When those nobles all left, the atmosphere within the hall instantly became serious.
Feng Taiji and Zhao Yanran’s faces turned green, looking toward Zong Shou with loads of questions.
Before this, they gave this fellow face and were unwilling to let the Yuanlian World people see the friction and differences in opinions between them.
This was why they didn’t speak up and interrupt his words.
At this moment, those outsiders were gone now, so naturally it was time to ask for an explanation.
“Ruler is really generous, you reduced their taxes just like that by 30%!”
Even when Feng Taiji’s personality had become more calm and composed, years after the battle at the underground lake, his tone was filled with mocking intent.
As for the matter of whether or not the countries were willing, he was too lazy to mention it.
“Also, the Ruler picked the talents and ambitious people to be Kings. If these people take charge, they definitely won’t be willing to be controlled.”
His tone was filled with worry. They were surrounded by wolves and Zong Shou was still trying to create more problems for himself.
Zong Shou laughed out loud without a care, “Brother Feng what is the use of the tax to me? Look at the situation we are in, can we use it?”
Feng Taiji’s brow rose up. The taxes that Jiujing collected mostly went to raise the army.
Without a huge army, they wouldn’t be able to defend against the attacks of the surrounding countries.
Then, his heart jumped as he realized to them these taxes really weren’t useful.
They only had 300,000 soldiers. Even if they recruited from the world, it would be hard for them to be loyal after they were squeezed dry for 100 years and were living a tough life.
Jiujing recruited troops from his original small world.
Now, most of them were taken away by the Spirit Realm Cultivators that escaped.
“Looking at these seven countries, they need to rest up and have a breather. Moreover, the people in the seven countries are terrified. If not for them, how would we be able to stabilize this within a month? It is best if they all listen and are well behaved if it was a peaceful time, but now we are surrounded by enemies…”
He knew that Feng Taiji was a really smart person which was why he only mentioned it, not bothering to explain further.
Feng Taiji understood, a look of comprehension flashed in his eyes.
That is really the case! The people who Zong Shou chose, apart from being talented, they had a common specialty; they had huge power and enough connections and resources.
They would be able to control the situation in the shortest time, unifying the people to defend against enemies.
Then this 20% tax was also for a reason…
“This plan is great, however, it can only deal with the current situation, it would still cause problems in the future. How are we going to control them?”
“As for how to control, let’s just make them willingly serve us.”
Zong Shou broke into a laugh, “This matter is also not up to them!”
Feng Taiji expected it, a 20% tax to unify the hearts of the people.
This also caused the new Kings to give it their all.
Now that they became Rulers, they had important positions but they also lost their positions to negotiate.
If Great Gan left Yuanlian World, then their subjects might be able to live, however, the Rulers would definitely die.
They have to cooperate with Great Gan because their lives were at stake.
As for when they obtain the entire Yuanlian World, they also didn’t need to worry about these seven…
He thought to himself that this was the difference between Zong Shou and him. Although this fellow claimed to be not intelligent, he had the magnanimity to hand power to talents and was also good at manipulating the situation, making people loyal to him even if they didn’t want to be.
Compared to him, he was indeed a little too stingy.
No wonder this person would have such a legacy in such a short time.
He shook his head as the weight in his heart was lifted slightly.
However, there was one more matter that needed to be discussed.
“Let’s forget about all those, I don’t know why my Sword Sect needs to open our gates to accept disciples here?”
Zhao Yanran also scoffed coldly, “Also, since when did Ruler have the right to make decisions for my Common People’s Path?”
Actually, with Zong Shou’s identity, he naturally could make decisions.
However, they felt that it was inconceivable to accept disciples here.
Zong Shou blinked his eyes and looked at the two of them at a loss.
“Don’t you both know that Zifang is already choosing spots in Yuanlian World to open 10 temples at once?”
Feng Taiji’s brow rose up, he also heard of this matter. However, what did it do with them accepting disciples?
Zong Shou laughed and asked, “Then why did all of you come? Conquering other words, to pillage resources or to strengthen your foundations? After we take down the world, how will we defend it? Is Sword Sect not planning to continue after Yuanlian World?”
The population of the Cloud World was limited. If they wanted to conquer 800 worlds like the Lu Family, they needed to have numerous cultivators and huge armies.
Just one Cloud World alone couldn’t provide that.
Feng Taiji was stunned and instantly comprehended.
As for continuing to expand, he didn’t think about that.
However, if they could gain something like Yuanlian World that would be decent.
With the Seven Subsects of the Sword Sect, they did have enough to take care of one Yuanlian World.
If they were able to have some foundations here, it would undoubtedly lessen the pressure on the sect.
They could also choose and select disciples from here…
Speaking of which, it was the same for the Buddhist Faction.
Thinking about it, he frowned, “People of the Yuanlian World are built differently from us.”
“There is not much difference!”
Zong Shou shook his head. He had always suspected that people of the Cloud World had migrated from outer regions.
Why were humans so similar?
Just like how people of the Lu Family were no different from people of the Cloud World.
“With Brother Feng’s ability, you wouldn’t be stopped by this cultivation method problem right?”
Feng Taiji’s nose felt sour when he heard this, his face fluctuated between white and green. He gritted his teeth, “I need to seek permission from the Elders of the Vast Habitat before making a decision.”
If the Cloud World side agreed, the God Realm and Saint Real Experts in the sect would be the ones who would worry about those problems.
He felt that it wasn’t right. They followed Zong Shou out as a small attempt by the Sword Sect to see if they could pillage resources from outside to replenish and support the sect.
Why did it suddenly seem to change?
Zong Shou smiled, the Spirit Realm Experts of Sword Sect had traveled the outer regions and were more knowledgeable than Feng Taiji. He then said to Zhao Yanran, “There is no Taoist Faction or Confucianism within Yuanlian World. There is also much space for Common People’s Path to spread their teachings. Isn’t this a good environment for you all to start? If we can take over Yuanlian, I can let Common People’s Path control one state.”
Zhao Yanran hesitated, she wasn’t interested in the teachings of Common People’s Path.
He knew that if those fellow sect members heard this, they would be extremely delighted and excited.
Even those Elders would be glad. They would most probably adore Zong Shou even more.
Thinking about it, she couldn’t find a way to retort, in the end, she shook her head in a weird manner.
“Reducing taxes, accepting disciples and also exchanging of Spiritual Items. Why does it feel like we aren’t here to pillage Yuanlian World but are here to do good things?”
To think that a month ago she was prepared to massacre people in Yuanlian World if it was needed.
She didn’t lack killing methods.
“What nonsense are you saying? Great Gan loves its people like they are our children, establishing the country based on kindness. Since these seven countries are already under us, so its people are all people, how would we pillage them?”
Zong Shou’s expression turned serious, his tone was firm like he was angry at Zhao Yanran’s words. His face was filled with righteousness and solemnness.
“Yanran, you need to remember that Great Gan is here because we can’t bear to see people of Yuanlian World suffer. We came all the way to save them from suffering? What is that called? Right, we are liberating them! Even collecting 20%, obtaining some Mind Stones is to cover the cost of chasing those demons away.”
Feng Taiji couldn’t help but laugh, “So Ruler is prepared to open a market beneath the palace?”
This was the first time he felt that the Great Gan Ruler was interesting.
He was obviously here to pillage, but he made it sound like he was doing a righteous deed.
He roughly understood Zong Shou’s intentions, for them to make use of the moral high ground, this was the only way they could do things.
At this moment, he wasn’t going to oppose any more. What Jiujing did before was to let the seven countries hand over taxes periodically.
Zong Shou’s method was much smarter. Using items to trade, to exchange for equal valued items.
As for what the prices were, it still depended on them.
Moreover, the items that were rare in other worlds were so common here. Things that Yuanlian World didn’t have were common in the Cloud World.
To trade based on demand and supply, earning the price difference alone would earn them huge profits.
He suddenly comprehended everything. Although Zong Shou’s actions were more gentle and unable to totally control the entire Yuanlian World, it was much more subtle. As for what they got from here, it might not be any worse than what Jiujing received.
His heart calmed down. It did actually seem like a great way to do things.
Zong Shou nodded his head in glee, his expression was one that showed he was glad that they could understand and learn.
To be able to use such gentle methods to pillage wealth, then why should there be bloodshed and loss of life?
He smiled, “I am doing this because of the three of your factions. Since you all participated, I have to take care of you all! If I can’t unify their hearts, then how will you be able to spread your religion?”
His tone was one that was asking them to thank him.
Zhao Yanran was speechless. Just at this moment, Zifang stepped in and bowed, “Ruler is kind, my Buddhist Faction is filled with gratitude!”
He looked toward Zong Shou with a complicated expression. Before he came, he was a little worried.
However, now he was sure that the Buddhist Faction would be able to prosper in Yuanlian World.
It was the good fortune of the Buddhist Faction to be able to meet this Ruer.
At the same time within the Cloud World.
Kong Rui stepped out of his house in shock and looked above at the Giant Silver Dragon which was coiling above and roaring. Beside the giant dragon was a Phoenix…
“Gathering of Dragon Energy? This isn’t right…”
Kong Rui picked up the Wen King Divination Coin and observed carefully. His expression became weirder and weirder.
“Ruler is in the outer regions. What did he do? Causing Dragon and Phoenix to roar together?”
