Chapter 1157: He Lingchuan's True Purpose

"Neither Lingshan nor Emperor Mou intends to pursue the Tribute Disappearance case further, and naturally, I respect the client's wishes. Moreover, Mou State was already secretly colluding with the rebels, and perhaps the Shadowtooth Guards were involved as well..." He Lingchuan stated matter-of-factly. "Consort Mei just isn't aware of it. Besides, my only aim is to obtain information from her. Her fate afterward, whether she lives or dies, is irrelevant to me."

The Glimmering Gold Plains, with its unique environment, produces individuals like Consort Mei. She is certainly not an isolated case, and there would be no point in killing or capturing her.

"Don't imagine that a couple of times sparing her life will make her grateful," He Lingchuan remarked leisurely. "She has the temperament of a jackal and understands this world far better than you do. The next time you encounter her, you'll need to be even more cautious."

Dong Rui let out a quiet sigh, his enthusiasm somewhat dampened.

Some matters and people in the Glimmering Gold Plains simply disperse like clouds, going their separate ways after an encounter.

Consort Mei's words echoed in He Lingchuan's mind:

"If the heavens are unjust, I can only fight for myself!"

And she had, at least, achieved that.

In the Glimmering Gold Plains, and indeed in this vast, turbulent world, the laments of most weak individuals, crushed by the millstone of fate, often went unheard.

This chaotic and despairing continent had yearned for a glimmer of justice and hope for an incredibly long time.

He Lingchuan had been pondering the root cause of their suffering.

Was it truly due to the heavens' injustice?

Dong Rui asked him, "Where to now?"

"To the palace," He Lingchuan replied, having already planned it. "We're going to meet You Enguang."

They were in the outskirts of Xuncheng, and the Peng King's palace was conveniently on their way.

Only a few days had passed since the fall of Bo State and the ascension of the new monarch. Peng State was still in a transitional phase, and its internal conflicts had only recently concluded.

As He Lingchuan and his companion returned to the capital, they noted no improvement in public order; the chaotic areas remained in utter disarray.

Presumably, the new royal court was too preoccupied to address these minor issues.

Upon reaching Xuncheng, He Lingchuan proceeded to the palace to visit the new monarch.

He had previously dealt with You Enguang at the Carefree Sect, and possessing the Mou State envoy's token, he was granted immediate access and quickly met the new sovereign.

This time, He Lingchuan's visit to the palace was to conduct business with You Enguang in his capacity as the Lord of Yangshan.

While it would have been better to wait a few months to observe the evolving situation, he seized the opportunity since he was already in the vicinity.

Though the former Bo State had a weak foundation, Julu Port boasted a unique and advantageous location, making it the finest harbor in the entire central-western Glimmering Gold Plains. Most western nations seeking trade with the Glimmering Gold Plains would likely disembark there.

The Yangshan Archipelago was no exception.

He Lingchuan's dual identity as both a Mou envoy and the Lord of the Yangshan Archipelago made him You Enguang's most welcome guest, his influence effectively amplified.

Following amicable negotiations, Yangshan's merchant fleet received a 50% reduction in customs duties at Julu Port. They were also granted various conveniences regarding customs clearance, warehousing, and cargo movement. Additionally, Yangshan merchants would benefit from preferential commercial taxes across the entire Peng State.

You Enguang had just inherited a chaotic situation from the former King of Bo, and it was no exaggeration to say that the state was in ruins, "awaiting revitalization." His primary focus was on generating revenue, so He Lingchuan's proposal for cooperation was precisely what he needed, leading to an immediate agreement.

One additional clause stipulated:

Citizens of Yangshan were permitted to establish security teams and escort agencies within Peng State, accepting private commissions to protect merchant caravans.

This meant the Yangshan Archipelago could legally establish armed forces within Peng State. You Enguang was initially reluctant to agree to this, but He Lingchuan's other enticing proposals, combined with You Enguang's own awareness of the rampant banditry plaguing Peng State's trade routes—which their own army struggled to suppress—convinced him.

If a state cannot ensure the safety of trade, it is reasonable for merchants to establish their own armed escorts.

What else could the nascent Peng State do, being small and weak?

At such a delicate juncture, Peng State's disadvantage in status and national strength became He Lingchuan's leverage, which he skillfully exploited to secure the most favorable terms for his negotiations.

Ultimately, both parties made concessions regarding the number, scale, and deployment locations of the guard teams, finally reaching an agreement.

Everyone was pleased.

He Lingchuan smiled cheerfully.

As long as the policy allowed "legal entry" for Yangshan's forces, they would find ways to bypass any future restrictions on size, numbers, or locations.

After all, what human heart can resist the allure of money?

A dike-breaching ant's nest isn't dug in a day, is it?

The mirror exclaimed, "The Glimmering Gold Plains is a tough nut that no one else can crack. Do you have strong enough teeth?"

"Bones also make a delicious soup," He Lingchuan countered, never one to shy away from a challenge, no matter how sparse the meat or tough the bone.

He was well aware of the situation. Given how long Beijia and Mou State had been infiltrating the Glimmering Gold Plains, it was unlikely there was any "good meat" left for him.

The Yangshan Archipelago required resources from the Glimmering Gold Plains, particularly minerals, but the security of trade routes had always been an intractable problem. Having the Yangshan Archipelago's own armed forces provide protection was the optimal solution.

Furthermore, the mineral veins in the Glimmering Gold Plains were controlled by mining magnates or local factions. Agreements made one day might be disavowed the next, or a new group coming into power days later might refuse to honor prior commitments.

Business was rarely straightforward; He Lingchuan had long witnessed its many unsavory aspects.

Doing business honestly, especially in the Glimmering Gold Plains, was incredibly difficult. However, if one's power was undeniable, others became more agreeable.

As the saying goes: difficulties are like springs—the harder you are, the softer they become.

Only through a military presence could he ensure a stable and low-cost supply of minerals. He Lingchuan intended to control this supply line as firmly as possible.

More crucially, You Enguang's permission to introduce armed forces into Peng State signified that the Yangshan Archipelago had openly extended its influence into the Glimmering Gold Plains.

From that point forward, the Yangshan Archipelago could use this region as a base, gradually embedding its influence throughout the Glimmering Gold Plains via its circulating merchant caravans.

He Lingchuan still harbored ambitions for the Glimmering Gold Plains, much as he did for Bailie.

Superficially, he was on a mission for Mou State; in truth, the agreement forged between Yangshan and Peng State constituted his most significant achievement during the "Bright Lamp Mission."

To put it crudely, his visit to the Glimmering Gold Plains was essentially a reconnaissance trip, laying the groundwork for future endeavors.

The Soul-Capturing Mirror, having largely grasped his intentions, sighed, "Let's just hope Peng State can stabilize, or all your efforts will be utterly wasted."

"Exactly," He Lingchuan conceded. Should Peng State fall again, its agreement with him would likely be nullified.

This was the inherent political risk the Yangshan Archipelago had to accept when conducting business in volatile regions.

"I just hope Peng State can endure for a while," he said, acknowledging that such matters were beyond his control.

As the first golden leaves drifted from the plane trees on Chiba Plateau, He Lingchuan returned to Panlong City.

While retrieving the Bright Lamp from across the ocean wasn't a difficult process, the extensive journey itself consumed six months for the round trip.