Chapter 59: New Crisis

Time came to January 5, 1165, Red Moon Calendar. The decennial territory management conference was held again this morning. Compared with the past, many new faces were added this time, and even half of the members were students who graduated from various Agrik academies. After years of practice, these young faces no longer had the immaturity of the beginning.

"Everyone, this management conference is presided over by me, Sakavi. After thirty years of unremitting efforts by everyone, the territory management structure has been completely stabilized, and all infrastructure construction tasks have been over-fulfilled. Here, I express my heartfelt thanks to everyone. The rewards have been prepared. After the meeting, 'Black Dragon Wing' will deliver them to your door.

In the next ten years, our construction focus will shift to the transcendent aspect. So far, our territory's cultivation of the transcendent system is still imperfect. Of course, I did not deny the achievements made by the teaching staff in the past ten years. In fact, you were ordered to take over in a crisis, and you were able to teach such excellent students under the condition of severe lack of experience. Your attitude and ability are worthy of affirmation.

However, we must also understand that our mature experience in cultivating transcendent beings only reaches the Mid-Level. Anything higher requires self-realization, and even tempering in war. In terms of other added values, we are only mature in herb planting, refining, and inscription engraving, while others such as magic weapon forging and special scroll production stop at Low-Level.

I plan to establish a new Edict Institute, mainly responsible for the manufacture of magic weapons, the writing of various scrolls, the development of new magic, and how to fight in large army groups in battlefields such as the Abyss. Of course, this department is not responsible for specific military mobilization, nor does it undertake weapon forging, but only responsible for researching various tasks. The Grand Manager is held by me personally. Does anyone have anything to add, or have any different opinions?"

Braga: "Grand Duke, we often encountered chaotic management problems with magic items in the past ten years. For example, the Regeneration Furnace, many of our warriors need to use it for repairs. Currently, it is kept by the Trade and Culture Department, but this is obviously inconsistent with the duties. Other magic weapons also have the same problem. Calling them often requires running to several departments, and some are even occupied by the legion itself.

I think this chaotic management situation needs to be changed, so I propose to establish a Military Equipment Department, and all materials need to be uniformly allocated by this department. Subordinate departments include:

Clearing and Manufacturing Division: Responsible for counting, registering, and establishing files.

Warehousing Division: Responsible for the management and daily maintenance of all warehouses.

Allocation Division: Responsible for receiving applications, approving, and issuing materials.

Standardization Division: Responsible for formulating and updating equipment standards and docking with R&D departments."

Sakavi: "This proposal is good. Does anyone have any different opinions?"

Clausuna: "Grand Duke, the Education and Trade Department is already difficult to take into account both advanced magic teaching and foreign exchanges. I propose to move the transcendent cultivation academies above Mid-Level, as well as research, file management, and other departments to the Edict Institute, and the Education and Trade Department will only be responsible for basic teaching work."

Sakavi: "Very good, then everyone, is there anything else to add?"

Rubidu: "Grand Duke, according to our statistics, there are currently five million residents in the territory, but there are nearly two million young individuals. We can no longer afford more troops. You know, so far, in addition to the 500,000 regular legions, we also have nearly 100,000 Garrison troops and 70,000 Security Brigade members.

If we count all kinds of grassroots management personnel, then the non-productive personnel have reached more than 700,000. We can no longer afford more troops. You know, the only place suitable for farming is the Bohe Plain, and the food lifeline is still stuck in the hands of the Rosen Empire."

Morei: "Grand Duke, I strongly agree with the point of view of Manager Rubidu, because in the past ten years, our fiscal surplus was 1 million gold coins. Don't look at the number, it's quite a lot. In fact, we spent 1 million gold coins just to form the Iron-Cast Legion and issue pensions. We cannot have no spare savings. You know, no one wants to see a stable territory led by a powerful Black Dragon."

Sakavi: "I will seriously consider everyone's words. Regarding whether to continue to expand military equipment, I still need to combine the situation outside for comprehensive consideration." At this time, a Drow Elf ran over hurriedly and said something in Sakavi's ear. "Hmm, I know!" Sakavi waved his front claws, signaling everyone below to be calm.

Braga: "Grand Duke, if there is a very urgent matter, should the meeting be temporarily terminated?"

Sakavi: "No need, the matter is still within the controllable range, don't be too nervous, the meeting continues as usual, you continue to report."

In the following time, each department reported the data of the past ten years in turn, as well as the plans for the next ten

"Today's meeting ends here. I hope that in the coming days, you will all continue to work together and help one another. Very well, meeting adjourned! Brag, Klausuna, Lady Tali, Sha Lu Te, Wu Gu Lu, Gisk, and Urno, follow me to the Black Scale Hall."

…………

"Have you all seen this intelligence? This is a provocation against me. If we do not take resolute and tough countermeasures, tomorrow there will be countless people coming here to take advantage of us. This time, I will make them pay the price!!!" Furious to the extreme, Sakavi smashed all the decorations in the room. Regarding this tough stance, even the usually steady Brag did not express any opposition.

According to the intelligence from the Eye of the Veil, Grap in Noaiteer was actually captured by the Chiguang Sect of the Guangmingjiao Society, and the church has announced that he will be publicly executed. One doesn't need to think to know that some force is planning to borrow a knife to kill, intending to provoke a war between the Guangmingjiao Society and Sakavi. However, even knowing it is a trap, he has to jump into it this time; if no measures are taken, I fear the hearts of the entire territory will scatter.

If it were the territory of other chromatic dragons, it wouldn't be a problem, because they never treated their subordinates as people to begin with, but it is different here. No matter what Sakavi thinks, the residents truly regard Sakavi as one of their own. Moreover, the combat system cannot function without the support of the territory, and they cannot just take the money and run even if they wanted to. Despite the severe lack of combat power at present, they still have to bite the bullet and go fight someone.

Sakavi certainly would not do something as outrageous as raiding the execution ground, but letting the church execute him without doing anything won't work either. This matter must show an attitude to internal personnel and show his strength to the various forces outside. Therefore, the simplest method is to capture a bishop of the church, and after the other side executes Grap, hang that person on the city wall here as well; the two sides can then be considered even.

"Brag, during this period, the territory will enter a state of combat readiness, so foreign trade will be temporarily suspended, and all suspicious personnel within will be investigated. Klausuna, Lady Tali, Sha Lu Te, Gisk, you will accompany me this time; I am going to bathe the Saint Nuofan Cathedral in blood."

Klausuna: "Sakavi, the Duofeng Republic has five demigods sitting in it, and that's not counting the demigods of the Church of Light and the Justice Sect. Are we being a bit too risky this time?"

Sakavi: "We are now the Grand Duke of the Luo Sen Empire. Burning the church of the Guangmingjiao Society will naturally be blamed on Senneide. In any case, this Majesty also has a very big opinion of Rodman. He has always looked down on us unstable factors anyway; isn't it just right to find him something to do? It saves him from planning to drive us away every single day."

Sha Lu Te: "Master, the defense in Duofeng is very strong. If we go over like this, we will inevitably be intercepted, even with a legitimate identity. I think it would be better if you personally serve as the trade ambassador, in the name of negotiating the trade of Hive Mind hearts; you know, this thing is a scarce commodity to begin with."

Klausuna: "I can arrange this matter. We can set off as early as the day after tomorrow. Information transmission takes time. Is there a problem?"

Sakavi: "Good, let's schedule it for the day after tomorrow. The personnel transporting the goods will all be members of the 'Black Dragon Wings'. Everyone, go back and prepare!"

…………

"Sha Lu Te, I'm dying of anxiety, and you're still eating. How long has it been since you last ate?"

"I say, Lady Tali, it's useless for you to be anxious! The Master himself is over there drinking coffee, so why shouldn't I be allowed to eat bread? Besides, we don't sell these kinds of jam-smeared baked goods on our side!

You should also learn from Klausuna. Look at her; since she arrived, she has been squandering the Grand Duke's money everywhere. The whole Aomosite City knows she is rich. We are representing Luo Sen on the surface this time; we should appear righteous and confident, not look like we're acting like thieves."

"Aren't we just here to kill and set fires? You're actually enjoying it. If that guy Grap gets burned to death by someone, wouldn't that mean all our hard work was for nothing?"

"You must call him Uncle, Lady Tali. How do I usually teach you? How can you have no manners at all? Don't you know Grap is your elder? Take the money and buy yourself a few pretty dresses. Remember, you must let others know that you are the daughter of Grand Duke Sakavi."

"Why? We have more important things to do. If everyone knows of our existence, how are we supposed to do it! Are you getting senile?"

"Do you think no one will know if you are careful? They even know that we have a severe lack of combat power; how could they miss this bit of intelligence? You will know why when the time comes. Go and do as I say!"

"Master, there is a nice place over there. Can Sha Lu Te and I go spend the night there tonight?" Gisk walked in from outside holding a pork knuckle and gave Sakavi a knowing smile. That kind of place is indeed attractive, but it cannot attract Sakavi. Over the years, he has come into contact with humans, elves, succubi, and more; he has long since lost interest in such places frequented by ordinary people.

"You go ahead! I want to go to the Great Library to take a look. Remember to come back early tomorrow morning; we will set off for Gray Mist Valley tomorrow afternoon."