As long as there are sufficient resources, cultivating the Flood Dragon Devouring Technique can rapidly enhance one’s cultivation.
This technique is essentially a pay-to-win cultivation method.
Such a heaven-defying technique, even Xiao Chuyi couldn’t fathom how Oliver Sheng created it.
Seeing his subordinates brimming with high spirits, Oliver Sheng wasn’t worried about them bankrupting him.
With his current wealth, supporting an army of hundreds of thousands was more than manageable.
The heavy cavalry had already grown to eight thousand, and with the two thousand stationed in Zhangye, his heavy cavalry now numbered ten thousand strong.
A ten-thousand-strong heavy cavalry composed of martial cultivators above the Martial Master level charging together was a terrifying sight.
After watching the military drills, Oliver Sheng handed over the training of the troops to Wesley Hu and others.
As the commander, he didn’t need to handle everything personally.
…
On the Huns’ grasslands, everything was covered in snow, creating a world of ice and frost.
In one part of the grasslands, fires burned inside the tents.
The soldiers, dressed rather thinly, could only rely on these fires for warmth.
“Damn it, it’s really cold here in the Huns’ land.”
“Those Huns threw us onto this grassland, gave us just enough food to survive, and took away our weapons. Hmph, joining the Huns was a mistake.”
“Keep your voice down if you want to live!”
“Sigh!!”
“I miss home.”
These soldiers were the ones who had foolishly followed General Li in defecting to the Huns.
After arriving, they received no special treatment.
Instead, their weapons were confiscated, and they were thrown onto this grassland, essentially penned up.
Watching the snowstorm outside, more and more soldiers began to miss their homeland.
In the military camp, General Li was drinking heavily.
His face was covered with a beard, and he looked utterly dejected, a far cry from his former spirited self.
After autumn, his entire clan in Luo Capital had been executed.
When the news reached him, General Li spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
He hadn’t expected Empress Hazel Han to be so ruthless, sparing none of his clan.
And upon arriving in the Huns’ territory, they had no intention of using him.
Not only were his subordinates’ weapons confiscated, but even his cultivation was sealed by a Huns’ Martial Saint.
In essence, their two hundred thousand strong army was now penned up.
As he drank cup after cup, General Li was filled with regret.
Why had he defected to the Huns?
Even fighting demons at the Demon Suppression Pass would have been better than this.
But alas, there was no medicine for regret in this world. One wrong step, and it was eternal damnation.
…
Kunlun Daoist Sect!
The once proud and domineering Kunlun Daoist Sect was now a shadow of its former self.
All the major sects in the world secretly mocked the entire Kunlun Daoist Sect.
Four Yang Spirits had been killed, and since then, the entire sect had been silent, with no signs of retaliation.
This was completely unlike the style of the world’s second-ranked Daoist sect.
No one knew what the Kunlun Daoist Sect was planning.
Time passed day by day, and the first day of the new year was approaching.
River West City was already decorated with lanterns and streamers.
The snow on the rooftops, illuminated by red lanterns, had a unique beauty.
At night, River West City was brightly lit, like a city that never slept.
The streets were bustling with people coming and going.
Merchants from all over the world gathered here, stopping to rest before transporting goods to the Western Regions or bringing goods back from there to sell in various places.
“Welcome, esteemed guests. How can we serve you?” Two beautiful women stood at the entrance of Xiaoyao Tower.
“We want hotpot. We’ve heard it’s incredibly delicious and have long wanted to try it.” Several out-of-town merchants said.
“For hotpot, please head to the third floor!” One of the hostesses said with a smile.
“Where can we get a foot massage?” Several young men asked.
“Bathing is on the fifth floor!”
The most popular place in the bustling River West City was Xiaoyao Tower.
On the first floor, you could listen to stories and music; on the second floor, watch dances!
The third floor was for hotpot, the fourth for massages and foot baths.
The fifth and sixth floors were indescribable!
This all-in-one entertainment model was very novel in Great Wei.
Naturally, it attracted countless curious merchants who wanted to experience the all-in-one service.
“Phew, finally back in River West City. Let’s go, Xunhuan, let’s have some hotpot at Xiaoyao Tower, then soak in a wooden tub bath. I want number 68 to give me a massage. This trip to the Western Regions has worn me out.” Lin Tian said eagerly upon returning to River West City.
They had formed a caravan, traveled to the Western Regions, crossed the desert, and after more than two months, they were finally back.
“What’s the rush? First, let’s store the goods in the shop. We can’t afford any mishaps with this batch. We’ll continue transporting it to the Capital City tomorrow. Whether we have a prosperous year depends on this shipment.” Li Xunhuan said.
After arranging for the goods to be stored, they headed to Xiaoyao Tower to relax.
At Xiaoyao Tower, they first went to the third floor for hotpot, then to the fourth floor for a wooden tub bath and a massage.
“This is the life.” Lin Tian said with a look of satisfaction.
Thinking of the hardships of crossing the desert, Lin Tian felt that this moment was worth it.
Why make money if not to enjoy moments like this?
Merchants returning from the Western Regions often chose to relax at Xiaoyao Tower upon arriving in River West City.
Xiaoyao Tower was a massive money pit, with endless streams of gold and silver flowing in.
As the year-end approached, Finn Chen was extremely busy.
He had to organize the tax reports to present to Oliver Sheng.
The various industries and caravans in River West City generated so much tax revenue that Finn Chen had to work overtime with his clerks to calculate it all.
“Sir, all the tax revenue has been calculated.” The head clerk of River West City handed the ledger to Finn Chen.
“Let me see.” Finn Chen took the ledger.
Flipping through it, he saw the total tax revenue for each industry.
When he saw the totals, Finn Chen was stunned.
The taxes collected from the businesses in River West City amounted to 1.5 million taels of silver in a month.
The taxes from the caravans were even higher, reaching 3 million taels.
He hadn’t expected that even with the ten percent tax rate set by Oliver Sheng, the revenue was so substantial.
Nine million taels of silver in two months opened Finn Chen’s eyes.
The thriving commerce generated such high tax revenue.
Caravans, Xiaoyao Tower, coal mines, and coal ball workshops were major taxpayers. Finn Chen couldn’t help but admire Oliver Sheng’s foresight; everything he did was extraordinary.
“I need to see the prince.” Finn Chen took the ledger and headed to Oliver Sheng’s residence.
Oliver Sheng had just finished refining a batch of pills and was resting when Wang Zhan reported that Finn Chen had arrived.
“General, Finn Chen is here to report something.”
“Let him wait in the guest hall.” Oliver Sheng said.
“Yes, General!”
Wang Zhan led Finn Chen to the guest hall.
After storing the refined pills, Oliver Sheng headed to the guest hall.
Upon arrival, Finn Chen stood up excitedly and said, “My lord, the tax revenue for the past two months has been calculated.”
Oliver Sheng gestured for him to sit down. “Let’s discuss it while seated.”
Finn Chen sat down and handed the ledger to Oliver Sheng.
“My lord, this is the tax ledger!”
Oliver Sheng took the ledger and looked through it, then nodded and said, “Not bad!”
Those words made Finn Chen feel that Oliver Sheng’s brilliance was blinding.
When he was in charge of River West County, the annual tax revenue didn’t even reach 500,000 taels of silver.
But now, River West City generated millions in tax revenue each month.
To Finn Chen, this was astronomical.
“As the economy continues to prosper, tax revenue will only increase.” Oliver Sheng said calmly.
Seeing Finn Chen’s stunned expression, Oliver Sheng shook his head inwardly.
These ancient people didn’t understand the saying, “Economic foundation determines the superstructure.”
When a country has more money, it can develop a strong military and implement more beneficial policies for the people.
If everyone is struggling to find food in the dirt, it’s no wonder the common people can’t get enough to eat.
This also exacerbates land annexation, as everyone wants to control the means of production.
“Report half of the tax revenue to the imperial court, and keep the other half in the yamen to maintain the operations of the River West Protectorate.” Oliver Sheng instructed.
He didn’t care much about this amount of money.
“Yes, my lord!” Finn Chen obeyed.
The military’s expenses didn’t need to come from tax revenue; with the funds left in the yamen, he could do a lot.
Seeing such high tax revenue, Finn Chen was determined to follow Oliver Sheng’s lead, focusing on the economy and people’s livelihood!
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