"During these two years, the prime minister has run this Gantian Mountain well."
He didn't rush nor slow as he rode his horse on the streets. Just looking at the endless shops on both sides, one could see how prosperous the current Gantian Mountain was.
It was also filled with people, similar to when he first came to Gantian Mountain. However, Zong Shou knew that the rent of these shops was seven times that of before.
Gantian Mountain's business tax had risen by ten times in a short two years!
Even if they didn't go down to the cloud ocean to hunt, they could support the three million troops.
In the past, beast crystals and mind stones were mostly for their own use. They didn't trade much on the market, but now that there were more and more martial cultivators in the country, beast crystals and mind stones as well as various beast hides and spiritual herbs had increased by several folds. Naturally, the business tax had also risen sharply.
"This is the work of the ruler, it has nothing to do with me!"
Renbo laughed, his face filled with self-mockery, "If not for the few government decrees from the ruler, how would Gantian Mountain have the strength of the country today? You must know that today, just the xiantian experts who entered our Gantian Mountain city records alone are eighty thousand. However, a small half of them came for the ruler's nine books of the true dragon sword technique. That shocked the Cloud Continent … "
Zong Shou was delighted, his eyes turning into crescent moons. However, he also knew that if it wasn't for Renbo helping him deal with those complicated administrative matters, Gantian Mountain wouldn't be so strong.
This old fellow was good in every way, except that he was too smart. A year ago, when he wanted to repair the roads, he wanted to charge two hundred years. In the end, this old man forcefully reduced it to fifty years, causing his future income to be reduced by seventy percent. How despicable.
"However, no matter where I go, I hear people say that I, Zong Shou, am a preposterous ruler …"
"Scoff! What do those ignorant people know? "
Renbo scoffed coldly, filled with disdain, "My Gantian Mountain, although we only have three million troops, the weakest are martial masters who have cultivated to the 5th Chakra Meridian. They all cultivate a kind of support heart sutra, their combat strength is far from what those mobs 2 years ago can compare to. Ruler instructed me to buy those three million spiritual armors and weapons in secret. I only need half a year to prepare all of them and can change them at any time. And the Blood Cloud Cavalry … "
Speaking of these three words, Ren Bo's expression also changed slightly. If he didn't know that their Gantian Mountain City had actually built up such an elite force without a sound, he would have thought that Zong Shou was really satisfied and didn't want to expand anymore.
Thinking of this, it was not a place where he could speak with ease. Ren Bo paused and then asked curiously, "Your Highness, when will you take action?"
This was also the question that everyone in Gantian Mountain had. Everyone thought that Gantian Mountain was weak after the disarmament. However, anyone who had some status and was able to enter the core of Gantian Mountain would know how strong the army was.
Three million martial cultivators might not be the opponent of the tens of millions of Thousand City Alliance troops. However, once they were equipped with the spiritual armors and weapons that were prepared long ago, they could fight one against ten!
And in the entire Donglin Cloud Continent, how many powers would be able to take out such a huge sum?
Even the Lingyun Sect that had been passed down for ten thousand years might not be willing to do so.
In Ren Bo's eyes, if it wasn't for Zong Shou suppressing them, with the current strength of Gantian Mountain, they could sweep Yunxia and Blazing Flame City.
"Keke, it is best if we act weak. We can take the moral high ground and cut off any excuse for the Donglin sects to interfere. "
Zong Shou thought about it carefully and shook his head. He could only sigh. Things in this world were just so weird.
A year and a half ago, he was a ruler that everyone praised for being smart and capable. However, a year and a half later, he was linked to being preposterous.
Suddenly, he saw a person from the corner of his eyes. Zong Shou was startled as he looked towards the restaurant at the side, only to see a silver armored teen wearing an exquisite mask looking over.
Why was this woman here?
After coming to this era, Zong Shou had never seen her before. However, ten thousand years later, her name was like thunder in his ears.
The only woman who was called a military god in the early stages of the god-emperor era.
Her dressing was no different from what was recorded in the history books. Silver mask, grade 9 silver refined snow pattern armor, she was also the only one.
However, wasn't this woman the capital general of the Taishang Dynasty? Why was she here?
Within the restaurant, there was another person who looked over. Her expression was like she was looking at a monkey, making him feel really uncomfortable.
Zong Shou frowned but didn't care much. That woman was said to be loyal to the Taishang Dynasty and he had no way to rope her in. As for the latter, what was that?
On the peak of Gantian Mountain, a bell rang out and spread throughout the city.
Zong Shou retracted his attention and looked towards Heaven Suppressing Peak.
"Ruler, the meeting hall has started. Do you want to take a look? "
Zong Shou nodded slightly. He was in Cang Shengdao Palace and only came back once every half a year. Naturally, he had to take a look at the meeting hall.
"Prime Minister, may I know what we are discussing today?"
"Today we are discussing huge matters. One is to adjust the entrance tax of xuanxing bamboo arrows. Secondly, Qianxue and Fanghui want to enter our direct rule. Hu Qianqiu and Chaiyuan have been scolding each other since two months ago. I heard that they are prepared to fight to the death. "
"Xuanxing bamboo arrow tax?"
Zong Shou's brows rose up, filled with questions. He knew that the xuanxing bamboo was a top material for making spiritual arrows. It could carve wind element spiritual formations and was really strong. It was commonly seen in Donglin Cloud Continent, however, there were only a few places where the quality was good.
There was also that Qianxue and Fanghui city which made him feel weird. These city lords didn't want to be overlords, why did they want to be directly ruled by him?
Speaking of which, in this year, the number of cities directly ruled by Gantian Mountain had increased to 40. He didn't even need to send troops, how weird.
"A quarter of the xuanxing bamboo arrow making industry is controlled by the wind bear race. As for the overlord duke Hu Qianqiu, I heard that through trade he bought many xuanxing wood spiritual arrows and earned a huge sum. Does the ruler understand now? "
Zong Shou's face was filled with understanding. Renbo laughed, "Which is why the 2 of them are quarreling. A few days ago, Chaiyuan raised a proposal to raise the taxes of the xuanxing bamboo arrows. If they couldn't earn money from buying from outside, their wind bear race industry would naturally be able to be protected. Originally the vast country duke Chaiyuan wasn't the overlord duke's opponent. However, this matter also involved the pill crane race which was why the He family also participated. The 2 sides joined hands and roped in many discussions, their strength was even greater than Chaiyuan's. As for Qianxue and Fanghui city, it was for the welfare of the people that the ruler set. Only the people directly ruled by the cities have the right to enjoy it. Along with the merchants paying taxes as one, a small half of the 13 provinces want to be directly ruled by Gantian Mountain to gain some benefits. It is so annoying … "
Zong Shou replied with an "oh" to express that he understood. Thinking back to half a year ago, what happened in the meeting hall, he decided to make some preparations before heading over. He turned around and looked at Chu Xue, "Xue go buy some good food back."
Chu Xue giggled when she heard that, patting her small heaven and earth bag, "I prepared it long ago, it is what the young master likes."
Zong Shou's eyes were filled with praise. It was still Chu Xue who understood his thoughts.
He urged the horse to speed up, galloping at full speed on the streets. Just before the 3rd bell rang, he rushed back to Zhengan Peak.
The meeting hall here had expanded by 3 times and was made of tiegang stone.
The energy was also thicker and thicker, suppressing true qi and soul power even more.
Usually, the meeting hall meetings were hosted by Hu Qianqiu and Chaiyuan.
However, at this moment, since Zong Shou had returned, naturally he was the leader, solemnly sitting at the top. Below them were a total of five hundred Councilors.
Just before it started, Zong Shou swept the spectator seats. There were more people, close to a thousand.
A smile appeared in Zong Shou's eyes. These seats were all beast crystals and mind stones.
However, a moment later, he was startled. Not only was the teen prince there, but the silver armored teen was also there.
Not mentioning the latter, he knew about her background. The identity of the former was also really special.
What did the 2 of them come here for?
He didn't think much about it, taking a hammer and smashing it down heavily. He signaled that today's meeting had officially begun.
Without needing him to speak, there was an official who took the first proposal and started to read it out.
Sure enough, it was about increasing the import tax on the Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows. All of a sudden, the tax on the Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows had increased by 30%.
After reading it out, Hu Qianqiu's face sunk, "Country duke Chai, what do you mean? You only allow yourself to eat and not allow others to drink soup. "
Chaiyuan was at the side, his eyes not even blinking, "The problem is that my wind bear race can't even drink soup!"
"Are you really going to fight with our tiger family today?"
"We have no choice! ‘
Hu Qianqiu scoffed coldly when he heard that, a sharp expression flashed in his eyes, but he didn't speak.
Chaiyuan walked to the front of the stage. His expression was one of sadness, his hands wiping his eyes as tears flowed down.
"Today I, Chaiyuan, am here to complain to all of you! A set of xuanxing bamboo arrow materials is worth 3 grade 3 beast crystals. It takes half a day to make one, and the materials are often 30% damaged. After selling it, it is only worth 10 grade 3 beast crystals. The profits are small, but my wind bear race, along with our servants, has 120 thousand people, relying on this business to survive. However, today we can't even earn this little bit of money! "
On the side of Zong Shou, he used his hand to cover his mouth, suppressing the urge to laugh out loud, "Prime minister, just now the vast country duke used garlic right?"
Just now he personally saw that Chaiyuan secretly used garlic to wipe his eyes. Chuxue, who was beside him, turned her head and laughed out loud.
Renbo coughed lightly like he was used to it, his expression expressionless, "Vast country duke's acting has always been good. Within Gantian Mountain City, you are praised by everyone. " If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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