The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

Jiangling, Annam General's Mansion, Secret Council Hall.

The flickering candlelight cast Zhu Yuyan's stunning profile onto the cold stone wall.

The smoke of bloody purges and power consolidation still seems to linger among the pillars of the Liang Palace, but a more realistic and pressing problem has already been presented.

Zhu Yuyan's voice remained cool and clear, but it lacked its usual arrogance and instead carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, seriousness.

"Alliance Leader, Dong Jingzhen has initially integrated Liang Chu's old troops. After eliminating Xiang Yushan and Ren Shaoming's cronies, there are still nearly 80,000 troops available for battle, with both land and water capabilities. However, hidden dangers have already emerged."

She pushed a booklet onto the desk in front of Yi Huawei, which was filled with detailed records of the figures for grain, weapons, and treasury silver.

"The 'Four Policies to Pacify the People' have been extremely costly. Opening granaries and distributing grain has saved countless lives and won the hearts of the people. This is the foundation and cannot be stopped. However, the grain stored in the official granaries of Jiangling and Baling, at this rate of consumption, can only last for two months at most. The military pay has been doubled, the pensions have been tripled, and the arrears have been made up... These three items have already exhausted the savings accumulated by Xiao Xian and Ren Shaoming over the years, and the treasury is almost empty! Not to mention the cost of maintaining the daily operation of the huge army, manufacturing weapons, and repairing the city."

Zhu Yuyan raised her eyes and looked directly at Yi Huawei, a hint of helplessness in her deep eyes: "The Yin Kui Sect's former wealth relied heavily on the trade network of that scoundrel An Long from the Tian Lian Sect, as well as... some less-than-honorable 'side hustles.' Now that we have completely severed ties with the remnants of the Demonic Sect, cutting off this arm ourselves, although we have also taken control of some of the assets left by the Baling Gang, it's a drop in the ocean. The Heavenly Dao Alliance is newly established and its foundation is not yet stable. If military pay and provisions cannot be sustained, there is a risk of mutiny, and all previous efforts will be in vain! This is not something that can be suppressed by superior martial arts."

She paused, a hint of self-mockery in her voice: "Yu Yan has roamed the martial world for decades, but she has never been so overwhelmed by the 'foul-smelling' things of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and millions of people."

Yi Huawei's gaze swept over the shocking red numbers on the booklet, his expression calm and unwavering. Having experienced the court intrigues of the world of "Myth" and the centuries of peace in the world of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," he knew well that "an army marches on its stomach" was an ironclad rule, and in chaotic times of vying for supremacy, financial resources were the lifeblood.

The Yin Kui Sect's past methods of accumulating wealth—whether through attaching themselves to powerful figures, extortion, or operating shady businesses—were ultimately castles in the air and insufficient to sustain the overall situation. Breaking with the Tian Lian Sect is tantamount to severing its most vital source of income, making the pain of strategic contraction inevitable.

"This is indeed an urgent matter."

Yi Huawei slowly spoke: "Forced acquisition and plunder are not the foundation of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, nor can they last. We need to find a legitimate way to generate revenue."

A glint of light flashed in Zhu Yuyan's eyes, as if she already had a plan in mind. She whispered, "I recently discovered a clue that might solve this urgent problem. It's widely rumored in the martial arts world that the 'Yang Gong Treasure Vault' has resurfaced! It contains the life savings of Yang Su, a famous general of the Sui Dynasty—gold, jewels, divine weapons, and even lost martial arts techniques. It's said to be enough to equip an army of 100,000! The entrance to this vault is said to be near... Yue Ma Bridge in Chang'an! If we could obtain this treasure vault..."

"Yang Gong's Treasure Trove?"

Yi Huawei raised an eyebrow slightly. He naturally knew about the key secret treasure of this "Great Tang" world. This treasury was indeed incredibly wealthy, enough to instantly solve a financial crisis and even allow for expansion. However... seizing it was easy, but transporting it was difficult.

Chang'an is now a complex web of power struggles, teeming with experts. The Li Clan, the Dugu Clan, the Yuwen Clan, Wang Yunchong, and the Demonic Sect are all formidable forces, with the Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chan Temple offering covert support. To forcibly seize the treasure trove would be tantamount to snatching food from a tiger's mouth, inevitably triggering a massive uproar and potentially dragging the newly established Heavenly Dao Alliance into a full-scale war with the Li Tang dynasty. The time is not yet ripe.

"The matter of the treasure vault is indeed one path."

Yi Huawei did not deny it, but changed the subject: "However, Chang'an is a den of dragons and tigers. Taking the treasure would cause a great disturbance and easily attract the siege of the world. This is a 'distant water' and cannot quench our 'immediate thirst'."

The newly formed Heavenly Alliance needs a stable and continuous source of funding to support Dong Jingzhen in consolidating his territory, implementing new policies, and maintaining his army and the people, rather than a one-off deal, especially one that might attract a pack of wolves.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuyan's sharp eyes softened slightly, understanding the contradiction between the risks and the urgency of the situation. She frowned slightly: "Then what is the Alliance Leader's intention...?"

Yi Huawei stood up and walked to the huge hanging map. His gaze did not linger on the conflict-ridden Central Plains, but instead fell upon the vast and boundless blue area—the ocean.

"The Heavenly Alliance controls the Yangtze River waterway and dictates the passage to Jiangling and Baling. How can they be unaware of the treasure they possess?"

He traced his finger across the mouth of the Yangtze River, extending towards the East China Sea and the South China Sea: "The Yin Kui Sect's financial resources have been cut off, but the Dongming Sect's foundation remains! Mei Xian has been managing Ryukyu for many years and has long maintained relations with foreign lands overseas. This is a ready-made bridge for trade!"

Zhu Yuyan was slightly taken aback, then realized. She was skilled in political maneuvering and martial arts, but she didn't pay much attention to "merchant matters" like overseas trade. In the past, the Dongming Sect mainly sold fine weapons to various forces in the Central Plains, and its true potential for overseas trade had not been fully valued and utilized by the Yin Kui Sect.

"I have several strategies that can resolve the current predicament and lay a solid foundation for the long term."

Yi Huawei's tone carried an undeniable confidence, a confidence born from the knowledge and wisdom accumulated across multiple worlds:

"First, order the Dongming Faction to act immediately. Meixian will personally take charge, selecting elite ships to form a large trading fleet. Using Jiangling and Baling, which I control, as hubs, they will purchase large quantities of silk, porcelain, and tea from Jiangnan—these three items are cheap in the Central Plains, but when transported to overseas lands, they are worth more than gold!"

He picked up a piece of plain paper, and with a surge of internal energy from his fingertips, he carved clear patterns on the paper as if using a knife and pen. With just a few strokes, he outlined the shapes of three crops: sweet potatoes with large tubers and rough skin; potatoes of various shapes and colors; and corn with plump kernels arranged in a cob-like shape!
"Secondly, order the Eastern Sea to send a fleet to search for these three crops in overseas islands and foreign lands at great expense! Their names could be 'sweet potato,' 'potato,' and 'corn'!"

Yi Huawei handed the completed drawing to Shan Meixian. The drawing was lifelike and had distinctive features:
"These three things are divine gifts from heaven! They are drought-resistant and can thrive in barren soil, with extremely high yields, far exceeding rice and wheat! Especially this 'sweet potato,' the vines can be used as fodder, and the tubers can be a staple food, a treasure for surviving famine! If we obtain this and promote its cultivation, within a few years, there will be no more worries about famine under the rule of our Heavenly Alliance, the population will multiply, and the foundation will be solid! The value of this thing far exceeds ten thousand taels of gold! Whoever finds the seedlings will be rewarded with great merit!"

Looking at the unprecedented crop diagram in her hand, Shan Meixian, despite her resolute will, was deeply shaken. As the Empress of the Underworld, she knew all too well the importance of food to forces in a chaotic world. If such a high-yield and easy-to-grow crop truly existed… it would be a world-shaking miracle! Wuming's knowledge once again exceeded the limits of her imagination. This was no longer martial arts, but a power akin to "creation" itself!

Yi Huawei didn't pause. His fingertips gathered true energy again, and he rapidly sketched on a larger sheet of paper. A map of the East Asian seas, far more precise and detailed than any other nautical chart of the time, gradually appeared! The outlines of the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea were clearly marked, along with important ocean currents (such as the Kuroshio Current), monsoon directions, and major islands. His finger finally pointed heavily to an area on the west coast of the Fusang Islands (Japan) and circled it. "Thirdly, order the Dongming to send a fleet to use this map to thoroughly explore this area—the west coast of Fusang! Beneath this land lies an astonishingly large silver mine! The richness of its veins and the ease of extraction far exceed the world's imagination! Find the exact location, secretly mine it, and a continuous stream of silver will nourish our Heavenly Dao Alliance! This is the foundation of our nation!"

The precision of this nautical chart, especially the marking of the designated area in Fusang, filled Zhu Yuyan with a profound sense of awe and unfathomable depth. It was as if the Alliance Leader had personally witnessed the underground mineral deposits!
"Yang Gong's Treasure Trove is an emergency solution and can be used concurrently."

Yi Huawei finally decided: "Yu Yan, you will personally go to Chang'an. There's no need to launch a full-scale attack on the treasure vault. The primary task is to ascertain its true nature, identify the entrance, and assess the risks. If there's a clever and secretive way to obtain it, then take it. If things are not going well, you must retreat safely and preserve your strength. The key is intelligence! At the same time, closely monitor the movements of the Li Tang dynasty and the activities of the remnants of the Demonic Sect in Chang'an, especially An Long of the Heavenly Lotus Sect! This man is entrenched in Chang'an, a major threat, and also an enemy of our financial resources! Find his weaknesses and seize the opportunity to strike!"

"As for the Dongming Sect,"

Yi Huawei looked at Shan Meixian, who was standing to the side: "Meixian, you are in full charge of assembling the trade fleet and setting sail to search for seeds and minerals! Dong Jingzhen will provide full support in terms of manpower, supplies, and security. Remember, those seeds are more valuable than gold! And that silver mine is our future lifeline! We must be cautious and act swiftly!"

Shan Meixian took the blueprints (crop chart, nautical chart, and mineral deposit map), suppressing the surging emotions within her. As the leader of the Dongming Sect, who had spent years sailing the seas, she understood the value of these three sheets of paper far better than Zhu Yuyan! The precision of the nautical chart and the marking of the mineral deposits were simply unbelievable!
She bowed solemnly: "Meixian obeys! I will certainly live up to the Alliance Leader's trust!"

Zhu Yuyan also put aside all her doubts and nodded emphatically: "Yuyan understands! The trip to Chang'an will definitely bring back definite news for the Alliance Leader! Anlong... Hmph, his good days are coming to an end!"

………………

Having dealt with the important military and political affairs of Jiangling and formulated a financial strategy that combined increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, Yi Huawei did not linger.

The framework of the Heavenly Alliance has been established, with Dong Jingzhen, Zhu Yuyan, Shan Meixian, Bai Qing'er, and even Lei Shimeng and Zhang Xiu each fulfilling their duties and operating efficiently according to his will. At this moment, he needs to personally meet with Song Que, the Heavenly Blade who reigns supreme in Lingnan and is hailed as the number one blade in the world.

Accompanying her was Shan Wanjing, the daughter of Shan Meixian and the Princess of Dongming.

As dawn breaks, the vast Yangtze River is shrouded in mist and haze.

The massive hull of the "Cangming" cut through the bluish-gray river water, carving out two trails of rolling white waves, and sailed steadily downstream towards Lingnan. The foredeck was spacious, and the river breeze, carrying moist air, brushed against our faces, dispelling the lingering atmosphere of bloodshed and intrigue that had been hanging in the air for days.

Yi Huawei, dressed in a simple blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the ship, his expression serene and unwavering, gazing calmly at the distant horizon where the water met the sky, as if he had merged into the vast and boundless atmosphere of the world.

Half a step behind him, Shan Wanjing stood quietly by his side. This young princess of Dongming, barely sixteen, already possessed a slender and graceful figure. She wore a well-tailored, moon-white outfit that accentuated the delicate curves of a young girl's emerging figure. A silver sash adorned with tiny pearls bound her slender yet agile waist, adding to her graceful movements. Over this, she wore a light blue gauze robe as thin as a cicada's wing, which fluttered gently in the wind, adding to her ethereal and otherworldly aura.

She had a delicate oval face with a smooth and graceful jawline. Most striking were her eyes—large and bright, with slightly upturned corners. The shimmering light of the river reflected in her blue eyes, like two flowing seas of stars, conveying a lively spirit with a touch of the resilience and wildness of a sea dweller. Her nose was straight and refined, and her lips were a natural, vibrant red, beautiful without any makeup. Her long, glossy black hair was simply styled, loosely gathered only by a jade hairpin inlaid with a blue sea pearl, the rest cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall, dancing gently in the river breeze.

Holding a simple, sheathed longsword in her hand, the scabbard a deep blue, neither gold nor wood, with subtle natural wave-like patterns, this was the "Azure Wave," a treasured sword passed down through the Dongming School. Her stance appeared relaxed, but in reality, her entire body was in a subtle state of coordination, like a petrel poised to pounce, possessing both the dignified elegance of a noblewoman and the sharp edge of a martial artist.

"Master!"

Shan Wanjing's clear voice broke the silence on the deck, carrying a hint of barely perceptible expectation: "Disciple...disciple would like to ask Master to give you some more pointers on sword techniques."

Yi Huawei slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Shan Wanjing. He nodded slightly and said in a calm voice, "Very well. The vastness of the river and sky is the perfect place to comprehend the sword. Show me what you have been thinking and understanding these days."

"Yes!"

A gleam of joy flashed in Shan Wanjing's eyes, and her spirits lifted. She took a deep breath, letting the river breeze fill her lungs, and her entire demeanor changed abruptly, her previous gentleness instantly replaced by a sharp edge. Her amber eyes shone brightly, like a drawn sword.

"Clang—!"

With a clear, resonant dragon's roar, the "Azure Wave" sword was drawn from its sheath, its blade like a pool of autumn water, shimmering with a cold, clear light in the morning sun. Shan Wanjing moved swiftly and lightly, her steps light and agile, as if treading on waves, instantly assuming a fighting stance.

What she was using was the "Canglang Sword Technique," a direct descendant of the Dongming Sect. The sword light rose like the surging waves of the Yangtze River, advancing layer upon layer, endlessly. At times, the sword's momentum was like crashing waves, fierce and swift; at other times, like swirling tides, unpredictable and ever-changing; and at stillness, like the moon reflected in a calm lake, its tranquility concealing deadly intent.

The girl's figure moved gracefully amidst the sword light, as nimble as a dragon, perfectly showcasing the exquisite beauty of the "Canglang Sword Technique." Her slender limbs, encased in a tight-fitting outfit, stretched and moved with a rhythm of power and beauty. Every twist of her waist, spin, thrust, and parry carried a unique sense of rhythm, as if resonating with the rushing river beneath her feet.

Yi Huawei watched quietly, his body as still as a mountain, only his deep eyes moving slightly with the flow of sword light. In his eyes, every wisp of true energy flowing through Shan Wanjing's swordsmanship, every application of strength, even the subtle hesitations and flashes of inspiration within her sword intent, were all clearly visible.

After completing a set of sword techniques, Shan Wanjing's breathing became slightly labored. She sheathed her sword and stood up, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. Her honey-colored skin glowed with a healthy luster in the morning light, and her amber eyes looked at Yi Huawei with a hint of expectation.

(End of this chapter)