Chapter 74

The Great Xia Dynasty.

It was already late at night.

While the people of the capital were enjoying sweet dreams,

Inside the Qin王府 of the capital, the atmosphere was unbearably oppressive.

Li Sui, looking at the documents on the jade desk, felt an immense headache.

In the hall, dozens of strategists were flipping through various documents.

Li Sui was in great distress; he now held the responsibility of overseeing the Great Xia Dynasty.

This was a good thing.

But after a few days of enjoyment, a pile of troubles had accumulated.

The three biggest issues

Caused him immense headaches.

Should the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony be written? This was the most important thing to the old man at the moment, and also the most important thing to Confucianism.

The Great Xia Dynasty unified ten countries, but its foundation was unstable, and it needed a cultural unification, the creation of an ancient and modern masterpiece to solidify the culture.

This matter had actually been prepared by the previous dynasty, but with the founding of the country, everything was in disarray, and the people's livelihood was the most important, so spiritual matters were still somewhat abstract.

Thus, the idea was established but not implemented, which was also the greatest regret of the founding emperor.

Seizing the empire was not a difficult task.

But maintaining it was.

Now, it seemed to be a peaceful era, but the cultural and economic wars had already begun.

The economic war was manageable, as everyone was developing, and there was not much trade, but the cultural war was different; this was Confucianism.

It was a struggle for legitimacy.

Apart from the descendants of the First Sage, the other three Sage families were vying with each other, especially the last Sage, for how long had the Fulo Dynasty and the Great Xia Dynasty been competing?

And this Yongsheng Grand Ceremony was a book to stabilize the people's hearts.

It could also be called the Kaiyuan Grand Ceremony. At the time, it was named the Kaiyuan Grand Ceremony, but later, due to the officials' insistence on a name change, it became the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony.

However, writing the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony would require over fifty million taels of silver.

The national treasury currently had forty million taels of silver, previously fifty million, but ten million taels were allocated to the Jiangning Prefecture for home reconstruction, and disaster relief did not require so much silver, but rebuilding homes with ten million taels was far from enough.

If it weren't for confiscating many estates and using labor for relief, the entire treasury would not have been enough to repair just one prefecture.

Of the remaining forty million taels, twenty million taels absolutely could not be touched, reserved for military needs.

To guard against any war that might break out.

The remaining twenty million taels were being closely watched by the six ministries. Which department didn't need silver?

Although he had the responsibility of overseeing the state, the silver allocated from above was only eighty million taels.

Fifty million taels were to be used for writing the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony, but the military expenses were about to start, and the Ministry of War was sending people every day to collect the debt.

The military expenses of the Great Xia Dynasty were also eighty million taels.

In other words, there was a fifty million tael shortfall.

He wanted to temporarily reallocate, but the higher-ups refused, and the Ministry of Revenue was not unwilling, but the old man was adamantly against it.

How could Li Sui not have a headache?

These were the first two issues.

The third issue was slightly simpler. The Great Xia, Fulo, and the Great Jin Dynasties had reached a consensus to exchange students.

When these students came to the Great Xia, where would they stay, and would the academy need silver?

The Great Xia claimed to be a powerful nation, so it couldn't give them poor accommodations, including food and drink, everything had to be the best.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be embarrassing?

But the price quoted for building the academy and accommodations also gave him a headache, fourteen million taels of silver.

Not a single tael could be reduced.

It wasn't that it couldn't be saved, but it was a face-saving project, more was better, less would ruin the project, and if the project failed, his role as the overseer would become a laughingstock.

The old man was always watching, and the Crown Prince's people were also watching.

It made him restless.

In short, it all came down to one thing.

Silver.

Lack of silver.

The Great Xia Treasury was severely lacking in silver.

There was only so much silver that could be used.

And what made him even more nervous was that the old man seemed to want to wage war.

The Great Xia had enjoyed twelve years of peace, and now it had somewhat recovered its strength.

The old man's thoughts, he understood in his heart.

It was about the twelve cities.

He wanted to take them back.

In the past, Li Sui would have supported it wholeheartedly, after all, it wasn't his responsibility.

But now that he was in charge, Li Sui's head ached.

There was no silver for war.

And he couldn't afford a war. If a war broke out, it might cost tens of millions of taels of silver in a month, and if it lasted half a year, the treasury would be in deficit.

A year of war, and they would be back to the pre-founding era.

The twelve border cities, close to the Fulo Dynasty, if a war broke out, the Fulo Dynasty would definitely provide secret aid, so he couldn't mobilize troops.

Sigh.

"Do you have any ideas at all?"

Thinking about this, Li Sui directly threw the memorial on the table, looking at his advisors with a troubled expression.

Seeing Li Sui's anger,

The advisors were silent, their eyes showing fear.

But someone spoke up, looking at Li Sui.

"Your Highness."

"Regardless of how you calculate, the conclusion is that the treasury lacks silver."

"The Yongsheng Grand Ceremony cannot be delayed, nor can the military expenses of the Ministry of War."

"Along with building the academy, etc., after calculation, there is a shortfall of about sixty million taels."

"If we take silver from the treasury, it would be a poor choice, but I have a suggestion, would Your Highness be willing to listen?"

The advisor spoke, having an idea.

"Speak quickly."

Hearing there was an idea, Li Sui immediately perked up.

Regardless of whether the idea was good or bad, it was better than his current state of confusion.

"Your Highness, do you remember the treasury's silver shortage from the third to the fifth year of Yongsheng?"

The advisor asked.

Instantly, everyone's eyes lit up.

But Li Sui frowned slightly; he knew about this.

From the third to the fifth year of Yongsheng, the Great Xia Dynasty suffered droughts in many places, with monsters causing trouble and other issues, leading to a significant decrease in national revenue.

To stabilize the court, the old man reduced the salaries of the imperial relatives and officials, and implemented benevolent policies, reducing taxes and lending money to help solve local problems.

"What do you mean?"

Li Sui looked at the other person, somewhat curious.

"Your Highness."

"Since you took over the oversight, I have investigated this matter. I found that the number of people who borrowed silver was countless, but over the past seven years, the number of people who repaid was very few."

"Roughly two hundred million taels of silver are still outstanding."

"Excluding the provincial governors, just the officials in the capital and other imperial relatives, raising sixty million taels is not difficult."

"If Your Highness is willing, dealing with this matter would not only avoid the emperor's disapproval, as it is a matter of borrowing and repaying."

"Secondly, it can maintain the status quo, not delaying any matters, the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony can continue, the military expenses of the Ministry of War can be paid, and it can gain the support of the Ministry of War."

"Furthermore, the academy can be built beautifully, achieving three goals at once."

"It can solve Your Highness's current concerns and appropriately reduce the Crown Prince's influence. What do you think, Your Highness?"

The other person spoke.

Indeed, it was a clever idea.

The other advisors were amazed and praised it in their hearts.

But the Prince of Qin was not overly pleased, instead, he frowned deeply.

"I am aware of the treasury's silver shortage."

"Your suggestion is not bad, but if it is really implemented, I will make countless enemies."

Li Sui naturally understood this.

He was right; using the outstanding silver to address the current issues, collecting the outstanding silver would be a merit, and it could also reduce the Crown Prince's influence.

And it would complete his own achievements, which would be a threefold benefit.

But the problem was, if you went to collect the silver, wouldn't they hate you?

From the imperial relatives to the officials of the Great Xia, almost half owed the treasury silver. If you went to collect it, it would be strange if they didn't resent you.

Don't look at how respectfully everyone treats me; apart from my status, there is no conflict of interest. On the contrary, I have been generous and have built many connections.

It's all about the silver.

But one day, if I go to collect the outstanding silver, they will surely curse my ancestors to the eighteenth generation.

If I start targeting them as soon as I take over, what would happen if I became emperor?

This is the main issue, otherwise, I would have thought of it long ago.

"Your Highness, this is the only solution at the moment."

The other person lowered his head.

You can't avoid making enemies and still get the money; there's no such thing in this world.

"Alright, let's put this aside for now."

"How is the preparation for the Great Xia Poetry Gathering going?"

Li Sui shook his head, not wanting to continue the discussion.

This matter cannot be solved immediately; it needs to be considered over time.

The Ministry of War can wait a few more days.

As for the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony, it is still being written, and the old man hopes it will be completed soon, wanting to expand the project.

But it can wait a few more days.

The Great Xia Poetry Gathering is the most important thing now, and it must be done well.

"Your Highness, the location for the Great Xia Poetry Gathering has been determined, at the Star Plucking Palace. All arrangements have been made."

"However, the outstanding talents from various countries have not yet been assigned a place to stay."

Someone spoke up, giving an answer.

"Why not arrange them at the Tongwen Academy?"

"What's there to consider?"

Li Sui said casually.

"Your Highness, during the last Great Xia Poetry Gathering, the people from the Fulo Dynasty caused trouble at the Tongwen Academy, and this time, the head of the Tongwen Academy has refused."

"There is a college in the capital that wants to host them, but the Fulo Dynasty has sent a letter, basically saying they will either stay at the Tongren Academy or the Great Xia Academy."

"We also consulted Mr. Wenjing, and he has no objections."

He said.

But Li Sui frowned.

"A bunch of barbarians, picky about everything."

He couldn't help but curse, filled with disgust for the people of the Fulo Dynasty.

He really disliked them.

"Talk to the head of the Tongwen Academy again, and try not to arrange them at the Great Xia Academy to avoid any trouble."

"If the head of the Tongwen Academy really refuses, then arrange them at the Great Xia Academy."

"However, assign a thousand elite soldiers to the Great Xia Academy to maintain order. They are deliberately choosing the Great Xia Academy, so they must have ulterior motives."

"Have these elite soldiers patrol day and night, working with our scholars to prevent any mischief."

"Also, instruct the soldiers that only one person can speak for the Great Xia Academy, and that is my brother, Gu Jinnian."

"If he doesn't speak, listen to Mr. Wenjing, and if Mr. Wenjing is not there, listen to the great scholars."

"Whatever happens, maintain order and don't cause any trouble. If something happens, protect my brother."

"Of course, the best outcome would be for the Tongwen Academy to accept these outsiders."

"Alright, you can all go back and rest."

"I am tired."

After giving the instructions, Li Sui turned and left to go to sleep.

At this moment,

The Great Xia Academy.

Under the starry night,

In the dormitory,

Gu Jinnian sat cross-legged on the bed.

The martial fruits from the ancient tree fell one by one.

Thirty-six martial fruits turned into thirty-six dragon treasure pills.

As each dragon treasure pill entered his body,

Gu Jinnian's flesh buzzed.

He practiced the Supreme Martial Art, a great furnace condensed in his body, refining and absorbing all the dragon blood, transforming it into surging energy, like a river, surging and rolling within his body.

When he swallowed the tenth pill, Gu Jinnian felt a sense of limit.

But the Supreme Martial Art had no concept of limits, and Gu Jinnian was ruthless, enduring without breaking through, forcibly refining his flesh.

Roar.

A faint dragon roar sounded.

His flesh cracked, inch by inch, but the cracks emitted red light, quickly replenished by a large amount of blood qi.

When he swallowed the twentieth pill, the tendons and bones in his body underwent a qualitative change, the blood qi in each tendon and bone surged like a river.

Rushing and surging.

When he swallowed the thirtieth pill, he had reached the limit of the limit.

But Gu Jinnian continued to practice the Supreme Martial Art.

The thirty-sixth pill.

All the dragon treasure pills were refined, and a tremendous change occurred in Gu Jinnian's body.

His flesh transformed.

His bones transformed.

His blood qi transformed.

Generating terrifying true qi.

A dragon-shaped true qi emerged, a dragon shadow that could transform into a real dragon.

After swallowing the thirty-six dragon treasure pills, Gu Jinnian did not choose to suppress it, but broke through naturally.

Roar.

A low dragon roar echoed in his body, which he suppressed; otherwise, the sound would have spread throughout the Great Xia Academy.

At this moment,

Gu Jinnian entered the second realm.

The Treasure Body Realm.

Generating true qi.

In the seven realms of martial arts, the first realm is the Flesh Body Realm, where the body is tempered, and qi is cultivated to solidify the body. Gu Jinnian had previously swallowed six dragon treasure pills and now swallowed thirty-six more.

He had already reached the perfect stage, but Gu Jinnian wanted to break the limits.

Otherwise, he could have broken through earlier.

Now that he had broken through, it was indeed as he had imagined, a tremendous change.

Although he had just reached the second realm, the dragon-shaped true qi he had condensed could suppress all Treasure Body Realm experts.

At this moment,

Gu Jinnian got up, the door opened directly, and his figure disappeared, as fast as a gentle breeze.

With a powerful leap, he soared ten zhang high, covering sixty to seventy meters in the blink of an eye, like a fierce beast.

He left the Great Xia Academy and arrived at the back mountain.

This was an uninhabited place.

About thirty miles from the Great Xia Academy.

In the desolate mountains,

Gu Jinnian climbed the mountain wall, agile like an ape, fast as a breeze, giving a sense of being a supreme expert.

Boom.

He channeled the dragon-shaped true qi and punched at a spot, instantly causing the mountain wall to shatter, producing a massive explosion.

A gap two zhang deep and four to five zhang wide appeared.

This was Gu Jinnian's current strength.

His body was like a weapon, impervious to ordinary weapons, with a strong vitality. He could survive ten days and nights submerged in water and stand in flames without being injured, at most losing his hair.

"The seven realms of martial arts, the Flesh Body Realm is about tempering the body, a stage of nourishing and strengthening the body."

"The Treasure Body Realm is about condensing true qi, transforming the tendons and bones, making them impervious to ordinary weapons, protecting the internal organs from fatal injuries."

"The third realm is the Human Dragon Realm, fierce and powerful, where the internal organs transform, and falling from a hundred-zhang cliff would not injure them."

"His punches could weigh ten thousand catties, capable of lifting a nine-ding cauldron, and on the battlefield, he would be like a human dragon, devastating all enemies."

"Although I am now in the second realm, my strength is not inferior to that of a Human Dragon Realm martial artist."

"If I reach the perfect stage of the