Chapter 1092 - 913: Distributing Money Again

Snap!

Inside the Heavenly Domain Master Mansion, Domain Master Manxi was so angry that he smashed something, furious and ashamed.

In the Dingdong Mansion within the domain, Dongguo Shou with his arms fully restored stood on the railing of Denggao Pavilion, gazing at the city that had taken shape. Compared to the flourishing Dingnan Prefecture, it indeed seemed less impressive.

He turned around and bowed with clasped hands to Elder Fan Qingfeng, who was standing with hands behind his back by the railing, saying, "I don't know why the elder summoned the disciple here?"

To help Dongguo Shou surpass Manxi in the competition, Elder Fan Qingfeng from the Carefree Sect had long stationed himself here to assist in coordination.

Upon hearing this, Fan Qingfeng couldn't help but sigh, "News came from the Heavenly Capital that Wuyu Inn has already posted notices everywhere, helping Dingxi and Dingbei Prefectures recruit. The recruitment pattern is exactly like before in Dingnan Prefecture. No, even more cost-effective—the 500 gold coin reward per person has been canceled."

This was the issue. Dongguo Shou was somewhat amused and sighed, "This matter has been no secret. A few days ago, Dingxi and Dingbei Prefectures had already publicly announced that they were going to emulate Dingnan Prefecture in recruiting."

Fan Qingfeng swore, "What good is their talk without action? With Wuyu Inn formally intervening, they have finally set the stage. What illness exactly did Namo Yu suffer, to want to stick to Shi Chun like glue?"

Dongguo Shou was also puzzled and said, "Elder, I really don't understand. It's over a trillion, isn't it? The assets of Wuyu Inn were thoroughly investigated by the sect, with all properties fully mortgaged, yet it's impossible for them to value over a trillion. Where did they get so much money?"

Fan Qingfeng replied, "The sect is also puzzled by this matter. It's not just the sect; many people are stirred and want to know where they finally got such a sum to redeem the mortgage."

Dongguo Shou hesitated, "Could it be that Shi Chun got more than just a few billion when she entered Yanfu Continent, actually getting much more?"

Fan Qingfeng replied, "Others have speculated this too, but the issue is, who would spend over a trillion just to secure a position that ultimately might not be theirs? If it were truly that secure, the sect could muster a few billion without much fuss. How many people has Manxi introduced over there?"

Dongguo Shou couldn't help but smile bitterly, "About the same as us. It seems he has introduced more than 37 million. He's been competing fiercely with us. When we surpassed him, he desperately raised the numbers, and when he surpassed, we desperately raised ours."

Fan Qingfeng grumbled slightly, "Now with Dingxi and Dingbei Prefectures suddenly entering the fray, like two fierce tigers descending the mountain, your competition is suddenly turned into child's play."

Upon hearing this, Dongguo Shou felt the sting in his teeth. If those two prefectures began catching up on population at the speed of Dingnan Prefecture, he and Manxi indeed looked like they were playing games.

Previously, even if they couldn't fulfill the population goal of 100 million, there was no concern. The unwritten rule had been agreed upon—using the excuse of introducing high-quality population—to maintain top three positions. The second place would keep its position, third would be demoted, and the fourth and fifth would be ousted.

Now, with Dingxi and Dingbei Prefectures starting to compete for the top three spots, the dream of him and Manxi to muddle through with millions of populations is utterly shattered. How much money would it take to fill this giant pit?

Thinking of this, Dongguo Shou couldn't help but grit his teeth and say, "Shi Chun's ambition is just too big, wanting to control not just Dingnan Prefecture, but half of the Heavenly Domain lands. How many interests would that disrupt? Isn't he afraid someone might kill him?"

Fan Qingfeng replied indifferently, "At least for now, no. What does the Left Minister's order for fair competition mean? It's blatantly supporting Shi Chun, intimidating lesser threats. The Heavenly Court wants the Heavenly Domain to flourish quickly. A character like this appears to disrupt the status quo. The Left Minister probably welcomes this, and he won't allow anyone in the Heavenly Court to mess around in this matter."

Dongguo Shou asked skeptically, "Aren't there people around the Left Minister looking to take a piece here?"

Fan Qingfeng glanced sideways at him, "He's the Left Minister, unlike you. No matter who takes over the lands here, he's still the Left Minister above them..."

The topic was subtly closed, not to be further discussed. He then asked, "I heard Dingxi and Dingbei Prefectures are also mobilizing soldiers as free labor. Those troops have had grievances before. Are they still willing to follow orders for free?"

Regarding this, Dongguo Shou had a bitter smile again, "The previous grievances arose because the competitive stakes were not a secret anymore. They all thought Wu Jinliang and Tong Mingshan wouldn't keep their positions and that their downfall would affect many below. Now that they formally began competing, following Dingnan Prefecture's path helps avoid being kicked out. A group of shrimp soldiers and crab generals immediately got energized, seemingly fully supporting it. As for my Dingdong Mansion, because of those two's involvement, it drew criticism, blasting me as the Commander with nothing but slander. I guess it's probably the same with Manxi; after all, I've been sharing the same fate with him, neither of us having it easy."

Fan Qingfeng meditated briefly, then said slowly, "It seems the sect really did foresee this. Dongguo, the sect has started to formally address this matter, deciding to emulate the approach of Dingnan, Dingxi, and Dingbei Prefectures by prepaying five years of salaries for your troops."

Dongguo Shou shook his head, "That's over 20 billion. My tax revenue hasn't yet stabilized, really couldn't squeeze it out."

Fan Qingfeng replied calmly, "The sect decided to cover it for you."

"Ah?" Dongguo Shou was a bit surprised. When he couldn't stand the scolding from below, he had asked the sect for money, only to be severely reprimanded by them. Now, accustomed to being scolded, the sect wants to give him money again. What's going on, why didn't they do it earlier?

He couldn't help but ask, "Elder, wasn't it said that funding Heavenly Court's troops with sect money is a major taboo?"

Fan Qingfeng raised his hand, smoothing his beard, "The reason the sect didn't give you this money initially was largely due to that taboo. Additionally, knowing the Heavenly Domain troops were exceeding, the Heavenly Court might find an excuse to remove many from its ranks later, making those funds wasted. Of course, the amount was also substantial, not something easily adjusted temporarily.

But circumstances change. Now, Dingxi and Dingbei Prefectures have practically forced your Dingdong Mansion into a dead end. Without competing, the initial mobilized manpower and resources would only benefit others. And the situation Shi Chun created in the Heavenly Domain was unprecedented for the sect, lacking experience, handled in the usual way.

Looking back, the decision not to give you money was indeed worth reflecting upon, and the sect is truly reconsidering. Leaving Dingdong Mansion disorganized and disrespectful to you, even if a Spirit Vein emerges on Dingdong Mansion's land, it's likely that piece of land would be sold off before you receive word of it.

"When competition reaches this point, it's necessary to secure stability internally. Meanwhile, we're also competing with Manxi and creating obstacles. Everyone has paid their salaries except for Manxi's side, who keeps delaying them. The Heavenly Domain Central is sure to erupt; Manxi might be cursed to death, and then even as a Domain Master, he won't be able to do anything."

This time when he called Dongguo Shou over, it was mainly to discuss this matter.

Since the Carefree Sect's leadership has already made up their minds, the loan was quickly processed.

As soon as the news of Dingdong Mansion beginning to compensate salaries spread, naturally the entire Dingdong Mansion's staff cheered. The frequently criticized Dongguo Shou finally heard some praise.

Of course, some were still blaming; perhaps they were used to cursing every day.

Some cursed for being late.

Some cursed claiming it was not good intentions but forced by Dingxi and Dingbei Mansions joining the competition.

This led to a peculiar situation where they cursed their own Commander while thanking other Commanders, who hadn't given them any money.

Fortunately, Dongguo Shou was used to being cursed and felt a bit comforted hearing some gratitude, considering the money wasn't spent in vain.

Shi Chun, hearing the news, was indifferent and instead called over Feng Chi to inquire about the assembly of the hundred thousand free laborers, concerned whether work could proceed smoothly.

After hearing that the hundred thousand people were assembling without complaint and that division of labor was unfolding smoothly, Shi Chun was very satisfied, yet he pondered that letting his subordinates repeatedly do free labor wasn't appropriate.

After repeatedly thinking it over, he made up his mind and declared, "Notify Wu Jinliang and Tong Mingshan that starting this month, the three mansions will pre-pay a portion of the monthly salary from five years later, allocating two thousand gold per person each month."

Feng Chi was taken aback and quickly reminded, "Sir, previously we owed money to those merchants from city and mansion construction, clearly having agreements with them. Most of the salaries allocated by the Heavenly Court for these five years should be monthly used to pay off debts, not to mention the Heavenly Court only allocates a third of the salary each month. On average, everyone just receives three to four thousand gold. If you suddenly pre-pay two thousand gold, the remaining amount can't meet the monthly repayments."

Shi Chun said, "It's natural to repay debts. Debt should be repaid... you can reduce the monthly repayment, redraw the repayment timeline, lengthen the repayment period."

Feng Chi smiled wryly, "Those merchants definitely won't agree."

Shi Chun replied, "If they don't agree, so be it. Absolutely no forcing. But we must state the conditions upfront: the work of Dingxi and Dingbei Mansions will fully commence soon. Who has the qualification to enter the field is decided by me. Those who agree to extend the repayment period can partake in the pie. Those who do not, don't hope for much."

"..." Feng Chi was stunned, then chuckled, leaning down gracefully, "Alright, I'll contact Commanders Wu and Tong right away."

After she left, Shi Chun entered the Cultivation Quiet Room, activated the Array for defense, and entered a focused cultivation state.

Using a method combining Demonic Qi and Spirit Pill for cultivation, the progress wasn't as fast as absorbing vast amounts of killing aura. But the problem was that such massive killing aura like the Battle of Great Pardon could hardly be encountered, and using Thunder Sword strikes wasted Demonic Qi. Using such an instant cultivation method wouldn't improve much even if absorbing all Demonic Path.

Although the current method is slower, it benefits from having abundant reserves of Demonic Qi and Spirit Pill.

As for Heavenly Domain's situation, it was indeed as Elder Fan Qingfeng of the Carefree Sect predicted. As soon as Dingdong Mansion's loan was handled, the Heavenly Domain Central's staff exploded like a hive, with Domain Master Manxi being cursed till his face turned red and euphoric.

Previously, Dongguo Shou shared in the burden; now it was solely Manxi, whose mental fortitude collapsed, and under the surge of curses, he couldn't keep his composure and swiftly left the Heavenly Domain.

Elder Fan Qingfeng, stationed at Dingdong Mansion's Commander Mansion, heard the news and leisurely sat in pavilion drinking tea, feeling quite satisfied that he could cause significant trouble for the competitors.

Just then, Dongguo Shou hurried in, his expression tense, sat cross-legged opposite the tea table after greeting and reported, "Elder, Manxi left the Heavenly Domain; he must have gone to gather funds."

Fan Qingfeng smiled, "That's more than 200 billion. Before ensuring his position as Domain Master, anyone would consider whether prepaying this money is appropriate. But this matter is rather a dilemma; given his background, the money should be able to be raised but it's not a matter of minutes. Enduring curses for a while is inevitable. As for you, now the treatment for your staff matches Shi Chun's side, so you're relaxed now, right?"

The implication was, having sensed the benefits of backing by the sect, haven't you?

Dongguo Shou's face didn't show any trace of relaxation, his jaw tense as he said, "Shi Chun gave out money to the staff again, Dingnan, Dingxi, Dingbei Mansions started prepaying part of the salary from five years later, allocating two thousand gold per person each month."

Fan Qingfeng's tea cup froze at his lips, puzzled, "Where did he get so much money? Weren't the monthly allocated salaries from Heavenly Court supposed to repay debts?"

Dongguo Shou sighed, "He used the construction benefits of Dingxi and Dingbei Mansions as bait, enticing those merchants wanting to participate into signing postponed repayment agreements, extending the repayment time. The money repaid each month became less."

Fan Qingfeng savored for a long time, his face altered, finally slammed the tea cup on the table angrily, "That thug is so arrogant!"

Dongguo Shou leaned forward, tentatively asked, "Elder Fan, perhaps we should also delay and slowly repay the sect's loan?"