https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-494-The-Tragic-Star-Ninja-Village-/12943166/
Chapter 495: The Vast Skyguard Tower Dominion!
Chapter 495: The Vast Skyguard Tower Dominion!
River Country, Tea Country, and the Mist Hidden Village!
These places, along with the Skyguard Tower, are the true extent of the Skyguard Tower's influence.
To outsiders, the Skyguard Tower may seem powerful, but its territory is not that vast. However, in reality, it far exceeds their imagination.
In River Country, they still occupy the same territory as before and have not expanded further.
After all, the two neighboring major countries have already turned their attention to them, so they must remain cautious and not cause any disturbances, even when it comes to the black oil business in River Country.
Although the area has not increased, the population has nearly doubled.
In the Ninja World, there is a scarcity of everything except for the abundance of starving refugees.
The only reason refugees cannot flood into their controlled areas is the underdeveloped transportation system and the vast distances. Otherwise, the population could easily multiply several times over.
Every year, on average, several million or more people starve to death in the Ninja World, and this does not include times of war, when the numbers would be even higher.
Yes, the death toll is indeed that staggering.
This is why they say that life in the Ninja World is cheap.
It is only because there are so many births that the population can withstand such high death rates.
Furthermore, while the population in River Country has only doubled, in reality, it has increased even more. This is because they have been continuously sending people to Tea Country.
Currently, in Tea Country, the population directly under the control of the Skyguard Tower has already surpassed several million.
Note that this population is directly affiliated with the 'Skyguard Tower'.
Tea Country has a population of tens of millions, but these people have no connection to the Skyguard Tower and are under the jurisdiction of the Daimyo and lords of Tea Country.
They dare not make any bold moves!
Although Tea Country does not face the same situation as River Country, being sandwiched between two major countries, it still borders Fire Country to the north, so they must be cautious and not reveal too much.
Tea Country's development is proceeding step by step. The previously cultivated land and factories are now producing, making it one of the Skyguard Tower's core production bases.
The biggest change is in the 'Mist Hidden Village'.
The new Mist Hidden Village is now in use, and its relocation to the seaside allows Skyguard Tower's supplies to be delivered directly, saving a lot of time and effort.
Countless supplies from the Skyguard Tower no longer need to be siphoned off by local tyrants and can be directly transported to the Mist Hidden Village, from where they are distributed to Water Country.
Huge profits are pouring in!
Previously, the Mist Ninjas were so impoverished that they had to resort to infighting, which led to the notorious reputation of the 'Bloody Mist Village'.
They didn't want to do this, but they had no choice. Ninjas consume too many resources, and when the resources couldn't support so many people, infighting became inevitable.
Now, everything is better!
With this massive profit, the Mist Ninjas can finally hold their heads high. They no longer restrict the number of ninjas and can train anyone with potential.
These benefits delight the Mist Ninjas.
They can enjoy these profits, and with the addition of basic wages and various welfare benefits after registration, they have become loyal followers of the Skyguard Tower.
It's not that they were disloyal to their village before; it's just that the old Mist Hidden Village was not worth their loyalty.
Now, after being conquered by the Skyguard Tower, they are living a life they never dared to dream of.
Each time supplies are distributed, the Shrine Maidens ensure that the Skyguard Tower's benefits are evident in every detail, showcasing the advantages of joining the Skyguard Tower.
Therefore, it's no wonder that the Mist Ninjas are inclined towards the Skyguard Tower. They genuinely receive these benefits!
Especially the younger ninjas, who have been indoctrinated with the fiery will, have become loyal to the Skyguard Tower.
Of course, there are still some troubles.
The nobles of Water Country are extremely dissatisfied.
The Skyguard Tower's actions are taking food right out of their mouths! Previously, to transport supplies to Water Country, they had to appease the ninjas along the route, but more importantly, they had to bribe these nobles, who received most of the profits.
But now? With the Mist Hidden Village becoming a part of the Skyguard Tower, the ninjas along the route dare not cause trouble, and with the new Mist Hidden Village handling distribution, the nobles are cut out of the loop.
The other party intended to come and collect taxes, but they 'fell ill and died' along the way, infuriating the nobles.
The natives may have a natural affinity for the nobility, but that doesn't mean Dong Ping shares it. He had previously gone to war with the Daimyo's allied forces.
Now, for the nobles to still dare to come and collect taxes, it's already considerate of them not to make the other party 'commit suicide with seventeen kunai in their back.'
To still want to collect taxes is simply a pipe dream!
Furthermore, the escort duty for the transport fleet is handled by the Mist Ninjas. If anyone dares to cause trouble, the Mist Ninjas will retaliate without hesitation, even if it's for their own sake.
Therefore, the nobles have no way to pull off any underhanded tricks.
They do have some power, but it's nowhere near the strength of the Mist Ninjas.
Only with the support of the Mist Hidden Village can the Skyguard Tower's goods begin to flood the Water Country.
With their goods, the nobles' smuggled or cooperatively sourced goods will naturally face difficulties in sales, at the very least, they won't be able to sell at the previously high prices.
This is the reason why the nobles are determined to cause trouble.
The market is only so big; the more you sell, the more they lose.
Of course, the nobles won't consider one thing.
That is, while Skyguard Tower is dumping goods, they are also acquiring a large number of local specialties, which can bring significant benefits to the Water Country, creating a win-win situation.
What the nobles care about is that you have damaged their 'interests.' As for bringing benefits to the Water Country, what does that have to do with them?
So, the better Skyguard Tower develops, the more it is destined to oppose the noble class.
After all, other ninja villages mainly focus on missions, and no one engages in commerce. Even if they did, they wouldn't play the game like this. You, Skyguard Tower, are monopolizing the market and snatching food from our bowls. If we don't deal with you, who will we deal with?
In the past, Skyguard Tower would never have dared to play so blatantly.
But on the Water Country's side, with the support of the Mist Hidden Village, if they don't dare to play like this, they might as well obediently become dogs for the nobles, offering up their profits to them and begging for some scraps.
As for whether the Mist Ninjas are willing to obey Skyguard Tower's orders and oppose the nobles?
The answer is definite!
If those nobles dare to cut off their financial resources, the Mist Ninjas won't mind teaching them what 'truth only exists within kunai range' means.
However, regarding profits and benefits, Dong Ping only skimmed over them. His gaze was fixed on something else.
Brainwashing!
That's the key.
Whether it's the Shinobi Academy or the Shrine Maidens, they are constantly spreading one idea.
The current happy life is brought by Skyguard Tower. The previous hard times were due to the selfishness and incompetence of the previous Mizukages.
Yes, Dong Ping is ruthlessly criticizing the previous Mizukages and high-ranking officials.
Even though he knows this will offend many people, he has no choice.
If he doesn't criticize the previous Mizukages and portrays Skyguard Tower as a 'liberator,' he can't very well call himself an invader, can he?
Criticizing the previous Mizukages may upset some people, like Choue Kousuke, Gensei, Kagami Mei, and others.
But they can only feel upset; after all, the main culprits are lying in the graveyard and won't be able to speak up in rebuttal.
Moreover, the changes brought about by Skyguard Tower are plainly visible. The current Mist Ninjas are absolutely unwilling to return to the previous bloody and cruel hardships.
However, there are indeed some opponents.
Gensei and a group of Mist Ninjas are becoming increasingly agitated.
They know that the longer time passes, the harder it will be to return to the way things were before.
The traditionalists, or the unwilling Mist Ninjas, have begun to take action in secret.
Putting down the intelligence in his hand, Dong Ping looked at Uchiha Yai and said, "For the Mist Hidden Village, have Gensei contact the nobles and find a way to cause trouble. Ideally, we can obtain evidence of their conspiracy!"
Yes, this is his plan.
And the pit he has dug will definitely be stepped on by the Water Country nobles.
At that time, not only will they be able to eliminate the hidden danger of the Mist Hidden Village without causing resentment among the Mist Ninjas, but they will also drive a wedge between the Water Country nobles and the Mist Ninjas.
What a win!
After reading through these materials, the afternoon had arrived, and some unexpected guests had also shown up.
(End of Chapter)
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