An hour later.
Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen returned to Li Pin's room.
"This time, it's all thanks to Li Wushen. If it weren't for Li Wushen, the consequences would be disastrous."
Wen Yusheng said with gratitude.
"Is it related to the last incident with Xiangshiling?"
Li Pin said.
"yes."
Wen Yusheng nodded and said, "Last time, we almost went to war with Xiangshi Territory. Fortunately, Xingchen and Yuanshan sneaked into Xiangshi Territory and threatened Cui Sheng, so he didn't dare to act rashly. But Cui Sheng obviously remembered this incident. This time, he specially invited people from Longquan Sect to intimidate us using the method we used to intimidate him, so as to force us to pay up."
"Xiangshiling... The one who is close to the water gets the moon first."
Li Pin said.
The Longquan Sect was established in Xiangshiling.
To be precise, the Dragon Fist Sect itself is equivalent to a small territory.
Because of its own powerful strength, not to mention the dozens of martial saints it has, it is also not far away from the Kanyun Kingdom. If the Molong Kingdom dares to force the Longquan Sect, it is very likely that they will be forced to turn to the Kanyun Kingdom.
Under such circumstances, even though the Molong Kingdom had always wanted to conquer the Longquan Sect, it had never found an opportunity to do so.
Over the past few decades, the Dragon Fist Sect has become deeply rooted, and many disciples have been integrated into the Molong Kingdom and hold important positions, making it increasingly difficult for the Molong Kingdom royal family to uproot the Dragon Fist Sect, and they can only watch them become powerful.
"It will be time for the tax collector to collect taxes soon. Cui Sheng is anxious now. Once this month is over and this year's taxes are paid, Cui Sheng will naturally calm down."
Wen Yusheng paused as he spoke: "Of course, we have also made some preparations. We have already expanded the number of garrison troops to 1,200 people. However, since the newly added 600 people do not have enough weapons, they have not been formally incorporated into the guard regiment..."
There are many arms dealers in the land of Dayue.
But arming six hundred men was not an easy task.
Although a rifle only costs two hundred imperial gold dollars, if you take into account bullets, training expenses, etc., the additional six hundred people will basically cost an additional three million in military expenditures each year.
The tax revenue of Xiangye City is less than 10 million, and 70% to 80% of it will be taken directly by Molong Country, leaving only 1 or 2 million for Xiangye City.
Of course, Xiangye City itself also does accounting, but in reality their annual profit is only around four or five million.
With an army of 600 already in place, recruiting another 600 soldiers...
It is enough to bring down the economy of Xiangye Territory.
"Speaking of the military..."
Li Pin glanced at Wen Yusheng and asked, "How many people do you think are needed to occupy the black gold mining area?"
"Occupy the black gold mining area?"
Wen Yusheng was stunned.
However, he quickly calculated: "The Black Gold Mine is very large and connected in all directions. It spans the three territories of Xiangye, Fenglin, and Hanmu. There are four exits in total... Due to the rampant monsters inside, even if we occupy it, it won't cause much commotion. However, three of the exits are in the other two territories... It is basically impossible to ask them to allow us to station troops at those 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 Pin said.
Wen Yusheng looked at Li Pin, somewhat confused about the significance of his questions.
Wen Xingchen, on the other hand, stepped forward immediately and promised in a deep voice: "As long as Li Wushen needs us, we, Xiangye Leader, are willing to charge into battle for Li Wushen."
Li Yin looked at him, somewhat surprised.
Wen Yusheng also reacted at this time, and said solemnly: "The two territories of Fenglin and Hanmu are not that strong. As long as we arm 1,200 people, it will not be difficult to defeat them. On the contrary, it is Xiangshi Territory that we are afraid of them pulling our feet at that time... But if it is Li Wushen's intention, I can go and mobilize them now!"
Li Yin looked at Wen Yusheng, who didn't seem to be joking, and smiled: "Lord Wen, your words sound... like you want to respect me."
"If you were still the previous Li Wusheng, it would be very presumptuous for us to say this, but... Li Wushen..."
Wen Yusheng paused, and said emphatically: "It is completely possible to enclose Xiangye Territory and even several surrounding territories like Longquan Sect, and build it into a country within a country that Molong Country can only accept."
"I'm surprised. We've only known each other for two months."
Li Pin said.
"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 be like the Molong royal family and impose harsh tyranny on his people. At least, the 300,000 people in Xiangye Territory will not have difficulty in maintaining basic food and clothing."
Wen Yusheng said this with a bitter smile: "Does Li Wushen know how much tax our Xiangye Territory needs to pay this time?"
He did not let Li Yin guess and said directly: "It's 10 million."
"Ten million?"
Li Pin understood.
"The total fiscal revenue reported by Xiangye Territory this year is only 9.8 million, but... all lords will falsify their fiscal reports, the only difference is the amount. The higher-ups consider that lords have to live a relatively comfortable life, so they turn a blind eye to this. The real revenue of our Xiangye Territory this year should be 15 million, but more than 4 million of it was given up through channels such as road construction, house construction, and orchards, which allowed people to survive this year... Once this tax is paid..."
Wen Yusheng paused and said, "Let alone arming 600 new soldiers, even if we have to lay off some of the existing 600 guards, one soldier can support a family of seven or eight people. If we really lay them off, not only will there be hundreds of unemployed people, but also hundreds of poor families."
Xiang Yeling’s income as a soldier is not high, but he has 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 poverty standards for families in Tianyuan and Taibai, poverty in Xiangyeling means that there is a high probability of people starving to death.
What Wen Yusheng provided them was basic survival security.
"Your tax payment last year was only 8 million, right? How come it has increased to 10 million so quickly?"
Li Pin said.
Wen Yusheng glanced at Li Yin and said, "Perhaps Cui Sheng is behind this. He wants to use this method to weaken Xiangye Territory's power and undermine the people's morale."
"A territory with a population of 300,000 people could actually fall into hardship because of a few million yuan..."
Li Yin said, "Something has gone wrong indeed."
He has no interest in the hegemony game on the land of Otsuki, but...
He was really unwilling to give up this treasure trove of black gold mining area in the short term.
If we can confirm 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 weapons.
With this treasure house, there are all kinds of things, such as Thunder Magnetic Crystals, God-Returning Incense, and Spirit-Gathering Beads.
It has been a while since he sorted out his martial arts system, but during this period, the strength of his magnetic field has only increased by less than 1 point.
In other words, if he wants to reach the high level of Martial God and forge his life force field into a stellar magnetic field, it will take at least another year!
As for raising the qi and blood to the level of a top star refiner, it takes even more time.
Previously, he was busy sorting out his martial arts system and didn't feel anything, but in the past month, he has been practicing on the right track, and 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 King Wumu Xuan, a top star refiner. In addition, he has nine great generals and twelve great lords under him..."
Li Pin weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
One top-level star refiner and twenty-one high-level star refiners.
As well as over a hundred ordinary Star Refiners and over two hundred Martial Saints.
A very powerful force.
but…
This power does not necessarily work entirely for him.
Be it the nine great generals or the twelve great lords, the relationship between them and him is more like an alliance.
Just like the Tianyuan Dynasty and the Taibai Kingdom, they belong to the same Tianyuan Federation, but each lord also has sufficient jurisdiction within the country.
But that doesn't matter.
What’s important is…
"He's just a top-notch star refiner."
Li Yin said.
Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen looked at each other, anxiously waiting for Li Pin's decision.
"So... he's just a top-notch star refiner."
He smiled.
Not even a great star master.
Not to mention comparable to the legend.
Even a legendary wizard from the Star Palace system like Da Shang.
He looked at Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen: "You really don't regret it? After all, if I can't protect you, you can't even be the lord."
Hearing Li Yin's words, the father and son laughed at the same time.
"If I can't be the Lord, then I can't be the Lord. If it's not because I love this land so much and want to change it, Lord of Xiangye Territory, is that really okay?"
"I am a Martial Saint. Although I am not a Star Refiner, with my abilities, I can live well in any country I immigrate to, and the Six Poles of the World are no exception."
They both said at the same time.
"That may not be the case. Your switch from being loyal to the Molong royal family to being loyal to me is, to some extent, a betrayal of the Molong royal family. I don't think they will show mercy to traitors. Even if you flee to other countries, you may not be safe."
Li Pin said.
"Then let him come. The worst outcome is death in battle."
Wen Xingchen said calmly: "As a warrior, why should I be afraid of a fight to the death?"
Wen Yusheng also looked calm: "I am fifty-six years old this year. Although I am not an old man, I have already lived most of my life. I grew up on this land, but I have achieved nothing in my life. I hope that in the last period of my life, I can do something for this land, no matter what the final result is."
"Then it's time for you to show your abilities."
Li Yin stood up and patted Wen Yusheng on the shoulder: "My first request is very simple. Occupy the Black Gold Mine Area and bring all the land centered on the Black Gold Mine Area into Xiangye Territory. You may encounter some resistance during this period, but..."
He paused and said, "When necessary, I will take action."