Chapter 209. The Two Empires Are Forced to Jump.
The Douluo Continent is currently at a critical juncture. Tang San, the authoritarian and dictatorial leader and source of all evil for hundreds of thousands of years, the indescribably vicious, disgusting, evil, wicked, and treacherous Gate Master, is now fourteen years old. The Shrek story has effectively begun.
However, unlike Shangguan Mingyue's impression of the Spirit Hall, this era's Spirit Hall is ruled by Qian Xunji, with Bibi Dong still obediently serving as her Saint. The Spirit Hall is tightening its grip on the Three Sects, exerting control over the two empires, and developing spirit guide technology.
This Spirit Hall boasts far greater capital than the one from her own era, giving Shangguan Mingyue greater hope of completing her planned strategy.
After two days of familiarizing herself with the Spirit Hall, Shangguan Mingyue compiled a plan and presented it to Qian Xunji. Qian Xunji, with his modern perspective, could see the ingenuity of Shangguan Mingyue's plan, despite his lack of understanding of economics.
"Now, our Spirit Hall has Spirit Halls spread across the continent, like the continent's arteries, and the citizens of the two empires are like the flesh and blood of this giant. Only by firmly connecting us with the people of the two empires, will countries like Xingluo Tiandou and others, over time, become almost meaningless and gradually replaced," Shangguan Mingyue said.
"Your plan is excellent, but there's just one problem," Qianxunji said. "The two empires won't let us do this. They have a weapon: tariffs. As long as the two countries manipulate tariffs, even if the Spirit Hall has Spirit Halls spread across the continent, it will have no advantage over other commercial forces. Once this proposal is released, it will only serve as an inspiration for major forces like Ning Fengzhi and the two empires."
Shangguan Mingyue smiled and said, "That being said, Your Holiness, you have a trump card in your hand."
"What trump card?" Qianxunji asked.
"Soul guide device," Shangguan Mingyue said.
Upon hearing Shangguan Mingyue's words, Qianxunji suddenly understood and said with a smile, "I understand what you mean, Ghost Douluo."
Ghost Douluo stepped out and said, "Your Holiness."
"Send to the two empires, the major duchies, and the kingdoms, and invite them to the Spirit Hall for negotiations," Qianxunji said.
"Yes, Your Holiness," Ghost Mei said.
Two months later, Dai Tianfeng, Emperor Xue Ye, and the heads of the various kingdoms and duchies arrived at the Spirit Hall.
At the Spirit Hall, Dai Tianfeng inquired, "Pope, what is the important matter you have invited the emperors, kings, and dukes of our various nations to discuss?"
Qian Xunji nodded at the table and said, "This is what I intend to do. This Emperor wishes to establish a Spirit Hall Chamber of Commerce to deal in spirit guides. I would like to conduct trade in spirit guides between your two empires and the various kingdoms and duchies. However, the inconsistent tariffs and taxes among your nations will create significant difficulties for our Spirit Hall. Therefore, I have summoned you all in the hope that you will establish an unchangeable trade agreement with us."
Dai Tianfeng frowned upon hearing this. An unchangeable trade agreement?
If he signed this agreement, it would mean he could no longer use tariffs to counter the Spirit Hall. This agreement was absolutely unacceptable.
Emperor Xue Ye shared this view. Tariffs were a means of self-preservation for the Heaven Dou Empire. Without this agreement, they could freely adjust tariffs on the Spirit Hall to prevent its economic infiltration. If signed, the terms of the agreement must not be violated; violating them would give the Spirit Hall an excuse to wage war.
Neither of the two empires' leaders had made a clear statement, but Qian Xunji remained unfazed. He glanced at the leader of a certain nation below.
The Kingdom of Xiens, ostensibly a vassal of the Heaven Dou Empire, had long harbored independent ambitions and had long flirted with the Spirit Hall. Receiving Qian Xunji's glance, the king immediately stepped forward and said,
"Your Holiness, we cordially invite your Spirit Hall Chamber of Commerce to do business in our Kingdom of Xiens. We are willing to sign a zero-tariff agreement and guarantee the safety of the Spirit Hall Chamber of Commerce."
Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction. Emperor Xue Ye, however, was distressed. He glared at the King of Xiens with rage, a sense of unease rising within him.
The Spirit Hall's trade was nothing but soul guides. With the friendly relationship between the Kingdom of Xiens and the Spirit Hall, a large influx of soul guides would bolster Xiens's power. This kingdom was bound to rise, challenging his empire's sovereignty and even weakening the Heaven Dou Empire's dominance over the northern part of the continent.
After the Seans Kingdom declared its stance, another king, known for its past collusion with the Spirit Hall, stepped forward.
King Wallace XII of the Wallace Kingdom declared, "Your Holiness, we are willing to establish a zero-tariff trade agreement with the Spirit Hall. We sincerely welcome the sale of Spirit Hall's spirit guides to our country!"
Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Your country is so sincere. We are happy to cooperate with you on spirit guides."
Emperor Xue Ye's expression faltered. The Wallace Kingdom was also a fiercely independent kingdom. If they accepted Spirit Hall's armaments, they would inevitably rebel.
Next, another kingdom affiliated with the Heaven Dou Empire stepped forward to declare its stance.
Dai Tianfeng regarded Emperor Xue Ye with amusement. It was ridiculous that the Heaven Dou Empire's emperor could not issue orders beyond Heaven Dou City. If it weren't for the Spirit Hall's checks and balances, the Xing Luo Empire would have destroyed such a loosely organized nation long ago.
My Xingluo Empire's rule remains stable. Under Dai Tianfeng's military might, none of the kingdoms and principalities under his command dare rebel.
The next moment, the King of the Kingdom of Ainn stepped forward and declared, "Your Holiness, we are willing to establish a zero-tariff trade agreement with the Spirit Hall. We sincerely welcome the Spirit Hall to trade with our country."
Dai Tianfeng's face twitched violently. How could he have forgotten that he had this restless underling? The Kingdom of Ainn, having submitted to the Xingluo Empire over a hundred years ago, had always been restless, simply lacking the strength to resist.
If the Ainn Empire were to obtain the spirit guide, it would undoubtedly pose a significant threat to the Xingluo Empire.
Seeing the play was already underway, Qianxunji smiled faintly, snapped his fingers, and had his attendants pass the agreements one by one to the emperors, kings, and grand dukes.
He said, "In recognition of your sincerity, the terms of this treaty are the preliminary drafts of the Spirit Hall. Please review them. If you are willing, please sign. If you are not, you are free to refuse. We at the Spirit Hall will not force you."
The Spirit Hall's trade agreement was quite demanding. It stipulated zero tariffs, unrestricted trade between the participating countries, and the ability to dispatch elders to investigate any accidents involving Spirit Hall trade caravans.
With these numerous conditions, it was practically unbearable for the two empires. Upon seeing the agreement, Dai Tianfeng and Xue Ye were tempted to tear it up. However, his subordinates had already taken up their pens and were scribbling their names on it. "
Damn those damned bastards!" Dai Tianfeng gritted his teeth in anger.
He saw that not only the Ailan Kingdom, but even several of his own more loyal kingdoms dared to sign such an agreement. What the hell?
What Dai Tianfeng didn't know was that the Spirit Hall's agreement was a bit harsh, but for these kingdoms, it didn't matter. After so many years of being controlled by the Star Luo Empire, they had been unable to break free. Their declaration of independence was largely due to the influence of Star Luo's strength. Star Luo's suppression of these nations was even more fierce than the Spirit Hall's treaty. Far from being detrimental to them, this treaty actually had advantages. By incorporating the Spirit Hall's influence and balancing the two, they could actually be a means of escaping Star Luo Empire control.
While the kingdoms of the Star Luo Empire hesitated when signing the agreement, the Heaven Dou Empire, without even considering their old patriarch's opinion, signed without hesitation.
Emperor Xue Ye, observing this, finally sighed in frustration. He would sign the agreement after all.
After all, the Spirit Hall controlled the technology behind soul guides. If they refused to sign and liberalize tariffs, and if the Spirit Hall refused to sell soul guides to them and instead sold them to their subordinate factions, it would lead to their rise and challenge the supremacy of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Of course, whether they signed or not, these small kingdoms would challenge their supremacy. The Heaven Dou Empire could only strive to acquire as many soul guides as possible before soul guides entered these countries, equipping its own soul guide corps to maintain its sovereignty.
Dai Tianfeng saw that Emperor Xue Ye had also signed, leaving him the only one in the conference room who had not signed. Now he was in a dilemma. Soul guides represented the future, and the Spirit Hall could sell them to any party, which would only enhance that party's power. For example, even if the small nations challenged their position, let's take the Heaven Dou Empire for example. Although both countries were under pressure from the Spirit Hall, if the Spirit Hall only sold soul guides to the Heaven Dou Empire, their power would erode. The Xing Luo Empire did not want to see the Heaven Dou Empire rise.
Dai Tianfeng, helpless, picked up his pen and wrote his name.
After finishing, Dai Tianfeng gritted his teeth and declared, "When I get back, I'll definitely kill a few technicians to vent my anger. Those damned bastards haven't figured out the soul guide in all this time. How despicable!"
Qian Xunji watched as everyone signed the agreement and said with satisfaction, "Very good, emperors, kings, and grand dukes, I'm delighted that we've gathered here today to sign an agreement that is friendly to all of us. Come, the Spirit Hall has prepared a grand event, and we welcome you all to join us."
Xue Ye and Dai Tianfeng, both with constipated expressions, enjoyed the Spirit Hall banquet celebrating the agreement.
After the banquet, they left with heavy hearts.
The "Trade Agreement between the Spirit Hall and the Continental Nations" was officially passed, and the entire continent was declared. When Gu Rong of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect saw the agreement, he found it difficult to accept. "The two empires are essentially opening their borders and tariffs to allow the Spirit Hall in. How could they sign such an agreement? I understand Emperor Xue Ye signing it, but what about Dai Tianfeng?"
Ning Fengzhi said, "Both Your Majesties were forced to sign it."
"Oh, so Qian Xunji could force them?" Gu Rong asked curiously.
"It wasn't Qian Xunji who forced them. It was the Spirit Hall that joined forces with their affiliated forces to attack them." Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath and said, "The two empires each have affiliated kingdoms. The combined power of these kingdoms is no less than that of the two empires. Qian Xunji can sign this agreement or not, but what if the Spirit Hall only sells spirit guides to the kingdoms that have signed the agreement, especially those kingdoms that harbor dissatisfaction with the Tiandou Xingluo empires?"
"It would be a disaster for the two empires," Gu Rong said.
"So, for these two, if they don't sign, those kingdoms and principalities that are ready to make a move will do so, aligning themselves with the Spirit Hall and thus influencing the positions of both Heaven Dou Xing Luo and Star Luo."
"Dai Tianfeng and Emperor Xue Ye don't have the technology to manufacture soul tools, so they can't just let these tools fall into the hands of these rebellious kingdoms. Therefore, they have no choice but to join these agreements, leveraging their vast financial resources to monopolize the soul tools flowing out of the Spirit Hall and prevent these kingdoms from acquiring them," Ning Fengzhi said.
"How insidious," Gu Rong remarked.
"Of course, what worries me even more is that the Spirit Hall's soul tool production capacity isn't high. Even if it did, it wouldn't need this kind of trade agreement. They're simply using the soul tool issue to pass this trade agreement. What exactly are they trying to do?"
Ning Fengzhi was feeling a bit down. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had its roots in commerce, making a fortune and becoming the richest in the world. But now that the Spirit Hall wanted to get in on the action, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was bound to lose a piece of the profits, which made Ning Fengzhi a little unhappy.
Of course, what made Ning Fengzhi even more unhappy was that this incident would inevitably weaken the power of the two empires and disintegrate the relationship between the two empires and the kingdoms and principalities. This meant that the power of the two empires would be weakened, making it difficult for the continent to achieve a balance. "
Spirit Hall, oh Spirit Hall, you are so powerful, why can't you be content?
No, we must find a way to weaken and balance the Spirit Hall's power. We must find more forces to unite with us."
The fact that Qianxunji had signed the agreement was known to the women in the garage. When Liu Erlong, Bibi Dong, and Tang Yuehua were serving Qianxunji coldly, Bibi Dong sneered and said, "Do you really think those countries will abide by the piece of paper in your hand? They will just throw it away like a piece of toilet paper when they don't need it."
Qianxunji sneered, "When you have the power, the agreement is the golden rule. If you don't have the power, then it's a piece of toilet paper that means nothing. Since the two empires have signed this agreement, they must abide by it. If they don't, then this emperor will have a reason to deal with them."
Having said that, Qianxunji looked at the three women with a cold look and said with a grim smile, "Smile for me, otherwise Haotian Sect, Haozi, Xiaogang and the others will..."
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(End of the chapter)