The content of the letter shouldn't be much, and it took only a few seconds for Menglang to finish reading it. But after finishing reading, he grabbed the letter and held it tightly in his hand, as if he wanted to squeeze it.

It was as silent as breaking someone's heart.

At that moment, the side hall that should have been full of laughter and laughter was immediately suppressed by a very heavy atmosphere. Ministers, you look at me, I look at you, no one spoke, but everyone was

I wondered in my heart what kind of letter it was.

After this silence lasted for almost a full minute, the emperor finally came to his senses slowly, unfolded the letter in his hand again, folded it, stuffed it into the envelope, and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Everyone, everyone here is my confidant. I also need you to give me some advice on some things. Now I also need someone to help me judge and discuss some of my decisions."

After this narration, a smile appeared on the emperor's face again, as if the episode in the letter just now did not exist at all——

"Speaking of which, it's already a new funding year. The previous tax year ended at the end of August, and then settlement began. Up to now, almost all taxes for the entire empire have been collected."

"Well, of course I said that today's gathering here should only be about chatting, so let's be more relaxed and talk about the governance of our empire through chatting. Caton, the tax report you compiled last year

How are the reports going?"

Everyone turned their attention and saw a young minister in his thirties with a cautious smile on his face, saying slowly: "Excuse me, tax collection in the empire is generally good, except for a few areas due to disasters and refugees.

The current data cannot be calculated except for the nuisance, but overall this year’s tax revenue has increased by almost five percentage points compared with last year.”

Meng Lang slapped his thigh and said with a smile: "It looks pretty good? Our fiscal budget this year looks to have a better surplus! By the way, everyone, what do you think... in terms of taxation this year, what should be the main areas of investment?

ah?"

The ministers couldn't figure out the emperor's real thoughts for a while. No one spoke for a while, and they all looked around, waiting for who would take the lead.

At this time, an earl sitting in the corner now said: "Your Majesty, since this year's surplus is good, I think we should put more effort into the creation of weapons and armor. It just so happens that we are now

The confrontation with the Orion Empire has entered a stalemate stage. Once a war breaks out, we will definitely need a lot of armor."

Upon hearing this proposal, Duke Jinguo laughed, but did not speak.

"Although armor is very important, I think war horses are more important."

The person who said this was another general. The general glanced at Elder Majik who now had a smile on his face, and said slowly——

"After entering the battlefield, although armor can play a certain role, the decisive factor must be mobility. Therefore, cultivating more war horses will undoubtedly directly improve the overall strength of our empire."

At this time, another minister smiled and said: "Well, the reason why the Hunter Empire has been against us now, in my opinion, is because of their barbarism, rudeness and backwardness. Therefore, as a higher-level country, we

, a more civilized country, we should fully educate them. Therefore, we should allocate more funds to the Holy See of Light, and then let the Holy See of Light go to the Hunter Empire to preach. As long as the enemy's warriors believe in the God of Light, then we can even

You can get the opponent's warriors, territory and armor without using a knife or a gun. Isn't this much cheaper and more effective than any other battle?"

High Priest Priest also glanced at High Priest Majik who looked a little angry next to him, with a triumphant smile in his eyes.

only……

"Your Majesty, I think it would be better to invest all the funds in the elemental machine."

As soon as these words came out, others didn't say anything, but Elder Majik of the Magic Association and Priest Priest of the Holy See of Light twitched their eyebrows slightly, and they all looked in the direction of the sound.

The person who spoke was none other than the teacher Connor Conservative.

The department head of Lao Teng Shu did not show the slightest fear because there were two people staring at him, but said: "I think that since the element machine has been able to perform so well in border cities in the past year,

Highly efficient power, then if it is transferred to our Hanhai City, it will definitely develop more powerful effects. Now is no longer the time to hesitate, it should be to increase efforts in a new round of investment in elemental machines. As long as

If the element machine can develop more vigorously, it will definitely be able to create more resources. In this way, our people can enjoy better and cheaper materials, everyone can live and work in peace and contentment, and they can pay more taxes.

As long as the empire becomes richer, things like armaments will naturally increase steadily."

When Ariel heard these words, she was really moved.

She looked at her teacher with great gratitude and cast a grateful smile on his side face.

Although, this gratitude is just for the teacher's praise, and does not represent her interest in the proposal.

"Element machine..."

Obviously, the emperor had been waiting for the arrival of this concept for a long time.

He touched his chin, thought about it, nodded with a smile, and said -

"Katon, what is the growth rate of wealth in Pelican City?"

The Minister of Economic Affairs was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "I don't dare to deceive Your Majesty, but I only remember the fiscal revenue of each province now. I may not remember the data clearly for specific towns. I only know

, last year, the tax revenue of the entire marginal province directly increased by almost 300%."

As soon as this number came out, everyone in the entire side hall immediately made a noise! ​​Everyone looked at Ariel sitting over there with shock and disbelief. It was also at this time, even if they would never see the wind again.

People immediately understood the new emperor's true thoughts.

Regardless of whether the emperor coveted the beauty of his younger brother's mistress, or really appreciated her talents, or whether the emperor just used such a woman as a white glove to fuck (harmony) behind his back, this is

Nothing is important anymore. The only important thing is that the emperor's goal seems to be this emerging thing - the elemental machine!

"Your Majesty! That's a devil's tool! If you don't get it right-"

Of course Elder Majik was also aware of the problem here, and he quickly wanted to speak, but Meng Lang quickly raised his hand to block him, and said to the Minister of Economic Affairs: "The effect of the element machine is indeed remarkable! If we let

If the elemental machine enters the capital and then arranges land and construction, it should require a lot of funds. But this money will definitely be earned back soon. Well... let's do it. Starting tomorrow, I will set up a new elemental department. I will

Arrange someone to serve as the minister, and then be in charge of the elemental machines throughout the empire, and strive to spread those machines made with elemental machines as soon as possible!"

The great elder of the Magic Association was really anxious now. He even got up from his sofa and said: "Your Majesty! Things like the explosion of elemental opportunities are possible anyway! Even if it has passed.

There has been no explosion for a year, but no one can guarantee that there will not be explosions in the next time! Those things have not undergone strict safety inspections at all! Unlike magic, every magic created needs to go through many other processes.

The magician's evaluation and inspection ensure that there are no unknown dangers. But that is not the case with that demon machine!"

Elder Majik's voice seemed a bit sharp and noisy. Such noise made Meng Lang frown a little.

Seeing this, Priest Priest next to him quickly stretched out his hand to pull him back to his seat, and gently shook his head at him.

Seeing that the Holy See was still able to look at people, Menglang smiled and said: "In addition, the Magic Association, ah, you must have made a lot of money last year? Of course, I have no objection to you making money.

Making money is correct for everyone. And the way you make money is so fast, it makes me feel a little itchy. In addition to the element machine, you can also teach our economic ministers and take a look.

What kind of policies can (Harmony) introduce to use your methods to make money? Ah, I’m serious! I’m not kidding.”

The corners of Majik's mouth twitched slightly and he could only nod.

Meng Lang clasped his hands and said with a smile: "But besides that~~~ Since you are so able to make money, now the empire is short of funds in all aspects and needs to be filled. In this way, your fund sharing for the next year will be reduced first.

Twenty-five percent each."

Elder Majik was stunned, and his face turned red for a moment! However, in front of so many people, he was restrained by the high priest Priest next to him, so that he did not have an attack.

Seeing that Priest Priest was so tolerant, Meng Lang couldn't help but think that in the past ten days, the Holy See had been unable to do even the smallest things, and had to rely on its own non-staff personnel to solve the problem perfectly.

Shi Shi was also a little angry, and then he smiled and said: "Ah, by the way, Priest. The income of the Holy See of Light should be pretty good, right? With so many believers, the daily donations are quite large, right?"

Now, it was Priest's turn to start to tremble a little: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty...?"

"I think you should cut it by 10% first."

"This... this! That... yes, it's an honor, Your Majesty..."

Seeing that the high priest was not able to jump out, Menglang gained a little confidence in his suppressive action. However, in order to avoid future troubles, he still added a sentence and said: "The money you two saved

, I think it should be appropriated for use by the Element Department at that time. However, you also have the obligation to supervise the Element Department. If there is any problem with the Element Department, you will definitely be responsible for the aftermath. When the time comes, it will be up to you to inspect the elements.

Whether the machine is a qualified tool or not? If those things still cannot replace magic and even cause great damage, then we should consider the issue of funds."

After hearing this, Ariel finally understood.

This emperor completely used the elemental machine as a pry bar to weaken the Holy See and the Association! In turn, he asked these two old men to transfer all their hatred to the elemental machine so as to avoid their own responsibilities!

Whether this approach will work or not depends on the next actions. But the reason for causing trouble to the east has finally been established.

Sure enough, when the elders and priests over there heard that they still had the power of supervision, their dissatisfaction immediately weakened a little, and they all turned their heads to stare at Ariel here.

"Ah, and then...it's the issue about the mission to the Hunter that I mentioned before."

The emperor leaned on his seat, picked a grape from the table with one hand and put it into his mouth. With the other hand, he gently pinched the letter in his pocket and said slowly——

"To tell you the truth, originally, I planned to let Garcia go."

Everyone's eyes were once again focused on Ariel here.

"As you all have seen, although Garcia is a woman, Hunter is also a queen. I think it is not a good thing for gentlemen to salute the queen of a hostile country after all, right? So I secretly decided

It's Garcia."

"However, I think the conservative theory makes sense. After all, Garcia is also a maid. With such an origin, if we serve as a special envoy to the Hunter, it is very likely that the Hunter will think that we are humiliating the other party, and directly

Kill the messenger and break with us completely."

"So, I want to ask for your opinions. At the same time, I also want to know what kind of person you are willing to recommend as an envoy to the Hunter Sea?"

The emperor's words are very obvious. He obviously wants to finalize the status of the envoy at today's party!

As for why he suddenly became so anxious... Ariel estimated that it had a lot to do with the letter he just received.

"His Majesty."

Duke Jinguo touched his wrist slightly and said slowly——

"I have always advocated not making peace with that disgusting country. As long as we continue to expand the army and I lead it, I believe we can easily eradicate this evil neighbor! From now on, we will never be like this again
To be continued...