To achieve immortality, I cultivate using Qi Luck

Chapter 719: Chapter 319: Chu State Dominates_2

To compete for the title of Master of Yangzhou, the Chu State wouldn’t even need to fight a war against Ning Country. Just by enduring for thirty years, they could become the true masters of Yangzhou.

Because now, Ning Country’s potential has essentially reached its peak.

No matter how hard the Heavenly Son of Jianwu tries to revitalize everything, he cannot dig out any more strength.

But with Chu State’s current national power, they can compete with Ning Country without losing an inch.

After thirty years, with Chu State’s power doubled, they can directly crush Ning Country just by scale alone.

The struggle between the two has reached a climax, and the winner has already been determined.

However, Chu State and Ning Country have not yet directly engaged in battle and defeated each other, and the time has not yet reached thirty years later, so people still do not understand the situation very clearly.

But the many ministers present, who isn’t a contemporary genius?

Each of those who won a place in the court is an outstanding individual, with a long-term vision and exceptional insight.

After listening to Sun Siwen’s summary, who couldn’t understand the meaning behind it?

As ministers of Chu State, the fact that their country can be so powerful naturally raises their own status as well.

Under the principle of shared glory and mutual suffering, who would not feel exhilarated and happy about this?

Even Lu Yuan felt quite joyful.

He flipped through the household register presented by Sun Siwen and, looking at the rows of specific numbers, could not help but be emotional.

Chu State’s vast population was naturally the result of Lu Yuan’s tireless efforts.

In these three years of recuperation, he was not solely focused on staying in the palace, practicing martial arts with his concubines and neglecting everything else.

In the past three years, under Lu Yuan’s guidance, Chu State has eliminated the Hegu Barbarians, and not only opened up a county but also gained three hundred thousand Barbarian people.

In addition, on Su Country’s side, about a hundred thousand refugees were received in the past three years, resulting in significant gains.

Then there’s Jianchuan, Chilih, and Kunhai of the Three Nations which have been attacking Nanzhao Country, capturing many Nanzhao Barbarians in the process.

About a hundred and fifty thousand Barbarians among these captives were exchanged for grain by Lu Yuan and settled in Xichuan and Dongting.

Moreover, about fifty thousand originally captured Barbarian soldiers of Chu State were released, and they led their families to settle in Hegu County to increase the local population.

In all aspects, Chu State has gained nearly six hundred thousand people through various internal and external channels.

The remaining areas have also developed and multiplied; the original population of just eight million people has surged by eight hundred thousand.

However, Jianchuan, Chilih, and Kunhai of the Southwest Three Nations ceased their war with the Nanzhao Country at the end of last year and have reached a peace agreement. Warfare has ended.

After several years of recovery in Su Country, the local order and production have been restored to a considerable extent, and the people have gradually become stable, with the number of refugees decreasing day by day.

Chu State’s channels for obtaining large external populations have almost been cut off.

At home, the number of Barbarian prisoners of war has been reduced to about eighty thousand after years of consumption and release.

All of these people are filling up the more than ten mines in Qianzhong County, a vital labor force for mining, and it is almost impossible for them to be released and become registered residents.

Three out of the five large sources of population have suddenly disappeared.

Next, if Chu State wants to continue increasing its population, it will either have to rely on natural reproduction and accumulate gradually.

Or else, find an enemy like the Hegu Barbarians, destroy them and obtain a large population in the process, while also expanding their territory.

Both of these methods are gradual and fast-acting; Lu Yuan was determined to carry out both at the same time.

Domestically, they will continue to recuperate and grow their population.

Externally, they will look for opportunities to expand.

The former does not require much of his effort as there are countless ministers in the court who will strive to help Chu State recuperate.

However, to be honest, Lu Yuan has not yet found a suitable expansion opportunity.

For now, he can only bide his time and look for opportunities.

However, all these considerations are merely long-term strategies and are not necessary to mention at the moment.

Upon learning of Chu State’s strength, it is only appropriate to celebrate and lift everyone’s spirits.

So, after Sun Siwen finished speaking and numerous ministers absorbed the information, Lu Yuan laughed loudly and said, “Today, after investigating the world’s household register, we know that our Great Chu is so powerful. This is something to celebrate the strengthening of our nation’s prestige.

Today, I will host a banquet in Qionghua Garden to thank the ministers for their hard work over the years.

I sincerely hope you will all join me.”

The ministers all thanked him, saying, “We are grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

…

On that day, after the grand court meeting, the officials of the Chu State dined with the King of Chu in Qionghua Garden. There were constant singing and dancing, non-stop music, and a few ministers even wrote poems on the spot to celebrate the prosperous age of Shenwu.

The content of that day’s grand court session, under the deliberate promotion of the court, quickly spread to the four corners of the world.

Fifty million taels in annual revenue, forty million Shi of grain reserve, half a million soldiers, five prefectures and thirty thousand Li of land, eighty-eight million households, and three major vassal states…

Every aspect of this information sends shivers down the spine of anyone who hears it.

People’s perception of Chu State has changed once again.

The foundation of a hegemon and a powerful nation, a new player has joined the world’s competition for supremacy.

Chu State’s strength has been officially recognized by the people, and Lu Yuan is considered a master who can compete with the likes of the Zhou, Liang, and other countries and is on par with the rulers of those great powers.

After learning that Chu State possesses such strength, no country can ignore Chu State’s existence.