet.
At this moment, on the reef island. A group of people were surrounding the Newt's corpse and pointing at it. This place was only a day's journey from the capital, so they didn't have to separate it. They were preparing to hook up the hook and drag the monster back directly.
A group of people was busy when Qiao Zhan arrived. He said to a green-robed old man, "Wang Jianlian, how is it? Have you found out how this monster died? "
Wang Jianlian was thin and vigorous, but his eyes were full of spirit. He seemed unusually excited at the moment. He pulled Qiao Zhan aside and said, "Captain, come, look here."
He gestured at the Newt's head with his hand. "The sword pierced in from here and accurately cut the brain into two halves. Apart from that, there are no other wounds. It can be said that it was a one-hit kill. The attacker must be very familiar with the Newt's body structure, and that sword must be very special. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to cut through the spiritual surface."
Qiao Zhan was secretly shocked. This Newt's body was at least ten feet long. Facing such a large spiritual creature, even if he had such a sharp weapon, he wouldn't have absolute confidence in killing it without any assistance.
He was very sure that Zhang Yu hadn't exceeded the limits of an ordinary person. To kill a spiritual creature with a human body, and without using any weapons, this could be considered a precedent, right?
At this moment, he couldn't help but admire this talent.
Then, he thought that if he could pull Zhang Yu into the Army of God, wouldn't the merit be counted as belonging to the Army of God?
Once this thought came to him, his heart was moved. However, it was difficult to execute, and it wasn't something he could decide on his own.
He rubbed the stubble on his chin and pondered for a moment. Then, he had an idea.
In the Thorny Heart's guest cabin, a servant first served some snacks. After placing them on the table, he bowed and left with his head lowered.
Zhang Yu's gaze landed on a black glazed bowl in front of him. In the bottom of the bowl, there were small balls of white flour rolling gently in the soup. They looked exceptionally beautiful. He scooped one up with a spoon and tasted it. In an instant, a fragrant aroma filled his cheeks. There was a hint of sweetness amidst the softness.
Zhao Xiangcheng smiled and said, "This is fragrant jade pill, a famous snack on Hong Kong Island. Does it suit your taste?"
Zhang Yu put down the spoon and said, "Very good."
After the two of them finished the snacks and rinsed their mouths, the servant came up to remove the snacks. Only then did the main dishes were served.
Zhao Xiangcheng said, "Please," and the two of them raised their plates to eat. There was silence during the meal.
After the meal, the host and the guest went to their respective rooms to freshen up. When they returned to the table, there were plates of small fruits and vegetables on the table. There was also a cup of fragrant digestive tea.
Zhao Xiangcheng took a sip of the tea and put it down. He sat up straight and said, "Zhang Shaolang, how much do you know about our security patrol?"
Zhang Yu said, "I've heard a little about it."
When he was traveling with his teacher, he had seen members of the security patrol. This was the private armed force of the islands at sea. Although this organization was not a yamen under the Protectorate's rule, it involved a huge group of interests behind it. It also involved the game between the outer islands and the Protectorate.
Zhao Xiangcheng tried to ask, "Is Zhang Shaolang interested in joining the security patrol? I can be your referral. "
Zhang Yu tactfully declined, "Thank you, Manager Zhao. I came to the capital only to study. I have no other thoughts at the moment."
Zhao Xiangcheng felt a little regretful and said, "Since Zhang Shaolang is not willing, I won't force you. But Shaolang, you should know that you killed a Heavenly Salamander alone. This is no small matter. If someone helps you and sends it into the Book of Merit, then you can be evaluated as a 'Scholar'. "
Zhang Yu was very clear about the laws and nobility of the Dongting Protectorate.
A 'Scholar' was the first rank of a commoner. After becoming a 'Scholar', he was no longer a commoner. He had the right to participate in discussions and become an official.
But in reality, this was not easy to do.
The evaluation of a commoner's merit was usually verified by the Protectorate. But if the person being evaluated did not have sufficient resources and background, then it was almost impossible. On the other hand, if someone of higher status recommended him, then there was a higher chance of him passing.
He said, "This is not easy."
"It is not easy." Zhao Xiangcheng admitted this point and showed some sincerity. "Zhang Shaolang, I admire what you did before. If a gentleman like you doesn't want to be a 'scholar', then who can be a 'scholar'? I will help you with this matter. You just have to be patient. It is not easy to promote a 'Scholar'. We are not prepared for this year's meeting. "
Zhang Yu did not refuse this time. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Manager."
With the status of a 'Scholar', many things would be convenient. He could go to many places that commoners could not go. He could also look up many books and documents that were not open to the public.
After this banquet, both the guests and the host were very happy.
Zhang Yu used exhaustion as an excuse and went to rest in his cabin.
Zhao Xiangcheng sighed and said, "What a pity. It would be great if he could enter my Security Council."
Ming Yi said, "Manager, you seem to value this Zhang Shaolang?"
Zhao Xiangcheng gazed out the window at the vast blue sea. "Do you know why I am willing to help him? It's not because he saved the lives of all the people on the Great Fortune, nor is it because he killed that Heavenly Salamander. Rather, it's because he is a heroic talent. He is the cornerstone of Tianxia. Tianxia is supported by countless such young people. “
Ming Yi said, "But there is only the Protectorate."
Zhao Xiangcheng said firmly, "Yes, there is only the Protectorate, but the turbid tide is about to recede. Just wait. It won't be long before the light of Tianxia shines once more on the summit of Mount An."
… …
… …
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
