Chapter 55 Planning and Testing (Part 3) New Policies

Zhou Fuling wasn't interested in Liu Wuxing's strategy and listened to it hastily. Upon hearing Ning Hong's strategy, she thought to herself:

"She is extremely familiar with the institutional history of Nanzhou, and her examples of institutions are extremely detailed. Fortunately, Ning Hong's vision is limited now. Otherwise, Zhou Fuling would never have been able to win."

However, when she heard about Master Long's countermeasure, Zhou Fuling shook her head and said, "This strategy is not acceptable."

Liang Bucheng was greatly surprised. As a minister, he would never dare to doubt someone as powerful as Long Shi.

How dare Ling Fu so easily and decisively judge the strategies of powerful beings?

Minister Liang: "Why? This is a good plan!"

Zhou Fuling: "Sand."

Zhou Fuling pursed her lips.

She is probably one of the few people who has lived in both the Mortal Realm and the Eastern Continent for a long time, and as a close associate of Xu Qingning, she knows very well how loose the relationship is between the two forces.

If an alliance is to be formed, it must face both external disintegration and internal disintegration.

"Outside separation" refers to the relationship between Xu Qingning and Kuang Yunchu. Their relationship is so bad that Kuang Yunchu's methods seem gentle but are actually ruthless. Xu Qingning's morals and political style are completely different from hers, so it is impossible for them to cooperate for a long time.

"Internal dispersal"...that involves something that only Zhou Fuling truly knows.

While staying in the mortal realm, Zhou Fuling knew that the mortal realm was vast and sparsely populated, with various sects operating independently, which could not be an exaggeration to say. Moreover, the sects could not completely control the chaotic forces in the mortal realm.

As for Dongzhou, needless to say, although Xu Qingning returned to act as regent after years of wandering, many of the original people of Tianjimen had died. Xu Qingning had power, but not all of it was in his hands. He was still in the stage of resting and recuperating.

The current immortal sects are like a sieve, almost entirely the eyes of the Central Continent and the Southern Continent. There are also many lesser ghost families below them who come to the immortal sects from time to time to test Xu Qingning's situation.

In short, they are opportunists.

Zhou Fuling's conclusion was—

Cooperating with these two forces would be quite difficult.

But then Liang Bucheng said uneasily, "I wonder how our plan is doing in the Mirror Palace? Now that I think about it, it's too bizarre."

As Liang Bu Cheng said this, his gaze fell on Zhou Fuling.

Zhou Fuling said, "Let's wait and see."

-

Within the Mirror Palace, the Dragon Master's strategy was being deduced.

For the first three years, the strategic deterrence did indeed take effect, and the Central Plains offensive was temporarily halted.

However, three years later, Zhongzhou took advantage of the lull in negotiations to divide the interests of Dongzhou and Fanyu, rendering the alliance ineffective.

Five years later, the Eastern Continent and the Mortal Realm suddenly went to war.

Xu Qingning, who was watching the battle: "..."

How did Kuang Yunchu and he manage to get things to this point? Xu Qingning wasn't surprised, but simply planned to prepare in advance.

Since Kuang Yunchu saw this scene, he must have made preparations.

The reason for the mirror palace's existence is not explained; only the result is described.

In the end, Yun Ning was isolated and helpless, and his four tribes were defeated one by one by Zhongzhou.

However, due to the military reforms of the Dragon Army, its main force remains strong.

In order to reduce the cost of ruling, Zhongzhou forced Yun Ning's remaining main force to negotiate peace.

Three hundred miles south of the mine in the Southern Continent, one-third of the territory of the First Division was entirely ceded to the Central Continent.

This scene caused an uproar among the crowd. Even with the Dragon Master's intervention, such a tragic result had been achieved!

To forsake territory is to forsake immortal resources. The Southern Continent has suffered devastating losses. Is the Southern Continent doomed to perish?

At this moment, all is quiet.

Some people said, "The Dragon Army's strategy is better than the previous result of being divided and occupied. After all, it preserved the main force."

Seeing this, Master Long seemed to have anticipated this outcome, and sighed and shook his head.

Now, everyone involved in the first, second, and subsequent parts is feeling heavy-hearted and doesn't know what to do.

Everyone is thinking about it.

Is the Southern Continent doomed to defeat? Will it be unable to hold onto even a single piece?

In the second part, Ning Chengshan wasn't entirely devoted to Zou Lanci; her feelings were mixed, and she sighed.

She looked at Ning Chenghan, her heart filled with resentment, "It was her grandfather who started the decline of Nanzhou. It became a dog of Zhongzhou. If my grandfather had won the Yun Ning Grand Competition, would the situation in Nanzhou have been very different?"

Ning Bai and Ning Hong were moved by their mother's words, creating a somber atmosphere.

Ning Chenghan, however, supported Long Shi and said, "Very well, sir, you have done your best. In the entire Yun Ning region, there is no one with a better strategy than you."

Dragon Master's wife, Song Huo, replied, "The fourth part has not yet been devised."

Ning Chenghan was taken aback, then said calmly, "Part Four... well, let's hear what they have to say."

But his expression was somewhat perfunctory, suggesting that he didn't take it seriously and wasn't planning to listen attentively.

But most elders are in a similar situation.

Most people bet on Ning Hong and Long Shi, and did not trust Liang Bucheng's political abilities.

If the characters in the fourth installment were truly skilled, would they be in this predicament? They couldn't even cure one disease, let alone a whole continent!

Yu Shi also mocked, "Part Four: One idiot and two bastards!"

The members of Yun Si's group in the fourth part couldn't help but show anger. They wanted to stand up and rebuke him, but when they stood up, they could only angrily shout at Yu Shi for talking nonsense and how could he humiliate him like this.

They didn't dare say that their family could come up with any good solutions.

But then the elder said, "Fourth Division, devise a plan!"

Xu Qingning and the others also raised their heads.

Zhou Fuling patted her green robe and walked onto the cloud platform.

Ning Hong was stunned.

Ning Chengshan was also surprised.

"Was she the one who devised the plan?"

-

Zhou Fuling stepped onto the cloud platform, but suddenly stopped.

Below, a sea of ​​people stretched out before Zhou Fuling, her breath catching in her throat; this was an experience she had never had before.

In the past, she mostly kept a low profile.

When Zou Lanci and Kuang Yunchu were raising her, she only needed to go out and kill people. It was best if no one saw her, and even if someone did, the number was very small. She mostly hid in the shadows. After escaping Tianjue Gorge, she wished no one could see her. When she went to Tianji Gate, she only met Xu Qingning and the cultivators of Bingjian Peak.

Faced with the sea of ​​people, Zhou Fuling clenched her fingers, wondering... Could this scene correspond to the "washing without offering sacrifice, yet sincere and respectful" hexagram of the Guan hexagram? Could the enlightenment she had previously received, "observe me, and know when to advance and retreat," be related to this scene?

Zhou Fuling knew she had gone off on a tangent, so she pulled herself back to reality, but her mind was still a little confused.

Her breathing was somewhat anxious.

Her thoughts seemed to return to an hour earlier, to the time when she, Liang Bucheng, and Qinghu Yue came up with their plan.

-

One hour ago.

"If I could solve this, I would have been the sect leader long ago!" said Minister Liang.

The three of them pondered for a long time, and Zhou Fuling remained silent, wanting to wait for the other two to speak before she spoke.

Qinghu Yue's eyes suddenly lit up: "I have a plan. Please listen, Master."

Zhou Fuling looked up and asked, "What?"

Minister Liang also said, "What?"

Qinghu Yue said, "There's a saying, 'Better to be a broken piece of jade than a whole piece of tile!' These people from Zhongzhou are despicable. Why don't the Fourth Division secretly send people to blow up the mine and pollute the spiritual spring? Even if Zhongzhou gets its hands on it, it will be a worthless wasteland. If we can't get it, they can forget about getting it either!"

Zhou Fuling and Liang Bucheng: "..."

Liang Bucheng was so angry that his beard trembled, and he raised his sword sheath to strike.

Qinghu Yue dodged and called out, "Master!"

Liang Bucheng shouted, "Don't ever say you're my apprentice again! I can't bear the shame!"

Zhou Fuling paused for a moment and then said, "I'll do it."

Liang Bu Cheng was stunned and remained silent. He truly had no idea what to do with this policy, having mostly served as an advisor rather than a leader in government.

When he first brought Ling Fu, he didn't have high hopes for her, but her performance in the intelligence test was a pleasant surprise, so he nodded to her and said, "Please speak."

But Liang Bucheng didn't hold out much hope.

-

at this time.

Zhou Fuling stood on the cloud platform, facing the people of the four departments, and took a deep breath.

When he spoke again, his voice was clear, melodious, and composed.

"The fourth strategy is as follows."

"Firstly, land will be granted to cultivators. Yun Ning Nan Zhou has been plagued by demonic calamities for a long time, with as many as 100,000 mu of damaged land, but much of it can be saved. The method to save the land is to draw water from it. In addition, the spiritual land saved will henceforth belong to the Yun Zhuta Pagoda and will be distributed to those who have made contributions to border defense and production."

Zhou Fuling explained the method for repairing the damaged soil.

At this moment, Ling Fu, sitting below, widened her eyes and almost blurted out, "Damn it, why did she ask me for my records of bad soil earlier?! But, but that was when we first met... What is she doing?!"

Ling Fu managed to hold back her rare outburst of profanity, but her heart was still pounding with emotion.

It turned out that she and Zhou Fuling encountered countless bad soils on their journey. Ling Fu, being born under the Water element, couldn't help but boast about her insights into the bad soils, even claiming that her father had developed a method to control them.

Zhou Fuling asked for it, and Ling Fu, knowing she had done her a favor, gave it to her. The prescription was only half-baked and couldn't be implemented yet.

However, Ling Fu's father's method had already laid the foundation. Zhou Fuling, having grown up in the demon lands, was extremely familiar with demon soil and corrupted soil, far more so than ordinary cultivators. She reconsidered the method and, after slightly integrating it with the information Ling Fu had given her, she perfected the method, which could at least cure lightly polluted demon soil.

Upon hearing about this method to cure the bad soil, the Dragon Master of the First Division also widened his eyes and stared at the Fire-Singing Immortal Master beside him.

Seeing this, Liu Wuxing muttered, "What nonsense! What do you mean by 'earth'? If we cure the earth, the entire Southern Continent will be wiped out."

Upon hearing this, Shu Minglian ignored her and coldly helped Huo Xiu heal his injuries.

Ning Hong remained expressionless. Ning Bai: "Mother, what do you think?"

Ning Chengshan said, "This method of controlling the soil is indeed needed in all continents. But if we want to develop the military, we need military equipment, which everyone knows is neither good nor bad."

Zhou Fuling continued, "Secondly, spiritual resources are leased to mortals. The spiritual fields here are given to families with the ability to open spiritual resources but who do not have them for mining. At the same time, half of the spiritual resources here must be leased to mortal cultivators."

Upon hearing this, the Miao Mountain Master was overjoyed.

Zhou Fuling's move was undoubtedly aimed at increasing the number of people who could cultivate the technique, thus expanding the continent's combat strength. The rudimentary form of this technique already existed in the mortal realm, and Zhou Fuling was actually familiar with it and had even improved upon it, making it very suitable for this situation.

She hadn't expected that the adopted daughter of Lord Yun Chu would answer so calmly.

Zhou Fuling said, "In addition, Yun Ning has established a new merit system. Regardless of background, anyone who has made contributions can be promoted. The four ministries will jointly promote the nobility, and the quota will not be allocated to any single ministry, but will be shared by all ministries."

She explained the regulations in detail.

“We will establish academies in each other’s countries, with Liang Xuyan, the Vice Minister of the Fourth Department, and guest ministers from Dongzhou and Fanyu as instructors, to train new-style military officers and clerks.”

Zhou Fuling answered questions on wartime and diplomacy, demonstrating her broad knowledge in both areas. However, she ultimately lacked experience in governance. Although she had a general direction, her systems were not rigorous and comprehensive, unlike those of Ning Hong and Long Shi.

Xu Qingning noticed some errors, but still frowned.

...When governing, one must consider the overall situation and focus on the major issues while letting go of the minor ones. Zhou Fuling did this; although she made many small mistakes, as long as her overall direction was correct, that was enough. He then looked towards the "Mirror Palace."

But everything still depends on the judgment of the Mirror Palace.

From small things, one can see the bigger picture. I wonder what the consequences of these minor mistakes will be for Zhou Fuling?

Ning Hong listened intently. She shared the same idea as Xu Qingning and didn't nitpick over minor mistakes, but suddenly spoke in a cold voice: "If we're going to learn from ancient history and establish a nobility system, how will the funds for rewards be obtained?"

Ning Hong stared at Zhou Fuling and sneered, "Cultivator Ling Fu, you didn't even think of this?"

Her strategy was nothing but an empty shell.

Zhou Fuling said, "One part comes from the well-managed bad soil. The rest is the 'Spirit Source Stock'."

"'Lingyuan stock'?" Ning Hong asked, puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingning's temples throbbed violently, and he abruptly looked up at Zhou Fuling in disbelief.

Zhou Fuling did indeed begin.

Zhou Fuling smiled and strolled with her hands behind her back, saying, "This is also the fifth strategy proposed by our department. Instead of directly confronting the threat from the Central Continent, we will split the next fifty years' revenue from the Northern Thousand Mile Spirit Vein into 'Spirit Source Shares,' publicly offering 80% to the Southern Continent and the remaining 20% ​​to the Eastern Continent Chamber of Commerce, the Mortal Realm Mountain Gate, and even other aristocratic families within the Central Continent."

Upon hearing this, Master Long was the first to react and suddenly stood up.

Ning Chaoxue asked, "Master, what's wrong?" But she saw that her mother, Ning Chenghan, looked extremely unwell and remained silent.

Ning Hong's expression also changed drastically.

As Liu Wuxing remained silent in thought, he noticed that Shu Minglian's expression had also changed, and she suddenly clapped her hands in the direction of Zhou Fuling.

Liu Wuxing had only seen Shu Minglian clap like this when discussing policies with the Five Minor Military Headquarters, mostly when she was excited and came up with a plan.

Liu Wuxing coldly said, "Is this cultivator cheering for another department?! What's so good about that? Selling a spiritual vein to another continent, what a cheap trick! I think you should take your five minor military units to the Fourth Department!"

Shu Minglian remained silent.

Many of the elders also sat up straight.

"A wicked trick!" said the Fire-Suppressing Immortal Master. "Where did this little girl... no, where did Ling Xiu come up with this wicked trick?"

The Fire-Spelling Immortal Master in the first part was of extremely high status and advanced age. He was usually a man of few words, and when he did speak, he liked to use his age to call people "young man" or "young lady." However, considering that the occasion was the solemn Yun Ning Grand Competition, he quickly changed his address.

The reasons why everyone (except Liu Wuxing) felt this way are as follows:

Zhou Fuling's actions transformed the spiritual vein from "a piece of fat meat" into a "network of shared benefits" that extends throughout the world.

Now, not only will all the departments and social classes in the Southern Continent have to put in their best efforts to protect the thousand-mile spiritual vein, but even the aristocratic families in the Central Continent, the mortal realm, and the major aristocratic families in the Eastern Continent will help Zhou Fuling protect this thousand-mile spiritual vein and will never allow the Zou faction of the Central Continent to occupy it alone.

Using someone else to do the dirty work, and employing sophisticated tactics, are all demonstrated in this strategy.

Master Long also asked, "How did she come up with that?"

In the current Immortal Alliance, profit sharing is still rare, especially profit sharing across all levels; the concept of a "stock market" has not yet emerged. It only exists in unregulated, unofficially governed areas such as the black market in the mortal realm.

But who is Zhou Fuling?

After escaping from Tianjue Gorge, she wandered around. The underground black market in the mortal realm was a place she frequented before meeting Xu Qingning, and she also went there after meeting Xu Qingning again.

She also served as the Chief of Finance at Bingjian Peak, where she read many financial decrees. Her ability to come up with this method was due to both Zhou Fuling's quick thinking and her own experiences.

She was not influenced by orthodox rule, so her methods were unorthodox and unexpected.

Ning Hong snorted coldly: "We still have to wait for the results from the Mirror Palace."