Immortal Travel of Longevity

The King of Wei was quite talkative. After mentioning the Tang Family Trading Firm, he changed the subject to the people's livelihood. He likely didn't want to dwell on the firm after suffering a loss at their hands.

"The people's livelihood is secure across the lands governed by the King of Wei, so the commoners hold the King in their hearts. As the saying goes, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The same is true of the people..."

The King of Wei listened to these words very earnestly.

"Mister Chen, how is it that you seem to know everything?"

Chen Changsheng smiled. "I've traveled far and wide. The more I chat with people, the more I naturally learn. Even if I'm just spinning wild tales, I can still manage a few convincing lines."

Prince Wei shook his head. "You don't seem to be spinning wild tales, Mister Chen. To my mind, what you've said about many of these matters makes eminent sense."

Chen Changsheng merely offered a faint smile and waved his hand. "Only a few things make sense. Most of the time, This Chen just spouts crooked logic."

The two chatted for a long time, eventually sharing a meal in the Daoist temple.

The food at Qingxian Temple was relatively simple, but the King of Wei didn't mind. He had endured hardship since childhood and eaten just about everything.

"I never would have thought the King of Wei had experienced all that," Chen Changsheng said.

The King of Wei nodded. "It is precisely because I've seen it all that I understand why the people's livelihood is so important."

The facts had also proven that the path the King of Wei chose was correct.

In the lands he governed, the people's livelihood was stable. He had carved out a haven of peace in this chaotic world; commoners flocked there from all over, increasing the population and bringing even greater stability.

While eating, Chen Changsheng remembered something else and asked, "This Chen previously traveled all the way from the Northwest. When passing through Zhongzhi City, I saw the practice of requiring vouchers to enter. I wonder who in the King of Wei's camp came up with this method?"

"Are you interested in that, Mister?" the King of Wei asked.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "The method is quite effective, so I would like to meet them."

The King of Wei smiled. "Later, I'll invite you to my estate for a chat and introduce you."

"Many thanks, King of Wei."

"May I ask where Mister Chen is staying these days?"

"Chuanfeng Alley in Qingshan City."

"Chuanfeng Alley..."

The King of Wei muttered, casting a longer glance at Chen Changsheng.

"The very alley where you suffered a loss back in the day, Your Highness," Chen Changsheng said.

The King of Wei paused, the chopsticks freezing in his hand.

Seeing the atmosphere suddenly quiet down, Xuan Chengzi also put his chopsticks down.

"Mister Chen, are you connected to that matter?" the King of Wei asked.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "The people living in Chuanfeng Alley are all old acquaintances of This Chen. In fact, the loss the King of Wei suffered is also tied to This Chen, because I was the one who asked that old man to stay there and protect Miss Yun."

Xuan Chengzi faltered for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, about this matter..."

He had heard Prince Wei speak of this incident years ago.

It was only because Prince Wei had suffered a loss and casually complained about it that Xuan Chengzi even knew it had happened.

After learning it involved Chuanfeng Alley, Xuan Chengzi had done his utmost to deter Prince Wei. He knew Mister Chen had once lived in that alley, and the neighbors would certainly all recognize him. Otherwise, if the grudge continued, the King of Wei would likely have suffered even worse consequences.

Before Xuan Chengzi could finish, the King of Wei raised a hand and cut him off.

The King of Wei tapped his chopsticks and looked at Chen Changsheng. "Since you know, why bring it up to my face?"

"Hasn't Prince Wei already received the punishment he deserved?" Chen Changsheng replied. "Since the matter is already settled, what harm is there in talking about it?"

"What nerve!"

Prince Wei slammed the table and stood up.

He was furious. After all, he was the King of Wei.

He might be amiable on normal days, but when he truly grew fierce, that oppressive princely aura was very real.

Seeing that some of the vegetable soup had spilled onto the table, Chen Changsheng felt it was a pity. "Prince Wei, intimidate me all you want, but we still have to eat this food. It's a shame to spill it."

"You..."

Upon hearing these words, Prince Wei's majestic expression suddenly contorted into something rather strange.

"Calm your anger, Your Highness. Calm your anger."

Priest Xuan Chengzi hurriedly stood up to pacify him.

Prince Wei scowled at Chen Changsheng. "You certainly are bold."

"This Chen is sitting right here," Chen Changsheng said, continuing to eat. "If Prince Wei can harm even a hair on This Chen's head today, This Chen will take your surname."

"Why weren't you this arrogant when we were chatting just now!?"

"This Chen meets strength with strength, and softness with softness."

Chen Changsheng turned to look at him. "This Chen is also somewhat confused. Since Prince Wei knows the importance of the people's livelihood and understands the opportunities merchants bring, why resort to such underhanded methods? You tried to scheme for an advantage but only ended up losing out, yet you still harbor a grudge?"

Xuan Chengzi was startled.

He was completely bewildered.

What was going on here!

Weren't things just fine a moment ago?

How had they suddenly started arguing?

How much time had even passed?

Xuan Chengzi hurriedly said, "Mister Chen, Mister Chen, look..."

Chen Changsheng raised a hand and set his chopsticks down. Looking at the King of Wei, he said, "Prince Wei, This Chen agrees with your insights. But saying one thing to a person's face and doing another behind their back is something This Chen despises."

Prince Wei narrowed his eyes and demanded, "What do you know?"

"If the trade routes aren't opened, the various regions will remain isolated. The people's livelihood might be stable now, but in the long run, great chaos will inevitably arise. If not for that, why would this King resort to such an underhanded tactic?"

"As the saying goes, one should persuade others through reason. Is Prince Wei's reason just a fist?"

The King of Wei grew even more furious. He smashed a fist onto the table. "You infuriate me!"

Chen Changsheng remained incredibly calm, sitting right where he was.

Xuan Chengzi was at a loss. "This... this, this, this..."

He couldn't afford to offend either side.

He panicked, completely flustered.

Prince Wei panted heavily and demanded, "You say my methods are underhanded? Let me ask you, among the powerful and influential in this world, how many dare claim their hands are clean? Leaving aside the fact that they do it entirely for selfish gain, my resorting to such a tactic was entirely for the people's livelihood. Why is that not allowed? Let me ask you, why isn't it allowed?!"

"Are the people of the Tang Family Trading Firm not people?" Chen Changsheng countered.

Prince Wei opened his mouth, but he couldn't form a coherent rebuttal.

He knew he was in the wrong here, but he simply didn't want to admit it.

He was a prince, after all. Was he supposed to bow his head and admit his mistakes?

"Putting the cart before the horse," Chen Changsheng remarked, picking up his chopsticks to continue eating.

"You!"

"Hey now, Prince Wei, stop smashing the table. This Chen hasn't finished eating yet."

Prince Wei grew even more infuriated at those words.

"Hey!!"

Xuan Chengzi hurriedly pulled the King of Wei to the side.

"Wait, wait a moment!"

Xuan Chengzi looked at Chen Changsheng. "Mister, please eat first. This poor Daoist will have a chat with Prince Wei."

"Don't pull me!"

"This way please, Prince Wei, this way please..."

"I told you not to pull me..."

Prince Wei was a practical man. His mouth shouted for Xuan Chengzi not to pull him, but his feet followed along obediently.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng suddenly let out a laugh.

"This King of Wei..."

He wasn't half bad. Just stubborn!

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