Chapter 216: Chapter 154: Advancement

[Seventh-Grade Cultivation Skill "Mixed Element Golden Body" (871/1000 to Minor Achievement)]

Lu Yuan clenched his fists, feeling power course through his entire body.

He was very satisfied with his current state.

Just then, Cai Chong’s voice came from outside. "Your Highness, it is time for morning court."

Lu Yuan stepped out of the bath and said coolly, "Come in."

The next moment, serving maids entered to help him dress. Once he was attired in the Python Robe and Jade Belt and had a Great Cloak draped over his shoulders, he headed outside.

Upon reaching the front courtyard, several capable house servants and guards fell in behind him.

After leaving the Prince’s Mansion, they escorted him to the palace gates, where they stood aside cautiously to wait.

Although the distance wasn’t far, this was a matter of the Prince’s Mansion’s prestige, after all.

The necessary pomp and ceremony had to be maintained.

When Lu Yuan entered Chaotian Hall, a single glance told him that all the court officials had already arrived.

Xiao Hua was already seated to the right of the Dragon Throne. Lu Yuan walked straight up and took his seat to the left.

As soon as he sat down, Xiao Hua whispered, "Yuan, you’re late today. Mother drank an extra two cups of tea in the rear hall just waiting for you."

Though her words were a gentle rebuke, she had a beaming smile on her face.

Across all the lands of the Northern Barbarians, Lu Yuan was likely the only person the Xiao Clan would treat this way.

"I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday and made a small breakthrough, so I was delayed," Lu Yuan said, a little embarrassed.

Xiao Hua’s eyes lit up.

’My Yuan truly is destined for greatness. He’s improved again already,’ she couldn’t help but think with a secret delight.

Just as the two of them were whispering,

A sharp voice announced, "Her Majesty has arrived!"

Then, Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua also stood up, and they saw the Xiao Clan walk in.

After she took her seat, the two of them sat down again as well.

Then, they heard the Xiao Clan speak: "Let’s discuss the matter of the Vassal Towns today. I hear the Manku Tribe and the Manxing Tribe, two of our Vassal Towns, have started fighting?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Ever since you appointed the Manxing Tribe as the defenders of Dragon Fish Pass, the Manku Tribe has been extremely displeased, as Dragon Fish Pass has always been within their sphere of influence.

"Furthermore, after the imperial court supplied the Manxing Tribe with a batch of grain, the Manku Tribe grew even more resentful. The Manxing Tribe also covets Dragon Fish Pass, so there has been constant friction between the two. Now, they have finally lost their patience and have begun to fight. It is also said that many people from other Vassal Towns have been drawn into the conflict," Prime Minister Li Qing reported.

He was now filled with admiration for the Xiao Clan. ’To think she would come up with such a method to divide the Vassal Towns.’

It was now clear that rifts had appeared among these factions.

Some were even irreconcilable.

The battle between the Manku and Manxing Tribes was only the beginning. This winter, it was likely that things would become very lively among all the major Vassal Towns.

The most welcome news, however, was that some Vassal Towns were clearly beginning to align with the imperial court. The Manxing Tribe had even sent an envoy two days prior.

This was an excellent development.

As long as these Vassal Towns didn’t oppose the court for the time being, it would give the Northern Barbarians time to govern. A single winter might be enough to bring about a new vitality.

However, Li Qing was unaware that this method was Lu Yuan’s idea. Had he known, his estimation of Prince Qin would have risen even higher.

Upon hearing this news, the Xiao Clan chuckled. "In that case, we don’t need to worry about the various Vassal Towns for now. Let’s move on and discuss the state of disaster relief in the various regions."

"Your Majesty, the imperial court, through Wei Yong of Prince Qin’s Mansion, has purchased a large amount of grain at a price thirty percent higher than normal. The first shipment has already been sent to the disaster-stricken areas, temporarily alleviating the people’s hunger.

"A large quantity of cotton-padded clothes has also been purchased. Surviving this winter should not be a problem." As Li Qing finished his report, a collective sigh of relief seemed to sweep through the entire hall.

The Xiao Clan’s gaze shifted to Lu Yuan at her side. She spoke softly, "Yuan, do you have any thoughts? You may share them with us."

At once, the eyes of all the officials focused on the young Prince. They knew that if not for him, the Northern Barbarians would never have survived this crisis.

During the time Lu Yuan had been away, South City had continued to boom, with a constant stream of people coming to buy property every day.

In just the last few days, the imperial court had collected over twenty billion in taxes alone.

What kind of number was this? It could be said that even at the peak of their prosperity, the treasury of the Northern Barbarians had only ever held this much.

Moreover, South City was still not fully constructed, including the Academy Palace.

This meant that a vast amount of wealth would continue to be generated throughout the winter.

Lu Yuan pondered for a moment, organizing his thoughts before speaking. "Your Majesty, I believe our most important task is still to stockpile grain.

"The Northern Barbarians have less arable land than other regions. I believe that for us to be secure, we must maintain a reserve of at least three years’ worth of food for the populace.

"Furthermore, with the various Vassal Towns now suspicious of one another, it presents an opportunity for the imperial court to expand its influence.

"I propose that after the spring thaw, I personally lead troops to attack the Shengman.

"This will be our response to their provocations at the beginning of winter."

Lu Yuan’s words sent many in the hall into deep thought. They agreed with stockpiling grain; after all, food is the first necessity of the people.

After the lesson learned from this crisis, the first thing anyone thought of upon having silver was, of course, to buy grain.

But attacking the Shengman was something many of them couldn’t comprehend.

Conquering the Shengman was something no one believed possible. After all, not a single emperor of the Northern Barbarians throughout the generations had ever succeeded.

Even if they went to war, it would merely be a conflict born of pique. At best, they could only defeat them temporarily.

It offered no real benefit to the Northern Barbarians.

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