Protect Our Clan Leader
Chapter 1143 - 86: The Great Emperor Arrives at the Wang Family! Unsettled Feelings_3

These people were merely low-level Independent Cultivators. For him, a great emperor, to fall out with them over a trifling dispute was truly too undignified.

However,

Emperor Longchang did obtain some useful intelligence, such as Ping'an Town becoming the Wang family's private residence, and the relocation of the original civilians to Xinping Town and Xin An Town.

These were places where Prominent Families most easily bred corruption and faced problems.

In recent months, for oppressing civilians too harshly and rendering the local populace unable to sustain livelihoods, Emperor Longchang had already dealt with several such families.

If the transgressions were not too excessive, imposing a fine and ordering rectifications were sufficient; however, if it incited public outrage and left civilians in unbearable conditions, Emperor Longchang would invariably have to assert his imperial majesty with a thunderous wrath.

By his estimation, Wang Shouzhe was likely not corrupt enough to oppress civilians, but his own restraint did not guarantee that those below him were free from illicit operations.

Even he, the great emperor, could not guarantee that every official under his command was free from corruption or that each civil servant worked diligently—how could Wang Shouzhe, the young novice?

Thus, he had not expected to uncover any major issues; he merely intended to catch some minor mistakes from Wang Shouzhe, to create an issue and to make his life difficult.

It was also to show him the majesty and capability of a great emperor, and not to be so arrogant, looking down on one thing, despising another...

For a moment, Emperor Longchang's spirits lifted again, wishing he could immediately arrive at the so-called Xinping Ferry to thoroughly expose Wang Shouzhe's errors.

The "Dingjiang" cargo ship traveled downstream quickly, and after just a few days, it docked at Xinping Ferry.

Xinping Ferry, only a few dozen miles from the estuary, had only been operational for over ten years. Being newly constructed, it was filled with the Wang family's ingeniously unique designs and left ample space for future development.

The ferry was grand and luxurious, with capacities to dock many ships simultaneously, and there were even many large shipyards and ship factories newly built nearby for vessel repairs.

The port's warehouses continued unbroken, as far as the eye could see.

Even Emperor Longchang couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly at the sight of bustling Xinping Ferry.

The daily traffic of ships here was likely no less than several hundred.

"Grandfather, look, those few ships look so strange—bulky and round, with peculiar wheels on both sides," Wu Xuening suddenly noticed several ships slowly approaching from another direction and felt instantly fascinated, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Those are the Wang family's large bright-wheel near-sea cargo ships, which can compensate for insufficient sail power when the wind direction is unfavorable, ensuring timeliness of maritime transport," someone nearby explained with a smile, seeing the young girl's curious demeanor, "Besides these bright-wheel cargo ships, the Wang family also has ironclad dark-wheel ships and small fast ships, each with its specific marvels. I heard they utilize pneumatic power combined with formations."

"I know that," Wu Xuening suddenly remembered, "Old Yao once told me, boiling water produces steam. Making use of the steam can generate a strong, lasting power~"

Old Yao also mentioned that the Wang family's research department has been developing steam power, and he was quite interested in it. After graduating from the Clan School, he spent several years in that research department.

Hearing her constantly mention Old Yao, Emperor Longchang's expression grew darker, and he also felt a chill.

So far, there hadn't been a precedent within the Imperial Household where two commandery princesses married the same man.

If not careful, that could grant Wang Shouzhe too great an advantage.

Half an hour later, Emperor Longchang's expression grew uglier.

Since it was their first time on Wang's Jurisdiction, without having ever obtained an internal pass from the Wang family, they naturally faced various doubts and inquiries from the related personnel.

Moreover, because Emperor Longchang did not cooperate with the inquiries, and due to Old Yao's surreptitious attempts at bribery, the three barely escaped being dismissed back to their origin as illegal migrants.

Just as Emperor Longchang became infuriated and prepared to reveal his identity explosively, saying "I'm done playing; I'm laying my cards on the table. Let Wang Shouzhe come to see me," the owner of the "Dingjiang" sauntered over, reluctantly vouching for them after seeing what was happening.

Knowing their unfamiliarity with Changning defense, the owner of the "Dingjiang" personally led them through the customs, explaining the various rules of the Wang family along the way to prevent them from blundering blindly and causing any more trouble.

After they passed through, without waiting for Old Yao to express his gratitude, the owner of the Dingjiang patted Emperor Longchang on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Old buddy, I took a risk by vouching for you. Just make sure you don't indulge in any unlawful or disorderly conduct within the bounds of Wang's Jurisdiction, or you'll get me in trouble as well."

Emperor Longchang's eyes widened.

Dear me~ How many years had it been? How many years had it been since someone dared pat his shoulder?

But before he could finish his shock, the owner of the "Dingjiang" continued in a heartfelt tone, "Old buddy, what are you glaring for? Your family has fallen, yet you're unaware you need to restrain that temper of yours; otherwise, you're bound to suffer later. I looked after you because I see you're advanced in years yet still struggling to make a living by trading—it couldn't have been easy, so I'm just giving you a heads-up. If it were someone else, they might not have been as kind-hearted as me."

Pondering Emperor Longchang's cultivation base, he then encouraged, "However, I see you're also a Spirit Platform Realm Cultivator, which makes you quite talented. As the Wang family is prospering now, as long as you're willing to work hard, you can eventually uplift your family."