The three people eavesdropping below the observation deck were sweating profusely.
If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire had simply issued the decrees as Tsukuyo said, without explicitly stating the disadvantages, Uchiha Madara and the others, being just ninja, would likely not have thought too deeply about it.
But now, the situation was different.
To make the Daimyo thoroughly understand how to collect invisible taxes from the entire population of the Land of Fire, Tsukuyo had explained it in great detail.
The three below, who had been in a state of "ignorant bliss," now knew too much and felt a sense of dread instead.
If the Daimyo adopted Tsukuyo's proposal,
countless commoners would pay the price. For the next ten, hundred, or even a thousand years, the illiterate common folk would only know of the Daimyo's benevolence and low taxes, unaware that they were being secretly exploited by the Daimyo's government.
Taxes would be lower, but even after a full year of labor in a bountiful harvest year, the commoners would still have no money, and they would still be unable to survive natural disasters.
They would be taxed on clothing, food, housing, and transportation—on everything. The only difference was that before, they paid the Daimyo directly; after the policy change, they would pay indirectly.
From production to the consumer's hands, every step would be taxed. It would seem like they weren't paying much in taxes, but in reality, every daily necessity would contain a hefty tax.
Doing this would enhance the Daimyo's reputation, and he would still rake in more money.
The money received could be invested in national construction, strengthening the Land of Fire.
This policy was naturally full of benefits for the Daimyo; the ones who would suffer were the commoners of the Land of Fire.
Under this decree, the commoners of the Land of Fire would be continuously exploited, and it would be difficult for them to even notice.
And while the Daimyo gained more wealth, he could also maximize his own prestige.
"...Princess, your strategy is as stunning as ever. Marvelous." The cheerful voice of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire drifted down from the observation deck. "However, Princess, I am not a complete ignoramus when it comes to politics. If I follow your idea to nationalize the salt and iron industries, I will inevitably infringe upon the interests of countless wealthy merchants and nobles who run those businesses."
"The Fujiwara clan has only just fallen. If I do this, the commoners might not understand, but the other nobles will be a different story. What should I do if they stir up massive resistance?"
The eyes of Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Yuki began to turn red.
Senju Wakama knew that the Uchiha clan were all cold on the outside but passionate on the inside; hearing such a heartless policy would naturally displease them.
It would have been better if they hadn't heard it.
Senju Wakama knew that if he didn't intervene, Uchiha Madara might start a fight with Tsukuyo later.
Senju Wakama calmly looked at a small bird on a nearby vine, which was tilting its head and watching them.
Senju Wakama raised his hand and waved at the little bird. He made a gesture, pointing to the observation deck above his head.
The bird tilted its head and looked at him for a good while, then nodded, spread its wings, and flew upwards.
Senju Wakama slowly let out a sigh of relief.
He knew that the little bird had understood his meaning and had gone to deliver a message.
Sure enough.
The chirping of a bird came from above the observation deck, and after the bird finished its call,
they clearly heard Tsukuyo's sweet voice.
"Your Excellency, the Daimyo, after you nationalize these industries, the Daimyo's government only needs to handle sales, not production."
"Anyone in the Land of Fire can produce salt and smelt iron, but they cannot sell it privately. If the Daimyo's government sells it at a unified, standard price, the problem you mentioned won't arise."
"Leave the production side to the market, create competition, and the Daimyo's government can remove itself from that process."
As she finished speaking, the Daimyo's delighted voice was heard. "Excellent, excellent, the Princess is right."
Next, Tsukuyo added: "Your Excellency, the Daimyo, one must eat a meal one bite at a time. Let's take this step by step. Regarding the salt and iron business, I will write a detailed scroll and have it delivered to you. It's dinnertime now, so Your Excellency can proceed to the dining hall first."
The Daimyo was tactful, saying with a laugh, "The Princess's arrangements are thorough. Let's do that. I look forward to our next meeting."
The sounds of pleasantries faded into the distance from the observation deck, as if Tsukuyo was seeing the Daimyo of the Land of Fire out.
Senju Wakama timed it perfectly, leading Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Yuki up to the observation deck.
He saw Tsukuyo returning along the same path. She looked at the three of them with a strange expression, "I say, Wakama, if you're having a rendezvous with your little girlfriend, why bring Madara along as a third wheel?"
Before Senju Wakama could speak,
Uchiha Madara's gloomy aura seemed to materialize as he snapped, "You bastard, can't you be a good person for once?"
Tsukuyo smiled, her words sharp and unsparing. "A man who inflicted immense trauma upon the lands of the Land of Fire with his god-like power is now asking me who the better person is?"
"You..." Uchiha Madara exclaimed, "I'm going to kill you."
"Yes, yes, yes, I was wrong. It's time to eat, aren't you hungry? You can come kill me after you've had a full meal." Tsukuyo said, as if coaxing a child.
Although Uchiha Madara still looked angry, it was clear that he was quite receptive to Tsukuyo humbling herself to coax him, as if he were reluctantly forgiving her.
Watching this scene, Senju Wakama couldn't help but shake his head.
Senju Wakama thought to himself that the Uchiha clan was really easy to deceive, even a powerhouse who had reached Uchiha Madara's level of strength.
Of course, Senju Wakama knew that the only reason someone could perfectly placate Uchiha Madara with just a few words was because she was Tsukuyo, and no one else.
Tsukuyo was too powerful. If she deliberately set out to please someone, no one could escape her grasp.
After Tsukuyo led Uchiha Madara away,
Uchiha Yuki, still shaken, clung to Senju Wakama's arm and whispered, "I used to think that the Princess's immense strength was terrifying enough, but now I realize... it's not just her strength that's terrifying."
"Heh heh..." Senju Wakama laughed. "The Senju clan is what it is today all because of Tsukuyo. Our strength is all thanks to her support."
"So... what reason does the Uchiha clan have not to cooperate with us? Even though we are indeed generational enemies."
"But if this hatred isn't severed in one generation, it will only accumulate and deepen over time."
Uchiha Yuki lowered her head. "I can understand the Princess's dream of merging our two clans, and even multiple ninja clans. I can understand that. But the policies she discussed with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire... I cannot understand."
Speaking of which, compared to the Daimyo and the nobles, their ninja clans weren't much nobler than the commoners.
According to the Princess's proposed policy, they would be paying taxes just by eating and drinking.
As long as they were alive, they would be perpetually exploited by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
And while they were being constantly exploited, the ignorant commoners would be full of gratitude because the Daimyo lowered the direct tax rates.
A classic case of being sold and still helping to count the money.
Just hearing this truth sent a chill down her spine.
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