Munitions Empire

This entire set of development plans actually had no problems, not even the final step of casting aside the grinding stone to kill the donkey, which was entirely feasible in reality.

Therefore, the strategies proposed by the young man were overt conspiracies. To someone like Zheng Tong with such a mindset, they seemed to be brilliant strategies without any fault.

But when viewed in the context of the bigger picture, this flawless strategy was indeed a deadly poison that could threaten the fate of Zheng Country.

Keep in mind, lurking on the sidelines was the Great Tang Group, an ambitious power sharpening their knives, with their current developmental focus placed squarely on conquering Zheng Country.

When Zheng Country finally developed a bit of industrial foundation and connected its territories with roads, where would be Zheng Tong’s chance to harvest the leeks?

By that time, Tang Mo’s mechanized troops would control these industrial areas at an even faster pace, directly absorbing Zheng Country’s investments into their own midst.

When pondering this level, can one say that Zheng Country’s move towards industrialization and playing the Westernization Movement was wrong? No, on the contrary, if Zheng Country fell into decay, Zheng Tong wouldn’t even have a chance to struggle. By starting industrialization, he had at least a slim chance to flail desperately.

Although he would ultimately lose and his family would be ruined, waiting at home for someone to come and finish the job was different from betting everything on one last desperate gamble.

No one would choose to sit idle awaiting doom, so even seeing through everything, Zheng Tong would still make the choice to struggle—in addition, Zheng Tong couldn’t see this layer.

His position had already determined that the concept of Zheng Country being extinct would not enter his mind. That is the limitation; that is the thought pattern of a monarch!

Any ruler subconsciously blocks out the option that their rule might end, choosing selective blindness until everything becomes irreparable.

Zheng Tong was no different; he wasn’t special. So naturally, he began to fantasize about a Zheng Country rising against the odds under his command.

"To kill?" He looked at the young man’s diminutive eyes and tested the waters with a question.

"Those who are obedient can certainly be utilized for our benefit," said the unsightly young man, who suddenly seemed more agreeable in Zheng Tong’s eyes.

Pleased with the young man, Zheng Tong turned to Li Jun, "General... Mister, he asks you whether your blade is sharp or not."

"To kill for Your Majesty, my sword can cut through iron as if it were mud!" Li Jun quickly indicated his allegiance, his smile obsequious.

"Uh... Hahaha! Hahahaha!" Zheng Tong laughed triumphantly, looking up to the sky. While laughing, he reached out and grabbed the young man’s hand, asking, "With such talent at such a young age, Mister, I wonder where you studied?"

The young man smiled and replied, "I must confess, I once studied at the military academy of the Great Tang Group in Brunas."

"Hm?" Upon hearing the name Great Tang Group, Zheng Tong furrowed his brows, his grip on the young man’s hand tightening slightly.

The young man, neither cringing nor arrogant, explained, "Your Majesty, even if I am dissatisfied with the Great Tang Group, I must speak the truth—their military academy is indeed the best in the world. Even though I disagree with many people there, I cannot deny this fact."

Seeing the young man so candid, Zheng Tong was instead puzzled and waited for the young man to continue explaining.

"Your Majesty, I pursued my studies to assist a wise ruler and benefit the people, never intending to serve based on where I studied." The young man explained further, "I am a son of Zheng Country, how could I not return and assist Your Majesty, to strengthen my motherland? Otherwise, wouldn’t this whole life be lived in vain?"

Who doesn’t know how to talk big or shout slogans without cost? Just pick something pleasing to the other party’s ears, and all will be fine in the end.

Thus, the young man continued to portray himself as a patriotic returnee, who sacrificed the lucrative opportunities abroad to come back and build his homeland, "So, I was kicked out before graduation, Your Majesty, please don’t laugh." ŔÃＮöᛒЁs

"Well said!" Zheng Tong was indeed satisfied with such a narrative, yet as the ruler, he naturally had his own thoughts and judgment.

Therefore, he continued to laugh and said, "How could I mock you, Mister! It’s just as well to leave such a place! However excellent, it is ultimately an uncomfortable place indeed! By the way, I have yet to ask for Mister’s full name."

"Pang Tong!" The young man proudly replied, recalling the nickname the principal had given him that day. He didn’t know where the name came from, only remembering the principal patting his shoulder and chuckling oddly, mumbling something senseless about dragons and young phoenixes.

"Mister Pang... Temporarily take the deputy minister position in the Ministry of Works, and be conferred the title of Earl! Reward... Reward with a mansion!" Zheng Tong found that bestowing official positions didn’t pain his heart as much as when he gave out rewards.

He had the intention of gifting the amiable young man ten thousand Gold Coins, then bestowing him some servants and beauties... but he stopped mid-sentence when he remembered that all these things cost money!

This so-called deputy position in the Ministry of Works actually had no real power, and the title of Earl was merely an addition, the stipend for the title hadn’t been distributed for many years. So in the end, except for a mansion, there was nothing valuable left.

Therefore, he hesitated. Just when he hesitated, this young man named Pang Tong understood the situation and directly spoke up, interrupting his presentation of rewards, "I thank Your Majesty! It is my great honor to relieve Your Majesty’s worries and sorrows."

This well-timed interruption made Zheng Tong very comfortable, internally praising the other’s sensibility. But he still needed to complete the ritual of face-saving, so he patted the young man’s hand, and once again dangled a carrot, "Now that the state affairs are difficult, you and General Li share the same boat with me... in the future... in the future, I will not forget!"

Now this was the only skill he had left, so he used it naturally, proficiently, and with sincere emotion.

This "Phoenix Youngling" from another world also had an outstanding performance, immediately immersing himself in his role, with sincere and deeply moving tears, pouring out his heart and soul.

Soon, Zheng Tong ordered someone to escort this person away. When only Li Jun and himself were left in the room, he asked, "This person... Can he be trusted?"

"Your Majesty, if he can offer us such a strategy, presumably... he really does wish to seek an official position in Zheng Country to bring glory to his ancestors," Li Jun didn’t make an absolute statement because he knew for certain Zheng Tong would never unconditionally trust this young man who claimed to be Pang Tong.

As expected, Zheng Tong sighed and said, "He revealed his identity himself, probably guessing we would surely investigate him... but it might also be that he’s open and honest, and thus didn’t hide anything. You don’t need to handle this matter, I’ll take care of it."

That meant he would personally arrange for someone to examine the matter. Li Jun was not bothered by this; after all, if Zheng Tong was willing to do it himself, it was best, and it spared him from suspicion.

"What do you think about the strategy he proposed?" Zheng Tong glanced at Li Jun, bringing the conversation back to the "Zheng Country version of the Westernization Movement."

"I think there is some truth to it. We are short of money to begin with, and Shireck’s weapons are not cheap. If we keep buying Shireck’s weapons, the speed can’t be that fast," Li Jun immediately backed the person he recommended, "Besides, we actually don’t have money now. Without applying this strategy, there’s nothing much we can do, so we might as well give it a try..."

Zheng Tong immediately nodded in agreement, "Indeed, we have no money left in our hands anyway, so we might as well make a move and let those stingy businessmen stir things up!"

Having said that, he pressed down on Li Jun’s hand and ordered, "You personally handle this matter. It can’t go through Pang Tong’s hands, understand? Later, I will arrange for a confidant to find you. This kind of business… naturally, the royal family should also get involved."

"I... understand," Li Jun immediately bowed his head. He knew Zheng Tong’s confidant was surely coming to make a profit, as well as to keep an eye on him; such a big matter, Zheng Tong could not fully trust any single person.

Even before coming here, Li Jun had already anticipated that Zheng Tong would not allow the offerer of the strategy, "Pang Tong," to participate in the execution of the plan.

But this unattractive young man didn’t care about these things at all, claiming that he was here only to offer strategies and tactics, and the subsequent operations were none of his concern.

This openness and indifference also convinced Li Jun, making him believe the young man really had no hidden motives or tricks. Because if he really had a backup plan, he wouldn’t possibly hand over the entire strategy to someone unrelated for execution.

Indeed, on the next day, this brilliant idea received a nod from the civil official group: they had no reason to refuse such a plan because it was truly bringing them money!

As long as Zheng Country began building various workshops locally, profits would definitely arise, and the local officials’ extortion, the bribes from sharing profits, and the submitted taxes were all tangible benefits.

How could anyone oppose such a plan, even Zhang Ming didn’t see any trickery and simply agreed to it.

It was just that they also made a slight concession: in the process of promoting industry and starting the "Westernization Movement," they had to take care of a few armament factories.

Such an insignificant request met with no opposition; the King had made concessions and was no longer pursuing the problematic military procurement plan, so naturally, they could turn a blind eye to these so-called armament factories.

After the plan was approved, the funding process also proceeded smoothly, and many businesses, upon receiving contracts, indeed began proactively raising funds and commenced Zheng Country’s path to industrialization.

In particular, businessmen from coastal cities were enthusiastic. They not only raised a substantial amount of capital but also immediately started constructing factory buildings.

Yes, the zeal of these coastal merchants to open factories was alarmingly high. So proactive was their attitude that they started excavating foundations for the factories even before there was talk of purchasing equipment.

What was even more extraordinary was that roads connecting the various factories seemed to have been laid out already, and a train station had already begun to take shape on the outskirts of the port.

-----------

I still owe everyone two updates... After staying up all night, I can finally go to sleep for a while...

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!