Chapter 1079: Chapter 1066: Farming and War Chapter 1079: Chapter 1066: Farming and War Looking at Ferdinand’s demeanor, Muria knew that the upheaval in Yas Country definitely had something to do with him. He guessed that Ferdinand was one of the masterminds behind it, and he believed that more than one person was involved.

After all, Gai Nation was just a vassal state of Yas Country, and its capacity was clear. Even though Ferdinand was talented and ambitious, he lacked a sufficient foundation to exert his influence.

He had spent decades planning, and all he had managed to do was cause turmoil in Yas Country. However, turmoil was an opportunity for the surrounding smaller nations to weaken the hegemony of Ymir Plain and strengthen themselves.

The seven equally powerful heirs to the throne in Yas Country were probably the result of Ferdinand collaborating with other ambitious figures. After the old King’s death, these seven “excellent” heirs would divide the entire country into seven parts.

Believing that these seven were chosen by the old guard to split Yas Country, some of them might not be as capable as they appeared, but they certainly weren’t weak.

Some of them probably realized that their current actions were weakening their own country, and they were being used by others.

But what good would recognizing this do them at their stage? It was a blatant open strategy. The temptation of power is unparalleled, and similarly, the consequences of failing to secure that power were unbearable for them.

So, even though they knew that their conflicts might plunge their country into the Abyss, they would not stop.

“After I die, let the flood come.” This was the thinking of most people. Even those who could see the bigger picture were only willing to fight for the immediate benefits, because without fighting, there was no future.

“Arnold, what you need to do next is to fulfill our duties as a vassal state. Support any of these seven Crown Princes who shows the slightest weakness with resources,”
After describing his years of plotting to Muria, Ferdinand began to instruct him on what he should do.

“Hmm,” Muria nodded. If the former King of Yas Country had been alive and learned of Ferdinand’s actions, he would surely have been moved to tears!

Then he would have wiped away his tears, mobilized the great army at all costs, flattened Gai Nation, captured Ferdinand, and cut out his heart to see if it had turned completely black.

“I think I understand what you want to do now, but according to your plan, five years is probably not enough,” Muria said, furrowing his brows.

Ferdinand had just said that after five years, he planned to hand over a broader and more prosperous Gai Nation, but given the current situation, five years seemed insufficient.

“I had originally planned to use the most radical measures to achieve the greatest military results in the shortest time. Now, there’s no need for that. If you ascend to the throne, naturally, you have to use a more secure method. Time is on your side,”

“Hmm, given the current situation, the entire Ymir Prairie has already become muddy waters. If we intervene now, not only can we not guarantee sufficient benefits, but we might even get ourselves entangled,”
“So after you ascend to the throne, what do you plan to do?” Ferdinand stared at Muria, awaiting his next response.

Muria looked up at the middle-aged man who sat on the throne looking rosy and radiant, understanding that his reincarnated father was testing him,
Thus, he stated the first initiative he intended to implement after ascending to the throne, “Reform.”

“Reform?” With a smile that anticipated Muria’s response, Ferdinand’s face suddenly stiffened. He had envisaged many possible responses from Muria but had not expected this one.

“How do you want to reform?” Although a bit disappointed, Ferdinand did not immediately object but motioned for him to continue.

“Politics, economy, military; all undergoing reform,” Muria stated without an ounce of fluctuation in his tone.

“Go on,” Ferdinand said, frowning, indicating for Muria to continue.

“Increase the Royal Court’s control over local governance, abolish hereditary succession, reform the household registration system, enhance management of the populace, and enforce strict laws,” Muria began with astonishing declarations.

“Wait a moment!” Having only heard a few sentences, the veins on Ferdinand’s forehead bulged, and he stared at Muria, his eyes gradually reddening, “Do you know what you’re talking about?”

“I am describing the intended goals for reform in politics,” Muria replied calmly, seemingly oblivious to Ferdinand’s increasingly flushed face.

“I feel like you’re not talking about reform, but rather describing how to destroy Gai Nation from within,” Ferdinand stared intently at Muria.

“If I complete the reform, not only will Gai Nation become the strongest nation on the Ymir Plain, but it will also become the only nation.”

“But that assumes your reform is successful. Once it fails, the entire Gai Nation will crumble apart.”

“That won’t happen,” Muria flatly rejected his father’s words, looking at Ferdinand with confidence brimming in his eyes, “because I will absolutely succeed.”

“What gives you such confidence?”

“Power enough to suppress everything.” Muria stretched out his hand, and a black and red flame danced upon his palm, while a ferocious and imperious demon shadow emerged behind him.

“…Even if you have enough power, you can’t act recklessly!” Watching the oppressive shadow behind Muria, Ferdinand fell silent for a moment before slowly exhaling, “Your power does not mean you can govern a country well.”

“I can.”

“You want to reform, and I don’t oppose it, or should I say once you had this idea, my opposition became moot.” Ferdinand’s stern expression gradually relaxed, and then he displayed a wry, helpless smile,
“You strengthen the Royal Court’s control over territories, revise the household registration system, tighten the laws—these I do not oppose. But why do you want to abolish the hereditary system? Do you not know that those nobles are the foundation of our Gai Nation?”

“You are wrong, those nobles have never been the foundation of Gai Nation, the commoners are. If our nation truly wishes to strengthen, we must abolish the hereditary system. The current noble families of merit have become decadent. They cannot keep up with my pace.”

Muria spoke arrogantly, explaining his thoughts to the king whose days were numbered, “If they wish to maintain their current status, they must send their sons to the battlefield, to uphold their positions through military achievements.”

“Do you not know that besides our royal family, the existence of these nobles supports our Gai Nation? Once you abolish the hereditary system, it’s like forcing them to leave, or even incite a rebellion.”

“Leave?” A disdainful smile appeared on Muria’s face, “Under my rule, Gai Nation will undoubtedly become the strongest nation. Leave, and where could they go? As for a rebellion, just suppress it.”

“Why do you want to suppress the nobles?” Ferdinand looked puzzled at Muria, in his eyes the nobles were the mainstay of the nation.

“No, I’m not suppressing the nobles, but those nobles who are incompetent yet hold high positions. Competent nobles can still maintain their status through military achievements.”

“And in the future, the foundation of Gai Nation will be the military nobles, the nobles who earn their titles based on the heads of enemies. We will only look at capabilities, not at one’s origins. Even if someone is of lowly commoner birth, as long as they can achieve enough military exploits on the battlefield, they too can become Great Nobles.”

Muria again spoke shocking words. “Gai Nation is but a small country; to become strong, we absolutely cannot rely on the existing nobles within our country. We must recruit talent from outside, and in this respect, those strong individuals from common backgrounds are the best choice. Only then can our nation quickly rise in strength.”

“So, by abolishing the hereditary system of the nobles, you also plan to grant titles based on military achievements?” Ferdinand’s expression grew odd. His own abilities were not inferior, and he knew that this could definitely attract grass-root warriors not under the control of other nations.

In fact, there were many such powerful individuals within their Gai Nation, and these grass-root warriors had always been the source of chaos in national security. Humans possessing great power hardly ever stayed quiet and obedient.

Once Gai Nation opened up these systematic channels for advancement, one could easily predict what would happen.

No one would refuse the chance to become a noble, to rise above others. Before, there was no choice, but after his son implemented these reforms, everything would change.

“Exactly, granting nobility based on military achievements, that’s the military reform I plan to carry out. Even the lowest soldiers, as long as they can decapitate enemies, will receive rewards—land, money, and even titles. Whoever they are, on the battlefield, as long as they fight for me, as long as they kill enough, they can have everything they want.”

Muria did not intend to seek a different path but planned to directly harness the wisdom of ancients from a previous life, Farming and War—a system that could enable a weak and small country to become strong in the shortest time.

Farming and War would turn every soldier in the army into a bloodthirsty tiger or wolf, because the conferral of nobility based on military achievements is tied to bare, naked interests. It doesn’t preach about lofty ideals but tells soldiers very directly and clearly that as long as they go to the battlefield and kill, even if they are mud-legged peasants, they too can become nobles.

“…” After listening to Muria’s words, Ferdinand closed his eyes, and then slowly opened them.

He could imagine if Muria really succeeded in his reforms. Then, Gai Nation would become an insatiable beast, devouring all visible “food” around it, and only when there are no more targets would this beast stop.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read