Guan Fangyi appeared beside him. "Is the war about to begin?"
Niu Youdao replied, "With the Heavenly Jade School's current strength, taking over Nanzhou is a bit of a stretch. However, as long as Nanzhou is conquered, the Heavenly Jade School will enter a whole new level. Peng Youzai will become the most influential Sect Master in the history of the Heavenly Jade School. Unless his successor achieves even greater accomplishments, it will be difficult to deny Peng Youzai's contributions. I'm afraid that Nanzhou will be occupied by the descendants of the Peng family for a long time. For Peng Youzai, it is imperative that he takes care of both public and private matters, and for Shang Chaozong, the Heavenly Jade School can no longer hold back. The Heavenly Jade School can no longer hold back, and neither can Shang Chaozong. "
Guan Fangyi sighed. "When war breaks out, some people will get what they want, but who knows how many will lose their families."
"It's meaningless to lament about this in these chaotic times. Come, let's go take a look." Niu Youdao pointed in the direction of the craftsmen's barracks. The two of them glided down the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, they met Yuan Feng and the others galloping towards them. Niu Youdao extended his hand to stop them and asked for two mounts.
Now that Shang Chaozong had an ample number of warhorses, he had also left a few hundred in the mountains for the people here to use as backup. It was just right for Yuan Gang and the others. They volunteered to take care of it, and his subordinates would work together on horseback for a long period of time.
As the two of them mounted their horses, Niu Youdao glanced at Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian a few more times. Since Yuan Gang had brought these two old men with missing arms and legs, he didn't ask them anything.
He and Guan Fangyi simply found a means of transportation and did not gallop. They leisurely rode out of the valley on horseback.
Guan Fangyi's skirt fluttered as she fanned herself on horseback. Her beautiful eyes glanced left and right in a carefree manner.
When they arrived at the craftsmen's barracks, they handed the horses to the guards. The two of them entered the barracks and saw bundles of swords and spears that had been oiled to prevent rust being loaded onto carts. There were also bundles of battle armors that were being loaded onto carts and escorted out.
The air was filled with the smell of smoke. There were carpenters assembling catapults for siege purposes.
Bang! The sudden noise coming from the back of the mountain attracted the two of them over to see what was going on.
When they arrived at the back of the mountain, they saw a row of siege crossbows lined up, and the craftsmen were testing them. A steel spear was inserted into the firing slot, and a few people worked together to pull the pedal, and it was very strenuous for them to load it. A craftsman swung a mallet and smashed the spring. With a loud bang, the spear whizzed out and hit the painted spot on the opposite stone wall.
The crushed stones fell with a crash, and the slightly trembling spear fiercely pierced into the stone wall. This power was really not small.
Guan Fangyi's eyelids twitched as she watched. She said, "When an army is in battle, this thing poses the greatest threat to cultivators. Cultivators below Azoth Core Realm won't be able to withstand it."
…
In Yan Jin, the atmosphere of the New Year was also getting stronger. Be it rich or poor, they all had to celebrate the New Year.
In the residence of the Great Minister of Public Works, Zhou Shouxian, the Provincial Governor of the Southern Province, knelt on the ground with his forehead pressed against the ground. He sobbed at the Great Minister of Public Works, Tong Mo, who was sitting behind the desk.
She had come with gifts for the New Year, but when she talked about her sadness, she couldn't help but cry.
Tong Mo sighed. "Brother Zhou, you don't have to be like this. Get up."
Zhou Shouxian looked up and sobbed. He pointed at the door and said, "Prime Minister, the five counties of the Southern Province have been preparing for a long time. They have stockpiled a large amount of provisions and weapons. They have been training their troops all day long. The weapons have been sharpened, and the arrows have been nocked. They are ready to send their troops north to annex the Southern Province at any time. I've been trembling with fear every day, as if I'm walking on thin ice. If the imperial court doesn't send reinforcements, it will be too late for regrets!"
He had no choice but to go to the imperial palace before he came and begged the Emperor. However, the Emperor was clearly afraid that a war would cause internal strife in the Yan Kingdom, and foreign enemies would take advantage of it. By then, the entire Yan Kingdom would be in danger, so he had been hesitating.
His daughter was the Imperial Concubine that the Emperor doted on. His daughter had also contributed a lot to him becoming the Governor of the Southern Province. However, this time, his daughter had repeatedly persuaded the Emperor to send troops for him, which had angered the Emperor. He hadn't even been able to see the Emperor for a few days.
For him, the position of Governor of the Southern Province was like roasting him on a fire.
Tong Mo knew that the situation was critical, but he still comforted him. "Brother Zhou, it's not as serious as you think. With the pressure from Xiao Yao Palace, Purple Golden Cave, and Spirit Sword Mountain, the five counties of the Southern Province wouldn't dare to act rashly."
Zhou Shouxian said, "If there's a big reward, the three major sects might not refuse!"
Tong Mo said, "Don't worry. Whether it's me or His Majesty, we won't just sit back and watch. I will communicate with the three major sects."
…
Xiao Yao Palace was surrounded by clouds and mist. From afar, it looked like a fairyland.
At the foot of Xiao Yao Palace, dozens of riders galloped out of the valley, ran on the official road, and went far away.
These people were the people from the two major sects behind the Southern Province, the True Spiritual Academy and the Flying Flower Pavilion. The end of the year was approaching, and it was the time to pay tribute to Xiao Yao Palace. The Sect Leader of the True Spiritual Academy, Jin Wuguang, and the Sect Leader of the Flying Flower Pavilion, Cao Yu 'er, personally led their people to pay tribute.
Xiao Yao Palace, Purple Golden Cave, and Spirit Sword Mountain were the three largest sects in the entire Yan Country. These three major sects hovered above the Yan Country, and the Yan Country was the sphere of influence of these three sects. The Immortal Cultivation Sects in the Yan Country all lived in the sphere of influence of these three sects. Without the permission of these three sects, it was impossible to sit on a piece of land.
All the sects in the Yan Country had to pay tribute to the three major sects. Otherwise, they would face the danger of being exterminated.
Not only in the Yan Country, but also in the Seven Countries. In each country, there were several such powerful sects, which had a place in the Misty Pavilion and enjoyed the tribute from other sects in the country.
Some sects wanted to pay tribute to the three major sects, but they didn't have the qualification, such as the Keeping Immortal Sect.
And above the forces like the three major sects were the Nine Great Supremes.
The Nine Great Supremes were truly above all living beings. The Nine Great Supremes didn't accept anyone's tribute, nor did they accept anyone's favor, but they controlled all the banks in the world. There was only one bank in the world, and it was called the Bank of the World. It could be found all over the world, spanning both the secular world and the Immortal Cultivation World.
Except for the Bank of the World, no other banks were allowed to appear in the world.
For example, the universal gold note was jointly printed by the Nine Great Supremes, and no other bank was allowed to appear in the world.
In this world, the people who didn't lack money the least were the Nine Great Supremes. There was no other way. They could directly print money, and they controlled the world's currency flow.
And the places where people could do business in the Immortal Cultivation World were also under the control of the Nine Great Supremes …
When the people of the True Spiritual Academy and the Flying Flower Pavilion went far away, a group of people appeared in the nearby mountain forest. They were the disciples of the Heavenly Jade School who had been hiding for a while.
Peng stared at the direction where the two sects went, waved his hand, and led his disciples to break into the opposite mountain, heading straight for the Xiao Yao Palace …
The Jade Palace was covered with flowers, and one could see the sea of clouds and mountains. The scenery was beautiful, and it was a good place to entertain guests.
Two Elders of the Xiao Yao Palace accompanied the Palace Lord, Long Xiu. The only guest they met was Peng Youzai. The other disciples of the Heavenly Jade School were not qualified to come to this place.
The reason why the three of them could meet was because Peng Youzai was here to offer tributes. At the end of the year, the Sect Leaders of the various sects would gather to pay a visit. As usual, Long Xiu would show up to meet the Sect Leaders and inquire about the situation in the various regions.
Peng Youzai presented a stack of gold notes with both hands, and placed it on the table where the two Elders sat side by side. He then retreated to his original seat opposite them and sat down.
Long Xiu and the two Elders' gazes fell on the stack of gold notes. According to the rules, a county had to pay 50,000 gold coins.
50,000 gold coins wasn't a lot, but it wasn't a small amount either. It wasn't a lot, but to the Xiao Yao Palace, 50,000 gold coins wasn't a lot. It wasn't a lot, but to the Xiao Yao Palace, 50,000 gold coins wasn't a small amount. After all, every county had to take care of the people's livelihood. If they squeezed it dry, where else could they squeeze in the future?
Moreover, the local forces and sects also had to share in the profits. It couldn't be said that the Xiao Yao Palace could monopolize it.
Moreover, Xiao Yao Palace wasn't the only county that had to pay tribute. The Purple Golden Cave, the Spirit Sword Mountain, and the Imperial Court also had to pay tribute.
No one could squeeze too much from the counties. Otherwise, they would be ruining their own reputation regardless of the long term.
There were hundreds of counties in the entire Yan Kingdom, and each county had to pay 50,000 gold coins. With the accumulation, not to mention the other income of the Xiao Yao Palace, just the tribute from the various sects was enough to let the Xiao Yao Palace live comfortably.
In total, the five counties of the Heavenly Jade School had to pay 250,000 gold coins, and the Heavenly Jade School had to pay an extra 50,000 gold coins, three hundred thousand gold coins. However, looking at the thickness of the stack of gold notes, it was far more than three hundred thousand gold coins.
After an Elder counted it, he said to Long Xiu, "One million!"
Long Xiu, who had an extraordinary temperament, calmly looked at Peng Youzai and said, "Seven hundred thousand more. Sect Leader Peng, please explain."
Peng Youzai said, "Palace Lord, this is just a small token from the Heavenly Jade School. I hope you will accept it."
Long Xiu said, "Token? I heard that the lower five counties of the Southern Prefecture are preparing for war, intending to annex the upper six counties. Previously, the True Spiritual Academy and the Flying Flower Pavilion criticized the Heavenly Jade School for plotting against us and asked the Xiao Yao Palace to uphold justice. Could it be that the True Spiritual Academy and the Flying Flower Pavilion were right? You suddenly took out this money to bribe the Xiao Yao Palace? "
Peng Youzai said, "Palace Lord, you are exaggerating. How can a mere million gold coins be able to bribe the Xiao Yao Palace? If I really did that, I would be overestimating myself. But then again, the Heavenly Jade School does have the intention to guard the territory for the Xiao Yao Palace. I hope the Palace Lord can fulfill my wish. "
Long Xiu said, "You are quite ambitious. Can the lower five counties of the Southern Prefecture not satisfy the appetite of the Heavenly Jade School?"
Peng Youzai said, "I dare not hide my true feelings or lie in front of the Palace Lord. The Heavenly Jade School wants to replace the territories of the True Spiritual Academy and the Flying Flower Pavilion because we believe that we can do better than the two sects."
Long Xiu asked, "What better way?"
Peng Youzai said, "If the two sects control the eleven counties of the Southern Prefecture, they can only pay a tribute of five hundred and fifty thousand gold coins per year. If the Heavenly Jade School manages them, they can pay a million gold coins per year!"
Long Xiu said, "Do you think that the True Spiritual Academy and the Flying Flower Pavilion can't pay a million gold coins per year if they control the eleven counties of the Southern Prefecture?"
Peng Youzai said, "Of course they can, but what they offer is different from what the Heavenly Jade School offers. If they offer a million gold coins as tribute to the three major sects, they will need three million gold coins. Not only do they have to pay for their own expenses, but the local governments also have to pay for their expenses. If they offer this amount, they will exhaust the Southern Prefecture. In the long run, the Southern Prefecture will certainly collapse. But the Heavenly Jade School is different. If the Palace Lord has the chance, you can pay attention to Qingshan County and Guangyi County. The Heavenly Jade School is willing to share the profits and manage the people's livelihood, turning Qingshan County and Guangyi County from a stagnant state into a living one. Trade between the various countries will converge, and the people will live in peace and prosperity. The financial revenue from their taxes will be several times that of the other counties. This is one reason! "
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