Shen Feng originally wanted to understand who was scheming against Hua Jingran, as the events were too coincidental. Chang Jianyi had just decided to observe the character of his future sister-in-law, and immediately after, Hua Jingran was tempted. Anyone would be angry, and Shen Feng felt there was something fishy about such a coincidence.
However, after seeing the young girl Yu Zhiling, Shen Feng immediately dismissed the idea. He knew this little girl. She had once walked the streets carrying a large stack of books and was willing to extend a helping hand to those in difficulty. This did not seem like someone who would deliberately plot against others.
Yu Zhiling then requested Shen Feng to meet her brother, and Shen Feng agreed. If there was any help he could offer, he would extend it, but releasing a protection racket thug was impossible.
In the past, Shen Feng had killed those who dared to collect protection fees, using them as a deterrent.
At that time, Professor Chu had directly explained the situation: "The so-called protection fee is taxation. When others collect protection fees, it is equivalent to stealing the taxes that originally belonged to you. This is not conducive to stability. Whenever a dynasty weakens, it is often due to problems with taxation, where the central government cannot collect taxes from the local areas, leading to a deficit and the rise of local powers!"
Therefore, Shen Feng would never let go of those who dared to steal his livelihood. Anyone who dared to collect protection fees would be killed on sight!
When Shen Feng followed Yu Zhiling outside the city and found her family's hotel, the once bustling and prosperous hotel was now shrouded in desolation. There were hardly any people entering the hotel, and a layer of dust covered the tables inside, clearly indicating that few people had visited.
"It has become desolate, unlike its former liveliness!" Shen Feng frowned and said.
It had only been a few days, and the hotel, which was once quite lively, had changed so much. This made Shen Feng feel that it was all unreal, the changes were too great, and these changes were not unrelated to him. Shen Feng suddenly felt a sense of guilt.
"Prosperity is but a fleeting illusion, disappearing in the blink of an eye. City Lord, please do not worry. We did not prepare a banquet in advance, please forgive us. I will have someone purchase supplies immediately." Just then, a thin young boy walked out of the hotel. He was very slender, with a physique like a monkey, his arms thin, and he seemed to have little flesh on his body.
Seeing this young boy, Shen Feng couldn't help but ask, "Did your father abuse you?"
Yu Zhijing quickly replied, "Of course not!"
"Then why are you so thin? Your family runs a hotel. Even if it has shown signs of decline in recent days, it shouldn't have become like this in just a few days. Tell me the truth!" Shen Feng still didn't believe it. The boy's physique clearly indicated long-term malnutrition, and to be like this in a family that ran a hotel was obviously problematic.
"It is because I have an illness that I am like this. I was waiting for the City Lord's summons, but I did not expect the City Lord to condescend to visit my humble abode. We are unprepared, please forgive us!" Yu Zhijing quickly replied.
Shen Feng saw that although the young boy in front of him was thin, his demeanor and etiquette were impeccable, which made him feel that he was not simple. Most people would be lucky to remain calm when meeting him, but this boy's performance was even more outstanding. His speech showed no signs of timidity, which was far beyond that of ordinary children.
Shen Feng then followed the boy into the hotel. Some employees were still left in the hotel. Seeing the City Lord appear, they all became flustered and began to act with more urgency.
As if wanting to make a good impression on Shen Feng, these employees worked diligently. Yu Zhijing did not pay attention to them. For him, these remaining employees were not necessarily loyal. They might have stayed to earn more, or they might have been plotting how to take over the entire restaurant, or they might have been looking for the wealth accumulated by his father over the past half-year.
In ancient times, there were often instances of wicked servants bullying their masters, and Yu Zhijing had always guarded against such situations occurring to him.
Yu Zhijing asked his subordinates to purchase wine and food to entertain Shen Feng. Originally, this was a prosperous restaurant, but now it had become an empty shell. Although the tables and chairs were still there, in the current situation, everyone was waiting for Yu Muhe to fall into misfortune. Once Yu Muhe died, his property could be divided. Let alone tables and chairs, the entire restaurant could be seized.
Yu Zhijing invited Shen Feng to sit at a table by the window and then said directly, "My father, Yu Muhe, has heard that he is to be executed. From now on, my sister and I will not be able to live outside the city. Therefore, we dare to beg the City Lord to spare my father's life, is that possible?"
Shen Feng shrugged and said directly, "No. Although I am the City Lord, I also need to abide by the rules, otherwise, I cannot win the support of the people. However, I will not kill your father. Let him work in places like the mines for a few years. As for your request, please forget it!"
Yu Zhijing received this answer and found that it was indeed in line with the City Lord's usual habits, so he was not too disappointed. Instead, he continued, "City Lord, I know you dislike breaking rules, but there are always exceptions. I hope to change your mind!"
Upon hearing this answer, Shen Feng was momentarily stunned. He didn't know how this boy had the audacity to say such arrogant words, asking him to change his mind?
"Based on you? Children should not be too arrogant. This world is not like a fairy tale world where kindness and optimism can change the situation," Shen Feng said mockingly.
Yu Zhijing also sat opposite Shen Feng and said earnestly, "Ambition is not limited by age; a life without ambition is a hundred years in vain! Have you heard this saying, City Lord? Bacon also said that knowledge is power. Although I am thin and suffering from a terminal illness, I believe that with my current intellect, I can impress the City Lord!"
Shen Feng shrugged and said, "Alright, alright, then tell me how smart you are. After you finish, I will praise you."
At this moment, Shen Feng clearly did not take Yu Zhijing seriously. He thought the boy was just a bit ignorant, perhaps he had memorized dozens of ancient poems and thought he was already great. So, he would humor him.
"Please excuse my presumption!" Yu Zhijing said neither hastily nor slowly and began to speak, "Although Yuzhou appears to be a safe haven for refugees, in my opinion, it is still fraught with danger. The crisis has not yet erupted, but in time, deep contradictions will inevitably arise. At that time, Yuzhou will be turned upside down. The City Lord may be able to suppress the unrest, but Yuzhou will be severely weakened!"
Shen Feng had expected Yu Zhijing to present some childish views and planned to humor him. However, now, Yu Zhijing was about to discuss the hidden dangers of Yuzhou. The topic was serious, and he looked very earnest. This immediately piqued Shen Feng's interest. Even if it was just a child's words, as long as they were reasonable, they should be agreed with!
"Continue speaking!" Shen Feng then said.
Yu Zhijing nodded and continued, "City Lord, look outside. The number of residents outside the city is increasing. Have you noticed this? And is the tax collection going smoothly? Currently, the mercenaries outside the city are naturally inferior to the forces within the city, and many of Yuzhou's welfare policies are not available outside the city. Hasn't this already created a rift? For these residents outside the city, tax collection is not smooth. Apart from taxes on water and electricity, consumption cannot be taxed, and other industries cannot be taxed either. Outside the walls of Yuzhou city, this is the situation!"
Shen Feng finally became serious. If it weren't for Yu Zhijing's young age, Shen Feng would have enthusiastically discussed the matter. Shen Feng finally discovered the hidden crisis. What concerned him most was the situation within the city. As for the outside, his concerns were only about the progress of land reclamation and the number of mutated beasts in the mountains. He had not given much thought to the mercenaries, as it was just a temporary measure thought of earlier.
"Currently, the population outside the city is not large, and they mostly rely on the mercenary guilds. However, what if the mercenary guilds lose their ability to manage? The mercenaries have already hunted many mutated beasts in the mountains, and Yuzhou will not be threatened in the short term. Then, within ten years, the population outside the city will surge. After five years, a batch of children of mercenaries will be ready for the battlefield. Children raised in mercenary families will mostly become mercenaries themselves. When the strength outside the city exceeds the strength within the city, it will be the city itself that will be uneasy." Yu Zhijing said slowly.
After hearing these analyses, Shen Feng fell into deep thought. At this moment, the employees had diligently purchased wine and food from a nearby hotel. Seemingly aware that Shen Feng could not drink spirits, they had purchased beer. There was braised meat and peanuts on the table, along with several cold dishes. It was quite pleasant to talk while eating and drinking.
Yu Zhiling closed the door, sat down at the table, and began to eat. She had not eaten all morning and was now hungry. As for Shen Feng, he had already eaten his fill. He drank a glass of beer and continued to talk with Yu Zhijing. He finally realized that he should not underestimate anyone.
"The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves before it; a new generation replaces the old!" Shen Feng looked at the boy in front of him in shock. He was only about ten years old, a few years younger than Chang Haojie, and despite his frail body, he possessed such remarkable insight. This was truly extraordinary, perhaps a legendary prodigy!
"As you say, I can continue to recruit soldiers by drawing people from outside the city into the city. The benefits for soldiers are very high, and there will certainly be people willing to join the army. As long as I can maintain the balance of power between the inside and outside of the city, isn't that enough?" Shen Feng then asked.
"Then, wouldn't that lead to increased expenses?" Yu Zhijing continued, "There will inevitably be unfairness between the inside and outside of the city, and the population outside the city will continue to grow. Perhaps people from other places will also flee to Yuzhou. The city can absorb them, but can the outside not absorb them?"
Shen Feng frowned and continued, "The core power is held within the city. I have many ability users. With ability users in hand, I can possess absolute power and absolute advantage! I can also produce evolution bases, and I can cultivate very powerful ability users."
Shen Feng began to analyze the current situation with Yu Zhijing. Even though the other party was a child, he was indeed worth discussing, and it required a serious conversation.
Yu Zhijing calmly asked, "City Lord, you are correct, but please do not forget that ability users are not only in the city, but also in other places. The Heavenly Dragon Bureau covets Yuzhou, so do other forces not covet Yuzhou? What if these mercenaries outside the city collude with other ability user groups? Will there still be war?"
Shen Feng was momentarily stumped. He frowned and began to ponder. The more he thought, the more he felt that the issue of mercenaries was urgent.
At this moment, Shen Feng's phone rang. Unknowingly, Shen Feng's lunch break had ended. Chu Chaoyan, seeing that Shen Feng had not returned, called to urge him.
Shen Feng answered the phone and said, "Don't rush me. Handle the city matters first. I still have something to do outside the city. I'll be back later!"
After speaking, Shen Feng hung up the phone.
Next, Shen Feng looked at Yu Zhijing and asked, "Since you have described the situation so seriously, you must have a solution, right? Can you tell me?"
Yu Zhijing had said all this precisely to persuade Shen Feng, and he had naturally prepared the answer. He then said directly, "That is to establish an outer city. In the future, the area within the old city walls will be the inner city, and the area within the new city walls will be the outer city. With city walls, tax collection can be carried out. Water, electricity, housing, consumption, and other entertainment services can all be taxed. With city walls, there will be the ability to manage. Next, divide the forces of the mercenary groups to prevent any single one from becoming dominant. That should be sufficient."