Long Wuji’s expression finally eased, and he raised his wine glass with a smile, "I knew it~~ with my vision, how could the Bright Pearl I value so much be without quality and virtue? Alright, then let me hear what you truly think."

"Ruolan, go and start releasing water slowly from the Broken Dragon Gate, lest Brother Long isn’t comfortable drinking." Wang Shouzhe smiled and turned to instruct Liua Ruolan.

"Husband..." Liua Ruolan glanced sideways at Long Wuji, as if still somewhat cautious.

"No worries, Brother Long is a heroic figure who keeps his promises." Wang Shouzhe flattered Long Wuji, "Since he said he wouldn’t interfere, he definitely won’t go back on his word."

"Yes, husband."

Liua Ruolan offered a slight bow and gracefully left.

Soon, a rumbling sound echoed from the gorge within Broken Dragon Gorge. The Broken Dragon Gate opened a gap, and the accumulated water gushed out through the opening, creating a spectacular sight.

This controlled water release would not cause a massive impact downstream, nor would it flood any fleet. The stored energy of the water would be gradually released over several days.

"Shouzhe, your ’Broken Dragon Gate’ is truly remarkable, intricately designed, and marvelously crafted," Long Wuji, now relaxed, began to praise the Broken Dragon Gate, "Only an Immortal Dynasty like Cold Moon would use such methods to manage great rivers."

Cold Moon Immortal Dynasty, a name Wang Shouzhe had heard countless times, was said to have a long history, robust strength, and a territory many times larger than Daqian Kingdom, with all sorts of incredible advanced methods that the Daqian people could hardly imagine.

Currently, my eldest niece Wang Lici is traveling to Cold Moon Immortal Dynasty with her master.

Having heard so many tales, even Wang Shouzhe could not help but yearn for a taste of that legendary Immortal Dynasty. However, as the head of a family, he feared he couldn’t spare time to witness Cold Moon Immortal Dynasty for himself anytime soon.

"Shouzhe’s Ping’an Town already resembles a town under Cold Moon Immortal Dynasty," Long Wuji admired while sipping wine, "The quay is well-organized, the river banks are impressively grand, the people’s lives are prosperous, living and working in peace and contentment, and it’s truly commendable."

Long Wuji, having observed Wang Shouzhe for so long, naturally wasn’t ignorant about Ping’an Town.

Ping’an Town’s affluence couldn’t compare with Commandery or the Upper Capital City, but in the Guardian City’s Town level, it’s not unique but certainly rare.

More importantly, it’s the fruit of Wang Shouzhe’s accomplishments over just seventy years, whereas those other wealthy and powerful places mostly accumulated over thousands, or even several thousand years, making comparisons impossible.

This is one reason why Long Wuji quite admired, even respected, Wang Shouzhe. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"It’s a pity, Shouzhe, you and I ultimately aren’t on the same path." Long Wuji lamented, his expression showing some despondency.

"Actually, I did consider Brother Long’s invitation back in the day," Wang Shouzhe said as he clinked glasses with him and took a sip, "I even spent a lot of time and effort studying Prince Kang’s past achievements, accomplishments, and personality."

"And what did you find?" Long Wuji asked with some interest.

"I discovered, Prince Kang has a harmonious family and has been respectful and accommodating since marrying Zhao Yijing, a Zhao Family direct daughter. He strictly educates his descendants, demonstrating royal gracefulness, and I’ve never heard of his descendants causing any scandals," Wang Shouzhe pondered, "Moreover, he’s skilled at forming alliances and maintaining good relations with major Noble Families, Princes, County Princes, and so on, garnering massive support. Even in the Saint Land, he has a good reputation."

"I hear he recently joined Gongyang Strategy visiting the Outer Domain Battlefield. With their tactics and strategies, unless something unexpected happens, they will surely earn considerable merits and gradually gain military system respect."

"Overall, Prince Kang is quite an excellent quasi-crown prince, ambitious with few flaws."

Long Wuji felt increasingly uneasy and finally couldn’t help but frown, "Since he’s so exceptional, isn’t he worthy of your allegiance? Shouzhe, would you truly sacrifice your promising future for a great-grandson’s mere marriage contract?"

"But all his excellence serves the purpose of becoming the Great Emperor. My impression is like he’s been preparing for the emperor position since childhood." Wang Shouzhe sighed, a hint of gravity in his eyes, "Of course, this is not wrong. After all, Prince Kang’s identity, bloodline talent, age, etc., all perfectly fit the quasi-crown prince conditions. You, Prince Dexin’s lineage, must have been guiding him from a young age, pinning high hopes."

"Indeed it is," Long Wuji nodded frequently at Wang Shouzhe’s analysis, "Our Ancestor Dexin had valued Wu Chengsi since his teens, teaching him to quasi-crown prince standards, demanding strict adherence without any deviation. Even his marriage was meticulously chosen, waiting for the Zhao Family’s direct lineage daughter, dragging on until over forty to wed. He himself works tirelessly, satisfying Ancestor Dexin and other Princes."

"Exactly," Wang Shouzhe’s lips curled into a knowing smile, "Bearing high hopes from a young age, burdened with the mission to vie for the emperor throne, carrying a heavy load on his shoulders. Every step he takes is to get closer to the Great Emperor’s throne, each time delivering satisfactory results to his elders, growing amidst accolades."