Chapter 993 - 842: Willing to Sign a Military Pledge (Part 2)

Armor serves as weaponry, while a green robe and official cap are formal attire for ceremonial occasions.

Below five cloud patterns is a gray robe; above five clouds is a green robe, meaning this type of green robe is issued only at the level of City Lord and above.

Further up, at the golden armor level is a vermilion robe, and above five clouds in the golden armor is a purple robe.

After trying on the ceremonial attire, which fit quite well since it was tailor-made, Shi Chun gazed at himself in the mirror, his mind awash with thoughts, recalling the days of bitter survival in the Land of Exile, never imagining he would see a day like this.

But... he suddenly laughed at himself, "Who knows how many days I can still wear these clothes."

Feng Chi flattered him, saying, "You can wear them for as many days as you like; the Master decides."

Shi Chun dismissed it with a smile, and began to take off the clothes, feeling it more prudent to wear his Treasure Robe, though he still fastened the belt denoting his rank around his waist.

This is also the usual attire for Heavenly Court officials: the standardized wear is for formal contexts, while personally preferred attire is worn at leisure. In some situations where one doesn't want to reveal their identity, they might not even wear the Cloud Belt.

Feng Chi, assisting nearby, had a calm expression, seemingly unworried about the present crisis, calmly reporting the tasks handled...

The next day, on the first official day of Xun Gate's opening, the exit was crowded with a dense mass of people.

As the gate opened, an uncountable number of people surged outside in a grand exodus, mostly those from the Southern Region, Western Region, and Northern Region, all beaming with joy.

Many had been imprisoned for a lengthy period; after release, they were sent here to struggle hard, and now having achieved success and fame, they received a substantial sum of money and were granted leave. With Xun Gate directly leading to the prosperous Heavenly Capital, it was only natural for them to go out and spend.

Except for a few on duty, the majority rushed out as soon as they could, not having to pay to pass through their directly administered Xun Gate.

On the other side of Xun Gate, a large number of people had gathered, mostly artisans of various trades assembled by the Heavenly Court.

Besides them were a group of people in splendid attire, like Young Master Nan and his friends, who were well-informed and knew Xun Gate leading to the Heavenly Domain officially opened today, thus they had arrived early, Duan Xiangmei was also brought along.

There were also many who were unafraid to spend money on travel, wishing to venture in for a glimpse of what the Heavenly Domain was like.

As soon as it opened, a continuous stream of people emerged, running about with cheerful faces, looking somewhat disheveled yet festively spirited.

In the Central of Heavenly Domain, Mo Hei, holding documents, entered a chamber, placed items on Manxi's desk and reminded, "Domain Master, Xun Gate opened, numerous people rushed out; I inquired, they said they received money and leave, intending to go out and purchase necessities."

Manxi, perusing a Jade Scroll, scoffed, "What little ambition. It's understandable, many have been confined too long, experienced ordeals here, having received funds they indeed have an urgent need to shop, nothing extraordinary."

Mo Hei reminded once again: "I inquired, most are from the Southern, Western, and Northern Regions' forces, they said all three departments granted them full five-year salaries at once."

"..." Manxi raised his head astonished, stunned for a moment before asking, "How much?"

Mo Hei: "Five years, the full amount at once; I asked some individuals, some received nearly a million gold at once."

Manxi doubted, "Did they advance so many salaries due to any special circumstance?"

Mo Hei: "Domain Master, it wasn't just a few special allocations, I contacted and confirmed it was the entire Southern, Western, and Northern Regions' forces, from top to bottom, every last person was advanced five full years of salary."

"..." Manxi was dumbfounded, mentally calculating the amount dispersed, after figuring it out, he gasped, "Where did they get so much money for salaries?"

Mo Hei shook his head, "I don't know. Those embedded in the three departments couldn't uncover that, but imagining such enormous funds, Domain Master, could they have used the funds meant for establishing and developing cities?"

Currently, all departments' personnel are in a disorderly state, corresponding monitoring systems haven't been established yet, we're somewhat in the dark regarding local details.

Manxi dismissed it, "Impossible, funds for city development were allocated at thirty billion per department, with this kind of expenditure, even two hundred and fifty billion wouldn't suffice, the remaining funds wouldn't be enough."

Mo Hei queried, "Even if they had the money, I refuse to believe they could spend such a huge sum from their own pockets; no one could do that, the amount is just enormously vast, aside from that allocated fund, I can't imagine where else they'd get such money."

Thinking it over, after pacing back and forth behind his desk, Manxi snorted, "Three departments acting in unison, it must have been instigated by Shi Chun; summon Shi Chun to see me immediately."

"Yes." Mo Hei received the order to execute.

There were too many people leaving the Heavenly Domain, added with the necessary identity card checks, so when Shi Chun arrived at the Domain Mansion's central area, the departures weren't even complete.

After paying respects to the Domain Master, without any formalities, Manxi bluntly inquired about the origin of the funds, Shi Chun disclosed truthfully.

Manxi and Mo Hei, along with other central staff, were all startled.

Upon recovery, Manxi asked gravely, "Why did you give them a five-year salary all at once?"

Shi Chun sighed immediately, "After a great war, too many were injured; how many could I aid with my own funds? I didn't have so many spiritual pills for them; many, before their status transition, were prisoners, with no belongings, coming to me for resources—how many could I satisfy? Domain Master, we hold high posts; they are contributors to our cause, how could we neglect them? After much consideration, I realized giving too little wouldn't address their immediate needs, hence after discussions we decided to grant them five years' worth all at once to first meet their basic requirements."

Manxi was speechless, unable to rebuke that reasoning, he only queried, "How much remains from your department's funds for establishing and developing cities?"

Shi Chun replied, "About three billion."

Manxi responded sternly, "The cornerstone of a city is the City Defense Array, also the most expensive; just one array costs about two billion. Your capital city, plus nine subsidiary cities, totaling ten cities, would need around twenty billion, plus forces stationed at posts everywhere requiring constructions—what can you accomplish with three billion? Will you secure a place for yourself and disregard others completely?"

Shi Chun hastened to explain, "No, Domain Master, I'm also stretching every penny; now, funds are tight, so I'll forego building my residence, I can make do at other cities. Just this alone saves over two billion. Of course, if the constructing merchants could allow credit, then we'd owe first and repay it as subsequent salaries are released in installments."

Manxi couldn't be pleased, bursting into cursing, "Nonsense! Your department alone has a shortfall of over two hundred billion; collectively, you three departments face a gap exceeding seven or eight hundred billion. Currently, the Heavenly Domain lacks revenue, who in the Cultivation World could, or would let you incur such a debt?"

Shi Chun cupped his hands and stated, "Please calm down, Domain Master. People are adaptable, they won't be trapped by minor setbacks; if those merchants are strictly unwilling to give credit, there's no problem. Given the high cost of constructing the City Defense Array, and present budget constraints, we'll simply delay building it for now. The area is currently desolate, desolate mountains and wilderness, not even a mouse to steal food, with or without a defense array it makes little difference. Let the troops patrol diligently; they've received five years of salary, I'm sure they'll offer more effort without protest. At least there's no need to pay wages for five years, by the time subsequent salaries issue, we can gradually sort these problems out. For now, addressing the brothers' immediate needs takes priority. Domain Master, you previously stated that the matters of city establishment and development were left entirely for each department to decide on their own; it's based on this that we dared to take such independent actions."

Manxi scolded, "Did you make decisions to the extent that there's not even a defense array? Without fundamental guarantees, how will we attract residents, who would come?"

Shi Chun stood upright declaring, "I'm willing to issue a military order, should less than thirty million people be introduced in a year, I will accept any punishment!"

This was his assurance, knowing the outcome would be the same even if he couldn't accomplish it.