Chapter 1614: Chapter 1616: The Final Question
The people from Hengqin City came for a spin, and this matter was settled.
As for the one who not only failed to offset their crimes with merit but also returned without Wan Jian’s leader, let’s not bother with how they might get punished.
With the Deputy City Lord changing his name to He Quwu, Quwu City was officially incorporated under the command of Lu Xiaobu.
Thus, Gourd Waist formed a line, slicing through the entire island.
As for this new He Quwu, he’s rather fortunate, having a Gold Attribute, Lu Xiaobu readily bestowed him with a Divine Body.
Treating everyone equally.
However, his divine skill rivals that of Hu Nanshan—Gold Essence.
It sounds more powerful than stone control, but in reality, it’s just refining metal.
To put it bluntly, a naturally born ironing material.
Well, Hu Nanshan seems to have found a fellow kin.
The two are now considered close comrades.
As for Ding Leiwu, not sure if all principals have bad luck, he’s got a Mutated Spiritual Root too.
Well, these two principals make a pair.
The group arrived at the City Lord’s Hall, and the four city lord slaves exchanged a glance, unable to express the myriad thoughts in their eyes.
If you really pressed them to speak, not a single word might come out.
They barely knew whether to cry or to laugh at their current predicament!
Divine Body slave.
"Now, the first order."
Lu Xiaobu ignored them, placed a map on the table.
He patted the map: "Starting today, the trade tax of the four cities will be doubled! Besides, an entry tax will be imposed!"
"What?!" Liu Funing and others were shocked: "That high?!"
Directly doubling and imposing an entry tax?!
These taxes are way too high!
They thought, does this man not understand operation? If increased so much, who would come to the cities?
"If this is the case, they might choose to take risks!" Qi Jiatong voiced his concern.
"Indeed, this is similar to robbery!" He Quwu nodded repeatedly.
"Don’t worry." Lu Xiaobu waved his hand.
He pointed between the intervals among the four cities: "At each gap, build four mountain fortresses! Hu Nanshan and He Quwu will help with construction, ensuring they’re connected on all sides and indestructible!"
The few people were bewildered, what was this about?
Building mountain fortresses?
Acting as bandits?
"Next, deploy your people in the mountain fortresses, both to eliminate bandits and to rob them, take control of the chaotic bandits on Gourd Waist." Lu Xiaobu said with a smile.
"What is the purpose of this?" Hu Nanshan asked.
"To completely monopolize Gourd Waist!" Lu Xiaobu smirked: "Either be openly robbed upon entering the city or be robbed in the mountains!"
Sssss!
The four city lords gasped.
This strategy was ruthless!
This was a real monopoly, controlling everything in your grip, just see how you pay taxes!
"Moreover, Hu Nanshan, create an underground passage connecting the four cities!" Lu Xiaobu instructed again.
"This is..." Liu Funing questioned.
"Building a fast passage to facilitate mutual aid, aerial flight is easily intercepted, underground flight is stealthy!" Lu Xiaobu chuckled.
Then, he looked at Liu Funing and Qi Jiatong: "Especially you two, Divine Body in the late Golden Core stage, with attack-oriented abilities, you should handle a Nascent Soul stage quite well. Provide mutual aid, connecting the entire Gourd Waist!"
"Gulp!"
Liu Funing, He Quwu, Qi Jiatong all gulped hard.
This wasn’t simple monopolization; it felt like a preparation for war.
Listen, they’re ready to handle a Nascent Soul stage!
Truly, worthy of coming from the Demon Realm, no one from there doesn’t stir things up!
Why do three of them gulp while Hu Nanshan expresses dissatisfaction?
Mom, this really makes me a construction worker!
Building mountain fortresses, digging underground passages!
"He Quwu." Lu Xiaobu called.
No response.
Liu Funing nudged the new He Quwu: "He’s calling you."
"Oh, oh, Young Master, sorry, still not used to it." The new He Quwu smiled wryly.
He had used his old name all his life, suddenly changing it, couldn’t get used to it immediately.
"No worries, use your Gold Essence ability to make special metals for forging currency." Lu Xiaobu instructed.
"Currency? For what?" He Quwu was confused.
"Unified currency, establish banks in the four cities, exchange currency for gold and silver, and the trading caravans must pay taxes using our currency. Ideally, include Spirit Stones in the conversion!" Lu Xiaobu nodded and said.
Economics determine superstructure, unify currency, plus Gourd Waist being a necessary passageway, soon, the currency will widely spread.
When the time comes, as the currency issuer, it will wield great dominance.
Even if we don’t talk about distant goals, right now, by collecting all the gold and silver from residents, one can purchase a lot of materials!
Of course, residents used to habitual city renaming might be reluctant to change.
This requires time; Lu Xiaobu didn’t intend to achieve it all at once.
"This..." He Quwu was puzzled.
He didn’t understand the point of deeply studying this stuff.
Wasn’t using gold and silver good enough!
But he didn’t dare to ask further, just nodded and agreed.
"Additionally, establish an intelligence organization, responsible for intelligence gathering and dissemination, this is top-priority, must assign trustworthy individuals!" Lu Xiaobu instructed again.
Main thoroughfares aren’t just about tax collection, crucial are intelligence operations.
From this monopoly, he can control public opinion to some extent.
Some say, they are cultivators, not Heavenly Dynasty, what’s the use of public opinion?
It’s useful, very useful!
Here there’s no communication equipment, news from both ends mainly spread by these merchants coming and going.
For example, Lu Xiaobu let people spread intelligence that one city is preparing to attack another.
One person saying it means nothing, but if all the merchants say it?
With a little push, even if there’s no matter, you can stir things up!
So, intelligence is crucial.
The four nodded; they somehow understood.
But they didn’t understand why Lu Xiaobu was doing this.
What they realized was in front of Lu Xiaobu, their brains weren’t sufficient.
So, stop arguing and just obey!
Aside from these major issues, some matters involving Gou Qilang were arranged, Lu Xiaobu drank a sip of water, and looked at the crowd: "Now, let me ask you a question, why do people from the Demon Realm never stay long and often return?!"
He was puzzled about this during the first few days here, now he managed to ask.
Yet as he spoke, the scene fell silent.
