Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 459: Merging of The North and South, Emperor Jing Wants to Entrust Orphan_1
News of Wang Linchi heading south for development spread quickly. All the Great Families welcomed it; none attempted to obstruct him. It was simply because Wang Linchi could bring them benefits and advantages. Each one was eager for Wang Linchi’s arrival. The northern development had allowed them to profit immensely, to say nothing of the fact that Wang Linchi was now planning to develop another Cornucopia. This naturally made the Great Families flock to the opportunity.
As for those who wanted to steal the fruits of his labor or replace him? There were many with such ideas, but having ideas didn’t mean they could be implemented. Apart from Wang Linchi, the other Big Aristocratic Families wouldn’t recognize anyone else. You might think you could do his job, but the interest groups disagreed.
After Wang Linchi arrived in the south, he quickly began to implement a series of plans. This time, the process wasn’t as arduous as in the north; after all, the north had possessed nothing at the time. This time, resources were abundant, and cooperation was exceptionally high. However, there was one drawback: everyone was so greedy that Wang Linchi wondered if they weren’t afraid of choking on their own avarice.
So... Wang Linchi stalled, returned directly to the north, and for several days, made no further moves. He even withdrew his initial investments. This threw the greedy locals into a panic. With Wang Linchi’s arrival, this place was a Cornucopia. If Wang Linchi were to give up on it, it would revert to being a desolate wilderness. Combined with pressure from the Great Families, they quickly capitulated.
In this regard, Wang Linchi never coddled them. Did they really think just anyone could control him? Emperor Jing hadn’t issued a strict deadline, but rather a long-term mission. Even if Wang Linchi failed to develop it within a month, Emperor Jing couldn’t hold it against him. Moreover, this decree was secret, and no one knew the time limit. After this display of firmness, the greedy individuals settled down. Only then did Wang Linchi begin further development.
"Incredible! In less than half a month, such a world-shaking transformation has occurred," Zhang Lin remarked with a sigh as he walked in. He had just arrived by airship from the north. The northern region was now completely stable. He had previously worried that once Wang Linchi left, various Demons and Ghosts would emerge to cause trouble, but he hadn’t expected the team Wang Linchi left behind to be so stable. Even so, he had remained to oversee things for half a month before departing. Now, rushing to the south, he was naturally here to assist Wang Linchi. His reasons were both official and personal.
He had made the initial proposal, so Emperor Jing had tasked him with coming. Furthermore, his Southern Zhang Clan stood to be the second-largest beneficiary of this development. If it hadn’t been for the Northern Kong Clan’s self-destructive actions, the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes wouldn’t have snatched the position of second-largest beneficiary in the northern development. Naturally, the primary beneficiary was the Court. Dare to contend with the Court for the largest share? Did they truly believe the Court’s soldiers could no longer wield their blades?
"You’re here. Good, I have something for you to help with," Wang Linchi said, not standing on ceremony. He hadn’t been particularly active during this time, as he was engrossed in analyzing the Wolf God. As for developing the South? It wasn’t difficult at all. With his potent good fortune, any initial problems could be managed, and the rest would fall into place. Conveniently, the Great Families were handling any such troubles. So, all he needed to do was replicate certain policies and announce them; the rest would sort itself out.
"So urgent? I haven’t even had a sip of water yet," Zhang Lin said. He hadn’t even sat down, let alone had a drink.
"Alright, drink while I explain," Wang Linchi said, pouring Zhang Lin a cup of tea. After handing it to him, he began to assign the tasks. He spoke for nearly half an hour before finally finishing the assignments.
"That’s a lot. It seems you’ve been incredibly busy lately," Zhang Lin remarked, noting everything down. During their conversation, Wang Linchi also wrote a letter of authorization for him, complete with his seal. Otherwise, Zhang Lin wouldn’t be able to mobilize Wang Linchi’s subordinates.
"Yes, I have been busy," Wang Linchi said with a subtle smile. In truth, he wasn’t busy at all; he had just delegated all the work to Zhang Lin, hence the lengthy explanation. He also didn’t need to worry about being undermined, as most of those working under him were Memory Bodies. Even if someone tried to bribe them, it would be futile. However, this presented a significant vulnerability: if anything happened to Wang Linchi’s team of Memory Bodies, both the northern and southern special administrative regions would instantly collapse.
"Alright, I’ll get to work then," Zhang Lin said, rising to leave.
"Not so fast. One more thing: how is His Majesty?" Wang Linchi asked. When Zhang Lin traveled from the north to the south, he had returned to the Capital to report on his duties and must have met Emperor Jing.
"His Majesty’s condition is far from optimistic. The Crown Prince is currently Regent. Fortunately, he hasn’t acted recklessly, though he is restless and seems to harbor ambitions of reshaping the order of things," Zhang Lin paused briefly, concealing nothing. Wang Linchi and their allies were now the leaders of this interest group. If Wang Linchi were to rally support, they would constitute the largest faction in the Court. Consequently, the Crown Prince was under their constant surveillance. In their eyes, he was merely a puppet. If he behaved, they would accord him sufficient respect. If he became unruly and, heaven forbid, offended Wang Linchi, replacing him wouldn’t be out of the question. The prerequisite was that the Crown Prince himself had to provoke the interest group. Otherwise, for Wang Linchi to act preemptively would be to court disaster.
"This is good news. A new monarch with his own mind is a blessing for our Dajing. However, we old ministers must also guide the new monarch in the correct direction."
"’After all, dynasties may last a hundred years, but a Great Family can endure for a thousand,’ Wang Linchi stated leisurely."
The first sentence wasn’t the crucial part; the second one was.
Upon hearing this, a thought stirred in Zhang Lin’s mind. The South Zhang, North Kong, and the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes were prominent, yet none were thousand-year-old Great Families. At most, they had risen to prominence alongside Taizu when Dajing was founded. But Wang Linchi’s words made him imagine his own family enduring for a thousand years. Grand Academician Wang is truly exceptional, seeing far beyond us common folk, Zhang Lin understood Wang Linchi was baiting him, yet he had to take the hook.
"The Crown Prince’s conduct indeed deviates from the path of a true ruler. A gentleman should foster camaraderie, not factionalism."
This was a clear signal: their Great Families would handle the Crown Prince’s faction, ensuring Wang Linchi’s satisfaction.
"Grand Secretary Zhang, you truly are a pillar of the state," Wang Linchi couldn’t help but smile. The Great Families were indeed masters of internal conflict. He had only hinted subtly, and the other party immediately understood what he desired. The rest would be simple. Dealing with the Crown Prince’s supporters, even to the point of marginalizing the Crown Prince himself—these were tasks the Great Families excelled at.
"In that case, I shall attend to my duties. Grand Academician, please rest well," Zhang Lin said, finally rising to leave. There was no need for a lengthy adjustment period. After all, he was the Grand Secretary, and with the plans Wang Linchi had provided, he could get started very quickly.
After Zhang Lin departed, Wang Linchi continued to immerse himself in analyzing the Wolf God and perfecting his Mortal Liberation technique. Power, to him, was as ephemeral as a floating cloud. He wouldn’t touch it unless absolutely necessary, for he was more focused on cultivating his own strength.
「...」
"COUGH. Summon Grand Academician Wang Linchi, Grand Secretary Zhang Lin... and the others. Today... no, summon them to the Court for an audience tomorrow," Emperor Jing spoke, his voice weak and listless.
The Crown Prince stood expressionlessly by the bed. He knew Emperor Jing was nearing his end. This was clearly an act of entrusting the state. He desperately wanted to intervene, but he couldn’t. His power was too weak; neither the Imperial Guards nor the eunuchs present would obey him. But it didn’t matter to him. Whether he intervened or not, his situation wouldn’t change. Even if he were given the chance to act, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare. In his eyes, this Emperor Jing, younger than himself, was full of schemes and had likely already prepared contingency plans. If he were to interfere, he himself might be replaced. He wasn’t the sole candidate, nor was he irreplaceable. Therefore, the best course of action was to remain as compliant as before. If he did, the empire would be his.
"Yes, Your Majesty." An attendant eunuch quickly noted down the names and hurried from the room.
"Crown Prince, go and prepare. Return tomorrow," Emperor Jing said, turning to the Crown Prince, his expression indifferent, treating him as a mere instrument.
"Your servant obeys." Without the slightest hesitation, the Crown Prince turned and also left. He naturally understood what preparations were needed: those for his ascension to the throne. Because he hadn’t interfered, the throne was his. Had he done so, its fate would have been uncertain. Finding capable individuals was difficult, but finding a mediocrity to fill a role was easy—such people were everywhere.
After they left, Emperor Jing inwardly sighed with relief. He had worried this Crown Prince might prove disobedient. Replacing him with a more pliable one, though possible, would inevitably cause unrest.
Finally, this simulation is about to be completed. I hope that Emperor Jing, as a Heroic Spirit, can achieve an unparalleled quality.
