Chapter 2806 - 2805: The Arms Trade

Chapter 2806: Chapter 2805: The Arms Trade

Back then, Song Gongming’s youngest son bought a flying device on Liangshan Island, costing tens of millions of Spirit Stones.

The magical treasures refined on Liangshan Island are all aimed at the wealthy sects and the major forces at the border of the Imperial Court.

They established themselves in Lu State, first to sustain the army, and second because their tax revenue source was singular. Relying solely on Lu State’s finances cannot support the consumption of these Fire God Cannons.

He raised this issue, asking everyone to think of solutions.

Wu Zhi, with a calm expression, said, "Actually, our Longshou Peak is a Spiritual Ore Mine. Initially, Ximen Qing had the thought of digging on Longshou Peak. If we develop Longshou Peak now, opening up mining pits, the military expenses should not be a problem."

The ancestral grave of the Wu Family is on Longshou Peak. If not for the urgency of the situation, Wu Zhi would not approve of developing Longshou Peak.

Song Gongming happily said, "General Wu Zhi, you have truly solved our urgent problem!"

Everyone nodded, feeling a glimpse of hope.

Wu Zhi said, "Developing Longshou Peak can only be a temporary measure, not a long-term solution. In the long run, we must establish a suitable tax system and manage Lu State well. Additionally, we need to find other ways to earn money, fully activate Lu State’s economy. Only then can we have a continuous stream of financial resources."

Wuu Yong, shaking his fan, said, "The heavy taxation area of the Song Kingdom is in the southeast, mainly relying on handicrafts and agriculture. I have followed my master in cultivation for many years and have seen various economic models. The most profitable one still belongs to industrial economy. As long as a complete industrial economy is established, relying solely on the finances of one place can compete with the entire Great Songg Dynasty."

"Industry?"

Everyone listened curiously, asking, "What’s the difference between this and handicrafts?"

Wuu Yong explained, "Handicrafts rely primarily on human labor, whereas industry relies on machinery, that is, various magical treasures. Using various magical treasures for production not only increases efficiency but also reduces labor costs, far more profitable than traditional economic models. For example, a weaving machine can be worth a thousand people’s manual labor. If the fabrics are sold, they can absolutely compress any market."

Everyone was intrigued, wishing they could introduce this immediately.

Song Gongming laughed and said, "This is for later; for now, our main problem is to resist Gao Qiu’s war. As General Wu Zhi said, first send people to mine at Longshou Peak, then buy Fire God Cannons from Liangshan Island."

Song Yuchan volunteered, "Leave the task of buying Fire God Cannons to me. I’ll talk to my master, see if he can offer us some discounts."

"No joking in military matters, we heed your words. If you cannot complete the task, you’ll face severe punishment upon return,"

Song Gongming sternly instructed.

Song Yuchan, with a serious face, said, "Don’t worry! If I don’t complete the task, I won’t drink alcohol for a year."

Everyone in the military tent laughed heartily.

As the meeting ended, Song Yuchan immediately set out, pulling Yan Qing along as her bodyguard.

Things were peaceful on Liangshan Island recently; all disciples were sent by Long Fei to assist Zhang Xian’er.

Long Fei secluded himself for a long time, refining his bamboo Magical Weapon anew.

Inside, there were Lunar Shade Bolling, Kunwu Gold, Zhulong Fire, and Yinglong Soil.

Having now obtained the Ginseng Fruit Tree, Long Fei refined and integrated the Ginseng Fruit Tree into it.

The originally thread-like branches thoroughly fused with the bamboo stick.

It seemed as though they formed meridians inside, suddenly giving the bamboo stick more of a fleshy appearance.

The Five Elements Bamboo Stick now lacked only one element, water.

Yin Yang Qi was also missing one Golden Crow.

He played with the stick, wishing he could immediately refine the Ten Sons of the Golden Crow into it.

After a while, Lin Yingying came over, saying Yuchan had returned and wished to see Long Fei.

Long Fei figured out her intention, asked Lin Yingying to prepare tea, and invited the young girl up the mountain to talk.

Song Yuchan brought Yan Qing up, both kneeling and giving Long Fei a big bow.

Long Fei observed them, noticing that they had grown significantly taller since he last saw them.

He asked Song Yuchan, "Why aren’t you assisting your father at the front lines, and have returned to the sect instead?"

With a cheeky smile, Song Yuchan took out a pot of fine wine, placing it on the table, and said, "Disciple missed Master and came back to see you. Isn’t that allowed?"

Long Fei opened the wine and smelled it; its fragrance was enchanting, likely over a thousand years old.

Song Yuchan introduced, "This is a fine wine stored in Confucian Kong Mansion, dating back over two thousand years. Taizu of Song Dynasty once tasted it and bestowed it as imperial wine, not usually available to the public, only reserved for the Emperor."

She proceeded to uncork it and poured a cup for Long Fei.

Long Fei smiled and said, "No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without a reason, this wine surely isn’t cheap."

Song Yuchan, with wide eyes, retorted, "Does Master think I’m like that, bringing a little wine for Master isn’t deserving?"

She turned to Yan Qing, tilting her head and asked, "Isn’t that right, Yan Qing brother?"

Yan Qing, unable to lie, flushed and nodded.

Long Fei chuckled, savoring the wine, which was smooth and revitalizing, made from specially cultivated tribute rice, truly exceptional.

Seeing him enjoy it, Song Yuchan revealed a mischievous grin, and finally said, "Actually, disciple indeed has a small issue to ask for Master’s help this time."

Long Fei laughed, teased, and asked, "Speak up! Why play tricks with your Master?"

Song Yuchan lamented, "Master is truly kind, and I think you already know. The Imperial Court is sending Gao Qiu with an army of a million to strike us, and has even pulled ten thousand elite iron cavalry from Yan Province. These Yan Province iron cavalry all ride Dragon Blood Steeds, far superior to our cavalry. Hence, disciple thought to ask Master for some Fire God Cannons to fend off the Yan Yun Iron Cavalry invasion."

Long Fei put down the wine bowl, tapped her nose, and said, "I knew it; this wine isn’t cheap."

Song Yuchan rubbed her nose, saying, "Rest assured, Master, disciple won’t take them for free. Disciple will purchase at market price but requests Master to kindly offer a small discount."

"That’s more like it."

Long Fei took two bowls, filled them with wine, and summoned Yan Qing, saying, "This wine is too costly for me to drink alone. You two join me for a bowl!"

Song Yuchan giggled, clinked her bowl with Long Fei’s and Yan Qing’s.

Long Fei summoned Lin Yingying and asked her to notify the disciple in charge of Liangshan Island trade.

Since it was the Sect Hierarch’s request, the disciple dared not delay.

After considering, he offered Song Yuchan a cost price, directly offering a fifty percent discount from market price.

A Fire God Cannon originally priced at a million Spirit Stones was now priced at five hundred thousand Spirit Stones per cannon.

Song Yuchan’s face lit up with joy, thinking that if her master weren’t present, she’d hug her Master and give him a kiss.

Yet she thought her father would be delighted with such affordable items, at least buying a thousand cannons.

No one expected Song Gongming to send back a mere number of one hundred.

One hundred Fire God Cannons.

The Luzhou Righteous Army had run out of funds.

Even if Longshou Peak were developed now, it was already too late.

Money left in the treasury barely sufficed to purchase one hundred Fire God Cannons, totaling fifty million Spirit Stones.

Song Gongming and the righteous army generals all sighed, realizing how the cultivation sects could simply sit and generate wealth.

They toiled desperately at the front lines, only to hand over their savings to Liangshan Island in the end.

This was a last resort; without purchasing the Fire God Cannons,

The ten thousand cavalry charge at once, and they likely couldn’t withstand even a single round.

For the first time, the world’s generals realized that today’s battles weren’t fought with manpower, but with logistics, money, and Spirit Stones!