667 Gathering Of Bandits (1/2)
Even the few fellows from Sky Alliance began an internal argument because of this issue. This was also because Ling Jian was unwilling to consider them as groups but only as individuals. For example, the letter of notice that Ling Jian sent to them was: 'Ling One: ** taels of silver; Ling Two: ** taels of silver...'
The most outrageous thing was the fact that Ling Chi had added on another two phrases at the end: 'The top ten shall not have a price, the last ten shall be punished!'
If they were not grouped together, how many taels of silver would each of them be able to take out? In order to not fall behind, they would naturally try to fight for more silver! Every one of them was afraid that they would fall into the last ten positions! They were all extremely clear that the prize of the top ten places was negligible. However, the punishment of the last ten places was definitely something that could take their lives. Even if it doesn't take their lives, a layer of skin would probably be shed...
Especially when they found out that this notice was sent by Ling Jian personally. The eyes of all the more than forty people who saw this notice turned red immediately.
In just a short few days, any of the various aristocratic families on the three continents that had the slightest bit of a bad record were wiped out!
At the same time, auctions could be seen all around and treasures were being sold for silver. There were even two bolder individuals who joined hands to rob the grain for the troops of the Yu Family in broad daylight. With the aid of the insider, XiMen Sa, they easily robbed the Yu Family and sold the grain meant for the 200,000 men of the Yu Family army to the poor commoners at a tenth of the original price. They then took the funds they earned and escaped without a trace. The 200,000 men of the Yu Family army were forced to starve for a few days and Yu ManLou was enraged to the point he almost puked blood!
On the Heavenly Wind Continent, the Shui Family was the only one that was spared. The various heads of the Sky Alliance were all too embarra.s.sed to rob their new alliance partner. But despite that, an extremely odd scene took place. Over the past few days, the Shui Family experienced a theft every night. Shui ManKong, who guessed the reason behind this, let out a long sigh. He ordered all of his guards to go to sleep and opened up three silver vaults. When he took a look at the vaults the next day, the three vaults were cleaned out completely and even the rats would come out with a face full of tears...
After the ceremony, the entire Divine Prefecture Empire became extremely peaceful and the wealth of the entire world became extremely balanced. In many places, even if someone wanted to be corrupt, there was nothing for them embezzle! This also resulted in the entire society being extremely stable.
Apart from that, the other effect was the bountiful wealth of the Divine Prefecture Empire. As such, Ling Tian announced that he would not collect taxes of any form for the next ten years. As such, the entire world was able to progress prosperously and the wheels of history began moving forward.
It could be said that those so-called bandits had made a huge contribution towards the stability of Ling Tian's empire!
Such a weird occurrence was one that even Ling Tian had never seen before in his two lifetimes!
Such an odd occurrence wasn't only the first of its kind but would probably be the last of its kind as well!
The current Sky Bearing City had become busy once again after the previous gathering. The bustle in Sky Bearing was more than ten times more lively than the previous time!
In the midst of all the bustle and excitement, the Ling Family officials in charge of receiving guests were extremely bitter. They originally thought that this job of receiving guests would definitely be an easy one but never imagined that it would be an extremely hectic job! All the officials in the Ling Family in charge of receiving guests ran around until their legs were about to break, regardless of how high their rank was.
In truth, the various envoys from the different aristocratic families were extremely polite. They would be full of pleasantries, consoling words, and rewards. They would be extremely polite whenever they met the officials of the Ling Family and even if the officials were tired, they carried on joyfully. However, the problem was the sudden appearance of a couple of young teens that were like bandits. While they weren't old, their tempers weren't small and they didn't treat themselves as outsiders at all. All of them were either filled with the valor of youth, a face full of frustration, or arrogance as high as the heavens. Whenever they met the officials in charge of receiving them, they would order the officials around without standing on ceremony. As for the 'consoling words' and rewards, as long as these young teens spotted such behavior, they would confiscate all the rewards. The moment they spotted behaviors that went too far, these officials would immediately be beaten up and sent into jail.
It wasn't that these officials did not think about fighting back. However, none of these teens were pushovers. They were all highly skilled in martial arts and had a high-ranking individual backing them. Anyone who complained about these teens was either executed, fired, or firmly reprimanded by their higher-ups. In the end, none of the officials dared to let out a single word of complaint. Who knows where these young teens came from?
The happiest people in Sky Bearing City would be the inn owners in the city. With the overwhelming crowd entering the city, the Ling Family could only host less than 1% of the crowd and could only neglect the rest. As such, this became a golden opportunity for the bosses of the various inns. All of the guests were extremely wealthy individuals and a casual tip of theirs would be equivalent to a couple of days of earnings...
The biggest winner would naturally be the Smoky Thea Tower. Gu XiYan counted silver to the point her fingers ached...
If one stood at the city gates and looked afar, one would be able to see the never-ending crowd of people approaching the city. They were like bees who had seen a pot of honey.
The envoy of the DongFang Family had arrived...
The Xiao Family had arrived...
The envoy of the Moon Deity Empire had arrived...
Even the envoy from Water of Heavenly Wind had arrived...
...
The most eye-catching group was a bunch of fellows who traveled together with carriages of metal chests as though they were moving their residence...
Furthermore, all of these individuals seem to know each other and their conversation could be heard.
”Ah, isn't this older brother pomegranate (sixteen)? How much did brother pomegranate prepare?” A tanned young man greeted.
”Ah, it's younger brother 'third uncle' (thirty-nine). Ah ah, not much, just a little bit. I truly wasn't able to take much out. What about you? It should definitely be more than be right?” A burly man with a curly beard chuckled in response.
”Err... hehehe, I am just a poor broke man. Even with all of my strength, I was only able to get a small bit of silver. How would I be a match for brother pomegranate's wealth? I will probably end up in the ten last places,” the tanned young man replied.
When the others heard the conversation between the two, they were immediately bewildered. There was actually someone with the name of pomegranate? Furthermore, the way this 'brother pomegranate' addressed the other teen was even stranger. Little brother third uncle? What kind of an address was this? So was he your little brother or third uncle? Was he your cousin from your third uncle's house? If that's the case, why don't you just call him your cousin? What's the point of going such a big round?!
This was not the strangest.
”Aiyah, big brother dead already (forty-six), you are here. This little brother has missed you.”
”Haha... little brother go and die (forty-eight). It has truly been a long time, how much did you gather this time?”
”Cough cough cough... just a little bit, just a little bit.... what about big brother dead already?”
”Little brother go and die still has the same temper. Hahaha, this older brother is definitely going end up at the end for sure.”
”No no no...”
”Ah, is it big brother dead already and big brother go and die, hehehe, this little brother has truly missed all of you.”
”Hahaha, little brother fourth uncle (forty-nine) is here. Looking at this little brat's delightful appearance, he must definitely be rich.”
...…
All the officials in charge of receiving them were completely confused by the names of these individuals. Big brother dead already? Big brother go and die? Little brother fourth uncle? What kind of strange names are these? Would anyone have such a name full of bad luck?
However, all of these people seem to know each other. If they were together... not good! The officials immediately wrote a note and submitted it with a solemn expression, ”Quickly submit this to young n.o.ble. This is an urgent note and there may be changes if we are late!”
Such news was definitely one of great importance and it was swiftly placed on Ling Tian's desk.
Ling Tian was currently drinking the love porridge that Yu BingYan made for him. The moment he saw the note, he spat a mouthful of porridge right on Ling Jian's face. Ling Jian's face was full of black lines. Just what was with his young n.o.ble today?!
If the one spitting porridge in his face wasn't Ling Tian but someone else, Ling Jian would probably be unsheathing his sword and shouting out in anger!
They were obviously discussing something serious but was suddenly sprayed with a face full of porridge.
He then looked at Ling Tian who was coughing incessantly as he burst out laughing. One of his hands slapped the table while the other slapped his thighs and laughed till his sides ache.