World's First Traitor System (416)

Chapter 416 - A Lesson for the Young Yao Guang

In Xiongzhou. Two armies faced each other. A battle had just concluded.

Outside the city walls, over ten thousand lives had been left on the battlefield.

Those with heavy, outdated equipment, their armor bearing the marks of time and countless battles, were the corpses of Shi Jingtang's Jin soldiers.

The others, clad in bright pink armor, with graceful and slender figures, were the fallen soldiers of the Great Ci Dynasty.

In addition, Shi Jingtang's six mechanical dragon sons—Chiwen, Suanni, Chaofeng, Yazi, Pulao, and Bi'an—had slain countless enemies during the battle, but also suffered varying degrees of damage.

Among them, Chaofeng's injuries were the most severe. One of its phoenix-like wings was broken, and its head was nearly split in two.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The enemy has retreated!"

A Jin soldier knelt before Shi Jingtang and reported.

Shi Jingtang, however, wore a grim expression.

"Congratulations? You say congratulations?"

He kicked the lieutenant, sending him flying ten paces, leaving a deep dent in the lieutenant's heavy armor!

"Fool! My goal is the entire mortal realm! But look outside the city walls! A dynasty founded by a woman, leading two hundred thousand women clad in armor and wielding weapons, actually fought my Great Jin's mighty army to a standstill! Someone tell me, what is there to congratulate?!!!"

Shi Jingtang's furious roar echoed throughout Xiongzhou City.

As he said, the initial battle between the two armies had ended in a draw.

Although the Great Ci army had retreated, they had done so in an orderly fashion after sounding the retreat, not in a rout.

Victory did not belong to Shi Jingtang.

Victory, likewise, did not belong to Yao Guang.

"Liar!"

"Fan Li dared to deceive me!?"

Inside the Great Ci military camp, Empress Yao Guang's smile had vanished completely, her gaze emanating a cold, venomous gleam like a serpent.

She had just received news that the purchasing power of Baochao and Lingshi Quan had decreased.

Goods that could be bought for one tael of silver now required one tael and one qian of Baochao.

One tael was equal to ten qian.

A ten percent fluctuation in purchasing power seemed insignificant, but given that Yao Guang had just received Baochao and Lingshi Quan equivalent to Great Chu's five years' worth of taxes, the loss was already astronomical!

"Elder Sister, is Fan Li truly behind this?" Sage Ruler Miaoyin asked. "Are we still fighting this war? Should we retreat first, or perhaps go directly to Peng City to confront Fan Li?"

"Yes, Elder Sister!" Sage Ruler Jin De added. "The Baochao and Lingshi Quan are already in our hands. Even if we retreat now, with Fan Li's insignificant strength, could he possibly snatch the money back from us?"

Hearing both Sage Rulers suggest retreat, Yao Guang instead calmed down.

She glared at Jin De, displeased.

"You are a Confucian scholar! Where have your principles of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame gone? For a mere five years' worth of taxes, do you want me to lose the trust of the world?"

Jin De was scolded into silence, her face flushed red.

In truth, besides keeping her word, Empress Yao Guang also had a compelling reason to conquer Xiongzhou.

Three dynasties had descended from the heavens. Who knew what they had brought from the immortal realm?

The Tang Dynasty had fallen in Great Ming, and with Emperor Jiajing there, the Empress naturally couldn't covet it.

Only the Great Jin remained. Yao Guang wanted to seize it first, lest Wei, Han, Wu, and Chu belatedly realize the opportunity and try to share the spoils.

"I will not retreat. But Fan Li must also give me an explanation!"

Having spoken, Empress Yao Guang began to contemplate how to teach Fan Li a lesson, so he wouldn't dare to cause trouble behind the scenes.

"Report!"

Suddenly, a female general entered the tent and reported to Yao Guang.

"A Chu envoy, carrying many supplies, has arrived at the front lines to boost morale!"

Boost morale?

Empress Yao Guang was slightly taken aback, looking at Jin De and Miaoyin with suspicion.

The two Sage Rulers also wore bewildered expressions, shaking their heads to indicate they knew nothing.

It seemed the Chu envoy wasn't sent by Xiang Chong; otherwise, how could there have been no prior notice?

"Invite the Chu envoy into the tent," the Empress ordered.

"Fan Zhengming, Marquis of Liyang of Great Chu, greets Empress Yao Guang and the two Sage Rulers."

The envoy was actually Fan Li's elder brother.

"You are the Chu envoy?" Empress Yao Guang frowned. "How could Xiang Chong... how could Emperor Chu send you?"

Given Fan Li's status as a treacherous minister, Xiang Chong would never use Fan Zhengming as an envoy.

Yao Guang immediately suspected the envoy's identity, even concluding that there must be a conspiracy!

"Hehehe, Your Majesty misunderstands."

Fan Zhengming smiled slightly, he was composed yet proud.

"I am an envoy of Great Chu, not an envoy of Emperor Chu. My presence here represents only the citizens of Chu, to thank Your Majesty Yao Guang for your generous act of sending troops. These small gifts to boost morale are all provided by the Fan Clan Trading Company."

The Fan Clan Trading Company's reputation was indeed widespread.

Empress Yao Guang signaled to Jin De, who understood and exited the tent, presumably to inspect the supplies.

Moments later, Sage Ruler Jin De returned to the tent, her face beaming.

"Elder Sister!"

"The Marquis of Liyang is generous, gifting a thousand bottles of military-grade pills, two hundred carts of military equipment, and countless cosmetics, including hydrating, sunscreen, and whitening products."

Empress Yao Guang had instructed Jin De to inspect the supplies, naturally to prevent any underhanded tactics from the Fan family.

But judging by Jin De's expression, the supplies were all genuine?

However, Great Ci had dispatched a total of two hundred thousand troops this time.

What use were a mere thousand bottles of pills and two hundred carts of equipment?

It probably wouldn't even be enough to cover the losses of a single battle.

As for the quantity of cosmetics...

Sage Ruler Jin De whispered the specific amount into Yao Guang's ear, immediately shocking the Empress!

Enough cosmetics for two hundred thousand troops to use for half a year?!

"The Marquis of Liyang's generosity is appreciated. I, on behalf of the two hundred thousand soldiers of Great Ci, thank you."

Finally.

After a brief moment of silence, Empress Yao Guang decided to accept the supplies, which were, without a doubt, genuine.

Subconsciously, she began to believe that her own strength had intimidated Fan Li, leading him to use this method to appease her.

Hehe?

Foolish man.

When his usefulness was exhausted, he would still meet his end.

"Your Majesty is too kind."

Fan Zhengming smiled politely and respectfully, always displaying the demeanor and cultivation expected of a mature man.

However, he then showed a hint of embarrassment, and with a slightly apologetic tone, as if casually mentioning a "minor matter."

"Empress Yao Guang, are you aware that Great Chu has recently experienced market price fluctuations?"

Market prices?

Fluctuations?

These terms were somewhat unfamiliar to cultivators.

Seeing the Empress's puzzled expression, Fan Zhengming immediately and tactfully explained.

"Although I hold a noble title, I am also a merchant. In business, we speak of business. So-called market price fluctuations refer to changes in the purchasing power of currency, mainly influenced by the relationship between supply and demand in the market..."

Fan Zhengming spoke at length, but Yao Guang and the other two women became increasingly confused.

However, the three powerful women, all at the Great Vehicle realm, were unwilling to admit their ignorance in front of a weaker man, so they continued to pretend they understood.

"In simple terms. If the market is abundant with goods, prices will fall, and the purchasing power of currency will be strong. If goods are scarce, with high demand and low supply, then the purchasing power of currency will be weak, and prices will rise."

"It's like during a bountiful harvest, when the grain is abundant, prices will be lower. If there's a famine, grain prices will rise."

Such a simple analogy, Yao Guang and the other two women naturally understood.

The Empress asked coolly, "Marquis Liyang, you've said a lot, but what does Great Chu's price change have to do with me?"

"It has a significant relationship!"

Fan Zhengming composed himself, bowing deeply to Empress Yao Guang.

When he straightened up, his face was filled with remorse.

"The Great Ci army's expedition is supported by five years' worth of our Great Chu's taxes. However, fluctuations in Great Chu's prices have led to a decrease in the purchasing power of Baochao and Lingshi Quan, harming the interests of Great Ci."

"My purpose in coming here to boost morale is, firstly, to express our respect to the mighty army, and secondly, to sincerely apologize, hoping to gain Your Majesty's forgiveness and understanding."

Empress Yao Guang had been contemplating how to demand an explanation from Fan Li regarding the currency devaluation.

Unexpectedly, Fan Li had acted faster, sending Fan Zhengming.

As the saying went, one shouldn't slap a smiling face.

Empress Yao Guang felt that Fan Zhengming had shown her sufficient respect, and the gifts he brought were indeed generous. She truly couldn't bring herself to reprimand him.

Fortunately, if she wouldn't play the bad cop, someone else would.

The Empress gave Jin De a look, and the latter immediately understood.

"Since you are sincerely apologizing, why didn't Fan Li come in person?" Jin De questioned.

"My second brother holds an important position; stabilizing Great Chu's prices requires his personal attention."

Fan Zhengming was neither servile nor arrogant, responding calmly.

"I, Fan Zhengming, inherit the title of Marquis of Liyang and also manage the Fan Clan Trading Company. I can act as a messenger, taking this opportunity to boost morale and express my second brother's apologies. There is absolutely no intention to disrespect your country."

Having spoken, Fan Zhengming bowed deeply again.

What did it mean to be able to yield and stretch?

Empress Yao Guang observed Fan Zhengming for a long time, but couldn't sense any resentment from him. He seemed truly remorseful and self-blaming, sincerely seeking forgiveness.

She couldn't find a reason to reprimand him, but she wasn't about to let him off so easily.

"Duke Jin's inability to stabilize prices, yet I must bear the losses? Today, I may forgive you, but if something similar happens again, what then?"

Yao Guang hadn't realized.

Her softening stance was already falling into Fan Zhengming's strategy of starting with courtesy and then resorting to force.

"There is a way!"

Fan Zhengming took out two identical scrolls from his sleeve and unfolded them before everyone.

"This is a contract. The terms of the contract were personally written by my second brother, specifically to protect the interests of Great Ci and to demonstrate Great Chu's sincerity."

"As long as Your Majesty signs and seals the contract, it will be effective. All the terms within the contract represent Your Majesty's and Great Ci's fundamental interests, which Great Chu will firmly uphold. If we fail to do so, we will provide appropriate compensation according to the terms of the agreement."

Hearing Fan Zhengming's lengthy explanation, Empress Yao Guang was already growing impatient.

Merchants?

It was a trivial matter; she had never paid it any mind.

But since it involved her own interests, Yao Guang patiently took the contract and read the terms one by one.

"I. The Great Chu Dynasty, in gratitude for the Great Ci Dynasty's dispatch of troops, will provide Baochao and Lingshi Quan as compensation, totaling an amount equivalent to Great Chu's total tax revenue over the past five years, to be paid to the Great Ci Dynasty."

"II. To protect the interests of the Great Ci Dynasty, the Chu side is responsible for stabilizing domestic prices in Great Chu, ensuring the strong purchasing power of Baochao and Lingshi Quan."

"III. If price fluctuations in Great Chu cause the purchasing power of Baochao and Lingshi Quan to decrease, resulting in losses to the Great Ci Dynasty, the Chu side will compensate with a minimum of ten times and a maximum of one hundred times the loss. The preferred method of compensation will be the official currency of Great Chu, namely Baochao and Lingshi Quan."

"IV. If Great Chu is unable to pay a sufficient amount of Baochao and Lingshi Quan, then compensation will be paid in kind of equivalent value."

"V. Exemption Clause: If force majeure factors, including natural disasters, the destruction of the country, or the breakup of the alliance, cause price fluctuations in Great Chu, then there will be no obligation to compensate for losses..."

It was Empress Yao Guang's first time reading a contract, and she felt dizzy.

Out of caution, she read the contract three times.

"Marquis of Liyang."

"I am here."

"I hear you, is Great Chu truly willing to compensate my losses at ten times, or even a hundred times the value?"

Fan Zhengming smiled slightly.

"It's all written in black and white, in the contract."

"Both parties, A and B, must sign and seal it. My second brother has already signed and affixed the seals of the Great Chu's Duke Jin, the Prime Minister, and the Chu Emperor's jade seal."

Empress Yao Guang looked at the end of the two identical contracts, and indeed, Fan Li had signed and sealed them.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Once the contract is signed, Great Chu will also notify the envoys of Wei, Han, and Wu in Peng City. If Great Chu were to break the contract in the future, it would be a betrayal of the world's trust."

"Integrity is the foundation of one's character. My second brother has sworn an oath in Peng City, pointing at the Wujiang River, that he will never break his word!"

Hearing Fan Zhengming's words, Yao Guang felt a little more reassured.

"Hehe."

"I also know that the Fan Clan Trading Company's business spans the world, and it is immensely wealthy. I imagine stabilizing prices would be no difficult task for Duke Jin and the Marquis of Liyang."

Hearing this, Fan Zhengming bowed again.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

"But..."

Empress Yao Guang's gaze moved away from the third clause of the contract. She was certain that Fan Li, having promised a hundredfold compensation, was confident he wouldn't have to pay it.

Therefore, if there was a trap in the contract, it wasn't in the third clause.

She stared at the fourth clause for a long time, but couldn't find anything wrong.

Could it be the fifth clause?

"If force majeure factors occur, Great Chu can be exempted from responsibility and need not compensate?"

Empress Yao Guang sneered, her gaze towards Fan Zhengming filled with a hint of disdain.

The look seemed to say: Man, I see through your little tricks.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty," Fan Zhengming said. "As stated in the contract, unless there are natural disasters leading to reduced production and a sharp decline in population, or the destruction of Great Chu, or the breakup of the alliance between your country and Great Chu. Apart from these three matters, Great Chu will never evade its responsibility to compensate."

Natural disasters?

Destruction of the country?

Alliance breakup?

The Empress thought it over and felt it was unlikely.

Predicting natural disasters? Even she couldn't do that, so how could Fan Li possibly predict them and use them as an excuse to avoid responsibility?

Destruction of the country?

Unless Great Ci attacked Great Chu, even Great Ming couldn't destroy Great Chu under the protection of the alliance.

As for the alliance breakup, the Empress had absolute confidence.

Even if the alliance were to break one day, it would be when Wei, Han, Wu, and Chu were no longer of use, and she would be the one to turn against them. That would be the moment the alliance shattered.

"Good!"

Empress Yao Guang finally felt at ease.

"Duke Jin's contract is full of sincerity. I will sign it!"

...

A few days later, Fan Zhengming returned to Peng City with the successfully signed contract.

Fan Li invited the envoys Liu Chan, Cao Huan, and Sun Hao to examine the contract.

After confirming it was correct, Fan Li immediately issued an order.

"From this day forward, the salaries of court officials and the wages of Fan Clan Trading Company employees will no longer be paid in Baochao and Lingshi Quan, but in kind, as before."

"All businesses under the Fan Clan Trading Company will only accept Baochao and Lingshi Quan as payment."

"I want to recover all the currency in the hands of the people before the war in Xiongzhou ends!"

"Order the printing house to print more currency, but do not release it, to avoid harming the people with cheap money."

"Only when the Empress returns victorious will all the currency be released into the market!"

"The methods of release will include 'national dividends,' 'agricultural and commercial subsidies,' 'childbirth subsidies,' 'corvée labor subsidies,' and so on."

Hearing Fan Li's words, Liu Chan and the others were shocked.

"Duke Jin! You want to give money to the people for free? If you do that, your country's currency will... Are you not worried about the hundredfold compensation stipulated in the contract?"

Fan Li smiled confidently.

"I am not afraid."