Iron Dynasty Chapter 1043

“Your Majesty, what should we do now?”

Wang Xuan scratched his head in frustration too, unable to resist seeking Xiao Ming's opinion on the matter.

“Indeed, conquering an empire proves simple, yet ruling it is far harder.” Xiao Ming sighed, shaking his head in resignation.

He had previously believed that toppling a nation would fix everything, letting him plunder its resources freely. Reality now revealed that folks across the world held their own thoughts, a fact beyond his control.

These conquered individuals, once forming their own notions, refused to follow his playbook. Japan served as a prime example right now.

“Yamada Nobunaga shows great cunning, yet such wit might spell his downfall. He gravely errs in assuming I'd pick between him or his loyal followers.”

Hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Ming strode to the doorway, eyes fixed on the drifting clouds above. He went on, “What's the status of the secret guards' penetration into Japan?”

“Your Majesty, intelligence networks of ours now operate in every major Japanese city. News from Japan flows back anytime. Spies also surround other daimyos…” Wang Xuan listed their Japan accomplishments step by step.

Xiao Ming nodded in approval while listening. “Henceforth, launch assassinations against rebel chiefs. Concurrently, place our agents within the rebel ranks and back one to rise as their head.”

“Precisely. Doesn't that yield the ideal result? Yamada Nobunaga and his inner circle must meet their end. Start preparations at once. If they stir Japanese folk to sabotage my markets, I'll wield those same people to seize them back.” Xiao Ming declared.

“Understood, Your Majesty. Plenty of my men speak Japanese fluently, making it simple to forge identities for them there,” Wang Xuan replied with glee.

A grin tugged at Xiao Ming's mouth. Next, the pair hashed out the scheme's finer points, including strikes against Japan once Southeast Asia's conflict wrapped up.

…

Manila.

Over ten days of rebuilding later, Manila City looked much as before. The key shift lay in the traders streaming in and out—no longer Westerners, but Great Yu Empire businessmen lured by word of the victory.

Thanks to Spanish and Dutch oversight, Manila boasted full living and trade setups. Spice plants and nearby mines stayed intact.

Merchants salivated at the prospects, knowing takeover meant instant profits.

Post-battle, droves of traders rushed to Manila for inspections, ready to pounce whenever possible.

“Commander, those Spanish-trained servants perform well. Fancy grabbing a couple to tend our wives and daughters back home?”

Two local natives dressed as attendants trailed Liu Chen. The Spanish and Dutch had purchased them from nearby tribes during their reign.

In Manila, rigorous training turned them into top servants, fetched high prices when sold to nobles in other colonies.

After the Dutch bolted, such natives turned up everywhere in the city.

“Take any you want for personal use. I refuse to get roused at night by their noise,” Yue Yun scoffed, lips curling. “Still, the Spanish and Dutch approach works fine. These locals lack civilization from no schooling. A bit of discipline makes them docile help. With the Empire short on slaves, we ought to tap this source.” Yue Yun added.

“Spot on.” Liu Chen boomed, “How many slaves from beating the barbarians? Siberia's got some too. Australia's natives number few, barely sufficing locally. For prime slave stock, Southeast Asia calls. Word is, its peoples total tens of millions at least, India's over a hundred million. Failing to exploit such riches would be criminal.”

Mid-conversation, booming laughter erupted. Yue Yun glanced over to spot Li Kaiyuan approaching, belly leading the way.

Yue Yun jabbed, “Li Kaiyuan, you've piled on pounds these years. Rumor says His Majesty eyes your gut, pondering the fortune inside if slit open.”

Li Kaiyuan paled. “Nonsense. My bulk ties not to graft. My Li clan, merchants through and through, swims in wealth.”

“Hahaha…” Yue Yun roared with laughter. He slung an arm round Li Kaiyuan's shoulders. “Kidding, kidding. So what's drawn you to Manila?”

Serious now, Li Kaiyuan explained, “Wars demand funds and grub—they don't rain down. His Majesty dispatched me to offload sellable Manila assets and revive idle mines. Home trade booms, dragon coins multiply in need. Without ample gold, silver, copper, no minting happens.”

“Paper notes still circulate, no? What's the worry?” Yue Yun shrugged casually.

Li Kaiyuan smirked. “Battle's your turf, not trade. I'm no slouch there. Empire runs gold-backed. Paper matches gold reserves only. Our economy stands rock-solid.”

Liu Chen and Yue Yun exchanged looks, uninterested in such trivia. “Fine then, produce His Majesty's personal edict. We'll transfer control. Manila's yours to run.”

Li Kaiyuan pulled a sealed imperial writ from his robe, sending aides with Liu Chen for the handover.

He eyed Liu Chen's attendants, smirking. “This trip brings another major venture.”

Yue Yun caught the look. “Liu Chen and I just discussed it. His Majesty shares our view on sparing such manpower.”

“True. Empire folk dream of their own lands now. Territories expand, estate holders multiply. Factories draw workers too, starving plantations of labor. Slave prices soar as catchers scour the globe for sales home. Thus, His Majesty devised this,” Li Kaiyuan elaborated.

Yue Yun nodded. Tech advanced yearly in the Empire, yet slavery laws endured, legally permitting ownership.

Li Kaiyuan's account highlighted the Empire's dilemma. Without slaves for plantation toil, the estate sector faced collapse.