Chapter 2183: Future Looks Promising

For example, in the former Julu Kingdom, chaos once erupted because of the rampaging, man-eating White Bear King.

Therefore, all regions of Cangyan had to organize their own defense teams to patrol the counties and villages.

In fact, many local defense corps and patrol armies were established to the standards of reserve forces, with intense training that even included combat techniques and formations. If war broke out, they could transform into regular troops by simply changing their attire. Villagers who joined the local defense corps or enlisted for training during the summer and winter off-seasons could reduce their future land taxes and receive a small discount when purchasing specific goods.

The regulations issued by the Cangyan Kingdom were dazzlingly numerous and appeared overwhelming, but this was due to the country's vastness and the multitude of its affairs. In reality, there were very few restrictions when applied to specific categories.

To allow the populace to rest and recover, management was mostly extensive.

It is known that the fewer the restrictions, the better people perform.

"Reign in your desire to micromanage everything and curb your tendency to display official authority unnecessarily." He Lingchuan repeatedly emphasized to his ministers that governing a large nation was like cooking a small fish: observe frequently, interfere little, and let things take their natural course.

Cangyan's territory was excessively vast, and although all levels of government initially adopted a lean administration approach, since the state prioritized benefiting the people, it would inevitably face a shortage of funds, leading to an empty treasury.

Maintaining the army required money, developing new lands required money, constructing water conservancy projects and roads required money, and paying the salaries of officials at all levels also required money. Where would this money come from?

Even before Cangyan was established as a nation, resources and famous specialty products from the Shanjin Plain could be sold abroad through the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce. Now that the states of Mou and Ya were at war, military supplies were purchased even more frequently.

Internally, Cangyan also set its sights on the aristocratic families, as they had the most stockpiles.

Instead of resorting to plunder or violence, there was another way to make them willingly contribute money and grain: "borrowing."

The Cangyan Kingdom used "national bonds" to exchange for the money and grain in their hands. These notes were loan certificates stamped with the Azure Grand Seal, offered an annual interest rate of six percent, and were redeemable after three years.

This was backed by the prestige of the Dragon God and the nation's credit. In the current environment where both held high credibility, aristocratic families and wealthy gentry felt relatively at ease.

Furthermore, during the previous Dragon God War, large-scale pioneering production in areas occupied by the Dragon God Army had already begun. By the time the nation was established, there had already been three or four harvests, and grain output and reserves were relatively stable, which could be used for temporary stability.

Lastly, the Cangyan Kingdom imported large quantities of grain through the Yangshan Archipelago.

Bailie, as one of Mou's original grain supply regions, also concentrated on supplying large amounts of grain to Cangyan during this special period. The elders of the Lu family also made every effort, even borrowing grain from the northern states.

In the early days of Cangyan, the salaries paid to local officials included husked rice, cloth, firewood, charcoal, spices, straw sandals, herbal medicine, fruits, local specialties, and so on. The principle was to distribute whatever could substitute for money, as local treasuries were empty and everyone had to tighten their belts together. This financial strain only began to improve five months after the nation was founded.

More detailed measures will not be elaborated upon.

All in all, the initial period of Cangyan's establishment was the most difficult. He Lingchuan exhausted all his efforts to stabilize the internal and external situations, solely to ensure a smooth transition and lay a solid foundation.

This was because the frequent eruptions of the Emperor's Dew were bound to bring about significant growth.

Development can solve most problems. As long as they endured this most difficult period and as long as external pressures remained low, the Shanjin Plain held promising prospects for the future.

It should be noted that this plain not only benefited from the Emperor's Dew but also possessed the Dragon God's blessing.

Wherever the Black Flood Dragon Totem was present, favorable weather and abundant harvests were common. Spiritual energy would not be absorbed by immortals or demons, truly becoming a boon for all living beings. Not only would cultivators' progress accelerate, but even ordinary people would become strong, healthy, and less prone to illness.

These three advantages compounded.

This was the strategic advantage He Lingchuan sought to seize at any cost: acquiring Shanjin, stabilizing the external situation, and ensuring internal peace.

The great transformation of the world had arrived. He had to quickly gather enough strength to be among the first to stand in the current of the era and ride the tide.

Lingxu City's first snow of the year arrived later than usual, but it fell heavily and profusely, covering more than calves' depth in just one night.

Early in the morning, as Xi Yunhe entered the Autumn Palace, he saw palace servants sweeping snow against the strong wind to clear the main path.

From autumn to winter, the Autumn Palace was always vibrant with red. As soon as the maple and tallow leaves had fallen, blood plum blossoms and fiery holly took their place.

Despite these festive and lively colors, Xi Yunhe always felt that this place was even more desolate than the Winter Palace, especially with the wind howling through the corridors, combined with the rustling whispers of the leaves, making it feel even colder and lonelier.

Probably because there were too few people.

Upon reaching the study door, Xi Yunhe heard what sounded like voices inside.

A woman's voice.

Before he could knock, the person inside spoke first: "Come in."

Xi Yunhe pushed the door open and entered, and a wave of warmth washed over him.

The study was also a heated chamber; with snow falling heavily outside, but inside it was warm as spring. A beautiful woman sat on the couch, with flowing tresses and a charming, voluptuous figure. National Master Shuangye lay half-reclined on her lap, eyes closed, enjoying her gentle massage on his temples.

The beauty also asked Shuangye: "Why is there a strange toad by your couch?"

"One?" Shuangye didn't even open his eyes. "Look again."

The beauty looked closer, and her scalp tingled. She exclaimed, "Oh dear! This... this toad is carrying many tadpoles on its back!"

By the couch was a transparent water tank, its crystal polished exceptionally clear, allowing a complete view. Inside, there were rocks, driftwood, fine sand, algae, and clear water; at first glance, it resembled a small pond.

A yellow-skinned toad, larger than a human palm, was perched on a rock. Its coloration blended so well with its environment that the beauty had been in the study for a long time before realizing it was a living creature.

What distinguished it from ordinary toads was the presence of tiny, dense, irregular pores on its back, somewhat resembling a honeycomb. But nestled within were not bee larvae, but tiny tadpoles, one after another!

Almost every single one was alive, moving and wriggling.

After the beauty saw clearly, a shiver of revulsion ran down her spine.

"That's a Surinam toad," Shuangye's voice was flat. "It carries its offspring on its back to escape predators and danger. However, if the mother toad dies, all the young will die as well; none can escape."

The beauty asked curiously, "What if the tadpoles on its back quietly escape when the mother toad encounters an enemy?"

"It's useless. There's a mysterious bond between mother and offspring. Even if the tadpoles escape to the ends of the earth, it's futile; if one dies, all die."

"Ah, this..." Could such tiny tadpoles really swim to the ends of the earth? "Surely this symbiotic relationship has an end?"

If the offspring die when the mother dies, then how do generations of toads continue to exist?

"You're very clever," Shuangye smiled. "It's no wonder I like you the most."

The beauty also smiled ingratiatingly, but her smile was somewhat reluctant. Just "like" would be enough; why add "most"? *Sigh!*

"Once the tadpoles grow into small toads, this life-and-death contract will automatically dissolve, and they will go their separate ways from then on."