Ch. 61A Ten Percent Tax
Chapter Summary: “A Ten Percent Tax”
Plot Points and Events
- Jiang Yuan publicly reveals that the restrictions preventing Profound Yellow Grain seeds from surviving outside Human Race territory can be lifted.
- The assembled Daluo Golden Immortals eagerly ask about the price of obtaining the seeds.
- Jiang Yuan proposes a “ten percent tax”: he will lend them seeds, and they must return one-tenth of their harvest after the seeds mature.
- He explains that each borrowed seed can mature only once outside Human Race territory. Its resulting grains cannot be replanted as seeds.
- To obtain additional seeds, they must exchange 1,000 grains of Profound Yellow Grain for one new seed. Since one seed produces 10,000 grains, this is effectively another ten percent cost.
- The immortals protest that the arrangement is too expensive. Jiang Yuan counters that he could demand fifty percent and that the Wu-Yao races would likely seize them as slaves rather than offer such favorable terms.
- He invokes Lady Nuwa, claiming that the ten percent rate is her compassionate instruction. Once they hear this, the immortals immediately accept, unwilling to challenge a Sage’s supposed decree.
- Jiang Yuan agrees to have cultivation experts teach them how to grow the grain when the seeds are handed over.
- After settling the grain agreement, Jiang Yuan introduces another proposal: constructing teleportation arrays connecting the various races.
Character Developments
- Jiang Yuan demonstrates strong commercial and political skill. Rather than sell seeds once, he establishes a continuing harvest-based revenue system.
- He shows confidence and flexibility by presenting ten percent as a generous compromise after claiming that fifty percent would be justified.
- Jiang Yuan also proves adept at using Lady Nuwa’s authority to pressure the immortals into accepting his terms, even though they suspect he may be exaggerating or inventing her instructions.
- The Daluo Golden Immortals are portrayed as calculating, shrewd, and opportunistic. They had previously stolen seeds, but quickly abandon their objections when presented with a legitimate way to cultivate Profound Yellow Grain.
- Despite their dissatisfaction, they recognize the value of the arrangement and understand that opposing a Sage’s authority would be dangerous.
Significant Themes
- Power and negotiation: Economic agreements are shaped less by fairness than by comparative power. Jiang Yuan persuades the immortals by comparing his terms with the harsher treatment they might receive from the Wu-Yao races.
- Authority and legitimacy: Invoking Lady Nuwa transforms a controversial business proposal into an unquestionable command. The immortals may doubt Jiang Yuan, but they cannot safely challenge the authority he represents.
- Resource control and dependency: By limiting the seeds’ ability to reproduce outside Human Race territory, Jiang Yuan ensures that other races remain dependent on the Human Race for future cultivation.
- Pragmatism over morality: The characters do not dwell on the earlier theft or the ethics of monopolizing the grain. They focus on profit, access, and survival.
- Civilization and cooperation: The proposed teleportation network suggests a broader move toward connecting the races, reducing travel risks, and encouraging trade and communication.
Character Interactions
- Jiang Yuan confronts the immortals’ embarrassment over their theft through sharp, public remarks.
- The immortals question him repeatedly about pricing, reproduction, and cultivation methods, attempting to negotiate the most favorable arrangement.
- Jiang Yuan counters their objections with economic reasoning, threats of worse treatment elsewhere, and appeals to Lady Nuwa’s authority.
- Once he claims the ten percent rate comes from Lady Nuwa, the immortals immediately shift from resistance to acceptance and thank him.
- The chapter ends with Jiang Yuan taking the initiative again, presenting the immortals with his plan for interconnected teleportation arrays.