The Calm the Waves Plan officially ended, and the entire continent slowly returned to its former peace.
Above the capital, Mingdu, the skies stretched clear for miles, blue as though washed clean, while towering soul guidance high-rises stood in tightly packed rows.
Soul guidance flying shuttles streamed with dazzling light as they wove between the buildings in an endless flow.
Traffic thronged the broad streets, and commoners and Soul Masters brushed shoulders. Shops lined the streets, soul guidance billboards projected brilliant light and shadow, and cries from vendors rose and fell amid conversation and laughter. Soul Guidance Trains roared into the platforms, connecting all corners of the continent, with merchants and travelers coming and going without end-a picture of a peaceful nation and a contented people.
During this period, Qian Gu Fenfeng declared the Spirit Pagoda a federal state organization, exempting it from hefty taxes. Meanwhile, the Spirit Pagoda established the Spirit Pagoda Group under its umbrella, with a broad range of businesses covering every aspect of people's livelihoods.
For transportation, there was the Spirit Pagoda Soul Guidance Car, designed to meet the purchasing needs of every social stratum. From basic models to limited editions, it became the stuff of a generation's legend.
For the home, there was Spirit Pagoda Smart Home Appliances, the culmination of contemporary civilian Soul Tool development, which made people's daily lives vastly more convenient.
In clothing, the Spirit Pagoda Brand also stood at the forefront of fashion across the continent, with its various subsidiary brands meeting the different needs of every social stratum.
In communications, the Spirit Pagoda Phone boasted advanced technology and was the unrivaled choice of the federal populace.
The Spirit Pagoda Group could be said to permeate the clothing, food, housing, and transportation of the Sun Moon Federation's people. From birth to death, federal citizens could not do without the Spirit Pagoda.
In addition, decree after decree issued from that center of power, the Federal Parliament Building.
Qian Gu Fenfeng restructured local government institutions and established the Education Bureau, placing it under the Qiangu Family's full control. He also required citizens of the Sun Moon Federation to undergo eight years of compulsory education, added politics as a subject, revised history textbooks, compiled his principles of governance into a body of thought and promoted it extensively, while reducing Sea God Tang San's influence as much as possible.
Thus, as time passed, a new generation of young people grew into adults, and those once in their prime gradually aged, bringing a gradual shift in society's prevailing attitudes.
Now, many federal citizens knew only Qian Gu Fenfeng, not Sea God Tang San. They sang the praises of his many deeds, which were known in every household and familiar to every ear, portraying him as a good parliamentarian who pleaded the people's cause.
Qian Gu Fenfeng's heavy taxation of medium and large powers likewise won the praise and support of the masses.
Part of the tax revenue went into the Qiangu Family's private coffers, while part was returned to society as public subsidies, improving social security and increasing welfare benefits, alleviating the excessively wide gap between rich and poor to some extent.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Pagoda worked with the government to provide free Martial Soul Awakening in various regions. Those who wished to join the Spirit Pagoda received their first Soul Spirit free of charge, regardless of talent, and enjoyed a fifty-percent discount on subsequent Soul Spirits.
For those young Soul Masters who did not wish to join the Spirit Pagoda, it doubled the price of Soul Spirits while restricting their purchases of rare Soul Spirits.
To strengthen control over the regions, Qian Gu Fenfeng restructured the federal Soul Police, incorporating the Spirit Pagoda's security organization into it. From then on, the Soul Police was divided into the Guard Squad and the Guard Army.
The Guard Squad nominally fell under federal jurisdiction and handled tasks such as maintaining public order and repelling invasions.
The Guard Army, however, was the Qiangu Family's private army and took orders only from the Qiangu Family.
"Ha Luosa, long time no see."
"Fenfeng? Long time no see! What made you think of calling me today?"
"Hahahaha, we're both over fifty now, and it's been a long time since we last saw each other. How have things been for you in the Holy Spirit Cult?"
"Ah... same as ever."
"I want to contact the Demon Empress. Do you have a way?"
"The Demon Empress? She's not in her right mind now. She spends all day soaking in the Blood Pool, muttering away like she's possessed. I'm even starting to wonder whether her brain's gone bad."
"Is it that serious?"
"It'll take a few years. She just went into seclusion a while ago. Once she comes out, she should be clearheaded for a time. I'll let you know then."
"All right, Ha Luosa. How about us brothers heading to the Mingdu Night Market? It's been a long time since we relaxed."
"Hmm? Sure."
Qian Gu Fenfeng and Ha Luosa could be counted among each other's few close friends. Back when Ha Luosa attacked Shrek Academy for the second time, Qian Gu Fenfeng had saved him in the end. Although Qian Gu Fenfeng's initial purpose had not been entirely pure, as they spent time together, he discovered that Ha Luosa was very much to his taste. The two could be said to have "found a kindred spirit amid low mountains and foul waters."
Ha Luosa: We were the dearest of friends! (Weeping)
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