Chapter 115 - 83: Heaven-Defying Grand Array, Entrance to the Previous Dynasty’s Ruins

Chapter 115: Chapter 83: Heaven-Defying Grand Array, Entrance to the Previous Dynasty’s Ruins

But it was now firmly contained within the borders of the Northern Three Prefectures.

And to ensure the stability of the Grand Array’s foundation, the Northern Three Prefectures had to maintain a population above a certain threshold. For anyone registered as a resident of the Northern Three Prefectures, moving out was next to impossible.

With toxins and plagues running rampant, the people of the Northern Three Prefectures naturally had poor cultivation aptitude. It was nearly impossible to nurture any local experts.

The officials of the Northern Three Prefectures were all transferred from the outside by the Court, tempted by better compensation. Many of them, with less-than-ideal career prospects, chose the Northern Three Prefectures to secure resources and a future for their children. However, coming here was a form of self-sacrifice, so they naturally arrived with a chip on their shoulder.

Therefore... the relationship between the officials and the common people here was... delicate.

Hsss...

Zhao Ci felt a headache coming on. He had a feeling that safely delivering the pills to their intended recipients wouldn’t be as easy as he’d thought.

The convoy continued onward, soon entering the city of Qingyang County, the foremost of the Northern Three Prefectures.

The Qingyang Prefect had been waiting for a long time. He immediately had his men lead the convoy to the county armory to unload the cargo.

He, on the other hand, enthusiastically invited the two Princes into the Governor’s Mansion.

All the notable officials of Qingyang County were present, as well as representatives from the other two counties.

"Your Highnesses, your hearts are filled with benevolence and righteousness! To think you would request ten thousand Qi Cultivation Pills for the people of the Northern Three Prefectures! This humble official is truly in awe!"

The Qingyang Prefect, Zhang Delv, was so moved he was practically in tears. "Qingyang County’s supplies are all allocated by the Court, so we can’t say we’re well-stocked. This welcome banquet is a bit shabby. I hope Your Highnesses won’t take offense."

Zhao Ci glanced at the table. It was loaded with rich fish and meat—hell, it was a better spread than what that Old Deng, Zhao Huan, ate.

Of course, one reason was that Zhao Huan’s meals were simple. The Emperor’s dining standards were actually only equivalent to that of a well-to-do family.

’But this? This is far from simple.’

’You call this shabby?’

Though he thought this, Zhao Ci wouldn’t say it out loud and make trouble for himself.

He just smiled and said, "Not at all, not at all! The stability of the Northern Three Prefectures is vital to the safety of Lingge. Lord Zhang has exhausted himself working for Great Yu; how could he have any energy left to worry about food? Please don’t mention taking offense again. With Lord Zhang presiding over Qingyang County, it is truly a blessing for the people. With this cup, I toast Lord Zhang!"

With that, he raised his wine cup.

Zhao Yong could only think, ’...Wait, what? You can actually say nice things?’

Zhao Yong also raised his cup. "I’ve been around Lao Shi for so long, and this is the first time I’ve ever heard him praise someone like that. Lord Zhang, we toast you with this cup."

Zhang Delv was also a bit surprised. He truly hadn’t expected the two Princes to be so enthusiastic.

’This is good.’

He had thought Zhao Ci would be difficult to deal with, but now it seemed his plan would proceed without a hitch.

The banquet continued with a flurry of toasts.

One official platitude after another was exchanged at the table.

Zhao Ci naturally slipped into the role, navigating the murky waters of officialdom and spouting one pleasantry after another.

Zhao Yong watched, stunned.

’When did he learn to do this?’

Zhao Ci was finding it a real pain in the ass. ’If I didn’t have a huge pile of Insight Points to collect, do you think I’d be here playing nice with these snakes?’

’After all, these are the people who get things done.’

’Without them, I couldn’t even get my hands on the list of eligible citizens.’

’Sigh!’

’Life is hard, so Zhao Ci puts on a show.’

The drinks flowed freely.

As they grew tipsy,

Zhao Ci threw an arm around Zhang Delv’s neck and said, slurring his words, "Brother Zhang, for this Emperor’s Gift Pill, I’ll need your help compiling the list for the Northern Three Prefectures. I’m counting on you for this. Give me the inside scoop—when can you have the list compiled? I need to report back to my Father Emperor as soon as possible."

"Sigh!"

Zhang Delv sighed. "Your Highness, it’s not that this humble official wants to delay you. It’s mainly that the population of the Northern Three Prefectures is quite large, and on top of that, those unruly commoners are uncooperative. Compiling the list is truly not something that can be done in a day or two.

"This humble official can only say that I will do my best. If things go quickly, it could be done in half a month."

’Who are you trying to fool?’

’Uncooperative commoners? No matter how unruly they are, if they hear they’re getting free Qi Cultivation Pills, is it possible they wouldn’t cooperate?’

’This half a month... someone’s probably planning to stir up trouble.’

Zhao Ci looked at Zhang Delv’s forehead, and sure enough, a line of text had appeared.

[Zhang Delv’s Current Wish]: How are those unruly commoners worthy of receiving Qi Cultivation Pills for free? I will take these five thousand pills from the Court and use them to curry my own favors. Wish Completion Reward: Insight Points +1, White Take Talisman x1.

Zhao Ci: "???"

’For such a big deal, I only get one Insight Point?’

’Do you look down on this Prince that much?’