Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 453: Illustrate name in green history, gain profits and glorify the family_1
"To have Chief Assistant Zhang visit personally, I am truly honored," Wang Linchi said with a cheerful smile.
When it came to official standing, Wang Linchi was indeed significantly higher than Zhang Lin, considering the numerous positions he concurrently held.
"You’re too kind, Grand Academician Wang. You pacified the Hu Lu and then annihilated the Liu Kou—feats I could never match," Zhang Lin also offered a compliment.
The Liu Kou were wiped out by Li Zheng, but it was under Wang Linchi’s orders, so Wang Linchi received most of the credit. After all, even the Iron Wing Army was under Wang Linchi’s command; Li Zheng merely executed the plan.
"Alright, Chief Assistant Zhang, let’s dispense with the mutual flattery. Are the things I requested sufficient?" Wang Linchi asked.
"Rest assured, Grand Academician Wang, they are certainly sufficient. If anyone dares to skimp on even a little, I’ll have their life," Zhang Lin replied calmly.
"Excellent. Chief Assistant Zhang, you know how I, Wang Linchi, operate: when there’s bounty to share, I’ve never been one to hoard it for myself."
"What I seek is a name renowned in posterity, not profit in the present. So, if anyone touches the meat and soup in this pot, they are not touching mine, but yours—all of yours."
Wang Linchi’s words were direct: he only desired to leave his mark on the annals of history; profit held no interest for him.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lin couldn’t help but agree. Wang Linchi’s approach, aiming for reputation rather than gain, is indeed preferable, he thought. For the Great Families, this provides greater room to maneuver. What’s more, if Wang Linchi truly seeks only fame, he will necessarily act with impartiality. He might not even hesitate to confront Emperor Jing if necessary.
"When it comes to aspiring to leave a name in history, Grand Academician, I am no match for you," Zhang Lin sighed, then continued, "Regarding the ’State-Nurturing Strategy,’ my Southern Zhang Clan will commit its full strength. The Five Surnames and Seven Hopes will also support your endeavors, Grand Academician."
This was Zhang Lin publicly stating his stance: since Wang Linchi had provided them benefits, they would definitely support him, as long as he didn’t cause trouble.
"A promise is a promise; you mustn’t go back on your word," Wang Linchi said, his gaze fixed on Zhang Lin as he added another warning. "If my affairs are ruined, setting aside other consequences, I am confident I can bring down a few Big Aristocratic Families."
Some people are simply insatiable; a man’s heart is never satisfied, just as a snake tries to swallow an elephant.
Even when Wang Linchi gave them benefits, they might still feel it wasn’t enough and perhaps desire even more.
"If anyone steps out of line, I ask the Grand Academician to take action. We will certainly choose a good feng shui site for their burial." Zhang Lin’s words implied that Wang Linchi could deal with any member of a Great Family, or any Great Family itself, that dared to disobey or break the rules—he could make an example of them until no one dared to cause trouble.
When benefits were at stake, naturally, benefits took precedence.
"Very well. Chief Assistant Zhang, are you next preparing to tour the Barbarian Palace, or would you prefer to take in the sights of the Northern Prairie?" Wang Linchi inquired after their discussion, inviting him to stay.
"Naturally, I’d like to see the Barbarian Palace first. These Hu Lu have troubled Dajing for a century; I really must take a proper look," Zhang Lin readily agreed.
Next, they were to discuss deeper cooperation.
Wang Linchi’s ’State-Nurturing Strategy’ was only known in general terms, and many details required further discussion.
Representatives of the Royal Family and the Great Families of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes would continue to arrive. It was understood that the Big Aristocratic Families would get the lion’s share—the meat—while the smaller Great Families would get the broth. The benefits this time were indeed immense; even ordinary people might get some scraps.
"Chief Assistant Zhang, I wonder, how should the southern Liu Kou be handled after they are cleared out?"
They were walking through the Barbarian Palace when Wang Linchi suddenly posed the question.
"The south is harsh, cold, mountainous, and plagued by miasma. Being coastal, it’s often used as a place of exile."
"After pacifying it, we can only implement temporary governance," Zhang Lin said, somewhat uncertainly. Compared to the Northern Prairie, the south was indeed less appealing.
As for lifting the ban on maritime trade, that idea was dismissed for now. Currently, with no significant seafaring, they didn’t even know if there were people overseas. Thus, most coastal inhabitants made a living by fishing.
"In other words, we’ll still leave them to their own devices? I fear that foreign powers may infiltrate again, becoming Liu Kou and creating problems. It seems we’re only treating the symptoms, not the root cause, aren’t we?" Wang Linchi lamented.
"Does the Grand Academician have a solution?" Zhang Lin asked, somewhat surprised. Why else would Wang Linchi bring this up?
"I have a draft in mind. If it succeeds, its prosperity will be no less than that of the Northern Prairie," Wang Linchi stated deliberately.
The influence he needed was not just in the north but also in the south, ideally encompassing the entirety of Dajing. This was to make his processes of Mortal Liberation, Cicada Molting, and Feathered Transformation—his entire path to godhood—more secure and robust.
"If our assistance is needed, please do not hesitate to ask, Grand Academician." Zhang Lin instantly understood. He means we’ll cooperate this time, and if things go well, he’ll consider us for the next project, he thought. The crucial premise, however, is that the Great Families must demonstrate sufficient sincerity.
"This matter still requires time. Besides, there’s still a major threat in the Northern Prairie that needs to be dealt with," Wang Linchi said, pulling back the reins of the conversation, skillfully leaving Zhang Lin in suspense.
Seeing Wang Linchi change the subject, Zhang Lin didn’t press further but followed his lead. "Are you referring to the Demon God, Sky Wolf? That vile demon is indeed a scourge."
Among the Northern Hu Lu, it is revered as the Wolf God. However, in Dajing, such entities are often disparagingly referred to as Demon Gods, implying a demon that has attained divinity. Its precise origins are currently untraceable.
"Precisely. This Demon God, honored as the Wolf God among the Northern Hu Lu, makes it immensely difficult to eradicate their faith," Wang Linchi said.
"This is indeed a difficult matter, but not without a solution."
"If Grand Academician Wang would place his trust in us, the matter can be left to us. It would be our honor to carry out this task for the Grand Academician," Zhang Lin offered. This is our chance to prove our allegiance, he knew. And it’s for our own benefit too. After all, we reap the material rewards, while Wang Linchi only wants a good reputation. So, this time, our Great Families must help him secure that fame. Using this Sky Wolf, the Wolf God, is the perfect opportunity. The renown will go to Wang Linchi, while the tangible benefits will go to the Great Families and the Court.
"Then I shall trouble Chief Assistant Zhang," Wang Linchi couldn’t help but smile.
Working with intelligent people is efficient, he mused, except for their tendency to overthink and imagine unnecessary complications.
After they chatted for a while longer, Zhang Lin was soon arranged to rest. Wang Linchi, meanwhile, prepared to review the manifest of supplies and personnel that had been delivered.
These matters were handled by his memory automaton, which processed, categorized, and summarized the information into spreadsheets. Wang Linchi only needed to review these reports; he couldn’t possibly manage every detail personally. While the memory automaton had its limitations, it was perfectly suited for such administrative tasks.
Wang Linchi gazed at the compiled report. Just as I thought, shared interests are indeed a solid binding force, he mused.
If he had tried to motivate the Great Families and the Court using grand principles like "revitalizing Dajing," "loyalty to the Emperor," or "dedication to the country," he would have been lucky to receive even a ten-thousandth of the necessary support.
With benefits as the chain, even if the required resources increased tenfold and personnel needs a hundredfold, they would likely be met.
However, I’ll have to offer some tangible rewards soon, Wang Linchi considered. Constantly making empty promises will eventually lead to problems.
My strategy is simple, Wang Linchi thought. The Great Families and the Court are enticed by the potential profits—the interest, so to speak—while I am aiming for their principal investment. My efforts are ultimately for my own advancement, so I can’t lose. If the project fails, the Great Families and the Court will bear the losses; I won’t have spent a single coin. As for the plan itself, it’s adaptable. If all else fails, I can always assume a new identity, re-enter the Court, and try to salvage the situation. If that salvage attempt fails, I’ll just shed my skin again. It’s essentially a game of nesting dolls.
「...」
"The great Sky Wolf, His Highness, has responded," a Shaman announced. His face was painted with patterns made from plant dyes, his body draped in wolf skin and adorned with various animal bones.
This Shaman was The Great Shaman of the Barbarian Palace. He hadn’t been captured with the Barbarian Khan because at the time, he was patrolling the prairie, conducting various rituals for the Sky Wolf, and had thus escaped the calamity.
Although he was currently evading the Iron Wing Army’s pursuit, living like a hunted dog, he had managed to gather a considerable number of Hu Lu remnants, forming a notable force.
"Go to the Imperial Court! Summon the Wolf God! Slay the Dajing Spirit Masters!" The Great Shaman declared solemnly.
However, he received no immediate response. The participants in the ritual merely looked at each other until someone finally spoke up, "Great Shaman, how can we reach the Imperial Court? It’s crawling with Jing People and Dajing soldiers." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"The Sky Wolf, His Highness, will grant us protection; do not fear the Jing People or their soldiers," The Great Shaman replied. "As long as we slay the Dajing Spirit Masters, reclaim the Imperial Court, and restore the Khan, the prairie will once again be under the Wolf God’s benevolent gaze!"
"His Highness is with us!"
Hearing The Great Shaman’s words, the Hu Lu remnants fervently cried out, "His Highness is with us!"
Those who were willing to stay with The Great Shaman at this moment were mainly Zealous Believers of the Wolf God, Sky Wolf, with a small portion having been coerced into joining.
