Full-time Creation Master

Parliamentary Resolution: Unite as one, and safeguard our nation! (Review approved)

The sounds of clinking teacups, rustling papers, and hushed arguments lingered in the parliament hall for almost half an hour.

It wasn't until Shao Zheng, sitting in the main seat, spoke that his voice, though not loud, dispelled the restlessness in the hall like a gentle breeze.

All eyes were involuntarily drawn to it.

"Old Lin, what was the final word from the Forbidden Spells Association?"

Councilor Lin immediately stood up, his fingers unconsciously clenching the note in his palm—the edges of which were already frayed from his rubbing, as he memorized every word he had spoken to the Forbidden Spells Association that morning.

Although there were dozens of forbidden spell masters among the councilors sitting in the hall, their silver patterns on their cuffs dazzlingly bright, Councilor Lin knew that these masters, who were immersed in worldly affairs, had far less say than the elders in the Forbidden Spell Society who studied ancient spells.

"Mr. Chu Ming had a meeting with the elders last weekend."

His voice was very steady, each word falling into the corner, "...I said that from now on all my energy will be devoted to the Dragon Kingdom - local mage training must be grasped, border defense must be monitored, and the interests of the Dragon Kingdom must be put first."

The elders immediately relented: the Forbidden Spells Association would remain uninvolved in Dragon Kingdom's internal affairs and fully cooperate with the council, after all, their roots were also in Dragon Kingdom.

After he said that, there was a two-second silence in the hall.

Everyone knows that forbidden spells possess top-tier magical power.

"Non-intervention" is the most practical form of support.

Shao Zheng tapped the corner of the table lightly with his fingertips—there was a faint mark there, left by the aftershocks of a spell when dealing with the border monster riots.

He suddenly recalled his first year as speaker: ...images of traveling all over the country over those years flashed through his mind, frame by frame—

I went to the northwestern border and saw soldiers eating dry rations while eating snow.

I went to a rural area in the south and touched the worn-out wooden sword in a child's hand;

I went to the eastern coast and smelled the aroma of burning crystals from the magic workshops...

With all these things piled up, Shao Zheng became even more certain: in his entire life, he had never put "selfishness" first.

The national framework is becoming increasingly solid, and powerful families no longer dare to overstep the law and seize profits; in terms of people's livelihood, the income gap between urban and rural areas is narrowing year by year, and even remote mountain villages were connected to warm magic arrays last year; military funding has never stopped, and half of the soldiers in the new mage regiment are wearing new protective armor; martial arts pilot programs have been launched everywhere this year—he dares not compare himself to Emperor Wu of Han or Emperor Taizong of Tang, but he has not let down the people's trust.

But some people just can't see the situation clearly.

I still have yesterday's secret report in my hands: ...

The most troublesome thing is that these people have driven Chu Ming to the brink of despair—whether for personal reasons or for the sake of face—Chu Ming directly mobilized his forces to wipe out certain families and strongholds, leaving no room for argument.

Shao Zheng rubbed his temples: Chu Ming hasn't lost his composure, but the council needs to keep up; any more internal strife will make us a laughing stock.

"Councilor Wang," Shao Zheng said, looking at the person flipping through the ledger on his right. The other person's fingers were moving across the dense numbers without even looking up. "It's almost the end of the year. How much can the economy support us to do?"

For example, hazard identification and mitigation, and military equipment stockpiling.

Councilor Wang suddenly looked up, his Buddha-like smile fading considerably, and quickly waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry!"

I calculated everything perfectly, not a single word was false!

He spread out the ledger and poked at the first page with his finger: "Let's talk about the increases first—the gross national product increased by 8.3% year-on-year, and the per capita GDP exceeded 6 yuan; the per capita disposable income of residents was 37200 yuan, 4100 yuan more than last year. The increase in rural areas was even faster than that in urban areas, and the tax rebates given to the cooperatives last year were all implemented."

Turning to the expenditure page, his tone became a bit somber: "But there are also many places to spend money. The national treasury collected 11.2 trillion yuan in taxes, returned 2.8 trillion yuan to the people's livelihood, deducted 3.5 trillion yuan for daily expenses, and the rest went entirely to the military—2.1 trillion yuan was spent on buying crystals and making armor for 10 mage regiments, and 1 trillion yuan was spent on training and buying pills for 10 warrior legions."

Now all we have left is 0.8 trillion yuan, but we've already issued 3 trillion yuan in government bonds, and people are scrambling to buy them, saying, "The country needs stability, so we have to support it."

Shao Zheng listened attentively, nodding occasionally—these figures matched the briefing perfectly, without any exaggeration.

That reaction just now, out of fear that the people's livelihood funds would be used to fight with someone, actually warmed Shao Zheng's heart.

"You're still too nervous."

'

Shao Zheng got up and walked to the window. In the square outside, people were flying kites with their children. The sunlight shone on their smiling faces, so bright it was dazzling. "I'm not trying to cause trouble. I'm thinking: Chu Ming is clearing up rumors and investigating monopolies in the local area. Our council can't just stand by and watch."

He pointed out the window: "How precious are these peaceful days?"

Fighting is taking place in most parts of the world—the Ice Kingdom and the Orcs have been fighting for half a year, and the mage academy in the Rainforest Kingdom has been destroyed!

(The Ice Country is the Xiong Country)

We, the Rice Federation, and Great Britain are still at peace.

But the think tank says that at the latest, war could break out over here within two years.

Turning around, he glanced at everyone and said in a resolute tone: "So I want to stand firm in my last post—first, to eliminate all hidden dangers and not leave a mess for future generations;

Secondly, shift the economy towards wartime reserves, stockpiling more crystals and elixirs, and providing military training to workshops, so that Chu Ming will have provisions in hand to deal with future wars.

Councilor Wang was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "You should have said so earlier!"

I thought they were misappropriating people's money!

"If we're going to do this, my Economic Division Three will fully cooperate. I'll get the team together this afternoon to work on a plan!"

Councilor Li, standing nearby, nodded in agreement: "Exactly! If we had just said it outright, we wouldn't have had to guess. At times like these, we need to stick together."

Councilor Li, standing nearby, nodded in agreement: "Exactly! If we had just said it outright, we wouldn't have had to guess. At times like these, we need to stick together."

With the general direction set, everything else will go smoothly. Shao Zheng returned to the main seat and began assigning tasks:

"Councilor Li: Continue to investigate the list of hidden dangers you have. The evidence against the White Lotus sect in the southwest and the iron mine in the north must be solid. The handling must follow the law. Those who should be punished and those who should be rectified must be punished. There can be no ambiguity. It must withstand the scrutiny of the people."

Representative Li slammed the list on the table: "Don't worry! I've coordinated with the outpost, and we'll arrest the rumor-mongers next week. The iron ore accounts are also being audited; there will be absolutely no favoritism!"

"Councilor Wang: Aren't your two granddaughters in charge of logistics for Chu Ming? Take some time to ask him which potential problems he wants to address next and how the council can cooperate. Don't work yourselves out."

Councilor Wang touched the photo of his granddaughter in his pocket and replied with a smile, "No problem! I'll call her tonight. She knows Chu Ming well, she'll definitely get the information!"

"Councilor Yu, Councilor Song: Go and appease the Shi family."

Tell them that making mistakes is not terrible, as long as they admit them and correct them, and that they shouldn't shift the blame to each other.

If there are concerns about the succession of the family line, I, in my capacity as Speaker, guarantee that 50 protected spots will be reserved for each family's children under the age of 8!

The two exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief: "With you saying that, things will be much easier when we go and talk to you!"

Previously, these aristocratic families feared being wiped out and their bloodlines severed, but now that there's a guarantee, they'll definitely cooperate!

Shao Zheng thought for a moment and then added, "Let Zhang Biyan from Ziyunting also come to listen in."

Although I am a member of Chu Ming's faction, I am still a citizen of my Dragon Kingdom!

Don't think of him as an outsider. Last year, when the monk from Jiangnan caused trouble for the people, he handled it properly. He neither favored the monk nor wronged the people. He is a person who considers the big picture.

Now we need to unite everyone we can. The more people who understand the situation, the more help we'll have, and the less misunderstanding we'll have.

"Speaker, this..." Representative Liu couldn't help but speak up, "He's not a member of parliament, won't he leak information?"

"What's there to leak?" Shao Zheng slammed his hand on the table. His voice wasn't angry, but it was powerful. "Our meeting is for the stability of the Dragon Kingdom. It's not something to be ashamed of."

If Zhang Biyan wanted to leak information, she wouldn't have helped quell the riots last year.

What time is it now?

Still debating whether someone is "one of us"?

Decisions are made solely based on whether they benefit the Dragon Kingdom!

Councilor Liu blushed and lowered his head: "You're right, I was overthinking it."

It was already dark when the meeting ended. The councilors walked out clutching their task lists, some still chatting: "I'm going to the iron ore mine in the north tomorrow, send me a copy of the data on people's livelihoods." "I'll notify Zhang Biyan, I'll make sure he comes on time."

Shao Zheng stayed in the conference room, and his secretary brought him a cup of hot coffee. He walked to the window and watched the people gradually disperse from the square—an old man selling candy was blowing dragon-shaped candies for a child, and the sunlight, carrying the aroma of candy, wafted in.

He held his coffee, sighed softly, but a smile played on his lips: As long as there is no internal strife and everyone acts with public-spiritedness, we can surely maintain this peaceful life; and the future of the Dragon Kingdom will definitely be better.