"No... nothing more! Duke of Divine Might is wise and Divine Might! Every decision you make is for the glorious future of the Land of Earth!"
The finance minister, known for his shrewdness and cunning, who was in charge of finances beside the former daimyo, was the first to react after a brief moment of distraction. He practically crawled to Gen'yō's feet and began to praise him loudly in an almost fawning and exaggerated tone, as if Duke Ishida, whose head had just been blown off by a single finger, had nothing to do with him.
His reaction was like a shot in the arm, instantly waking up the other nobles and ministers in the hall who were almost paralyzed with fear.
"That's right! That old stubborn Ishida deserves to die! How dare he defy Duke of Divine Might's will? He's practically courting death!"
" Duke of Divine Might's reform plan is visionary and unprecedented! We are willing to follow him to the death!"
"Please rest assured, sir! From today onwards, the Kitahara Family will be your most loyal regional manager! We guarantee to complete all production tasks assigned to us!"
When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; when a drum breaks, everyone beats it.
The feudal alliance, which had just been whispering and united in hatred, crumbled instantly in the face of absolute and unreasonable violence. They rushed to express their loyalty to their new master, fearing that if they were even a second late, their heads would become the next ornaments used by Gen'yō to establish his authority, just like Duke Ishida's.
Gen'yō coldly observed this group of people making a fool of themselves, without feeling the slightest ripple in his heart.
He knew very well that the loyalty of these people was cheaper than toilet paper. Killing and fear alone would not be enough to truly make them work for him.
We must give them a completely new set of rules that they cannot understand and cannot resist.
"Very good. Since everyone agrees, let's discuss the first step in the implementation."
Gen'yō snapped his fingers, Uchiha Inabi immediately distributed the second document.
The title of this document is more concise and clear. "Emergency Notice on Unifying the Monetary System and Establishing the China Development Bank".
"What's this?"
The former daimyo picked up the document with trembling hands. Although he was fat, he was not stupid, and having dealt with money for many years, he was exceptionally sensitive to such matters.
When he saw the words "abolish the old currencies of various countries", "issue the only legal tender - Uchiha Ryō ", "forced exchange rate", and "ultra-low interest industry support loans" on the document, his heart, which was covered by fat, began to beat wildly and uncontrollably.
His intuition told him that what was hidden in this document was a hundred times more terrifying than the deadly knife he had just seen!
"As you can see," Gen'yō's voice rang out again. This time, he didn't look at the nobles, but instead turned his gaze to the Finance Minister who had just sworn allegiance to him, "Starting from the first of next month, only one currency will be allowed to circulate within the Land of Earth, namely the ' Uchiha Ryō ' issued by the Divine Kingdom Central Bank."
"All old currencies, including the Land of Earth's gold coins, the Land of Fire's ryo, and all sorts of other miscellaneous vouchers, must be exchanged for new currency at our designated bank within one month at a rate of 1000:1. Those who fail to exchange within the deadline will have their old currency invalidated."
1000:1?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!
This isn't a currency exchange; this is blatant robbery!
According to the current black market rates, the purchasing power of the Land of Earth's gold coins and the Land of Fire's liang coins, while differing, is roughly on the same level. This forced exchange rate of 1000:1 is equivalent to diluting the wealth accumulated over generations by a thousandfold in an instant!
"My lord... this... this might cause huge turmoil in the market!" The Chancellor of the Exchequer mustered his courage and raised his objection in a tactful way, "The people and merchants probably won't accept it..."
"They'll accept it." Gen'yō's lips curled into a confident smile, as if everything was under control.
"Because I'm not negotiating with them."
" Inabi," Gen'yō called out.
"Exist!"
Uchiha Inabi immediately stepped forward, Hand Seals, and used Genjutsu to project vivid and enticing product advertisements in the center of the hall.
It was a new type of farm tool with a sleek design and a gleaming metallic sheen; the advertising slogan read, "One tool is better than three, increasing tillage efficiency by 300%."
It was a crystal-clear "basic healing potion" packaged in an exquisite glass bottle, advertised as "One bottle down, minor injuries heal instantly, serious injuries allow you to run."
There are also various styles of durable clothing made with new materials, and even ninja toys for children that can spray small water balloons.
These things might not mean much to nobles who are used to luxury.
But their appearance caused the Chancellor's pupils to contract sharply, and even more cold sweat to bead on his forehead than before.
Because he saw the prices listed below these products, so small they were almost invisible.
New type of hoe: 0.5 Uchiha Ryō.
Basic Healing Potion: 1 Uchiha Ryō.
Children's water gun toy: 0.1 Uchiha Ryō.
"Starting next month, the ' Uchiha Divine Kingdom Convenience Supermarket ' scattered throughout the Land of Earth will officially open." Gen'yō's voice was like a devil's whisper, full of deadly allure.
"All of the above-mentioned goods, as well as thousands of everyday items that you may never have heard of but are absolutely great value for money, will be openly sold in the convenience store."
"The most important point is..." Gen'yō held up one finger, his smile becoming incredibly bright.
"To celebrate the opening and the issuance of new currency, for the first three months after opening, all goods purchased using ' Uchiha Ryō ' will enjoy a special offer--"
"90% off."
boom!
90% off!
These four words were like a bombshell, exploding in the minds of everyone in the entire hall!
The Chancellor of the Exchequer swayed violently as he looked at Gen'yō, his eyes filled with unprecedented horror and awe.
He understood.
He understood completely.
This man had no intention of playing any currency games with them.
What he wanted to do was to use these industrialized products, whose quality crushed the times and whose prices were outrageously low, to sweep away the entire Land of Earth's outdated, fragile, and inefficient handicraft economy system like an irresistible flood!
When a farmer discovers that buying a worn-out hoe that's prone to breaking down with old currency would cost him a month's income, while buying a more efficient and durable hoe that lasts for years at a convenience store with new currency would only require a day's earnings, what would he choose?
When an ordinary person discovers that the expensive medical-nin they hired can only provide a simple bandage, while a bottle of "miracle drug" from a "convenience store" would allow them to go back to work in the fields the next day, what would they choose?
There's no need to choose at all!
At that time, people will frantically sell their old currency and exchange it for the new currency called " Uchiha Ryō " at all costs.
Those money changers and nobles who hoarded old currency and dreamed of getting rich by profiting from exchange rates would find that their proud wealth had turned into a pile of unwanted scrap metal overnight!
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
To kill someone, you must first destroy their spirit!
The finance minister looked at Gen'yō as if he were seeing a smiling god who held the reins of economic laws.
"Your Majesty... this old minister... this old minister dares to ask, there is one more question." The Chancellor's voice trembled.
"Explain."
"In that case, wouldn't all the artisans and merchants in our country who make a living by crafting agricultural tools and running pharmacies go bankrupt and lose their jobs?" He asked his last question, which was also his final attempt to maintain the entire feudal economic system.
Upon hearing this, Gen'yō's smile faded slightly.
He glanced at the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was at least somewhat intelligent, his eyes revealing a coldness.
"You're right. Innovation always comes at a price. The wheels of history keep turning, and some people will always be crushed."
"They can choose to adapt to the new era, put aside their ridiculous craftsman pride, apply to join my factory, and become a cog in the machine on the assembly line."
Gen'yō's voice turned cold, filled with an undeniable domineering air.
"Or, they can choose to be buried by my own hands, along with their outdated and backward ways."
"Speaking of which, our first batch of products intended for export and foreign exchange earnings is already ready. Ōnoki."
Gen'yō turned his gaze to the Third Tsuchikage, who had been kneeling there silently the entire time.
"Have you secured all the trade routes to other major powers for me?"