The City's Economy

"Luzhen's thinking matches mine. Since everyone is here, let's discuss what we should do next."

After motioning for everyone to take their seats, Dongfang Mao asked the question.

"Governor, I believe the New Martial Army has just won a major victory, and its momentum and morale are high. We should press our advantage and expand as quickly as possible, before Tian Kingdom has time to react."

"Oh? Why not take time to reorganize, recuperate, and improve people's livelihoods? The city is in dire need of development."

Hearing Luzhen's proposal, Dongfang Mao asked instinctively.

Luzhen lightly waved his feather fan and spoke in a serious tone.

"Even setting aside how much the trade system in the city has suffered under the current policies, and how long it will take to recover...

Even once it does, the commercial taxes and tariffs from Tsukimiura, even with land taxes added, won't be enough to cover the New Martial Army's enormous expenses, let alone the research budgets of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Health."

He paused and folded his fan.

"Once the money and provisions seized from our enemies have been used up, the Governor's Mansion's development will grind to a halt.

And by then, Tian Kingdom, which sees the Governor as a thorn in its side, certainly won't let things rest. It may even ask its allies, Thunder Kingdom and Fire Kingdom, for help. The Governor's Mansion would then be in grave danger!

"So I propose that we expand our territory as soon as possible, and even seize more land at the fastest possible pace, before Tian Kingdom can react!"

Dongfang Mao's pupils contracted sharply.

Though he had been busy improving his own strength and training the troops, he had also considered the economy in Tsukimiura.

Drawing on the strategic insight he had gained in his previous life, he had introduced several relatively novel business models, such as department stores, bubble tea shops, and fast-food restaurants.

But even the best business model needed customers.

And because of Dongfang Mao's policies, a large portion of the city's residents could no longer engage in normal commerce or spend money as they pleased.

As a result, local businesses had taken a heavy hit, and Dongfang Mao's own shops were no exception.

As for banking, finance, bonds, and stocks, those were out of the question for now. Without the people's trust, such things couldn't get off the ground.

In fact, most of the city's businesses were being kept afloat by the new Governor's Mansion's massive purchases.

So the Governor's Mansion seemed to have just won a great victory and basked in glory, but in reality, it was already tottering on the brink of collapse?

It seemed they truly needed to follow Luzhen's advice and seize more territory as soon as possible.

By absorbing more people, they could bolster their forces while gaining a much larger workforce and consumer base, reinvigorating the city's ailing economy and creating a virtuous cycle.

Dongfang Mao's expression darkened. With a hand beneath his chin, he paced back and forth in front of the desk, then abruptly stopped.

"Does anyone have any objections to Luzhen's proposal?"

"We support it!"

No one present was a fool. They could all see that Dongfang Mao had already made up his mind. Who would be foolish enough to stand up and oppose him?

"Good. Once Commanders Yasuke and Kyuzo return in triumph, we'll convene a military council immediately and discuss our plans for the campaign!"

After the meeting, Dongfang Mao dragged his exhausted body back to his bedroom.

He had spent the day defending the city and the night raiding the enemy camp. Though he was physically strong, his mind had reached its limit.

He had planned to claim the "Multi-Shadow Clone package" Tsunade had promised him, but it seemed he would have to put that off for now.

He looked at the bed, wishing he could collapse onto it and sleep at once.

But just then, a soft knock sounded.

"Master, I'm here to help you change."

Dongfang Mao furrowed his brow, about to send her away. Then he reconsidered. Sleeping covered in blood really would be uncomfortable, so he forced himself to stay alert and said,

"Come in."

"Creak!"

The door swung open.

A pretty maid with bright almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks entered, carrying a washbasin.

With his back to her, Dongfang Mao spread his arms, waiting for her to remove his armor.

But when he noticed that the maid's footsteps seemed more hurried than usual, his half-closed eyes snapped open.

He turned around. As he watched the maid approach, his narrow eyes narrowed dangerously, and his weariness vanished.

"Haru, how is your younger sister? Has she gotten any better?"

Dongfang Mao suddenly asked in a gentle voice.

"Haru" froze, then forced a strained smile.

"Thank you for asking, Master. My sister is doing much better..."

Before she could finish, Dongfang Mao, who had been leaning against the bed, suddenly sprang into action!

He flashed in front of the maid like a ghost. Before she could react, his iron-clamp hands had seized her arms as she held the basin.

"Rip—!"

Amid the sound of flesh tearing, both her arms were ripped off! Blood gushed like a spring, splattering across the floor tiles.

"Ah—!"

"Haru" collapsed to the floor, her face contorted as she let out a heart-rending scream.

"Transformation jutsu? Hah!"

Dongfang Mao casually tossed the severed arms, still twitching, to the floor. He coldly watched as the person on the ground's face melted and shifted like wax, finally revealing the pale, unfamiliar face of a stranger. He let out a cold laugh.

"You're the one who got away, aren't you?"

But the only answer was another anguished, shrill scream.

Dongfang Mao didn't care that she was being rude. Turning toward the door, he shouted,

"Guards!"

Two guards appeared at once. When they saw the bloody, brutal scene inside, their hearts lurched and chills ran down their spines.

The commotion from the ninjas' attack on the Governor's Mansion that night had yet to die down. How could they fail to understand? An assassin had slipped into the Governor's room!

Cold sweat broke out across their foreheads, and they hurriedly dropped to their knees.

"We failed in our duty. Please punish us, Governor!"

Dongfang Mao waved a hand.

A ninja's methods were hard for ordinary people to guard against. Even he might have fallen for it in his exhausted state if he hadn't recognized Haru's usual footsteps. How could he blame two guards?

"Drag her away and hand her over to the Night Patrol Bureau. Once she's been interrogated, display her corpse on the city wall as a warning to everyone!"

"Yes, sir!"

Only after hearing that the Governor wouldn't punish them did the two men breathe a sigh of relief. They hurriedly dragged the screaming kunoichi away.

At daybreak, the gates of Tsukimiura slowly swung open amid the rumble of their hinges.

Yasuke and Kyuzo, their armor damp with morning dew, led their winding, triumphant army into the city.

Behind them stretched an endless line of prisoners of war and carts laden with captured weapons and provisions, all linked together with iron chains like the body of a giant serpent.

The city walls and teahouses along the streets were already packed with onlookers.

The "new citizens," who had received their new identities, cheered with excitement. As they rejoiced in the choice they had made, their sense of belonging to the Governor's Mansion grew stronger than ever.