Carrots and Sticks

The flames in the brazier gradually weakened, leaving only scarlet embers, occasionally spitting out a spark or two.

Within the council hall, the cheers of loyalty had yet to subside, and the smell of burning wood still permeated the air.

Chiba Ran's sarcastic expression vanished, replaced by a gentle smile.

Looking at the officials kneeling on the ground, their faces etched with relief after escaping disaster, Chiba Ran spoke, "Rise, everyone. You are all pillars of the Land of Fire, no need for such grand gestures."

His voice was not loud, yet it instantly silenced the restless crowd.

"Thank you, Lord Daimyo!"

Tanaka Shigeru and the others shakily stood up, their backs still slightly bowed, not daring to meet Chiba Ran's gaze.

The burning brazier had seared an indelible mark upon their hearts.

Chiba Ran did not return to his seat but paced to the center of the council hall, standing with his hands behind his back.

Then, he let out a deep sigh.

The sigh was light, but it caused the hearts of the assembled officials, which had just begun to settle, to leap into their throats once more.

"Everyone..."

Chiba Ran's tone carried a hint of melancholy.

"My few useless elder brothers, for the sake of a mere reputation, nearly emptied the national treasury."

"Quelling the internal strife, pacifying the territories, rebuilding the capital – these were all expenses of astronomical figures."

He paused and scanned the room.

"Just yesterday, Lord Tanaka Shigeru tearfully complained to me that the national treasury is now cleaner than his hair."

Tanaka Shigeru shuddered, nearly collapsing to his knees again, and quickly explained, "I... I was merely speaking metaphorically! I deserve death!"

"No, you are correct."

Chiba Ran waved his hand, signaling him not to be nervous, but the worry on his face deepened.

"Now, the war is nearing its end. Tens of thousands of soldiers await their pensions, displaced civilians await resettlement, and with everything needing to be rebuilt, money is needed everywhere."

"For the past few days, I haven't been able to sleep well because of money matters."

His words were filled with helplessness.

The ministers exchanged glances.

Isn't he just asking for money!

But then again, although this Daimyo has incredible means, he inherited a complete mess.

And this mess, everyone present had contributed to, more or less.

Tanaka Shigeru, as the Minister of Finance, was most aware of the treasury's dire situation. He gritted his teeth and was the first to step forward.

He knelt once more, "The Daimyo worries for the nation, how can we, his subjects, stand idly by!"

"I, Tanaka Shigeru, wish to share the Daimyo's burdens and offer seventy percent of my family's assets to replenish the national treasury!"

Upon these words, the entire hall was astonished.

Seventy percent!

That was the accumulation of the Tanaka family over a hundred years!

Has this old fool gone mad?

However, the ministers quickly reacted.

This isn't madness, it's a display of loyalty!

This is using money to buy their own lives, to buy their families' futures!

That fire earlier had burned away the evidence of their crimes.

Now, it was time to offer their pledge of allegiance!

"I, Ito Tadashi, offer seventy percent of my family's assets to share the Daimyo's burdens!"

"I, Kawai no Kami, offer the entire revenue from three iron mines in my territory for the next ten years!"

"I..."

In an instant, the council hall was filled with a chorus of voluntary donations.

It was as if this were an auction for loyalty, and whoever shouted slower, or offered less, was showing disrespect to the Daimyo.

Qing Yueye stood in a corner, watching this absurd yet real scene, a storm brewing within him.

With a single fire and a few words, he had made these stingy old foxes willingly empty their coffers.

Such methods were simply astounding.

Chiba Ran listened quietly, the worry on his face receding slightly, but his brow remained furrowed.

In his heart, however, he sneered.

A bunch of idiots.

Do you want my money, and you need to do it this way?

If I wanted to, with a single thought, I could turn all your wealth, along with your lives, into nothingness.

A thought flashed through his mind, and Chiba Ran raised his hand in a gesture of suppression. "Alright, I appreciate everyone's intentions."

He let out a long sigh, his expression becoming somewhat complicated.

"The nation's affairs are difficult, and I shouldn't have made you all spend so much. But... alas, this is the only way for now."

"It's just..."

"Money alone isn't enough."

Everyone's heart sank again.

There's more?

Chiba Ran paced a few steps and slowly said, "After this battle, I've found that many positions in the court are overstaffed and inefficient."

"What's more, some people hold multiple positions, occupying seats but accomplishing nothing."

"If this continues, the nation will cease to be a nation."

He stopped, his gaze falling on several old ministers who held real power.

"I plan to streamline the court."

"We will abolish some useless departments, merge some redundant positions, and promote some capable young people."

"You are all pillars of the nation, experienced and knowledgeable, and I'm sure you understand this deeply."

"Why don't you all help me draft a list?"

"Look at those under your command who are getting old and should retire, and which positions don't actually need so many people."

As soon as these words were spoken, it made them more terrified than when they were asked to donate money.

Donating money was just cutting flesh.

This was about pulling out their tendons and breaking their bones!

Those positions, those people, were the foundation and wings they had built over decades!

Asking them to dismiss their own people?

Whoever started it would lose public support!

This was more unbearable than killing them!

The assembly hall fell silent once more.

Everyone lowered their heads, no one daring to be the first to act.

The atmosphere froze again.

A smile flickered across Chiba Ran's lips, then vanished.

He knew the time was right.

It was time for the carrot.

He suddenly let out a hearty laugh, breaking the silence. "Haha, you're all so scared."

"Do you think I would really ask you to cut off your own limbs?"

Chiba Ran walked up to Tanaka Shigeru, personally helped him up, and patted his shoulder in a friendly manner.

"I see and remember everything you've done for the country today."

"You are my meritorious officials, and I should reward you, not punish you."

He surveyed everyone and announced loudly, "The matter of the list can wait. But there is one thing that must be done now."

"I have decided to use the national treasury and the funds you have donated to launch the Land of Fire's Three-Year Revitalization Plan!"

"The first step is to rebuild the towns destroyed in the war, repair the roads, and dredge the rivers!"

"There are countless business opportunities and benefits within this!"

Chiba Ran's voice was full of temptation.

"And these projects, I will not hand them over to outsiders."

"I will prioritize giving them to my most trusted subjects, to those standing here today, willing to overcome difficulties with the Land of Fire!"

"What you have lost, I will make you earn back a hundred or a thousand times over!"

"I not only want to make the Land of Fire prosperous and strong, but I also want my meritorious officials to become the wealthiest and most noble people on this land!"

As the words fell, the assembly hall was silent.

Immediately, all the ministers' breathing quickened, and their eyes turned red.

The way they looked at Chiba Ran was filled with fanaticism!

This Daimyo had first shattered their spines with thunderous means, then burned away their worries with fire, and finally taken their money bags and power.

In the end, he personally drew an unimaginably grand picture for them!

A pull, a push, and then a sweet date.

This art of ruling an empire!

It was truly divine.

The ministers were completely convinced!

"Your Excellencies! We are willing to go through fire and water for the Daimyo, and we will not shrink from it!"

"For the Daimyo, we will go through fire and water, and we will not shrink from it!"

The ministers knelt down from the bottom of their hearts.

The roars of loyalty almost shook the roof of the council hall.

Chiba Ran watched with satisfaction.

Fear and greed were the two most effective reins in this world.

Now, he had them firmly in his grasp.

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