[Fantasy] My World (Complete) - Chapter 29

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Chapter Six: The Mysterious Girl
Sitting before me was a stunningly beautiful girl, as if she were a celestial being… While many of my wives resemble fairies, this girl definitely deserves the title.
Looking at her again, I realized this stunning girl was incredibly alluring, bordering on bewitching, even more so than the seductive charm emanating from Xiaoyu. Just a couple of glances were enough to make me unable to look away.
If I felt this way, the ordinary people around me were even more captivated. Their movements were several times slower than usual, their eyes fixed on the alluring girl, filled with infatuation.
It wasn't until I looked at her a third time that I could clearly see her features.
The girl had an oval face, with long, glossy black hair cascading down her shoulders. Her sky-blue eyes, clearly showing signs of exotic heritage, were innocent and clear. Beneath her neat bangs, two light eyebrows arched upwards, her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips, pink and glossy, were of moderate thickness. Her skin was snow-white, delicate, and translucent. Looking at her features together, she suddenly possessed an alluring, almost bewitching charm.
This charm was different from the seductive charm of a mature woman, and even more different from Xiaoyu's magical charm; I could only describe it as "naturally perfect."
Looking down her features, below her long, slender, white neck, the girl wore a thick, snow-white fur coat. Her breasts were small yet round and perky, with a slight curve. She wasn't very tall, but combined with her captivating figure, it looked incredibly natural; I could only marvel at it again as "naturally perfect."
Now I finally understood why the surrounding sounds had become quieter!
It would be strange for anyone to speak loudly to such a stunningly beautiful and alluring girl.
"Little sister, are you lost?"
I immediately smiled. "Come on, tell your brother where your home is, and I'll take you home."
Looking around, the stunningly beautiful and alluring girl had no guards with her, but how could someone as beautiful and alluring as her be born into an ordinary family? Her innocent demeanor and elegant attire alone revealed how wealthy she was.
Faced with my question, the girl smiled slightly and shook her head, her posture charming and captivating.
Can't speak?
I was taken aback. "Little sister, can you write?"
The girl nodded, extended her jade-like hand, and gently wrote a single character: "Go."
Go?
I couldn't figure out what the girl was thinking, but how could I give up on such a stunningly beautiful and alluring girl?
Seeing that the girl had already stood up, I quickly reached out and took out a handful of gold coins, placed them on the table, and followed her.
The proprietress beside her had been gazing at the young woman with a dazed expression, but the dazzling gold color drew her attention, as she was also a woman.
Quick as a flash, she snatched the coins, immediately recognizing the amount in her hand. Ten gold coins! That's enough for half a month's income! This young master is truly wealthy! The
proprietress, beaming with joy, couldn't help but wish the kind young man and the beautiful young woman a happy ending, for they seemed so well-matched!
Don't let the young woman's refined appearance fool you; she walked with surprising speed… oh, not "slow." After a few steps, I realized she used a strange teleportation technique. Seemingly strolling leisurely through the crowd, she actually moved incredibly fast, covering hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye!
Now I understood why there hadn't been a sound before she appeared—everyone only noticed her when she sat down in front of me!
To be honest, my "Heavenly Demon Art" also has some knowledge of teleportation techniques, but it's too unpredictable. You can't even see a shadow in the blink of an eye, and it requires a much higher level of martial arts skill—far less elegant than this young woman's graceful movements.
Sensing the extraordinary nature of this alluring young woman, I wondered who she was. She seemed to know me… Could this girl be another important figure in the "Soul-Stealing Sect"? That's unbelievable! Having Xiao Yu is already a rare and powerful enchantress, and now there's another… Could it be that the "Soul-Stealing Sect" is about to rise to power?
After a short while, the young woman walked into a secluded alley. High walls surrounded her, and few people passed by, making it perfect for conversation.
The young woman turned around gracefully. Although I'd seen her many times before, her stunning beauty still captivated me.
Her large eyes looked at me with interest, but her small mouth remained gently closed, its rounded curve incredibly alluring.
It's truly baffling how such a bewitching beauty could possess such innocent and pure eyes; she's a combination of fairy and witch!
"Ahem, alright, now that there's no one else around, you should say something, right?"
I coughed lightly, looking back at her. "Since you've come out to seduce me, you should at least say something, shouldn't you?... Don't laugh, I'm talking about something very serious!"
The girl's eyes held a smile, and her small mouth opened slightly, but no matter what I said, she wouldn't speak, leaving me slightly disappointed. Could she really be mute?
However, the enchantresses of the "Soul-Stealing Sect" are always unpredictable; if I were to fall for their tricks and lose face, that wouldn't be good.
In a flash, I laughed, "Little sister, it's alright if you don't say anything. Come on, brother will take you home, and while I'm at it, I'll propose marriage to your family. We can then just stare at each other like this every day, it'll be so much fun!"
The alluring girl's large eyes darted around, not showing any anger, but rather a hint of amusement. Her pink lips parted slightly, "Little nephew, if you marry me, that would be incest..."
Hearing the girl speak for the first time, I was momentarily stunned. Her voice wasn't the clear, crisp kind, but rather a delicate hue with a touch of huskiness, clear and articulate with a hint of exoticism.
Considering her sky-blue eyes, I wasn't surprised. After all, with her foreign blood, it was understandable that her accent differed from that of ordinary people from Liufeng Kingdom. What
surprised me was the content of her words. Little nephew? When did I get such a senior aunt?
My master, Dongfang Daming, never mentioned having any junior or senior sisters... Besides, judging by her age, she's probably even younger than me. How could she have ever met Dongfang Daming?
Puzzled, I asked directly, "Little sister, do you know who my master is? It's not good to randomly claim kinship, you know. You'd be more like my future wife."
The alluring beauty raised an eyebrow slightly: "Who else in the Demonic Sect could train such a peerless and incredibly talented master, besides the equally brilliant Dongfang Daming of the 'Heavenly Demon Path'?"
Hearing her address, I understood immediately. This stunning beauty was definitely not from the Demonic Sect; she was very likely a master from their rival, the Holy Sect.
But why would a master from the Holy Sect address me as 'nephew'?
I smiled at her and said, "Little sister, stop teasing me. Who are you? What do you want? Tell me quickly... Or we can go back to my residence and discuss the truths of life."
The girl gave me a gentle, playful glare, her adorable appearance making me want to hug and kiss her.
"I have an eighth senior sister who started traveling the world about twenty-one years ago, and she disappeared not long after,"
the alluring girl said, looking at me. "On her person were three treasures given to her by our master: a medical book, a sword, and a token."
I gasped, my eyes losing all their playfulness, staring coldly at the stunningly beautiful girl, yet a suppressed excitement lurked within them.
The girl seemed oblivious to my change in expression: "The book's title is 'Heavenly Annihilation,' the sword's name is 'Absolute Heaven,' and the command is 'All Under Heaven'... My dear junior niece, do you think what I said is right?"
As she spoke, her eyes softened considerably, a gentle tenderness appearing on her alluring face. Though somewhat immature, it was pleasing to the eye.
Damn, how old is this girl anyway?
I temporarily set aside my speculation about her age; my mind was now filled with her words.
The three things the girl mentioned were all dug up from under the big pear tree in front of my house, buried by my mother herself years ago, and I was saved by "Heavenly Annihilation."
What excited me was that now, besides our family, finally someone knew about these three things, and knew they were in my possession.
Wait a minute.
I looked at the girl and said, "Little...girl, who told you these things were here with me?"
"Idiot..."
the girl pouted, her cute little mouth twitching. "Have you forgotten where you used that sword?"
Used the sword?
I suddenly realized. Last time I went to the Nangong family to cause trouble for the He clan experts, I had used the "Heavenly Absolute" soft sword. At that time, I was fighting against Nangong Wangjiang, the Duke of Lu of the Great Yuan Kingdom. Besides the Nangong family members, there were also...a monk, a Taoist priest, and a scholar watching the fight. These three were clearly members of the Holy Sect!
At that time, it was their words that made Nangong Wangjiang stop fighting me and let me leave the Nangong family's gate. Although I never thought I would lose to Nangong Wangjiang or Nangong Yuanyue, I still remembered this favor.
Now, considering that the girl in front of me was a member of the Holy Sect, they probably saw the "Heavenly Absolute" soft sword in my hand and thought I was a disciple of some senior member of the Holy Sect, which is why they helped me out!
"Young Master Lanting, you're flaunting my master's sword so ostentatiously; if I didn't know, I'd be incredibly foolish,"
the girl said with a smile. Her smile was so sweet that two adorable dimples appeared on her cheeks. "So, are you still going to call me little sister? Are you still going to go find my master, your grandmaster, to propose marriage?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
I whispered, then raised my voice, "Even if you know these three things belong to my mother, so what? What proof do you have that you…"
My voice trailed off as the girl unfolded a scroll from her bosom. On it stood a beautiful fairy by a tree, smiling gently. Although she looked a little younger than my mother in my father's secret chamber, I recognized her immediately—it was indeed a portrait of my mother.
My mother's portrait had always been hidden deep within my father's secret chamber, and even I couldn't see it often. In the entire Liu family, only my father, myself, and my wives had ever seen it; not even the little turtle or the little bird had ever seen it.
The fact that this stunningly beautiful young woman could produce a portrait of my mother in her youth truly proved that her relationship with my mother was extraordinary, and she might even be my mother's junior sister.
The alluring young woman, holding the portrait, was like a proud little peacock, gazing at the sky, ignoring me completely, her charm tinged with mischief.
This was revenge for my earlier calling her "little sister," a gesture of disrespect.
Looking at this incomparably beautiful young woman, a sudden realization dawned on me—I knew who she was!
"Junior...Junior nephew Liu Ri greets Junior Martial Aunt Guan Wan'er,"
I said, bowing politely with my hands clasped. This formality wasn't out of submission, but out of respect for my mother.

Chapter Seven: The Stunning
Beauty of the Holy Gate Hearing my address, although she still maintained her playful expression, a slight smile appeared on her lips, indicating that she was quite pleased to have won me over.
Yes.
She was Guan Wan'er. The
"Dragon Girl," Guan Wan'er, hailed as the second most beautiful woman in the martial arts world by the "Flower-Stunning Phoenix Ranking"!
Such unparalleled beauty, coupled with an alluring and charming demeanor, and the unparalleled martial arts skills of a disciple of the Holy Sect—who else could it be but Guan Wan'er?
The third-ranked Si Xiqiong is my chosen wife. I originally thought her stunning beauty and ethereal气质 were enough to make her the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world, but now, looking at Guan Wan'er, I realize that second place is indeed a step above third.
It's not that Guan Wan'er is prettier than Si Xiqiong; in fact, both beauties have their own unique charm. However, Guan Wan'er's seductive charm, compared to Si Xiqiong's otherworldly elegance, is more appealing to men—in the martial arts world of the last hundred years, enchanting women have always been more popular than saintly women!
"Good girl!"
Guan Wan'er looked at me with satisfaction, nodding slightly. "I thought you would use Ren Lanting's name to speak, but I didn't expect you to suddenly become so obedient. I won't hold it against you..."
I'm magnanimous, so I naturally didn't mind the little girl's smugness. I looked up at Guan Wan'er and said, "Little Martial Aunt, you came to find me this time because you wanted to find my mother, right?"
Knowing that Guan Wan'er was my mother's junior sister, I knew that my mother was a disciple of Wu Xing Shen Ni, one of the "Three Gods of the Holy Gate." In that sense, I could also be considered a disciple of the Holy Gate.
But all my martial arts clearly came from the "Heavenly Demon Path," which is the most orthodox demonic sect. This confusion is really a headache!
Guan Wan'er's innocent and pure eyes suddenly dimmed. After nodding again, she gently shook her head.
Just from this action, I understood that she already knew that my mother had already passed away.
Seeing my junior sister, whom I had never met before, looking so sad, I finally felt a little more sympathy for her.
"My mother never told my father about her origins, so he hasn't searched for her all these years."
I sighed slightly. "I never imagined that I would actually be the grand-disciple of the Dance Star Nun."
Even though Guan Wan'er was in a bad mood, she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly. "Hey, Liu Ri, why do I feel like you don't miss your mother at all?"
"How could I not miss her?"
My expression turned indifferent. "But, if I miss my mother, do I have to show a heartbroken expression in front of you? Little Martial Aunt, she's gone. All I can do is live a healthy and happy life and contribute to the prosperity of the Liu family. That's already the best way to remember and repay my mother."
Guan Wan'er's eyes lit up, then she sighed softly. "Amitabha, I was too attached. Little nephew, you're right. What you're doing is good. Your senior sister in heaven would be very happy for you."
If the old and steady Dance Star Nun had said these words, I would definitely have been moved by the care of an elder relative.
However, hearing such old-fashioned words coming from Guan Wan'er, a
young girl, made me a little indignant. Little sister, it's fine if you act like a junior nun for a while, but talking like that all the time, aren't you afraid of making yourself look old? Fortunately, the alluring beauty was just expressing her feelings, more like talking to herself, so she didn't notice my expression; otherwise, I might have been in trouble again.
After a bit of complaining, I gently asked about the important matter: "Junior nun, besides wanting to find my mother, did you come out this time to retrieve the three treasures for the Dance Star Nun?"
The three treasures must have been given to my mother by the Goddess of Dance Star for her travels. I already know the medical books "Heavenly Absolute" and "Beautiful Girl Sex Slave Group" by heart, so returning them to them wouldn't be a problem. Returning "All Under Heaven" and "Absolute Heaven" to them wouldn't affect me much either... What I care about is that no matter where these things came from, they were ultimately left to me by my mother, and they have great sentimental value. If possible, I want to keep them all.
"Hmph, how dare you call me 'Dancing Star Nun,' little niece!"
Guan Wan'er snorted lightly, giving me a seductive sidelong glance, and extended her jade finger: "Just thinking about it makes me angry! My eighth senior sister's son actually became the Daoist Master of the 'Heavenly Demon Path' of the Demonic Sect! If you continue to be so rude, I'll clean up the sect for my master first..."
I could tell she was trying to scare me, so I replied seriously, "Little Martial Aunt, I am an official of the imperial court. Whatever sect or martial arts I learn, it's all for the sake of the court. As for your Holy Demon War, it's not a problem for me at all, and I don't want to bother with such trivial matters."
The seductive beauty shook her head slightly, then chuckled. The martial world is indeed vast, but compared to the whole world, it's just a small part. Who dares to say that martial arts affairs are more important than imperial affairs? Who dares to move against a first-class duke of the imperial court for the sake of martial arts disputes?
The martial world, in the end, cannot compare to the fate of the nation!
"You always have so many excuses,"
Guan Wan'er said gently. "I already inquired before coming. You did very well, you didn't embarrass Eighth Senior Sister, nor did you embarrass Grandmaster..."
"If you didn't embarrass Grandmaster, then leave those three treasures to me!"
I said shamelessly.
"You little devil... trying to climb the social ladder..."
The charming girl gave me a sidelong glance, both amused and annoyed, then laughed to herself: "Alright... Master hasn't said anything, why would I accept your things? This time, Master only came out because she heard that the 'Dancing Star Sword' had reappeared. She missed Eighth Senior Sister, so she sent me to see... Who knew that the 'Dancing Star Sword' was probably just another name for the 'Heavenly Sword' by the Divine Nun."
Guan Wan'er's voice gradually lowered as she spoke. She hadn't even seen Eighth Senior Sister yet, and she had already received such bad news. The beautiful girl was also very upset.
Seeing the alluring beauty's expression warmed my heart, and I reached out to pat her shoulder. "Thank you for your concern, Junior Aunt. I'll visit Grandmaster on Wukong Island sometime, and also take care of my mother."
Just before my hand touched her, Guan Wan'er's innocent eyes sparkled, but quickly disappeared after I realized there was no other meaning.
Even though she was prepared, she still trembled slightly when I patted her shoulder, clearly uncomfortable with male contact.
"Junior Nephew,"
Guan Wan'er tried to make her voice sound normal, "I've come here for two reasons. First, to let you know Eighth Senior Sister's identity. Second, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Speak, Junior Aunt. I won't refuse anything Liu Ri can do,"
I nodded. Since we've become relatives, and I'm a high-ranking official and wealthy man, helping this stunningly beautiful young woman is only right. I, Liu Ri, am always very generous to beauties.
"It's not difficult for you,"
Guan Wan'er smiled charmingly, her allure instantly captivating. "This year, the number of refugees from the south has exceeded two million households, approximately ten million people. It's said that after spring, these people will be sent to Xiliang City or the three northwestern prefectures, but they're short of food along the way." "
Two million households?"
I exclaimed in astonishment. "Little Martial Aunt, you're not mistaken, are you? The information I received only indicated one million households!"
"Of course you're right... otherwise, why would I be here with you?"
The charming young woman said softly. "Those officials in the south are concealing the numbers; in reality, it's probably more than two million households."
"These bastards!"
I suddenly flew into a rage, a murderous aura emanating from me, causing the beautiful young woman standing beside me to raise an eyebrow.
She knew why I was angry.
According to the Ministry of Revenue's data, after spring, one million households, or six to seven million refugees, would gradually migrate from the southern prefectures to the three northwestern prefectures and Xiliang City.
The refugees had passed through eight prefectures along their journey. The Ministry of Revenue had strictly ordered the prefects of these eight prefectures to ensure a sufficient food supply during their passage, preventing large-scale starvation and public resentment. Violators would be immediately dismissed and severely punished, with serious offenses resulting in imprisonment.
The prefects had begun preparations to ensure a basic food supply by March or April of the following year.
After all, six or seven million people passing through the prefectures would take at least ten days, consuming a considerable amount of food, requiring diligent preparation.
However, the number of households had suddenly increased from one million to two million. Even with ample preparation, the prefects would face a severe shortage.
Therefore, all the prefects could do, besides trying to increase the food supply, was to harden their hearts and allow some of the weak and sick to starve. The imperial law stipulated one million households, but over a million left through their territory—what was there to fear? If anyone was to be held responsible, it would be the southern prefectures, not them!
The actions of the eight prefectural governors cannot be described as ruthless; rather, they were acting out of desperation. They couldn't very well allow themselves to incite public resentment and anger within their prefectures for the sake of these migrating refugees.
The blame truly lies with the governors of the southern prefectures, who conspired to commit such a despicable and shameless act.
One can only imagine how many of the two million households of refugees would survive in the Northwest?
At least two or three million would perish in this massive migration!
And upon arrival in the Northwest, neither I nor the governors of the three northwestern prefectures were prepared. The meager provisions originally intended for one million households of refugees—food, clothing, housing, and so on—would now be divided among 1.5 million households, or even more. How could that be enough?
The weather in the Northwest is different from that inland; the plateau is windy and colder. What a tragic scene it would be if a large number of refugees died from hunger and cold!
I can already imagine that among these two million displaced households, at least a third must be ordinary small farming families, barely making ends meet. They were forcibly relocated, and the land they left behind was naturally seized by landlords and nobles of all sizes.
By orchestrating this relocation, they dumped their burdens on the Northwest, while gaining countless tracts of land – a truly lucrative scheme!

Chapter Eight: The Dilemma
"Liu Ri, stop just cursing! Think about what to do!"
The alluring young woman said this as we entered the pagoda of a temple.
Temples are everywhere in the capital, and pagodas are indispensable within them. Guan Wan'er had clearly been to the top floor of this pagoda before, so she knew it well, and it was very clean, large enough for us to sit cross-legged.
Since we were going to discuss important matters, we couldn't do it in the middle of an alley; finding a quiet place to discuss it in detail was the right way.
The space on the top floor of the pagoda wasn't very large. After we sat down cross-legged facing each other, I could smell the faint fragrance emanating from the stunningly beautiful woman, instantly feeling refreshed and comfortable.
Guan Wan'er got down to business, and her way of addressing me became much more formal: "This information was painstakingly gathered by the masters of the Holy Sect, who expended a great deal of effort. Since I, their junior aunt, have promised to take charge of this matter on behalf of Master, I must do it well."
"My little darling!"
I gave a wry smile, disregarding all decorum: "Right now, I'm thinking about whether to seek refuge in the capital and return after the relocation is complete, not how to eagerly go back and end up in this huge mess!"
"Huh?"
"Dragon Girl" immediately flew into a rage, her innocent eyes widening sharply: "Liu Ri! Are you still the hero everyone praises? How could you say such irresponsible things? I...I...you bastard..."
Even in her fury, the alluring beauty possessed a unique charm, not at all repulsive.
However, this girl was still too innocent; she barely uttered any curses.
"Junior Aunt, I'm not afraid to speak frankly to you,"
I said seriously. "Given the current state of the Northwest and Xiliang City, accommodating one million households is already extremely difficult. If another 500,000 households or more are added, then, not to mention anything else, all the manpower and resources of the three Northwest prefectures will be tied up, and the situation won't improve for several years.
"But what's the situation in the Great Desert Grasslands now? You might not know, but let me tell you, the original three major forces in the Great Desert Grasslands have directly merged into two. After digestion and absorption, they will definitely launch a fierce attack on Xiliang City and even the three Northwest prefectures this summer and autumn. Without the support of the manpower and resources of the three Northwest prefectures, relying solely on Xiliang City, it will absolutely repeat the tragedy of Chen Fuyue this year."
"Not only will one or two million people around Xiliang City be burned, killed, and looted, but if the isolated and helpless Xiliang City is breached again, the entire Northwest Three Counties will be exposed to the hooves of the nomadic tribes. Not only will the more than one million migrant households suffer the same tragic fate as the people around Xiliang City, but all the original inhabitants of the Northwest Three Counties will also weep under the iron hooves of the barbarians... Is this the outcome you want to see?"
Listening to my words, Guan Wan'er, deep in thought, gradually bit her pink lips. Her innocence remained, but a deep sorrow had crept into her eyes.
"Dragon Girl" could become the representative of the Dancing Star Nun, traveling the world; she must be an excellent girl. If she couldn't understand this, it would be an insult to the Nun's intelligence in accepting disciples.
I described the future tragedy of the Northwest in a very cruel way, but Guan Wan'er knew that if two million migrant households were allowed to enter the Northwest, such a tragedy could truly happen.
The alluring young woman, being a woman of exceptional talent, quickly recovered from her predicament and actively sought solutions: "But there's still so much time until March or April. Can't we make some preparations in advance?"
I spread my hands: "It's not harvest season. Where are they supposed to find grain? Conjure it up?"
Guan Wan'er was somewhat indomitable: "This year, the South has had a bumper harvest. At least 10 billion catties of grain have been delivered to the national treasury. Adding the tributes from other places, there will be another 5 or 6 billion catties. Wouldn't it be enough to distribute some of that grain to the Northwest?"
"Little Martial Aunt, have you traveled the road from the South to the Northwest? Have you traveled the road from the three Northwest prefectures?"
I gestured to the map: "We plan to settle nearly one million households of refugees in the vast area south of Xiliang City. Half of the supplies will be consumed when transporting them from Guizhou Prefecture, the entrance to the three Northwest prefectures, to Xiliang City, not to mention the losses after transporting them from the other prefectures to Guizhou Prefecture."
"This massive grain consumption only applies to Xiliang City. The hundreds of thousands of refugees scattered across the three northwestern prefectures require a staggering amount of grain daily for two to three million people. If the northwest doesn't have enough grain, it will inevitably have to be transported from elsewhere, and this consumption will be calculated separately. For Xiliang City, the more refugees arrive, the heavier the burden on the three northwestern prefectures! If that day comes, even the most lenient officials in the northwest will probably hope that as few refugees as possible survive to reach the northwest."
I sighed, looking at the stunningly beautiful young woman shrouded in disappointment. "Little Aunt, this year's harvest is indeed bountiful, but the harvests of previous years weren't so good. The national grain reserves are almost empty… So, I guess the Emperor already knows what you're saying, but for the sake of national stability, he can only choose to pretend he doesn't! Otherwise, if all the grain is given to the refugees, how can the peace and security of the northeast, east, and southeast borders be guaranteed? If the country doesn't have any grain reserves, what will happen if there's a major famine next year?"
"Hmph, the nation's well-being, the nation's well-being!"
A trace of weariness and helplessness flashed in Guan Wan'er's eyes: "Can we ignore the lives of ten million people for the sake of these so-called righteous slogans? Are we just going to watch them leave this world in pain and despair? It's so cruel..."
The stunningly beautiful young woman thought she was doing something great for the country and its people, and that her somewhat dishonest but kind-hearted junior nephew would surely help enthusiastically. But after my explanation, she suddenly realized that things were not as simple as she thought, and there were sufficient reasons for both saving them and not saving them.
Saving the refugees would worsen the plight of the Northwest. If the grassland barbarians launched a fierce attack, the Northwest would be unable to withstand it. Even if they managed to hold off the grassland barbarians, Liufeng Kingdom's food reserves would be completely depleted. Once a disaster or other unforeseen event occurred, it would also cause great unrest.
If those poor refugees aren't rescued, then of the two million households who set out, under the government's intentional or unintentional policies, the number that actually reached the Northwest would be no more than one million. Even if they did reach the Northwest, they would face extremely harsh and difficult conditions; surviving even half would be considered fortunate.
Therefore, of the ten million who set out, probably less than three million would actually settle and survive in the Northwest—a truly shocking number!
Looking at the stunningly beautiful girl, who seemed utterly distressed, I opened my mouth but ultimately remained silent.
However, with Guan Wan'er's keen eyesight, how could she miss this detail? She swiftly reached out and grabbed my arm, but without applying any force: "Liu Ri, do you have a solution? Your analysis is so thorough, you must have a solution, right?"
My eyes lit up, and I reached out and grabbed Guan Wan'er's small hand: "I do have a solution, but it's very difficult to implement."
Despite being a martial arts practitioner, the girl's small hand was incredibly smooth and comfortable to hold.
Guan Wan'er glared at me, her delicate hand not retracting, letting me hold it: "What time is it? Still just trying to take advantage? You'd better come up with a good plan, or I won't forgive you for disrespecting your junior aunt!"
"I was just a little excited,"
I said with a smile, not letting go of her hand. I pondered for a moment and said, "The first method is the simplest and best. We should have the Emperor open the imperial treasury and donate 500 million gold coins to buy 20 billion catties of grain from those big landowners. That would be enough for the 10 million people during their migration and for a year's living expenses in the Northwest. Only when the court covers their living expenses for a year will these refugees not become a burden on the three counties of the Northwest. Once the first year of land reclamation is completed and grain is produced continuously, we can be self-sufficient."
Even though Guan Wan'er didn't understand prices, she gasped softly, "Do we need so much money? Do we need so much grain? Is grain that expensive?"
I said solemnly, "I suddenly feel a little cold. Why don't you sit down here, little aunt, so we can warm each other up? When I'm warm, my mind will be more agile, and I'll be able to answer your questions faster."
"You brat... I'll hit you..."
Guan Wan'er couldn't stand it anymore, and she didn't just say it. She immediately threw a small punch at me.
Thankfully, it didn't hurt much.
And her little hand, which I was holding, didn't show any signs of struggling.
After I finished, the alluring young woman glared at me angrily, her delicate body remaining still, before suddenly moving to my side and pressing herself tightly against me.
"Is that enough now?"
The stunningly beautiful girl breathed sweetly in my ear and said, "I'm warning you, you little rascal... If you can't come up with a good idea, I'll strip you naked and hang you on this pagoda so everyone can see how ugly Lanting Gong looks... I mean what I say!"
What a vicious little girl!
The thought quickly crossed my mind. Since I had already gotten the better deal, I answered her question: "Little Aunt, you're not in the court, so you don't understand its dynamics. Although the Emperor is the Son of Heaven, he can't act unilaterally, otherwise his three brothers would be happy to take his place. Therefore, when he needs grain beyond taxes, he has to buy it, and the price can't be set by him, it has to be determined by the market. Otherwise, if the Emperor demanded 10,000 catties of grain for one gold coin, or 10,000 catties of salt for one gold coin, wouldn't others go bankrupt? And all the civil and military officials in the court are large landowners. If the Emperor does this, it directly harms their interests. Do you think they would agree?
"Since it's a grain trade, the price will naturally fluctuate. Buying low and selling high is the only way for all merchants to make money. So, if the Emperor wants to buy 20 billion catties of grain, the price will inevitably be much higher than usual. Considering his status as the Emperor, I estimated it to be three times the usual price. This amount is absolutely not excessive, it's very fair."
"Hmm... I understand..."
Guan Wan'er nodded and said, "Let me explain why we need so much grain."
I continued in a gentle voice, "The migration of ten million people, given the hot weather in the south, can begin around February or March if we hurry. They include the elderly, children, and of course, able-bodied men and women. The elderly and children eat less, while the able-bodied men and women who work eat more. However, because they are constantly on the move, it's very physically demanding. So, on average, each person needs at least two jin of grain per day, which amounts to twenty million jin per day.
"Let's consider the distance. With the elderly and children, they won't be traveling very fast. It will take at least three months to travel from their place of origin to their destination, totaling nearly two billion jin of grain. If they were to carry this two billion jin of grain themselves, it would greatly slow down their progress. Therefore, the grain must be distributed to various counties. This doubles the loss, resulting in four billion jin of grain."
"When they arrive in the Northwest, the food supply should be prepared. So, during their migration, the remaining food would have to be transported gradually. Assuming at least one jin of food per person per day, they would need 4 billion jin of food per year. Considering the average loss of one-quarter of the food transported to the Northwest, a total of 16 billion jin of food would need to be transported. Adding the 4 billion jin already consumed, wouldn't that bring the total to exactly 20 billion jin of food?"
Guan Wan'er tilted her head and said, "But... isn't the loss and consumption a bit excessive? Can't we be more economical?"
"You've never done farm work. Farmers who actually work can easily eat two pounds of rice in one meal. Two or three pounds of rice a day is already very little, considering they have to take care of the people around them and carry things. After we got to the Northwest, I halved their allowance. The children and the elderly only need to consume the bare minimum, while the able-bodied men and women have to build houses, fertilize, sow seeds, and manage household chores. They absolutely cannot eat too little."
I scolded her sternly, "As for the losses from carrying things, that's been the case throughout history. The people who carry things also get a little something in return, and that should be included in the losses. But that's normal. If there's no benefit, who would do anything for you?"
"Oh..."
The alluring young woman wasn't angry at my scolding. She smiled and said, "Just like my mischievous little nephew, who insists on taking advantage of his little aunt before he'll help you..."
My face flushed, and I surprisingly didn't refute her.

Chapter Nine: A Solution
Guan Wan'er wasn't truly angry. She thought for a moment and said, "In your opinion, is it difficult for the Emperor to come up with 500 million gold coins?"
"Not difficult, but definitely not easy either,"
I replied without hesitation. "The Emperor has already spent several hundred million gold coins on rebuilding Xiliang City and the subsequent wars. The national treasury has been sluggish in recent years, constantly spending money. I estimate that after another billion or so gold coins, the treasury will be depleted. Just like we dare not touch the grain reserves, the Emperor can't possibly empty his coffers for these people, can he? How can such a large country survive without some reserves?"
"Damn it!"
The stunningly beautiful girl clenched her other fist. "If you piss me off, I'll rob all the rich people in the capital today! I refuse to believe that all the wealthy people in the capital combined don't even have three or five hundred million gold coins!"
As she spoke, her pink face displayed an incredibly charmingly naive expression. If a stranger saw her, they would think this exquisitely beautiful girl was joking, completely unaware that she truly had the ability to do what she said. I thought gleefully, "Now the rich people of the capital are in trouble. It would be best if this little sister robbed all the houses of the three princes, Prime Minister Wu, and, well, Grand Tutor Wan… It would be even better if all my enemies' houses were robbed clean! Haha, that would be truly satisfying!"
Just as I was about to volunteer to lead the way for my junior aunt and rob the rich to help the poor, the alluring beauty suddenly stared at me with her eyes wide open: "Hey, Liu Ri, if I remember correctly, your family is very wealthy. For the sake of the poor, why don't you donate some money..."
I was shocked: "Junior aunt, why do you say that? I have always been honest and upright, and very poor!"
"Very poor?"
Guan Wan'er snorted coldly: "I've heard so much about the wealth of Master Liu of Wushuang County that I'm sick of it... Even if we don't mention your father, when Xiliang City won a great victory a while ago, didn't the Emperor send your family 100 million gold coins as compensation for the mistreatment you suffered? I want that 100 million!"
"What! Who said I have 100 million?... Oh, this, this... Ah, junior aunt, we've already spent a lot of money, we don't have 100 million left..."
The reason my tough attitude changed instantly was because the alluring beauty leaned her head gently against my shoulder as soon as I finished speaking.
The orchid-like fragrance intensified instantly, making this hot-blooded young man's heart flutter, and he couldn't even finish his sentence.
Guan Wan'er sighed softly on my shoulder: "Junior nephew, I know a good person. Although donating so much will be a bit difficult, I, your junior aunt, have personally begged you, and you still won't agree? Hmm..."
The last syllable was uttered in a soft, nasal tone, like a soul-stirring sound, almost making my whole body go numb. Damn, this natural charm is truly amazing!
"Junior aunt, it's not that I don't agree, it's just that my wives have already spent more than half of this hundred million gold coins."
As I spoke, I took the opportunity to put my arm around the alluring beauty's smooth, creamy waist. Guan Wan'er trembled slightly but didn't pull away.
I wasn't lying this time. My wives had received such a large sum of money, and naturally they were very generous. They not only bought a lot of expensive materials and equipment but also gave the workers a big red envelope. In just over a month, fifty million gold coins had been spent like water, and I had to admire their generosity.
Guan Wan'er felt a slight disappointment upon hearing this. If I offered a hundred million gold coins, that would be ideal. Even if she were to steal from every wealthy family in the capital without harming anyone, she probably wouldn't be able to steal much.
Feeling exhausted, she didn't stop my intimacy; instead, her weariness made her want to lean on a broad shoulder.
"However, while I can only offer fifty million gold coins, I have a way to save at least a hundred million gold coins in the entire grain transport process!"
If my previous words had dampened the alluring beauty's spirits, these words were like a turning point, instantly lifting her spirits.
The stunning girl abruptly left my shoulder, her innocent eyes filled with joy and excitement. "What way? Tell me quickly…"
Guan Wan'er's unintentional display of charm, a blend of coquettishness and innocence, astounded even me, a seasoned beauty. I was amazed that Heaven had truly blessed us with such a stunningly beautiful girl.
Among my wives, only Shen Yuanyuan could rival her in beauty.
If the second most beautiful woman in the martial arts world is this stunning, then who is the first?
Dugu Xiaohua!
I must see for myself just how beautiful she is, that she can even outshine a super beauty like Guan Wan'er.
"Hey... Liu Ri..."
The alluring beauty noticed my distraction and knew I was looking at her, so she gently nudged me with her small hand: "It's time to talk about serious matters... don't get distracted..."
Coming back to my senses, I looked at the alluring beauty before me, and unconsciously tightened my grip on Guan Wan'er's arm, causing her to pout. But to get me to reveal my solution, the beauty offered no resistance.
I didn't speak at first, but channeled my inner energy into my hands, my fingers drawing deep marks on the solid ground. The clueless girl stared for a while before realizing I was drawing a map.
After drawing the map, I traced its lines on the ground and said, "Look, this place is the Yu River between Yu Mu Prefecture and Yu Jiang Prefecture. In spring and autumn, traveling west from the Yu River by boat, it takes at least ten days to reach Guizhou Prefecture in Longliang County. If all the grain is transported by boat instead of by land, the losses will be reduced by half, which means at least four billion catties of grain will be saved, worth one hundred million gold coins."
Guan Wan'er looked at the map I drew carefully, and began to calculate in her mind. Soon, a breathtakingly charming smile appeared on her face. The next moment, the little girl twisted her body, broke free from my embrace, and moved to the side.
"Junior niece, you're quite clever..."
Guan Wan'er exclaimed. "Excellent, excellent! This way, we only need to raise 350 million gold coins."
"You shouldn't be so ungrateful!"
I said helplessly, looking at the smiling beauty. "Sit back down!"
"I'm not that stupid..."
the alluring beauty retorted coquettishly. "I'm already annoyed that you've taken advantage of me. If you keep doing this, I'm afraid I'll lose my temper and beat you up..."
"You're undermining my confidence,"
I suddenly laughed. "Junior aunt, you'd better come back obediently. Do you really think that my method will save 100 million gold coins?"
"No way?"
The alluring young girl raised her eyebrows, glaring at me with undeniable cuteness. "Don't think I'm naive. I know the distance between Yujiang and Guizhou Prefecture! It'll definitely take ten days! Not only will it save time, but also manpower and resources. We can definitely save a hundred million gold coins... I can ask the Emperor in my master's name to change the transportation method. Isn't that just a matter of a word?"
"Haha, little aunt, you're so naive!"
I laughed. "The Emperor can indeed change the transportation method, but if we go so rashly, you'll find that Yujiang is too silted up and the waterway is too narrow for large ships to pass through. Saving food and money will be nothing but empty words!"
"Can't pass? Are you kidding me?"
The girl's chest trembled with anger, her teeth clenched on her pink lips. She looked like she'd been bullied, delicate and pitiful. "Who told you to betray me like that? I hadn't even finished speaking before you showed your true colors..."
I scratched my head, feeling a pang of sadness looking at Guan Wan'er's distressed expression.
"You're a big pervert...you just want to take advantage of me..."
Guan Wan'er continued her accusation, "You call me 'Little Martial Aunt' on the surface, but you don't treat me like your Little Martial Aunt at all!"
"Well...I do treat you like family, but you're so young and beautiful, even younger than me. How can I treat you like an elder? Wouldn't that make the stunningly beautiful Guan Wan'er sound old?"
I said honestly, "I think it's better to treat you like a cute little sister."
"Ugh!"
Guan Wan'er spat, "I'm eighteen this year, and you're not even eighteen yet. Who's older and who's younger?"
"Little Martial Aunt, age isn't the deciding factor in how you address someone. Among my wives, there are some who are older than me, and they still call me brother."
I said with a grin, "Alright, sit back down. It's easier to talk when we're closer."
"If you dare to only say half of what you mean again...I, I'll beat you into a pig's head!"
Guan Wan'er swung back down next to me and threatened fiercely.
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'm a very honest person, I won't lie."
I skillfully hugged the little beauty again: "Actually, I've already discussed this matter before. Before returning to the capital, I talked with Zhao Kang, the prefect of Liangli County, about dredging the waterway and restoring shipping..."
I told Guan Wan'er about my discussion with Zhao Kang. The charming beauty frowned repeatedly. She couldn't believe that such a good thing that would benefit the country and its people would not be initiated because it involved the interests of various counties along the way.
"So you mean, unless we spend four hundred million gold coins to dredge it, this waterway won't work?"
Guan Wan'er gave me a charming sidelong glance. "Liu Ri, you wicked fellow! To save one hundred million gold coins, you're going to spend four hundred million? You're going to do such a losing business?"
"Actually, these officials are too short-sighted. They only think about the huge investment, not about how much tax revenue will be generated after this river is built, connecting the three northwestern prefectures with the interior. It's a river flowing with gold coins!"
I ignored the girl's anger and sighed. "Besides, where would we need four hundred million gold coins? It's all because these incompetent and greedy guys raised the price. If it were an honest and capable official, one hundred million gold coins would be enough for the initial operation, opening up at least half of the transport volume!"
Guan Wan'er shook her head repeatedly: Two hundred million for one hundred million, still not enough! "
Little Martial Aunt, that's why I said you don't understand social etiquette."
I smiled and turned to look at the alluring face so close to mine, saying, "There are hundreds of merchants and trading companies, numbering in the thousands, traveling between the Northwest and the Inland. If we use the taxes from this waterway as collateral and offer them a 50% tax reduction on their goods on the Yujiang waterway, do you think these merchants and shops would lend us some money?"
"Oh!"
The beautiful girl's heart skipped a beat. Excited, she turned to express her excitement, but her lips accidentally brushed against mine. The smooth, sweet taste of her pink lips lingered in my mind.
"You did that on purpose!"
The "Dragon Girl" was furious, her face flushed red. It was clear she was very bothered by this misunderstanding!
Judging from her current posture, she seemed ready to fight me if I couldn't explain myself.
I was delighted with this unexpected good fortune, but fighting this celestial beauty was no laughing matter.
I coughed lightly a few times, and said righteously, "Alright, alright, we're all people of the martial world, let's not dwell on these misunderstandings. You're the dignified successor of the Divine Nun, how can you be so petty?"
"Petty?"
Even Guan Wan'er, with her gentle nature, couldn't help but punch me in the chest, saying bitterly, "You bastard... you took such a huge advantage and you're still making sarcastic remarks... I, I..."
"Junior Aunt!"
I faced her, holding her smooth little hands in my own. "If I really wanted to take advantage of you, I would have just kissed you. Why go through all this trouble? Why don't you trust me at all?"
"I don't believe you..."
Guan Wan'er struggled, but she couldn't escape my tight grip on her hands, and the alluring beauty gasped in anger.
"Little Martial Aunt, stop being naughty. Let's get back to business."
I immediately used my distraction technique: "The dredging of the waterway should be done sooner rather than later. Also, you need to report to the Emperor immediately regarding the merchants' credit collateral. Only with the Emperor's approval can we start construction sooner and provide more security for the displaced people."
"Hmm..."
Although Guan Wan'er knew I was trying to distract her, she really felt that this matter couldn't be delayed. However, she wasn't without questions: "Why should I be the one to report to the Emperor? What's the point of your title, Lord Lanting?"
"My dear little aunt! With your excellent connections, don't you know the Emperor already has suspicions about me?"
I squeezed her delicate hand tighter, and said with a wry smile, "On the surface, I'm his wife's nephew, but in reality, who would dare to completely trust an outsider to command hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened soldiers and millions of civilians? Even the most honest emperor wouldn't dare to be so careless. If I bring up the Yujiang waterway again, and he suspects I want to seize control of the gold route and acquire huge sums of money, wouldn't that backfire and delay the opening of the waterway even further?"
Guan Wan'er smiled slightly and agreed, "It seems the Emperor won't fully trust you until you become his son-in-law! Alright, I'll talk to him about it, but you still need to hand over your fifty million gold coins... Also, you need to do a good job with the support work in the Northwest, otherwise... I'll tell your grandmaster about how you harassed me today; she hates lecherous scoundrels the most!"
"Wouldn't that be a bit too harsh?"
A black line appeared on my face. Even if I had the highest opinion of myself, I wouldn't be so arrogant as to think I could defeat Wu Xing Shen Ni, one of the "Three Gods of the Holy Gate" who had been famous for decades. That would be pure suicide!
"If you don't do well, you can try..."
The alluring "Dragon Girl" smiled sweetly, her small hand freeing itself from my grasp: "Little nephew, then we'll see you next time..."
Her voice faded, and the stunningly beautiful girl's figure had already disappeared from the top of the pagoda, leaving only her lingering fragrance beside me.
Damn it, I, Liu Ri, will definitely not let such a super alluring beauty go!
What little aunt?
I don't care about that!
I only know that I must hold Guan Wan'er in my arms and cherish her for the rest of my life!
Looking at the direction she flew away, a smile appeared on my lips.

Chapter Ten: The Heavenly Dragon Golden Token
It was almost noon, in Empress Ren's palace.
Last night, Emperor Kangzong was in high spirits and drank a few extra cups. Fueled by the alcohol, His Majesty the Emperor and Empress Ren engaged in a passionate lovemaking session, leaving the Empress unable to get up and himself waking up very late.
While sipping his nourishing red date, goji berry, and corn porridge, and thinking of the Empress still fast asleep, Kangzong couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. A man in his forties still so vigorous—he was truly well-preserved!
"Your Majesty!"
Outside the small dining hall, the head eunuch rushed in, presenting something with both hands: "Someone wishes to see you."
The head eunuch was Kangzong's confidant and very loyal, so Kangzong treated him kindly, jokingly asking, "Who could have made you so excited?"
The head eunuch held the object closer: "Your Majesty, look what this is."
In the head eunuch's hands was a palm-sized gold plaque. On the front was engraved a powerful golden dragon, and on the back were the four large characters "As if I were personally present."
Without needing a second look, Emperor Kangzong knew this was the genuine "Heavenly Dragon Gold Medal."
Many people don't know that there isn't just one "Heavenly Dragon Gold Medal." Besides the one given to him, Emperor Kangzong had already gifted another identical "Heavenly Dragon Gold Medal" to the guardian nun of Liufeng Kingdom, the Star-Winging Nun.
Emperor Kangzong thought: If Liu Ri had come to the palace, he certainly wouldn't have been so obedient as to ask the head eunuch to report, so… the origin of this "Heavenly Dragon Gold Medal" would be obvious.
Thinking of this, Kangzong's spirits lifted: "Who is it? Has the Divine Nun come in person?"
The head eunuch shook his head: "It doesn't seem like the Divine Nun. She's veiled, and her demeanor is like that of a young girl."
"Oh, then that must be the Divine Nun's personal disciple."
Kangzong nodded, a hint of regret in his voice: "Go and invite her to the pavilion over there. I'll be right there."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A short while later, dressed neatly, Kangzong, accompanied by a group of palace maids, entered the pavilion in Empress Ren's palace.
The pavilion was located in a small artificial lake within the palace grounds. A path had been built through the middle of the lake, placing the pavilion in the very center. It wasn't enclosed on all sides, offering a fantastic view. Kangzong and Empress Ren often composed poems here, further strengthening their affection.
As soon as he entered the pavilion, Kangzong saw the back of a young girl in a snow-white dress, gazing at the distant lake view.
Hearing him enter, the girl turned around. Her beautiful figure was framed by a snow-white veil, revealing only a pair of captivating, sky-blue eyes.
Kangzong had seen many beauties, and just one glance at the girl's eyes told him that she not only possessed foreign blood but was also incredibly beautiful… However, while curious about her exact beauty, Kangzong didn't intend to let her remove the veil. Firstly, he was the ruler of a nation and wouldn't be so shallow; secondly, behind the girl was his protector, the Goddess Wu Xing, whom he absolutely couldn't afford to offend.
The young woman bowed slightly and said in a slightly husky, charming voice, "This commoner, Guan Wan'er, greets Your Majesty. I send my regards on behalf of my master and wish Your Majesty good health!"
Emperor Kangzong laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Thank you for your greetings, Divine Nun! I would also appreciate it if Miss Guan could convey my regards to you upon your return... Here, you may take back the 'Heavenly Dragon Gold Token' for now."
The young woman agreed and took back the "Heavenly Dragon Gold Token." Emperor Kangzong invited her to sit down, and a palace maid placed a small stove and hot tea on the table and poured tea for the two of them.
Emperor Kangzong looked at Guan Wan'er and said, "Miss Guan, you must be the 'Dragon Girl' known in the martial arts world? I've heard that you're not only beautiful but also highly skilled in martial arts, having received the true teachings of the Divine Nun."
Guan Wan'er smiled modestly, "Your Majesty, I am but a plain-looking woman, hardly beautiful. As for martial arts, I am quite insignificant among my master's many disciples. It's just that my other senior sisters are busy practicing martial arts and studying Buddhism, so only I have ventured out into the world."
"You're being too modest, aren't
you?" Emperor Kangzong waved his hand, "Miss Guan, don't be so cautious. The Divine Nun is my teacher, so you are essentially my daughter. There's no need for so many formalities in front of me."
"That's Your Majesty's modesty, but my master told me never to lose my duty as a subject."
Guan Wan'er smiled and said, "Along my journey, I've seen that Liufeng Kingdom is very peaceful and prosperous under Your Majesty's rule. When I tell my master about it, she will surely admire Your Majesty greatly."
"Haha! You little rascal, you're just like my daughter. If you try to sweet-talk me, nothing good will ever come of it."
Emperor Kangzong shook his head, took a sip of tea, and said, "You wouldn't come to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason, you must have something to ask of me. Speak, let me see what it is!"
The palace steward, standing outside the pavilion, listened to Kangzong's words and sighed inwardly.
Kangzong's politeness wasn't just superficial; this tone and attitude were something he only showed to his daughter. From this, the palace steward knew that Kangzong truly respected the Guardian Nun, and thus naturally treated this beloved disciple of the Nun as a junior.
This was a rare thing for an emperor!
Despite her young age, Guan Wan'er was very clever. She didn't become casual because of Kangzong's attitude; on the contrary, she became even more respectful.
After hesitating for a moment, Guan Wan'er said softly, "Today, I have come with a request, a request I would like to make of Your Majesty."
Kangzong nodded, continued drinking his tea, and gestured with his other hand for her to continue.
Guan Wan'er skillfully said, "This time, I first traveled to the south, and saw that several counties in the south were preparing for a large-scale migration, with a very large population... After talking with the elders of the Holy Gate, I discovered that in the preparation for this migration, these southern officials showed signs of deceiving the court and the emperor!" "
Deceiving?"
Kangzong frowned, "Miss Guan, please explain in more detail."
Guan Wan'er said softly, "Originally, they reported to the court that one million households of displaced people who had lost their farmland were allowed to migrate to the Northwest Plateau to reclaim farmland and continue their lives. But according to the statistics of the elders of the Holy Gate, the actual number of people ordered to migrate by local officials after the beginning of this year reached two million households, with a total population of over ten million!"
"What?"
Before Kangzong could speak, a clear and beautiful voice suddenly came from outside, and then a stunningly beautiful young woman walked in quickly. Wearing a simple palace dress, she exuded a natural noble aura.
In fact, Guan Wan'er already knew when the young girl stopped outside the pavilion, but she pretended not to know. Now, upon seeing the girl, she gracefully rose and respectfully said, "Guan Wan'er greets Princess Yongyue."
The person who came was Yun Fu.
She originally wanted to ask her father, the Emperor, about something, but was told that Kangzong was receiving guests. When she reached the door and saw the palace eunuch on guard, she thought it was something serious, so she stood aside to wait. Unexpectedly, she overheard Guan Wan'er's complaint.
"Sister Wan'er, no need for formalities..."
Yun Fu smiled slightly, returned the greeting, and then turned to the frowning Kangzong and said, "Father, look at what those officials in the south are doing! The Prince of Tang and the Prince of Zhennan are really going too far! If they continue to cause trouble like this, not only will the people suffer, but the country will also be unstable!"
Hearing his beloved daughter's words, a hint of helplessness flashed in Kangzong's eyes. Guan Wan'er keenly caught this expression, and the beautiful girl smiled slightly to herself. The little rascal had really calculated it accurately; the Emperor already knew about this.
Even Guan Wan'er herself hadn't expected to run into Yun Fu, and Yun Fu immediately pinpointed the crux of the matter, leaving Kangzong with no way to evade the issue.
In fact, Kangzong was thinking exactly the same thing, wondering, "Daughter, what are you doing here now? What could have been a simple excuse is now impossible to refuse."
Kangzong knew about the actual number of relocated households—two million—longer than anyone thought, but aside from smashing a few vases and writing implements, he had no other recourse.
Besides the reasons I've analyzed, there was another reason why Kangzong dared not expose this.
The south and southeast were the spheres of influence of the Prince of Zhennan, and the southwest was the sphere of influence of the Prince of Tang. These two princes already wielded considerable power there. If Kangzong were to strictly order the wealthy merchants and officials of the south to forbid them from joining the relocated civilians, it would surely force them all to the two princes, making them even more difficult to control!
If two million households were to be relocated, the officials, gentry, and wealthy individuals who would benefit from the rebellion would be utterly unwilling to join the two princes in their uprising, fearing the loss of their immense gains. They might even distance themselves from them—have you ever seen a beggar rebel? Have you ever seen a wealthy man rebel? Those with assets always prioritize stability.
This would increase the number of people in the south loyal to the royal family and the court, creating a standoff with the two princes and maintaining the stability of Liufeng Kingdom.
As emperor, Kangzong had to consider the overall stability. Therefore, although he deeply resented these innocent people leaving their homes and embarking on a journey destined to be littered with bones, he had no choice but to do so… It was a choice born of necessity.
Looking at his indignant daughter, Kangzong was pleased that she cared about national affairs, but he was also troubled. How could he explain to her what it truly meant for an emperor to consider?
He knew his daughter was kind-hearted, and if she heard his perspective, she would surely be disappointed in her father, a prospect he certainly didn't want to see.
Just as Kangzong was unsure how to begin, Guan Wan'er seized the opportunity to speak, saying, "Your Majesty, I am not knowledgeable about these court affairs, but thanks to Prince Lanting's guidance, I have found a way to resolve the big trouble caused by these officials with minimal effort."
"Prince Lanting?"
Kangzong murmured the name, a smile playing on his lips. He suddenly understood why the nun's disciple dared to come to him; she had not only caused this huge problem but also brought a solution!
He knew that, as Guan Wan'er said, the monks and Taoists in the south had investigated thoroughly, and such matters were not too difficult for them.
However, resolving this major problem was beyond the capabilities of those monks and Taoists who only knew how to chant scriptures and worship the Three Pure Ones. Prince Lanting, Liu Ri, was always full of clever ideas, and it was not impossible for him to come up with some strange and unusual solution.
Yun Fu blinked her large eyes slightly, and instead of trying to persuade her father further, she turned her attention to the veiled girl.
Guan Wan'er certainly didn't want Emperor Kangzong to misunderstand what she was about to say, so she betrayed me from the very beginning, and felt perfectly justified in doing so.
"Dragon Girl" first took out a sketch, then, with an innocent expression, mimicked my earlier actions, pointing and saying, "Lord Lanting racked his brains to alleviate the pressure on the court caused by supplying goods to the three northwestern prefectures. Finally, he thought of the Yu River between Yumu Prefecture and Yujiang Prefecture. If goods from the north and east could be transported from here to the three northwestern prefectures, at least half the losses would be reduced.
"Although the Yu River is still not dredged, and the funds needed for dredging and maintenance are substantial, Lord Lanting thought that the horses, cattle, sheep, and their products from the three northwestern prefectures are highly sought-after goods inland. If the Yu River could be opened as a commercial waterway, with river taxes as collateral, and even with a one- or two-year tax reduction for merchants using the river, not only would the funding for dredging and maintenance be no problem, but we could also raise a large sum of money to purchase large quantities of grain from landlords and wealthy farmers for the daily needs of the two million relocated households."
"Brilliant!"
Yunfu exclaimed happily. "My lover's ability to resolve this problem so cleverly is truly remarkable,"
Kangzong thought, nodding repeatedly. His expression, which had been intently studying the map, gradually softened. "
This method is indeed feasible. It can take care of these refugees without affecting the interests of others. This young man has indeed improved a lot!"
Guan Wan'er was delighted by their reaction and continued, "Lord Lanting has calculated that although the prefects of each county have quoted high prices for dredging, if he were to handle the entire process, it would only cost a maximum of one hundred million gold coins. As for purchasing grain, raising five hundred million gold coins would be enough to buy at least two hundred billion catties of grain, sufficient for the needs of two million households for a year."
"Hmph, do you think 100 million gold coins wouldn't be enough for me even if I didn't use him?"
Seeing the girl's reverence for Liu Ri and her daughter's infatuated expression, Kangzong felt a pang of discomfort. "I will entrust the dredging and reorganization to the Ministry of Works. Miss Guan, you can see for yourself; the cost will definitely be less than what Ren Lanting spent."
Guan Wan'er smiled slightly. "Your Majesty is wise and has a comprehensive command of the situation, which is naturally beyond what Lanting can compare to."
Kangzong regained the upper hand and was overjoyed. He continued, "As for 500 million gold coins to buy 20 billion catties of grain, Ren Lanting really doesn't understand production! Autumn grain is always less than summer grain. To prevent drought and flooding the following year, usually no one is willing to sell autumn grain on a large scale. Buying grain on a large scale, one gold coin can buy at least 150 catties of rice in summer, but only 30 catties in autumn. 500 million gold coins would only buy 15 billion catties. Is he going to make up for the rest for the refugees?"
"Ah? 500 million isn't enough?"
The veiled girl cooperated by showing a disappointed expression.
"Heh heh, if Ren Lanting were to buy it, 500 million gold coins wouldn't be enough. But if the imperial court, if I were to do it, let alone 20 billion jin, I could buy 25 billion jin!"
Emperor Kangzong said with a hint of smugness. While accepting the veiled girl's surprised and admiring gaze, he also glanced at his daughter, thinking: 'See? Your father is more capable than your man!' Yun Fu, however, did not show the joy and admiration he had imagined. Instead, her delicate brows furrowed. "Father," she said, "I heard that at the end of last month, several large merchant houses from the Great Yuan Kingdom, for some reason, joined forces to come to our south and buy up a large amount of grain..." "
What?"
This time, not only was the "Dragon Girl" dumbfounded, but even Emperor Kangzong's expression changed drastically. "How come I didn't know? Yun Fu, where did you hear this from?"
Yun Fu sighed, but her tone became increasingly certain. "It was a message sent back by the secret agents of the Privy Council. At the same time, more than a dozen groups of people found out about this matter, so it shouldn't be wrong. At the time, my mother and I thought that we had a bumper harvest of grain, and selling some wouldn't be a big problem, so we didn't interfere much. Who knew they were harboring malicious intentions!"
"These bastards! They deserve to die!"
As the emperor, Emperor Kangzong naturally immediately understood what Yun Fu was referring to.
The merchants of the Great Yuan Kingdom must have known in advance that two million households would be relocated, and they also knew that the Liufeng Kingdom would eventually take care of the refugees' lives, so they bought the grain in advance, intending to sell it back to the Liufeng Kingdom's court at a high price.
It was obvious without guessing that this information must have been leaked by officials and gentry colluding with merchants from the Great Yuan Kingdom. Only through inside-outside cooperation could they have seized such a opportune moment.
Guan Wan'er's face, hidden beneath her veil, immediately changed color.
Merchants from the Great Yuan Kingdom were the most greedy of all. If this grain fell into their hands, let alone five hundred million gold coins, even ten billion gold coins might not be enough to buy the required two hundred billion catties of grain!
Raising five hundred million gold coins was already so difficult; what if it required ten billion, or even more… The "Dragon Girl" dared not think any further, fearing that the more she thought about it, the more pessimistic and distressed she would become.
"These parasites! They have no respect for the emperor and the court!"
Emperor Kangzong cursed angrily. His future son-in-law had finally come up with a solution, only to find it wouldn't work. How could this not disappoint His Majesty, who had just been overjoyed?
"Father, scolding them now is pointless. Let's think about how to gather 20 billion catties of grain,"
Yunfu hesitated. "How about we squeeze some out of the warehouses?"
"No!"
Kangzong refused without hesitation. "Yunfu, it's not that your father is heartless, but this grain is for next year's 'Golden Dragon Legion.' The country has had poor harvests these past few years, and the 'Golden Dragon Legion' has been tightening their belts. If we don't provide them with some grain reserves, what will they do to defend the borders if something happens? This concerns the life and death of Liufeng Kingdom; it absolutely cannot be used!"
Yunfu already knew that Kangzong wouldn't dare take out the grain already in the warehouses, so she didn't press the matter further. "Then… let's use the Yujiang waterway as collateral, plus tax exemption, to borrow more."
"Still no!"
Kangzong rejected it again. "The Yujiang waterway hasn't even started operating yet, and we don't know how the business will turn out. Borrowing 600 million gold coins based on the current promises is already difficult enough; borrowing another 700 or 800 million—no one would be that foolish!"
"Father! This won't work, that won't work, do we really have to go to the Great Yuan Kingdom and steal the grain back?"
Yunfu said in distress.
As soon as she finished speaking, Yunfu noticed a flash of excitement on Kangzong's face.
Sensing something amiss, Princess Yunfu looked warily at Emperor Kangzong: "Father, your smile is strange. What are you thinking?"
Under his daughter's suspicious gaze, Kangzong's smile widened, and he burst into laughter: "My dear daughter, what am I thinking? I'm just in Qiumo. Stealing grain is impossible, so let's send someone to the Great Yuan Kingdom to buy grain! But this task is particularly arduous, requiring someone of both virtue and talent, and skilled in martial arts!"
Yunfu felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this: "Father...you...you can't be a scoundrel..."
With Wan'er present, Kangzong was naturally unafraid of what his daughter might say, but he didn't hesitate: "What scoundrel am I? Your cousin, Ren Lanting, is loyal and courageous, the perfect person to handle this! Don't worry, Father won't mistreat him. When he returns successfully after completing the mission, I will promote him and reward him handsomely!"
Yunfu was so angry that she wanted to pick up the cup on the table and smash it at her unscrupulous father. Do you really think my man is a god?
Sending him wherever there's danger, sending him wherever there's difficulty! "Didn't you think about your daughter's happiness?"
The father and daughter stared at each other, while Guan Wan'er secretly chuckled: "Hmph, you brat, serves you right for taking advantage of your little aunt! Be a good girl and do good deeds!" "Achoo!"
At the same time, I suddenly sneezed while walking on the main road of the mansion.
How strange, the weather isn't cold at all!
I shook my head and continued walking. I'll have to drink a few more bowls of mutton soup later!

Chapter Eleven:
Better Luck Than Bad Luck "Why do you suddenly want to drink mutton soup for lunch?"
Shen Yuanyuan asked as she placed a large bowl of mutton soup in front of me.
The cooks in the Lanting Duke's mansion were temporarily transferred from the imperial kitchen, so making a bowl of mutton soup was naturally no problem for them. In addition, mutton was a staple dish during the New Year and other festivals, so it was prepared and delivered in no time.
Emperor Kangzong was quite generous to his officials. During festivals, he would send his imperial chefs to the homes of important officials to prepare banquets for them, so that they could save face in front of their relatives and friends. It is unknown whether Empress Ren and Yunfu came up with this idea, but it was very effective, and the officials were very grateful to the emperor for doing so.
After taking a few sips of the steaming mutton soup, I gestured for my beautiful wife to sit on my lap. Holding her soft body, I sighed contentedly, "I don't know why, but I suddenly felt a bit cold. Plus, I had mutton soup this morning, so I felt warm and wanted another bowl."
Shen Yuanyuan simply picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of fatty mutton, dipped it in the sauce, and fed it to me. "How is it? Do you think the homemade version is better, or the street vendor's?"
After swallowing the mutton, I smiled and said, "The homemade mutton soup uses very high-quality ingredients and is made with great care, so it tastes excellent. But sitting on the street, eating authentic, hearty mutton soup while watching the bustling street scene, has a different kind of charm… Honey, since we're free these days, I'll take you out for a trip sometime."
"Hmm…"
The stunningly beautiful woman was overjoyed. To her, money and wealth meant nothing. After avenging herself, her greatest wish was to live with the man she loved forever, and then have a whole bunch of babies to add to the bloodlines of the Shen and Liu families—that would be a truly blissful life.
Shen Yuanyuan knew that she held a very important place in my heart, even no less than the "Beautiful Girl Sex Slave Group" that had always followed me. She didn't crave to have her husband all to herself, but being loved and cherished by the man she loved still made the stunningly beautiful woman feel sweet inside.
While we were eating, the "Beautiful Girl Sex Slave Group," Wenwen, the Jinggong sisters, Chunya, and Qiubi, hearing that I had returned, all rushed over, crowding the small hall and making it very lively.
"You've come at the right time. I have something to tell you."
I finished the rest of the mutton soup in a few gulps and then said, "When I went out just now, I met someone..."
I told Guan Wan'er about what had just happened. When they heard that two million households would suffer the hardship of displacement, all the wives frowned slightly, showing great sympathy.
Rou'er, the most soft-hearted of them all, said directly, "Master, why don't we just pay for this? We won't have to go through the trouble of borrowing money from merchants!"
I was startled: "My dear Rou'er, that's five hundred million gold coins! Where would we get that much money?"
Lian'er rolled her eyes at me: "Master, have you forgotten? The treasure left by Master was estimated by Ruyi Pavilion to be worth three billion fifty-eight million gold coins."
I almost grabbed the plump, curvy girl and gave her a good beating: "Baby, that's an estimate! It's not like we actually have that many gold coins. Now you're in a hurry to sell it all at once, who has that much money to take it? Besides, you've already checked, a lot of the items inside were reported to the authorities after being stolen. If we take them out, people will know I have stolen goods in my house, wouldn't that be terrible?"
"Oh... I see!"
The plump, curvy girl showed no remorse, raising her head and saying, "Master, you're so stupid... why don't we just choose the items that weren't reported to the authorities and sell them?"
"My clever and lovely little wife Lian'er, do you know which cases have been reported to the authorities and which haven't? Do you know the details of all the cases reported to the authorities in Liufeng Kingdom's dozens of prefectures and hundreds of counties, as well as in Dayuan Kingdom and Huayun Kingdom?"
As I spoke, I gestured with my hand towards her. "My darling, if we were still in Wushuang County, it wouldn't matter how we sold them, but now I'm the Duke of Lanting, and countless people are waiting to cause me trouble. I can't afford to be careless!"
"Ah, how troublesome!"
Lian'er playfully stuck out her little tongue. "Never mind, Master, I'll leave it to you to handle!"
"Giggle..."
The other wives couldn't help but laugh at the charming little girl.
However, despite the laughter, when they remembered the practical problems, the wives came up with a solution for me.
"How about this," Lan'er said, "the stepmothers manage about 100 million gold coins in cash. We can use more jewelry and antiques as collateral to exchange for it."
"Adding that to our remaining 50 million gold coins, we can make it 150 million."
"No, no..."
Xiao Li quickly stopped her, "The underground construction at Wuhua Mountain is at a critical stage and absolutely cannot be interrupted. We need at least 20 million gold coins for working capital!"
"Well, not only for the construction project, but also for household expenses and to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Let's keep 50 million and take out 100 million."
I finally made the decision.
Our family finances are separate. My father's money is managed by the stepmothers, and I never covet it. My father's money is for him and the stepmothers to use.
Our own money is mostly managed by the "Beautiful Girl Sex Slave Group." The money used for the construction of Wuhua Mountain and the "Sun Moon Cult" comes from our own accounts.
That's why my wives suggested exchanging things with them.
However, as everyone knows, the monetary value of antique jewelry doesn't guarantee an equivalent return when used as collateral. Better people will offer 80% of its value as collateral, usually 50%, and some unscrupulous ones might offer only 20-30%.
Of course, the wives wouldn't let the stepmothers down, so they'll offer at least two or three hundred million worth of antique jewelry. I'm sure the stepmothers will be overjoyed.
Thinking about it, Emperor Kangzong is really having a tough time. Liufeng Kingdom is so vast, there are countless wealthy people, at least eighty or a hundred richer than our Liu family. Each household could contribute ten million gold coins to solve the problem, but Kangzong just can't find anyone else to donate to.
The reason is simple: everyone has worked hard to earn their money, why donate it to the court? Wouldn't it be better to eat more delicacies, enjoy more beautiful women, and buy more land and property for future generations?
Only a fool like me, trying to woo the princess, now has to subsidize the court myself. And my wives are too kind-hearted; as soon as they hear so many people might starve, they rush to take all the money out of the house.
Fortunately, we all know that such donations are not endless or unlimited. After all, helping others should only be done on the basis of one's own stability and happiness. One hundred million gold coins is already quite a lot.
"This matter needs to be handled quickly."
I pondered for a moment and said, "I need to get the gold notes before I go to Xiliang City."
"Huh? This money isn't going to the Emperor?"
Wenwen asked in surprise.
"Silly sister!"
I smiled, "The Emperor uses the court's money, of course. If he takes our money, he will have one hundred million less gold coins. But if we use this money to buy food for the refugees, then the refugees will have one hundred million more gold coins worth of food. Do you think it's better to keep this money or give it to the Emperor?"
"Of course it's better for us to use it ourselves! As for the Emperor, let's just wait for him to give the same amount."
Wenwen said rather disrespectfully.
"Master, Miss Guan's idea of robbing the rich to help the poor is actually quite good."
Chun Ya's eyes gleamed. "There are so many wealthy people in the capital. We can easily gather a lot of money by stealing from a few rich families."
"Yes, yes, let's go tonight! Let's target those heartless rich fools!"
Jing Gong Cai patted her chest, saying, "When it comes to stealing at night, no one is better than us ninjas. Let my sister and I handle it! A few days of hard work and we'll easily earn three to five hundred million gold coins."
Although the other wives didn't speak, their expressions told me they were very inclined to do so.
Guan Wan'er had mentioned doing this when she was angry, but as a disciple of the "Three Gods of the Holy Gate" and an outstanding figure of the righteous path, she couldn't bring herself to steal—even if it was for good.
However, we don't have such constraints in our household. Robbing the rich to help the poor is a very satisfying thing to do!
I thought for a moment and said, "I'll go find Yunfu later and discuss the list with her. We'll target a few more families, taking a small cut from each one, so it won't cause too much of a stir."
"Yay..."
Several younger girls jumped up, extremely excited. They had been busy with construction for the past few months, and now they finally had such a thrilling and exciting opportunity, which was incredibly exciting!
In the capital, there are many mansions of corrupt officials, so there's no shortage of targets for robbing the rich to help the poor.
"And we won't hand over this money to the court either. As we said before, it's their duty to provide 500 million gold coins, while our money is to ensure the safety of the poor people being relocated!"
Once the girls quieted down and whispered about the details of their operation, Shen Yuanyuan spoke up, "Honey, there's something I just don't understand. You said the Emperor's treasury only has a few billion gold coins, doesn't that mean we're richer than the Emperor? That's unlikely, isn't it?"
I laughed, "Wife, you don't understand. The treasury only has a few billion gold coins, but I didn't say the Emperor only has that much."
"You mean…"
"His wife, Yunfu's mother, Empress Ren, has at least two billion gold coins."
I revealed a little secret, "You mustn't talk about this outside."
"Ah?"
Jing Gongmei exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, the whole country belongs to him, how can he still be hiding money?"
"You just don't understand,"
I said seriously. "Being an emperor isn't easy. There are floods, droughts, snowstorms, famines, plagues, wars everywhere... the emperor has to manage everything and spend money all the time. The annual tax revenue is limited, and if we don't manage it, the people who can't survive will rise up in rebellion, and then the emperor will lose his job. Therefore, the two billion gold coins that Empress Ren has will absolutely not be used unless absolutely necessary! This migration crisis is not enough to shake the foundation of Liufeng Kingdom, so the emperor and empress probably won't use this money. As for the more than one billion gold coins in the imperial treasury, they are for daily expenses, such as the disasters mentioned above. They might use some this time, but not all of it! Therefore, he will definitely agree to the suggestion of the Yujiang waterway."
"Oh, I understand..."
The beautiful wives nodded repeatedly.
"However, His Majesty has more than just these things. For example, the antiques, paintings, and treasures in the palace are countless,"
I continued. "But none of them can be sold for cash. Otherwise, the censors and officials would protest vehemently. This is a matter of royal dignity, so they can only be looked at, not used."
"Hehe... I feel better now,"
Lian'er said with satisfaction. "So not only can't the stolen goods be sold, but even the genuine articles can't be sold!"

Chapter Twelve: Bargaining
After lunch, I got into the carriage and strolled into the palace.
After finalizing the list of corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants who had been robbed with Yunfu, I returned home. Little Xiangting and the devilish sisters should be here
by now, right? Then it doesn't matter if it's daytime or not. Like last night, we'll have another round of sleeping together... I've been working very hard for the country and the court in the Northwest. When I get back, I should enjoy myself with my wives. That's what makes the New Year fun!
The messenger traveled a long way to Yunfu's palace, and the beautiful princess, having received the news, came out to greet them with a hint of worry on her face.
My eyesight is incredibly sharp; I immediately noticed and stepped forward, asking, "My darling, what's wrong?"
Because of the palace maids and guards standing nearby, Yunfu couldn't be affectionate with me. She sighed softly, "Liu Ri, you're not allowed to be angry later!"
"Angry? Angry about what?"
I was a little confused. "By the way, did Guan Wan'er, the disciple of the Dancing Star Nun, come to see His Majesty?"
"Yes... she did..."
Yunfu forced a smile. "Come, let's talk as we walk. Even if you hadn't come, I would have come to find you."
"Okay!"
As we walked, I explained my purpose for coming. After saying that, I excitedly said, "How about that? Isn't your husband amazing? This way, we'll have several hundred million more gold coins, which will be enough to ensure the refugees arrive safely in the Northwest and start a new life."
"Liu Ri..."
Yunfu's eyes reddened. "You are such a kind and compassionate person, always thinking about how to help the poor. Yunfu loves you so much..."
"Why do you look like you're about to cry?"
I said with a smile. "Are you upset that they're going over tonight while you're staying in the palace? How about I tell your father and mother to come pick you up tonight, have dinner at their house, and then come back?"
When it's just the two of us, I always call Emperor Kangzong my father-in-law and Empress Ren my mother-in-law.
Yunfu forced a smile and hesitated, "Liu Ri, later..."
"You keep saying 'later, later,' what exactly is going to happen later?"
As we walked, I suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, isn't this your palace? Where are we going?"
"To Mother's palace, Father is there too."
Yunfu gritted her teeth. "Liu Ri, let me tell you first, Father is going to send you on a mission..."
"Isn't this just playing games?"
After hearing the beautiful princess's explanation, I stopped and said with a wry smile.
Yunfu said apologetically, "I'm sorry... Father said you were the best to handle this matter..."
"Silly girl!"
Seeing that there was no one around, and that we were just around a corner, I reached out and pulled the beautiful princess into my arms before letting her go. "Couldn't you comfort your husband by saying that your father sent me because he is wise and capable?"
"You...aren't angry?"
Yunfu looked at me in surprise.
"Why should I be angry?"
"Father treats you like a beast of burden, sending you wherever it's hardest, thinking of you whenever there's a problem, keeping you busy all day long, and dealing with all sorts of crises."
Yunfu blurted it all out.
"Haha, that just proves that I'm still quite capable in your father's eyes."
I shrugged. "The more he values me, the more likely he is to marry his daughter to me."
Seeing that I really wasn't angry, the beautiful princess finally breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that her lover would overthink things, thinking that Emperor Kangzong was deliberately targeting him. Now it seems that she was worrying unnecessarily!
However, the relieved Yunfu didn't see the helplessness that flashed in my eyes.
Damn it!
This emperor really knows how to stir up trouble! I've been busy in the Northwest for months, and I finally had a Spring Festival break, but now it looks like that's all ruined.
You ask if I'm angry?
Angry!
Of course I'm angry!
Saying I'm not angry is just me trying to comfort the beautiful princess, to avoid making her uncomfortable.
But does being angry help solve anything?
If I'm angry and say I won't go, will Emperor Kangzong just find someone else?
I'm not the kind of person who complains and blames others. After a few curses, I'll diligently complete my task—that's what a positive and ambitious young man like me should do!
Having resolved her inner turmoil, Yunfu's mood improved dramatically. From her initial worried expression, she now walked along humming a tune, occasionally looking at me with tender affection, radiating the vitality of a young and beautiful woman.
Of course, she also offered to come back with me after I finished discussing things with Emperor Kangzong. We would stay until the afternoon of New Year's Eve before returning to the palace. I believed that Emperor Kangzong and Empress Ren wouldn't object, firstly because they understood that Yunfu knew her limits and wouldn't lose her virginity so soon, and secondly because they would soon be sending their future son-in-law to do hard work, which would make them feel awkward. So, letting their daughter spend a few days with her future son-in-law to cultivate their relationship was perfectly fine.
It was still the same small pavilion, but this time Emperor Kangzong and Empress Ren were inside. The palace eunuch stood at a distance, and when he saw us arrive, he just smiled and waved, without any intention of seeing us over.
"Liu Ri greets Your Majesty and Empress."
After entering, I bowed and greeted them.
"No need for formalities, rise."
Emperor Kangzong said indifferently. To be honest, the situation in Xiliang City hadn't calmed down yet, and now he was sending me out to do other things. Even he felt a little embarrassed.
Empress Ren noticed something amiss. Why did her daughter look so upset when she left in a huff, but now seem so relaxed and happy?
"Father, Mother, I spoke with Liu Ri,"
Yunfu said without ceremony, pulling me to sit opposite them. "He agreed to go to the Great Yuan Kingdom right away!"
"Hmm, you'll have to work hard this time. If you do a good job, I'll reward you handsomely,"
Emperor Kangzong said calmly. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking how clever his daughter was. A few words had made the young man who was pursuing him submit. It seemed he really cared about her!
"Wait a minute,"
I quickly waved my hand. "Your Majesty, I will go this time, but we need to discuss many things now. Otherwise, if things don't go well, please don't blame me."
When no one else was around, Emperor Kangzong and Empress Ren knew that I was never very polite and didn't treat them with the same utmost respect as any elder. However, they liked this way. They were used to dealing with obsequious officials all day long, and it was rare to have a junior like me who wasn't afraid of their status.
Emperor Kangzong immediately snorted coldly, "Can't you at least not haggle once?"
Empress Ren quickly pulled her husband aside, smiling at me, "Xiao Ri, what exactly do you want? Since the Emperor and I are both here, just say it."
I said seriously, "Your Majesty, the first and most important thing is, how much money will you give me, and how much grain do you want to buy?"
Emperor Kangzong couldn't help but frown. This kid, doesn't he know how to speak tactfully? So direct! If you weren't the one my daughter likes, I would have already lost my temper... In fact, Emperor Kangzong thought this way precisely because he wasn't actually that angry; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so sentimental.
However, he didn't consider that if it weren't for his daughter, would I, the young master, be running around so eagerly? I would have already returned to my Wushuang County to be a little tyrant.
As the saying goes, mothers-in-law always favor their sons-in-law, and Empress Ren was no exception. Her precious daughter had finally fallen for this young man; how could she let him suffer?
So, the Empress subtly tugged at her husband again.
Emperor Kangzong gave a wry smile, then turned sternly to me: "Regarding the Yujiang waterway, I'll discuss it with the two prime ministers and the ministers of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue this afternoon. Borrowing too much isn't good either. Excluding dredging and maintenance costs, let's tentatively set it at 300 million. Add to that 200 million from the imperial treasury, and I'll give you a total of 500 million. You must buy me at least 20 billion catties of grain."
Yunfu had just mentioned that after reviewing confidential documents from the Privy Council, she learned that last month, the five major merchant houses of the Great Yuan Kingdom bought a total of 30 billion catties of autumn grain from the south, spending 800 million gold coins. They paid much higher than the market price, which explains why the large landowners and wealthy merchants in the south were happily selling their grain.
Currently, the grain reserves in the south are very low, at most only 5 billion catties, and this is the landowners' lifeline. Unless the summer grain comes out, they won't touch it.
We originally planned to buy 20 billion catties of grain for 500 million gold coins, which was already a very high price. Unexpectedly, this happened in the blink of an eye. They spent 800 million gold coins to buy it themselves, and then there were additional costs for transporting it back to the Great Yuan Kingdom. The expenses were indeed considerable.
Given these expenses, would the notoriously greedy merchants of the Great Yuan Kingdom be willing to sell at a low price? ...Without a second thought!
I calculated that the Great Yuan merchants would sell 10 billion catties of grain for at least 400 million gold coins. Considering that the Liufeng Kingdom is desperately waiting for this grain to save the lives of their displaced people preparing to migrate, I estimate they would ask for a sky-high price of 500 million gold coins for 10 billion catties of grain.
Trying to buy twice the amount for half the gold coins? If anyone came to me with this deal, I would beat them to a pulp and throw them out. No need to even ask.
So I quickly shook my head and said, "Your Majesty, five hundred million is too little. Even if we buy it in the south, we can't buy that much. Besides, there are all sorts of transportation costs... Isn't there a saying that Your Majesty doesn't lack hungry soldiers? You should at least give us more, right?"
Seeing that I immediately looked at Empress Ren, she quickly turned her head away. She liked her son-in-law, but no one could take so much money from her... What could I say to an empress like that? I could only secretly curse this mother-in-law who deserted her post!
Yun Fu was the most considerate and immediately spoke up for me, saying, "Father, even if you calculate it according to the purchase price of the Great Yuan Kingdom, plus transportation costs, you should at least give Liu Ri eight hundred million, right?"
"Eight hundred million? No, no! Only five hundred million!"
Emperor Kangzong wouldn't budge an inch: "Liu Ri, I sent you because I value your ability. If everyone could buy the grain, it wouldn't show your competence."
I was completely overwhelmed. Your Majesty, please don't value me so much, okay? It's obvious they want me to pay for it!
But five hundred million? Do you really think I'm a sucker?
Getting someone to do something for you not only brings no benefit, but also costs you money. This emperor is really terrible at dealing with people!
Seeing my distressed expression, Emperor Kangzong's face softened a bit: "Ahem, but since the merchants of the Great Yuan Kingdom are so unscrupulous, taking advantage of others' misfortunes, then Liu Ri, you shouldn't be too honest when you go there. Do what you're supposed to do, and make sure you buy back the grain."
I was taken aback: "Robbery and kidnapping are not good things!"
Emperor Kangzong's smiling face suddenly darkened: "You...you're hopeless! Who told you to rob and kidnap? Did I say that?"
Seeing the emperor's anger, I immediately shut my mouth, thinking, isn't that what you meant?
Really, I'm honest, but I'm not as cunning as you, so I said it out loud!
Emperor Kangzong, who had been exposed in public, was furious. He picked up the tea on the table and drank it, refusing to look at me again.
Yunfu giggled and whispered, "Father, if you don't want to give it, then don't. But if Liu Ri causes any trouble, you mustn't scold him."
Emperor Kangzong put down his teacup and replied coldly, "Why would I scold him? I said that as long as he can buy the grain, it will be a great achievement, and I will reward him handsomely. I will not punish him!"
Yunfu nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay... Hmm, Liu Ri, is there a second matter?"
Neither of the two emperors saw that their daughter's little hand had been holding mine from below. Now, with her father's permission, she playfully pinched my palm with her fingers, clearly implying something.
I smiled and followed the princess's words, "Your Majesty, purchasing grain will take a considerable amount of time. When do you intend for the grain to arrive in our Liufeng Kingdom? And where will it be transported to?"
Emperor Kangzong had already considered this, and without hesitation said, "I will have four billion catties of grain transported from the northern granaries to the counties along the route. Combined with their own preparations, that should be enough. Your grain can be sent directly to the capital, where it will be distributed and used. The delivery time can be a little later, before June."
Empress Ren chimed in, reminding me, "Xiao Ri, transporting grain from the Yuan Dynasty is quite troublesome. You need to plan the route in advance. If you need any assistance, just send a message to the border generals via carrier pigeon so they can prepare."
I smiled slightly, "Xiao Ri understands. Please rest assured, Your Majesty and Empress, I will definitely escort this grain back on time and will not delay the livelihoods of the relocated people!"

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