NOVEL WEB Chapter 75.1
Lin Beifan’s current strength is clearly superior to that of an average Imperial Qi expert.
Because he possessed a multitude of top-tier supreme skills.
Three Parts Return to Origin Energy!
Qilin Arms!
When you add up his comprehensive strength, he could be called invincible within the Innate Realm!
Lin Beifan was extremely excited and happy: “After striving for so long, it has not been in vain! Now, I can be considered as invincible under the Grandmasters! Haha!”
Three days later, Chai Yuxin, An Lushan, and others led the great army back to report their mission.
They returned with a large amount of food, gold, silver, and jewels, with a total value exceeding 50 million taels of silver—filling the national treasury.
War, indeed, is the best business!
Emperor Lin Beifan was overjoyed and proceeded to reward his ministers for their accomplishments: “Both ministers have done well! It is a fortune for the nation to have you. I hereby confer the title of Earl on General An Lushan, titled as “Defender of the State”, and reward him with 10,000 taels of silver!”“I confer the title of Earl on General Chai Yuxin, to be known as the Earl of Fengwu, and reward her with 10,000 taels of silver!”
“General Shi Siming has also performed admirably, promoted one rank and rewarded with 5,000 taels of silver!”
“All other officers are promoted one rank and rewarded with 1,000 taels of silver each!”
“For the other soldiers, a reward of one tael of silver! For those who have fallen, issue a pension of five taels of silver to each of their families!”
“Those who have performed exceptionally, report to me, and I shall grant them great rewards!”
The crowd rejoiced, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous grace!”
The civil and military officials all looked on with envy and jealousy at this group of military commanders.
Indeed, going to war is the quickest way to gain promotion and wealth.
Look at these generals; after just a few battles, they have all been ennobled.
Of course, the one who has profited the most is still Lin Beifan.
The wealth that had visibly increased was already in the tens of millions.
The wealth amassed in secret had long since surpassed a hundred million.
After the rewards were distributed, Lin Beifan continued, “After this battle, our Xia Kingdom can be said to have made a formidable impression in all directions, securing a relatively long period of peace. Next, we must focus on production, developing the livelihood of the people and the economy! However, our country’s territory is too small, which greatly hinders our development! General An, I want you to lead our troops and extend our national border two hundred li to the north!”
An Lushan looked up, surprised, and said, “Your Majesty, if we extend to the north, that would mean encroaching upon the lands of the An Kingdom and the Shang Kingdom!”
Lin Beifan declared with an imposing air, “Exactly, I intend to take a bite out of their territory! If they dare to make a move, I dare to strike!”
At that moment, An Lushan felt somewhat intimidated and quickly bowed his head, “As you command, Your Majesty!”
The officials felt the same way; they had no doubt about Lin Beifan’s determination because he truly was capable of following through.
It wasn’t the first or second time he had done such things.
“In this battle, our forces suffered significant losses, so we need to replenish our troops! Now, with our national treasury full and plenty of food supplies, let’s increase our forces to 800,000! This task shall be assigned to…”
“Your Majesty, please allow me to undertake this task. I assure you that I will complete it successfully!” An Lushan quickly interjected.
Lin Beifan was taken aback: “General An, you are to be stationed in the north…”
“Your Majesty, I can recruit soldiers locally!” An Lushan said.
Lin Beifan hesitated: “Recruiting locally, there could be issues with their loyalty…”
“Your Majesty, rest assured, I have a method when it comes to training troops! Just give me three months, and I will cultivate for you an army that is not only brave and skilled in battle but also fiercely loyal!” An Lushan declared, thumping his chest in assurance.
When he looked up, he found Lin Beifan’s gaze deep and penetrating, as if seeing through his thoughts, and he quickly lowered his head again.
Lin Beifan smiled meaningfully.
“Very well! I shall entrust this matter to General An!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” An Lushan was overjoyed, stealthily exchanging a triumphant glance with Shi Siming.
“Since General An plans to recruit 200,000 soldiers in the north, then just take 100,000 soldiers with you! The remaining 500,000 soldiers will be temporarily led by General Fengwu!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Chai Yuxin was ecstatic beyond measure.
Commanding an army of 500,000, she has already surpassed her father in achievements!
She stealthily gave Lin Beifan a look: Well done, this sister absolutely adores you!
An Lushan felt somewhat regretful and reluctant.
But then he thought, those troops were already firmly tied to Lin Beifan. He couldn’t command them at all, and having them in hand was useless, so it was better to let them go.
The new forces he would cultivate would become his loyal followers.
“The same goes for our Xia Kingdom, our focus should still be on the welfare of the people and the economy!”
Lin Beifan continued to issue orders: “Minister, we have opened up new territories, and we must not waste them. Organize the farmers to clear the land and plant crops as soon as possible. I want every inch of Xia Kingdom’s land to be cultivated with grain!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Moreover, the canal has not been completely cleared. Continue to organize manpower to dredge the canal! Strive to establish an extensive network of waterways before the autumn harvest to facilitate irrigation of farmland and promote the economy!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Lin Beifan issued commands logically, each order precisely on point.
For a moment, the court officials were somewhat bewildered.
Is this really the foolish emperor?
After speaking, Lin Beifan smacked his lips and said with great excitement, “My ministers, if there is nothing else, you may leave the court. I must return to my beloved consort!”
Everyone was brought back to reality.
The emperor had not changed; he was still the same foolish emperor who loved his beauties more than his empire.
At that moment, Li Linfu stood up and bowed deeply, “Your Majesty, there is still one important matter!”
Lin Beifan was taken aback, “What else is there?”
He was certain he had addressed all the matters that needed his attention.
“Your Majesty, I understand that you are busy with the affairs of state, attending to a myriad of matters every day! But this issue is urgent and cannot be delayed!” Li Linfu said as he bowed.
“Minister Li, what is the matter?” Lin Beifan asked.
“Your Majesty, it is now time to change our state’s name!”
Lin Beifan was taken aback: “Why should we change the state’s name when everything is fine?”
“Because our Xia Kingdom has changed beyond recognition!”
Li Linfu’s eyes blazed with fervor: “Under your wise leadership, Your Majesty, the population has increased by more than two million, the people are well-clothed and well-fed, living in peace and happiness! Our military strength has doubled, we’ve won numerous victories, and our might is known far and wide! The national treasury is full, food is abundant, and our national power has increased manifold. Therefore, the Xia Kingdom is no longer a small kingdom. We can change the name to Great Xia, the Great Xia Kingdom!”
“I see!” Lin Beifan understood.
In this world, everyone categorizes nations according to their strength into four tiers: small kingdoms, great kingdoms, dynasties, and empires.
There isn’t a very clear division between the different levels of nations, nor is there any mandatory requirement.
Even if you are a small kingdom, you can still call yourself an empire.
Of course, most emperors are rather concerned about their image.
A nation is categorized into the tier that corresponds to its actual status.
As for the current situation of the Xia Kingdom, it could be ranked among the small kingdoms or among the great kingdoms—it mainly depends on their own perspective.
Lin Beifan decided to refer to the opinion of Empire Sandbox.
“Empire Sandbox, is the Xia Kingdom considered a great kingdom now?”
“Ding! No! According to the game rules, only when a country’s comprehensive national power exceeds 1000 does it enter the ranks of great kingdoms!”
“So that’s how it is!” Lin Beifan nodded slightly.
“Ding! At the same time, several basic conditions must also be met!”
“What basic conditions?” Lin Beifan wondered internally.
“The Territorial Area must exceed 600,000 square kilometers!”
“Domestic Resources surpass 120 million taels!”
“Population surpasses 6 million!”
“Military Strength surpasses 600,000, and at the same time, one must possess 6 Innate individuals!”
“Once these conditions are all met, the nation will be promoted to a great kingdom! At the same time, the Empire Sandbox will also be upgraded, unlocking more game features!”
Lin Beifan fell into deep thought.
These basic requirements, in fact, are to ensure that his nation has no weaknesses, achieving balanced development.
Breaking through 600,000 square miles of territorial area was not difficult for him.
After An Lushan had seized those territories, the territorial area essentially reached 600,000 square miles.
Surpassing a population of 6 million was within reach; he currently had a population of 5 million, only 1 million short, but that was also not a problem.
Because after expanding the territory, the people of the Shang and An nations would be converted into his populace.
Breaking through 120 million taels in domestic resources had already been achieved.
Surpassing a military strength of 600,000 was currently short of people, but it would soon be replenished.
Therefore, for him, the biggest issue was the Innate master.
The Xia Kingdom currently has only three Innates, still lacking three.
Innate masters, as the powerhouses of the current age, are not lacking in strength, wealth, or status and power; to think of bribing them is easier said than done.
Moreover, he is now just a small kingdom, making it even harder to attract them.
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