Castle of Black Iron

10 days after Commander Cheng visited Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, Zhang Tie started his inspection and acceptance of over 100 million mu official fields in Ninghe Prefecture, Yanzhou Province together with his wives, Donder and the other subordinates by airboat.

Olina's words deeply touched Zhang Tie——give a promising future to those kids.

This sentence was both the driving force of Zhang Tie and his wives.

Over these days, those women had already taken over the Master's Intelligence Center of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory which had been established by Donder; additionally, they started to establish a new agency——Iron Heart Pavilion centered on the Master's Intelligence Center.

Zhang Tie's joke "Interior of Wives" came true.

In Iron Heart Pavilion, O'Laura was responsible for the political affairs of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory; Olina was responsible for economy and commerce; Sabrina was responsible for intelligence collections and delivery; the 6 Spencer women, Linda, Fiona and Beverly had also found their own positions in Iron Heart Pavilion.

Beverly and Fiona were responsible for information exchanges and classification of Master's Intelligence Center, which was the most important function of Iron Heart Pavilion. As the directors of this part grasped all the secrets in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and could contact Zhang Tie directly, they must be the most reliable ones of Zhang Tie.

The 6 Spencer women were responsible for accounting and auditing, etc.. Aimei and Aixue were responsible for money, currency, finances and inventory; as Linda was tender and meticulous, she was responsible for the administrative affairs of Iron Heart Pavilion just like the domestic steward.

All the major events in Iron Heart Pavilion were determined by those women through negotiations. When in divergencies, these women would vote for that; if the ballots were on even, the final result would be determined by Zhang Tie.

Only after a few days, Zhang Tie's women had played a great role. Even Linda, Beverly and Fiona who were always relaxed were also immersed in their jobs in Iron Heart Pavilion with high spirits.

Zhang Tie's women became the heads of Iron Heart Pavilion. The subordinates of these women, including the henchmen that Olina and O'Laura brought from Ice and Snow Wilderness and those female assistants of Linda, Beverly and Fiona such as Sonia had also joined Iron Heart Pavilion.

Therefore, Iron Heart Pavilion became more like a women's kingdom than Zhang Tie's Interior of Wives. There was no male in Iron Heart Pavilion at all.

Before Zhang Tie took so many people to Ninghe Prefecture today, Zhang Tie's Interior of Wives finally sent the first clear order to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory——Starting from next month, namely July 1st, consumption taxation of liquors and beer brewed by grains across the 10 cities of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory would be increased from 30% to 180%. The consumption taxation of fruit wines remained unchanged.

With this order, the consumption of liquors and beers in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory was limited at once.

As Taixia Country was suffering from grain shortage, liquor and beer brewing were competing for grains with humans. By increasing the consumption tax of liquors and beers, they could restrict the consumption of liquors and beers and put more grains in the key places. Although a kg liquor or beer couldn't save one's life, several kg grains could save one's life in many cases.

It was Olina who proposed this suggestion. After elaborating her reason, Olina's suggestion gained all the votes of Zhang Tie's wives. After that, it was sent from the Master's Intelligence Center as a political decree and would be followed by Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory as a whole.

Zhang Tie's wives sent this decree before boarding the airboat. After boarding the airboat, Zhang Tie's wives started to talk about the first decree of Iron Heart Pavilion.

This decree was not made casually. They made it after collecting enough data. They had made strict measurements and considerations.

There were almost 20 million people in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. After increasing consumption tax of grain liquors and beers, the annual liquors and beers brewing and production scale within Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory would be reduced by 80% from 170,000 tons to 30,000 tons. In this way, almost 400,000 tons of grains would be saved each year. Additionally, due to a rising consumption tax of grain liquors and beers, Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory could gain 20% more consumption tax of grain liquors and beers per year, which meant over 1 million gold coins.

Furthermore, by raising the consumption tax of grain liquors and beers, they were inducing those alcoholics in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory to have fruit wines. Therefore, the demand for fruit wines would be expanded. As a result, the supply of fruits would be intense in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. In order to alleviate the tension supply, more people in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory would think about planting more fruits.

As grain prices were high, orchardmen couldn't invade grain fields; instead, they would reclaim mountain lands which were not suitable for planting grains so as to expand orchards.

The increasing supply of fruit wines would cause higher taxes on fruit wines. As a result, Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory could gain more revenues each year.

The expansion of orchards promoted the wasteland reclamation inside Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and stimulated the local economy.

The diversification and increasing supply of fruits also laid a solid foundation for the mass production of all-purpose medicaments within Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory in the future.

Through sending this decree, they could save 400,000 tons of grains annually and purchase the grains at market price with the increasing taxes on liquors and beers as the grains storage of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. The more grains Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory stored, the more grains supply would be guaranteed in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. Benefited from that, more people would be attracted to settle down in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. As a result, the population of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory would expand step by step and Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory would become more prosperous and more confident when facing crises.

After hearing his women's explanation, Zhang Tie felt really fortunate having these women on his side.

The first trial of Iron Heart Pavilion had made Zhang Tie hold his wives in high esteem.

"With the assistance of my wives, I will not be worried about the affairs in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory anymore. Previously, I was always told about the shortages in a matriarchy or a matrilineal society, after seeing my wives' ability, I feel that actually it's not bad for men to live in a matrilineal society!"

Zhang Tie's comment made all the women burst out into laughter.

"I agree!" Donder said solemnly.

"Thanks to Steward Donder, otherwise, how could we share your burdens soon after coming to Fire-Dragon Prefecture?" Aimei said with a smile, "We really admire the insight of elder sister Olina!"

"A few days ago, I heard Fiona complain that men would hold things up after drinking; therefore, I thought about doing something on the consumption tax of liquors and beers. I found O'Laura to negotiate about first. It's O'Laura who proposed the suggestion to separate grain liquors and beers from fruit wines!" Olina said honestly.

O'Laura also shook her head as she said, "Beverly told me that Jinwu City was suitable to plant fruits while the brewing of all-purpose medicaments required a lot of fruits; furthermore, when people drink too many all-purpose medicaments, they would feel drunk. Therefore, I suggest Olina to separate grain liquors and beers from fruit wines..."

Beverly also shook her head as she said, "Elder sister Matia and the other elder sisters are good at calculations and planning..."

"We have to appreciate elder sister Linda for preparing for all the materials, which is the most troublesome work!" Matia hurriedly declined.

After seeing that even Linda declined it modestly, Zhang Tie waved his hand with a smile, "Well, my wives, don't be that modest, you all have made meritorious deeds this time. You're really my virtuous domestic assistants. Steward Donder also had a hard work. Hopefully, from now on, we could make concerted efforts to deal with the affairs in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory..."

"Not only Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, but the sphere of influence of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory has also already reached Ninghe Prefecture this time. However, Commander Cheng is too...too excessive. It's absolutely a pit...ahem...ahem..." Donder coughed twice. He dared not speak ill of Commander Cheng casually even in this case, "Last year, Ninghe Prefecture had a good weather and had a bumper harvest. Last year, Ninghe Prefecture's official fields produced 10% more grains than the previous years. Those official fields could only have such a high yield in each 7-8 years. In the past, even though there weren't any catastrophe or plague of insects, they could only produce 90% of that of last year. Therefore, 50% of the grain tax of the yield last year is equal to 55% of the grain tax in normal times. In this case, even if those official fields in Ninghe Prefecture could recover the past average grain yields, we would only get 45% of the yield each year."

"Really?" Zhang Tie rubbed his nose as he asked.

"Yes, only 45%!" Donder nodded as he let out a sigh, "45% of total yield is our total benefit from those official fields. We have to deduct the farming cost. Employment would account for the most part of the farming cost, including employed farmers, supervisors of tenant farmers and stewards. We have to provide meals and accommodation to them. Additionally, we should pay them each year so that they could have hope for the future. Besides, we have to be responsible for the seeds, farming tools, fertilizers and grains cutting and harsh processing which would account for about 40% of the total annual yield. Even though the grain prices are high and the expenditure on employment of farmers is a bit less, the employees have to eat. It depends whether we could reduce the cost from 45% to 25%. In this way, we have to spend over 80% of the total annual yield of those official fields. As long as there's any catastrophe or a plague of insects, we will suffer a loss for sure!"

"Didn't anyone rent the official fields in Ninghe Prefecture previously?"

"According to my knowledge, many dignitaries in Xuanyuan Hill would like to rent the official fields in Ninghe Prefecture. However, they could only afford 40% of the total yield as land rent. If it were higher, they would be in red. In this year, as many farmlands are suffering a crop failure, we don't even know whether the farmlands would grow crops in the following years. The fertility of farmlands which have been planted with demonized seeds would be weakened for sure. Even if seeds were good, the yield would also be reduced. Therefore, people across Taixia country would become worried about that, not to mention renting the official fields in Ninghe Prefecture at such a high price. Commander Cheng is famous for being dark in both face and means in officialdom of Taixia Country. Nobody dares to offend him. If ordinary major clans promised to rent over 100 million mu official fields in Ninghe Prefecture at the rent of 50% of the total yield, they might go bankrupt if crop failure lasts for a few years..."

Zhang Tie shook his head. He knew what Commander Cheng was thinking about. Commander Cheng wanted to see whether Qianji Hermit had countermeasures. If over 120 million mu official fields suffered a crop failure for constantly a few years, Fire-Dragon Sect had to pay off 60 million mu official fields' yield each year given such a high grain price in Taixia Country. That was a great consumption!

Zhang Tie was not worried about what Donder said. He was confident. Crisis meant fortunes for able ones.

Although Zhang Tie was not worried about that, his women were worried about that for him. The 6 Spencer women exchanged a glance with each other as they felt that it was a big trap. Diana opened her mouth as she looked at Zhang Tie, "Have you signed the contract with Commander Cheng? If not, you could have a talk with him!"

Zhang Tie revealed a bitter smile, "I know, but the contract is not always necessary in Taixia Country!"

"Ahh, what does that mean?"

"Aixue, you can explain it to Diana. Taixia's customs are not consistent with that in the Sacred Iceland Kingdom; especially in Ewentra Archipelago!"

"Sure!" Aixue replied with a smile as she started to explain it to the 6 Spencer women.

Both Commander Cheng and Zhang Tie were faithful. Now that Commander Cheng had completely "lent" all the official fields in Ninghe Prefecture to Zhang Tie for 100 years, this agreement had taken effect the moment Commander Cheng left Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory even though they didn't sign any contract.

In Taixia Country, the so-called contracts were only accepted by small businessmen. As for influential ones, if anyone asked for them to sign a contract, it was nothing different than doubting them and insulting them. If so, they would never do that business at all. Even some influential bosses of big business groups would not sign any contracts, not to mention Commander Cheng and Zhang Tie.

All-purpose medicaments and Fiery Oil would bring tens of millions even hundreds of millions of gold coins to Zhang Tie each year. However, Zhang Tie had not signed any contracts with anyone. It was just a lip service. Not only Zhang Tie, even Zhang Yang barely signed any contract as the boss of Jinwu Business Group. After making a deal, Zhang Yang would only clap with his partners.

Guan Qianchong the commander-in-chief of Black Armor Army also bet with Zhang Tie in this way. So was the bet between Taiyi Fantasy Sect and Zhang Tie. If they dared to regret for one time, their fame would definitely be ruined completely across Taixia Country. They would never reinvigorate their business anymore.

This custom in Taixia country was different than those commercial rules on the Western Continent and Ewentra Archipelago, where everybody followed contracts and would always write all the articles on paper. However, in Taixia County, verbal agreement prevailed.

"The agreement between two parties on the Western Continent and Ewentra Archipelago are written on paper; however, many agreements between two parties on Eastern Continent are endorsed on one's moral standing and fame. Therefore, even though the agreement between Commander Cheng and our husband has not been written on paper, it's already unalterable. If our husband regrets, our husband's moral standing and fame would be severely blown!" Aixue concluded.

After hearing Aixue's words, Zhang Tie nodded inside. Even Zhang Tie wondered why it was said that Hua people didn't have the spirit of contract in a period before the Catastrophe. That's too far-stretched.

"Ahh, what should we do then?" Those Spencer women slightly frowned.

"Younger sisters, don't worry. Look at him, he's not worried about it at all!" Olina pointed at Zhang Tie with a smile.

Those women looked at Zhang Tie as they only saw a faintly decisive smile on Zhang Tie's face. It seemed that Zhang Tie didn't care about such a big "trap" at all.

Even Donder became curious. After looking at Zhang Tie from his head to his toe, Donder asked Zhang Tie with a hesitated look, "You know farming? But why didn't I discover that before?"

"I'm Qianji Hermit!" Zhang Tie replied with a solemn look...

It was Zhang Tie's humorous style. In Zhang Tie's imagination, he felt that those people would definitely throw a despised expression at him before replying "drop it" in an easy and relaxed atmosphere...

If it were before, Donder might jump up and knock at his head forcefully while saying, 'Brat, you're arrogant once again.'

In fact, after saying those words, Zhang Tie found that Donder and his wives just watched him with admirable looks as they felt that he was making a solemn promise instead of spicing up the atmosphere. They didn't sense the "distinctive" humor in his words at all...

Not until then did Zhang Tie realize that he was not suitable to make such a humor anymore; because all of his words would be believed by all the others.

Therefore, our Qianji Hermit could only stroke his nose as he felt lonely...

Ninghe Prefecture was in the northeast of Yanzhou Province. They would arrive there only by passing through Gaoping Prefecture in Yanzhou Province. As for Zhang Tie who had a private airboat, such a bit distance was equal to having a trip in the most boisterous business quarter in the downtown by bus. As they talked with each other, they had already arrived at Ninghe Prefecture in only a bit more than 2 hours.

Looking down from the sky, they found that the entire territory of Ninghe Prefecture was pitch-dark within thousands of miles like having been covered with ink.

Nobody in the airboat had ever seen such a scene since they were born although they had seen thousands of miles white snow-covered landscape...