Identity Exposed

Identity Exposed

"A powerful empire should have no orphans, nor should it allow the buying and selling of slaves."

As the strongest of the Seven Nations, Liyue occasionally had orphans and abandoned children, but the Adepti or the Liyue Qixing always made sure they were cared for.

That was why the House of the Hearth had orphans from the other six nations, but none from Liyue.

"I'm not saying everyone must be equal or grow up to achieve greatness."

"But they should have enough to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over their heads..."

Zhongli paused and glanced at "Xue Qinghe," who was writing something in a small notebook.

What?

Zhongli was baffled. What was Qian Renxue doing?

"Hm?"

"Xue Qinghe" looked up and met Zhongli's eyes. She said instinctively, "Please, go on, sir."

"When I become emperor, I'll find a way to put each of these things into practice!"

"But there's another question on my mind."

"How can I grow the empire's economy?"

"None of this is especially hard to do. The problem is money..."

"Xue Qinghe" spoke frankly. On the Douluo Continent, industry and manufacturing were not just underdeveloped; they were downright backward!

Apart from exploiting others, most ways of getting Gold Soul Coins were crooked...

At that, Zhongli gave "Xue Qinghe" another look.

Did she trust me that much?

He saw nothing but sincerity in her eyes. After all the people he had met, he knew that look could not be faked.

Qian Renxue truly trusted him, almost unconditionally.

Qian Renxue: Sincerity is the deadliest weapon!

After a moment's thought, Zhongli said, "To make an empire prosperous, you must first make its common people prosperous."

"From there, develop industry, manufacturing, agriculture, and commerce according to local needs."

"Farm where the land is suitable. Where it isn't, develop manufacturing or other industries."

"As for commerce..."

Qian Renxue listened and took notes, raising questions now and then. Zhongli answered every one of them perfectly.

She wanted to say something, but the words would not come.

He's incredible!

He doesn't just know the heavens above and the earth below. He seems to know everything!

He even explained how to develop an empire, how to move from agriculture to industry, and from industry to trade, all in perfect order!

The more she thought it through, the more certain she became that his ideas could work...

He was not merely discussing theories. It was as though he had actually governed an empire!

How strange!

Were the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire not the only empires on the Douluo Continent?

Zhongli spoke of this path of development as though he had walked it himself. Qian Renxue gazed at him, entranced.

Her eyes shone with admiration.

He's incredible. So that's how you solve it?

Suddenly, "Xue Qinghe" seemed to remember something. She blurted out, "B-but almost all the land belongs to the nobles. How would we..."

It was a serious problem. The land was held by the Royal Family, the nobles, and factions large and small.

Commoners owned none of it. Even the fields they farmed belonged to nobles, not to them.

That was one reason they could work every day and bring in a decent harvest, yet still afford only one meal a day.

When people could barely eat, how could anyone expect them to awaken Soul Power or a powerful Martial Soul?

The odds were worse than winning the lottery.

Zhongli stroked his chin. Rather than answer, he looked at "Xue Qinghe."

Has she started thinking of herself as the real Crown Prince?

How much did the interests of the Heaven Dou Empire's nobles really matter to her?

Of course, such a move would provoke the nobles into rebellion. A major battle would be unavoidable.

In the end, force would still be needed to settle the matter.

"Keep training. When you're strong enough and have enough people behind you, you'll find there's nothing you can't accomplish."

Zhongli spoke with earnest gravity.

He could never have built Liyue into such a flourishing land on his own.

"Xue Qinghe" paused. Something seemed to dawn on her, and she gave Zhongli a thoughtful look before finally nodding.

Yes. I need to keep training.

She was destined to become the Angel God.

Once she ascended, a rebellion by the nobles would be no problem at all.

And with the Vago Rock Emperor's guidance and support, she was certain she could bring about an age of prosperity!

"Sigh..."

"Why can Paimon understand every word you say, but not what you're talking about?"

Paimon said it without thinking as she munched on a fruit she did not recognize.

The two of them had been talking forever, and she still had no idea what they meant!

Some of it sounded like how Zhongli had built Liyue...

But he seemed to have added some new things, too.

"Little Paimon, everything on the table is yours. Eat as much as you like, and ask the auction house for more if it isn't enough."

"Huh? Okay!"

"Xue Qinghe" had figured Paimon out. Give her something to eat, and she would stay quiet for a while.

Meanwhile, in a sparsely occupied white section, Tang San and Xiao Wu were talking.

"What is with these people? They're such snobs!"

"They saw we didn't have many Gold Soul Coins and acted like we weren't worth their time!"

"We're guests too, you know!"

Xiao Wu fumed over the attendants' attitude.

Before Tang San could answer, a gentle voice spoke up.

"Young lady, you can't entirely blame them. You have nothing to offer them."

"So naturally, they won't pay you any attention or greet you with a smile."

Tang San and Xiao Wu turned toward the voice. It belonged to a middle-aged man in fine clothes, leaning on a staff.

He wore a mask as well, hiding his face.

Behind him stood an upright old man, his white hair stirring around him.

The old man suddenly trembled. His heart raced, and his hands shook with excitement!

When luck comes your way, there's no stopping it!

After all, Dugu Bo had never taken Tang San away, so Tang San had never visited the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well...

No, Zhongli had moved the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Even if Dugu Bo had taken Tang San away, Tang San could not have visited it.

Without access to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he could not have obtained the Lovesick Heartbreak Red!

There was no way Xiao Wu could conceal herself from a level ninety-six Super Douluo!

As if sensing Chen Xin's gaze, Xiao Wu suddenly grew uneasy. She had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

The old man's gaze was far too intense.

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

"We're guests, and so are those people. Why are we treated so differently?"

The man spoke with a refinement that set him apart, so Tang San decided to hear him out.

"It's simple. They're merchandise too."

"But you can't afford to buy that merchandise..."