Chapter 159: The Tulip Bubble
Menma sat in his office, looking through the intelligence reports and documents on his desk.
Although bold reforms had been carried out within the Land of Snow during this period, it hadn't actually caused much of a stir in the wider ninja world.
The overall situation in the ninja world was currently unstable.
The attention of the Five Great Nations was all focused on Konoha and Kumogakure, wanting to see if these two great ninja villages would trigger a Fourth Shinobi World War.
Therefore, they had no energy to pay attention to a remote, small country like the Land of Snow.
This was well within Menma's expectations, and also the result he had hoped for.
The current strategic policy of the Land of Snow was to "build high walls, store abundant grain, and take time to claim kingship."
Build good fortifications, expand military strength.
Store up reserve resources for future needs.
When the time is ripe, "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," and they would fight for supremacy.
This current tense stalemate was what would allow the Land of Snow to have better time for development.
Under Kazahana Koyuki's unconditional trust, roads were being laid and renovated in all regions of the Land of Snow, at least ensuring every city had one main road.
Although the scale of this operation was large, the Land of Snow had actually already laid many railway lines, and had even developed airships and snowmobiles.
These all greatly promoted the development speed of the Land of Snow, and also made the country's transportation gradually improve.
More and more foreign merchants entered the Land of Snow for commercial activities, not only bringing a variety of goods, but also a large amount of capital flowing into the Land of Snow's market.
It was equivalent to moving banknotes from the left pocket to the right; the Land of Snow's finances did not suffer much of a loss.
Moreover, the first new-style school in Snow City has now been completed.
As the first new-style school in the Land of Snow, its various standards are comparable to Konoha's Ninja Academy.
It can accommodate hundreds of students to learn skills in various fields such as "military," "carpentry," and "management."
However, this matter absolutely could not be rushed; it had to proceed step-by-step and steadily.
Menma planned to first have those Uchiha children as the first batch of students for the new school.
After this first batch of students adapted to the new school's teaching model, and it was confirmed that there were no problems with this teaching model transplanted from his previous life,
He would then select school-age children from the populace of Snow City to enroll, and then gradually expand to other cities.
Finally, he would search for young orphans from across the ninja world and bring them back to be nurtured and trained by various welfare institutions.
One could easily find hundreds and thousands of homeless orphans.
This aspect of the work was all handed over to Yakushi Nonō.
She had previously served as the director of Konoha's orphanage and as Root's chief spy; he believed she would quickly adapt to this life and work.
And the Shadow Guards jointly trained by Nonō and Shisui, as well as the preliminarily established "Luowang" (The Net), had already been put into use.
These Shadow Guards were in all walks of life and of various age groups, lurking in various dark places like shadows, serving as Menma's tentacles and extensions.
They would regularly collect intelligence, which would be sent to Menma after screening and statistical analysis, making it convenient for him to understand the current changes and development of the Land of Snow.
"Tsk, you don't know until you look, but one look is a shock."
Menma looked through the intelligence in his hand, his brow tightly furrowed as he thought to himself: "The ninja world has been maintained by this fragile balance for a hundred years?"
He originally thought the "one country, one village" system created by Senju Hashirama was more or less groundbreaking, making the ninja village and the country a single entity.
But after in-depth understanding, he found that this thing was completely dispensable, not having changed the "mercenary" nature of ninja from the Warring States period.
Ninja villages need financial assistance from daimyō and nobles, and in return, ninja villages provide long-term protection for the daimyō and nobles.
The ninja village seems to have become a part of the country, but in reality, it is their common interests that have made them sign a more solid cooperation contract.
The nobles have always been wary of the power of ninja and have excluded the ninja villages from the national system.
Even if the ninja now no longer want to fight in Shinobi World Wars, those nobles enjoying the war dividends from behind will not allow them to stop.
After all, a ninja village is equivalent to a "state within a state" with autonomy.
If there really was no war, the ninja would focus their energy on independent production.
In the end, they might even break away from the country's control, become independent, and self-sufficient.
"One country, two voices... isn't this separatism? Isn't this against Sun... ahem!"
Menma shook his head, chuckling lightly: "What a fragile relationship of interests, completely maintained by a tacit understanding."
He even felt he could easily crash the entire system, letting the "one country, one village" system naturally fall apart.
For example, by giving ninja the ability of independent production.
Or, for example, by giving nobles the ability to cultivate ninja.
Of course, there was an even more drastic method that could bring down the entire country, including the ninja village.
That is, to bankrupt one of the Five Great Nations.
If that happened, the Five Great Ninja Villages would probably look for more suitable buyers for themselves.
"Perhaps... I can use those great nations for a simple experiment."
Thinking this, Menma looked at the red flower in the flowerpot by the window, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes.
In his previous life, there was an economic term called the "Tulip Effect," which originated from the historical event "Tulip Mania" in 17th-century Holland.
That was the first recorded financial bubble in human history, the earliest recorded speculative activity in Europe.
Menma happened to have understood and studied this major historical event in his previous life.
The elements and links in this speculative activity, including the fanatical pursuit of wealth, the herd effect, the complete loss of reason, and the final bursting of the bubble.
In the end, tens of thousands of speculators went bankrupt in the irretrievable collapse.
"Koyuki has been complaining recently that the Land of Snow's financial situation is somewhat difficult to maintain at the current development speed."
Menma rubbed his chin, thinking to himself: "Just right to take this opportunity to scoop up a sum from those speculators."
As for whether those who go bankrupt will line up to jump off rooftops in the end...
To put it nicely: "When a person's intelligence doesn't match their wealth, that wealth will return to the hands of someone it matches."
To put it crudely: "Gambling dogs don't get a house." (Internet slang for gamblers coming to a bad end).
Just as Menma was thinking about how to find a breakthrough,
Click!
The office door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
This impolite action made Menma frown.
However, upon seeing the person who entered, his furrowed brow relaxed.
"Lord Big Brother!"
Kazahana Koyuki, dressed in a magnificent robe, trotted into the office.
She directly hugged Menma's arm, then hid behind him.
"Hmm?"
Sniff~ Sniff sniff~
Kazahana Koyuki's nose wrinkled. Blinking her eyes, she murmured: "Lord Big Brother, your office smells so good."
This scent... smells better than the most expensive perfume!
(End of Chapter)
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