LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 336
Months flew by in the blink of an eye.
During these two months, Lin Beifan, much like a hands-off manager, barely involved himself in governance.
He spent his days in the imperial palace, enjoying the company of his consorts, so content that he had no thoughts of returning to the mundane world.
Yet, the Great Xia continued to develop steadily, showing vigorous growth.
Everyone was puzzled. How did he manage to do this?
The larger the country, the greater the population. Shouldn’t the Emperor be more burdened with work?
How could he do the opposite?
Moreover, he managed to keep a firm grip on the reins of power.
It was truly astonishing.
People believed that Lin Beifan’s governance must have some exceptional aspects, so they began to study and analyze it.There was once an Emperor who tried to emulate Lin Beifan, setting up a cabinet and then neglecting state affairs, leaving them to his officials.
He enjoyed his days, but in less than three months, he almost lost all his power.
Had he not taken back control in time, he might have lost his throne as well.
From this, it was clear that Lin Beifan’s method of governance was inimitable—half-hearted imitation would lead to disaster.
Now, it was autumn again, the season of bountiful harvests.
Heshen, the Minister of Revenue, reported with joy, “Your Majesty, we have had another great harvest this year! Preliminary estimates suggest that our grain yield is approximately XX, enough to feed 800 million people! The population of Great Xia is about 360 million, which means our grain harvest can fully support the entire nation’s population, with plenty to spare for two consecutive years!”
Lin Beifan was overjoyed, “Excellent!”
Heshen continued excitedly, “Your Majesty, from ancient times to the present, no country has ever achieved such a grain yield. We have pioneered a history, an unprecedented miracle worthy of being recorded in the annals of history!”
Lin Beifan laughed heartily, “Very good! However, I believe this is certainly not the end! In the future, Great Xia will produce even more grain and create even more miracles!”
“I firmly believe so too!” Heshen replied with joy.
Lin Beifan waved his hand, “Quickly announce this news, let the people share in the joy!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Heshen bowed and retreated.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in Lin Beifan’s mind.
“Ding! As the player’s national power has increased, your strength has been synchronously enhanced. You are rewarded with the Secret of the ‘Xing’ Character!”
“The Secret of the ‘Xing’ Character is one of the nine secrets of a certain grand world, the fastest secret technique. If cultivated to the extreme, it can even pause time, an incredibly terrifying ability!”
Lin Beifan quickly mastered the Secret of the ‘Xing’ Character.
This Secret of the ‘Xing’ Character was indeed very powerful.
Previously, he possessed the Sword Control Technique, which allowed him to travel thousands of li in an instant.
Now, with the new Secret of the ‘Xing’ Character, his speed had increased manifold.
As the saying goes, “In the world of martial arts, nothing is indestructible, only speed is unbeatable!”
Speed, when pushed to the extreme, can produce astonishing destructive power!
Lin Beifan could hardly imagine the strength he would possess when he fully deployed the Secret of the ‘Xing’ Character.
“At the very least, I should be able to withstand dozens of blows from a holy beast!” Lin Beifan speculated.
He opened the Empire Sandbox, and the data displayed had undergone significant changes.
…….
Empire Sandbox (Super Level)
Territorial Area: 32.5 million square li (Arable land 18.2 million square li)
Domestic Resources: 5.92 billion taels (14 gold mines, 25 silver mines, 40 copper mines, 70 iron mines…)
Population: 360 million (Wealthy people 1%, Common people 66%, Poor people 33%)
Military Strength: 8.1 million (9 Grandmasters, 212 Innate, 45,000 martial artists)
Comprehensive National Power: 53,000 (Quasi-Celestial Empire Level)
……
In this assessment, the overall numbers have not changed significantly, but the quality has improved.
For instance, in the Population aspect, the number of Common people and above has reached 2/3, meaning that 240 million people in the nation have been lifted out of poverty and are on the path to wealth.
This is an extremely gratifying achievement!
Even those four top-tier Empires definitely do not have so many people escaping poverty!
Having more than half would be considered good.
The majority of the population is still living in poverty.
The total number remains unchanged in terms of Military Strength, but there are now two more Grandmasters, over fifty Innates, and several thousand martial artists.
This military force is formidable enough to look down upon the world.
Therefore, the comprehensive national power has finally broken through the 50,000 mark, reaching 53,000!
This level of national power is not just like a Celestial Empire. It surpasses a Celestial Empire!
Even the Heavenly Khan’s Empire from 3,000 years ago pales in comparison to Lin Beifan’s Empire.
Moreover, Lin Beifan’s development is well-rounded, without any weaknesses, and has many more strengths.
“The goal is getting closer. Just need to produce one Great Grandmaster, then shake the world, and I can establish a Celestial Empire. It will be an unprecedented golden age!
Just thinking about it excites Lin Beifan immensely.
However, these two conditions are not at all easy to meet.
A Great Grandmaster cannot be produced simply by saying so. Talent, opportunity, and effort are all indispensable.
In today’s world, there are also less than ten Great Grandmasters, and all of them have their own powers.
To have a Great Grandmaster, one must cultivate their own, which is definitely not an easy task.
As for the second condition, to be recognized by more than two-thirds of the countries in the world…
As the saying goes, ‘In literature there is no first place, in martial arts there is no second,’ those four top-tier Empires will definitely not recognize us!
If they don’t recognize us, the countries under their command surely won’t either!
In the end, it will inevitably lead to a battle to force their recognition!
“The opportunity will come soon!” Lin Beifan narrowed his eyes.
……
At this moment, the news of another bumper harvest of grain in Great Xia quickly spread throughout the world.
“Great Xia has had another bumper grain harvest, truly a nation blessed by the heavens!”
“I heard that this time the harvest reached xx catties, enough to feed 800 million people. It’s damn frightening!”
“So much grain? Our Great Xia only has a population of over 300 million, doesn’t that mean…”
“That’s right, we don’t have to worry about going hungry for the next two years!”
“Just keep working hard, and life will get better and better!”
“Our country is amazing. Being a citizen of Great Xia is such a blessing!”
Everyone was beaming, singing and dancing, and their sense of identity with Great Xia grew even stronger…
However, the mood in other countries was not so beautiful.
……
In the imperial palace of the Great Wu Empire.
The Great Wu Emperor looked grimly at his civil and military officials: “It’s harvest time, how is our yield this year?”
The officials below trembled, exchanging glances, with no one daring to speak.
“Minister Li, as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, speak up!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
A senior official, his face covered in sweat, stood up and bowed deeply, stammering as he spoke: “To report… to report to Your Majesty, our preliminary estimate of this year’s grain harvest has reached… has reached ×× catties!”
The Great Wu Emperor’s expression darkened further, and he spoke in a tone neither salty nor bland: “If I remember correctly, last year’s grain harvest reached ×× catties! This means that this year’s grain is nearly 70% less than last year’s. Am I wrong?”
The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue wiped the sweat from his brow: “Your Majesty, you… you are correct!”
“Am I really correct?”
Great Wu Emperor slammed his hand on the table and shouted: “Is it a shortage of seven-tenths, or is it eight-tenths? If you dare to conceal the truth again, I will charge you with the crime of deceiving the Emperor and have you beheaded immediately!”
The official fell to his knees in terror: “Your Majesty, it’s eight-tenths! This humble servant misspoke earlier. This year’s grain yield is approximately ×× catties, which is 80% less than last year! The reason for such a significant shortfall is entirely because of…”
Great Wu Emperor waved his hand, his face full of anger, and said: “I do not wish to hear your explanations! Do you understand the consequences of an 80% reduction in grain? Do you know how many people will suffer from hunger? Do you realize what desperate acts they might commit when they cannot fill their stomachs? Do you understand the impact this will have on our court?”
“Your Majesty, please forgive me, but this truly is not this humble servant’s fault!” the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue pleaded.
Great Wu Emperor shouted: “Whether it is your fault or not, as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, you failed to ensure our grain supply, and that is your fault! You need not say more. Atone with your death!”
“Your Majesty, please no! This humble servant has served you diligently for many years, if not with merit, then with hard work. Please spare my life!” The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue continued to plead, banging his head on the floor.
Great Wu Emperor, impatient, waved his hand: “Take him away! In consideration of your years of service, I grant you poisoned wine to die with dignity.”
“Your Majesty!”
Soon, there was silence.
None of the officials dared to intercede.
Although everyone knew the reason for the decrease in grain production, someone had to take the blame.
The most suitable candidate was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
So, if not him, then who?
Politics is bloody and cruel.
***
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