Chapter 1492: Running an Academy

Sang Han led Ye Guan to the most bustling area of the city. Although the empire was currently at war with the Celestial Clan, the city showed no signs of conflict. The streets were crowded and lively.

Ye Guan was amazed by the prosperity of the city. Almost everyone here practiced martial arts, and their cultivation was generally high. However, it wasn't to the extent where Void Breaking Realm experts were as common as dogs on the street.

While Void Breaking experts weren't the top power here, they were still quite rare.

If Ye Guan could use his faith power and the Qingxuan Sword, he would almost be considered a top-tier expert here, but at the moment, he was just slightly below average.

He looked at Sang Han ahead. She was wearing a tight-fitting black robe, exuding a calm yet imposing aura of authority that made people avert their gaze.

He couldn't sense her cultivation, but he was sure that she was definitely not weak. Not just here, even in the Guanxuan Universe, no one could become a city governor without any real strength.

Power was the foundation of anything!

Led by Sang Han, the two entered a towering building, which had thirty-nine floors. Inside, the interior was luxuriously decorated with both gold and jade.

As soon as they entered, over a hundred people stood to greet them.

Judging by their attire, none of them was ordinary. Ye Guan noticed more than twenty of them were Void Breakers, standing in neat rows. When they saw Sang Han, they bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Governor."

Sang Han's face was emotionless. "No need for formalities."

Then, she led Ye Guan upstairs, and the rest quickly followed suit.

Soon, they arrived at the top floor; it was a spacious hall that could accommodate ten thousand people.

At the entrance stood an old man in brocade robes. Seeing Sang Han and Ye Guan, he bowed extremely low, nearly touching the ground. "Governor."

Sang Han said nothing and entered the hall with Ye Guan.

The others followed but dared not sit. Instead, they waited respectfully nearby.

Sang Han took her seat at the main table. "Sit."

Only then did everyone dare to sit, but they say only halfway to remain respectful.

Ye Guan didn't sit and sensibly stood on the side.

Sang Han got straight to the point. "I've gathered you all today for one matter—the war on the Empyrean Star Battlefield."

Everyone's expression became serious.

Sang Han added, "War is expensive. His Majesty has ordered the empire to support the war efforts in the Empyrean Star Battlefield. Our Yongrong Province has been tasked with raising ten million Star Spiritual Crystals in one month, but the province's treasury is empty."

Sang Han looked at the crowd.

Everyone's faces darkened.

They expected no good to come from this gathering, but they didn't think the governor had come here to ask for money.

Ten million Star Spiritual Crystals... was a massive sum!

No one spoke; no one dared to speak.

Sang Han calmly remarked, "I'm not asking for a handout, I'm borrowing. If you can help me gather the funds, I'll repay you with interest once we win the war."

Still, no one spoke.

Sang Han frowned slightly. Her frown alone released a silent pressure that enveloped the room.

Everyone trembled slightly, but they clenched their jaws, remaining silent.

Ten million Star Spiritual Crystals... they might as well die!

Sang Han blandly said, "It seems none of you are willing to help me."

Though the words were said lightly, they sounded like a threat.

"Then, I'm leaving," Sang Han said, standing up to leave.

Just then, an elderly man stood up. "Please wait, Governor."

Sang Han looked at him.

The elderly man solemnly said, "Governor, in times of national crisis, we ought to contribute. You wouldn't even need to ask, we'd do it ourselves. But Governor, you know that ten million Star Spiritual Crystals isn't a small sum.

"It's a huge sum for all of us."

Sang Han waited silently for him to continue.

The elderly man went on, "Now that there's war outside, internal stability is crucial. Everyone here controls the economic arteries of Yongrong Province. Raising ten million in a month will hurt us badly. If it causes economic imbalance and internal unrest while there's war outside..."

Sang Han asked, "Then what do you suggest?"

"I think this matter needs a careful discussion. We'll definitely contribute, but we need to find a thorough plan to make use of those funds."

Ye Guan glanced at the old man.

Sharp guy. He's clearly stalling.

Sang Han saw through it, too. Her gaze remained calm but now carried a chill.

The elderly man wasn't afraid.

Though they were merchants, they represented different factions. Individually, they lacked power, but united, they couldn't be underestimated, especially during wartime.

Sang Han remained silent. Yes, she had the strength to seize the money, but if these people were to unite and pull out their investments at once, internal chaos would surely erupt.

Stability was the key during these dangerous times.

Just then, Ye Guan said, "You all don't want to lend money because you're afraid that the governor won't repay or might renege. That's understandable. But this is easy to resolve. First of all, the governor will write IOUs in the name of the empire. Secondly, anyone who lends money will receive a badge symbolizing their patriotism.

"With that badge, your businesses will receive a one percent tax deduction, no matter what kind of business it is. Not just that, holders of that badge can also become provincial council members, with rights to participate in Yongrong Province's development."

Everyone in the room turned to Ye Guan.

Sang Han looked at him, too.

Ye Guan remained calm.

He couldn't be a bodyguard forever. Clearly, Sang Han didn't like him at all. Who could say for sure what plan she had in mind by keeping him around?

Hence, he had to show his value! If he were useful, people would value him.

The merchants looked at Ye Guan. His proposal intrigued them.

As he said, their main fear wasn't giving money, it was the possibility that they wouldn't get their money back. Even if Sang Han had integrity, what if a new governor appeared and reneged on the debt?

It happened often. If the empire itself guaranteed the loan, they wouldn't worry at all. And a badge for a one percent tax cut annually? For large-scale merchants, a mere one percent was a staggering amount of money in the long run.

Even more enticing, the badge would give them political status, which was an incredibly attractive offer to them.

Many revealed smiles but were cautious. Was this Ye Guan's idea, or had Sang Han approved of it? They all turned to her, seemingly asking for the answer.

Sang Han glanced at Ye Guan and said, "His words are mine."

Hearing that, the merchants all smiled. The elderly man said, "Governor, we're willing to serve the nation!"

"We're willing to serve the nation!"

No one objected anymore.

Sang Han then brought Ye Guan to the corridor. She walked to the window, silent for a moment, and then she turned to him without speaking.

Ye Guan asked, "You have something to ask of me, Governor?"

Sang Han stared at him. "Why?"

"To ease your burden, Governor."

"Tell the truth."

"I want a good position by your side and your protection."

Sang Han stared at him for a while, and then she looked out the window again. "I don't have the authority to write IOUs on behalf of the empire."

"And you're not really planning on repaying them, are you?"

"Not really."

"But you must raise the ten million, right?"

"What's your point?"

Ye Guan thought for a moment and said, "Internal strife will be disastrous, considering our current situation. If they pull their investments out and left, others will panic and copy them. The entire province will fall into chaos."

"Sure, you could seize their money, but the result would be the same. And once the war ends, if you have political enemies, they'll use what you've done against you. You'll be in a tough spot by then."

Sang Han said, "I won't be able to repay it later anyway."

Ye Guan smiled, "Making money isn't hard."

Sang Han turned to him.

He said seriously, "You're an upright person, so you think it's hard to make money. But respectfully, with a province this size, if you were willing to act a bit selfishly, even a billion wouldn't be hard to obtain.

"Of course, someone of your status can't do it personally. You'd need a trustworthy person to handle it, someone who can raise funds and, if something goes wrong later, they must take the fall..."

Sang Han looked at him. "Where would I find someone like that?"

"Ideally, someone with a clear weakness and a simple background. They have to be ambitious but not too ambitious..."

"You're talking about yourself, are you?"

Ye Guan immediately said, "I'm willing to serve, Governor."

Sang Han stared at him for a while. "What were you doing before all this?"

"I was running an academy," replied Ye Guan.

Sang Han remarked, "You've wasted your talents, then."

Ye Guan had no idea what to say.