Li Wu: Wei Qianqian, have you figured it out too?

"Cough cough."

After clearing her throat twice, Li Wu calmed down and explained, "The essence of the problem is the economy."

"Yaoguang has abundant land resources, and large tracts of land outside the city are unclaimed and can be distributed to displaced people who are willing to settle in Yaoguang."

"However, attracting migrants to settle down requires providing land, shelter, and basic living security for the first year."

"Sufficient funds are needed to purchase weapons, train soldiers, build city walls, and improve the city's infrastructure."

"With the assistance of Sister Qianqian and Commander Mei, issues such as soldier training and land taxation can be gradually advanced and are progressing smoothly."

Li Wu sighed, appearing helpless.

The funding problem is indeed unsolvable.

"None of the three of us know how to make money, so various policies have been delayed and cannot be implemented to this day."

Li Wu looked up at Ying Changqing with a dejected expression.

The army of Yaoguang City was too small; even if every warrior was brave, it was not enough to defend the entire territory.

"Yaoguang City cannot maintain its prosperity by relying on land tax revenue."

"Every autumn, the Xiongnu cavalry would come and destroy farmland, resulting in very poor grain harvests."

"The residents of the city had to trade with the Xiongnu, Beiliang, and Beimang to earn money and then buy grain."

"Yaoguang City has very few sources of tax revenue, relying solely on commercial taxes."

"The tax rate cannot be too high, otherwise we will not be able to compete with Shangjun in business."

"Qianqian, Commander Mei, and I have tried many methods to solve this problem, but we still haven't been able to."

Li Wu was in a dilemma and had no idea what to do.

Ying Changqing breathed a sigh of relief; he had thought it was some kind of difficult problem.

If it's an economic problem, he has a solution.

Ying Changqing will not personally engage in business, as that would interfere with his cultivation and put the cart before the horse.

But he knew who could make money for him.

Ying Changqing had long wanted to recruit the Jade Tiger on the Stone, one of the Four Fierce Generals of the Night, for his own use.

Jade Tiger doesn't know martial arts, but his money-making methods are too ruthless; he'll take any kind of money.

But he does know how to make money.

In terms of earning power alone, only Lü Buwei in the Seven Kingdoms could surpass him.

If you invite him to Yaoguang, he will put away his sharp edges and focus on doing legitimate business.

Although making money is slow, it can ensure the stable development of Yaoguang City.

There are also many merchants from other places in Yaoguang City.

As long as one is not a Qin citizen, Ying Changqing has no psychological burden.

We can make a big deal out of the jade tiger.

Jade Tiger will definitely accept this invitation.

He's a coward who's afraid of death; he'll definitely agree.

Ying Changqing can easily control this kind of person.

"Don't worry, I'll send someone to take care of the money."

"The government treasury's money can last for several months if nothing major is done, right?"

Li Wu was delighted to hear the promise and nodded, saying, "Your Highness, rest assured, I understand."

"This year's tax revenue has already been deposited into the treasury. If we only repair houses and resettle displaced people, without undertaking other infrastructure projects, the treasury's funds will be sufficient for several months."

Ying Changqing nodded: "Very good."

"Don't worry about the money, I'll figure something out."

"You focused on military affairs, meticulously documenting the projects requiring the repair and procurement of city walls and weaponry."

"Your Highness, rest assured, Li Wu understands."

Seeing that Li Wu had regained her strength and seemed to be in better spirits, Ying Changqing smiled and patted her on the back.

Li Wu understood immediately and slowly sat down.

"Your Highness~"

……

the next morning.

In his dream, Ying Changqing heard someone gently knocking on the door.

"Sister Li Wu, Sister Li Wu, are you awake?"

The sound outside the door was very soft. Ying Changqing slowly opened his eyes and recognized the voice as that of his concubine, Wei Qianqian, the daughter of Wei Yong, the Grand Minister of Works of Wei.

Li Wu rubbed her eyes and lazily asked Wei Qianqian outside the door, "Qianqian, why did you wake me so early? What happened?"

Wei Qianqian was confused when she heard Li Wu's voice.

She knew Li Wu usually spoke in a somewhat charming way, but this was the first time she had heard her speak so alluringly.

Wei Qianqian wondered, "What's wrong with my sister?"

But she quickly patted her face, reminding herself, "Wei Qianqian, now is not the time to ask this!"

She said nervously, "Nothing serious happened to Yaoguang."

"But sister, I'm so nervous because I heard my husband is coming to Yaoguang!"

Upon hearing this, Li Wu glanced at Ying Changqing, who was holding her, and waited for his response.

Ying Changqing said, "Don't speak. I also want to know what Wei Qianqian is thinking."

Wei Qianqian was forcibly taken by Ying Changqing, so he really wanted to know her true thoughts.

Now is the time to seize the opportunity.

Wei Qianqian was unaware that she was in Li Wu's room, and Ying Changqing wanted to use this opportunity to force her to acknowledge Wei Yong's marriage certificate.

Li Wu didn't want to deceive Wei Qianqian, but she had to obey her master's orders, so she could only nod.

"Your Highness has arrived at Yaoguang Palace, Sister Qianqian... what are your thoughts?"

Wei Qianqian noticed something was off about Li Wu's voice and asked in confusion, "Is Sister sick? Should we call a doctor?"

Li Wu watched Ying Changqing's groping movements on her body, biting her lip to suppress her discomfort, and said, "It's nothing, just a chill, no need to call a doctor."

"You still haven't answered. What are you thinking?"

"You must honor the marriage agreement, I will persuade him... Waaah~"

Wei Qianqian leaned against the door, her face flushed.

"Sister, I'm so glad you're alright."

"I will definitely follow my parents' arrangements. My father betrothed me to the prince, and I will belong to him from now on. You don't need to say anything more."

"Uh-huh."

Li Wu's answer was strange.

Wei Qianqian didn't understand, and was even more worried about her health.

"Sister, are you really alright? Should I call a doctor?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern."

"No need to see a doctor, just rest."

Li Wu insisted on refusing, so Wei Qian had no choice but to agree and stop insisting.

Inside the room, Li Wu gripped the edge of the table tightly with both hands, biting her lower lip deeply with her teeth.

"Sister, I'm worried, will the Prince still remember me when he comes to Yaoguang this time?"

"My father has already betrothed me to the prince, and according to my mother, I must consummate our marriage."

"But... the prince hasn't touched me yet. Am I still considered his concubine?"

When Wei Qianqian asked her a question outside the door, Ying Changqing smiled and kept his eyes fixed on Li Wu in his arms.

Li Wu blushed as well, turning to look at Ying Changqing with eyes full of love.

After all, what Wei Qianqian was hoping for was what Li Wu was preparing to do.

Li Wu immediately calmed down and gently comforted Wei Qianqian in a voice outside the door: "Don't worry."

"Qianqian, you don't need to worry."

"Now that Your Highness has come to Yaoguang, you will not forget me."

"Tonight, the prince will favor my sister."

Hearing Li Wu's words, Wei Qianqian outside the door felt relieved and was no longer nervous.

Li Wu is acting very strangely today.

She wouldn't let Wei Qianqian into the room, and her tone of voice was also very strange.

Wei Qianqian couldn't explain why, but she felt her face was very hot.

She immediately said to the people inside, "Then I'll be going now, Sister Li Wu."

"There are still many things waiting for me to handle at the City Lord's Mansion."

"If you're not feeling well today, take a good rest and don't push yourself."

Li Wu breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Wei Qianqian's footsteps fade into the distance.

When Ying Changqing walked out of the room, the sun was already high in the sky.

Five hundred riders were there; I went to check on Mei San Niang's training progress.

Li Wu lazily looked up at the sun, a smug look on her face.

Her skin was even more radiant than yesterday.

"Your Highness, please come with me."

"Those five hundred men were used as a secret weapon, as you instructed."

"They were not stationed in the city; I settled them in the valley outside the city."

Ying Changqing nodded, and he and Li Wu rode together on a horse, galloping out of the city.