"Oh?" Zhao Hao just picked up an egg roll and was about to put it in his mouth, so he put down his chopsticks and asked Park Chengxing: "Why, didn't you make an appointment?"

Park Chengxing's forehead was covered with sweat, and he said hurriedly and awkwardly: "Well, I came here in a hurry and forgot to inform Li Mushi."

What he said before was not entirely true. The two county supervisors were indeed quite upset that a high wall was suddenly erected outside the county town, cutting off a part of their jurisdiction.

However, Li Mushi was simply too stubborn by nature to discuss anything with him, and he just agreed on everything with the Lord of Heaven, leaving him with no chance to show his abilities.

"Haha... you are welcome." Zhao Hao looked at him with a half-smile. This little bit of intrigue was just a child's play in Mr. Zhao's eyes.

Park Sung-sung suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and felt cold to the bone. He sat there paralyzed, feeling that he was doomed.

He deliberately didn't inform Li Mu to come and pay a visit to Master Zhao, which was actually not a big problem. But the problem was that he had just lied to Master Zhao, and Li would expose it once he came.

After spending three hundred thousand taels of silver, the trust that was built up with great difficulty collapsed just like that...

~~

After a while, the dusty Li Mushi limped in. He glared at the disloyal Park Chengxing, then shamelessly saluted Zhao Hao and said:

"Your subordinate, I am here with Li Ruotong, the governor of Jeju, Jeolla Province, Ming Dynasty of Korea, to pay my respects to the Prince Zhao of the Celestial Empire!"

"Envoy Li Mu, please stand up quickly." Zhao Hao sat as steady as a mountain, raised his hand to support himself, pointed to the opposite side of Park Chengxing and said, "Hurry up and give Envoy Li Mu a seat."

The maid quickly added a table and placed a set meal on it.

After thanking him, Li Ruotong sat down with difficulty and glared at Park Sung-sung opposite him.

"How did Lord Li become like this?" Young Master Zhao asked with concern.

"Your humble servant, I just learned this morning that you were coming to inspect, and I rode all the way here." Li Ruotong spread his legs as wide as possible to relieve the pain in his hips. "Your humble servant is late, please forgive me, Your humble servant."

The straight-line distance from Jeju City to Xingang City is 70 miles! The road was broken and full of potholes, and Li Mu's envoy was bleeding...

But this couldn't stop him from wanting to meet Master Zhao!

Unlike Park Sung-seong who loves money like his life, Lee Mu-shih, as a civil servant of noble birth, desires status more than money.

In the Joseon Dynasty, power and status were the most lasting wealth, and this was deeply rooted in the minds of every yangban son. Only a guy like Park Sung-sung who fell into the military would regard money as so important.

Li Ruotong, the governor of Jeju, is already a third-rank official, and the next step up is a third-rank official.

It was his lifelong dream to become a high-ranking official in the court and rank in the Dongban. Unfortunately, the powerful and aristocratic families in the Joseon Dynasty were hereditary, the population of the Yangban expanded, and the number of official positions in the court was limited, so there were obviously more wolves than meat. A weak chicken like him who had to come to Jeju Island overseas to be promoted to the third rank, under normal circumstances, could not cross this natural chasm at all.

So when Park Sung-sung told him that the fleet of the Celestial Empire that transported grain by sea hoped to borrow supplies from Jeju Island, he immediately saw an opportunity. If he could climb up the ladder of the Celestial Empire, he could become a judge in the six ministries or a chief censor, not to mention a high official!

That's why he always responded to requests. Not only did he readily agree to lease two pieces of land, he also actively sent strong untouchables to work on the leased land of the Celestial Empire. Wasn't he hoping that Park Sung-sung could introduce him to the Celestial Empire?

Who knew that this guy named Park actually wanted to eat alone, and secretly came to Xingang City to welcome the nobleman from the Celestial Empire without saying hello. Fortunately, he had placed spies around Park Chengxing, otherwise he would have been kept in the dark. Not only did he lose an opportunity to curry favor with him, but he might also make the nobleman from the Celestial Empire think that he was dissatisfied and deliberately neglected him. That would ruin the meal.

So as soon as he got the news, Li Ruotong ignored his official duties and rode over at full speed.

~~

Mr. Zhao was happy to see Li Mu as an uninvited guest. Competition is the only way to make progress, otherwise this simple character will soon become lazy.

So Zhao Hao deliberately promoted Li Ruotong, not only letting him sit above Park's right-hand man, but also thanking him for his support. He immediately attributed most of Park's achievements to him.

Although Park Chengxing felt disappointed when he heard this, Li Ruotong was overjoyed. He was worried that this young Chinese leader would be bewitched by Park and would not like him.

I didn't expect that the young master of the Celestial Empire was so perceptive and really knew what I had paid for! I praise you and am willing to serve you like a dog and a horse!

Li Zhoumu immediately stated that he would do his best to provide security services for the Celestial Empire. He would provide people, food, and stones. He would use the resources of Jeju to win the favor of China!

Master Zhao highly praised Li Zhoumu's loyalty to the Ming Dynasty, saying that such an official was a role model for the Li Dynasty, and asked Tang Youde to add him on WeChat... Oh no, to get closer to him in the future.

"Right General Park is busy with military affairs. There is no need to trouble him with matters on Jeonra Island in the future." Young Master Zhao smiled and took a sip of the soybean paste soup. Damn, he was so busy talking that it got cold.

Park Sung-hyeok and Lee Ruo-tung's mouths twitched at the same time when they heard this. Needless to say, the former's retribution came immediately.

The latter was because of the name given to Jeju Island by Mr. Zhao, and he certainly didn't dare to correct it. But it would be really shameful for him, the governor of Jeju, to change his words as well.

"You are absolutely right, sir. Right Envoy Park is in charge of the military. As for the civil affairs on Tamra Island, it would be more convenient for me to deal with them directly!" A second later, Li Zhoumu's sense of shame disappeared and he changed his words smoothly.

Zhao Hao also deliberately tested him and was very satisfied with his reaction. The officials of the Li Dynasty are indeed talented and speak well. I like it here very much.

So he warmly invited Li Mushi to take a boat with him to the next stop, Chengshan.

Li Ruotong naturally wanted it more than ever and agreed immediately.

~~

After lunch, it was already dusk. Mr. Zhao was in a hurry and did not stay overnight in the villa. He went straight down the mountain to the small pier where the naval battle was located and took a boat to the Tamra Garrison Base.

In addition to the invited envoy Li Mu, Tang Youde, Zhu Jue and others also accompanied him. Even Park Sung-sung and Kim Hee-sun were invited to go together, and all the members of the Tamra Chamber of Commerce were asked to go as well. I wonder what Master Zhao is planning.

Park Sung-seong thought he was finished this time, but he didn't expect that the young master would still invite him. He was immediately grateful and knelt on the deck as soon as he got on the boat to apologize to Young Master Zhao.

Mr. Zhao had planned to hang him in the sea to take a bath to sober him up, just like last time. But the sea water was too cold at this time of year. If something went wrong, Park Sung-sung would also become Park Bu-sung, which would make him an enemy.

Well, Master Zhao slapped his head and decided to use the old method.

"I told your brother last time that I would ask you to pour him some night fragrance for a few days." Zhao Hao glanced at Park Chengxing and said, "I always keep my word, what do you think?"

"Pour, pour, pour, the toilet man on the boat has taken care of all the toilets." Park Chengxing was delighted when he heard it, "I guarantee that it will be cleaned thoroughly, no ambiguity!"

"Okay, go ahead." Zhao Hao nodded and said, "Next time it won't be as simple as pouring a few night incense."

It's like going to Gapado Island to pour night fragrance for a lifetime.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir." Park Chengxing kowtowed profusely and thanked him profusely. So, some things are destined to happen and there is no escape. He had to clean every toilet.

~~

When Park Sung-sung left, Master Zhao changed into loose clothes under Qiaoqiao's help. While drinking the hangover-refreshing soup Qiaoqiao cooked, he listened to Secretary Ma's report on the news he had just received.

The three of them were lying on a couch, relaxed. They were already used to the life on the boat, and the slight shaking did not affect them at all.

"The fleet carrying grain by sea passed by Jeonra Island at noon today. Sister Huaixiu sent a ship to greet you, young master, and the news was also delivered on the ship." Ma Xianglan, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding a cowhide folder, reported in a soft voice.

Zhao Hao lay on Qiaoqiao's amazingly elastic legs and asked, a little drunkenly, "Is the fleet safe?"

He finally understood the feelings of the big ship owners of that era. Every time the fleet went out to sea, they were always worried.

"Sister Ma said that the sea transportation this time was a little rough, but the 1,000-ton sea ship is more resistant to wind and waves than the 400-ton sand ship. There was no loss of 70 ships and 200,000 dan of grain." Ma Xianglan smiled and handed him a piece of light blue letter paper, saying, "If you don't believe me, take a look. She also said she would come to see you."

"Really?" Zhao Hao was sober now. He took it and looked at it. Where was the word "coming to see him"? He was so angry that he tickled her and scolded her, "You are getting more and more outrageous. We have a pure brother-sister relationship. Don't joke around!"

"I know I was wrong." Ma Xianglan panted like a orchid and begged for mercy, "I won't dare to do it again."

"I wonder if you'll dare to do it again next time." Zhao Hao said angrily, "I haven't settled the score with you for the last time!"

He was referring to Zhang Xiaojing's case. Speaking of which, after Mr. Zhao gave Xiao Zhuzi the poem "Fallen Petals Are Not Heartless Things", there was no further news.

I didn't see her when I was hanging out with Li Mingyue in the capital, and even when I went to Dashamao Hutong to say goodbye before leaving Beijing.

It seems that little Zhuzi has decided to obey his father's orders and stop having wild thoughts, treating him as a petal that fell into the mud.

This result was not unexpected at all, but Mr. Zhao felt a little sad. People are never satisfied, and after getting Long, they want Shu again...

Well, it’s better to focus on work and stop thinking about these bad things.

Zhao Hao shook his head and said in a muffled voice: "Let's talk about business."

Seeing his lovelorn look, Ma Xianglan smiled mysteriously and thought, "Miss Zhang, you have to thank me very much."

Then she smoothed her drooping hair and continued to report:

"The flood in Jiangnan has receded, and all prefectures and counties have been severely affected. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the young master and the group, the tax grain consumption has been reduced by 90%. In addition, Duke Hai has organized effective disaster relief and reduced taxes and labor service in the affected counties. The people can still have food after paying taxes, so there is no escape."

"Yeah." Zhao Hao nodded, and put his worries to rest.

The third year of Longqing must have offended the Dragon King. In the spring, the Peach Blossom Flood broke the Yellow River's dikes. In June, Zhili, Huaiji, Xupei, and Zhejiang, as well as the east and west of the Yangtze River, were all flooded, destroying city walls, flooding farmhouses, and drowning countless people and animals. In July and August, there were fierce winds and floods, and seawater backflowed, which really destroyed the ten prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River.

ps. Third update, I wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a happy National Day! I won't rest tomorrow and will continue to write for you. Please support me with the guaranteed monthly ticket!