At that thought, Huo Yuhao could not help letting a lighthearted smile slip onto his face.
"Hmm? What are you smiling about?" Jing Hongchen asked in puzzlement.
"I just suddenly thought of a few interesting angles." Huo Yuhao asked, "Hall Master Hongchen, who do you think benefits more from this trade? The Sun Moon Empire, or Tianhun and the Star Luo Empire?"
Unsure why Huo Yuhao had suddenly asked this, Jing Hongchen first waved to the official who had delivered the report. "You may go."
The official acknowledged him, bowed, and left the Cabinet.
As Jing Hongchen pondered, Huo Yuhao added, "Hall Master Hongchen, it's best to analyze this question from a long-term perspective."
After a brief pause, Jing Hongchen frowned. "Sun Moon has certainly made quite a profit, but to avoid dampening enthusiasm among the public, you deliberately set the tax rates very low. The National Treasury's revenue actually isn't that high."
"Exporting soul tools has squeezed the domestic soul tool market in Sun Moon. Prices for soul tools and rare metals in Mingdu have risen considerably too."
"Low-level soul tools don't require particularly precious rare metals, though, so the impact on the Illustrious Virtue Hall isn't significant."
"As you said, once Tianhun and the Star Luo Empire calm down, soul tool prices will return to normal. Overall, they should be benefiting more."
Jing Hongchen reached this conclusion after carefully weighing the economic accounts. Having managed the Illustrious Virtue Hall for decades, he had a keen eye for such matters.
Huo Yuhao nodded. There was nothing wrong with Jing Hongchen's analysis.
Yet he continued smiling. "Hall Master Hongchen, your analysis is sound, but there's one point I'd like to remind you of. Benefits aren't limited to money and material goods."
"Hmm? Huo Yuhao, do you mean...?" Jing Hongchen's brow