In the council hall in the Land of Wind, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive, like the calm before a storm.
As Rasa walked into the council hall, he immediately heard the Daimyo's curses.
On the council table, an open report on population loss showed that nearly ten million civilians had been lost in the past three months.
The enraged Daimyo slammed the table, causing tea to splash out of his cup.
"Rasa, are the ninjas you sent out just freeloading? They can't even stop a single civilian! Civilians are escaping every day! If this continues, the Land of Wind's population will be hollowed out!"
Rasa's face was pale, and he was about to open his mouth to explain.
The Finance Minister, who was standing nearby, suddenly stood up and bowed. "Your Highness, I have a plan that might turn this 'misfortune' into a 'blessing'."
The Daimyo stopped, looking at him. "Oh? Tell me, what plan can keep people or bring them back?"
The Finance Minister adjusted his glasses, a calculating look in his eyes. "It's difficult to keep people, but we can earn from this 'lost money'. The Land of Water offers a reward of 200,000 ryo per immigrant. Previously, 10 million people fled, which is 2 trillion ryo, equivalent to more than 20 years of the Land of Wind's fiscal revenue. Since those people want to immigrate, why don't we proactively 'send' them over and earn this reward?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked to the Finance Minister's side.
"Send them over? You mean, we actively organize civilian immigration and get rewards from the Land of Water?"
The Finance Minister nodded, his mind full of calculations. "Precisely. We don't need to stop them. Instead, we organize and send people to escort them, letting the Land of Water reward us per head. They want population, we want money. Each gets what they need."
The Daimyo's finger tapped lightly on the table, his eyes full of greed. "10 million people is too few. Since the Land of Water likes population so much, we'll send 20 million people. 20 million people is 4 trillion ryo. This money is enough for us to build an army, and it might even drag down the Land of Water's finances into collapse. By then, the money will be ours, the land will be ours, and the people will also be ours."
The Finance Minister quickly flattered, "Your Highness is brilliant."
The Daimyo nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Remember, we only want gold. We won't accept the Land of Water's currency. Who knows if their money will devalue? Also, this matter cannot be done in my name. You find a few nobles to take the lead. I don't care about the specific process, I only want 4 trillion ryo worth of gold."
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue stood up, his face ashen. "Your Highness, absolutely not. The total population of the Land of Wind is only over 74 million. Nearly 10 million have already fled. If another 20 million are sent away, the country will only have over 40 million people left. The country will have problems."
The enraged Daimyo kicked the Minister of Revenue, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Useless! You also know that nearly 10 million people have fled? If I had thought of this method earlier, I could have earned an extra 2 trillion ryo. Now you come to stop me, what use are you?"
The Minister of Revenue lay on the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Your Highness, population is the foundation of a country. Without people, no matter how much gold we have, we cannot defend our territory. The Land of Akatsuki is still eyeing our western border. If the army isn't replenished, they could attack at any time."
The Daimyo bent down and grabbed the Minister of Revenue's collar. "Then send the people from the border cities of the Land of Akatsuki to immigrate to the Land of Water first. By then, there will only be empty cities and sand there. Even if they occupy it, it will be a useless occupation."
"As for you, all you do is say 'this won't work' and 'that's impossible'. Besides holding us back, what else can you do?"
He released his grip, and the Minister of Revenue fell heavily to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
The Daimyo straightened his robes and said to the Finance Minister, "This matter is entrusted to you. I'll give you one month to compile the list of 20 million people and find reliable merchants to liaison with. If you can't handle it, you'll go guard the city gates with the Minister of Revenue."
The Finance Minister said, "Your Highness, I will definitely handle this matter well, and we can also transport the elderly and children to the Land of Water, which will reduce the burden on the country."
Upon hearing this, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind laughed happily. "You still have the best ideas, let's do it your way."
Rasa stood aside, watching the farce unfold, his heart chilling.
He knew the Daimyo was now blinded by gold and would not listen to any opposition.
In the afternoon, the Finance Minister secretly gathered dozens of merchants and nobles who frequently traveled to and from the Land of Water, discussing the "immigration business" in a secret room.
"Everyone, I've called you here today because there's a big deal to be made."
"The Land of Water is accepting immigrants. The higher-ups hope you can organize 25.5 million people to immigrate. For every person successfully sent over, I will give you 10,000 ryo as a commission."
The merchants' eyes widened as they looked at the numbers on the paper.
10,000 ryo per person, escorting 25 million people, that's 250 billion ryo in commission, more than they would earn in ten years of business.
"Don't worry, sir, we will definitely handle it. It's just that 25 million people is a huge undertaking. Will there be any problems?"
"Don't worry, this is the will of the higher-ups. As for the population, I will have the nobles help, prioritizing the elderly and children."
The leading merchant immediately responded, "Good, we understand. We will prepare the vehicles for transporting the population within two days."
The Finance Minister nodded with satisfaction. "I will send people to the Land of Water to negotiate with them. We will escort them in batches, transporting 100,000 people each time. Remember, we only accept gold."
Subsequently, the merchants went door-to-door to persuade villagers. After hearing about the benefits and treatment in the Land of Water, the civilians were all moved.
In Hasha Village in the southern Land of Wind, a merchant was shouting to the villagers.
"Everyone, listen to me! The Land of Water is short on people! As long as you come with us, you can get a house and a job there, earning 60,000 ryo a month! We will cover all your food and drink on the way! This is a rare opportunity! Miss it and it's gone!"
The villagers surrounded him, asking questions excitedly, "Boss, you're not a swindler, are you?"
The merchant smiled and explained, "I heard that the factories in the Land of Water are short on people, and they are willing to pay handsome sums, which is why I came to you. We'll depart once we gather 100,000 people, prioritizing the elderly and children."
The villagers discussed amongst themselves, and finally, some nodded.
"I've heard about this. I'll sign up with my grandson. We'll go with you."
In just three days, the merchant organized a team of nearly 100,000 people.
Similar scenes played out in various villages across the Land of Wind.
The merchants used "the benefits of the Land of Water and the guarantee of the great nobles!" to dispel the civilians' concerns, sending batch after batch of civilians to the Land of Water.