Chapter 531 - 500: The Ministry of Revenue and the Liu Family

Chapter 531: Chapter 500: The Ministry of Revenue and the Liu Family

It had been about three months since he’d left the valley, and everything within was in good order. The canals, which Chen Che was most concerned about, had not ceased their expansion, crisscrossing the territory to form a massive network of waterways.

As the canals passed through numerous mortal villages, many mortals were exposed to cultivation, which led to a slight increase in the number of cultivators.

Of course.

Most of these new cultivators would need two or three generations of accumulation to become true Cultivation Clans.

An ordinary power would likely dismiss such people.

But Chen Che valued them immensely. Low-level cultivators were the very foundation of a power. True, geniuses were dazzling, but the successful operation of any power was driven by its countless low-level cultivators.

Perhaps, in time, numerous cultivation geniuses would be born from their ranks.

In addition, several mortals who were discovered to possess the aptitude of an Upper Spirit Root were accepted into the valley. However, there was no second ’Hidden Pearl of the Ocean’ like Li Cang. This, too, was within Chen Che’s expectations.

The factions and individuals who recommended these mortals for cultivation in the valley all received appropriate rewards.

This was naturally the result of the long-standing ’Hero-Seeking’ task posted in the main task hall.

As for the various Halls, they continued to operate normally, as Jinyun Valley’s core personnel had not been pulled away for the expedition to Celestial Ghost City. There’s no need to elaborate further. The only point of note was that Li Changqing’s Talisman Painting skills had improved considerably.

"Once any mortal begins cultivation, they must be registered with Jinyun Valley as soon as they reach the first level of Qi Refining. This registration must be precise, including their clan’s population and records of all births, deaths, and marriages.

This task is exceedingly tedious. Therefore, starting today, a Ministry of Revenue will be established under the Internal Affairs Hall. This ministry will be dedicated to keeping a census of the population under our jurisdiction."

Having been briefed on the valley’s affairs, Chen Che began to issue his arrangements.

Establishing the Ministry of Revenue was a top priority. For one, it would simplify the administration of the residents. For another, it would prevent outside cultivators from hiding in their midst.

"However, the Ministry of Revenue is currently empty; its staff has yet to be assembled. You’ll have your work cut out for you for a while."

"It is my honor to be able to lighten the Valley Master’s burden."

Ding Fei was thrilled, not resentful in the slightest.

To put it plainly, the Internal Affairs Hall mostly managed miscellaneous affairs. While establishing the Ministry of Revenue would be tedious, it also meant his own authority was expanding.

"Pensions must be distributed for the cultivators who died in battle. The compensation must be paid in full, in a single payment, directly to their families. There can be no mistakes in this matter. The amount of compensation will be based on their registered Realm and Cultivation level."

"Yes."

"Furthermore, you need to arrange housing for the cultivators from Celestial Ghost City. This is another pressing matter."

At present, the cultivators from Celestial Ghost City are all temporarily quartered outside the Market, a situation that needs to be resolved quickly.

After all, there were over one hundred and fifty Foundation Establishment Major Cultivators, in addition to tens of thousands of their clansmen.

"Er, Valley Master, this matter is... rather tricky..."

Ding Fei stammered.

"Tricky?"

Chen Che frowned and retorted,

"How could it be tricky? Don’t we have many vacant mountains under our jurisdiction? And now that the canals are open, every location has direct access to Jinyun Valley. We can arrange for them to live in any of those places."

"The main issue is the unequal distribution of resources in those areas."

Ding Fei said cautiously.

Some areas were rich in resources, while others were merely average. He couldn’t possibly satisfy everyone’s demands.

It’s a classic case of ’it’s not scarcity that breeds discontent, but inequality’.

Often, what starts as a good deed can end up generating a lot of complaints during its execution.

With so many Foundation Establishment Clans, it was impossible for him to meet every single family’s demands.

"Good, you’ve thought this through very carefully."

Chen Che mused for a moment before speaking.

"Select all the suitable territories within the valley and have them draw lots to choose. Whether they get a good or bad location will be purely up to luck, so no one can complain. If they’re dissatisfied, they can arrange a private trade. However, they only get one chance to do so."

Ding Fei’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. "An excellent plan!"

"By the way, Lei Boyu of the Lei Family and Huang Shaoqing of the Huang Family..."

A thought suddenly occurred to Chen Che, and he added, "Those two families performed exceptionally well during the battle at Celestial Ghost City. So, when it’s time to draw lots, you can give them some... preferential treatment."

"One more thing. Mobilize the valley’s intelligence network. I want you to find out where Evil Cultivators are gathering or causing trouble within the Primordial Sect’s jurisdiction. Also, dig up some of the Primordial Sect’s old, unsolved cases.

Compile all this information and send it to Zhao Changping."

Just as Ding Fei was about to leave, Chen Che added, "This matter is also extremely important."

’An Evil Cultivator uprising?’

’Is Jinyun Valley finally going to start purging the Evil Cultivators in its territory?’

’But why send the information to Zhao Changping? Jinghai Island Reef is an exclave of Jinyun Valley, sparsely manned, and mostly by miners at that.’ Still, having run the Internal Affairs Hall for so long, Ding Fei knew better than to ask questions about things that weren’t his business.

"I will remember the Valley Master’s decree."

...

「Wild Pigeon Mountain.」

Having dealt with the valley’s internal affairs, Chen Che immediately set off for the Liu Family estate. After a series of major battles, people like Meng Qianxun and Xiao Chan were either recuperating or in seclusion, leaving him with little else to attend to.

As for Zhao Yunchen and his son, they had formally taken up residence in Jinyun Valley. Chen Che had simply handed them over to Hu Yao to manage.

He had given the elder Zhao the honorary title of ’Hero-Seeking Envoy.’ Although Zhao Yunchen’s cultivation was mostly crippled, he still possessed Golden Core Cultivation. As the former leader of the Hong Alliance, his judgment and experience were unparalleled.

Zhao Shifeng was registered under the Sacrificial Hall.

All that remained was to reward the valley members who had participated in the war according to their contributions.

Although he had only been away for three months, events had occurred one after another, and it would take a long time to arrange and resolve everything.

However, as the Valley Master, he didn’t need to handle every detail personally; he simply had to delegate.

Now, however, Chen Che had another matter to attend to.

Before him stood a magnificent estate. A sign bearing the word ’Liu’ hung above the main gate.

When the Liu Family first came to Jinyun Valley for refuge, they were just a small Qi Refining Clan that had even lost its ancestral lands. Later, Chen Che gifted Wild Pigeon Mountain to them. In just a few years, the Liu Family had advanced to become a Foundation Establishment Clan, and it looked as though a second Foundation Establishment Cultivator would soon emerge from their ranks. They were truly flourishing.

Security on Wild Pigeon Mountain was tight, with a guard post every ten steps and a sentry every hundred.

In front of the estate’s main gate, eight Qi Refining Cultivators stood guard, and the entire property was enveloped in a Grand Array.

’Why is security so tight?’

Puzzled, Chen Che took a single step forward.

WHOOSH—

His figure flashed past. Neither the guards nor the estate’s defensive Grand Array registered his presence.

...

All was quiet by the secluded spring.

In a heavily guarded rear courtyard, a middle-aged man in a green robe was resting with his eyes closed.

Behind him, a lovely maid with delicate hands was gently massaging his temples. Nearby, an Incense Burner released curling wisps of blue-green smoke.

"Liu Yuanqing, you’re certainly enjoying yourself!"

A voice suddenly broke the silence.

The green-robed man shuddered and his eyes flew open. The maid’s face paled, and she screamed without hesitation, "An assassin—!"

Almost instantly, shouts echoed from within the estate. Dozens of figures converged on the courtyard at high speed, like a handful of beans scattered from a basket.

"You blind fools! This is Valley Master Chen!"

Before his household could react, Liu Yuanqing had already scrambled to his feet. He barked at the others to stand down, then bowed respectfully to the newcomer. "Valley Master! You honor us with your presence. Please forgive me for not coming out to greet you!"

"Valley Master Chen!"

The maid, terrified, dropped to her knees. "This servant deserves a thousand deaths for failing to recognize your esteemed self."

The cultivator who had suddenly appeared was, of course, Chen Che.

"Don’t be alarmed. I came uninvited."

Chen Che casually sat on a stone stool and gestured for the terrified, kneeling maid to brew him a cup of Spirit Tea. Only then did he ask nonchalantly, "Fellow Liu, on my way here, I noticed Wild Pigeon Mountain is heavily guarded. Have you offended some enemy recently?"

Subordinate clans naturally had their own private feuds, and occasionally, tragedies like a clan’s complete annihilation would occur. Since he had noticed the heavy security, Chen Che felt he should inquire.

Hearing Chen Che’s question, Liu Yuanqing hastily explained, "The Liu Family has always been on good terms with others and rarely gets into conflicts. I’ve done this to guard the Valley Master’s tree seed."