They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 30 Where can you make money faster than scamming subsidies?

Hozuki Shingetsu's plan to win over the daimyo was actually quite simple: to make a biographical film praising him.

There's a widely circulated saying from the past: "It's better to talk more than to do more, and better to write well than to do well." This can basically be considered an unspoken rule for career advancement.

Among those who joined the company at the same time, some people are able to vividly describe their mundane tasks as various urgent, difficult, and dangerous missions. Those with high emotional intelligence and good relationships with their superiors are often among the first to be promoted.

The same applies in the ninja world.

The reason why the daimyo was so hostile towards Kirigakure was that when the Second Mizukage took office, he felt that Kirigakure had offended him without asking permission. So why not just make up for it?

How to fix it?

A biographical film that comprehensively records the growth and struggle of the Daimyo, leading the Land of Water from weakness to strength, from poverty to prosperity, highlighting the Daimyo's wisdom, bravery, and domineering presence. I ask you, can you let the Daimyo feel the full sincerity of Hozuki Shingetsu?

No?

If that doesn't work, then increase the stakes!

Then in the movie, focus on belittling the daimyo of other countries, highlight the harsh international situation on the Land of Water, and emphasize the dramatic changes in the Land of Water before and after the daimyo took office. If all else fails, you can add some LSP (Likely referring to a character from a popular Chinese novel or TV show) plots that the masses enjoy!

After all, for those in high positions, there are only two things they seek: profit during their lifetime and fame after their death.

During his lifetime, as the Daimyo of the Land of Water, he had already reached the pinnacle of achievement unless he could unify the ninja world. But his posthumous fame is a different story altogether. Of all the Daimyo in history, how many are truly remembered unless they have made irreplaceable contributions?

Leaving aside distant examples, let's talk about the previous daimyo of the Land of Water. Who knows what he did?

As an ordinary contemporary daimyo of the Land of Water, who was worried about his reputation after death, this movie was delivered to his doorstep. From then on, the people of the Land of Water could admire his past achievements through movies. Who wouldn't be confused after watching this?

As for whether this is the truth... who cares? After all, how much of what everyone is spreading is actually true?

When they are overjoyed, why would the Daimyo cut the military budget of Kirigakure? With just one move, the dilemma can be resolved. Isn't that wonderful?

As for whether Ren will find another reason to withhold the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' funding afterward... sorry, Hozuki Shingetsu can put his hands in his pockets and loudly tell Ren, "What's the point of village funding if you can't cheat the government out of subsidies?"

With this movie as a foundation, Hozuki Shingetsu can then reveal at the right time that he wants to polish a high-quality movie for the daimyo's sixtieth birthday. He has enough manpower, but is slightly short of funds. Wouldn't the daimyo be generous enough to contribute?

By starting with one example, and given the current daimyo's reputation for boasting, wouldn't he be more than willing to promote this movie in the ninja world? When the daimyo of various countries see it, they'll think, "Wow, even a big-eyed guy with thick eyebrows who doesn't do anything productive can make a movie like this. How can those of us who have actually accomplished something not have one?"

If Hozuki Shingetsu takes the opportunity to establish some offshore film companies, and secretly reveals that he can outsource to the original crew of the biopic of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, then the funds will flow into his hands.

After all, what the rich and powerful love most, and what they fear most, is comparison. If you have something that others don't, then comparison is inevitable; but if you have something that others don't, then you'll definitely be forced to compare yourself to others.

Therefore, this wave represents the correct approach to opening up the ninja world's cinematic landscape today.

However, the above plan is not to be told to outsiders. So, all outsiders can see is the current star of Kirigakure walking out of the Mizukage's office with a smug face. Then, with the Mizukage's active promotion, everyone knows about the problem that this foreign affairs officer is facing.

The rest were alright, but the issue of military spending truly affected everyone in the village, so someone couldn't hold back any longer and went to Hozuki Shingetsu to confirm the situation. After receiving a positive reply, all the departments were in despair, racking their brains to prevent their own funding from being cut, and trying to figure out how to avoid the cuts going to other departments.

But after thinking it over, I realized that everyone here is a cunning individual. If one department suddenly spends the budget, creating the illusion that departmental expenses are too high to be cut, another department will retaliate by reporting you for misappropriating public funds. This department will immediately launch many new projects, trying to create a fait accompli to hold the village hostage to continue allocating funds next year, while that department will dare to directly steal your accounting books.

In short, after everyone had gone around attacking, they suddenly realized that there was actually another department that could be a target. The Foreign Affairs Department, which had previously been neglected, was overlooked when funding was plentiful. Furthermore, the remarkable achievements made by Hozuki Shingetsu after taking over the Foreign Affairs Department led everyone to subconsciously ignore it.

But given the current situation, who cares about anyone else when it comes to sacrificing a friend for oneself? Anyway, there are only a few people in the Foreign Affairs Department, and the Hozuki clan is wealthy and powerful, so they can just pay for it themselves. In addition, some people were also driven by jealousy, so everyone unceremoniously turned their anger towards the Foreign Affairs Department.

However, they were clever enough not to confront them directly, but instead used a strategy of flattery to praise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' achievements. They claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' actions had thrown the ninja world into chaos, resulting in a much better international environment for Kirigakure, which they said they only needed to maintain next year; and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' frequent actions had created a subtle trend of targeting Kirigakure in the ninja world, suggesting that things should be quieter in the coming years, etc.

The goal is the same: their own funding cannot be cut. If they have to cut it, then they should cut the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' funding!

"A bunch of rabble!"

After receiving the secret report, Hozuki Shingetsu sneered, completely ignoring these clowns.

Funding? Only incompetent people rely on government grants to survive. A bunch of people just keep calculating over the few buns in the pot. How can you expect to live a life of luxury if you don't have a sharp mind?

He shook his head and began to organize his plans for the coming period.

The current situation in the ninja world is extremely volatile, with war potentially breaking out at any moment. The "continental balance strategy" has already shown initial success. Considering the actual circumstances of Kirigakure, this "continental balance strategy" is completely different from that of the previous era.

According to Hozuki Shingetsu's plan, the purpose of his "continental balance strategy" was to make the other four major countries, including the Land of Fire, believe that Kirigakure was not strong enough and could only maintain its presence by relying on these conspiracies and tricks.

In other words, by using a high-profile approach in the realm of public opinion to expose its "weakness," it can conceal its secret recuperation and development. Ideally, it can leave the impression that Kirigakure has no ambition whatsoever, but is only stirring up trouble in the ninja world out of fear of being invaded by other countries.

If this impression can be successfully established, then Hozuki Shingetsu's goal will be achieved.

Well, so far, everything is going smoothly.

Besides, there are still more than two months until the New Year, and the most important thing right now is definitely going to the capital to meet the daimyo. In the meantime, Hozuki Shingetsu plans to have the film industry professionals polish the film based on the script he provided.

As a crucial part of the Hozuki New Moon Project, the fate of the situation hinges entirely on this film. Therefore, it certainly can't be rushed like the previous film, "30 Years a Slave." It needs to be even more refined in terms of filming techniques, costumes, and props.

Fortunately, one good thing about making movies in the ninja world is that you don't need to find actors. You can just use a transformation jutsu to create any kind of actor you want, saving you the trouble of makeup. Add in some real ninjutsu special effects, and Hozuki Shingetsu can already imagine the expression on the daimyo's face when he sees this movie, "The Daimyo's Splendor."

(End of this chapter)