Chapter 328: Year-End Statistics

Having the Two-Eyed Rat help us search for spiritual herbs is much better than blindly wandering around.

Wang Changsheng said with a smile, taking out a green fruit. The Two-Eyed Rat, smelling the fragrant aroma of the green fruit, immediately scurried out of the spirit beast pouch, dashed to Wang Changsheng's palm, and quickly devoured the fruit with its front paws.

"Let's go. Lead us to find spiritual herbs. We definitely won't mistreat you if you find them."

"Squeak!"

The Two-Eyed Rat squeaked, its tail wagging incessantly, and its plump body darted forward. The five individuals, including Wang Changsheng, quickly followed.

Soon after, the five disappeared into the bamboo forest.

Time flew by; two years passed in the blink of an eye.

At the Wang Family Fort, in the deliberation hall, Wang Ruyan sat in the main seat, while seven clan members, including Wang Mingsen, reported to her.

She rarely handled family affairs anymore. Most matters were entrusted to Wang Mingsen and the other six, though they still reported to her at the end of each year. Of course, if they encountered an unsolvable problem, Wang Ruyan would still step in.

"Acting Family Head, our clan currently has 190 mu of spiritual fields. We've leased another 50 mu of spiritual fields from Qingyue Market, totaling 240 mu. Of these, 160 mu are dedicated to growing first-grade low-rank spiritual grain, harvested once a year. Fifty mu are used for second-grade spiritual herbs, twenty mu for blueflower grass, nine mu for spiritual mulberry trees, and one mu for second-grade spiritual fruit. This year, we harvested a total of 57,645 catties of spiritual grain, 11,215 catties of blueflower grass, and 9,000 catties of spiritual mulberry leaves. The spiritual herbs have not yet matured. Furthermore, most of the purple-scaled crucian carp fry released last year have grown to first-grade high-rank and are ready for sale, totaling 635 fish. We also have 325 spiritual frogs and 135 pearls produced by spiritual clams."

Wang Mingsen held a ledger in his hand and spoke slowly, a hint of excitement in his expression.

Following Wang Qingyuan's suggestion, the Wang family further optimized its reward and punishment system.

Taking spiritual grain as an example: a clan member responsible for ten mu of spiritual fields must produce a minimum of 3,200 catties of spiritual grain annually. If the yield falls below 3,200 catties, the clan member is penalized; if it exceeds 3,200 catties, they receive a reward. The same principle applies to other clan members: the more they contribute to the family, the more generous their rewards.

Wang Mingsen was in charge of managing the spiritual fields, spiritual fish, and spiritual clams. The higher the yield, the more rewards he received; conversely, if the yield was low, he would be punished.

After finishing his report, Wang Mingsen handed the ledger to Wang Ruyan and sat down.

Wang Mingyan stood up, opened the ledger in his hand, and reported: "Acting Family Head, the clan currently has 35 azure-scaled horses, with an increase of three this year. Among them, six are first-grade high-rank, twelve are first-grade mid-rank, and seventeen are first-grade low-rank. We have twelve fire-feathered eagles: one first-grade high-rank, four first-grade mid-rank, and seven first-grade low-rank. As for golden-thread silkworms, we have nine pairs: one pair is second-grade low-rank, two pairs are first-grade high-rank, five pairs are first-grade mid-rank, and ten pairs are first-grade low-rank."

Wang Ruyan nodded. Wang Mingyan placed the ledger before Wang Ruyan and returned to his seat.

Wang Mingzhan stood up, flipping through a ledger: "Acting Family Head, excluding Brother Twenty-one and Changxue's group, the clan currently has 475 members. Among them are seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, three at Qi Refining Level Nine, fifteen at Qi Refining Level Eight, and fifty-nine at Qi Refining Level One. The mortal population in the secular world stands at 758,654 people. This year, one individual with spiritual roots emerged. According to clan rules, their family was heavily rewarded to encourage further efforts."

After Wang Mingzhan finished his report, he placed the ledger before Wang Ruyan and sat down.

Wang Changhui stood up and said: "Ninth Acting Family Head, the clan currently has fifteen puppet masters. Besides Uncle Eight, who is a second-grade low-rank puppet master, there are three first-grade high-rank puppet masters, five first-grade mid-rank puppet masters, and six first-grade low-rank puppet masters. Among them, Qing Jing has made significant progress and can now craft first-grade high-rank puppet beasts, inheriting Uncle Nine's..."

"Alright, no digressions. You are to report the number of puppet masters and the output of puppet beasts." Wang Ruyan waved her hand, her expression serious.

Wang Changhui nodded and continued: "This year, a total of 194 puppet beasts were crafted: two second-grade low-rank, thirty-seven first-grade high-rank, sixty-five first-grade mid-rank, and ninety first-grade low-rank. This is an increase of twenty-three compared to the year before last. Here is the detailed list."

After he sat down, Li Qiwen stood up, cleared his throat, and said: "Acting Family Head, the clan currently has sixteen talisman masters: one second-grade mid-rank, three first-grade high-rank, five first-grade mid-rank, and seven first-grade low-rank. This year, we crafted a total of 875 talismans and ten first-grade low-rank flying talisman soldiers. Here is the detailed list."

As soon as Li Qiwen sat down, Wang Changxing stood up and said: "Acting Family Head, the clan currently owns fifteen shops: two restaurants, five rice shops, two weapon shops, one spiritual fish shop, one bookstore, one general store, one spiritual medicine shop, one elixir shop, and one talisman shop. The weapon shops are the most profitable, followed by the restaurants and rice shops. The general store and spiritual medicine shop have the lowest earnings. Notably, the Four Seas Restaurant managed by Qingze ranks third in profitability."

Finally, Wang Qingyuan stood up, holding a ledger, and stated: "Acting Family Head, this year's total income is 23,543 spirit stones, with expenses of 19,650 spirit stones, resulting in a profit of 3,893 spirit stones. Regarding expenses, clan members' stipends account for 50%, shop rents and various materials account for 30%, and social expenses account for 20%. Compared to the year before last, expenses have increased by almost half."

With a large number of clan members but too few skilled talents, Wang Ruyan specifically instructed to increase expenditures on talent cultivation, particularly for talisman crafting and artifact refining. There were fewer alchemy talents, and the Wang family currently lacked the surplus financial resources to train too many alchemists, as learning alchemy was quite expensive.

Currently, the management of alchemists was entrusted to Wang Changxing. Wang Qingqi, who frequently entered seclusion for anywhere from one or two months to half a year, was not suitable for managing alchemists.

The Wang family currently has five alchemists: one second-grade low-rank, one first-grade high-rank, one first-grade mid-rank, and two first-grade low-rank.

The number of formation masters was also small. The clan-protecting formation was primarily maintained by Wang Changyue and Wang Mingbai.

"Qingyuan," Wang Ruyan instructed Wang Qingyuan, "Starting next year, increase the resources invested in cultivating talisman masters and puppet masters. We don't need to increase their numbers, but their ranks must improve. They should strive to craft the best possible talismans and puppet beasts."

Wang Qingyuan managed the finances and had a clear understanding of all clan expenditures and income. Given his meticulous work, Wang Ruyan felt quite at ease.

"Yes, Acting Family Head."