Cut off my army's food supplies? I'll open a portal between the two worlds and max out my

Increase taxes.

This word is too heavy for the young emperor.

Because the late emperor had promised the people of the Great Zhou that he would not raise taxes by a single cent within five years!

When the late emperor announced this decree, the whole country was in an uproar.

Everyone says that the Great Zhou has welcomed a good emperor, and that the late emperor will lead the Great Zhou back to glory, just like the founding emperor!

The late emperor has been dead for less than two years, and if taxes are increased now... The young emperor, sweating profusely, sat weakly on the dragon throne.

Grand Secretary Ding was not in a hurry. Instead, he said softly from the side, "Your Majesty, this old minister knows that this method goes against the late emperor's last wishes... However, if this matter is accomplished, it will win the hearts of 300,000 soldiers in the border army."

Grand Secretary Ding's words instantly made the young emperor stand up again. He widened his eyes and asked, "Father, will those soldiers truly remember my kindness?"

A look of disdain for military men flashed in Grand Secretary Ding's eyes as he bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, what are these common soldiers doing in the army? It's nothing more than profit. The national treasury is currently in deficit, and we cannot reward the border troops. If Your Majesty were to take the lead in raising funds, the border troops would be rewarded. Once those common soldiers have money in their hands, they will naturally think of Your Majesty's kindness."

Grand Secretary Ding's words were very tempting and exactly what the young emperor wanted.

Grand Secretary Ding knew very well that the young emperor's constant commotion was simply a desire to gain more prestige, so that he could legitimately seize power from the Empress Dowager.

The young emperor paced anxiously back and forth in the imperial study.

Grand Secretary Ding finally advised, "Your Majesty, if the late Emperor were here, he would surely act decisively. Suffering for the people of Great Zhou will bring stability to its borders. This matter cannot be approached with hesitation..."

"good!"

The words "the late emperor" spurred the young emperor, who promptly agreed.

But after the initial excitement, the cold reality hit him hard: "But Father, the power of the court is now in the hands of the Empress Dowager. Although I am the Emperor of the Great Zhou... I can't say much of a useful word."

The young emperor wore a forlorn expression.

Grand Secretary Ding had already made arrangements, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry. This old minister will go back and draft the edict for you. The day after tomorrow, when you go to court, you only need to bring up this idea, and all the civil and military officials in the court will naturally stand behind you. Even if the Empress Dowager strongly opposes it, this matter can be made a fait accompli."

Grand Secretary Ding spoke with great confidence. He knew very well that raising taxes would also benefit the military officials. No one had brought it up before because no one dared to defy the late emperor's rules. Now that the young emperor was taking the lead, even the military officials would surely support him, just like him.

"That's wonderful! Thank you, Prime Minister!"

The young emperor expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

He ascended the throne at the age of ten and had never experienced the feeling of being supported by civil and military officials.

The young emperor thought to himself, "If I have the support of all the civil and military officials, I can become an independent emperor in the future!"

There is no longer a need for an empress to rule from behind the curtain during court sessions.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As soon as Li Wen returned to the modern world and picked up his phone, it rang.

"Hey! Brother Li! The goods are ready, where should I deliver them to you?"

Even through the phone, Li Wen could hear the weariness in Liu Xing's voice.

"So fast?"

Li Wen was somewhat surprised.

"I worked overtime with the workers for three days."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Li Wen told Liu Xing the address of the warehouse.

"Okay, it should take about half an hour to deliver."

"Thanks for your hard work."

After hanging up the phone, Li Wen came to the industrial park himself and temporarily hired two porters for two hundred yuan. The armor produced by Liu Xing's factory wasn't heavy, but there were many of them.

Before Li Wen had to wait long, an unfamiliar large truck pulled up in front of Li Wen's warehouse.

The driver got out with the form and asked, "Are you Manager Li?"

Li checked the order number against the receipt, and after confirming that everything was in order, he started having the workers help unload the goods.

In less than an hour and a half, all the armor was moved into the warehouse.

After paying the workers, Li Wen gave each of them a pack of cigarettes. Before leaving, the two workers even voluntarily cleaned up the area in front of the door.

After everyone left, Li Wen closed the warehouse door.

He took out a long knife from the corner; it was something Li Wen had brought from the military camp.

Li Wen opened a suit of armor; the limbs were connected by riveted chains, and the torso section incorporated a stab-proof vest.

"Click!"

Li Wen slashed down with his sword, sparks flying everywhere.

The armor is fine.

Li Wen then tested the stab-proof vest's durability and found that it was difficult for cold weapons to penetrate its defenses.

This is enough.

After Li Wen stopped, he covered the armor with his hands and then transported the armor to the Anxi military camp warehouse in batches.

Li Wen opened the double-passage door in the warehouse this time.

The military barracks warehouse is now a restricted area. Without Li Wen's order, no one is allowed to come over even if it's on fire.

After the armor was delivered, Li Wen felt a little dizzy. He ate a chocolate bar and drank some water before he felt better.

After changing his clothes, Li Wen walked out of the warehouse.

"General!"

Jiang Tian, ​​who was in the distance, came over as soon as he saw Li Wen come out.

Li Wen said, "Jiang Tian, ​​have you chosen the hundred men I asked you to select?"

Jiang Tian replied, "General! The selection has been made!"

Li Wen nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very good. Now, take your men and distribute all one hundred suits of armor inside. Once everyone is dressed, assemble at the training ground!"

"Yes, General!"

Jiang Tian felt his body begin to feel excited.

Now that the Anxi army is living a comfortable life, he feels a little uncomfortable. The long-awaited battle is about to begin, and his body is starting to get excited involuntarily.

Jiang Tian's situation is not an isolated case.

The Anxi soldiers were very excited upon receiving the order.

After Jiang Tian distributed the armor that Li Wen had prepared, everyone gathered at the training ground in the time it takes to drink two cups of tea.

It is now night.

The faces of the Anxi soldiers, illuminated by the firelight, all showed a healthy rosy hue.

Seeing this scene, Li Wen was very gratified. Back when he first transmigrated, the soldiers of the Anxi Army were so hungry that they were barely recognizable as human.

Seeing this, Li Wen said with satisfaction, "Very good, I am very satisfied. It seems that everyone has been eating well these days."

Upon hearing their general's words, some of the soldiers present had tears in their eyes.

They knew very well that the good life they had now was all thanks to the general's leadership.

Li Wen said sternly, "I won't waste any more time on nonsense. The tactics were all arranged this afternoon. Now I only have one requirement, and you must meet it. Do you understand?"

Li Wen's last question was a shout.

"Listen carefully!"

The crowd answered in unison, their momentum unstoppable.

Li Wen smiled.

"Good, very energetic."

"I have only one request: give me back the same number of people who went out!"

"Jiang Tian! If you return with even one less brother, I will court-martial you."

Li Wen's words carried an undeniable air of authority.

Everyone present knew perfectly well that the general was treating them like family.

"Yes, General!"

Jiang Tian pounded his chest with his hand and answered with all his might.