In the palace, inside Kunhe Hall.
Lu Yuan sat cross-legged on the soft couch and looked at Lan Cai'er in front of him.
The queen was also sitting cross-legged in front of her, her eyes were slightly closed, her breathing was even, and a vague and exuberant aura flickered in and out of her body.
Surrounded by this breath, a strong will to life becomes more and more concentrated.
After a long time, the lingering aura suddenly subsided, and the will of life condensed into one point. It circled inside Lan Cai'er's body, and then went straight to her eyebrows, turning into a dark red paint spot that adhered to the surface of her skin. .
At this time, Lan Cai'er took a long breath and slowly opened her eyes.
"Queen, how is it?"
When Lu Yuan saw this, he looked around and looked Lan Cai'er up and down. Seeing that there was nothing unusual about her, he quickly asked, "Is this technique effective?"
Seeing her husband's concerned expression, Lan Cai'er felt a warmth flash in her heart, and then showed a smile, tender as water, nodded slightly and said: "This Changchun Gong created by the king, after I practice it, I feel deeply mysterious.
Now that the energy and spirit of the whole body have been integrated a little, the seed of life has been successfully condensed and kept in the Tianmen Divine Mansion.
As long as this seed of life exists, from now on, the dissipation of my body's energy and spirit will slow down, and my physical appearance will be maintained for a long time.
Therefore, it cannot be said that youth is eternal, but it can be said that the beauty is good and the appearance is not old. "
At the end of the sentence, Lan Cai'er's face was also full of joy.
There is no woman who is not afraid of her appearance aging.
It turned out that because of this matter, she had been worried and uneasy, and she was depressed.
Now that this biggest problem has finally been solved, how can we not be happy about it?
After listening to this, Lu Yuan felt a sense of joy in his heart. He finally relaxed and smiled: "In the past few years, I have integrated the beauty-preserving methods in the world, as well as the Taoist method of immortality." Technique, the Changchun Kung finally created has more than just beauty-preserving effects.
Now, queen, all your energy and spirit have been integrated into the seed of life. It is this seed of life that will maintain your vitality in the future.
From now on, as long as you are not fatally injured, you can stimulate the energy and spirit in the seed of life and find the effect of rapid healing.
However, this kind of healing method is achieved by damaging the essence, energy and spirit.
Although the injury can be restored, it will shorten your life span and should never be used unless necessary.
Also because of this, with this life seed, you can also adjust your physical condition in the future to achieve a younger or older appearance.
At this time, did the queen find that she was younger than before? "
After Lu Yuan finished speaking, he looked at Lan Cai'er carefully. At this time, the appearance of his queen was indeed much younger than before.
If Lan Cai'er looked like she was twenty-seven or eighty years old before, then now she looks twenty-four or five years old.
She looks only three or four years younger, but this is just the effect of Lan Cai'er's subconscious operation of her skills.
If the other party is deliberate, then just by mobilizing the seeds of life and stimulating the essence inside, you can naturally achieve the effect of becoming younger or older.
This change in appearance does not mean that the other person's lifespan has become longer, but is just a means of using vitality.
To explain it in a simple way, it is like a mobile phone. The wallpaper on the mobile phone screen can be the original one, or you can choose the wallpaper you want and apply it.
Whether it is the original or the wallpaper you choose, it will not change the essence of the phone, and it will consume the same amount of power.
At this time, Lan Caier herself is substituted into the mobile phone, and the mobile phone screen is brought into her appearance. The original wallpaper is her normal appearance, the freely set wallpaper is her adjustment to her appearance, and the power consumption is her The vitality is the seed of life transformed by essence and spirit.
Lan Cai'er is still the same Lan Cai'er, the only difference is that now she can rely on the seed of life to adjust her appearance.
And this adjustment process will not cost her anything.
At most, adjusting one's appearance may lead to more consumption of energy and spirit, but compared to the normal original consumption, it is only an increase of one percent or even one thousandth.
Converted into lifespan, that means Lan Cai'er will lose a few months and a half of her life.
This loss of life is nothing compared to maintaining a youthful appearance.
Not to mention she is an innate master with a lifespan of 150 years. Even if she were an ordinary woman or even a man who could only live for 60 or 70 years, if she could obtain such magical power, she would probably risk her life. When you practice, you don't care about the life span of just a few months.
This is the "Changchun Kung Fu" that Lu Yuan spent more than two years, learning from dozens of exercises that have health-preserving and beauty-preserving effects, and reading thousands of volumes of Taoist scriptures to extract the longevity skills. 》.
As its name suggests, this exercise has no other functions except for refining the internal energy. The only purpose is to maintain health and keep people young.
It is like a miracle to those who need it, but useless to those who don't.
And Lan Cai'er is naturally the former.
"Are you really young?"
When Lan Cai'er heard Lu Yuan's words, her eyes suddenly lit up. She quickly stood up and walked to a dressing table beside her, looking at the mirror above.
On the smooth and clear mirror, a charming face appeared in her eyes.
Looking at her very familiar face, her eyes focused on the appearance. After looking at it for a long time, Lan Caier's face revealed an even greater surprise.
Because as expected, as Lu Yuan said, he looks younger.
"Queen, you can try, communicate with the seed of life with your mind, and adjust your appearance by yourself. That way you can look younger."
At this time, Lu Yuan also stood up and walked to Lan Cai'er, put his arms around his queen, and said softly with a smile.
After hearing this, Lan Cai'er's eyes lit up, and then she followed what Lu Yuan said, running the technique, communicating with the seed of life in front of her eyebrows, and adjusting the energy and spirit in it.
Then a surge of life force surged, and wherever it passed within her body, the muscles and skin instantly changed.
Her originally fair and smooth skin instantly became smoother and younger.
Just a dozen breaths passed, and when the life force emitted returned to the seed of life, Lan Cai'er's appearance on the mirror became several years younger than before.
From the appearance, she looks like an eighteen-year-old girl, with a youthful atmosphere.
And when they were together in the mirror, they looked like a hero and a beautiful woman, an indescribable match.
Seeing this scene, Lan Cai'er's eyes were like stars, and her eyebrows were slightly curved, full of joy and happiness.
At this moment, the obvious difference in appearance between myself and her husband finally disappeared.
One of them looked sixteen, and the other looked eighteen. They were both in their prime years at that time, talented and good-looking, and they were a perfect match.
It is no longer like before when a discerning person can detect an age gap of more than ten years at a glance.
The last piece of frustration in my heart also dissipated here.
"Your Majesty, I want it."
With joy in her heart, Lan Cai'er turned her head and looked at the man in front of her whom she loved so much. She grabbed his hand and put it to her heart. She leaned closer and said with endless love.
The beauty falls into my arms and speaks softly.
Looking at the queen who suddenly looked more than ten years younger, what could Lu Yuan say?
Of course, with a hint of excitement and a little bit of excitement, I went straight up.
From time to time, in the main hall, the wind and rain are raging, the delicate flowers are falling, and the sound of warblers seems to be endless.
…
After verifying Changchun Kung Fu, Lu Yuan and Lan Cai'er devoted themselves to the development of this technique in the next few days.
The Changchun function regulates people's age and appearance, making them look young, mature or aging.
For the two of them, this is simply a way to experience all kinds of fun for all ages.
The girl's Lan Cai'er, the young Lan Cai'er, the mature Lan Cai'er, the charming Lan Cai'er, the mature Lan Cai'er...
Every age and every appearance is an unprecedented novel experience for Lu Yuan.
You can even change several looks at once when you get more interested, which is truly endless fun.
Not only Lan Cai'er, but also Lu Yuan, after practicing Changchun Gong, was finally able to change his appearance and no longer had to look like a sixteen-year-old face forever.
As long as he is willing, he can instantly mature into teenagers or decades, making himself majestic and solemn, no longer as immature as he was when he was young.
As the lord of a country and the king of all peoples.
In fact, Lu Yuan's sixteen-year-old appearance had a considerable impact on his majesty as a king.
Although many people know that King Lu Yuan of Chu is actually over forty years old, and he is capable of calming down troubled times with great military exploits. He can be called a military god of the generation. Wen Neng governs the world and makes the people happy. He is indeed a wise king.
But even though he has made so many achievements, as soon as many people see his young face, they will subconsciously have the idea that he is unreliable at such an age.
As the old saying goes, if your mouth is hairless, your work will be weak.
Regardless of whether this statement is absolutely correct, since this proverb can be spread so widely, it certainly has its reason.
Previously, Lu Yuan had encountered a lot of troubles because of his immature sixteen-year-old face.
Although these troubles may not cause any trouble, it is always good if they can be avoided.
Therefore, after practicing Changchun Gong, he took the initiative to fix his appearance at the age of thirty.
At this age, he is neither too young nor too old. He is at the peak of a man's life, and it is also the time when outsiders think he is mature enough.
The so-called standing at thirty is exactly what it is.
Of course, Lu Yuan fixed himself at thirty for the sake of national affairs.
But Lan Cai'er is naturally eighteen years old forever.
Women naturally like their youthful appearance.
It's not just her.
After creating Changchun Gong, Lu Yuan also gave this method to his favored concubines in the harem, allowing them to practice it on their own.
This method can not only maintain health, but also maintain beauty. It is simply the most suitable method for the royal palace and the concubines in the harem.
After all, even as an emperor, he doesn't want to see his concubines grow old and turn into old women.
Not only does this look unsightly, but even when you see the appearance of those women and old ladies, you will feel a little uncomfortable when you remember that you have favored them.
It's fine now.
Each of them had a copy of the Changchun Kung Fu, and they didn't need to be very advanced in their practice. Lu Yuan didn't expect it anyway. They relied on a copy of the health-preserving technique to help them kill the enemy.
As long as it can satisfy the condensation of life seeds and the long-term beauty effect, it will be enough.
Although with the strength of these harem concubines, especially those who have never practiced martial arts and have no foundation, it will take at least twenty years of hard training to reach this point.
But thinking about it, for long-lasting youth, no one would think this time is long.
In twenty or thirty years, she will be young forever. Until the end of her life, no concubine will refuse this temptation.
And Lu Yuan.
After spreading this technique in the palace, he didn't pay much attention to it.
He broke away from the gentle land where the concubines were surprised, got back on track, and took care of business.
…
Shenwu ninth year, July 20th.
On this day, the domestic summer tax reports for this year were summarized, and the Ministry of Household Affairs finally came up with the statistics. At the same time, at the beginning of the year, Lu Yuanming's household registration statistics in various places finally came to fruition.
So Lu Yuan summoned the ministers to discuss the matter in Zhengyang Palace.
Zhengyang Hall.
All the ministers of Chu State gathered together. Apart from the monarch Lu Yuan, the leader below was Sun Siwen.
About three months ago, after completing the accumulation of body and soul, this friend broke through the innate realm and officially became the sixth innate in the Chu Kingdom.
It was at this time that Cui Changqing, the left prime minister who had been busy with state affairs, suddenly fainted on the eucalyptus table while working one day.
After Lu Yuan heard this, he was shocked and sent the imperial doctor to see him.
Finally, he received a reply that the left prime minister had been overworked and exhausted, and he would not live long.
If you go home and rest at this time, you may be able to live for a few more months.
Lu Yuan had great respect for this left prime minister who had worked hard for him for more than ten years.
Therefore, after learning about this matter, he ignored Cui Changqing's pleas and forced Zuo Xiang to return home to cultivate, so that he could live for a while longer, even for a while.
As the left prime minister is vacant, the DPRK cannot be without a leader.
Just as Sun Siwen had achieved a breakthrough, Lu Yuan allowed the right minister to return to the court and take charge of government affairs.
After getting to know each other over the past few months, this good friend has regained his former dexterity and managed many things in the country in an orderly manner, which made Lu Yuan feel much more relaxed.
"Your Majesty."
Lu Yuan was sitting on the throne, deep in thought. Sun Siwen stood up from below. After bowing, he reported: "This summer's taxation, the five counties and forty prefectures across the country have collected a total of 3.7 million taels of land tax, which is considered as a tax." One million nine hundred thousand taels of silver, and a verbal gift of one million taels of silver.
These three items totaled 6.6 million taels of silver.
In addition, internal tariffs collected a total of 2.4 million taels of silver. External tariffs collected a total of 3.1 million taels of silver.
The two tariffs totaled 5.5 million taels of silver.
In addition, commercial taxes were levied on market transactions and shops in the city, and the income was 1.2 million taels of silver.
The remaining miscellaneous taxes totaled nine hundred thousand taels of silver.
There are five major taxes, including land tax, oral tax, accounting tax, customs duty, and commercial tax. Counting miscellaneous taxes, our country in Chu collected a total of 1,420,000 taels of tax money in the first half of this year.
The above is the tax income.
In addition, in Qianzhong County, the imperial court also operated 13 gold, silver, and copper mines. In the first half of this year, the mining revenue also amounted to three million taels of silver.
The three vassal states of Kunhai, Chili and Jianchuan in the southwest also paid tribute this year with 2.7 million taels of silver. Nanhai Kingdom also contributed three million taels of silver.
The total tribute from these four countries was 5.7 million taels of silver.
From taxes, mining, and tribute, these three major incomes, in the first half of this year, our Dachu earned a total of 22.9 million taels of silver.
In addition, when the annual tax comes in the second half of the year, the tax revenue will increase a bit, perhaps reaching 18 million taels of tax silver.
However, in the second half of the year, it will be cold and the weather will be cold in November and December. The mines in central Guizhou will not be able to operate. The mining revenue in the second half of the year is expected to be only 2.5 million taels of silver.
Neither did tribute income.
Therefore, in the second half of the year, Dachu's income should only be 20.5 million taels.
The annual income alone is about 43.4 million taels of silver.
The above is income.
In terms of expenditure, our Da Chu now has 300,000 imperial troops, 50,000 naval troops, 50,000 county soldiers, 80,000 county soldiers, 5,000 palace guards, and 5,000 Jinwu guards, totaling 490,000 troops.
With these many troops and horses, one year's military expenditure requires thirty million taels of silver.
In addition, there are more than 5,500 officials of various sizes in the various ministries of the imperial court and local prefectures and counties. These officials must spend one million taels of silver on their annual salary.
In addition, the various ministries of the imperial court and local institutions also need 1.5 million taels of silver to maintain their operations every year.
Local expenditures on various livelihood water conservancy projects, station maintenance, road construction, etc. also cost 2.3 million taels of silver.
In addition, the palace expenses are 600,000 taels of silver per year.
Other miscellaneous items such as sergeant disability benefits, local welfare relief, college funding, etc. in previous years also amounted to 400,000 taels of silver each year.
The remaining one million taels of silver should be left for relief in case of disaster or for other urgent needs.
All added up, Da Chu's annual expenses were about 36.8 million taels of silver.
After deducting income from expenses, Dachu's annual balance was about 6.6 million taels of silver.
In addition, in the past three years, Chu and Su had made a profit of 20 million taels from grain trade.
However, starting from this year, production in various parts of Shu has gradually resumed, and the grain trade with our country, Chu, has become less and less, and is expected to be completely cut off by the end of the year.
The above has been added to the national treasury, and the national treasury has a balance of 86.3 million taels of silver, which is enough for our Dachu state for two years.
There are also grain storage reserves in various places in the past few years, with a total of 40 million shi, enough for a million-strong army to fight for three years.
Since the cessation of the southwestern war in the sixth year of Shenwu, our country, Chu, has been recuperating for three years and has become well-equipped with troops and food. Although it has not yet reached its peak, it is enough to cope with the challenges of any country in the world. "
Sun Siwen finished his summary of tax income and finally said with great pride and confidence.
After hearing what he said, the other ministers in the palace nodded in agreement.
Even Lu Yuan couldn't help but smile.
It is indeed as Sun Siwen said.
Now, after three years of cultivation, the Chu State has become well-equipped with troops and food, and its power is becoming increasingly prosperous.
Even during the three years of recuperation, the Chu State still found time to use 30,000 soldiers and horses to annihilate the Tibetan people in the Xueyuan Valley under the leadership of Huang Xuan, the real protector of the country, and once again opened up three thousand miles of land for Chu. One county and six prefectures were established in the river valley.
Now the Chu State has five counties and forty prefectures: Dongting, Xiangyang, Qianzhong, Xichuan, and Hehe River, with a territory of more than 20,000 miles.
In addition, there are three vassal states in the southwest: Kunhai, Chili, and Jianchuan. These three states are part of the Chu tributary system and can also be counted as part of the Chu state.
If you calculate it carefully, the territory of the five counties and three kingdoms of Dachu is almost thirty thousand miles. From the perspective of territory, it is already a real hegemonic country.
Looking at the world, it has also entered the first-class big country. Compared with Ningguo's quasi-first-class country, it is beyond the first line.
Coupled with a total of 490,000 standing soldiers and six innates, this strength is enough to not be afraid of any powerful enemy.
