Upon hearing Zhuge Zhongguang's words, the scene instantly buzzed with discussion.
"A greeting? Did I hear that wrong?"
"Why would the Literature Saint pay respects to the North Prince?"
"Did the Literature Saint misspeak?"
The term "to greet" should not be used lightly; it is generally reserved for when someone of lower status presents their respects to someone of higher status, yet Zhuge Zhongguang is the Literature Saint. Wherever he goes, emperors of every dynasty personally receive him.
As for the status, the North Prince's cannot possibly be higher than Zhuge Zhongguang's.
Although the North Prince is a prince, at most he is but a Seignior. It is well known that Zhuge Zhongguang does not need to pay respects in the presence of the emperors of dynasties.
And yet today Zhuge Zhongguang was actually taking the initiative to pay respects to a Seignior?
Was this elder truly Zhuge Zhongguang?
Just as people were puzzled as to why Zhuge Zhongguang would offer a greeting to Lu Chen, Lu Chen immediately stepped forward, took Zhuge Zhongguang by the arms, and said, "Dean Zhuge need not be so courteous."
At that moment, Zhuge Zhongguang spoke, "If the Prince does not mind, how about we share a carriage?"
Even though Lu Chen had come on horseback, if he, a prince, rode back on a horse while his subject, Zhuge, took a carriage, it would seem disrespectful.
Lu Chen said with a smile, "Then the younger generation shall humbly accept the offer."
Afterward, Lu Chen followed Zhuge Zhongguang onto the carriage.
Seeing this scene, the surrounding commonfolk were immediately shocked.
The Literature Saint not only paid his respects to the North Prince but even treated him so courteously?
Were they seeing things?
After all, the Literature Saint is a Grandmaster and, moreover, an entity on the verge of breaking through to the Heavenly Human Realm. Was there any need for him to be so polite to the North Prince?
He even invited him to share a carriage!
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lu Chen boarded Zhuge Zhongguang's carriage, and afterward, the carriage slowly headed into the city, leaving behind a stunned crowd.
Within the crowd, a fat middle-aged man clad in gold-threaded brocade watched the carriage as it gradually receded into the distance, then muttered to himself, "It appears that the North Prince might truly become my future lord."
The man was still uncertain about whom to pledge his allegiance to, but considering the recent events of the past two years, only the North Prince seemed to stand out as an anomaly in this world, as if he didn't belong.
The more unique the North Prince's existence seemed, the more it indicated that he might be the Son of Destiny the man was to serve; the Son of Destiny was bound to be unlike ordinary people.
With this in mind, the middle-aged man revealed a slight smile, his chubby cheeks creasing and his eyes narrowing into slits; indeed, coming to the North Country had been the right decision.
He just needed to wait in the North Country from then on; he believed that it wouldn't be long before the Son of Destiny gave him his orders.
Zhuge Zhongguang said, "Prince, a part of the students from Universal Academy is already on their way to the North Country; by now, they should have reached Great Xia territory. I wonder how you plan to arrange for them?"
Lu Chen replied, "The North Country is currently in dire need of officials; I plan to have some of the learned students take office."
"In addition, I have already had someone build a new academy in the city. Once Universal Academy moves to the North Country, they can immediately begin their scholastic activities."
Hearing this, Zhuge Zhongguang expressed his thanks, "Thank you, Prince."
At that moment, Lu Chen contemplated that Zhuge, who was a Literature Saint and a sage granted to him by the system, had lived for so many years and must be an extremely intelligent person. He had recently been troubled by some doubts.
Since Zhuge was so clever, perhaps he could shed light on the matters that had been puzzling him.
With this in mind, Lu Chen directly asked, "Dean Zhuge, there are a few questions in my heart; may I ask if you can help me find the answers?"
Zhuge Zhongguang then responded, "Prince, there's no need to stand on ceremony. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. I shall spare no effort in answering to the best of my knowledge."
Lu Chen immediately asked, "You must be aware of some recent events that have taken place in the Great Xia Dynasty, aren't you?"
Zhuge Zhongguang answered, "I have heard a bit."
Lu Chen continued, "At first, my father, the Emperor, did not take action against the Aristocratic Families of the South, but instead waited until now to dispatch the troops southward. In your opinion, is this troop deployment for the purpose of dealing with the Aristocratic Families of the South or to prevent the plague from the Great Qian Dynasty from spreading into the Great Xia Dynasty?"
Zhuge Zhongguang replied, "In my view, it is very likely that the Sum Emperor intends to take action against the Aristocratic Families of the South."
Lu Chen remarked, "Logically, a few months ago would have been the perfect opportunity to act. Why didn't my father initiate action then, instead of waiting until now? Isn't this a bit too late?"
Zhuge Zhongguang asked in return, "Prince, you must be aware of the Great Xia imperial court's decision to open up salt trade rights, correct?"
Although Zhuge was in the Great Qian Dynasty, the decision by Great Xia to open up salt trade rights was major news for all dynasties. Salt was incredibly important in that era, and all dynasties managed it through official channels. Great Xia was the first dynasty to dare to liberalize salt trade rights.
Over the past year, Zhuge had frequently heard discussions about Great Xia's move to open up salt trade rights.
Lu Chen responded, "That is certainly true. I have also been very curious about this matter. Opening up the salt trade rights equates to handing over the lifeblood of Great Xia to the Aristocratic Families. If in the future everything is operated by the Aristocratic Families, they will hold the entirety of Great Xia's economy in their hands.
Then, if my father ever tries to eliminate the Aristocratic Families, the outcome would be the collapse of Great Xia's economy. My father couldn't afford the consequences of such an act."