Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 423 Taking Root (Part )

———— Chongmingzong Council Hall

Pei Yi didn't know that he was being targeted at this moment. He was listening to the speech of the head of Kangda in the main seat with some fatigue.

"Old Ye, how many families have you recruited this time?"

Ye Zhengwen replied, “This time, a total of 467 spiritual places of various levels have been opened up, including one second-level middle-grade spiritual place, Yehu Mountain, six second-level low-grade spiritual places, 126 first-level spiritual places of various levels, and 334 near-spiritual places.

The second-level middle-grade spiritual land, Yehushan, was reserved for the main sect. Among the six second-level lower-grade spiritual lands, Qiaogongbao and Hemudao each occupied one. In addition, the brothers of the Yezhou Yang family were newly recruited to settle in one. One of them was prepared for the use of Tang Guming's family according to what the senior brother said.

As for the remaining two second-level spiritual veins, the heads of the three families, the He family of Hong County, the Ma family of Chang County, and the Lu family of Cai Shi, have also approached me, all wanting to spend a lot of money to get one. Junior brother dare not agree, and needs the decision of the head brother.

According to the master's words "better to have nothing than to have something of inferior quality", 93 of the 126 first-grade spiritual lands have been distributed, leaving 10 first-grade upper-grade spiritual lands, 8 first-grade middle-grade spiritual lands, and 8 first-grade lower-grade spiritual lands. These days, Junior Brother will carefully screen the candidates and will not let these spiritual lands remain vacant for too long.

In addition, there are seven first-level spiritual lands with ready-made production, half of which are mineral veins and half of which are spiritual treasures, and the grades are not bad. According to what the head brother said, these seven spiritual lands are also reserved for personal use.

Junior brother has already set up a task in the Good Deeds Hall, recruiting a disciple in the late stage of Qi training or above in each spiritual place to be the general manager. Junior brother Niu Kuangniu will then be in charge of the overall situation, and report the gains to the Baiyi Hall in Jiachou Military Camp every month.

As for the last three hundred or so spiritual places, they were all distributed. The people who recruited these spiritual places were all small households and solitary cultivators, most of whom were honest and loyal.

But there are indeed some rebellious ones among them, but they are all people with some skills, and it would be a pity not to recruit them. Therefore, the junior brother has given them a good beating beforehand, and will pay close attention to their performance in the future. Even if they are unruly, I think they will not be able to make any waves. "

"Well," the head of Kangda nodded, and then said, "How much bail did we get back this time?"

Ye Zhengwen took out another jade slip and examined it for a while before answering, "The total is 165,553 spiritual stones, one broken spiritual particle, and 100 gold. 70% of it is paid in cash and mortgaged, and 30% is loaned from Chongming House."

Many disciples in the hall gasped in shock when they heard this number. I'm afraid that many of the old and prosperous sects in the nearby states can't come up with this number.

Kang Dabao was not surprised after hearing this, he just asked: "Old Ye, can you estimate the rent and labor service money again? How much did you collect?"

Ye Zhengwen thought about it before saying, "We have calculated before that the land purchase fee is 12,000 spirit stones per year, and it will be collected after half a century, and there will be no increase.

As for the rest, if every family can produce normally on the spiritual land, then the rent and labor service money in the first one or two years may be around 4,000 to 5,000, and it can be doubled in three to five years. After ten years, it should be over 30,000 per year. "

Yuan Jin narrowed his eyes and said aloud: "This is far more than what is available in Ping and Jin counties." However, he also knew that it was impossible for Chongming Sect to take all the spiritual stones away.

The high-ranking officials of the provincial court all sat on the sidelines while the Mingzong was engaged in a fierce battle, but once they saw that there were spiritual stones to be taken, they could not take their eyes away.

In fact, don't think that you can get much benefit just because Kang Da is in charge of Ping and Jin counties.

In the past one or two years, Zhu Tong has been keeping a close eye on these familiar places that have entered the map of the David Immortal Dynasty. Every year, Chongming Sect is considered lucky if it can use various means to get a share of one or two thousand spirit stones from the profits that come to its hands.

If you really go too far, the provincial government's demon-correcting department might come and lock you up in jail.

"Based on Zhu Tong's personality, he should at least collect a 31 tax, right?" Pei Yi felt heartbroken just thinking about it.

"Junior Brother Pei may have thought too highly of him," Kang Dabao sneered, and then said, "Let me think of a way to deal with the rent, labor service and taxes first, and we'll discuss it later.

We will first use the money we have collected to pay off the spiritual stones we have previously paid from the treasuries of Ping and Jin counties, and then divide the remaining amount into seven parts. Keep three for yourself, one for Madam Qi, one for my Yue family, one for Wuwei Tower, and one for Old Ye. You can draft a charter and divide it equally among the families."

Ye Zhengwen frowned and said, "Wuwei Tower and Madam Qi may not accept it."

"But we have to send them off," the head of Kangda Sect did not give Ye Zhengwen another chance to argue. He just casually called Yuan Jinli to the hall and said, "Second Brother, have you trained your Qingjue Guards?"

The latter looked somewhat embarrassed and said, "Brother, the sect still does not have enough disciples. We can only spare less than 200 men."

"Well, it's hard for you. I understand. Pass the order down. For the sect's Ascension Conference in the next three years, the upper age limit for the eligible children of the root seedling family will be changed from eight to nine, and the rule of 'if either of the biological parents is a cultivator, then the child cannot be married' will be suspended.

The upper limit of the bone age of the remaining participants was changed from twelve to thirteen, and the heart-searching formation level was suspended. Those with four spiritual roots or above without any serious flaws could enter the sect. However, "

Kang Dabao looked around and found Ye Yaoling. He called her out and said, "After these disciples enter Yulin Hall, they need to be more careful and not indulge themselves in any way."

Ye Yaoling didn't know how many years it would take for her to have the opportunity to be lectured to by Master Kang alone, so she did not dare to neglect it and agreed immediately.

Pei Yi pondered over what Kang Dabao said for a while, and followed Ye Yaoling out of the line and responded, "Junior Brother, as the elder who teaches the skills, will also take this matter seriously and will not cause trouble to Senior Brother, the head of the sect."

Kang Dabao shook his head again, suppressed the pain in his eyes, and then said: "Junior Brother Pei, you are too serious. The children should do what they should do. Don't look down on them. Junior Brother, you should still be in charge of the overall situation. Don't worry too much about this matter. It is right to prepare for the foundation."

After talking with Pei and Ye again, Kang Dabao realized that this action would be of little use.

The Chongming Sect rose too fast, and among the nearby foundation-building forces, there were not many disciples. Last time, nearly a hundred people were killed or injured in the Jackdaw Mountains, so they were even more stretched to the limit.

Then the head of the Kang clan spoke out again: "For the garrison of the Jiachou military camp, we will use 100 Qingjue guards as the backbone, and ask each family in the alliance to gather another battalion of 500 soldiers. In addition, the rural soldiers of Ping and Jin counties must also select 100 elite soldiers each, and rotate them every year."

"That means we have to build a barracks for several hundred soldiers. The annual cost will be quite high. Add to that the annual salary, equipment loss, and elixirs and magic tools."

Before Pei Yi had even finished calculating the bill, Ye Zhengwen frowned and said bluntly, "The annual expenditure is probably over ten thousand. We can hardly get this much spiritual stone in Tanggu County in a year."

Kang Dabao still showed no sign of worry, but said calmly:
"No problem. The soldiers in Ping and Jin counties can use their own public funds. As for the expenses of the other families, they will all be paid from the annual income, which is only about 6,000 to 7,000 spirit stones. Moreover, even if the 100 Qingjue guards stay in the sect, they still need to spend the sect's public funds. It is better to pay for this public account."

This amount was indeed not too high compared to the previously estimated gains, so the issue of maintaining the army was resolved.

However, regarding the matter of the spiritual stone vein in Tanggu County that was just mentioned, Ye Zhengwen had something else to say: "Master, since the Tie family was transferred to Laoniu Mountain in Baisha County, the spiritual stone vein in Tanggu County has been managed by the Yunwei Zheng family.

At first, our shares were distributed as usual. Then, last year, Zifenggu and the Shan family were eliminated one after another. Then this fall, the Zheng family kicked out even the Shujian Sect and the Hemu Dao.

At present, only our Chongming Sect and Zheng Family still have income from the Lingshi Mine. We still have 20%, but his family has eaten up the share of Uncle Hei Lu, and has taken a full 80%. "

Kang Dabao apparently didn't care much about the Yunwei Zheng family's taking more than their share of the spiritual stone mines, and there wasn't even a hint of anger in his eyes.

He only said in a deep voice: "Right now my family is still an eyesore in the eyes of many senior officials in the provincial court. Don't become enemies with the Yunwei Zheng family because of this matter. His family had some connections in Gyeonggi Province before, and could barely establish some friendships with many senior cultivators." Jiang Qing said with a dark face: "But the Zheng family's greed is too ugly." It's not that he cares so much about the 15% share of the Heilu Taoist in the spirit stone mine, but he simply doesn't like others touching the latter's things.

Kang Dabao also shook his head: "I heard that his family used to be humble in Gyeonggi Province. After coming to Yunjiaozhou and earning a lot of hard work at the cost of their own children's lives, they have now established a firm foothold and are finally able to hold their heads high. It is naturally difficult to stop them."

Yuan Jin's tone was also much lower, and he only said: "Uncle Ming Hui also said before that the Zheng family was exploiting Tanggu County severely, and even ignored us several times and wanted to take action against the Ming family."

"I have also heard about this matter, so I have planned a place for the Ming family in the Jackdaw Mountains." Now that a lot of spiritual land has been newly opened up and there are a myriad of things to do, Master Kang really has no time to spare. This is definitely not the time to provoke the Zheng family, which is poor in the capital.

Kang Dabao pondered for a while, then said:

"Old Ye, go outside and see if you can find a middleman of sufficient weight. According to the contract signed by the state court, the time limit for the mining of the spiritual stone veins in Tanggu County by the various families in the New Cloud Alliance should end in the spring of the 460th year of Qianfeng. There are still about six years from now, and my family can get 36,000 spiritual stones.

Now, after you find the middleman, Old Ye, ask him to ask the person in charge of the Zheng family, if they don't want our share of the spiritual stone mine for 25,000 spiritual stones?"

"Master, do you think that the Zheng family might want to squeeze our Chongming Sect out as well?" After Pei Yi spoke, all the cultivators in the hall looked unhappy.

The head of the Kang family remained calm and said, "Don't worry about him. Anyway, we are in urgent need of spiritual stones to do things. If the Zheng family is willing to accept it, it would be a good thing.

If the Zheng family is willing to buy it, Third Brother, go ask Uncle Ming Hui if he is willing to sell the Xuelin Mountain clan land to the Zheng family?! I think it is just a first-level spiritual land. Even if the Ming family has lived here for generations and is quite familiar with it, it shouldn’t be too difficult to give it up. "

Jiang Qing came out to greet him, and Zhou Yixiu shook his head after hearing this: "We in Chongming Sect don't have such scarce spiritual stones. It's because our head brother has set the compensation for those independent cultivators too high.

One hundred spirit stones for one life, how can most casual cultivators be worth this price?! This amount of money can buy two good Qi training furnaces in the market."

It seemed that the cultivators in the hall had no idea that Zhou Yixiu knew so much about the prices of furnaces and tripods, and their expressions varied. However, several fellow disciples were pleased that he was still strong and healthy despite his old age.

After Kang Dabao coughed dryly, he did not discuss with Zhou Yixiu, who was born as a casual cultivator, whether the lives of casual cultivators were worthless or not. He just said, "Junior Brother Zhou, have you arranged to go to Yehu Mountain to open up the spiritual farm?"

When talking about his own serious business, the playful look on Zhou Yixiu's face suddenly faded:
"It will take about half a year for Rongquan to change his cultivation method. During this time, Junior Brother can take Mo Ku and other junior masters to try it out first. It will definitely not delay Senior Brother's cultivation."

Hearing Zhou Yixiu's confidence, Sect Master Kang had no reason to worry, but he reminded him, "After this is done, Junior Brother Zhou will temporarily stay in Jiachou Military Camp to manage Baiyi Hall and Chongming Branch Building. Your Third Senior Brother can't do this better than you, so please pay more attention to it."

"Don't worry, Master Brother. It is your duty to share the worries of the sect."

"Junior brother, it's hard work."

"The second-level spiritual land, Yehu Mountain, will be garrisoned there temporarily by the second brother with another hundred Qingjue guards. There is no need to build anything large for the time being. When things here are settled, I will come to look for you."

Yuan Jin stepped out in response: "Junior brother, I understand."

Kang Dabao nodded, and then he scanned the disciples one by one, and then he said seriously: "Don't underestimate the number of the more than 400 families newly recruited in Jackdaw Mountain. It is more than double the 194 well-known Taoist families in Ping and Jin counties.

However, it has been more than a thousand years since the various sacred places in Jackdaw Mountain were abandoned by the mountain barbarians, the immortal dynasties, and the great sects. This is a truly wild and untamed place, where poisonous insects and monsters must appear frequently.

If these 400 households had not had the assistance of the Jiachou Army and the Baiyi Hall, they would have ended up like their ancestors who abandoned this place and fled in desperation. "

Opening up spiritual land is not an easy task. Those high-level cultivators who thought it was easy in the past did not know this truth.

Even if the spiritual rice seeds are planted in the spiritual fields, they still need to be weeded, fertilized, drained and insects killed.

These small families who came to apply for the job without knowing the local environment are just like dry rice seeds. How can they grow well on their own once they fall into the soil?

These high-ranking monks only hoped for a good harvest, but they paid no attention to the seeds, so it was difficult for them to get a good harvest.
These high-ranking cultivators did not know how to place straw men on this empty spiritual field to scare away the birds, so the few remaining grains of rice were eaten up.

Kang Dabao set up the Baiyi Hall in the Jiachou military camp, which not only provided many conveniences for these small families, but also brought great benefits to the disciples of Chongming who practiced a hundred arts.

Not only can they gain experience and profound skills in the process, but they can also obtain good deeds and spiritual stones as resources for future practice. It is truly a win-win situation.

This is even more true for the branch buildings of Chongming Tower. Even if these independent cultivators are very poor, how can this exclusive business not make money?

There are at least three or four hundred households around here, and everything is scarce. If Chongming Tower and Baiyitang don't find ways to earn the spirit stones from them, then they will have to let others make the money.

The head of Kang Dabao spent a lot of time on these families, and the measures he formulated were generous and tolerant. This was not because Kang Dabao was kind-hearted, but it was not reasonable to swing the sickle before the crops were ripe.
According to what Master Kang thought, within the next half century, his tolerant attitude towards the people in the Jackdaw Mountains would not change.

The various rare treasures in Chongming Tower can be sold at a low price, and the fees for various items requested in Baiyi Hall can also be reduced or waived.

Even some of the crude and messy inheritance of the middle and lower grades of the wild class, Kang Dabao also asked Ye Zhengwen to sort them out and annotate them. This is not worth mentioning for a family with a little inheritance, but for those casual cultivators who really find it difficult to find the true method, it may be considered a treasure.

As for such "treasures" within the Jackdaw Mountain, Sect Leader Kang also intends to let Chongming Tower offer them at a relatively fair price, so that those independent cultivators would spend all their fortunes to buy them back.

Not only that, the Chongming Sect will even select true disciples to give lectures outside Yehu Mountain every month, and select a foundation-building elder to give a confusing lecture every year.

This is to win the hearts of the people and to slowly expand this blood bank that belongs exclusively to Chongming Sect! !

Their spiritual fields will become more and more fertile, and their production will become more and more abundant; their storage bags will become fuller and fuller, and their purchases will become more and more generous; their families will become more and more prosperous, and their monks will become more and more numerous; their cultivation will become higher and higher, and the military formations organized by Chongming Sect will become stronger and stronger; Chongming Sect's enemies will become more and more afraid and more and more painful because of this.
After all, no matter how kindhearted Master Kang appears to be, he still has the nature of a traveling merchant. He will not be so merciful as to give these poor little people free benefits.

However, if this idea is realized in the future, it will also be a double-edged sword. But the head of Kang Da is also confident that he can hold the sword very steadily. This sword will only become sharper and sharper, and he will definitely not be able to kill him!

The sandalwood ashes fell to the ground in the hall. The barely perceptible sound brought Kang Dabao back from his thoughts. When he spoke again, his tone became heavier:
“Everyone in Chongming Sect must remember that if these small sects and independent cultivators run away, we cannot occupy these places alone, and we will not be able to take back the large amount of spiritual stones we have loaned out.

And I will repeat it again: 'I, the Chongming Emperor, cannot have a bastard from the Yanei family. Don't take his life so lightly! '"

"Yes!"

As soon as the meeting was over, Sect Leader Kang did not even take a rest and went straight to Qinghan Courtyard to look for Fei Shuhe.

(By the way, do you really think that the chapters of Taking Roots are too boring? In fact, it was quite tiring to write them. You can speak up. If most readers really think that they are too boring, I will end this chapter as soon as possible.)
(End of this chapter)