Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen returned to Li Mu's room.
"This time, thanks to Li Wushen, if it hadn't been for Li Wushen, the consequences would have been disastrous."
Wen Yusheng said with gratitude.
"Is it related to the last fragrant stone collar incident?"
Li Midao.
"yes."
Wen Yusheng nodded: "Last time we almost had a war with the Xiangshi collar. Fortunately, Xingchen and Yuanshan sneaked into the Xiangshi collar and threatened Cui Sheng so that he did not dare to act rashly. But Cui Sheng obviously took this
Keeping this in mind, I specially invited someone from the Dragon Fist Sect this time, intending to use the same method we used to intimidate him to intimidate us and force us to pay."
"The Fragrant Stone Collar...the one who is near the water and the tower first gets the moon."
Li Midao.
The Dragon Fist Sect was built in Xiangshi Ling.
To be precise, Dragon Fist Sect itself is equivalent to a small territory.
Due to its strong strength, not to mention dozens of martial saints, it is not far away from the Kanyun Kingdom. If the Molong Kingdom dares to force the Dragon Fist Sect, it will most likely force them to turn to the Kanyun Kingdom.
Under this situation, even though the Molong Kingdom has always wanted to conquer the Dragon Fist Sect, it has never found an opportunity to do so.
Over the past few decades, the Dragon Fist sect has become deeply entrenched, and many disciples have integrated into the Molong Kingdom and held important positions. It has become increasingly difficult for the Molong King's royal family to uproot the Dragon Fist sect, and they can only watch as they become a climate.
"It will be time for the tax collector to collect taxes soon. Cui Sheng is now anxious. After this month is over and this year's tax is paid, Cui Sheng will naturally calm down."
Wen Yusheng said with a pause: "Of course, we have not made any preparations. At present, we have expanded the number of garrison troops to 1,200 people, but... because the newly expanded 600 people do not have enough people,
Weapons have not been officially incorporated into the guard regiment..."
There are many arms dealers in the land of Otsuki.
But it is not easy to arm 600 people.
Although a rifle only costs 200 imperial gold dollars, if bullets, training expenses, etc. are included, the extra 600 people will basically cost 3 million more military expenses every year.
The tax revenue of Xiangye City is less than 10 million, of which 70 to 80% will be collected directly by the Molong Kingdom, leaving only one or two million for Xiangye City.
Of course, Xiangye City itself can also keep accounts, but in fact their annual surplus is only about four to five million.
Having already raised an army of 600 people, another 600 need to be recruited...
It's enough to bring down the economy of Xianye Ling.
"Speaking of the army..."
Li Ma glanced at Wen Yusheng: "If we want to occupy the black gold mining area, how many people do Lord Wen think we will need?"
"Occupy the black gold mining area?"
Wen Yusheng was startled.
However, he quickly calculated: "The black gold mining area is very large and extends in all directions. It spans the three major territories of Xiangye, Maple Forest, and Hanmu. There are a total of four exits... Due to the rampant monsters inside, even if we occupy
, it won’t cause much commotion, but there are three exits in the other two territories... It is basically impossible for them to allow us to garrison those entrances and exits and implement a complete blockade."
He shook his head: "Unless we can defeat those two territories."
"So, what kind of power is needed to defeat those two territories?"
Li Midao.
Wen Yusheng looked at Li Mu, somewhat confused about the meaning of these questions.
Wen Xingchen, on the other hand, immediately stepped forward and promised in a deep voice: "As long as Li Wushen needs it, we Xiangye will take the initiative to charge into battle for Li Wushen."
Li Mu looked at him, a little surprised.
Wen Yusheng also reacted at this time and said solemnly: "The two major territories of Fenglin and Hanmu are not strong. As long as we arm one thousand two hundred people, it will not be difficult to defeat them. On the contrary, Xiangshi Territory is afraid of them."
It will be a hindrance then...but if it is Li Wushen’s wish, I can go and mobilize right now!”
Li Ma looked at Wen Yusheng, who was not joking, and smiled: "Lord Wen, your words... sound like you want to respect me."
"If you were still Li Wusheng before, our words would be very presumptuous, but...Li Wushen..."
Wen Yusheng paused and said seriously: "It is completely possible to lead Xiangye and even several surrounding territories like the Dragon Fist Sect, creating a country within a country that even the Molong Kingdom can only acquiesce to.
"
"I'm surprised. We've only known each other for two months."
Li Midao.
"Two months is enough for us to see a person clearly. I believe that if Li Wushen really becomes the new lord of this territory, he will definitely not implement harsh tyranny like the Molong royal family. At least,
Xiangye has led 300,000 people without the difficulty of maintaining basic food and clothing."
When Wen Yusheng said this, he smiled bitterly: "Does God Li Wu know how much tax our fragrant leaf collar will have to pay this time?"
He didn't let Li Mu guess and said directly: "It's ten million."
"Ten million?"
Li Mu understood.
"The total financial revenue statement made by the Xiangye collar this year is only 9.8 million, but... all lords will make false claims on the financial statements. The difference is only a certain amount. The above takes into account that being a lord also has to live a certain life.
We live a comfortable life, but we turn a blind eye to this. Our Xiangye collar’s real income this year should be 15 million, but more than 4 million of it is through road construction, building houses, orchards and other channels.
Only by letting it go can people get through this year... Once the tax is paid..."
Wen Yusheng paused: "Not to mention arming 600 new soldiers, even if part of the existing 600 guard troops have to be abolished, one soldier can fully support a family of seven or eight people. If they are really abolished, not only will there be more
"Hundreds of unemployed people are equivalent to hundreds more poor families."
Xiang Ye Ling's salary as a soldier is not high, but there are various hidden benefits.
Wen Yusheng used many similar methods to reduce the poverty rate in the territory as much as possible while avoiding the eyes and ears of tax officials.
Different from the so-called poor family standards of Tianyuan and Taibai, poverty in Xiangyeling means that there is a high probability that people will starve to death.
What Wen Yusheng gave them was basic survival guarantee.
"Your tax revenue last year was only eight million, right? It increased to ten million so quickly?"
Li Midao.
Wen Yusheng glanced at Li Mu and simply said: "Perhaps Cui Sheng is causing trouble. He wants to use this method to weaken the power of Xiangye Ling and undermine the people's support of Xiangye Ling."
"A territory with a population of 300,000 people may actually be in trouble for a few million yuan..."
Li Ming said: "There is indeed a problem."
He is not interested in the hegemony game on the land of Otsuki, but...
He really didn't want to give up this treasure in the black gold mining area in a short period of time.
If it is confirmed that every corpse king has that kind of transparent crystal...
The price of this kind of crystal stone will not be inferior to that of rare star tools.
With this treasure house, there are everything you need, such as Thunder Magnetic Yuan Crystal, Divine Incense, and Spirit Gathering Beads.
It has been some time since he sorted out his martial arts system, but during this time, his magnetic field strength has only increased by less than 1 point.
In other words, if he wants to reach the high-level Martial God, it will take at least another year to forge the life force field into the star magnetic field!
As for raising the energy and blood to the level of a top star refiner, it takes more time.
He was busy sorting out the martial arts system before and didn't feel much, but in the past month, he has become regular in his practice. He really feels...
slow!
slow!
too slow!
Therefore, he must hold the treasure of the black gold mining area in his hands.
"If I remember correctly, the strongest person in the Molong Kingdom is the leader Wu Muxuan, a top star refiner. In addition, he also has nine generals and twelve lords under him..."
Li Ma weighed it in her heart.
One top star refiner and twenty-one high-level star refiners.
As well as over a hundred ordinary star refiners, and a total of more than two hundred martial saints.
A very powerful force.
but……
This power may not be fully effective for him.
Whether it is the nine war generals or the twelve great lords, the relationship with him is more like an alliance.
Just like the Tianyuan Dynasty and the Taibai Kingdom, they both belong to the Tianyuan Federation, but each lord also has sufficient jurisdiction over the country.
But that's not important.
The important thing is...
"He's just a top star refiner."
Li Ming said.
Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen looked at each other, waiting for Li Ma's decision with some anxiety.
"So... he's just a top star refiner."
He smiled.
Neither is the Great Star Refiner.
Not to mention comparable to the legend.
Even a legendary mage from the star palace system like Dashang.
He looked at Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen: "Do you really not regret it? After all, if I can't protect you, you won't even be able to be a lord."
After hearing Li Ma's words, the father and son laughed at the same time.
"If you can't be the one, then you can't be. If it weren't for the fact that you deeply love this land and want to change it, is it really okay to be the lord of the Fragrant Leaf Territory?"
"I am a Martial Saint. Although I am not a star refiner, with my ability, I can live well in any country I immigrate to, and the six poles of the world are no exception."
The two said at the same time.
"That's not necessarily the case. Your shift from allegiance to the Molong royal family to allegiance to me is equivalent to a betrayal of the Molong royal family to a certain extent. I think they will never show mercy to traitors. Even if you escape to other countries, you will not be merciful.
It may not be safe and sound.”
Li Midao.
"Then let him do it. The worst outcome is death in battle."
Wen Xingchen said calmly: "As a warrior, why should you be afraid of fighting to the death?"
Wen Yusheng also looked calm: "I am fifty-six years old this year. Although I am not an old man, most of my life has passed. I grew up on this land and spent most of my life in confusion, but I have achieved nothing. I hope that in
I can do something for this land in the last period of my life, no matter what the final result is."
"Then, it's time for you to show your abilities."
Li Mu stood up and patted Wen Yusheng on the shoulder: "My first request is very simple. Occupy the black gold mining area and collect all the land centered on the black gold mining area into Xiangye Territory. During this period, you may be attacked.