Chapter 2183

For example, the former state of Julu had once fallen into great chaos due to the White Bear King's rampage and cannibalism.

Therefore, all regions of Cangyan had to organize their own militia to patrol the countryside and counties.

In fact, many village defense groups and patrol troops were built according to the standards of reserve forces, with intense training, even teaching combat techniques and formations; in case of war, they could simply change their uniforms to become an army. Villagers who joined the village defense or enlisted and trained during the summer and winter farming off-seasons could reduce their subsequent land taxes and enjoy a small discount when purchasing specific goods.

The regulations issued by the state of Cangyan can be said to be dazzlingly numerous, appearing overwhelming at first glance, but this is due to the state's vast size and numerous affairs; when spread across specific categories, the restrictions are actually quite few.

Letting the people rest and recuperate is mostly a matter of laissez-faire management.

Know that the fewer the restrictions, the better people can perform.

"Put away your meddlesome desire to control everything, put away the official airs you unleash when idle." He Lingchuan repeatedly emphasized to the ministers: governing a great state is like cooking a small fish—be observant, act little, and let things take their natural course.

The territory of Cangyan is excessively vast; although officials at all levels initially followed the path of elite troops and simplified governance upon establishment, since the state benefits the people, its coffers will lack funds and the treasury will fall into deficit.

Maintaining the army requires money, developing wasteland requires money, constructing water conservancy and roads requires money, paying salaries to officials at all levels requires money. Where does this money come from?

Before the founding of Cangyan, the resources and specialty products of the Flash Gold Plains could be sold elsewhere through the Yangshan Merchant Guild; now, with Mao and Ya at war, war supplies are purchased even more frequently.

Internally, Cangyan turned its attention to the aristocratic clans, as they possessed the largest reserves.

Besides plunder and slaughter, there is another way to make them willingly contribute grain and funds: that is, "loan."

The state of Cangyan exchanges "state bond certificates" for their grain and money; this certificate, stamped with the Qinghong Treasure Seal, is a loan note with an annual interest of six percent, redeemable after three years.

This is backed by the prestige of the Dragon God and the state's credit, and in the current environment where both enjoy high creditworthiness, the aristocratic gentry feel relatively reassured.

Furthermore, during the earlier Dragon God War, the Dragon God Army's occupied regions had already begun large-scale reclamation and production; by the time of the state's founding, there had already been three or four harvests, making grain supply and reserves relatively stable and usable for temporary stability.

Lastly, Cangyan imported large quantities of grain through the Yangshan Islands.

Bailie, as one of Mao's original grain supply regions, also concentrated on supplying large quantities of grain to Cangyan during this special period; the elders of the Lu family also made every effort, even borrowing grain from the northern states.

The initial salaries paid by Cangyan to local officials included chaffed rice, cloth, firewood, seasonings, straw sandals, herbal medicines, melons and fruits, local specialties, etc. —whatever could offset money was issued; after all, local finances had no money, so everyone tightened their belts together. This state of making do lasted until five months after the founding, when it began to improve.

More detailed measures will not be mentioned further.

In short, the founding of Cangyan was initially extremely difficult; He Lingchuan exerted all his efforts to stabilize domestic and foreign affairs, but merely to ensure a smooth transition and lay a solid foundation.

Because the frequent outbreaks of Imperial Flow Elixir will inevitably bring a massive increase.

Development can solve most problems. As long as we endure this most difficult period, as long as external pressure is minimal, the Flash Gold Plains will be full of promise.

Know that this plain is not only blessed by the Imperial Flow Elixir, but also enjoys the favor of the Dragon God.

Wherever the Black Flood Dragon totem is present, one commonly sees favorable weather and abundant harvests, and the spiritual energy will not be drained by immortals or demons, truly becoming a blessing for all beings—let alone cultivators progressing faster in their practice, even ordinary people will grow strong and healthy, rarely falling ill.

Threefold BUFF stacked to the max.

This is the opportunity He Lingchuan seized at all costs—seizing Flash Gold, stabilizing the external situation at all costs, guaranteeing stability at all costs—

The great transformation of heaven and earth has already arrived; he must quickly accumulate strength to be the first to stand in the tide of the era and ride the waves head-on.

￥￥￥￥￥

The first snow of the year at Lingxu City came later than usual, but it fell heavily, and in just one night it had not yet passed the calves.

In the early morning, Xi Yunhe entered the Autumn Palace and saw the palace servants sweeping snow in the gale, trying to clear the main road.

From autumn to winter, the Autumn Palace had always been brightly red; the maple and tallow tree leaves had just fallen completely, when blood plum and fire wintergreen took over in succession.

Although this is such a festive and lively color, Xi Yunhe always felt this place was more desolate than the Winter Palace, especially when the wind passed through the corridors with a wailing sound, combined with the rustling of leaves whispering softly, making it feel even more bleak.

Probably because there are too few people.

Upon reaching the door of the study, Xi Yunhe heard voices from inside.

A woman's voice.

Before he could knock, the person inside spoke first: "Come in."

Xi Yunhe pushed the door open, and a wave of warm air rushed toward him.

The study is also a warm pavilion; outside, snowflakes drift everywhere, white as jade, while inside it is warm as spring. On the couch sits a beauty, her hair hanging down with tassels, charming and plump; the National Preceptor of Shuangye lies half-reclined on her knees, eyes closed, enjoying her gentle massage on his temples.

The beauty also asked Shuangye: "Your Honor, why is there a strange toad beside this couch?"

"One?" Shuangye opened his eyes not at all, "Look again."

The beauty examined closely, couldn't help but feel her scalp tingle, and exclaimed: "Ah, this—this toad actually has many tadpoles on its back!"

Beside the couch stood a transparent water tank, the crystal polished to exceptional clarity, allowing a full view. Inside were rocks, driftwood, fine sand, seaweed, and clear water, looking at first glance like a small pond.

On the rocks lay a yellow toad as large as a person's palm, merely its color and surroundings too similar; the beauty had been in the study for a long time before realizing this was a living creature.

What distinguishes it from ordinary toads is the fine, dense, irregular small holes on its back, resembling a honeycomb, but inhabiting them are not bee larvae, but one tadpole after another!

Almost every one is alive, moving and spinning.

After seeing it clearly, the beauty felt a sudden chill run down her back.

"This is a brood-carrying toad." Shuangye's voice had no inflection, "It carries its offspring on its back to escape predators and danger. But correspondingly, if the mother toad dies, the young will all die as well, none can escape."

The beauty wondered: "If the mother toad encounters an enemy, would the tadpoles on its back sneak away?"

"Useless. There is a mysterious bond between mother and child; even if the tadpoles flee to the ends of the earth, it is of no use—one death, all die."

"Ah…" Such tiny tadpoles, could they swim to the ends of the earth? "This kind of symbiotic relationship must have an end, right?"

If mother dies then child dies, how is it that one generation after another of toads continues to exist?

"You are very clever." Shuangye smiled, "Not in vain do I like you most."

The beauty also smiled ingratiatingly, but not wholeheartedly. Liking is liking, why add the word "most," alas!

"When the tadpoles grow into small toads, this contract of shared life and death will automatically dissolve, and they will henceforth go their separate ways."