Douluo Jueshi: Who let him join Shrek!

Shrek Academy, Poseidon Island

“Princess Jiujiu, Princess Vina, Jing Hongchen has already been taken over the position of Mingde Hall Master by Xu Tianran, so the plan can continue.”

Jiang Ming sat on the open ground outside the lakeside cabin, looking at the shimmering Poseidon Lake in front of him, and said softly.

Princess Jiujiu and Princess Vina were not by their side; the group communicated only through a soul-guided communication device.

"Jing Hongchen is no longer the head of Mingde Hall?"

Xu Jiujiu was somewhat surprised. Although the result was within their expectations, the speed was indeed a bit too fast.

It's only been a few days.
"I haven't received any news yet, Jiang Ming, you..."

As the head of the Star Luo Empire's intelligence department, Xu Jiujiu was extremely sensitive to the speed of intelligence transmission.

She hadn't heard a single word, while Jiang Ming already had concrete information. The difference in the speed of intelligence transmission was truly astounding!
"Don't worry, the source of the intelligence is absolutely reliable. Moreover, I have received information that Jing Hongchen disappeared after stepping down as the head of Mingde Hall. I guess he was transferred to some secret department by Xu Tianran."

Jiang Ming said softly, casting his line into the Sea God Lake as he spoke.

"A secret department?"

Vina was somewhat puzzled.

Jiang Ming continued, "Jing Hongchen is, after all, one of the top five, or even top three, level nine soul masters in the Sun Moon Empire. Even if Xu Tianran removed him from his position as the head of the Mingde Hall, he certainly wouldn't let him be idle. If I'm not mistaken, he should be working with a group of level nine soul masters from the Sun Moon Empire to make level nine fixed-position soul guidance shells right now."

Having spent so many years in Mingdu, he had a certain understanding of Jing Hongchen and Xu Tianran.

Since he almost wiped out the Holy Spirit Cult, the power of the Sun Moon Empire has been significantly weakened. In addition, he used his spatial abilities to acquire a lot of level 9 fixed-position soul-guided cannons and the Sun Moon Empire's strategic reserves in Mingdu. Regardless of whether Xu Tianran still has the ambition to unify the continent, he definitely needs to replenish these resources.

"A level nine fixed-position soul-guided cannon shell?! Is the Sun Moon Empire still going to start a war?!"

Vina exclaimed in surprise. As the Heavenly Soul Empire placed increasing importance on soul tools, their deterrent power over level nine fixed-position soul-guided cannons became clearer.

A level nine fixed-position soul-guided cannon shell might not be much to a titled Douluo-level expert; as long as the distance is far enough and the speed is fast enough, it can be dodged.

But the power of this thing lies in its area-of-effect attack!
This isn't designed to target a single objective; it's designed to strike urban clusters!

Moreover, if a Title Douluo hadn't dodged, the power of this Level 9 fixed-position soul-guided cannon shell could have directly killed him!

"Well, it's possible."

Jiang Ming raised his fishing rod, but there were no fish on it; he was used to it by now.

"As long as Xu Tianran is alive, he will never give up his idea of ​​unifying the continent. It's just that I fought a few battles in Mingdu, and the destruction of the Holy Spirit Cult disrupted his rhythm, so he has temporarily put it on hold. I estimate that once he has replenished his strategic resources, the war should resume."

He had spent some time with Xu Tianran and knew a bit about him.

Even after all that has happened, Xu Tianran will not give up his idea of ​​unifying the continent.

As an ambitious emperor, this was an obsession he couldn't let go of deep in his heart. As a man, with his lower body ruined, what else could he pursue besides supreme power?

"Jiang Ming of the Sun Moon Empire, when do you think the Sun Moon Empire will launch a war?"

After a long while, he asked in a deep voice.

Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow slightly and said softly, "Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, it should be within a year. Xu Tianran knows my current strength, and he must be under tremendous pressure. This pressure will motivate him to accelerate everything he wants to do within the timeframe I've given him! Within a year, no, perhaps in half a year, the Sun Moon Empire should make a move."

If someone knows that someone wants to kill them, and that the other party is the strongest person in the world, and they are unable to stop it, what would they want to do?
This is actually the same mindset as ordinary people when the end of the world is coming: to do the things they most want to do as quickly as possible!

As for Xu Tianran, what he wants to do most is to unify the continent and change Douluo Continent to Sun and Moon Continent!

To achieve this, war is inevitable!
Upon hearing Jiang Ming's words, Xu Jiujiu and Vina's expressions both turned serious.

At the start of the war, their two empires, which directly border the Sun and Moon Empire, will be the first to be drawn in, and within six months...
Almost immediately, both Xu Jiujiu and Vina began writing letters to the emperors of the two great empires.

There is still time to make arrangements within six months.

Hearing that Vina and Xu Jiujiu remained silent on the voice transmission device, Jiang Ming shook his head.

War is indeed inevitable. Over the years, there have been constant frictions between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Heavenly Soul Empire, but there has been no major war in any real sense.

In this situation, both sides are actually accumulating strength.

Of these empires, the Sun Moon Empire has the most accumulated power! So much so that it can quickly crush the other empires.

If Jiang Ming hadn't taken a portion of it, and hadn't wiped out the Holy Spirit Cult, the war would have started long ago!

In fact, even with the current strength of the Sun Moon Empire, it is absolutely impossible to restore its previous reserves in a short period of time.

If Xu Tianran insists on fighting, the Sun Moon Empire will no longer have the advantage it once had.

Of course, even so, it is still very difficult for the two great empires, Xingluo Tianhun and Riyue Empire, to fight against the Sun Moon Empire.

However, it may not be easily defeated.

"Xu Tianran, to satisfy your own ambition, you will follow the path I've laid out for you."

Jiang Ming's eyes narrowed slightly, and he cast his line again. A big fish was on the hook, but he wasn't very happy because Meng Bing had helped him put it on underwater.

Sun and Moon Empire, Mingdu, Imperial Palace.

Xu Tianran sat upright on the dragon throne, while the civil and military officials below were presenting their memorials.

"Your Majesty! Raising taxes so hastily, especially such heavy taxes, is truly inappropriate!"

A civil official stepped forward and expressed his opposition to Xu Tianran's proposal to increase various taxes nationwide.

"Yes, Your Majesty, if it were just a slight increase in taxes, it wouldn't be a problem, but taxes have almost doubled in the past few years! The people simply cannot bear such heavy taxes!"

Another minister stepped forward and said, "In recent years, or rather, since Xu Tianran became the emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, taxes have been constantly increasing."

Since Xu Tianran ascended the throne as Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, the various taxes levied on the Sun Moon Empire have almost doubled!
As for why Xu Tianran wanted to increase taxes...
Of course, it's for war preparations!
War requires money! The consumption of various soul tools and military supplies all require financial support.

The Sun Moon Empire has technology and resources, but money is absolutely indispensable.

The fastest way for a country to make money is to raise taxes!
Of course, the Sun Moon Empire has another option: selling rare metals.

Compared to the three empires that originally belonged to the Douluo Continent, the Sun Moon Empire had an abundance of rare metal minerals within its territory.

In the past, the export of rare metals accounted for a considerable portion of the Sun Moon Empire's fiscal revenue. However, as the Sun Moon Empire consciously suppressed the development of soul tools in the three major empires, it shut down the export of rare metals.

Even so, the smuggling of rare metals in the shadows is still a highly profitable business!
If the export of rare metals were to be reopened, the money would come in even faster than if taxes were raised.

Xu Tianran obviously wouldn't do that. Rare metals are strategic resources that he intends to use to attack the three great empires and unify the continent. Trading strategic resources with enemy countries would be the brain-dead thing to do.

However, if the export of rare metals and various soul tools is not allowed, the only way to collect a large amount of money in a short period of time is to increase taxes.

"How dare you question His Majesty's decision!"

There were factions within the imperial court as well; some opposed Xu Tianran's tax increase policy, while others supported it.

After all, any source of national revenue can support a segment of the population, and taxes are no exception.

Taking the lion's share is definitely out of the question; that's tantamount to suicide. But skimming a little from here and there, getting small profits is acceptable.

Just like the smuggling of rare metals, this involves a huge interest group.

"His Majesty is raising taxes for the sake of the empire. Such a vast empire, where doesn't it need money? If taxes aren't raised, are you going to foot the bill?!"

Another minister stepped forward to support the tax increase.

As these people began arguing in the court, other ministers joined in.

"Your Majesty, mining of rare metal veins in the north will have to be suspended for a while. A blizzard that will last for several months is about to hit. If mining continues, we fear there will be heavy casualties!"

"Your Majesty, when will the level nine soul masters from the major powers be able to return? The deans of all the academies have come to inquire."

"Your Majesty, the troops you mobilized in the southwest region..."

All sorts of things were revealed at once, throwing the entire court into chaos.

Xu Tianran looked at the noisy ministers, his eyes were extremely cold, his black pupils as deep and dark as black holes.

"Are you done arguing?"

After these guys had been arguing for a few minutes, Xu Tianran finally spoke.

As soon as he spoke, everyone in the court fell silent and stood facing Xu Tianran.

Xu Tianran looked at the ministers who had initially disagreed with his tax increase and said in a deep voice, "The empire is short of money, and a tax increase is inevitable. If you can come up with the money, I can refrain from raising taxes. But can you come up with the money?"

Upon hearing this, the ministers all fell silent.

Even if they were willing to give money, how could the amount they could possibly contribute compare to the tax revenue?
Moreover, the families behind these individuals would never agree to pay for tax reductions for ordinary people.

"If you can't, then shut your mouth! Also, my tax increase now is just a temporary measure. After these few years, after the imperial crisis has passed, I will naturally reduce taxes gradually. As for these few years, let the people suffer a bit."

After speaking, Xu Tianran turned to look at the minister who had just said that the mining of rare metals in the north should be suspended.

"There's a blizzard in the northern region, so equip those mining rare metals in the north with warm soul guides and blizzard protection. The empire urgently needs rare metals, and mining must not stop!"

Are you kidding me? If there's a blizzard, why would they stop mining rare metals? What would they use to manufacture those military soul tools he wants? The northern region is the richest in rare metal resources in the entire Sun Moon Empire.

"As for the ninth-level soul masters in those soul master academies, tell the deans of those academies that they will be going back in a year."

Level 9 Soul Masters are indispensable for manufacturing strategic weapons like Level 9 Fixed-Motion Soul Guidance Shells. If they go back now, who knows when they will be able to gather enough Level 9 Fixed-Motion Soul Guidance Shells?

Finally, Xu Tianran looked at another general and said in a deep voice, "The troops mobilized on the southwestern border are to contain the sea spirit beasts that invade the southern border. Don't worry about things there. Focus on training the soldiers and be ready to fight for the country at any time!"

After saying this, Xu Tianran immediately announced his resignation from court.

The general, however, frowned.

A soul beast invasion from the South China Sea? Even if those sea soul beasts wanted to attack coastal cities, they couldn't possibly be going all the way to the southwest! What kind of operation is it to transfer troops to the southwest to resist the sea soul beasts from the South China Sea?
He couldn't understand it, and Xu Tianran wouldn't tell him the answer.

After the court session, Xu Tianran returned to his study and looked at a shadowy area in the room.

"Tell the Northwest to keep their movements low. They will depart in a month. I have provided all the necessary equipment. My requirement is that, no matter what methods they use, they must take over the capital of the Douling Empire within three months! Within six months, I will destroy the Douling Empire!"

A voice rang out from the shadows: "As you command!"

After giving the order, Xu Tianran pushed his wheelchair to a wall in the study.

This wall displays the geographical layout of the four major empires of the Douluo Continent and the locations of various important cities.

The Sun Moon Empire is located in the west of the Douluo Continent, directly bordering the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire, while the Douling Empire is separated from the Sun Moon Empire by the Heavenly Soul Empire.

In a normal military operation, if the Sun Moon Empire wants to unify the continent, it must first eliminate the Heavenly Soul Empire before it can encounter the Fighting Spirit Empire.

But Xu Tianran has no intention of doing so.

The Heavenly Soul Empire is a powerful nation, and in recent years it has established the Body Sect as its state religion. It has many powerful figures, and if it directly attacks the Heavenly Soul Empire, it will very easily provoke a joint counterattack from the Star Luo Empire.

While directly confronting these two empires wouldn't be too difficult for the Sun Moon Empire, the war would drag on for a very long time and across the entire front.

Starting from the southwest, they would sail around the South China Sea of ​​the Star Luo Empire, then head north to launch a surprise attack on the eastern part of the Dou Ling Empire, catching them completely off guard! Given the strength of the Dou Ling Empire, the elite troops he dispatched would be more than capable of capturing its capital in a short time! (End of Chapter)