Chapter 125: Progressive Ideas

Although Chu Yun said that his master, the Thunder God, had already forgiven the people of the Viscount’s Manor, that very night, Lin Yang led everyone to move out of the Viscount’s Manor and leave Nanhuaizhen. They took with them little more than some daily necessities.

The sixteen guards followed him.

Originally, these sixteen men belonged to the Fierce Tiger military camp and should have stayed behind. But Chu Yun didn’t concern himself with such matters. Since Lin Yang was no longer a viscount and had fallen into misfortune, the fact that these sixteen men were willing to follow him demonstrated their deep loyalty. Chu Yun naturally did not want to keep such loyal men behind.

At the same time, this made Chu Yun believe that Lin Yang’s claim of being trapped by the witch doctor’s female sect and forced into a corner was partly true. Otherwise, if Lin Yang were truly an ungrateful scoundrel, it would have been difficult for these sixteen men to remain so devoted to him.

Since Lin Yang and his group had moved out of the Viscount’s Manor, Chu Yun decided to stay there that night with Chu Wencai and four guards. The four guards dutifully took the horses to the stable and began cooking in the kitchen.

When alone with Chu Yun, Chu Wencai said, "Your Excellency, the Earl, you are truly formidable. You rode straight into the Viscount’s Manor on horseback, forcing Lin Yang to confess to supporting the witch doctor’s sect against you. Then you began to interrogate him, and with the secret aid of your master, the Thunder God, who wielded thunder magic, you compelled Viscount Lin Yang to surrender Nanhuaizhen. I doubt I would have managed so smoothly."

Chu Yun waved his hand. "Wencai, you are too modest. I believe you could have handled it just as well. Also, I hope you won’t flatter me so much in the future—it makes me feel you aren’t being genuine."

Chu Wencai shook his head. "Your Excellency, I am not flattering you. I truly admire you from the bottom of my heart and cannot help but praise you!"

Chu Yun smiled slightly. "Ha ha, your skill at flattery is truly exquisite."

Chu Wencai smiled sheepishly, then asked, "Your Excellency, now that we have taken Nanhuaizhen, I believe capturing Qingtan Town next will pose no problem. After securing these two towns, what are your plans? Will you continue to expand your territory, or...?"

Chu Yun replied, "Both Nanhuaizhen and Qingtan Town are vast, fertile, and resource-rich places. For now, let’s focus on developing these areas."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wencai suddenly knelt and bowed deeply.

Chu Yun was taken aback. "Wencai, why do you show such great respect?"

Chu Wencai replied, bowing, "I come from humble origins and deeply understand the hardships of ordinary people. I have studied extensively and delved into scholarship in hopes of one day earning a noble title and land, or at least serving a noble who understands the sufferings of the common folk—someone who can use my talents to bless the region."

"Though I have yet to gain a title or land, I am honored to have met an Earl who truly understands the burdens of the people."

"In recent years, war has decimated the population and left everything in ruins. The most important thing now is to restore peace and prosperity so that the people may live secure and stable lives."

"Only when the people live peacefully will it attract talents, will all industries flourish, and will there be competitive advantages in all fields."

"If a noble’s domain holds competitive advantages in every aspect, they will inevitably reap the greatest benefits."

"But apart from Your Excellency, I believe no other noble shares this view. Their way of obtaining profit is primitive—through war and plunder."

"They have never considered that no matter how vast the land, if no one cultivates it, no one develops its resources, and the people cannot even fill their stomachs, how can they possibly pay taxes?"

Chu Yun was stunned by Chu Wencai’s words.

He was both surprised and delighted.

He had not expected such advanced thinking in this backward place.

These ideas were born from the lessons of the Second World War, the witnessing of the great gains made by the United States during that war, and its rise to become the world’s foremost power.

Without a doubt, Chu Wencai was truly a remarkable talent.

Chu Yun smiled and patted Chu Wencai on the shoulder. "Wencai, I’m glad we share the same vision."

Chu Wencai’s eyes filled with tears. "Thank Heaven that I, Chu Wencai, have finally met a noble who understands me."

He wiped his tears and continued, "Your Excellency, for the domain to grow strong, it must first have a powerful means of self-defense."

"We will not be the aggressors, but we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied."

"Though Your Excellency has the Thunder God as a master, and need not fear being bullied, I believe the most pressing matter now is to develop the military."

"Therefore, I suggest that after capturing Qingtan Town, Your Excellency recruit a private army, using the Fierce Tiger camp in Nanhuaizhen that Lin Yang once commanded to establish a standing army of our own."

"The standing army need not be large, but elite."

"In the end, war is primarily fought by the people. If we can ensure the people live in peace and stability, they will gladly take up arms to defend their homeland."

"As long as we unite as one in resisting enemies, even ordinary civilians will have fighting strength unmatched by many regular armies..."

Chu Wencai spoke at length.

Chu Yun listened quietly, a smile on his face, feeling very pleased.

Many of Chu Wencai’s ideas aligned with his own.

This was why Chu Yun, despite having many ideas to make great fortunes—such as producing candles, soap, and paper—had not yet acted on them.

He knew that if he revealed such innovations prematurely, he would not only fail to grow wealthy but might also die quickly.

Just showing a fraction of his medical skill had already brought him mortal danger and attracted the wrath of the powerful witch doctor sect.

Chu Yun understood that only by obtaining a noble title and land, along with a strong capacity for self-defense, could he accomplish those great undertakings.

And now, it seemed that moment was nearly upon him.

When Chu Wencai finished speaking, Chu Yun smiled and said, "Wencai, after we take Qingtan Town, I will entrust Chujia Town to your management. I will bring my family and the sixty guards I have trained, plus thirty more, to relocate to Nanhuaizhen."

He resolved to raise his private army in the valley of Nanhuaizhen.

He believed the news of his master being the Thunder God had likely spread throughout the Great Qi Dynasty, and no one there would dare to harm him now.

As long as they defended Nanhuaizhen well and prevented invasion from the southern Da Yue Dynasty, the safety of their domain would be assured.