Chapter 976

Xiang Weiyuan said: “I merely cannot bear to see war ravage the land and countless lives suffer…”

But after one more glance at the young Daoist’s eyes, he immediately added: “Call them back! Call them all back at once! But… those already on the move—some of them can’t be easily recalled…”

The young Daoist pondered a moment, then said: “Let those already on the move stay. Anyone not yet aboard must not leave.”

Xiang Weiyuan immediately issued orders through the Human Smoke network, and soon several Phase Manifestation Daoists rose into the sky, flying in all directions to recall the scattered forces.

The young Daoist had not expected Xiang Weiyuan to act so decisively; he gave a slight nod and said: “Those sands you scattered across the fields…”

“They’re specially cultivated for red-stemmed cotton. All cotton harvested will be bought outright by us. Zhao Guo’s peasants will earn three times more growing cotton than grain.”

“But what about the grain shortfall?”

“Qingming Society will supply grain at fixed prices, matching those in other Zhao Guo regions, and every cotton-growing peasant may purchase unlimited quantities.”

The young Daoist coldly said: “So I’m supposed to thank you now?”

“It is my duty.”

The young Daoist shook his head and sighed: “Your face is so smooth, even Yan Shi might pale beside you—no wonder Shenji couldn’t match you. The battle’s already been fought, soldiers are dead, and we’ve lost one Yujing. Speak: what do you want after this war?”

Xiang Weiyuan pulled out the pre-drafted “Qing-Zhao Friendly Trade and Maritime Treaty” and respectfully offered it forward.

The young Daoist swept it with his spiritual sense and said: “...Compensate fallen soldiers, reimburse losses, open the following cities as trade ports, Qingming caravans may travel freely within Zhao Guo territory, and Qingming members who break the law must be tried by Qingming alone—Zhao Guo has no right to punish them…”

With each clause read, the young Daoist’s expression darkened further.

Xiang Weiyuan hurriedly said: “The last clause—extraterritorial jurisdiction—can be removed. But if the Zhao King arbitrarily arrests Qingming citizens again, another war will follow. It’s better to keep it…”

The young Daoist coldly said: “That clause must be removed!”

“Understood.” Xiang Weiyuan agreed without hesitation.

The young Daoist reread the treaty and asked: “Which clauses do you think you could give up yourself?”

Xiang Weiyuan said: “Compensation for fallen soldiers isn’t necessary. Reimbursement for military expenses…”

Qingming had lost few men—casualty payments could be ignored. But the flip side was massive ammunition consumption.

Each shot from the rapid-fire cannon’s sword-bullets cost one tael of immortal silver. Xiang Weiyuan had prepared over three hundred cannons to counter Zhao Guo’s iron cavalry, firing five million sword-bullets. Add the artillery expended during the assault on Cui Shutong’s county seat, and this battle cost him exactly eight million taels.

One could say that the hundreds of thousands of elite Zhao soldiers were literally blasted to death with immortal silver.

Xiang Weiyuan glanced at the young Daoist’s face, gritted his teeth, and said: “For your sake, sir, I’ll waive reimbursement for military expenses entirely!”

The young Daoist frowned slightly and asked: “How much did you spend total?”

“Nine million taels.” Xiang Weiyuan told the truth. Ammunition was only part of it—the movement of hundreds of thousands of troops, hundreds of war chariots, and over a thousand supply wagons burned through immortal silver.

“Truly?”

“If I lie, may thunder strike me down!” No sooner had Xiang Weiyuan spoken than a bolt of lightning split the clear sky and struck him!

Xiang Weiyuan was stunned—he couldn’t fathom why he’d been struck, since he hadn’t lied.

The young Daoist showed a rare smile and said: “At your cultivation level, don’t rashly swear oaths. You think you’re fulfilling a vow, but you’re disturbing the Dao’s balance. Especially now that you carry a Demon Lord within you—any disturbance to the Dao invites heavenly retribution.”

Xiang Weiyuan understood. “Thank you for your guidance, sir.”

The young Daoist said: “Nine million taels is no small sum, but Zhao Guo simply cannot pay it now. The people are destitute, prices soar, merchants collapse, and the state treasury is empty. To extract nine million taels would spark rebellion. That’s not what you want, is it?”