Governing a Great Nation Is Like Cooking a Small Fish

A gentle breeze carried the stern reprimands of the female officials and the muffled sounds of crying.

Thirty-six women of exquisite beauty were being instructed in court etiquette.

Whether of noble birth or possessing fiery spirits, they now struck various alluring yet proper poses under the female officials' tutelage.

This scene was undoubtedly enough to stir the hearts of any man.

It was also the most direct manifestation of power.

Chiba Ran observed calmly.

He loved beautiful women, and even more, he loved the process of taming them.

To utterly crush their arrogance, and then brand them with his own unique mark.

This sense of satisfaction far surpassed mere possession.

But he knew that both beauty and enjoyment stemmed from power.

If its foundation were to be shaken, everything would vanish.

Only by making the roots of his authority ever more stable could he obtain more.

Beauty was merely an embellishment, a trophy.

He could not remain lost in pleasure.

With this thought, the admiration in his eyes faded, and his face regained its sternness.

Chiba Ran drained his cup of tea and slowly rose.

The etiquette officer by the screen hadn't even reacted before seeing the Daimyo depart.

It was as if the scene that could incite any man's desire was, in his eyes, merely a roadside view.

"Lord..."

The etiquette officer hurried to follow, his voice tinged with a hint of trepidation.

Chiba Ran's steps did not falter as he said indifferently, "The training here will proceed according to the rules."

"In one month, I want to see results."

Then, he cast aside both the blooming garden before him and the distracting thoughts in his heart.

"Yes!"

The etiquette officer knelt respectfully.

When he looked up again, the Daimyo's figure had already vanished.

Inside the study, the scent of pine incense remained.

Chiba Ran changed back into his casual clothes and sat back in his large chair.

Before him, the desk was piled high with scrolls and documents, neatly categorized and organized.

At the very top were several memorials of the highest priority, screened by the steward according to the rules he had set.

They were distinguished by seals of different colors.

Red represented military intelligence.

Gold represented public welfare.

Black represented oversight.

However, one scroll sealed with gold bore an extra black crow feather tied to it.

This was the highest alert he had established.

A crow feather dispatch.

It signified that the matter was so urgent it could potentially shake the very foundations of the nation, its priority surpassing all regular urgent reports.

Chiba Ran directly picked up the scroll with the crow feather and unrolled it.

The scroll read: Continuous heavy rains in the southern plains have caused rivers to flood, devastating several cities, destroying thousands of acres of farmland, and affecting over a hundred thousand disaster victims.

His brow furrowed instantly.

Public welfare was the foundation of the nation.

Especially at a time when he was about to make changes to the ninja system, a stable rear was crucial.

If over a hundred thousand disaster victims were mishandled, it could stir up a monstrous wave, rendering all his plans futile.

His brush fell, his handwriting decisive.

"Open the granaries for disaster relief and appease the people."

"Order the Ministry of Works to immediately send personnel to the disaster area to supervise the construction of dams. The necessary funds will be directly allocated from the national treasury. Local officials are forbidden from delaying or withholding funds along the way. Violators will be executed."

After dealing with this top priority matter, he then picked up the military intelligence report sealed with red.

The report stated: Banditry is rampant on the border of the Land of Rivers. Their leader is ruthless and suspected of involvement with rogue ninjas. Local defense forces have attempted encirclement and suppression several times but failed, suffering heavy losses.

"Even minor ailments come to disturb my peace."

He let out a cold snort, his brushstrokes carrying a murderous intent.

"Order the local garrisons to blockade all major routes and cut off their supplies."

"Furthermore, send word to Konoha, commanding Minato Namikaze to personally lead a team of Jonin to cooperate in their extermination. Ensure they are completely annihilated, and their heads displayed along the border."

This would also serve to show the citizens of the Land of Fire that even Konoha's Golden Flash had to obey the orders of the Daimyo Manor.

Finally, he picked up the impeachment memorial sealed with black wax.

The final investigation report on an old case: the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had colluded with local officials, embezzling funds meant for last year's river repair project. The evidence was conclusive.

A portion of these embezzled funds was originally intended to reinforce the dam that had now burst.

Chiba Ran immediately let out a cold snort. At a time of national crisis, parasites were even more detestable.

He didn't even bother to write a directive on the memorial. Instead, he gave a direct order.

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"Hidden Guard."

"Reporting."

A Hidden Guard appeared silently, as if they had always been standing in the shadows.

"Go apprehend this man and interrogate him," Chiba Ran said calmly. "Make sure he reveals everything he's swallowed over the years, both principal and interest."

"As for him, three days from now, at the breach of the dam, in front of all the disaster victims, he will be executed."

"Yes." The Hidden Guard's reply was a single word, yet it dripped with bloodlust.

After dealing with all the urgent matters, the study returned to silence.

Chiba Ran finally relaxed a little.

He tapped the desk, then as if remembering something, walked over to the Ninja World map and his gaze fell upon the marker for Konohagakure.

Having brought Konoha under his control, the next step was to shackle it.

He had prepared two strategies for this.

The first was to establish the Land of Fire Mission Center, consolidating all mission issuance and allocation rights under state control.

If this step succeeded, it would mean controlling Konoha's economic lifeline.

This was only the first step.

The second, and most crucial step, was the separation of military and political power!

"Hokage, it's time to return to your roots," Chiba Ran murmured to himself, his eyes deep.

A sword's duty was to hone its edge, not to be bogged down in politics.

Konoha's internal affairs, from village planning and taxation to disputes between neighbors, all fell under the purview of politics.

How could they be managed by ninjas who only understood combat?

In the future, a Daimyo Manor Political Affairs Office would be established in Konoha, fully taking over all of Konoha's civilian affairs!

From then on, the Hokage would manage the military, and he would manage the Hokage.

No military action would be taken without his permission.

And he, with political power in one hand and military command in the other, would unify the entire Land of Fire's strength.

When both military and political power were firmly in his grasp.

That would be true dominion over the world!

In reality, he had another layer of planning, but this plan required time and patience.

On the day of his enthronement, he had slightly altered its contents.

The reason he added the phrase "Will of Fire" was because he needed to obtain the sole authority to interpret the Will of Fire.

This might seem insignificant, but its importance far exceeded the previous two points.

The ninjas of Konoha today had all grown up listening to the Will of Fire.

No matter how high the Daimyo's position, in their hearts, Konoha's status was greater than that of the Land of Fire.

He could suppress one generation with force, but not every generation.

Therefore, by obtaining the right to interpret the scripture, he could instill a new Will of Fire into the new generation of ninjas.

This point was crucial.

Once these three steps were fully completed, the Land of Fire would truly be under his command.

After unifying the world, he could manage it more quickly and effectively following this path.

However, he had not yet found the right opportunity.

Chiba Ran had also considered using his Six Paths Power to forcefully advance and accelerate the process of unifying the world.

But upon reflection, he dismissed the idea.

Ruling a great nation is like cooking a small fish; being too forceful and overbearing will only force everyone to unite and resist him.

Having experienced the Third Shinobi World War, Konohagakure is deeply wounded and can no longer afford any disturbances.

Even if he possessed immense power, without Konohagakure as his blade, would he conquer the world alone?

What if others engaged in guerrilla warfare? He would be dragged down and end up in a state of constant, exhausting pursuit.

He would certainly win, but only a battered Land of Fire would remain.

How could he enjoy himself then? How could he rule the world?

After all, ruling requires a sufficient population as a foundation!

Therefore, there's no rush!

No need to rush!

Chiba Ran took a deep breath, admonishing and comforting himself.

Just then, an official requested an audience at the door; it was Asaba Toru.

After he entered, Chiba Ran asked, "Has there been any progress?"

Asaba Toru respectfully replied, "Reporting to you, Lord, the first batch of merchant caravans departed this morning."

"Furthermore, the site selection and exploration for the trade transit station, which both nations have pledged to jointly fund and construct, has already begun."

Chiba Ran burst into laughter, "Good, very good!"

This excellent news immediately dispelled much of the vexation he felt upon seeing the bad news earlier.

First, the candidates for the Imperial Concubine Selection were finalized.

Then, the trade strategy progressed at lightning speed.

This couldn't help but lift his spirits.

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