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Chapter 259 The Terrifying Power of the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique (Previous Chapter Error)
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian left, a faint hint of helplessness appeared on Zhou Chen's lips.

Family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs are all matters of state; the imperial family has no private affairs.

Now Zhou Chen understood the meaning of those words.

Zhou Chen did not expect that, following the Empress Dowager, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian also began to petition the emperor to take concubines to enrich his harem.

Following this, the civil and military officials in the imperial court might also take similar actions.

After all, with affairs of state in the court generally on track, the problems in the harem became more prominent.

Zhou Chen could understand why the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian had done this.

As an emperor, he has no heir to this day, leaving his harem empty.

That's definitely not the same thing.

However, Zhou Chen has no intention of taking a concubine at the moment.

"Never mind, we'll talk about it later."

Zhou Chen put aside these thoughts and began to cultivate the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique.

A stream of fortune converged into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, transforming into a golden dragon that entered Zhou Chen's body.

As streams of golden dragons of fortune flowed into his body, Zhou Chen's aura began to gradually rise.

I don’t know how long it took.

Zhou Chen's aura seemed to have reached a certain critical point.

A 'click' sound.

A soft sound came from Zhou Chen's body, and the shackles that had bound Zhou Chen for some time were broken.

A mysterious and profound 'qi' began to circulate within Zhou Chen's body, connecting with the surrounding void.

A powerful aura emanated from Zhou Chen's body.

In just a moment, this powerful aura vanished.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Zhou Chen opened his eyes, and his eyes shot out a series of dazzling beams of light.

His entire demeanor also underwent a significant change.

"Breakthrough."

"I have finally broken through this shackle and mastered the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique."

A slight smile appeared on Zhou Chen's lips.

Previously, Zhou Chen had been stuck at the late stage of the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique for some time, but he was unable to advance any further.

It was as if he had hit a bottleneck, unable to break free from the shackles within his body and advance from the late stage of the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique to the perfect state.

Zhou Chen knew that this was not actually a bottleneck, but rather a constraint caused by the insufficient continuation of the emperor's fortune.

Now, I have finally broken through this constraint and shackles, and cultivated the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique.

Having mastered the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, Zhou Chen's strength had reached the peak of a first-grade Grandmaster.

Such strength would place him among the top experts in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Of course, the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique is different from ordinary cultivation methods, and it is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

After mastering the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, Zhou Chen had a feeling that with just a thought, he could borrow the national fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty to bless himself!
You must know how vast and immense the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty was.
Even though the Great Zhou Dynasty is no longer a dynasty of destiny, and is not at its peak, but is in a trough, its national fortune is recovering, which is still beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Even if Zhou Chen can only borrow one-thousandth, or even one-ten-thousandth, of the nation's fortune...

However, with such national fortune bestowed upon him, Zhou Chen's strength will undergo a dramatic change.

Even if a half-step Celestial Being were to join forces, or even if all the half-step Celestial Beings of the Great Zhou were to join forces, Zhou Chen, with the blessing of the nation's fortune, would not be afraid in the slightest.

Of course, Zhou Chen can only utilize the national fortune of the Great Zhou within its territory. Outside the Great Zhou territory, he will be subject to restrictions.

"Is this the power of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique?"

Zhou Chen secretly guessed.

Zhou Chen had never felt anything special about cultivating the Emperor's Conferring God Technique. Apart from needing the power of luck to cultivate, which was the same as other general cultivation methods to improve Zhou Chen's strength, there was basically nothing special about it.

However, after Zhou Chen had cultivated for several months and mastered the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, the technique finally demonstrated its incredible abilities, which were different from ordinary cultivation methods.

Borrowing the fate of a nation?
How incredible this is.

The fate of a nation is inherently ethereal, but the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique can materialize and utilize the fate of the nation, and bestow it upon Zhou Chen.

How terrifying is this ability?
"This is only one-thousandth, one-ten-thousandth of the nation's fortune, yet it allows me to be unafraid of all the half-step Celestial beings in the world. If it were one-hundredth, one-tenth, or even the entire nation's fortune, my power would be..."

A hint of excitement appeared on Zhou Chen's face.

That's anticipation.

It was a pleasant surprise.

"The fate of the nation!"

With a single thought, Zhou Chen activated the power of the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique.

A powerful, seemingly living force gathered within Zhou Chen's body.

Is this the power of national destiny?

Zhou Chen murmured softly.

At this moment, Zhou Chen was blessed with the nation's destiny, sitting on the dragon throne like a god or demon ruler, exuding an aura of sweeping away everything with every gesture.

If a half-step Celestial Realm expert were in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, upon seeing Zhou Chen, they would surely discover that Zhou Chen was already connected to the fate of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

This connection is not a superficial link, but a seamless integration, without any sense of incongruity.

Zhou Chen also exuded an aura of looking down upon all living beings.

This is a bit scary.

"In this state, my physical fitness is slowly improving?"

Zhou Chen suddenly realized the changes within his body.

It should be noted that the Emperor's Conferment of Gods technique itself has the effect of strengthening the body, curing diseases, and cleansing the marrow.

Now, nourished by the national fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Chen's physical condition will undergo another transformation...

"The Emperor's Conferment of Divine Power?"

"The techniques taught by this system are indeed extraordinary."

Zhou Chen thought excitedly.

Previously, Zhou Chen thought that the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique was nothing special except for requiring the power of luck to cultivate.

But now it seems that Zhou Chen himself had misunderstood the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique.

This was only the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique that Zhou Chen had mastered, yet the technique already displayed such terrifying power.

If he breaks through the first level and enters the second level of the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique, what kind of surprises will the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique bring him?

Thinking of this, Zhou Chen's face was full of anticipation.

However, after Zhou Chen mastered the first level of the Emperor's Conferring God Technique, he felt as if there was some kind of suppression in the dark.

"It seems that breaking through the second level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique is not so easy."

Zhou Chen frowned slightly, his eyes flashing as he thought to himself.

Just then, a palace eunuch entered and reported, "Your Majesty, the Vice Minister of Revenue is requesting an audience outside the palace."

"Summon the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhou Chen composed himself, glanced at the eunuchs and guards, and said, "As you command."

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

soon.

The Vice Minister of Revenue then entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The Vice Minister of Revenue was visibly stunned the moment he saw Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

For some reason, the moment the Vice Minister of Revenue saw Zhou Chen on the dragon throne, he vaguely sensed that His Majesty on the throne seemed quite different from before…

However, the Vice Minister of Revenue could not explain the specific differences.

The Vice Minister of Revenue felt that at this moment, His Majesty on the dragon throne exuded an even stronger imperial majesty than before, like a supreme celestial emperor, making people unable to resist bowing down in worship.

Zhou Chen hadn't noticed that this effect would occur when combined with the nation's destiny.

"I have met your Majesty."

After a moment of surprise, the Vice Minister of Revenue hurriedly bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

He was a little scared, but luckily he reacted quickly.

Otherwise, if he were to be distracted in front of His Majesty and stare at him intently, it would be a crime of disregarding the proper etiquette between the emperor and his subject, and he, as the Vice Minister of Revenue, would be punished.

"No gifts!"

Zhou Chen also noticed that the Vice Minister of Revenue had been distracted for a moment.

However, Zhou Chen didn't care.

Zhou Chen waved his hand and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Vice Minister of Revenue stood up, feeling somewhat relieved that His Majesty hadn't held his momentary lapse in attention against him.

After the Vice Minister of Revenue stood up, Zhou Chen glanced at him and asked, "What brings you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see me, my dear minister?"

The Vice Minister of Revenue bowed and said, "Your Majesty, since the abolition of tariffs, the commercial tax revenue of our Great Zhou has been declining, but recently it has suddenly surged."

"This is the recent business tax revenue statistics compiled by the Ministry of Revenue."

"Your Majesty, please review this."

The Vice Minister of Revenue took out a memorial from his sleeve and held it in his hands.

With Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue, absent, all matters concerning the Ministry of Revenue naturally fell to this Vice Minister of Revenue.

Therefore, all matters concerning the Ministry of Revenue were reported to Emperor Zhou Chen by this Vice Minister of Revenue.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and guards standing in the hall stepped forward, took the memorial from the Vice Minister of Revenue, and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen unfolded the memorial, glanced at it casually, and said indifferently, "I understand."

All of this was within Zhou Chen's expectations.

Customs duties restricted the development of commerce in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After the removal of customs duties, the price of goods will decrease, people's purchasing power will increase, the flow of goods will become more frequent, and the population will gather more in commercial areas.

This will promote business exchanges and create a virtuous cycle.

The economy of the entire region will flourish.

As a result, the city began to prosper.

Although the customs duty was abolished, other commercial taxes, such as those on the sale of goods, were increased. Moreover, this move indirectly elevated the status of merchants, encouraging more people to engage in commerce. As a result, commercial taxes will only increase dramatically over time.

There is more than enough to make up for the previously cancelled checkpoint taxes.

The abolition of customs duties was a concept from the economic and trade experimental zones in my previous life. It was this concept that greatly promoted commercial prosperity and even began to radiate outwards, forming a certain economic belt...

While the abolition of customs duties by the Great Zhou Dynasty will indeed lead to a decrease in tax revenue in the short term, it is true that tax revenue will decrease.

However, as time goes by, with the prosperity of commerce and the continued buying and selling of goods, other commercial taxes will gradually increase.

This is why business taxes have suddenly surged these days.

Furthermore, abolishing checkpoint taxes is not just a matter of taxation.

As the status of merchants rises, more people will engage in commerce, thus freeing up some land.

If these lands return to the imperial court, they can be redistributed to other people, which will greatly alleviate the problem of land annexation.

The Vice Minister of Revenue wouldn't be able to see these things.

Therefore, even without the report from the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Zhou Chen knew that commercial taxes would experience a surge in a certain period of time.

Seeing that Emperor Zhou Chen showed no change in expression regarding the soaring commercial taxes, the Vice Minister of Revenue felt even more awe towards him.

According to the Vice Minister of Revenue, Emperor Zhou Chen probably foresaw that commercial tax revenue would not decrease but would instead surge after the abolition of customs duties.

otherwise.

Why did Your Majesty cancel the customs duties and change the commercial taxes without any reason?
Are you just going to cancel it for fun?

If it weren't for His Majesty's strategic planning and insightful vision, how could such a decision have been made?
Thinking of this, the Vice Minister of Revenue felt somewhat ashamed.

It's a shame he had previously tried to persuade His Majesty to rescind the decree to abolish tariffs.

The Vice Minister of Revenue always believed that Emperor Zhou Chen was too young and did not understand the situation of the Great Zhou. He thought that canceling customs duties was simply reckless.

But the Vice Minister of Revenue never expected that after the customs duties were abolished, the revised commercial tax not only supplemented the revenue from the previous customs duties, but also skyrocketed.

This made the Vice Minister of Revenue realize that he, the Vice Minister of Revenue, was the one who truly did not understand the situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty, while Emperor Zhou Chen was the one who understood the situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty the most, strategizing and winning battles from afar.

"Then I shall take my leave."

The Vice Minister of Revenue came to the palace to report on the surge in commercial taxes.

Now that the memorial regarding the surge in commercial taxes has been submitted, there is no need for the Vice Minister of Revenue to remain in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Go!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand.

The Vice Minister of Revenue bowed and withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After the Vice Minister of Revenue left, Zhou Chen glanced at the memorial in his hand again, then casually put it aside, not paying much attention to it.

Zhou Chen knew that this was just the beginning, and the data would increase dramatically in the future.

Focusing on these data now is not very meaningful.

After putting down the memorial in his hand, Zhou Chen slowly stood up and walked outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhou Chen looked up at the azure sky, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

The changes to business taxes are now showing results.

Next, the reforms in land and other areas will gradually yield results.

The long-standing problems of the Great Zhou Dynasty are being eliminated one by one. Once all the problems of the Great Zhou Dynasty are swept away...

The Great Zhou Dynasty then returned to its peak of prosperity.

Moreover, it is even better than before.

By then, with the Zhou Dynasty's national fortune reaching its former peak, he should be able to break through to the second level of the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique!
Zhou Chen thought to himself, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhou Chen had already witnessed the power of the first level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, and it could only be described as terrifying.

Zhou Chen was eagerly anticipating the second level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, wondering what surprises it would bring him once he mastered it.

However, according to Zhou Chen's estimation, the second level of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique should involve the secrets of heaven and man.

(End of this chapter)