You Are My Country

Han Zezheng, Cathayan, regarded Kang De's question as a test.

However, given his experience and perspective as a businessman, he couldn't come up with any unconventional solutions.

"The methods you employ are mysterious and ingenious, beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals like us."

This person of Cathay's linguistic style has a very classical feel to it; in any case, modern people on Earth wouldn't speak like that— Kang De found it quite interesting.

Han Zezheng started by flattering him, and then decided to answer in the best of his ability.

"If I may be so bold as to offer my advice, let me first discuss the situation. Your Highness is Long Yi among men, and should not concern yourself with a serpent like the one beneath the clouds. However, though the serpent is small, it may be highly venomous..."

He then explained the situation of the interest groups in the Distant Harbor in detail.

Distant Harbor was once the largest commercial hub on the West Coast, a place teeming with diverse characters and intertwined interests. After its decline, the tide receded, the pie shrank, and the vested interests became even more greedy, meaning they had even stronger control and infiltration capabilities.

Nobles, merchants, officials, and even generals and renowned spellcasters—their identities can overlap. The governor and his family control the dock business, and the wealthy man who controls most of the livelihood businesses in the Distant Harbor, such as bakeries, grocery stores, and breweries, is also a respected earl. Their interests are intertwined, and they even set up Justice Hall to mediate internal disputes. When necessary, they can also unite against external forces, displaying the ruthless claws of the entire Distant Harbor.

This massive conglomerate controls the vast majority of the wealth in the Distant Harbor, directly or indirectly serving hundreds of thousands of people and even millions in the surrounding towns and villages. Its business relationships extend overseas, its trading partners are endless, and the connections it can establish are countless.

This means they have far too many ways to wield power and influence in this small Distant Harbor.

For example, if they wanted to prevent even a single grain of wheat from being transported into Distant Harbor, they could do it.

And you won't be able to find a single fault with it.

Han Zezheng explained, "If they deliberately instruct the suspension of grain shipments, causing famine in Distant Harbor and even starving people to death, they are essentially putting their necks to your sword, which will incur the contempt of the entire nation. But the beauty of power lies in its ability to often bypass the ambiguities of the law, easily achieve its goals, and place itself in a position of absolute moral and legal innocence."

He organized his thoughts. "For them, there are simply too many methods. The food supply for hundreds of thousands of people in Distant Harbor depends on external transportation. If even a small link in the chain breaks down, today's food shipment will be reduced by 30%, and tomorrow it might be even more..."

And we will definitely give you a reasonable explanation.

"For example, Your Highness's actions of issuing arrest warrants and executing officials a couple of days ago caused the collapse of the operations of several major families and merchant organizations in the city, which affected their respective business lines and farms, leading to problems in the grain transportation process—thus, the problem of the famine can be perfectly shifted onto you, and if civilians starve to death, it will all be your responsibility."

Kang De nodded repeatedly and clapped his hands, saying, "Excellent, Mr. Han, your deduction is very good."

Han Zezheng stood up and bowed to thank the praise, then said with a simple smile, "A businessman like me, if he couldn't even see through these tricks, his whole family would have been begging on the streets long ago."

Kang De gestured for him to sit down and then asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll just kill them because they're jumping around like this?"

Han Zezheng smiled and habitually offered flattery, "Your Highness's swift and decisive campaign to sweep through Distant Harbor the night before last, punishing the villains with righteous wrath, has resulted in the deaths of countless nobles. Of course they are afraid, but they are also gambling that Your Highness will not take direct action."

Kang De raised an eyebrow, even laughing, "Why?"

The Cathayan replied, "Because nobles all over the world are watching."

"Um?"

"Yesterday's execution cannot be hidden. In fact, the powerful and wealthy in the Distant Harbor will actively accelerate the spread of the news, because your actions have shaken the entire aristocratic system and the rules of the game."

Han Zezheng analyzed. "Your handling of the rioters in Distant Harbor, stripping the nobles involved of their titles and imposing the death penalty, is undoubtedly an act of breaking the rules. However, the biggest rule in the world is that the victors and the powerful always have privileges, and the common problem of vested interests is their tendency to compromise."

"Goth the nobles of other regions and even the entire continent heard of your actions, they were indignant, but they were also afraid of the power of the Forbidden Spell and the terror of the warships. They would subconsciously compromise out of fear, and would comfort and hypnotize themselves to excuse your actions. After all, your actions were essentially a reckoning with the traitors, and such things are all too common in history."

"To mentally defend you is to give yourself a reason not to get involved."

"They've blinded themselves."

Kang De nodded slowly; this seasoned businessman truly had a keen eye.

Han Zezheng continued, "But self-deception and blinding oneself have their limits. If you still choose to raise the butcher's knife and force them to submit when faced with the wealthy and powerful in the Distant Harbor cutting off their food supplies, you will be branded as someone who bullies the nobility and seizes by trickery. In that case, even if the nobles of the entire continent are blinded, they will have to face the facts right before their eyes."

"In other words, in their eyes, you are a tyrant who disrespects the nobility and disregards the rules."

At this point, the old man rose again, saying with trepidation, "Of course, these are merely my thoughts based on the views of these nobles, not my own opinion of you..."

Kang De smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. That's just who I am. I don't respect them, and I don't intend to abide by the rules they set for themselves. I have my own rules."

Han Zezheng forced a smile, unsure how to respond.

He certainly couldn't agree, after all, it's one thing for a superior to refer to himself or make fun of himself, but it's another thing if you take it seriously. For example, he sometimes refers to himself as "this old man" in front of his son, and even makes fun of himself for being senile, but his son still has to respectfully call him "Father." If he dares to call him "old codger," he will be dragged into the ancestral hall and beaten to death.

Kang De, however, seemed quite interested. "You have a very clear understanding of the nature of these nobles; you can even recognize their tendency to compromise and understand their thoughts."

Han Zezheng smile and shook his head.

"I'm ashamed... but my family business has declined, and we're surrounded by wolves; I had no other choice."

He sighed, "I once told you, sir, that during the period when Goth traded with Cathay, our ancestors crossed the sea, settled in Distant Harbor, worked hard, and built up their business."

According to ancestral records, the Goth of that time were elegant, honest, and trustworthy. They respected him greatly, and his character was impeccable; there was nothing wrong with him.

"But by the time it came to the notes of the next generation of ancestors, there were some grievances against the nobility of Cathay."

"Even in my father's generation, when I was a child, I often heard him curse the nobles of the Distant Harbor as greedy hyenas, saying that they were beasts in human skin, utterly without credibility. At that time, I often wondered why the Goth nobles of today were so different in terms of morality and honesty from the Goth nobles of my ancestors' time. Why could their moral standards have declined to such a degree in just a century?"

"When I took over the family business, it was not as good as before. The years were bad. I was no longer under my father's protection and had to deal with the greedy local nobles. I cursed them as greedy hyenas more than once, but the business still had to be done and the family business still had to be protected. I began to observe their words and deeds, to figure out their way of thinking, and to try to understand them."

"They are extremely stubborn in some ways and care a lot about so-called dignity, but at other times they are bullies who prey on the weak and easily submit to stronger violence. Although they are nobles, their nature is no different from that of commoners. I realized this and understood them, and the decline in my business gradually stopped because I could do business and deal with them by targeting their weaknesses and temperament."

"But recently, just recently, about a month ago, I discovered something very strange—those greedy hyenas, those cowardly bullies, suddenly transformed overnight into gentle, polite, honest, and generous perfect nobles."

"--Before me."

Han Zezheng's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"Then, I suddenly realized something."

He looked at Kang De and slowly said, "Actually, it wasn't that Goth's nobles experienced a moral decline. Hundreds of years ago, they were also a group of greedy, despicable, cowardly hyenas. The reason our ancestors thought they were polite, honest, and generous was simply because at that time—"

"Cathay is still powerful."

Kang De's expression shifted slightly.

"Because Cathay then, China could still send a powerful fleet here, with its marvelous mechanical arts, powerful warriors, profound talismanic skills, abundant resources, and endless wealth. That meant a powerful and proud superpower. Even if it did nothing, it would automatically appear behind you. When you walked down the street, people from other realms would see you and also see the enormous phantom behind you."

"Then they will involuntarily feel a certain emotion—whether it's respect, fear, or even dislike—it all signifies a silent but powerful deterrent."

"When shipping routes are cut off, when bad news arrives, and as time passes, forgetful people forget their past emotions, and contempt, rejection, and hostility emerge. Once polite and respectable people become fickle liars... it's nothing more than that."

At this point, Han Zezheng looked at Kang De with a complex expression.

"And just over a month ago, when Your Highness achieved a great victory in Valentan, I was able to see another side of the people of Distant Harbor, and witness the scenery that my ancestors had seen. It was an era when the power of Cathay was reflected across the sea, protecting its people, and when strangers traveling in foreign lands could be respected..."

He slowly lowered his head; since Kang De disliked kneeling, this was the only way he could express his respect.

"I swear on my soul, my ancestors, and my descendants that once I realized this, more than a month ago, I already had the thought of loyalty—walking in foreign lands, I could clearly and distinctly feel that silent yet powerful presence and protection, and that is the reason for my loyalty."

"Cathay has passed away, and wanderers have struggled in foreign lands for a century. Now, you are our country."

He pressed his forehead against the table, his voice momentarily choked with emotion.

"The Han family of Fengzhou, a branch from Distant Harbor, has produced eight generations of descendants since our ancestor, Zichang. No male has broken the law, and no female has remarried. The Han Family are merchants, and no business is without its guile. Though driven by profit, they do not act against reason. Business is like war, yet they spare no harm to women and children. Judging by their actions and intentions, they are all without shame; every word is true, without the slightest falsehood. If there is any deception, may they be abandoned by both gods and men. We sincerely seek your patronage, begging you to accept us. We are willing to serve as your servants, to offer our services like dogs and horses, even unto death!"

Han Zezheng touched the tabletop with his forehead, and small puddles had already formed on the smooth surface.

Kang De stroked his chin.

A day and two nights is enough time to investigate the Han Family's reputation.

This matter was investigated separately by "special talents" from the three navies. Due to the special nature of the naval service and the fact that psychology in the other world was still in its infancy, these soldiers who spent most of their time in confined spaces had some mental problems. As a result, it was easy to discover a group of promising talents who were very talented in interrogation and investigation—and they easily uncovered the truth about the Han Family.

As Han Zezheng stated, although he is a businessman, he has his bottom line. His family background and cultural heritage have indeed enabled him to maintain a sense of cultural cohesion and ideals. Moreover, his family education is very strict. Although the younger generation in his family has some minor flaws, they have never caused any trouble.

According to the investigation team, "By the general standards of mainland nobles, the integrity of this Cathay merchant and his family is truly astonishing."

Perhaps this is because, although they have been far from their homeland for hundreds of years, they still speak the Zhendan Language and have passed down the books, knowledge, history, wisdom, and Civilization they brought with them from generation to generation.

Now he once again pledges his loyalty to Kang De.

Hong San said that one should be cautious when acquiring dogs.

Kang De felt that he had been cautious enough.

"Mr. Han Zezheng."

The Cathayan trembled, raised his head, and tears streamed down his face.

Kang De smiled at him, "I will ensure you always feel the dignity, security, and satisfaction of having me by your side, and I also hope you will always remain wise, clear-headed, and loyal."

"Thank you, I praise you, I pledge my loyalty to you."

Han Zezheng pushed back his chair, took two steps back, and bowed deeply.

"--My lord."

This ceremony of allegiance and acceptance is completed in a brief exchange of questions and responses.

"Alright, let's get back to the point, you cunning old man."

Kang De grabbed two tissues from the table and tossed them over. "Wipe your face and continue. Where were we? Oh, the reactionaries in the Distant Harbor wanted to manipulate a famine to get me, but they were betting I wouldn't dare overturn the table, because the nobles of the whole world are watching me, and I can't let them think I'm a threat?"

Han Zezheng held the soft tissue, feeling its texture, realizing its material, and understanding its purpose, and was even more astonished.

He wiped his face and nodded, saying, "Yes."

Kang De rolled his eyes. "So, in other words, I'm trying to win people's hearts, and they want to slap me in the face, betting that I won't dare to kill them directly because I care about international repercussions—so they think I have to obediently take their beatings, is that the logic?"

Having successfully pledged his loyalty, Han Zezheng a great weight lifted off his shoulders, but he dared not relax for a moment in front of his new lord. He had to prove his worth and perform well.

"Yes and no."

The Cathay merchant explained, "They too fear Your Highness's power. They're not fools; they know your strength and your significance to Goth. This time, they acted out of desperation, wanting to demonstrate their power and confidence to Your Highness, to regain face and dignity, and then..."

Han Zezheng glanced at Kang De: "Let's reach a dignified compromise and understanding."

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Kang De commented. "It sounds like I was bullying them brutally and ruthlessly, and they had to carefully and cautiously retaliate with a punch to prove they weren't easy to bully, yet they were afraid of hurting me and angering me so much that I would beat them up without restraint, thus affecting their subsequent plans. Their subsequent plan, after punching me, was to tearfully and aggrievedly come to me to beg for peace and negotiate. They hit me to show their strength so that I wouldn't bully them even more fiercely—is that right?"

Han Zezheng was somewhat embarrassed, unsure whether to nod or shake his head.

He was also secretly thinking to himself—it seemed that the lord was very clear about his role and position.

Moreover, it seems...

These powerful figures' plans will not work.

As expected, Kang De shook his head and said, "Back then, during the riots in Distant Harbor, if even one of them had stood up and done something to quell the riots, or even defended my reputation as Kang De, I wouldn't have forced them to take sides beforehand, and none of this would have happened—but they didn't help me in Distant Harbor, and they didn't stand by my side when I gave them an ultimatum to make a choice, so..."

He stated decisively, "Then they are potential enemies."

Compromise and understanding?

Dream.

They have already made two choices.

That means they will make the same choice again at some point in the future.

Han Zezheng a beat. "So Your Highness means..."

Kang De waved his hand fiercely. "Let's set a trap! Aren't they trying to create a food shortage and drive up food prices? Let's take advantage of this and make them stumble badly, set a trap and wipe them all out!"

He pondered for a moment and said, "That's right, let's do it this way, and we should take this opportunity to lure in another wave, the more we catch, the better— Han Zezheng! Give me a strategy."

He gave his first order to this retainer, "They're betting that I won't overturn the table, and they think that if I don't and play by the rules, I'm no match for them. Since that's the case, then I'll play along. I'll crush them in the areas they think they have a huge advantage in, and the thrill will be doubled. So, as a business warfare expert, give me some accurate advice."

Han Zezheng stood up and replied, "Grain!"

He said, "Whether it's stabilizing grain prices or setting a trap for the enemy, we need a large amount of grain. The enemy's interest groups control the agricultural products around the Distant Harbor and even within the entire Azure Waves Province. So, we need to source grain from Goth or even other countries—this is where our lord will have to step in."

A slight smile appeared on Kang De's lips, "Does having enough food guarantee victory?"

"Having enough grain doesn't guarantee victory." The other side replied without hesitation, "Not only do we have grain, but Your Highness also has a sword. With enough grain and a sharp sword, victory is assured."

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: This month has truly been Baidu's shining moment, and Harvard is nothing special after all. This COVID-19 pandemic has really been a revealing mirror.