Chapter 371: Tuan Cang, Speak Up!

The next morning, at the Hokage Office.

"Tuan Cang, have you thought about how to persuade the Daimyo to allocate funds?"

Yuanfei Rizhan asked solemnly.

"If not, I have a document right here."

It concerns the Village's funding issue and must be handled with great caution.

Ri Zhan worried that Tuan Cang wasn't prepared, so he wrote a plan last night.

He believed that handing it to the Fire Country Daimyo would greatly increase the success rate of the allocation.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang subconsciously took the document and skimmed it.

The contents above concern Konoha Village's recent construction and planning proposals, as well as the promises made to the Daimyo.

For example, offering the Daimyo dozens of Jonin free of charge to safeguard his personal safety.

Currently, the Daimyo's Residence's guards are all ordinary people.

If we send ninjas to the Daimyo's Residence for free, the Daimyo would surely agree.

Tuan Cang's eyes lit up, thinking Ri Zhan's plan had no issues.

Using Jonin as the Daimyo's guards would look extremely prestigious when spread around.

He knew very well that Daimyos cared most about face.

In that case, the allocation success rate would indeed increase dramatically…

"Ri Zhan, you did well," Tuan Cang said, carefully putting away the document.

"What are you two talking about?"

At that moment, Lian Ye pushed open the office door and entered, finding only Tuan Cang and Ri Zhan inside.

"Is it just the three of us going?"

"That's right, the three of us are enough," Tuan Cang said.

They're only going to the Fire Country capital, not infiltrating another Ninja Village, so there's no need for a large mobilization.

Simplicity is best.

If Ri Zhan weren't the Hokage Assistant, he would only want to bring Lian Ye alone.

"Lian Ye, when you see the Daimyo, don't speak recklessly!" Ri Zhan warned.

He still hasn't forgotten the scene at the Thunder Country Daimyo's Residence back then.

Lian Ye was bold enough to threaten the Daimyo.

In their established understanding, one must never offend the Daimyo!

After all, the Daimyo controls a country's wealth, and even powerful ninjas rely on the Daimyo's financial support.

Even a Bounty Hunter like Jiaodu has never considered assassinating a Daimyo.

Ninjas don't engage in production; they can only earn money by selling their effort.

If someone kills the Daimyo, the entire country would fall into chaos.

Then the ninjas would lose their source of income…

"Understood," Lian Ye waved his hand indifferently.

Ri Zhan and the others embody the typical Ninja Mindset, which causes the weak Daimyo to live an emperor-like life.

If one breaks free from the Ninja Mindset, one realizes the Daimyo is actually useless.

He's basically an ATM.

He only has so-called authority, but lacks comparable strength.

Someone like that would have died a hundred and eight years ago in another world.

If the Daimyo dies, just replace him with another Daimyo, right?

Since we're changing the Daimyo, why not choose a compliant one?

Lian Ye plans to go to the Daimyo's Residence this time to see the situation.

If the Fire Country Daimyo obeys, everyone will be delighted.

If he doesn't obey…

He would become a minister with overwhelming power.

Tuan Cang gave Lian Ye a meaningful glance, seeming to guess his thoughts.

He had no objections to that.

Since that incident in Thunder Country, he has known that Lian Ye is different from them.

Lian Ye had offered a suggestion to the Raikage at the time.

A few years later, Thunder Hidden Village began vigorously developing its economic construction.

It should be noted that development requires massive financial support.

The source of those funds is beyond the point of this discussion…

Tuan Cang specifically summoned Lian Ye because of this.

Although harboring murderous thoughts toward the Daimyo is somewhat treasonous, he can let Lian Ye run wild for the sake of the Village.

Everything is for Konoha!

If the matter is inadvertently exposed someday, he is willing to bear all the blame!

As long as it helps the Village develop better, any means are acceptable.

Using unscrupulous methods does no harm to the greater good!

"It's getting late; we can set off," Tuan Cang said, leaving the office first.

Lian Ye and Ri Zhan hurriedly followed.

After a morning's journey, the three of them arrived at the Fire Country capital.

"Lian Ye, when you see the Daimyo you must not speak carelessly, and you must not be disrespectful to the Daimyo!" Yuanfei Rizhan still anxiously admonished Lian Ye.

He thought it was one thing for Lian Ye to be rude to the Lord of Lightning Country, but it was absolutely unacceptable to be rude to his own Daimyo.

The village's development depends on the Daimyo allocating funds.

If they accidentally offend the Daimyo, the village will find it hard to develop in the future.

He only worries that Lian Ye might speak disrespectfully, but never imagined Lian Ye would dare to act against the Daimyo.

It can only be said that this is a notion caused by the Ninja Mindset.

"Fine, you've been nagging all the way," Lian Ye said, a little irritated.

Ri Zhan, that guy, actually doesn't feel at ease about himself!

He's not a child; is it necessary to keep saying it?

And besides, isn't it just a Daimyo?

That overly cautious demeanor—

Someone who doesn't know would think they're going to meet the Sage of Six Paths.

He already had little goodwill toward the Daimyo, and Ri Zhan's words further stirred his inner resentment.

Lian Ye wants to see whether the Fire Country Daimyo is as terrifying as Ri Zhan described!

If not, then he's finished!

Yuanfei Rizhan had no idea that he was inadvertently bringing a deadly disaster upon the Daimyo.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, seeing Lian Ye's ashen complexion, knew the matter was settled.

From tomorrow onward, the village will never lack funds again.

With financial support, the village can develop even more rapidly.

Other Ninja Villages will definitely be left far behind by Konoha!

Tuan Cang grew more excited as he thought, wishing Lian Ye would kill the Daimyo right now.

The three headed to the Daimyo's Residence.

Daimyo's Residence, Daimyo's Bedchamber.

The Fire Country Daimyo was cheerfully watching the songstresses dance.

At that moment, a guard rushed in to report.

"Lord Daimyo, Konoha Village's Third Hokage requests an audience!"

"Hokage?" the Daimyo frowned displeased, "What does he come for?"

Speaking so, he waved his hand to disperse the songstresses.

Even if the Daimyo was displeased about the Hokage's arrival, he could not refuse them entry.

"Invite the Hokage to the Great Hall; wait until I finish bathing and changing, then go."

"Yes!"

The guard immediately turned and left.

"Men, prepare hot water."

At the Daimyo's command, the maidservants hurried to begin their tasks.

Inside the Great Hall.

"Why hasn't the Daimyo arrived yet?" Lian Ye's complexion was grim.

The more he looked at the Daimyo, the more irritated he became.

Although Lian Ye had never seen the Fire Country Daimyo before, it didn't stop him from feeling displeased.

"Lian Ye, watch your words and actions!" Ri Zhan hurriedly reminded.

"Isn't it just a Daimyo?" Lian Ye ignored Ri Zhan, saying discontentedly, "He still dares to put on airs for us!"

Even Madara Uchiha wouldn't make him wait that long.

"Just because he's a lousy Daimyo, does he really think he's an emperor?"

He doesn't like this Daimyo; he's preparing to replace him with another.

"Lian Ye, stop talking," Ri Zhan was on the verge of crying, "Tuan Cang, you quickly persuade him!"

"Tuan Cang, speak up!"

Tuan Cang said nothing, leisurely sipping his tea.

He wouldn't get angry over the actions of a dying man…