A Perfect Home

East of Qingzhou, Lingjiang

Cranes soared into the cloud-dappled sky, their calls echoing through the distance. A group of Nine Dragons disciples garbed in green and white robes glided across a forested training field, practicing their martial arts.

At the peak of Nine Dragons Mountain, Li Shaoxiang stood tall, her soft armor accentuating her perfect silhouette. She brandished a spear with practiced vigor.

“Sis, last month’s profits are in,” announced Li Buhu, his face flushed with excitement as he approached Li Shaoxiang.

“Are they satisfactory?” she asked, pausing her spear moves and turning to face him.

“How did you know?” Li Buhu was surprised.

“I heard your laughter halfway up the mountain,” Li Shaoxiang replied.

Li Buhu laughed again. “It’s not my fault. The results are just too incredible. In just two short years, we’ve transformed the originally decrepit Lingjiang. Thanks to the disciplined efforts of our sect’s disciples and my supervision, most of the city’s populace now lives comfortably. About eighty percent of them have enough to eat.”

He continued in disbelief, “And it’s all because of your husband that you invented a ‘chemical fertilizer’ that significantly increases crop yields.” Li Shaoxiang smiled wistfully. “Not to mention, the officials who took office were all capable individuals, handpicked by my father, me, and several elders. At the very least, they were obedient and not overly greedy, easing the tax burden.”

“More importantly,” she added, “in the past, after paying Qingzhou’s tax, we also had to pay the imperial tax. Now, with the disappearance of imperial tax officers, our burden is significantly reduced.”

But then, Li Shaoxiang soberly reminded Li Buhu, “Don’t become arrogant or complacent because of this. We are merely aligning ourselves with the currents of history.”

What the people really wanted wasn’t necessarily honest officials, but officials who weren’t overly corrupt. As long as the commoners had enough to eat, they were satisfied. This was what Li Shaoxiang and the others had achieved.

The Nine Dragons sect served as a cautionary symbol to city lords, keeping their excesses in check. Without this, the benefits of the ‘chemical fertilizer’ would merely line the pockets of the corrupt officials and local tyrants, never reaching the common people.

“Sister, you’re being too modest.” Li Buhu chuckled. “Our neighboring Linshui Prefecture and Shangyao Prefecture are engulfed in strife. Only our Lingjiang lives in peace under your and brother-in-law’s leadership.”

Li Shaoxiang replied, “This is all thanks to Master Tong.” action

“Madam, I can’t bear to hear you say such words!”

At the foot of the mountain, an old man with a stooped figure climbed up the slope, flanked by a few children. They are the members of the Tong family, whom Qin Huai had rescued from the Tong Treasure Shop in Qingzhou.

Upon returning, they were inundated with tales of Qin Huai’s heroic deeds. Realizing that the famed Qin Huai was their savior, they immediately joined the Nine Dragons sect. “Master Tong, you’re too modest. If it weren’t for your excellent forging skills, Lingjiang wouldn’t be experiencing this era of peace and prosperity,” Li Shaoxiang sincerely acknowledged.

The Tong family’s forging techniques made a significant impact on Lingjiang and its neighboring counties.

In an attempt to express their gratitude for Qin Huai saving their lives, they worked tirelessly. They established the Tongduan Peak at the Nine Dragons sect and began training students. Over eighty percent of the forging masters and experts from the surrounding counties sought their knowledge.

Within just two years, Lingjiang’s forging standards saw a consistent rise, and the production capacity surprisingly surged. The Nine Dragons sect established the five-thousand-strong White Dragon Army, all equipped with high-quality white dragon armor. Some power stone fragments were mixed in, though not potent enough to match even a broken artifact.

Nonetheless, to the armies of neighboring counties, this White Dragon Army appeared invincible, capable of bulldozing any obstacles.

Elder Erlong and Sun Yuanshan, both known for their eloquent speeches and blatant boasts, traveled across prefectures promoting the virtues of Lingjiang. They painted it as a peaceful haven contrasting the chaotic neighboring prefectures.

As a result, countless refugees migrated to Lingjiang, catapulting it to the top among the ten counties of East Qingzhou in just two years.

“By the way, how much did you say last month’s tax was?” Li Shaoxiang inquired.

“Three million vitality pills,” Li Buhu said.

Modern Lingjiang no longer uses the Great Nether Treasure Shop’s gold and silver notes for transactions. Even silver was forsaken. Gold and vitality pills became the primary currency.

Additionally, Lingjiang took this opportunity to mint the Nine Dragons Lingjiang Copper Coins, which became extremely popular locally. This was largely due to the recent chaos in Qingzhou, and the fact that the ten counties were on the border, so there was nothing to squeeze out. Each county had its own currency, but none were as widely accepted as the Nine Dragons Lingjiang Copper Coin.

“Tell the disciples to stay vigilant about the other nine counties. We must not let our temporary prosperity breed arrogance or complacency,” Li Shaoxiang instructed. “I will gather intelligence from time to time. I’m not concerned about maintaining the so-called fraternal relations.”

Li Shaoxiang pointed her spear’s tip at Li Buhu’s heart. The latter grinned deferentially, well aware that she was not jesting.

“I will spare no effort to build a perfect home for my husband.”