Harvesting Some Chives!

Something's not right.

A visible worry permeated Han Zezheng's face.

As a newly loyal retainer, he was entrusted by Kang De with full authority over the economic war in the Distant Harbor. This was both a sign of trust and a pressure. He had to win this battle, otherwise Kang De would have to find another silver.

If you lose, don't expect anything like bringing glory to your ancestors or having many descendants.

Being sidelined is practically a foregone conclusion. If the defeat is too humiliating, or Kang De gets angry, the Han Family will likely fall from grace instantly—just as Han Zezheng said when threatening "progressive forces." Even if Kang De loses, he will still be Dragon of Cathay China that intimidates the world.

Whoever they want to kill, they must die.

An immense amount of pressure fell on Han Zezheng's shoulders.

He knew who he was fighting against.

Moreover, he had already sensed something was wrong today.

"You mean, it's not just this group from Distant Harbor?"

"Yes."

Han Zezheng said in a deep voice, "Please allow this old minister to start from the beginning—Your Highness, Distant Harbor is the capital of Azure Waves Province, a pearl on the west coast, and a hub of maritime trade. Although it has declined, it is still the most important node in the shipping network within Germany. In other words, the economic activities and price fluctuations here are largely a barometer of the entire Azure Waves Province and even the west coast..."

Kang De's expression changed slightly. "You mean, the price of grain in other places...?"

Han Zezheng nodded and said, "Yes, I dispatched fast horses and light boats, and even magicians, yesterday to gather intelligence and information about the surrounding area of Distant Harbor, as quickly as possible, including price fluctuations."

"Yesterday's grain price increase has already been reflected in various regions today. In particular, yesterday evening, the Governor-General sent a letter to various places to allocate grain supplies to Distant Harbor, causing grain prices in various places to rise in response today, directly doubling..."

Kang De for a moment, then snorted coldly.

This was a brilliant move. The governor saw that the Distant Harbor was having difficulty supplying grain, so he transferred grain from various places. This was his duty, reasonable and justifiable, and no one could find fault with it... Then, the price of grain rose in various places, leading to difficulties in supplying grain. This was also logical and could not be blamed on the governor.

The governor might even shift the blame in a sarcastic way—"I must ensure a sufficient food supply in the Distant Harbor to prevent famine and starvation. His Highness Kang De has now arrived in the Distant Harbor and taken over its military and judicial power. If a large-scale starvation occurs under his rule, it will damage the reputation of the Dragon of Cathay. We are protecting the reputation of our guardian."

If this trend spreads, aside from anything else, ordinary people in various places who are struggling to afford food due to rising grain prices will inevitably hate Kang De to the core.

Your mother.

He sneered, "I bet it's not just that. With grain prices rising everywhere, some people will definitely take the opportunity to make a fortune, or they'll collude with the powerful figures in Distant Harbor. They're all in cahoots, aren't they?"

"... Yes, my lord's prediction is correct."

Han Zezheng his head and said, "Distant Harbor is the economic, political, and cultural center of Azure Waves Province. The nobles of this city are the wealthiest people in the entire province. They unite the nobles of the entire province through money, power, and blood ties. Your Highness's trial of criminals has harmed the interests of all the nobles of Distant Harbor, and even killed their close or distant relatives... Therefore..."

Kang De nodded. "Good, just right."

He sat back down in his chair, neither angry nor losing his composure. Having experienced numerous battles, he had long since become seasoned. When faced with a major crisis, he remained calm and composed, even more so than before—he had seen the biggest storms, let alone the meddling of these petty scoundrels.

Let me think about it.

He analyzed. "With grain prices rising in various regions, officials and nobles in various places hoarded grain to drive up prices and make a fortune, while at the same time pleading poverty to Danfeng Lucerne and seeking help from other provinces of Goth."

"My actions these past few days have put me at odds with most of the nobles. While they may not dare to confront me directly, they can certainly offer their support. I suspect that nobles across the land will respond to my plea for help, mobilizing grain to support Azure Waves Province. However, all the grain will be precisely delivered to the areas in need, and then received by kind and responsible respectable people..."

"In this way, even if Tina and the others try to raise funds, every noble will just shrug and say, 'We've done our best; we've already given all our surplus grain to Azure Waves Province, and we have no more grain to give us...'"

Kang De chuckled at this point, "These people, only at times like this can they be so united in their hatred of the enemy; they weren't even this zealous when fighting the elves."

Han Zezheng a low voice, "Yes... yes..."

Kang De raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't worry, they've created a pretext for war for me themselves. I couldn't be happier. Han Zezheng, continue to follow my instructions to transport grain and stabilize prices. Your biggest task these next few days is to ensure that no one in the Distant Harbor starves to death within ten days."

Ten days.

Han Zezheng asked instinctively, "And what about ten days later?"

Kang De rolled his eyes. "Let them stuff themselves to death!"

Day three.

Han Zezheng requested an audience again, his gray hair now even gleaming brighter.

"Your Highness, something is still not right."

"What's wrong now?"

" In Distant Harbor and various cities of Azure Waves Province, funds are being used to buy up grain on a large scale, driving up grain prices."

Old Han produced the intelligence he had gathered yesterday. "All the grain shipped from various regions was bought up immediately, including the grain we dumped into the market from Distant Harbor..."

"Isn't this all the work of nobles and wealthy merchants?" Kang De shrugged. "Buying grain at inflated prices, driving up grain prices, creating panic, and profiting from it—I'll go pull down the telephone poles tomorrow..."

What is a utility pole?

Han Zezheng was puzzled, but that wasn't the point. His expression turned solemn as he said, "No, perhaps it wasn't them, or perhaps it wasn't just them..."

Kang De narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

The retainer replied, "Their actions were too decisive and very unified. You know, the nobles are actually a mob. Even if the powerful figures in various places cooperate with the Distant Harbor, they will not act in the same orderly manner as soldiers following orders. But yesterday's acquisition situation in various places gave me that feeling—it was premeditated, well-commanded, and they spared no expense, going all out, and the funds seemed very abundant."

"You mean..." The Earthling sensed a familiar stench, "... foreign subversive funds?"

These days, a new generation of internet citizens has rekindled the political sensitivity they had decades ago.

Han Zezheng understood this sophisticated term in three seconds.

"Yes... it's most likely true." He placed the documents on the table, unfolded them, page by page, "I've done a lot of business with the nobles of Azure Waves Province. It's one thing for the Distant Harbor, but the nobles in other regions won't be so decisive because they haven't seen it with their own eyes, haven't realized your... deterrent power. Therefore, they won't be as panicked and hostile as the nobles of the Distant Harbor, and they won't go all out in their actions."

"And the holders of the funds used to purchase the grain yesterday seem to be..."

He looked up at Kang De: "I have a great, irreconcilable hatred and conflict with you."

Kang De exclaimed in shock, "Someone actually hates me so much? What did I do wrong?"

"..."

Han Zezheng silently lowered his head and remained silent.

Sigh, he's still not as good as Hong San; he's much better at making things interesting.

Kang De, feeling dejected, shrugged, then rallied his spirits and began to analyze. "Come on, help me analyze this, who should have done this?"

Han Zezheng shook his head and said, "That's too many... They have such strong economic power, can achieve such unified and highly purposeful coordination, and have the stance to do so..."

"Elves, empires, Council, even dragons..."

In the Battle of Distant Harbor, these four behemoths suffered a great loss at the hands of Kang De. Kang De's grudges with the Empire and the Elves can be traced back several months, as can those between the Council and the Dragon Clan.

At this point, Old Man Han became somewhat bewildered—he suddenly realized that this lord was quite adept at causing trouble, worthy of being a formidable Forbidden Spell mage of the era, even when making enemies, he was so magnanimous and unrestrained.

"Great, you've eliminated four incorrect options."

Kang De laughed, "Leaving aside the dragons, the other three families are just waiting to see me make a fool of myself. They wouldn't dare to get involved themselves. Do they think that if they make me look foolish in this grain price war, my Forbidden Spell will fail? My warships will fall silent? The Paradox Element will disappear?"

"They know what I rely on, they know the crux of the current awkward situation, they want to negotiate with me, they can't wait for me to beg them. Maybe after they receive the news, they've already started to move grain. If I just say a word, grain will keep flowing in."

But in return, they will gain a valuable asset.

The initial advantage that Kang De gained before the negotiations even began will be partially erased.

Han Zezheng thought about it and it seemed to make sense. The main reason was that he was just a newly recruited henchman, far from being a member of the decision-making level, and he couldn't see the core of the negotiations involving the complex international situation and Paradox Element of the Battle of Distant Harbor from Kang De's perspective. After all, his vision was not broad enough.

Therefore, attention will be focused on the three behemoths: the Council, the Empire, and the Elves.

After all, they are the three strongest countries in the world. Any one of them could easily crush Goth and destroy Han Zezheng's small business with just a breath. In fact, the reason he is so flustered today is because of this. If you find a successful businessman from a small country on Earth and tell him that you will fight China, the United States and the European Union to a standstill on the commercial level, see how he reacts.

His reaction would definitely be, "Where's the nuclear weapon? Bring the nuclear weapon here!"

After Kang De rejected the possibility, he breathed a sigh of relief, his previously confined thoughts suddenly cleared, and he keenly grasped a flash of inspiration—he seemed to have thought of the real suspect.

"So..."

The lord's voice rang in my ears. "I think it's probably— the Broken Isles."

Han Zezheng shuddered. "Yes! That must be it!"

Only the Broken Isles have the financial resources, the ability to allocate resources, and the motivation.

As a shipping hub in the western seas, the Broken Isles' commercial status was taken away from the Distant Harbor. This new economy, through the tacit understanding and compromise of the nations, developed its own model, which was controlled and operated by representatives of national interests and local powerful families. This meant relatively stronger organizational capabilities and common interests. Moreover, the Broken Isles never gave up its infiltration of the west coast of Goth.

After all, the immense wealth and status as a commercial jewel were taken from Distant Harbor, and the island lords of the Broken Isles valued nothing more than preventing Distant Harbor from regaining this advantageous position.

To this end, the Broken Isles have been infiltrating the area surrounding Distant Harbor, befriending local elites, offering them shares, weaving together common interests, and creating obstacles to reform. As long as those they have bribed and won over are well-fed, they will willingly serve the interests of the Broken Isles. After all, even if Distant Harbor regains its former glory, the Broken Islands will not get a large share of the pie, and will instead lose the friendship and gifts they currently receive from the Broken Isles.

So why not maintain the status quo?

Through years of division, infiltration, and control, the city of Distant Harbor was continuously drained of its resources and gradually declined. Meanwhile, the major families received the largest share of the spoils during Distant Harbor's decline, further increasing their wealth and even enjoying shares in the Broken Isles and private shipping services.

Why continue expanding when you can make a fortune without taking risks?

Thus, Distant Harbor gradually lost hope of revival. The port fell into disrepair, the fleet left, and commercial activities cooled down year by year. It no longer had any hope of competing with the Broken Isles.

Until Kang De came to this city.

He also declared to the nobles of the Distant Harbor in the Justice Hall that he would reclaim the status of the western seas as a trading hub from the Broken Isles.

This declaration was, of course, communicated to the Broken Isles by the powerful and influential at the fastest possible speed.

If someone else had said such a thing, the island owners would have simply laughed it off.

But this Cathayan really has that ability.

Because he had recently cast a Forbidden Spell near the Broken Isles, nearly triggering a massive tsunami that would engulf the entire ocean, it proved that he possessed the ability to destroy the Broken Isles.

Moreover, his leap out of the Battle of Distant Harbor aboard a steel warship and effortlessly swept through the fleets of three nations, proving that he possessed terrifying military power capable of suppressing the entire Broken Isles navy and severing all trade routes.

If it were just Forbidden Spell, the Broken Isles could use their financial resources, political influence, and connections to unite half the continent and counterbalance the Dragon of Cathay. But if the latter is added...

An unprecedented gloom hung over the Broken Isles.

It's only natural that they took action.

As the saying goes, cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents.

Clearly, Kang De is the mother who killed them all.

"Ah..."

The brutal Forbidden Spell offered this assessment.

"Yet another one with its own pretext for war..."

Han Zezheng said softly, "Your Highness?"

"Fine."

Kang De pondered for a moment, then retorted, "This is a political matter... I'm taking care of it! You continue with your work, make sure no one starves, keep creating smokescreens, and keep taking hits from the enemy!"

... That sounds really awkward.

Han Zezheng reluctantly agreed.

After he left, commanders from the three kingdoms separately requested an audience, bringing with them their respective orders and olive branches—the Empire, the Council, and the Dusk Moon Dynasty were all willing to provide aid, food, money, and even support to the great Dragon of Cathay.

Yes, solidarity is more important than food and money.

"That won't be necessary."

The free-spirited Earthlings, disregarding any diplomatic embellishments, rejected the messengers with utterly frank honesty. "Look, we're about to negotiate. I haven't even avenged myself for taking advantage of my misfortune. I was just about to make you pay a heavy price. If I accept your unconditional aid now, I'll be too embarrassed to turn the tables on you later."

Both the proud and upright Kavisalong and the shrewd and cunning Master Niola felt immense physical discomfort upon hearing these words.

Even Colonel Henry, who was the most shameless and shameless of the three in fawning over Kang De, forgot to agree after hearing this, and even thought to himself, "Your Highness, is it really appropriate for you to say that?"

Due to this profound physical discomfort, they sent Kang De's statement back home verbatim, reporting that His Highness Kang De, kind, introverted, sincere, and honest, had rejected the lords' proposal.

"Negotiations haven't even begun. You are still prisoners. Uphold the agreement and fulfill your duties."

Before seeing them off, Kang De said calmly, "There will be a mission in the next couple of days. Be careful to keep it secret and give it your all. I've already emphasized the consequences of betrayal. Have a good working relationship these days, and don't let me down."

After the three commanders left, Kang De sketched and wrote for ten minutes. After careful consideration, he said, "Horus, two things..."

Twenty minutes later, Dragon Girl was summoned to the basement of the Sound of the Tide Manor.

"... what you up to?"

She glanced at the dark, flickering underground corridor. "So, you've finally succumbed to the depraved ways of Goth's shameless aristocracy, you bastard? Sixty percent!"

"..." Kang De glanced sideways and said, "Keep spouting nonsense. What if I actually give you a taste of your own medicine someday..."

"Hmph, come on then if you dare!" The Dragon Girl skipped over to his side in three small steps.

Go downstairs, push open the iron gate. The air is dry and spotless. Inside the huge stone chamber are chests of gold coins, jewelry, antiques, and equipment, shimmering with magical light. Arcane patterns are also outlined on the walls, and stacks of papers branded with Arcane magic are placed on the table.

"... what you up to?"

As the Dragon Girl surveyed the approximate value of the wealth within the room, she said, "I'm telling you seriously, thinking you can do whatever you want with this money is just wishful thinking. Let me do the math..."

Kang De glanced at her sideways. "Where's Santos?"

Santos was the human who came to Danfeng Lucerne with the Dragon Girl to negotiate with Kang De. He was a foreigner from Dragon Island and a high-end business talent recruited by the Dragon Emperor from the mainland. He had a very pleasant conversation with Kang De and left a deep impression on him.

Dragon Girl stared in astonishment and said, "You want to buy him?"

Kang De pretended to strike, Lily shrank back, honestly saying, "We signed the Dragon Oath, and he was transferred back because the negotiations were pointless. He should be on Dragon Island now..."

Kang De said, "Then tell the Dragon Emperor that I need to borrow him for a few days to do some short-term work for me. The commission is negotiable, and he should start working today."

Lily asked blankly, "What do you mean?"

"It means..." Kang De pointed to the treasures and deeds in the stone chamber, "I'm going to use the gold, silver, jewelry, real estate deeds, and even the ownership of the fleet and the merchant guild that I looted during the raid on the Distant Harbor to pawn a large sum of money to Dragon Island and give it all to Santos to do one thing for me."

The Dragon Girl was taken aback. "You want to buy grain?"

"Buy my ass, grain's so expensive!" Kang De sneered. "Of course, it's just some leeks to fleece you!"

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Update! You wouldn't believe it!

PS2: That's all for today. I didn't sleep well last night, so I'll go to bed early.