[Year 13 of the Divine Descent], November 11th.
The people across the Kingdom of Storms danced and sang, not to celebrate Singles' Day, but to mark the successful completion of the autumn harvest. Families brought out vegetables and fruits to share with neighbors over a meal, hoping for another bountiful season next year. However, this year's celebratory tables were different; the staple food was no longer their traditional bread or pies but corn from the Divine Realm.
Households with more means treated guests to stomach-warming spicy strips, always eliciting gasps and praise!
With the Kingdom of Storms now a vassal to the Divine Realm, the wealth once hoarded by the nobility was redistributed, part of which was used to bolster civilian life. With more money in their pockets, people could now afford delicacies like spicy strips, tasting flavors they had never known.
Moreover, alongside silver and copper coins, the currency included plastic coins from the Divine Realm, which were quietly becoming the primary currency in the Kingdom of Storms! The excess gold, silver, and copper coins collected by the Divine Realm were transported via merchant caravans to the other three kingdoms, used to purchase more magic stones.
In the evening, inside a newly constructed grand building next to the royal palace, Nalan Jie and others were holding a regular high-level meeting. This was the Divine Realm's administrative office in the capital of the Kingdom of Storms. In reality, over ninety percent of the national policies originated here, with the new king, Sean, in the adjacent palace serving merely as a figurehead, lacking any real decision-making power.
"Eighteen major and minor towns in the Kingdom of Storms, excluding non-agricultural areas like Adverse Port, have seen over sixty percent achieve a bountiful harvest," Zuoqiu Yue read from a report before turning to ask, "Regarding taxation, the Divine Lord didn't give explicit instructions in the Divine Right of Kings plan. How should we proceed?"
Huyan Qingbai rubbed the fat on his chin, suggesting, "Though there's been a harvest, this is our first year ruling the Kingdom of Storms, and the new king has just ascended. Perhaps reducing taxes would be wise?"
"To pacify the populace, a tax reduction is indeed necessary."
Nalan Jie quickly made the decision, "Reduce taxes for common citizens by half; those who have shown loyalty to the Divine Realm and have merits, exempt them from taxes this year. Any objections?"
Given the vast wealth gained from confiscating noble estates, they could afford to overlook this year's taxes. Everyone present agreed unanimously.
The next topic was introduced by Wizard Lanon, "Since Merlin became Chief, the number of applications to the Wizard Academy has skyrocketed, with eighty-five percent from common folk. The enthusiasm is palpable!"
Lanon was somewhat moved; although he had joined the seventh prince early on, he hailed from a powerless baron family, not much different from a commoner. Now, the once unremarkable seventh prince was king, Lanon himself was the Court's Second Seat Wizard, and even the Wizard Academy, which used to value noble birth, had opened its doors to children from common households...
Walking through the streets, one no longer saw nobles barking orders but witnessed polite interactions with smiling faces...
It had been less than three months since the Divine Realm took over the capital, yet everything seemed to have undergone a profound transformation!
The old system was toppled and crushed, and new prospects were quietly sprouting...
The more Lanon thought, the more he admired the foresight and wisdom of that mysterious Celestial God. He also secretly rejoiced in having pledged allegiance swiftly, with the seventh prince as a competent puppet monarch by his side.
Otherwise, how could he have been involved in such a grand scheme? How could he have achieved his current prominence as the Court's Second Seat?
Just look at Bellmoru, the legendary wizard who opposed the Divine Realm; his grave must be overgrown by now...
With internal developments in the Kingdom of Storms stable and promising, attention turned outward.
Nalan Huaz stroked his beard, saying, "The beastmen's garrisons in Fallen Ring Town and Jade Stone Town to the east have not decreased, yet there's been no other movement. Should we send someone to test Thunder Kingdom's stance?"
"Stay still if the enemy doesn't move; move first if the enemy does!"
Nalan Jie recalled some common sayings taught by Wang Hui, adding her own interpretation.
"The Thunder Kingdom will eventually submit to the Divine Realm, but with the situation here just stabilized, we should not provoke a conflict with the beastmen. We'll strengthen our border defenses, resume trade between the two countries, and quietly investigate their intentions. If signs of aggression appear, we'll directly land our fleet behind the Thunder Kingdom and encircle their Grand Chieftain's tribe!"
The others exchanged looks, quietly impressed by Nalan Jie's strategic audacity...
This audacity was backed by strength.
Over the past two months, Divine Servant Huyan Wu's special training on Peace Island had shown results, with five middle-level officers achieving the fourth refinement. Huyan Gui, the leader of the Huyan clan, had even reached the fifth refinement, officially entering the ranks of high-end combatants!
Even if a war with the Thunder Kingdom started soon, they were unafraid!
"The high priest there might have some connections with our teacher. There's no need to overly worry about the beastmen's threat," Justin suddenly spoke after a long silence.
Though he had no solid evidence, he had a hunch that Thunder Priest Saliman, who had disappeared for a while after the Battle of Fallen Ring Town, might now be allied with Wang Hui. If that were true, the Thunder Kingdom might soon become an ally of the Divine Realm...
"Rather than the beastmen, we should be more wary of the ones in the southeast."
Justin pushed forward the documents in his hand.
Zuoqiu Yue raised an eyebrow after reading, "...Missing corpses? Is this information accurate?"
Nalan Jie, sitting across diagonally, also looked up. She personally reviewed and approved all matters concerning the compensation and burial of fallen warriors, and there had never been an incident of missing bodies.
Justin responded, "It's accurate; the missing corpses aren't from the Divine Realm but from the Kingdom of Storms, so you wouldn't have noticed. That's exactly the effect the other side wanted."
"You mentioned the ones in the southeast... the Dark Kingdom?"
Huyan Qingbai looked concerned, "I've sent several merchant caravans there recently; let's hope there's no trouble."
"That's unlikely. The rats from the sewers like to engage in dirty deeds, but they're also smart enough to steer clear of threats they can't handle, like the Divine Realm at the moment."
Justin pulled out a pair of clean white gloves from his pocket and put them on leisurely.
"I can investigate where those bodies have gone and, while at it, provide some convenience for our merchants... Do you want me to go?"
After a show of hands, Nalan Jie nodded in approval, "Then, we'll trouble you to make this trip. How many people should we assign to you?"
"No need, I'll take one from my household."
Justin rose to leave with a bow. Moments later, back at his temporary residence in the capital, he opened the door to find a woman with a veil over her head suddenly waking up, "...Is it time again?!"