Hong San's Counsel

To win, you need both food and weapons.

The knife is here.

Where does the grain come from?

Han Zezheng's suggestion was, of course, for the lord to use his powerful personal charisma to transport grain from elsewhere.

To put it another way... it means being a gigolo.

They transported grain from Goth, borrowed grain from the elves, and bought grain from the dragons.

Anyway, the love between Kang De and Princess Tina is known to the world, his scandal with the Elf King has been a hot topic for years, and the anecdote of seducing a female dragon in half a day has also begun to spread. This ready-made gigolo is a free lunch, and all three of them can provide Distant Harbor with a lot of food.

Goth goes without saying, the elves are rich in resources, and the Dragon Defense. Everyone knows that if there are any inconvenient goods, you can simply sell them to the dragons first, and then the dragons will sell them to the target country, thus bypassing all restrictions, disputes and laws.

With this kind of relationship in place, what's a little grain selling?

As for how to reach an agreement and how to maximize the use of "unique charm," that's something the lord needs to consider—after all, this is his ambition, and he has to make sacrifices.

"I'll figure something out. You handle the immediate situation, Old Han."

"Exist."

Kang De instructed his newly recruited retainers, "Gather the forces that have pledged allegiance to us, consolidate the assets we seized from the major families, and do everything in our power to ensure stable grain prices and supply—understand?"

Han Zezheng nodded in understanding. "Let our enemies see that we are doing everything we can to deal with the food shortage. The key is to let them see it, and incidentally, to test the loyalty of our friends."

Kang De smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "You're very good."

The other party was flattered. "Your Highness is too kind."

"No, that's not an overstatement, you really are excellent."

Kang De smiled and said, "I like intelligent people because they know what they can and cannot do. Dealing with you is easy because I only need to guarantee your loyalty, and you will always do the right thing... I have high hopes for your future and look forward to you taking on more important responsibilities in my Shogunate."

The Shogunate here does not refer to Japan, but rather to an ancient China system that originated in the Qin and Han dynasties and matured in the Wei and Jin dynasties. It typically refers to the government office of local military and political officials.

Han Zezheng moment, then lowered his head and said, "I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's high regard. I am already over fifty years old, with graying hair, and this is how my life will be. My only concern is my few good-for-nothing children. I hope that one day they will become sensible and intelligent, serve Your Highness, and carry on the Han Family line..."

"An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles," Kang De said. "If you have ambitions, go for them yourself. Why impose them on your children? How do you know your son doesn't have ambitions?"

Old Han shuddered, then felt uneasy and secretly angry. "What did that beast say to our lord?"

Kang De asked in confusion, "What?"

The old man breathed a sigh of relief and said with a wry smile, "Ambition... When I was young, I was often filled with righteous indignation while reading history, wanting to accomplish great things. But I am just a mediocre person with limited talent..."

"Qualifications?"

Kang De leaned against the table, turned to him, and said, "The emperor I admire most traveled far and wide in his youth, saw the world, and was once full of ambition and perhaps even had great aspirations. Then he Homecoming and became a minor village head, a position he held for decades. Even the greatest ambitions must have been worn down by the trivialities of rural life. When he was in his forties or fifties, his once powerful dynasty was in turmoil, and the world was in turmoil."

"Then he rose in rebellion and gained control of the country in eight years."

Who is this emperor?

Han Zezheng pondered in his heart, but it didn't match up with the imperial annals in the historical records.

"However, that's not the point. The point is that among the famous ministers and generals who fought alongside him, there were more than thirty from his hometown and more than thirty from the surrounding area. Among the more than 140 founding heroes of the court, his fellow townsmen accounted for almost half. These people were not just there to make up the numbers, but were truly outstanding generals and capable ministers who could govern the country well. Tell me, why is that?"

Kang De raised this question.

Han Zezheng replied, "This... the Holy Emperor is protected by all spirits, so celestial stars descend to earth and are born around the Emperor. Is all of this predetermined by Heaven and arranged by the heavens?"

No, that's not right.

Kang De shook his head and said, "I don't think so. The world is so vast. It's impossible for all the outstanding figures of an era to be born in that small county town. Those generals and ministers who came from humble backgrounds were able to leave their mark on history because the emperors gave them opportunities, and it was the times that made them who they are."

"A brave and strong dog butcher, who survived countless battles, went from leading five men to leading ten, then fifty, a hundred, a thousand, and ten thousand. Through constant fighting, leading troops, and pondering, he naturally grasped the art of command and became a great general."

"Therefore, a coachman can become the Grand Master of the Palace, a prison official can become the Prime Minister, and ordinary people of humble origins can ultimately be remembered in history as heroes who overthrow the old dynasty and establish a new one."

"They are not hidden gems, nor are they born geniuses; they are simply forced to improve themselves within a rapidly advancing and increasingly powerful corporation, constantly taking on greater power and responsibility, and gradually adapting and ultimately growing in the process... nothing more."

Han Zezheng was completely stunned.

Kang De patted him on the shoulder. "We don't need to look at the famous ministers of the past with a sacred and worshipful gaze. We respect them and acknowledge them, but we don't need to deify them. If they could do it, so can you."

"Go."

"You chose your own path, and you decide how to walk it and how fast to walk it."

The old man, who believed he had already missed the best years of his life, left dejectedly.

"I've noticed you're quite adept at stirring up other people's desires and ambitions."

Lily poked her head in from outside the meeting room.

Kang De raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "But it's quite difficult to arouse your ambition."

Lily declared proudly, "I am a dragon."

No, you're a cat.

"Fifty percent? I'd be willing to be a dog, let alone a cat."

The Dragon Girl blinked and lowered her voice, "Let me tell you, the Dragon Emperor instructed the Transformation Department to develop new techniques aimed at adding certain bestial features to the humanoid forms of the dragon operators, such as cat ears and cat tails, and fox ears and fox tails..."

Kang De's eyes suddenly widened, and he jumped up. "Transform!"

The Dragon Girl let out a cunning yet still melodious laugh, "Five percent! I'll transform you!"

"Too expensive!" Kang De complained. "Five percent is enough for me to give the whole city..."

He stopped talking after saying that.

Clearly, money is no longer omnipotent here.

With just a little trickery, a bit of Xiao Qian, and a knife, he could make all the pretty girls in the city wear cat ears and tails and meow in front of him, but he couldn't actually turn them into beast-eared girls.

The Dragon Girl laughed arrogantly, "Are you stupid? You can have those male dragons transform for you, though!"

Kang De scoffed, "Dragon Island has its own mother dragon, doesn't it?"

To everyone's surprise, Lily showed no anger or sense of crisis whatsoever. Grabbing the doorframe, she lightly tossed her cascading hair aside, a half-smile playing on her lips as she looked at Kang De: "But you just want to see me change, right?"

"--Show-off!"

"Hahaha, I'm blushing, I'm blushing!"

Miss Dragon is very confident about this.

With the aid of shapeshifting magic, her beautiful appearance can be modified and adjusted, but looking across the entire Dragon Island, which other dragon has such a unique and interesting soul?

Kang De then stormed off in a fit of rage.

When you've been rebuffed, you need to seek comfort.

"... So what have you been laughing about?"

Inside the newly renovated city lord's mansion in Valentan, Hong San asked, puzzled.

Kang De's smile faded, "I've had a lot of happy things happen lately, can't I have a smile?"

"Okay," Hong San said, bowing his head as he tidied the books, "But it's best not to laugh like that in front of Princess Tina."

"... What's the meaning."

"It was merely a subtle yet sincere expression of loyalty from a retainer."

"..."

Kang De, feeling guilty, changed the subject. "So, how's it going?"

"It didn't go very smoothly."

When the conversation turned to serious matters, Hong San quickly got to the point. "Valentan's attitude was unwavering, responding with support. However, the attitudes of nobles and officials in other regions were extremely ambiguous. In any case, our actions were actually dividing Goth, so it's only natural that they harbored resistance."

Kang De grasped the detail in the retainer's words. "Ambiguity?"

"Yes, they neither agree nor oppose it. They vehemently condemn the criticisms and riots against you in Distant Harbor and even Danfeng Lucerne, but they have not made any statement regarding their clear allegiance to you."

Kang De nodded and said, "Oh, they'll help whoever wins."

"You could say that. Ultimately, humans are driven by self-interest," Hong San replied. "Interests have an expiration date. Although Your Highness has shown favor by holding back the elven army and relieving the war zone, that favor has expired after the Battle of Valentan. To gain their submission, even greater benefits are needed."

"I don't necessarily need them to submit to me," Kang De said calmly. "Sometimes accepting forced allegiance means long-term trouble, and it's more difficult to clean up the mess later."

Hong San easily followed Kang De's line of thought.

"But it is also a good approach to first recruit and utilize them, then gradually divide and weaken them, and cultivate new forces to counter and compete with them."

He advised, "It wouldn't be a bad thing to cultivate relationships with some sensible nobles, at least for now. You can't reveal that you have a completely hostile attitude towards the entire noble class... otherwise it will be a waste of time."

"That's true. Let them see my power again." Kang De shrugged. "So, while the Rock Mountain Province, where Valentan is located, is not very willing to openly break with the Goth Central Government along with me, it doesn't dare to directly oppose or offend me, is that right?"

"Yes," Hong San nodded. "The biggest difference between them and the nobles from other places is that they witnessed the results and the scene of the Forbidden Spell's fall with their own eyes. The deterrent effect lingers longer and feels more real to them."

"So they're willing to supply me with food?"

"There must be people who are willing and people who are not, isn't that better?"

"Yes," Kang De laughed, "That's even better."

He pulled up a chair and sat opposite Hong San: "So, what's my plan?"

After arriving here, he told Hong San about the operations and methods he had used over the past two days. Hong San praised him highly and sincerely expressed his respect to his lord.

"With His Highness's unparalleled martial prowess as a guarantee, there's no way things will go wrong."

Hong San smiled and said, "The powerful figures in the Distant Harbor intend to use the food issue to retaliate against you. This is essentially a political issue, but if you respond with equal measures and resolve it as an economic problem, you will not only dispel the unease within the mainland aristocratic system, but also further demonstrate your power and prestige."

Kang De, with his legs crossed, said, "Han Zezheng? You said we should be cautious when recruiting dogs, and I think that's about right. We can try using this guy. If he's an R-rank character, he can do R-rank tasks. If he levels up on his own, that would be even better—it's just a matter of loyalty and character. I've observed him a bit, but if you have time, talk to him and find out more for me."

I don't think it's necessary.

Hong San pursed his lips and said, "Your Highness has always had a good eye for men."

Kang De glared and said, "Why are you specifically emphasizing the word 'man'? Are women not worthy of my attention? Or am I not worthy of looking at women? You're trembling with anger. When will women and I ever stand up together?"

"You should reconsider how to procure a large amount of food."

Hong San thought for a moment, then took out a blank sheet of paper and began to write and draw.

"The enemy's attempt to manipulate food supplies is indeed a vicious tactic, but it's not without countermeasures. For example, we could use force to control the city, announce food rationing and purchase limits, and set uniform prices for food sales. No matter how much they try to manipulate things, as long as our food supply remains stable, there will be no problem."

Kang De nodded.

He was familiar with this; it was about grain coupons, purchase restrictions, and a very nostalgic thing.

"But the price of grain in a single city or region is meaningless. The essence of this confrontation is that they are trying to challenge your prestige and reputation. The entire continent is watching, so we must not only win decisively, but also make them suffer a crushing defeat. Moreover, directly sending troops to effectively control a Goth city will also make the centrists in Goth territory uneasy. No nation's people will welcome a powerful aggressor."

Hong San tapped the paper with the tip of his pen. "Therefore, using economic means is a wise choice."

Kang De stood up, stood behind Hong San, and looked at the paper.

"They used methods to obstruct grain transport, artificially creating a food shortage and triggering panic buying, thereby driving up grain prices. This vicious cycle will inevitably lead to panic and even riots among the people due to hunger, which will render all of Your Highness's previous efforts to win over the people futile. Logically speaking, we should try to transport grain into the city to maintain supply, suppress grain prices, and stabilize public sentiment."

"So when we transport grain into the city, they buy it at high prices, making it impossible for ordinary people to buy grain."

"They will accept whatever we transport, until people starve to death, until further unrest and death occur, until Your Highness loses face, or chooses to negotiate."

"And this is our opportunity."

"Because their money is not unlimited."

Hong San listed several figures. "Once we've collected a huge amount of grain, a situation will arise where all their funds won't be enough to buy up all the grain we have. Then, we'll drive down the price of grain. Fearing losses, they'll panic and sell off their stock. They'll lose money on every single thing they sell, or they might not be able to sell anything at all..."

After a series of mental calculations, the advisors and retainers drew out a number.

"Two and a half points. The enemy's estimated funds, when combined with the grain price at the time, would give them the amount of grain they could buy at that price. Multiplying that by two and a half points would give them the amount of grain they simply couldn't consume... or rather, the amount that exceeded their psychological tolerance limit."

"That's a number that gives us a sure chance of winning."

"But the specifics depend on the current situation at Distant Harbor, which is something I don't know."

He folded the paper and handed it to Kang De: "After Your Highness returns, you can subtly inquire whether Han Zezheng has considered this matter. If he can provide similar ideas and figures as I have, it means that this person is capable, and at least he should have no problem managing the commercial and economic operations of a city."

Kang De took the paper, gave a thumbs-up, and exclaimed, "Awesome! Strategic planning leads to victory!"

Hong San smiled faintly, "Your Highness flatters me. This battle is still going smoothly. With Your Highness's martial prowess and divine skills as support, we already have a 70% advantage. If I still can't figure out the key to victory, I'll have no face to see my master."

"That's why strategists are so important," Kang De sighed. "Having you by my side offering advice makes me feel much more at ease."

"My lord, please do not underestimate yourself."

Hong San looked up at him. "You told Han Zezheng that story and encouraged him, but it didn't touch you. Actually, you're the same. You may have been ordinary before, but through setbacks and bloody battles, your character, strength, strategy, and wisdom have continued to grow. The current Kang De is enough to make all the countries fear and tremble. Only you still see yourself as an ordinary boy."

Kang De paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Is that so?"

"In short, Your Highness, please just focus on your work." Hong San smiled as well. "As for Valentan, there are still some matters I need to discuss with some representatives. If necessary, I will invite Your Highness to meet with them to reassure them and make some promises. As for the battle at the Distant Harbor, Your Highness, please take charge of it personally."

He gestured for him to enter.

"Now, you should go to Danfeng Lucerne and use your connections with Teldrassil to gather some food."

Upon hearing this, Kang De scoffed, "I doubt they're any use. I just ganged up on them not long ago, and now they're too busy causing trouble to give me any food."

"But it wouldn't hurt to do it; there are only benefits, no drawbacks."

At this point, Hong San revealed a mysterious smile.

"However, please be sure to emphasize to Princess Tina that you have been to Valentan."

"... Um?"

"That way, Her Highness won't mind or hold it against you for your occasional silly smiles."

"..."

Hong San's smile was calm and composed, as if he had seen through everything.

"This is a loyal and earnest piece of advice from a subordinate."

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PS1: Update... It's been a bit late again lately, I'll write earlier tomorrow!