At present, Spirit Hall's influence was mainly over grassroots Spirit Masters. It lacked influence among the lower-class commoners and mid-to-high-level Spirit Masters, and it did not place enough importance on economics or culture. Those were also areas Shang An intended to change.
A few years ago, he had only been the Pope's disciple and lacked sufficient authority, so he had remained patient. Now that he had become Spirit Hall's Holy Son and had Bibi Dong's support, he could finally carry out sweeping reforms within Spirit Hall.
Shang An had long since formulated his reform plans in his mind. This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Economically, Shang An planned to establish banks and create a merchants alliance. Douluo Continent actually had establishments similar to banks, called money houses. Ning Fengzhi's black card alone was worth one million Gold Soul Coins.
However, that kind of black card could only be considered a savings card, not a credit card. The banks Shang An envisioned would follow a twenty-first-century model, adapted to Douluo Continent's specific circumstances. They would attract commoners to deposit money through interest, earn funds by issuing loans, and ultimately control the circulation of currency.
He would then establish the Continental Merchants Alliance Federation. By offering protection, favorable loans, shared information, interconnected resources, and other benefits, it would draw in the many ordinary merchants who were overlooked and lacked powerful backers. Combined with Spirit Hall's existing commercial network, it would seize control of and infiltrate the economies of the two great empires.
Culturally, Shang An planned to establish newspapers and periodicals, controlling the mouthpiece of public opinion and guiding the people's views. The masses had always been blind; they only needed guidance, and public sentiment would become a sharp sword in his hand.
At the same time, he planned to establish all kinds of guilds and associations. Douluo Continent had seen similar associations before, but they had all remained confined to small areas and wielded too little influence.
There were also plans for the logistics industry, regulatory systems, and a monthly evaluation system for bishops of every rank and region.
And more...
He wrote down every idea in his mind, revising them over and over until each plan gradually took shape.
The sky outside gradually darkened. Shang An put down his pen and rubbed his wrist. Although he had long envisioned these plans, the specific procedures and methods of implementation still required repeated consideration. They could not simply be copied wholesale.
Thus, by the time he had finished writing them all down, evening had arrived without him noticing.
Suddenly, he felt that the room's lighting had dimmed slightly. Turning around, he saw a graceful figure.
"Teacher, why are you here?"
Bibi Dong was standing behind Shang An's seat. She looked as though she had been there for quite some time, but Shang An had been too absorbed to notice.
"You always forget the time once you get busy."
Bibi Dong lightly tapped Shang An's forehead with a finger and took out an exquisite food box filled with delicate pastries.
"Xiao An, have something to eat. If you're still hungry later, we can have the imperial chefs prepare some more food."
Shang An also felt some hunger in his stomach. He picked up a pastry and stuffed it into his mouth.
He had nearly forgotten that he was no longer that great Primordial Spirit expert who had long since stopped needing food.
While chewing the pastry, he said, "Teacher, there's no need to trouble the imperial chefs. These are enough."
"Oh, right, Teacher. I have a development plan for Spirit Hall here."
Shang An took out the plan he had painstakingly written. It was more than a hundred pages long and covered every aspect of implementation. If Shang An had not been a four-ring Spirit Master with sufficiently powerful spiritual strength, as well as a Martial Soul formed from his mutated Primordial Spirit to assist him, it might have taken him ten days or half a month to finish it.
"Teacher, take a look and see whether there are any oversights."
Bibi Dong accepted the stack of papers with great interest. Over the past few years, Shang An had proven that he possessed considerable talent in handling political affairs as well, so she had been quite eager to see his plans.
However, the first page alone left Bibi Dong stunned.
"Flaws in Spirit Hall's inspection system and countermeasures?"
The more she read, the more solemn Bibi Dong's expression became. As she continued turning the pages, the various plans and systems that seemed fantastical yet effective, each with detailed explanations of their steps, broadened her horizons even further.
"Genius. These are truly genius ideas!"
"No, Xiao An was a genius to begin with."
It took Bibi Dong nearly two hours to finish reading. Mainly, some of the content was too novel and required time for her to understand. Once she finished, she felt utterly shaken.
As Spirit Hall's Pope, she possessed political insight of her own. She could see just how great a transformation these systems and plans would bring to Spirit Hall. If they all succeeded, Spirit Hall's position would become unshakable, and even unifying the continent would seem remarkably simple.
If the person who had written these plans had not been Xiao An, if that person did not belong to Spirit Hall, then Bibi Dong would have killed him no matter what. Such a person posed a far greater threat to a faction than several Clear Sky Douluos. He would be a deadly hidden danger.
But since it was Xiao An, then naturally her own child was extraordinarily gifted and wise, a peerless talent among men and the finest among dragons, superior to others in every way.
Still, although these plans had shocked her, Bibi Dong quickly regained her composure and went straight to the heart of the matter.
"Xiao An, your plans are excellent. But what if the two great empires stop us, or imitate us and do the same thing..."
Shang An understood Bibi Dong's concerns. Naturally, he had considered these issues.
"Teacher, first they would need to recognize the meaning hidden within these plans."
Indeed, if Shang An had not written out the effects that these various plans would have after implementation, Bibi Dong might not necessarily have paid attention to things like banks and guilds. This was a blow across eras, a crushing advantage in ways of thinking.
Shang An continued, "Even if they truly imitate us, they would first need to understand these systems, then keep exploring and copying us. By the time they succeed, the influence Spirit Hall gains through these plans will already have taken root in people's hearts."
"Besides, we have advantages that neither of the two great empires possesses."
At that, Shang An paused slightly.
"Our number and quality of Spirit Masters far exceed those of the two great empires, and the forces we can mobilize are greater. That is the first advantage;
"We have branch halls in every town, small city, and even village, spread across the entire continent. The two great empires and the many kingdoms, meanwhile, only have influence within their own territories. That is the second."
Spirit Hall's overall strength absolutely crushed that of the two great empires. It was only because of its internal discord and Qian Daoliu's retirement that so much nonsense had happened. However, those were not matters Shang An could solve for the time being.
He did not dwell on them and continued.
"So even if they have capable people who understand the significance behind these plans, it would still be nearly impossible for them to imitate us."
Looking at Shang An, who was physically tired yet still full of spirit, Bibi Dong set down the materials in her hands and sighed.
"Xiao An, your plans are very good. But although I am the Pope, implementing them would still require approval from the Elder Hall."
For major matters involving Spirit Hall's entire future, Qian Daoliu could not possibly allow her to decide alone, even if she was the Pope. Believe it or not, if she made the decision today, the Worship Hall would be at her door tomorrow, and Qian Daoliu would retake control of Spirit Hall the day after.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I'm confident I can persuade those offerings."
In truth, he only needed to persuade Qian Daoliu. The other offerings all followed his lead, and Shang An's plans were beneficial to Spirit Hall's development. Qian Daoliu had no reason to refuse.
Bibi Dong seemed to think of something. She sighed, sounding somewhat unwilling and self-reproachful.
"Xiao An, your teacher is useless."
Shang An took Bibi Dong's hand and gently stroked it.
"Teacher, don't overthink it. You are Spirit Hall's Pope, and you will also become Douluo Continent's only emperor."
He knew that although Bibi Dong no longer possessed her former obsession, she still harbored resentment toward the Worship Hall and Qian Daoliu. She was a woman with an extremely strong desire for control and immense pride. How could she tolerate the Worship Hall standing above her? Perhaps only before Shang An would she reveal such tender warmth.
Bibi Dong looked at the gentle and capable young man before her, and warmth filled her heart. As long as he was there, she feared nothing, even if she had to stand against the entire world.
The two discussed Spirit Hall's development plans for a while longer. In the end, Bibi Dong was the one who interrupted the conversation. Otherwise, given Shang An's eagerness to talk, they might have discussed it through the entire night. She did not mind, but she felt sorry for Shang An.
"Alright, Xiao An. Let's not talk about this anymore. It's getting late."
Bibi Dong did not continue the discussion. Taking Shang An's hand, she led him toward the bed.
She gently helped Shang An remove his outer robe, like a young wife caring for her husband, then took off her high heels and changed into sleepwear.
"Xiao An, it's time to rest."
The moment Shang An got into bed, Bibi Dong pulled him into her arms. He had been her body pillow for three years and had long grown accustomed to it. Still, there had been some progress. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Bibi Dong in return, and she did not resist.
Now that he had grown taller, he could take the initiative and treat Bibi Dong as a body pillow instead. His teacher was soft and fragrant, perfect to hold while sleeping. He just wondered what that little fox felt like.
Not long after lying down, Shang An fell asleep. His mental exhaustion was truly severe. Once the earlier excitement faded, drowsiness swept over him like a tide.
Looking at the sleeping Shang An, looking at his face beautiful enough to topple kingdoms, Bibi Dong's eyes were filled with happiness. To her, every night was the happiest time of the day.
Because with him here, everything was wonderful!
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