Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Clay, the Creator of All Things

"But once you solve the problem, you will inevitably be able to truly ascend to the throne."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xue Qinghe frowned. He didn't understand what Lu Yan meant.

He couldn't understand how these people from the lower classes could have the power to support his ascension to the throne.

It sounds like a complete fantasy.

This is not Xue Qinghe's fault; in fact, in a world with extraordinary powers...

Indeed, only nobles, Soul Masters, and various Soul Master factions who possess absolute military power are the dominant forces that determine the ownership of power.

Therefore, when faced with Xue Qinghe's follow-up questions, Lu Yan did not answer directly, but instead asked him to think about it first.

Thus, the two traveled by carriage all the way to Xue Qinghe's residence.

After the two were seated, Xue Qinghe finally couldn't help but speak.

"Qinghe is truly puzzled, and would appreciate it if Brother Lu could explain."

"Haha." Seeing that Xue Qinghe finally couldn't hold back anymore, Lu Yan laughed before asking him a question.

"Brother Qinghe, do you know how many people the empire has now, how many of them are nobles, how many are Soul Masters, and how many are wealthy?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe did a quick calculation and gave Lu Yan a rough estimate.

The population is approximately 300 to 400 million, of which about 300,000 to 400,000 are nobles, while the number of Soul Masters is less than 30,000.

As for the wealthy population, Xue Qinghe could not answer that question.

So Lu Yan asked Xue Qinghe another question: "Brother Qinghe, what do you think about the population after excluding the above three groups?"

"What is the size of the impoverished and destitute population?"

"One or two hundred million?" Xue Qinghe gave an uncertain figure.

"No, no, no." Lu Yan held up a finger and shook it, then uttered a number that surprised Xue Qinghe.

"I think 400 million is a pretty good number for such a low-income population."

"Brother Lu, what are you talking about?" Xue Qinghe frowned. "According to the official statistics of the Empire, the total population will not exceed four hundred million at most."

"Pfft." Lu Yan laughed again: "Brother Qinghe, as the Crown Prince of the Empire, have you really never handled any political affairs?"

"Deceiving superiors and subordinates has always been an old tradition. You actually believe that? You're too naive, aren't you?"

"Don't forget that even commoners in a territory are 'private property' to nobles, not to mention slaves."

"And the various territories, kingdoms and duchies are almost all in a state of independent governance."

"Guess how much of the data from the Empire's statistics is true."

Faced with Lu Yan's words, Xue Qinghe first wanted to refute them, but then fell silent.

"Then Brother Lu, do you think the data statistics from the Spirit Hall would be more accurate?" After a long silence, Xue Qinghe finally spoke.

"It's hard to say. Brother Qinghe, don't you have some cooperation with the Spirit Hall? Can you ask the Spirit Hall if they can ensure the accuracy of the data?"

With that, Xue Qinghe let out a soft cry, and the figure of the Serpent Spear Douluo appeared beside him.

In front of Lu Yan, the Serpent Spear Douluo no longer needed to hide his identity.

However, Serpent Spear Douluo only gave an awkward answer: "Some Spirit Halls in certain areas have not fulfilled their duties."

"In some places, the awakening of martial spirits has been obstructed by the great nobles, who mean that they will arrange for the awakening of their own people."

"Similarly, there are similar situations within the spheres of influence of some Soul Master sects."

Xue Qinghe understood, but he did not ask the Serpent Spear Douluo to step down.

"Brother Lu, do you mean that among these people, there are many talented Soul Masters who can be discovered?" Xue Qinghe asked thoughtfully.

"But even if it is unearthed, it probably won't be of any use in the short term."

"What nonsense about discovering Soul Master talents? It's hard to say how many Soul Master talents are worth discovering. That's not the point." Lu Yan looked at Xue Qinghe with a hint of disappointment.

"You can't rely on conventional thinking, Brother Qinghe. What I mean is that such a huge population is itself an enormous asset."

"After all this explanation, you still don't understand?" Lu Yan was speechless; such a huge number had been presented.

As the successor of the Angel God, don't you ever think about how the Angel God became a god in the first place?

Does it all depend on Soul Masters?

Huh?

Upon reflection, Lu Yan felt as if he had discovered a blind spot.

Really? Is it really all thanks to Soul Masters?

After two days of experimentation, Lu Yan had roughly grasped the difference in faith that Soul Masters and ordinary people could provide.

Excluding other factors, depending on their strength, Soul Masters can provide ten, a hundred, or even a thousand or ten thousand times more mental energy than ordinary people.

It's even more exaggerated.

Relying entirely on Soul Masters isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Perhaps this is why Xue Qinghe fell into a misunderstanding?

Indeed, even though Lu Yan said so, Xue Qinghe was still puzzled.

"Brother Lu, it is undeniable that such a number is indeed staggering, and they are all truly pitiful people."

"But what kind of help can they provide?"

"They can't even support themselves, so what can they do?"

In fact, Xue Qinghe had already vaguely sensed that such a large population could be mobilized.

It might very well be a terrifying force.

But is it possible?

Moreover, he still didn't quite believe that ordinary people with little power could play a significant role in the power struggles at the top.

“Alas, Brother Qinghe, I suddenly feel that you are no different from them.” Lu Yan suddenly sighed.

"Same short-sighted and utterly ignorant!" Lu Yan said, looking at Xue Qinghe with the gaze one would give a fool.

"How dare you! Boy, stop spouting nonsense!" Before Xue Qinghe could even speak, the Serpent Spear Douluo beside him had already shouted angrily.

He had long disliked Lu Yan.

Today they actually dared to take the young master to such a filthy place as the slums.

They even polluted the young master's eyes with such filth.

Now, they even dare to make such outrageous remarks to his face.

When he, the Serpent Spear Douluo, died?

Chapter 128 Making empty promises and spreading alarmist rumors

The terrifying pressure of a titled Douluo instantly descended upon Lu Yan, like a mountain pressing down on him.

Faced with the mental pressure from the Serpent Spear Douluo, Lu Yan didn't even lift an eyelid.

Titled Douluo are indeed very strong, but for Lu Yan, this level of pressure is like a gentle breeze brushing against a mountain.

It should be noted that, in terms of spirit alone, he is now not much worse than an ordinary Soul Saint.

"Brother Qinghe, is this your intention?" Lu Yan simply looked at Xue Qinghe and spoke calmly.

"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Please forgive me, Brother Lu." Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe immediately explained to Lu Yan, while also asking Serpent Spear Douluo to calm down.

Thus, the turmoil subsided.

The Serpent Spear Douluo withdrew his oppressive aura, but inwardly he sneered.

Kid, don't think that just because you've gained the young master's favor, you can act recklessly.

If you can't come up with anything good or bad this time, then I'll make sure you suffer.

Even Dugu Bo couldn't protect you, I'm telling you!

Do you really think you're someone important just because you have Dugu Bo's backing?

If it weren't for the special circumstances and Dugu Bo's extraordinary status, would the Spirit Hall really think that a mere Poison Douluo couldn't deal with him?

After calming Lu Yan down, Xue Qinghe finally spoke: "I wonder what you meant by what you said earlier, Brother Lu?"

"I had a conversation with Brother Qinghe a few days ago, and I thought about it for a long time afterward. I finally sorted out the situation." Lu Yan slowly and methodically explained.

"Given Brother Qinghe's current situation, it is not difficult for him to ascend to the position of Crown Prince, or even to the throne."

"However, I'm sure Brother Qinghe also understands His Majesty's current predicament."

"His Majesty appears to be the ruler of a vast empire, but how much territory does His Majesty truly control?"

"Brother Qinghe, can you guarantee that if you take over, you will definitely be able to do a better job?"

Lu Yan then posed the question to Xue Qinghe.

"Of course, I'm confident," Xue Qinghe said with certainty.

"Oh? Brother Qinghe, please tell me briefly." Lu Yan gestured for him to speak.

"If I ascend the throne, my first priority will naturally be to purge these parasitic bureaucrats and nobles within the empire."

"Subsequently, we vigorously promoted people with both integrity and ability, reshaped the system of governance, vigorously developed the economy, vigorously improved people's livelihoods, and vigorously developed the military."

"Then we will settle accounts with those kingdoms and duchies that do not obey the empire's orders, as well as the numerous fiefdoms and nobles, and restore a clear sky to the millions of citizens of the empire."

Thus, Xue Qinghe recounted his grand ambitions to Lu Yan.

Lu Yan, however, only found Xue Qinghe humorous.

"Brother Qinghe, I think your idea is very good. Don't think about it again next time."

Although Lu Yan knew that Xue Qinghe hadn't told the whole story, he was sure that Xue Qinghe had planted a lot of people from the Spirit Hall in the story.

But the principle is the same, he continued, "Brother Qinghe, is it possible that His Majesty has not thought of what you have said?"

"Even if I don't pay much attention to the situation in the empire, I can figure it out with a little thought."

"His Majesty Xueye is not unable to think of it, but unable to do it."