Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1830 - 1823: Dedicated and Hardworking

Chapter 1830: Chapter 1823: Dedicated and Hardworking

"How much money does the Wen Family owe the Imperial Court?" Luo’er asked curiously.

"It’s hard to say, as we don’t have precise data on hand. But according to our estimates, the Wen Family’s court deficit is at least five to six times the fiscal budget." Baiyue said with a serious face.

"This... is a bit serious..."

"Who would have thought the Wen Family’s court looks glamorous on the surface, and once you turn around, they show their bare bottom." Hu Daoke joked to Cheng Ziang.

"So, the Dongsheng Empire is currently in a severe state of financial deficit, is that right?"

Luo’er nodded to confirm once again.

"That’s right," Baiyue nodded as well, continuing, "and what’s more troubling is that this gap continues to widen."

"Dongsheng Empire’s expedition to the West Outer Heaven has already been taxing on the people and finances, incurring huge foreign debts. As soon as they returned, they began reforming the army, disbanded all the old troops, re-established a new army, and immediately launched two large-scale wars. To be honest, if I were an official managing finances at the Imperial Court, I would have already avoided looking directly at the deficit situation."

"What does this mean, the Wen Family’s court is in such a rush to reform the military and launch wars, what exactly do they want to do? Do they not know the finances are about to collapse?" Cheng Ziang joined the conversation, asking with a puzzled expression. f|re(e)web.n\ovel. (c)o.m

"It’s already collapsed," Baiyue corrected, "If our predictions are correct, in the next few years or even months, the financial landmines of the Wen Family’s court will be triggered one after another. I’m curious how the Wen Family’s court will respond then."

"I don’t believe these literati are so foolish and shortsighted; they should have their own strategy." Luo’er frowned slightly, pondering.

"That’s what I think too, which is why I’m so interested in this aspect of things." Baiyue nodded and said.

"Alright then," Luo’er pursed his lips, speaking earnestly, "I will try to petition Emperor Wu, but if Emperor Wu is also powerless, then we will have to trouble Yichuan Fei."

"No, asking Yichuan Fei for such things, do you think he would agree?" Cheng Ziang spread his hands and asked.

"I feel he might agree," Luo’er thought for a moment and said, "Of course, it’s just a feeling..."

Bidding farewell to his companions, Luo’er headed to the palace once again to meet with Emperor Wu.

The conversation between him and Emperor Wu was very pleasant, and Emperor Wu did not doubt Luo’er’s intentions, agreeing to his request easily.

However, just as Luo’er was about to leave the palace, he received an invitation from Yichuan Fei, who hoped to invite Luo’er to his residence as a guest.

Luo’er knew very well about Yichuan Fei’s skills, and having just obtained information about Dongsheng Empire’s finances, Yichuan Fei invited him shortly after; it didn’t seem like a coincidence. f.r e\ewebnov(e)(l).c om

But with Fulajie’er accompanying him, Luo’er wasn’t very afraid, so after a brief consideration, he accepted Yichuan Fei’s invitation and took a carriage to Yichuan Fei’s residence.

As usual, Yichuan Fei greeted him at the gate with great enthusiasm, showing no signs of anything amiss.

The two sat opposite each other again, and Yichuan Fei smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Chancellor, for accompanying His Majesty these days; His Majesty was rarely this happy."

Since he didn’t quite understand Yichuan Fei’s intentions, Luo’er just smiled slightly without expressing his stance.

"How should I say it," Yichuan Fei picked up a wine glass, thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "His Majesty is my uncle, even putting aside the sovereign-subject relationship, I still care about his health."

"Did Young Mansion invite me here just for a chat?" Luo’er tilted his head slightly and asked.

"Yes, of course. Is there anything Lord Chancellor wants to say?"

"I obtained documents about the court’s financial status from His Majesty."

"I knew." Yichuan Fei nodded.

Luo’er squinted his eyes, his lips curling unconsciously.

Sure enough, he had predicted Yichuan Fei’s prediction accurately. His actions in the palace could hardly escape Yichuan Fei’s notice.

"Then, can you explain?" Luo’er asked.

"What does Lord Chancellor refer to?"

"Young Mansion surely knows that the court is currently in a deficit, isn’t that right?"

"Hehe," after hearing his question, Yichuan Fei put down the wine glass, chuckled, and asked, "Lord Chancellor also noticed?"

"To be precise, we did notice."

"Hmm, you are truly remarkable. If not for your repeated statements of unwillingness to engage in politics, I would have sincerely invited all of you into the cabinet." Yichuan Fei said appreciatively.

"Why owe so much money?" Luo’er pressed further.

"Lord Chancellor," Yichuan Fei looked at him, speaking without showing any emotions, "Lord Chancellor is ultimately an outsider; this is an internal affair of the Heavenly Dynasty. If I speak up, wouldn’t it violate the promise Lord Chancellor has made?"

"Alright, I won’t ask, but can I deduce on my own?"

"Of course, each of you can guess any way you like." Yichuan Fei turned his hands, palms facing up, indicating his stance.

"But I still have doubts. Given your severe financial situation, why still spend lavishly? The West Outer Heaven war, army reforms, conquering two nations—these things consume untold amounts of money. Shouldn’t it be a time to widen resources and cut costs?"

"Widen resources and cut costs... Where will the resources come from? Which stream should be cut?" Yichuan Fei retorted.

Luo’er found himself speechless, saying nothing.

Yichuan Fei interlocked his fingers, wearing a serene and faint smile on his face, looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, and said, "The Wen Family, in relation to the Heavenly Dynasty, is like a small boat in the waves. With tumultuous waves, people on the boat strive to maintain the operation of the small vessel, just to ensure it does not capsize."

"Sometimes, I truly feel for my father, for all the officials in the court. The Wen Family has done a lot, leading to hatred from the Wu Family. Yet the officials and people do not feel gratitude; they waver between sides. If the Wen Family gives wealth, people lean toward Wen Family; when Wu Family entices with benefits, people turn to Wu Family. This back-and-forth is not seen as shameful, but rather honorable..."

"No one cares about the Wen Family’s contributions; they only think their gains are Heaven’s will. They enjoy the Wen Family’s benefits while leaning towards the Wu Family’s intentions without feeling guilty—instead, they see it as justified..."

Luo’er could tell that as Yichuan Fei spoke, he grew angrier, though his cultivation meant it wasn’t easily visible.

"This current world is built by the Wen Family’s own efforts, not naturally, nor by any heavenly decree," Yichuan Fei said indignantly, "To maintain the current order, the Wen Family has given a lot, yet the gains are minimal. Everyone hopes for a good life but is unwilling to pay the price."

"Where does money come from, does it fall from the sky, or can someone create it from nothing?" Yichuan Fei looked at Luo’er.

"Everyone sees the signs of the court’s demise, yet no one does anything. Hehe, do they look forward to the change of dynasty so much, do they really believe that the Wu Family’s rule is like rains during a drought? Ridiculous..."

"Currently, we are striving to maintain the court’s operations, but everyone knows this isn’t sustainable, and one day..."

As Yichuan Fei was speaking, a soldier hurried in, knelt down before the two, and seemed to have something to say.

"What is it?" Yichuan Fei asked nonchalantly, not angry at being interrupted.

"Young Mansion..."

The soldier looked up, and upon seeing Luo’er, hesitated to speak, his gaze shifting between Luo’er and Yichuan Fei.

"Oh, I’ll take my leave then." Luo’er wisely stood up and said.

"No need for formality," unexpectedly, Yichuan Fei waved his hand and said, "Lord Chancellor is His Majesty’s confidant, not an outsider, so speak freely."

"Since when did I become Emperor Wu’s confidant..."

Luo’er nearly blurted out, but managed to keep it in, not sure whether Yichuan Fei was trying to involve him.

"Yes, Young Mansion, Lord Chancellor..." the soldier raised his clasped fists above his head, bowed deeply, and said loudly, "Wu Family has gathered and deployed fifty thousand troops to Shengyuan Prefecture, currently entering Yin State..."

"What!"

Upon hearing the soldier’s report, Yichuan Fei’s face immediately changed, narrowing his eyes in thought.