The Rise of History’s Most Powerful Empire

Chapter 58: Exchange

A clan would last through the ages, but not a dynasty.

Except the Shang and Zhou dynasties, none other achieved their long history.

Even those two only reached 500 and 800 years, though better than Han, who was later divided into Eastern and Western Han. 

Ever since the Eastern Han, the clans spread their influence over the people and the lands, raising their armies.

They had a monopoly on the market, no matter what talent arrived in high positions in the military or administrative, they'd all become puppets, even the emperor.

Most dynasties were the same, except Qin and Western Han.

But these two were built on fear and suppression of the clans.

Their policies were to move the clans that reached a certain scope close to the emperor. 

Forcing them to lose all ties and control over their lands and becoming mere wealthy clans with no power to protect their money.

Anyone with power and authority could humiliate them.

This tradition lasted till they were close to finishing off, until Eastern Han formed. Emperor Guanwu was precisely a puppet of a great clan. 

He had no choice but to side with the clans if he were to keep his job, but followed with a thousand years of misfortune as the following dynasties had to do the same.

To not get under another's thumb like the others, I need wealth and men so I can hold my own.'

How many talents will I get for 1,000 fortune? A novice scholar needs 10, which means I'll get 100.'

I need to control my domain, for my long arm to reach every township and borough.'

Borough administration will be left aside for now. Putting a loyal old retired soldier will be enough.'

The township will need 3 and a county 6. Like the Han dynasty, a small county will have 3 townships while the large one 5.'

So I will need 15-21 novice scholars for each county. And I need a suitable county magistrate and county officer as well.

That means with my fortune I'll get the talents to handle only five counties. I have to recover my deficit in the Three Kingdoms then.'

The system told him that the fortune he got from every human would depend on the world he went to. 

Worlds without abilities were first level. Worlds with second and third rank were second level. Worlds with fourth and fifth ranks were third level. Worlds with demigods in power were in the fourth level and the world he was in now was the fifth level, with full grown gods. 

In this world, 50 people gave him one fortune, making the fourth level world needing 100, the third level 150, the second level 200 and the first 250.

In the Three Kingdoms, with a county having a few tens of thousands, he'd get a 100 fortune a month every 25,000 people. 

If he couldn't wait for that long to gather, he could always kill some and earn ten times as much.

Though it wasn't a viable plan,he would have to kill aplenty if he wanted to overthrow the clans. Then use the fortune from the killing to get talents and soldiers.

Then the cycle repeated. More killing, more fortune, more soldiers.

I'll change the 1,000 fortune for soldiers. With 2,000 soldiers and this month's fortune, I can go and conquer those worlds.'

It would get him a county or two in a short time and those officials in ancient times would take a long time before they hear of his acts.

They'd first need to report to their superior, then gather an army, handle logistics and many more. It would give him half a year at the least.

Time in which he'd get fortune to exchange for soldiers and scholars, strengthen his rule and power by eliminating the clans in his lands.

Wealth and information were crucial in this time. One wrong move and he'd lose everything.

For now let's handle the administration of my domain. System said the time moves 100 times faster in other worlds than here.'

Ten years are needed to conquer the Three Kingdoms since I need to deal with the clans first.'

That will mean I'll be gone for a month and have to set things in order before I leave.'

Taking 2,000 soldiers along meant paying a 10% of their value, which was 100 fortune.

Taking it from the 275 fortune he had this month from the populace, it left him with 175.

A competent scholar, third rank, needed five times the price of a novice scholar, 50 fortune; the same price for a general.

His domain needed a county magistrate and a county officer. I'll use 100 fortune to get both and secure my domain until I get back.'

Of the 75 remaining fortune he'd use 25 to get 5 novice scholars since his domain was still short on staff. 

The rest he'd exchange for 10 generals. Besides a county officer, he'd need three more for police commissioner, guard captain and patrol leader. 

While the other 7 would be integrated in the military to watch over those unruly folk.

They would fall in with training and time and the generals would handle their morale.

He noticed in the last campaign that the army was wrecked with problems. There was no way he'd leave without having them dealt with.

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