Chapter 529 - 262: Hundred Ghosts March

Chapter 529: Chapter 262: Hundred Ghosts March

The common folk still fondly remembered the splendor of Heaven on Earth. Now, that magnificent pavilion, after having the "Disaster Prevention Bureau" plaque hung upon it, was a cold and desolate place, its doors deserted.

At first, the city’s residents were full of curiosity about the duties of this brand-new department, the Disaster Prevention Bureau, especially since it was a department led by the Red King—a man second only to one and above all others.

However, the Disaster Prevention Bureau mostly conducted its business out of town, and the details of its cases were not widely publicized. Over time, the buzz around the Bureau faded from after-dinner conversations and fell off the trending topics.

What the people discussed more was not the establishment of the Disaster Prevention Bureau, but the Red King’s legendary rags-to-riches story.

From the sole survivor of the Zheng Clan to an independent entrepreneur, then the Richest Person in the land, he had taken it one step at a time to become the Lord Red King he was today.

Zheng Xiu would occasionally take his extravagant carriage out, parading through the streets, show up at the Disaster Prevention Bureau late in the morning just to make an appearance, and then leisurely clock off around teatime.

He didn’t need to attend the daily morning court sessions like the civil and military officials. The Red King himself would sometimes lament that after being enfeoffed and taking this position, he had become more and more of a slacker—a wealthy man who was always late to work and early to leave. ’People, huh,’ he’d think. ’You always end up becoming the very person you used to hate.’

News came from the Auspicious Workshop that the first batch of "Siege Equipment" had been furtively delivered to the Ministry of War. In truth, the Great Emperor seemed to have no intention of hiding this matter from the Red King at all.

Just last month, the Monarch of Daqian and the Red King, who was at the height of his influence in the Court, had a secret meeting that no one else knew about.

An ornate carriage stopped before the Red King Mansion. The coachman was still that same military general, dressed casually and looking like a retired special agent.

Zheng Xiu bathed, burned incense, and changed his clothes. He donned his Crown, wore the Jade Pendant symbolizing the Red King at his waist, and, surrounded by a throng of his blushing and excited family members, stepped out of the Red King Mansion toward the carriage.

After a few such trips, the military general coachman seemed to consider himself familiar with Zheng Xiu. He gave Zheng Xiu a subtle thumbs-up, his eyes conveying a clear message: ’You get it.’

As the saying goes, dress for the occasion. Every time Zheng Xiu went to see the Emperor, he would dress in his finest attire for the audience, making it quite the ceremony.

"This junior, Zheng Xiu, pays his respects to Uncle Huo."

Zheng Xiu bowed politely to the coachman.

In terms of status, Zheng Xiu was the esteemed Red King and should have held his head high, looking down his nose at people; bowing and scraping would be a disgrace to the title. But in terms of seniority, it was a different matter. Zheng Xiu had made inquiries. Twenty years ago, General Huo had fought against the Barbarians. His achievements might not have rivaled those of Zheng Xiu’s father, but if his merits were turned into medals, several coats wouldn’t be enough to hang them all.

Based on seniority, it was perfectly reasonable for Zheng Xiu to call him "Uncle Huo."

The coachman was lounging casually in his seat, but upon hearing this, he sat up straight. A flash of appreciation and surprise crossed his eyes, and he secretly marveled, ’This sole heir of the old Zheng family is so slick and flawless. No wonder he deserved to be made an Exotic Clan King.’

"Heh!" Uncle Huo grinned, a smile that said it all, and nudged his chin toward the carriage.

Zheng Xiu stepped into the carriage. Venerable Wei Yang was seated primly inside, his piercing gaze like two searing lamps that made Zheng Xiu’s skin sting. When Zheng Xiu was fully inside, Venerable Wei Yang’s expression softened, and he smiled faintly:

"Your Zheng Clan’s workshop... hehe, not bad."

Zheng Xiu knew at once he was talking about the Siege Equipment. His mind spun, and he gave an ambiguous reply, "The Holy Emperor overpraises me. They are just poor artisans. It is merely a matter of long practice."

Hearing this, Venerable Wei Yang let out a chiding laugh. "Do you really think We are blind? That We can’t see how deeply Yan Jiji has delved into ’Skillful Hands’?" After his laughter subsided, Venerable Wei Yang’s brows knitted together, his voice tinged with regret. "It’s just a shame that under Our command, the master artisans of the Ministry of War are all a bunch of useless good-for-nothings! We have three thousand retainers, yet not a single one can compare to Yan Jiji!"

Zheng Xiu was silent for a moment, then nodded. "That was a case of an unintentional act bearing great fruit. Years ago, an unintentional act by your subject led my artisans to establish a strict rule: take money from my Zheng Clan to do work for my Zheng Clan. The more money they take, the more solid their work. They can take money from others, but due to the rules’ restrictions, their work isn’t as solid, and there’s no guarantee they won’t mess it up entirely. Over time, once the rule was established and the Restriction was set, they naturally progressed faster."

After a slight pause, Zheng Xiu added cautiously, "Even if the Auspicious Workshop has many skilled artisans, it’s all just small-scale tinkering. The output is low and not really presentable."

Outside the carriage, Coachman Huo’s breath hitched slightly.

Venerable Wei Yang waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned. "Interesting," he chuckled. "However, since Yan Jiji has already built them, that bunch of useless fools in the Ministry of War should be able to copy his work and replicate eighty to ninety percent of it."

Zheng Xiu was about to suck up and say something like, "The Ministry of War is amazing!" to flatter Old Wei, but on second thought, he decided against it. Silence is golden.

Afterward, Old Wei spent a little time nonchalantly asking a few questions about the Disaster Prevention Bureau’s operations. He seemed concerned, but Zheng Xiu could tell Old Wei’s mind wasn’t really on the Bureau.

When he got out of the carriage, Uncle Huo gave Zheng Xiu a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration. Zheng Xiu could only offer a wry smile in return. ’This isn’t something to be praised for.’

’Every private chat with Old Wei is like going to war. Every word is a gem with a hidden blade. It’s exhausting.’

Zheng Xiu had Yan Jiji secretly build a tunnel with a railcar, connecting the Red King Mansion’s dungeons to the Disaster Prevention Bureau. You could get on the car, and after a short rumble, you’d be there—no pushing required. The Auspicious Workshop was currently hard at work digging it, with an estimated completion in September.

Ultimately, if Yan Jiji were to recklessly use his Miracle Technique and go all out, the job could be done in a few days. However, Zheng Xiu didn’t want people to know his men were digging randomly under the Imperial City. It was better to keep a low profile, digging a little each day until it was finished.