Main World.
Year 20 of Konoha, autumn.
British Continent, New Capital.
Imperial Palace, Council Hall.
Autumn sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting dappled light and shadow across the long conference table. Toyotomi Yinglang sat at its head, holding a thick report-the Empire's annual summary, which Yutian had just submitted. His gaze moved slowly across the pages, and a faint, satisfied smile curved his lips.
"Your Majesty, through bringing in war refugees and having the merchant associations buy healthy slaves in the Shinobi World, the British Continent's population has now reached 1.6 million."
Yutian stood before him, his deep purple governor's robes immaculate, excitement he could scarcely conceal in his eyes.
"Once those refugees and slaves reach the British Continent, they are all freemen."
"1.6 million..."
Toyotomi Yinglang set down the report and leaned back in his chair.
"Good."
He lifted his teacup and took a sip.
"How much are white slaves worth?"
A gleam flashed in Yutian's eyes.
"Your Majesty, scarcity determines value. To the nobles of the Shinobi World, white slaves are a rarity. Some nobles call them 'jade slaves,' meaning slaves with skin as white as jade."
He paused.
"One white slave can be exchanged for five to eight healthy slaves."
A faint, satisfied smile curved Toyotomi Yinglang's lips.
"Jade slaves... a good name."
He set down his teacup.
"What about the vassal states?"
"The Black Horn Kingdom has seventy thousand people. The Hundred Trees Kingdom has two hundred and thirty thousand. The Thousand Mountains Kingdom has one hundred and forty thousand. The Yellow Sand Kingdom has ninety thousand."
Yutian's voice was calm.
"And resources?"
Toyotomi Yinglang rose and walked over to the enormous world map hanging on the wall.
"The Black Horn Kingdom has iron ore and coal. The Hundred Trees Kingdom has timber and medicinal