20 advance ahead chapter.....🥷🥷
The palace was brightly lit, with sumptuous dishes laid out in front of Uchiha Nan. The table was overflowing with food, and there was another table beside it.
The main point was lavishness.
Of course, there was also the consideration of protecting the daimyo's safety. Being just an ordinary man and not a ninja, the daimyo only took one or two bites of each dish. Even if a ninja from an enemy village had poisoned the food, the daimyo might not eat that particular dish unless he was really unlucky.
"Play music!"
A chubby attendant clapped his hands, and the orchestra around them began to play and sing. Though Uchiha Nan didn't recognize the song, it sounded pleasant.
Music and dance filled the air, and rows of young girls in light attire entered the palace. It was truly a scene of peace and prosperity, as if nothing was wrong in the world.
In ancient times, a daimyo this extravagant either lost his kingdom or was not far from doing so.
Wait, what?
Why did the daimyo jump up with him?
After the daimyo, now resembling Liu Bei, tired of dancing, he gracefully embraced two beauties and returned to his seat.
"Hokage, you've come from afar, why not relax a bit? The palace's environment is rejuvenating, and the girls' skin is well-nourished!"
The daimyo narrowed his eyes, looking indulgent. Seeing Uchiha Nan unmoved, he clapped again, and a pair of twin girls entered.
They were about Uchiha Nan's age, with slightly blue hair and charming looks. The key point was that they were twins, and they sat beside Uchiha Nan.
"Hokage, this is my gift to you today."
"Feng, Ling, you must entertain the Hokage for me today!"
Ah, just like Hinata Takuma, here to play matchmaker.
Uchiha Nan was moved, not because he had particular designs on the twins.
Well, perhaps he did have some thoughts.
But that wasn't the main point. What Uchiha Nan wanted most was the ten lottery chances.
As long as he was strong, any woman he desired would be within reach, with many willing to help him achieve it.
But he came to the daimyo alone to ask for money, and if he returned to the village with a pair of twins, how would the villagers perceive him?
The daimyo narrowed his eyes, seeing Uchiha Nan still unmoved, and sighed inwardly.
Were they just like the Senju brothers, rejecting his kindness? What a pity.
Ninjas are so annoying!
A trace of disdain flickered across the daimyo's face, though he hid it well.
"Daimyo, I appreciate this gift!"
Uchiha Nan finally spoke, feeling as if a layer of his moral integrity was peeled away.
What's the point of mere moral integrity? Strength is what truly matters!
One must have a broad vision. The truly strong don't care about such things. Even Orochimaru can transform into a different form!
"Good, good, good!!!"
The daimyo was visibly pleased, thinking that Uchiha seemed easier to deal with than the Senju. Everyone's no saint, so why pretend otherwise?
For a moment, the atmosphere grew even more lively. The daimyo stood from his chair and joined Uchiha Nan at the table.
After a round of drinks, Uchiha Nan felt it was time to address the real issue: money.
He needed to secure funds from the daimyo first!
"Daimyo, Konoha's funds are already stretched thin."
Uchiha Nan rubbed his fingers, knowing from experience that this was the best time to discuss finances.
"Hahaha, rest assured, Hokage, 31 billion taels will be delivered to Konoha's account on time."
Uchiha Nan glanced around the opulent hall and shook his head.
"It's not 31 billion taels, it's 41 billion taels!"
"What?!!" The daimyo was momentarily stunned by Uchiha Nan's bold request. This amount was already substantial.
If Konoha hadn't defended the Land of Fire for so long, and relied on its old resources, the daimyo would have considered reverting to the 20 billion ryo budget from a few years ago.
Did Uchiha Nan think money fell from the sky?
Not only Konoha, but the Land of Fire also suffered greatly during the war, with refugees and bandits rampant.
His subordinates were growing restless, occupying more land and evading taxes. Gathering 31 billion ryo to sustain the ninjas was already pushing it.
In the coming years, resettling refugees and reclaiming wasteland would require significant funds, and he couldn't tap into his own treasury.
"Hokage, you're joking."
The daimyo forced a smile and waved his hand.
The noisy music stopped immediately, and everyone discreetly left. It was time for serious discussion.
"Do you know that Konoha receives the most funding in the entire ninja world? The Land of Fire has faced difficult years, with constant natural and man-made disasters, making tax collection challenging."
"Do you know why the Sand Village has been so compliant since being defeated by Konoha?"
Uchiha Nan shook his head. During the First Ninja World War, Sand Village was the first to withdraw. Uchiha Nan hadn't paid much attention to the specifics, focusing instead on improving his strength and fighting on the battlefield.
"The Daimyo of the Wind Country cut more than half of Sand Village's funding."
Uchiha Nan was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Daimyo of the Wind Country to be so ruthless, daring to withhold funds from the ninja village.
Though the ninja world advocates the ninja tool theory, and ninjas must learn patience, they are still human.
They are flesh and blood, especially skilled in combat.
"Isn't that suicidal?"
Uchiha Nan refrained from commenting further. It was unfortunate to serve the daimyo of the Wind Country, who even cut funds for the ninja's livelihood.
Uchiha Nan understood the costs of becoming an excellent ninja. He had spent a significant sum on himself.
His ninja sword alone cost hundreds of thousands of taels, not to mention secret medicines, ninja tools, and training expenses.
For ordinary ninjas, every penny spent on them translates into combat power.
"But so what? The Wind Country is mostly sand. If Sand Village's funding isn't cut, even ordinary people won't survive."
"Without ordinary people working, who will support you ninjas?"
The daimyo continued, a sneer on his face. He had made it clear that Uchiha Nan's demands were excessive.
Sand Village's funding had been cut, while Konoha's had increased compared to previous years. It was time to be content.
You want more money?
Sorry, not a penny more!
"35 billion taels!"
Uchiha Nan decided to compromise. After all, the person before him was Konoha's major benefactor, deserving some respect.
The daimyo remained silent. Uchiha Nan had no choice but to lower his offer.
"34 billion taels!"
"33 billion taels!"
"32 billion taels!"
After three attempts, Uchiha Nan's patience wore thin. I give you face, but you don't reciprocate?
Then I'm going to get mad and chop people!
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20 advance ahead chapter.....🥷🥷
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