Become the Emperor of Man by starting from the Qiyun entry

Chapter 680: Chu Wujiang's husband-wife relationship, Qingqiu Kingdom puts beauty first

It's just dawn.

The passion of last night faded.

At this moment, Shi Haitang has put down the burdens of the past, leaving only softness and tranquility.

She opened her eyes and stared at Chu Wujiang intently, like a girl in love.

"Husband!"

Chu Wujiang was planning to leave quietly, but he found that Shi Haitang was holding him tightly in his sleep and refused to let go.

He stayed here until daybreak.

"My lady is awake?"

"Ok!"

Shi Haitang nodded vigorously and asked quickly:

"The prince is going to do something important, right?"

Chu Wujiang pinched his wife's cheek and said with a smile:
"Indeed."

Shi Haitang said softly:

"Then I will return to Huazhou as soon as possible to discuss the development of the [Flower God Sect] with the Sect Master."

"With the cooperation of my concubine and the senior sister, the Flower God Sect will surely win the greatest support for the prince."

"As for what the historians said, I will not tell them, lest they try to use the prince's name to do something wrong."

The Shi family in Huazhou is not a good family either.

It is true that most of the children of nobles are bastards.

There are naturally some outstanding talents among the children of aristocratic families, but there are also many who are lazy and do evil things.

It cannot be generalized.

Shi Haitang regained his free and easy nature and thought of the qualifications of his family members. He did not want them to use the title of King of Chu to act recklessly.

For example, Ling Yun from Longzhou, she can command the entire world of independent cultivators simply by using the name of the concubine of King Chu.

The independent cultivators in the martial arts world didn't dare to ask Shen Qingyue for help, so they went to Lingyun.

If this reputation is exploited by others, many bad things will be done.

Chu Wujiang nodded with a smile:
"It is very good for you to do this, madam."

"In the future, I will have to clean up the world, and some things may hurt people's feelings if I do them."

"If my lady cares about the Shi family, the industry run by the Shi family will have to change and complete the transformation."

Shi Haitang showed a puzzled look:
"My husband, what do you mean by that?"

Chu Wujiang once told Shen Qingyue that he should make contributions to society.

There will be social divisions and classes.

Chu Wujiang, his political allies, and his wife's family as the superstructure will inevitably possess power and wealth.

You can't always think that others are guilty of being rich just because you have a huge amount of wealth.

There is no such logic, people cannot have double standards.

Chu Wujiang’s core approach is to encourage behaviors that add value to society and to reform and overthrow the rentier class.

What does it mean?

For example, the Zhen family acquired wealth mainly through rent and usury, and they were the most famous rentier class in Tianjing.

Such a wealth model is not suitable for development in the new era.

The pure rentier class will be the main target of attack in the future.

Even if you develop some capitalism, you have to reduce land returns, cultivate a group of wealthy consumer groups, promote the progress of the entire market, and so on.

If the powerful class seeks profits by developing technology, engaging in manufacturing, or even high-tech industries, then it is acceptable and encouraged.

This is also the political reform that Chu Wujiang asked his wife's family to carry out.

The returns from land will become lower and lower.

Shi Haitang was not stupid. She quickly understood Chu Wujiang's political ideas and said quickly:
"Your Majesty, I understand."

"Although I don't know anything about workshops, technology, or anything like that."

“But we will try to persuade the elders to follow the Cui family’s example and reduce the rent across the board.”

well.

Chu Wujiang has very high requirements for women. Not only must they be smart and beautiful, but they must also understand his political stance.

Confucianism emphasizes that the husband is the head of the wife, and the relationship between husband and wife is essentially a political relationship.

This kind of relationship is called monarch and subject.

The minister is loyal to the king, and the king must be worthy of the minister. This is the unity of the monarch and the minister.

After all, in ancient times, there were too many cases where the father-in-law killed the son-in-law's entire family and embezzled the property, or the son-in-law killed the father-in-law and embezzled the property.

What choice should a couple make?
The bloody lesson has forced society to solve the problem of how men and women can form a family under the condition of mutual harm.

In the end, Confucianism chose to form a family based on the monarch-minister relationship.

Chu Wujiang is the king and the ladies are the subjects.

Would he allow women to oppose him politically?
impossible.

The king must unify the political line.

Shi Haitang had received a complete aristocratic education and naturally knew this evil truth. He expressed his unconditional support for Chu Wujiang.

Chu Wujiang pinched his wife's cheek and said with a smile:
"Don't worry, my wife. Your husband will not let you suffer any loss."

"If you don't understand these, you can go to Madam Youlan or Madam Qingyue."

“They are developing different industries.”

"The sins of historians must be cut off, and the industrial model must be adjusted."

Chu Wujiang not only needs to clean up the world, but he also needs to be upright himself.

His forces, allies, and wife's family must keep themselves clean, or at least generally clean, in order to convince the people of the world.

Chu Wujiang will also sanction any allies that are not right.

Shi Haitang took a deep breath and said seriously:

"I will defeat all those historians who disobey me."

The more Shi Haitang understood that Chu Wujiang held power, the more she realized that resistance was meaningless, and that following her husband's steps politically was the wisest choice.

Because she is not stupid.

Chu Wujiang smiled:
"Then I'll leave everything to you, my lady."

After saying that, he disappeared on the spot.

Shi Haitang looked at Chu Wujiang's receding back and couldn't help being a little dazed.

Her hands gently stroked her flat belly.

The traces left over from last night gave birth to new life.

Shi Haitang is a Yuandan powerhouse, so she will naturally have some insights, which is why she quickly adjusted her position.

"Big sister, this time Junior sister is one step ahead."

"My husband has many wives, but not many children."

"I will win."

The smile on Shi Haitang's face became brighter and brighter.

……

Qingqiu Kingdom, Meeting Room

Just as Shi Haitang's fate changed, Qingqiu Kingdom also reached a critical moment of decision.

The Queen of Qingqiu, Si Xuanying, asked sternly:
"Xiao Lian, why did you betray the fox tribe and join the human race?"

Si Xiaolian looked bewildered:

"My lady, I didn't surrender."

"How dare you quibble!"

Si Xuanying released a terrifying pressure, trying to find a breakthrough from Si Xiaolian.

"I ordered you to go to the human race to cooperate with the Sima family, slowly infiltrate the human race, and obtain the position of queen."

"Then I will borrow the dragon energy of the emperor and the blood of the real dragon to help my clan give birth to a ten-tailed celestial fox."

"Look at you, what have you done?"

Si Xiaolian hurriedly explained:
"My lady, this is not my fault."

"It's all because of the incompetence of the Sima family that Xiao Lian had to eat one meal and not the next..."

Si Xiaolian is very good at acting cute and her eyes suddenly filled with tears.

Unfortunately, this method had no effect on the King of Qingqiu.

Si Xuanying was furious and said:

"Shut up!"

"On May 13th, I ate five chickens."

"On May 14th, I ate thirteen chickens..."

"Do you want me to continue reading?"

"The matter of the Sima family is long over. Didn't I tell you to get closer to that human race and earn more dragon energy?"

"What did you do in the end?"

Si Xiaolian suddenly wilted.

She didn't expect that Empress Xuanying would conduct a detailed investigation. After a thorough investigation, she could only try to make up for it:

"That, that's the master's task!"

"My master asked me to eat chicken."

"There are too few chickens in Qingqiu Country. Xiao Lian is working hard to learn the breeding techniques of the human race."

"That's right, in the future the Fox Tribe will also open chicken farms everywhere!"

Si Xuanying's face twitched for a moment, but she was not misled by the chicken farm. She just asked:
"Owner?"

"What does it mean?"

Oops, I spilled the beans.

Si Xiaolian has gotten into the habit of calling "master" and it's hard to change it in a short time.

She smiled and said:

"Empress~"

"Didn't you say that the human race has a profound heritage?"

"Even if the demons succeed in their invasion this time, the human race will not perish. We must take advantage of this opportunity to reap huge benefits."

"Look, the master Xiao Lian recognized is the best master of the human race. No, the best master in the world."

“Isn’t this a great profit?”

"Look, the seven tails have grown back."

"Xiao Lian will use his master ruthlessly to help the fox tribe prosper!"

Si Xiaolian wagged her tail, looking very happy.

Originally Si Xiaolian was a seven-tailed fox, a great demon in the fox clan, second only to the demon king.

Later, he went against Chu Wujiang and lost two of his tails, degenerating into a five-tailed fox.

Later, she recognized Chu Wujiang as her master, was baptized by dragon energy, and turned into a seven-tailed fox again, while being very close to the level of an eight-tailed fox.

The strength of the fox clan can be seen from its tail.

The seven-tailed fox is the primordial spirit, the eight-tailed fox is the demon king, and the nine-tailed fox is the elder or queen of Qingqiu Kingdom.

For the fox clan, the first few tails are easy.

The difficulty of the next eighty or ninety levels increases sharply.

Therefore, Si Xiaolian was very satisfied that she was about to grow her eighth tail.

The Lord of Qingqiu sighed:
"Xiao Lian, can you be bought off with just this little favor?"

Si Xiaolian stuttered a little:
"No, no!"

"Xiao Lian has always been loyal to the fox clan."

"Stop making excuses."

The King of Qingqiu had a rather impatient temper and started with a bursting date.

it hurts!

Si Xiaolian's aggrieved look, holding her head, was exactly the same.

"My Lady, Xiao Lian did not betray me!"

"This time, it is also for the future of the fox clan."

"The master is unrivaled in the world. If Qingqiu Country surrenders to us sooner, we can enjoy some benefits!"

Seeing that Si Xiaolian was not listening, Si Xuanying, with the nine-tailed fox's perception ability, knew her true intentions, and her tone softened:
"That's all."

"You are still a member of the fox clan."

"Even if you make a small mistake, I won't blame you."

"Miss!"

Si Xiaolian couldn't help but burst into tears of gratitude and quickly threw herself into the arms of the King of Qingqiu.

The two fox demons who transformed into humans looked more like sisters. They both had fairy-like looks and were the most beautiful in the world.

Si Xiaolian has a more lively personality and has been favored by the King of Qingqiu in the past, otherwise she would not have the peace of mind of eating and sleeping well.

Si Xuanying seemed angry just now, but she just wanted to see whether Si Xiaolian would really surrender to the human race.

The answer is that she is still a member of the fox clan.

Just a little silly.

Si Xuanying stroked Si Xiaolian's black hair and asked softly:
"Xiao Lian, please tell me all the conditions of the King of Chu."

"Qingqiu Kingdom will consider it."

"This is really difficult for you."

Si Xiaolian snuggled in the Empress's arms and said quickly:

"Yes, madam!"

"The master's request is very simple. Qingqiu Country only needs to remain absolutely neutral and not participate in the war."

"As long as Qingqiu Kingdom does not send a single soldier, it will be a country that will not be conquered."

"The fox tribe and the human race can try to coexist after the war, and realize the grand scene under the rule of [Empress Jiao] in ancient times."

There was once a celestial fox in the Kingdom of Qingqiu, whose name was Jiao. The fox demon called her Empress Jiao, who was said to be the first woman in the fox clan with a beautiful face.

She originally wanted to steal the Human Emperor's true dragon blood, but ended up marrying the Human Emperor.

During that period, the fox tribe lived together with the human race, so that even now the symbol of the fox tribe's power is still their transformation into a human, but they still like to keep their tails.

Si Xiaolian finally came back, and immediately her seven tails appeared, swaying left and right.

Si Xuanying sighed and replied:
"Neutral, that's a lie."

"Right now, the human race is strong, while the demon race is weak. Your Majesty the Demon Saint needs to gather all the strength of the demon race before you can start a bloody battle."

"If Qingqiu Country remains neutral, it will be helping the human race."

Si Xiaolian hurriedly advised:

"My queen, then we will help the human race."

"What conditions can the Demon Saint offer?"

"We will listen to whoever gives us benefits and has the strongest power!"

Xiao Lian is so simple and hasn't changed at all.

Si Xuanying reached out and knocked on Xiaolian's head, saying unhappily:
"Then in the future, His Majesty the Demon Saint will successfully advance to the Destiny and become the strongest."

"Are you going to surrender to His Majesty the Demon Saint again?"

Si Xiaolian shook her head and said:

"The master is always the strongest, all of this is not true!"

Si Xuanying didn't expect Si Xiaolian to be so determined, and couldn't help but laugh out of anger:

"What benefits can the Fox Clan gain?"

"Suppose you surrender to the human race."

Si Xiaolian hesitated for a moment and said without hiding anything:

“The tail will grow.”

"The master not only has dragon energy, but also real dragon blood."

"He will definitely be able to help the fox clan and have the Sky Fox bloodline appear again!"

Real dragon blood!

Sky fox bloodline!
Since the era of the Human Emperor, the fox clan has maintained the status quo, wholeheartedly trying to cheat some more dragon energy from the human clan.

For example, Yu Ji and Overlord are typical failure cases. Foxes have always been bad at choosing real dragons.

This is almost sitting at the same table with Longmen.

They go from one failure to another.

What a miserable word.

But Si Xuanying did not agree, and instead said:
"Dragon Qi and real dragon blood are certainly good."

“But I observed the celestial phenomena at night and found that His Majesty the Demon Saint has successfully advanced to the Destiny Realm. The human race will still face a catastrophe.”

"This catastrophe is so great that it is impossible to determine who will win or lose."

The nine-tailed fox has a very strong ability to predict disasters.

Si Xuanying divined many times and came to the same conclusion every time: the human race would be severely damaged.

The conclusion does not change.

According to this prophecy, Si Xuanying believed that the Demon Saint would be able to successfully advance to the Destiny Realm. Not only that, someone in the Royal Court would also succeed.

So there are two people in the Destiny Realm, plus the one from the Dayong Dynasty.

That adds up to three.

No matter how powerful Chu Wujiang is, he can't fight three people in the Destiny Realm alone.

Si Xiaolian showed an embarrassment and shouted quickly:
"Miss!"

"This will anger the master. Once the fox tribe joins the war, the consequences will be disastrous."

The Lord of Qingqiu asked:

"What is he going to do?"

Si Xiaolian whispered:

"All the demon tribes that participated in the war will try their best to eliminate their tribes. The best outcome would be the same fate as the White Deer Tribe is now."

The Lord of Qingqiu said angrily:
"What a champion!"

"You really don't take the fox demon clan seriously!"

"Doesn't he know how many Destiny Realms he'll have to face?"

Si Xiaolian added:

“My lady, the master has killed two people in the Heavenly Fate Realm!”

One is the devil Xun who has come down to earth, and the other is the Immortal Crimson Pearl Herb.

Of course, if we count the Evil Emperor’s descent to the earth, there would be three of them.

The realm of destiny, is that so great?
Si Xuanying sat back weakly.

If the demon clan didn't know Chu Wujiang's battle record, they would still be stubborn.

The more I know about his record, the more frightened I feel.

Seeing this, Si Xiaolian said softly:

"So, my lady, let's surrender."

"The master will make arrangements so that the interests of the fox tribe will not be harmed."

Si Xuanying loosened her hands, letting Si Xiaolian leave her arms, and said with a sigh:

"seeing is believing."

"This palace is about to fuse the blood of the Sky Fox, and hopefully break through to the Sky Fox. Then, with Madam Jiao's legacy, a million people will be equivalent to a half-step to Heaven's Fate."

"Is it true that we can't resist the Champion Marquis like this?"

The demons prefer to call Chu Wujiang "Marquis of Champion", which corresponds to the historical image in their memories.

Si Xiaolian said bluntly:

"One knife!"

"The master can kill half of the destiny with one sword."

"My queen, don't forget that the Qingqiu Kingdom now relies on the Qingqiu barrier to prevent the master from finding his whereabouts."

"But Xiaolian can provide the coordinates and location."

Seeing that being cute didn't work, Si Xiaolian's tone began to turn colder, becoming more realistic, and she pointed out bluntly:
"Even if the Qingqiu barrier can resist for a while, the Fox Clan can only respond to the call of the Demon Saint and enter the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Cave, right?"

"Once we enter the Blood Cave of Ten Thousand Demons, can the Fox Clan still maintain its current status?"

No!

In essence, the Demon Saint had already come to see Si Xuanying, and the two parties signed an agreement.

If Chu Wujiang launches a surprise attack, Si Xuanying's last resort is to activate the secret teleportation technique to teleport the core backbone of Qingqiu Kingdom to the Blood Cave of Ten Thousand Demons.

Originally, Qingqiu Kingdom had sent a lot of troops to join the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Cave, but Chu Wujiang sent people to contact Qingqiu Kingdom.

She could only choose to stand aside completely.

Si Xuanying naturally understood this principle.

It's just that the choice is so difficult.

Seeing that the queen still couldn't make up her mind, Si Xiaolian added:
"My queen, if you don't trust Xiao Lian, you can go see Ji Nishang in person."

"As long as you see her true face, you will understand why Xiao Lian firmly supports the human race."

Why would you surrender after seeing her true appearance?

Si Xuanying was puzzled, but seeing Xiaolian was so persistent, she said:
"Then I will meet you."

……

Qingqiu Kingdom, Embassy

Ji Nishang came out of the underground palace and was curious about everything.

She was almost suffocated by staying in the embassy these days.

According to the order of the King of Qingqiu, Ji Nishang and Si Xiaolian can only stay here and are not allowed to go out.

But Ji Nishang was too beautiful, so she came up with an idea, which was to go to the person in charge and ask:
"I want to go out for a while, can I?"

The person in charge of the post station was a great dog demon. He immediately flattered his horse and said:

"no problem!"

"Master Ji wants to go out, that's totally fine."

"If anyone from above blames me, I will bear all the responsibility!"

The dog tribe is the demon tribe that loves beautiful women the most. They have been domesticated by the fox demon tribe for many years and are the most solid vassal race of the fox tribe.

In their minds it's all about beauty.

Although Ji Nishang wore a veil and used magic power to cover it up, it still couldn't stop the dogs from sensing her beauty.

Beauty is power, supreme power.

Ji Nishang is the legendary beauty. Even among the fox demon clan, only [Empress Jiao] has reached such a level.

In front of her beauty, all the rules are bullshit.

Ji Nishang's words are the imperial edict.

Ji Nishang smiled when she heard this:
"Thank you!"

The dog demon was immediately fascinated and shouted loudly:

"Master Ji, please let me be your dog!"

Even though he can't see anything, the great dog demon can be so humble.

This gave Ji Nishang a headache:
"No."

"I don't want to see you."

The dog demon actually cried sadly:
"Woooo..."

"Since Lord Ji doesn't want to see me, I will disappear immediately!"

Ji Nishang shouted quickly:
"Wait, what do you want to do?"

The dog demon actually replied:
"I will finish my work for you and then I will kill myself!"

"Because the adults won't let the little ones be dogs!"

The word "dog" has a special meaning in Qingqiu State.

That's someone's specialty.

Ji Nishang took a deep breath:

"You can't commit suicide!"

"You have to live well."

The dog demon burst into tears on the spot:

"What a kind man! Please let me be your dog."

Ji Nishang said angrily:

"No, get out!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"I'll get out of here right now!"

The big dog monster yelled, and he actually rolled and disappeared on the spot.

The rules of Qingqiu State are very strict.

But Ji Nishang made the rules a joke with just one sentence.

Because here, beauty is power.

Ji Nishang's power in Qingqiu Kingdom is supreme.

It’s just that the dog tribe’s style is too magical. Ji Nishang just wants to observe the customs of Qingqiu Kingdom and stroll around. She doesn’t want to be licked by a group of dog tribe.

This kind of licking dogs undoubtedly made her feel very disgusted, and her impression of Qingqiu Kingdom was also very bad.

What a terrible place.

But soon, Ji Nishang had a new idea.

She immediately asked through the Crystal Palace:
"Sisters, do you have any secret techniques to hide your aura?"

"My sister wants to wander around Tucheng, but she doesn't want to be seen by the dog tribe."

Ji Nishang is very powerful, but she always calls others "sister", which makes her very popular.

Yun Shang quickly replied:

"Yes, Master Nichang!"

"I have a copy of 'The Art of Concealing the Sky Shadow' in my hand, which is just right for your situation."

"This servant can lend me a shadow, my lord, as long as you accept it."

The magical power of Tianying has infinite uses.

In addition, Yun Shang has mastered the Yunmeng Taoist body, which makes her shadow even more powerful. It can hide most of the aura and is difficult to detect even by ordinary powerful soul masters.

Ji Nishang's eyes lit up and she quickly thanked him:
"Thank you, Sister Yun."

Yun Shang smiled bitterly:

"Master Nishang, please don't call me like that."

During this period, Yunchang has been visiting and investigating the public to see whether the policies of reducing or exempting land rent have been fully implemented in various places, so as to prevent them from deceiving their owners.

The world is big, and a sampling survey of the entire land is a massive task.

So Yunchang never returned, and only met Ji Nishang once.

It was this meeting that made Yunchang feel ashamed of herself and she unconsciously regarded Ji Nichang as the lady and herself as a servant.

Ji Nishang said happily:

"No, a sister is a sister."

"Sister Yunshang, please don't be polite."

Yun Shang's heart moved when she heard this.

Lady Nichang is so nice.

No, that's not right.

I am from the Niangniang faction, I need to stay calm.

Yun Shang took a deep breath:

"Continue to investigate the Cui family's land policy, and then the Wang family, the Shi family, and so on."

The dragon guards under her command all responded:

"Yes, my lord!"

On the other hand, Ji Nishang received the shadow sent by Yunshang, and immediately restrained her breath and came to Tucheng, the largest city of the fox clan.

……

Qingqiu Kingdom, Tucheng
Ji Nishang finally got her wish and came to the center of the fox kingdom.

The fox tribe is the demon tribe that strives most hard to learn from humans.

Not only did they build cities and houses, but there were also a large number of fox people walking around, as if they were strolling and shopping.

Such a prosperous scene is quite rare even among the human race.

Foxes come and go on the market, and every fox seems to be living a very happy life.

But after observing for a moment, Ji Nishang found something wrong.

The foxes in Qingqiu Kingdom had no jobs.

The entire working class of the city is under the charge of the Dog Clan.

Construction, cleaning, cooking, uniforms and more.

All foxes need to do is enjoy their lives.

In terms of social system, Qingqiu Kingdom is closer to slavery, except that they do not enslave foxes, but dogs.

[Is this also learning from humans? ]

【it's wired! 】

[Why are the dogs willing to work so hard just for these ugly foxes? ]

Ji Nishang sat on the tree and scratched her head, puzzled.

At first, she thought these dogs were so pitiful, but as she continued to watch, she felt something was wrong.

The dogs were not chained, the fox just smiled at them:
"Brother Inu, this is a top-quality mink coat. You are really thoughtful."

"Thank you so much."

The big dog was covered in blood, as if he had just returned from a fight somewhere, and he had just obtained a precious mink coat, which he gave to the fox without hesitation.

Hearing the fox's words of thanks, Brother Dog almost floated to the fairyland.

I saw Brother Dog chuckle:
"Don't worry, Sister Hu. Big Brother can find someone better."

So this time, can we shake hands?
Brother Quan suddenly reached out his hand, and Sister Hu's smile suddenly turned cold:

"Brother, my sister is not just any fox."

Brother Inu knelt down quickly and said:
"No, no, no, it's all my fault. Please don't be angry, sister."

Sister Hu then turned her coldness into a smile:
"If big brother doesn't want to send it, little sister won't ask for it."

"I'll give it back to you."

The dog brother quickly shook his head;
"No, I gave these to my sister voluntarily."

"No one forced me to give it to my sister."

Sister Hu smiled again:
"Thank you, Brother Inu."

Sister Hu turned and left with a look of disgust on her face.

Ji Nishang was on the tree, watching all this happen.

Zhou Yu beat Huang Gai, one was willing to fight, the other was willing to suffer.

Why does such a strange scene appear?

Ji Nishang murmured to herself:
"Husband, what's going on?"

Chu Wujiang replied softly:
"poor person must have something mean."

"These dog tribes were originally attracted by the beauty of the fox demons and hoped to produce offspring with them."

"But according to the information sent by Si Xiaolian, there have been no cases of foxes marrying dogs so far."

"They just use their beauty to lure the dog tribe and are willing to be deceived."

"It's a bit despicable for the fox demon clan to use such means."

"There was once a wolf king who thought the dogs were his compatriots and tried to awaken them, but he was killed by the dogs instead."

"This is probably why the dog tribe has such an end."

Chu Wujiang knew that the fox clan was draining the blood and tears of the dog clan, but the fox clan seldom used magic on the dog clan, and the dog clan was not shackled.

Such a race can only be said to have brought it upon themselves.

Ji Nishang nodded:
"Then can I recapture them and make them serve my husband?"

As she spoke, Ji Nishang stood up and shouted to the dog tribe in Tucheng:
"Poor dog people, if you want to kneel, kneel to me."

In an instant, the entire Tu City fell silent.

(End of this chapter)