Chapter 444

During the period of summoning the current high-ranking Dragon People, the Dragon People's priest came again, inquiring about Yan Buji's true thoughts.

He still remembers how frenzied and tyrannical Yan Buji was back then; almost all Dragon People who defied his will were labeled with the crime of "obstructing the great revival of the Dragon People" and slaughtered, earning him a twenty-year dictatorship.

Of course, this cannot be simply called good or bad; after all, the Dragon People can now develop, and that is truly the case.

"Perfect, priest you've come. I've dealt with the Dragon People's current development issues and was planning to discuss them with you."

"Your Majesty...."

Yan Buji picked up some reports and said: "The Dragon People's pillar industry remains the Snow People's python-sparrow substitute cultivation; although its profits fill the fiscal gap, now that the Dragon People have seen three generations, we cannot just look at these petty gains. I wish to establish a Trade Bureau, lift the trade restrictions on the lower Dragon People with the outside world, using tax revenue as the economic foundation...."

"In this part, we allow the Dragon People to expand outward, but we must consult the Shark People and Snow People; the execution of this will be left to the next Dragon King."

The Dragon People's priest froze for a moment: "Tax revenue?"

"Since the Dragon People have surpassed the stage of planned economy, relying solely on scarce industries here is insufficient to support their development. As the helmsman, we must find new paths for the Dragon People. Moreover, the Boundless Sea Trench is not the Dragon People's territory; all actions must be based on profitable circumstances."

"And relinquishing trade rights is merely a beginning; over these years the Dragon People have purchased many seeds and fish fry from the outside world, so the priest surely intends to open other trade channels for the Dragon People. But if the upper management's approach inevitably leads to unequal distribution of benefits, it is destined that these will be relinquished later; here I have made a proposal...."

Yan Buji produced a detailed treatise expounding his views on improving the Dragon People's trade and commerce and key tax policies, aiming to orderly enhance overall strength according to the Dragon People's current situation.

The Dragon People's priest looked at Yan Buji's proposal, fell silent for a while: "Your Majesty, since you can handle all affairs, why do you actively wish to abdicate?"

Yan Buji thought for a moment, then smiled: "The Dragon People's development is already on the right track; whether I am present or not is actually unimportant. In this world, survival is nothing but profit and conflict; after I leave, distant alliances and nearby attacks will eventually lead to fierce conflict with the Shark People. Looking now, although it may be premature to say, the Dragon People's developmental direction has already been determined."

In other words, that's about all Yan Buji can do; the Dragon People are not lacking talent, and as long as internal affairs and foreign trade follow the set direction without stupidity, there will be no problem.

Nothing more than the troubles the Dragon People will face after becoming strong; but Yan Buji also offered some suggestions.

However, speaking to this point, Yan Buji's true intention is actually that the Dragon People's development can no longer keep up with his pace.

If the Dragon People were like the Snow People or Shark People, possessing their own territory and industry, Yan Buji would not object to staying a while longer, waiting for development to bear fruit.

But now Yan Buji must consider his own cultivation path, and the Dragon People have recently produced about ten or more Golden Core cultivators, proving that the Dragon People's talents have begun to shine.

Will they obey a Golden Core-stage king?

Impossible.

Therefore, whether for substance or appearance, Yan Buji's departure is destined; only after he leaves will those talents have a chance to shine.

Moreover, the cultivation world is one that venerates strength, so the Dragon People's development will not stagnate; instead, it will erupt with many strong individuals within a certain scale before achieving a overall leap in hierarchy.

For example, previously the Dragon People had only a few Golden Core cultivators, but now they have over ten.

And when one or two of those Golden Core cultivators reach Nascent Soul stage, Yan Buji's suggestion is to have them abdicate, using the Dragon People's resources to support their cultivation, or to send them out to travel and bring back resources to repay the Dragon People;

By extension, even if Nascent Soul stage is hard to break through, once the Dragon People's scale reaches the point where the number of Nascent Soul cultivators reaches double or even triple digits, they can match the Snow People's scale.

By then, as long as Yan Buji's strength can reach the Unity Dao stage or even the Great Vehicle stage, the true power of the Dragon People's sword will be manifested.

Therefore, Yan Buji's current severance from the Dragon People is precisely to later regain control over them.

However, on the surface, one cannot speak so harshly.

"No matter what, since the Dragon People have lifted restrictions, there will be more talents to support this people and become pillars. The priest's task is to teach them to love their own people, to identify with their identity as humans do, to live with dignity, so that more Dragon People will repay the clan's development."

The Dragon People's priest nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Go summon everyone."

"Yes."

Yan Buji's influence left among the Dragon People is already considerable; long ago he had people compile the Dragon People's history, which many did not understand, but now his voluntary abdication will have a very positive impact on the Dragon People's history and in people's hearts.

"Your Majesty has returned?"

"What exactly happened?"

"Wasn't Your Majesty in seclusion?"

"Why has everyone come?"

The Dragon People's officials came to the main hall, looking at Yan Buji on the throne.

After a sixty-year separation, although the Dragon People's development is rapid, they still hold a reverent attitude toward Yan Buji.

It is likely the effect of a carrot and stick approach; no matter how Yan Buji is described in Dragon People's history, everything he did will not be forgotten.

Because history is right here.

"I, the king, rose from hardship, drifted into the Boundless Sea Trench, met the Dragon People, entered the Dragon Palace, and it has been nearly ninety years. I recall when I first saw them, the Dragon People were self-indulgent and lazy, lacking ambition; moreover, they bore bloodline restrictions, had many natural enemies, were trapped in the Boundless Sea Trench, suffering from lack of guidance; at that time the Dragon People existed in name only."

"Huh?"

The Dragon People's officials froze; this is not the style of the king. Upon returning to handle affairs, shouldn't he first purge a batch of corrupt elements before managing the overall situation?

"Although there are those with insight who wholeheartedly reform, organize troops to protect the clan's name, distribute hunted meat to the populace, they still fail to win the Dragon People's hearts, expecting to substitute their own mind for the people's—truly a pity."

The Dragon People's officials looked at each other, wondering if this referred to Wang Chao and them.

"What does the king mean by this, to clear their names?"

You should know that many elders among the Dragon People still remember the time when the king and Wang Chao and them contended for power and profit; although not as much as now, few mention it, or dare not mention it.

Why does the king say this?

"When I first took charge of clan affairs, I opened territories to seek external expansion, allied with the Shark People for trade, joined the alliance for a clan name, and gained eighty years of development for the Dragon People. Merits and faults alike shall be judged by posterity. Now the Dragon People flourish, not lazy; internal expansion of buildings supplies housing; external deployment of troops seeks self-defense; literacy and education nurture the young; ample affairs provide reliance for the elders; fishing fields and sea farms suffice for food; foreign trade and commerce match resources."

"As for cultivators, the weak rely on diligence, the strong on talent; they stand out within the clan and resonate abroad. The people's development does not seek to have the many support one; since heaven moves vigorously, we ourselves must advance and overcome obstacles."

Yan Buji rose, looked at the crowd, and said: "In view of this, I, the king, hereby from today onward abdicate the throne, solitary and alone; not for power to retain, not for people to hope, not for me to lack ambition, not for the clan to be beyond reach; sincerely, with the clan's aspirations, I await future generations to carry forward and surpass, the blue outshining the indigo. I hope you will again be wise lords, respectfully welcoming the new king's ascension."