Chapter 1220

【Obtain Ritual: Consume ten points of Dominion Degree to link the Long Right Fruit.】

【Refining Ritual: Swallow the River, Spit the River】!

"Step first, step by step first; step last, step by step last——"

Liang Qu swallowed and spat the river water, his thoughts fluctuating, imagining in succession.

Your skill is not your ability; my clumsiness is not my will.

He understood this principle very early on; many people make no progress in their entire lives, not because they have reached the limit of their innate talent, but because the disadvantages of their circumstances have accumulated to an irreparable degree; likewise, if one cannot seize opportunities and grasp advantages, that in itself is a form of falling behind.

Especially upon reaching the Martial Saint realm, in youth, who is not a heaven's pride?

The more one has enjoyed the adulation of the many stars, the more unwilling one is to relinquish it; even if some enjoy the present state in peace, when opportunity arises, they will not hesitate to stake everything.

In late June of this year, four and a half years remain until the East Sea Great Hunt.

Inner vision of the self.

Before the New Year, the old toad's heavenly tribulation transformed into treasure; with the aid of heaven and earth, the root sea in the Lower Dantian broke through to eighty-two times; four months have passed, barely reaching eighty-three times; moreover, the Phoenix Immortal Treasure Fish remains unused, but it is decidedly not the case that a single treasure fish would break through to an exaggerated hundredfold.

The root sea has not leapt; the thirteen heavenly steps are equally difficult to advance, unless he abandons the three steps before, the self-nurtured fruit of the thousandfold root sea, and instead chooses other self-nurturing methods.

However, the thousandfold root sea has already become the simplest and most effective path for Liang Qu.

And now, the world enjoys peace.

Even if the Northern Court Khagan and the Southern Border Tribal Leaders repeatedly suffer setbacks, feeling unwilling, all factions know that the East Sea Great Hunt will open, rewards are abundant, and none fail to silently cultivate, accumulate strength; their desire for battle is mostly weak, and they cannot be forcibly commanded.

Therefore, great opportunities for merit do not similarly exist.

After tallying up all the details.

In four and a half years, Liang Qu's true body can accumulate to three hundred times the root sea; reaching the first or second stage will be the limit; without manifesting as the White Ape, reaching midstream is already not bad.

But if there is a minor position fruit, and it is successfully refined, like a finger to the arm, a water-attribute minor position fruit, Liang Qu's combat power will inevitably undergo a earth-shaking change!

The bank construction is steadily progressing, attracting more and more people; favor will surely increase year by year; occasionally hosting grand competitions, gathering scattered Dominion Degree, in four and a half years obtaining the remaining seven point seven Dominion Degree will absolutely allow a breakthrough, thus enabling the lure of the Long Right Fruit.

Swallow the River, Spit the River.

What level exactly needs to be achieved is currently unclear, but it should not be difficult.

Liang Qu possesses the Marsh State; the current water capacity it can hold has already reached an extremely terrifying degree; not to mention the main tributaries above and below the Huaijiang, pulling a minor tributary poses no problem; refining likewise holds hope.

As for the ranking at that time, it remains unknown.

With good luck, a top ten finish is not impossible; the minimum guarantee is obtaining fifty times the root sea as a Heavenly Elixir, and the first place even has a Winning Fruit.

Holding the Winning Fruit, Long Right, and Bapi Fruit, the minor position fruit demands of the Disaster Realm and the Flood Realm will each be half satisfied; in the future, it may be possible to achieve a two-level leap in the Smelting and Transformation into Rainbow, sweeping the universe.

The only problem.

Is it worth it.

From the opening of the Marsh State, the consumed Dominion Degree will disappear; using it to pick position fruits will inevitably delay the promotion time of the Water Ape Great Sage.

Liang Qu pondered: "A top ten finish cannot be guaranteed; there are too many accidents; I can propose suggestions to avoid them, but whether they are adopted cannot be guaranteed. The Whale Emperor again has unknown conspiracies; under everyone's eyes, whether the rewards are genuine or not, and whether there will be follow-up effects, cannot be guaranteed.

The benefits are similarly relative; originally having no chance to obtain rewards, now there is an opportunity; the ten points of Dominion Degree have not disappeared, but merely become Long Right, a fixed asset; the Whale Emperor's conspiracies are not unsolvable.

Ah, a high-risk investment——"

Life is just like this; it will never give you a hundred percent correct answer, nor will there be a reference copy.

Choose correctly and sing loudly as you advance, a single horse raising dust, the world gazing upon.

Choose incorrectly and you may tread in place; watching others advance is already not bad; you might even retreat ten years.

When the realm is low, everyone exhausts possibilities, or there may be an answer.

When you walk too high, you can only ask yourself.

Liang Qu rubbed his nose bridge.

How good it would be to directly come up with a hundred points of Dominion Degree now.

Like infinite gold coins and infinite gems in a game, directly.

Long Right?

Buy!

Tian Wu?

Buy!

Water Ape Great Sage?

Rise.

Damn it, you call yourself the Whale Emperor.

Damn!

Thoughts gathered.

Whether investing or not, first strive to accumulate Dominion Degree, build the territory to increase favor, and pile up the principal!

Other brilliance flashing continuously, Liang Qu successively reviewed downward, confirming several points.

"Territorial favor complete, able to touch certain rules, corresponding fruits resonate.

The power of disaster-attributed position fruits should tend toward destruction; healing-attributed position fruits, toward stability and creation; governing-attributed position fruits, more like the sovereign of a certain domain, stronger than both.

Intermediate position fruits indeed have the possibility of advancing to great position fruits; the same minor position fruit with different combinations has the opportunity to create different worlds."

At the same time, the places where Liang Qu is uncertain also exist.

Currently, disaster-attributed Bapi Fruit, Winning Fruit, Fei Fruit, Yong Fruit, and Long Right are all minor position fruits; healing-attributed Qingnv, Ju Ling, and Wu Fruit are all intermediate position fruits; governing-attributed Huaijiang Lord and Yu Lord are all great position fruits.

Could it be that disaster, healing, and governing are still level divisions?

Are there other attributes?

For minor position fruits to create a realm, it requires four plus one; for intermediate position fruits to create a realm, it is three plus one; is this a regularity or coincidence? Are there obvious differences in the levels of worlds? Which is superior, which inferior?

Moreover, can great position fruits create a realm, how many are needed, and how should primary and secondary be divided?

Liang Qu pondered, "I don't know what attribute the self-nurtured position actually is."

The seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter), the sun (and moon), withered wood meeting spring, heavenly water and morning dew, Size Ruyi, and Xuan Huang—nine strands in total.

Different attributes of vital energy, aided by the weaving of time insects, achieved a strange harmony of seasons, sun and moon, water and wood, yellow earth, and heavenly will within Liang Qu's body.

All the yang energy above lacks the "negative" and "destructive" attributes, being mostly positive; nurtured, it at minimum becomes a "healing" attribute.

Right?

Regardless, this visit was complete, bringing great surprise and gain.

The importance of harvesting information in advance has been repeatedly verified in event after event; a simple information gap can create opportunity, create wealth, create countless possibilities—

"Roar!!"

"We won! We won! Hurry, hurry, hurry—make it to the top eight, make it to the top eight!"

"Come see the bonfire."

Cheers echoed, shaking the water's surface.

Liang Qu looked up.

The soaring bonfire burned fiercely, Xiong Xiong, illuminating the water with rippling light, canine-tooth orange gleams flashing and intertwining, spreading toward the distance.

"Splash."

The reeds swayed, water eddies swirled, ripples undulated.

Night fell dim, no one noticed Liang Qu appear, brushing past countless passersby.

On the dark ancient tree, mournful cries rose and fell, cicadas chirped in waves, and the glowing cloth shadow rotated three hundred sixty degrees.

Ordinary people without money for tickets stood on the street watching; the wealthy bought tickets and enjoyed the cool on the upper floors, cheering for different teams' victories, adding a touch of heat to midsummer." That side has started—let's hurry over to see the bonfire.

"No, it's too hot today."

"Then let's go listen to the Thousand Apertures Profound Wood—it's said to predict fate, and we haven't stamped yet; I've heard collecting thirteen seals can reduce the cost of the Rush and Bustle by twenty wen!"

"How come I didn't draw it—"

"Bring ten skewers of mutton, ten of beef, one kidney, one salted fish—is the salted fish grilled to dry and burnt? Got any rice wine?"

"Got it!"

Time flew by.

June 21st, Sixth County.

【Offering to Huaijiang, river favor degree +4.0159】

【River dominion degree: 2.3 (river favor degree: 6.3985)】

June 24th, Seventh County.

【Offering to Huaijiang, river favor degree +3.5】

【River dominion degree: 2.3 (river favor degree: 9.8985)】

July 12th, Thirteenth County.

Bing fire sunrise, Jin Guang shining brightly.

The scorching fire line baked everything pale, tiles grew hot, birds couldn't find footing.

【Offering to Huaijiang, river favor degree +2.0744】

【River dominion degree: 2.3 (river favor degree: 24.9729)】

【Greatly favored by Huaijiang, physical exertion in water slightly reduced, divine ability consumption slightly reduced, water-inflicted damage slightly reduced, water recovery moderately increased.】

Thirteen ports, harvest favor mostly above three points, quickly pulling the dried-up favor back to twenty-five.

If given another year, nurturing the fief's sacrificial atmosphere, investing in construction, Liang Qu can at minimum build on this year's foundation and add half the favor value!

Thus.

Mid-year celebration concluded perfectly!

【Great Prosperity Merit, fame shines brightly.】

【River dominion degree: 2.4 (river favor degree: 24.9729)】

"Huh?"

Liang Qu's eyes showed surprise, silently committing these words to heart.

Great Prosperity Merit, fame shines brightly.

Awe the disloyal, spread virtue to Huaijiang.

Span the Great River, shine bright as the sun.

The three current methods to acquire dominion degree.

"Spanning the Great River, shining bright as the sun should be simplest and equally impactful; Awe the disloyal, spread virtue to Huaijiang consumes too much time and energy; Great Prosperity Merit, fame shines brightly aligns with Liang Qu's goal—should be constant construction of Huaijiang, including both banks—"

After completing the lengthy celebration festival, we arrived at the crucial moment.

Liang Qu rushed nonstop to the Jiangchuan Prefecture Office.

Settling accounts, tax collection!

One million beautiful dream tickets—this is his own business; using it to subsidize construction equals using Liang Qu's own pocket money to subsidize the national treasury, naturally seeming insufficient.

Especially compared to the prefecture's total tax revenue, it's mere trifles!

Crowds flow, big spenders spend, still all aspects of industry.

Even before this thirteenth celebration began, Liang Qu had specially amended the Great Order Tax Law on its basis to make sufficient changes.

"Clack! Clack! Clack!"

On the long abacus, Li Shoufu led ten registrars and officials from Pingyang Prefecture sent to support, continuously flipping accounts, tallying expenses, already ongoing for three days.

Hedgehogs—each examined in turn, key points listed and reported to Liang Qu.

"Total income from Shadow Viewing is 2,460,000, dividends, expenditures—"

"Summer tax total revenue 59.4 million, seven-tenths to the imperial court, the remainder 17.8 million taels—"

"Merchant fixed-quota tax 2.34 million, the remainder——"

The vast majority of petty traders' business income is difficult to tally; labor costs are too high, so most is based on operating scale, a fixed figure is set, regardless of whether business is good or bad, they pay according to this scale, hence called fixed-quota tax; even later generations collect it this way.

The difference is insufficient supervisory strength; the corruption within is over ten times more severe.

Liang Qu listened one by one, until a certain figure, his expression changed.

"First half of the year, water transport tax 539.764 million, the remainder——"

Everyone looked up.

Jiao people, dragon people, ordinary people all froze in shock.

Among all items, this one stands out extremely.

Water transport tax!

Everyone had never heard of exaggerated figures calculated in hundreds of millions; this is still half a year's revenue, and not fully rolled out, everyone immediately switched over, a massive harvest with a gradual process.

"What a pity."

Liang Qu shook his head.

Can hear of it but can't eat it; this large sum of financial-freedom money he can't get.

Huaijiang water transport tax revenue is supervised by the imperial court, does not belong to Liang Qu personally.

If Liang Qu relied on 【Vortex Evasion Path】 to take this money, even a seventy-thirty split with the imperial court would be unreasonable, because it equals him sharing a cut of all goods on the Huaijiang with the imperial court; the significance is far more than just giving thirteen ports.

The imperial court agrees, other enfeoffed kings would not be willing.

Therefore this water transport tax, the imperial court does not split; instead, same as ordinary petty traders, fixed quota, pays six million to Liang Qu annually, that is three million taels per half-year.

"This first half of the year, how much total revenue?"

Ci Wei respectfully said: "Up to June, after splitting accounts with the imperial court, total surplus 4.38 million."

Li Shoufu heard this and his eyes widened slightly.

Surplus 4.38 million!

He knew how ruthless Liang Qu's investments in his own territory were, all kinds of road paving, all kinds of construction as if money were no object; within the main city district, wide roads must be built, ten carriages abreast, shrubs planted in the middle, trees on both sides, unheard of.

And according to Liang Qu's scale and construction goals, labor costs are likewise a major item; for instance local order maintenance, because of massive population influx, at least five times more manpower than normal places, many people to maintain, trials and detention also need arranging.

In addition local tax collection etc., all need people, need to establish organizational structure; to avoid embezzlement and corruption as much as possible, Liang Qu additionally set up a supervisory organization, nested repeatedly.

During the celebration period, talent in the fief was even more insufficient, all spent money hiring outside aid, making surrounding prefectural government office send personnel to assist; just like this operating half a year, seventy-thirty split with the imperial court, surprisingly a surplus, and 4 million-plus!

Construction always has an end; once costs stabilize, how much surplus then?

Recalling those days, swapping cockscomb fruit daily, that minor river official who had to deliberate over a few major merits, in a blink, actually built the fief into this state, both civil and military talent; Li Shoufu always felt the world changed too fast, clearly he himself isn't that old yet.

"Four million——"

Liang Qu let out a long breath.

Not bad, no major problem on the books, no deficit appeared.

He still has quite a few debts unpaid.

"Continue! According to previous planning, invest money invest money still invest money! Money is a bastard; within three years, don't let over one million silver stay on the books over half a month! Can only owe, cannot profit!"

"Obey!"

Ci Wei single claw pressed to forehead, hugged the account books and hurried out, pondering where 4 million taels of silver should go.

Finally start building roads and the high-end inn the Prince of Huai spoke of.

Use roads and core to plan, the rest all let merchants develop!

Forty days of celebration activities finished, Liang Qu simply arranged Bing Fire day's arrangements, returned to Yang Mansion, fell head on pillow and slept.

"Finally can rest——ha——"

Vision plunged into darkness.

Full forty days, he didn't close his eyes for a single day.

"Eying jie~ I helped too! Total——"

"Shh~"

Back against the room door, Long Eying raised index finger vertically, hearing the clamor of cicadas outside the window, she waved to beckon the little shen dragon: "Third Prince, sister entrusts you with another task."

Shen dragon's eyes brightened, trotted forward wagging tail, dragon pressed: "|Organize orders!"

"Catch the cicada philosophers on nearby trees, don't let them make noise; tonight I'll fry zhiliao for you to eat."

"Fried zhiliao? Qian ye!" Shen dragon licked lips, "Obey!"

White mist sprayed, over a hundred Bai Yu insect-catching nets appeared, waved crisscross, catching each chirping cicada into net bags—.

One sleep lasted not ten-odd double-hours, bird day bird night.

Dimly opened eyes again.

Quiet and still.

Afternoon sunlight through the window, fell on Long Eying reviewing scrolls; she sat on the bed mattress, seemingly guarding all along.

Liang Qu patted his forehead, somewhat dazed; he couldn't hear the summer movement outside the window, somewhat suspected whether he had slept through the season.

Cicadas?

"Awake?" Long Eying put down the scroll, "Hungry?" "Hungry? Still qian, a bit thirsty."

"I'll go pour you tea." Long Eying stood up from the bed mattress.

"Drink green, not red."

Liang Qu lay back, a lazy stretch, stretched away fatigue of all parts, turned over and sat up again, mind turned a circle, saw A Zhi incoming message, pressed forehead.

Territory affairs just concluded a phase, Southern Border Insect Valley men about to start.

"Hard-working fate ah——"

"What's wrong? Nothing's happening in this damn weather, I'm keeping watch for you—"

Liang Qu looked up.

Long Eying faced the desk, brewing tea; her slender curves were especially pronounced at the waist, half-hidden by the dark hair cascading down.

He looked.

A scorching, searing sensation surged up; Liang Qu's heart stirred, he reined in his breath, walked barefoot across the floor, embraced her waist from behind, and pressed tight against her.

"Is this the 'hard labor' you spoke of?"

Long Eying half-turned, resisting, then was pressed by Liang Qu's momentum onto the desk, the tea pot tipping over. "Wait, it's all proper business, all the same."