Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 1775: Chapter 144: Those Who Obtain Shouzhe Obtain the World (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_2

“Do you know Wu Panpan?” Wang Anye asked again.

“I do, I do!” As soon as she heard the name, Wanci became excited. “She’s the leader of our Third Group Army. I’ve seen her many times with my master. She’s very powerful, really impressive, and quite beautiful and valiant. My master has always idolized her.”

As she spoke, her tone suddenly became gloomy: “Our Third Group Army is likely completely fallen, and most probably, Leader Panpan too… Sigh~”

Wang Anye was also deeply shocked.

What a magnificent battle it must have been to cause even a True Immortal to fall. It seems that the road ahead for the Wang family and the Human race’s future development is still very long.

After that, Wang Anye asked many questions in succession; some Wanci could answer, while others she wasn’t very clear about. After all, she is just a weapon and wasn’t always by her master’s side, and much of her memory was washed away by the energy tides.

Eventually, Wanci became a bit impatient, directly complaining: “Young Master Anye, I’m just an artifact spirit. If you want me to slash someone, no problem, but could you please stop interrogating me? I really can’t take it anymore.”

Only then did Wang Anye apologetically put her away, letting her get some good rest.

Gaining a half-step Immortal Artifact, Wang Anye was naturally happy too.

He cultivated the Sword Array Dual Ultimate Codex, and his primary battle method was the {Sword Array}. The more and better swords, the better.

However, he had previously always used the {Epoch} as the main sword and formation eye of his sword array. Now it seemed he might owe an apology to his master…

…

A period later.

Da Qian Palace, Zhuozheng Pavilion.

As the end of the year approaches, the temperature in Return to Dragon City has become increasingly lower, and even the palace, protected by formations, has grown colder, gradually acquiring a winter chill.

In recent days, with the arrival of a cold wave, abundant snow has begun falling, enveloping the entire Return to Dragon City in a wintry landscape.

Inside the palace walls, ordinary eunuchs and palace maids with low cultivation bases are now wearing well-wrapped winter clothes, and protective covers have been applied over the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden to guard against the cold. Even the carpet laid in Zhuozheng Pavilion has been replaced with warm fire mulberry mats.

At this moment, in the courtyard outside Zhuozheng Pavilion, a group of eunuchs, under the command of the Inner Guard Commander, Little Xiangzi, with shovels and brooms in hand, are busily clearing the snow off the paths. They appear busy yet orderly.

Suddenly.

A young man wearing a cloak strode into the courtyard.

In the piled snow around, his dark cloak was particularly striking against the white, like ink dripping onto a blank sheet of rice paper.

On the back of his cloak, the image of an Azure Dragon, exquisitely embroidered by the finest embroiderers, appeared alive, leaving a deep impression on those who saw it.

This young man was, of course, Emperor’s son An, Wu Mingyuan.

Seeing him, the eunuchs in the courtyard quickly stopped what they were doing and respectfully saluted him. Inner Guard Commander Little Xiangzi also immediately approached, respectfully supporting Emperor’s son An’s arm.

Emperor’s son An gestured to the other eunuchs to continue their work, then stepped up the stairs and pushed open the door to Zhuozheng Pavilion, entering inside.

Inside the pavilion, Wang Shizhao had been busying himself alone for some time. Seeing Emperor’s son An enter, he quickly stood up and greeted him: “Your Highness.”

“How many times have I told you, we are all family, no need to be so formal,” Emperor’s son An replied with a hint of helplessness.

After removing his cloak and switching from stiff leather boots to comfortable velvet soft shoes with Little Xiangzi’s assistance, he entered the inner warm pavilion and asked Wang Shizhao: “Has this year’s tax report been submitted?”

“The Minister of Revenue, Meng Yuanbai, submitted the report an hour ago,” Wang Shizhao said, picking up a memorandum from the table and handing it to Little Xiangzi alongside him. “I briefly reviewed it; the total tax revenue for this year is about twelve billion Qian Gold, which is quite an increase from last year.”

It’s important to note that during the reign of Emperor Longchang, Da Qian’s annual tax revenue was only four to five billion Qian Gold, even accounting for the taxes evaded by the prominent families at the time. This current figure has doubled, and it’s increasing annually.

This indicates how rapid the development in Da Qian has been these past years.

“Good heavens, out of this twelve billion in tax revenue, five billion comes from Longzuo County,” Emperor’s son An remarked with some amazement as he turned to one page, a sentiment soon replaced by joy. “With these taxes, the national treasury deficit can finally be filled, with a significant surplus remaining.”

Seeing his joy, Wang Shizhao hesitated but ultimately couldn’t avoid pouring cold water on his excitement. “Your Highness, don’t celebrate just yet. Take a look; here are the development plans for next year and the projected necessary funds.”

As he spoke, he handed over another memorandum from his side.

Emperor’s son An accepted it and, after a glance, his expression immediately sank: “They want to build official roads, establish a public transportation system, set up state academies, and construct an ironclad cruiser fleet. If all this goes forward, won’t the treasury be depleted quickly again?”

“Yes,” Wang Shizhao nodded. “The official roads are manageable, merely reinforcing existing ones, but the other projects have considerable financial demands. Based on my calculations, relying solely on tax revenue will allow them to persist only until early autumn.”

Even though the annual tax revenue is substantial now, large-scale infrastructure projects are happening all over Da Qian, and there are wars at the borders. Quite frankly, money is hard to retain; it flows almost as soon as it comes in.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com