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The Prince grunted, and proudly defended his own pride out of stubbornness.

“Rong Wang, I am afraid to tell you that your claim is wrong. It is true that I, as the Prince have not personally dealt with tax systems and financial policy making, however I am crystal clear on the matters relating to them.”

On the side of the room, an astounded noise escaped Xi Rei’s tax minister, Hei’s mouth.

“Oh?” He was delighted to hear the Prince’s decree and showed his eagerness.

“Then if His Royal Highness would kindly enlighten us with his great knowledge.” He beckoned humbly.

The audience urged the Prince, displaying that enthusiasm as they waited to be gifted with another great speech of wisdom.

Feng Ming almost bit off his own troublesome tongue. He chewed on his lip in hesitation, as he actually thought about his words before he spoke.

“Mmm...umm…”

He sank deeper into his own trap.

The Prince then whipped his eyes and pinned them fiercely onto the Regent King before answering the wishes of General Chu.

“Firstly, tell me the tax policy that you are proposing and I’ll reply with my resolutions.”

Rong Tian wasn’t letting his prey go so easily.

“Considering, His Highness is clear on the matter, why do you request a reiteration?” A sinister smile was forming on the King’s thin lips, as he found pleasure pressing Feng Ming’s buttons.

Feng Ming failed to conceal his distaste as it was clearly stamped on his face, and his complexion darkened.

With the last remark, the Prince nearly shot out his seat to grab the King by the collar, wanting to challenge the man’s obnoxious and superior attitude.

However, the little rationality that lived in Feng Ming stopped his impulse. As much as he wanted to pummel that smug handsome face, he was well aware that in the end he would be suffer the King’s wrath.

Keeping their arguments exclusively to words was the safer option.

As a result he put his man-beating thoughts aside, and gave the man a sneer before standing up with an air of feigned elegance. He glanced over his subjects quickly before composing himself to calmly address them.

“There is a saying in the Art of War which goes. “One must know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.” Even though I am well versed in Tax systems and finances, such a big issue needs to be carefully analyzed and cannot be treated carelessly. It is only natural that I am first explained the details of Xi Rei’s tax revenue system, before I can deliberate and guide you.”

The flow of such clever words coming from the Prince’s mouth stunned everyone in the room, even the Rong Wang who sat to his side was left speechless.

Feng Ming was bemused by the surprised faces in front of him, he managed to blow them out of the water, just like he had the day before, so he didn’t find it strange, instead he thought to himself, what his next move should be.

He had just opened his mouth at the slip of his tongue gave the bunch of military buffs a free lecture entailing essences of Sun Zi’s ‘Art of War’ theories mixed with modern day terminologies for politics, it would have been more strange if those words didn’t leave these “ancients” dumbfounded.

Sure enough, after a gracious silence, everyone’s brains recovered and their eyes were shining strangely with newfound worship towards their bright Prince, almost as if they were beginning to idolize him.

General Tong then bowed to the ground, and exclaimed.

“Your Highness’s talent and the extent of your great wisdom are unfathomable. Before your arrival, we were discussing military tactics against our enemies and the organization of our own troops. This saying “One must know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.” is commendable. It is praise worthy and deserves to be credited to your Highness’s sharp mind. We would never have thought that this “Art of War‘s” theory could also be applicable to the tax system, this is magnificent, pure genius!”

Feng Ming knew flattering him with “wisdom” on such matters concerning the tax system and the “Art of War” was irrelevant, so he quickly turned the conversation back to the important topic. He turned to face tax minister Hei and said, “Stop with the nonsense. As for the pending issue, you better explain Xi Rei’s current tax system from the beginning.”

Tax minister Hei replied dutifully with respect to the Prince’s wishes.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He cleared his throat and began detailing a thorough explanation of Xi Rei’s enforced tax system.

How was Feng Ming meant to keep his interest in this topic, there were countless terminologies he did not comprehend, and they were being used repeatedly.

A frowned edged onto his face as he listened, it only took a few sentences before he started to yawn, and his thought trained back to the handkerchief in Rong Wang’s clutches.

He had merely boosted to put a lid over Rong Wang’s troublesome mouth but in all honesty he was disinterested in what the minister had to say. But he didn’t interrupt his subject’s long winded explanation about the taxes.

The words simply passed in one ear and out the other. Boredom was clear on the Prince’s face as the man continued to drone on.

As Feng Ming was dropping into a drowsy stupor, a sudden warm object startled him.

What ever it was, dipped into his backside under his clothing and made the boy shudder violently to the intrusion, snapping his brain out of hibernation.

That thing belonged to the Regent King, who had somehow managed to sneak closer to the Prince without him noticing. Without a word the King’s large hand stealthily dove into the covers of Feng Ming’s lower robes and started to fondle his lower regions.

Due to their superior standing in the court, they were separated from the rest, and all their subjects were a decent distance away. For Feng Ming’s sake, a sturdy grand table helped to obscure the actions of the wandering hand.

No one seemed to have noticed.

With so many people before him, if they were exposed it would be complete humiliation taking back everything that Feng Ming had built over the two days.

Anxiety swept over Feng Ming but he didn’t dare to make a sound.

Rong Wang unfortunately didn’t have the word “restraint” in his vocabulary and showed no signs of ceasing his action, taking Feng Ming’s silence as no signs of protest, which compelled him to unbridle his behavior.

The King’s invasion moved onto something more interesting, as his fondling attack travelled further south within Feng Ming’s breeches, where it took liberty to seize a certain soft organ.

“AH!” yelped Feng Ming who practically jumped in his seat.

Everyone’s eyes immediately darted to the Prince as the sudden assertion place a halt to the official’s monologue.

“Does His Highness wish to comment on the matter?”

Rong Tian’s mischievous had promptly darted out of sight the moment Feng Ming shouted out.

Feng Ming let out a sigh of relief, surveying the eyes that were on him he calmly asked in response.

“Tax minister Hei, you said the country’s tax income is solely based on the nobles and the slaves, and the tax charges are based on noblemen rankings. It couldn’t be possible that apart from the nobles and the slaves that there are no other people from other classes? Don’t these others have to pay taxes?”

“For this question, please let this humble official explain to your Highness.”

Rong Wang offered, answering his questions with a degree of respect.

“Prince, the people are divided by the land they own, according to location and how many slaves live within their vicinities. The landowners can claim their power over the settlers however, they are also held responsible for covering the taxes for these slaves”

Feng Ming gave the man a quick study, eventually restraining himself from retaliating for the trouble the King caused and nodded his head.

“I understand now, this country is socially dependant on slavery, all the land of this country is probably classified as the property of the country or to be more correct the nobility. Everything within a noble’s territory inclusive of humans is considered to be in their possession.”

“That’s correct.”

“In that case…”

An ingenious idea struck Feng Ming he couldn’t even hold back his glee at the next question he was going to cast.

“Does this mean that everything in the Imperial Palace is my property?”

“This…”

All eyes were upon the Regent King.

Rong Wang shattered Feng Ming’s wishful thinking.

“The nobles of Xi Rei are under the direct control of Xi Rei’s Regent King and they are his slaves. They only listen and obey Xi Rei’s Regent King’s orders.” He said coldly cutting the threads of hope the Prince had to gain an upper hand.

“You are simply the Crowned Prince.” He issued the next blow.

Before Feng Ming could even open his mouth to claim a bit of pride for himself, the King gave him the ultimatum.

“This naturally means the Prince’s palace quarters aren’t His Majesty’s property.”

“Humph!”

Feng Ming certainly knew the meaning behind the words, it was a hidden warning, so the boy bitterly refuted.

“Countries which are completely dependant on slavery are outdated, the only advantage is only the [subjective motivation] they have is to exploit the land mass and expand the country’s perimeters, so the country’s power can rise.”

“Oh?” the complexity in Feng Ming’s words set awe in his listeners, and tax minister Hei was first to show his interests as the official beckoned the Prince for more.

“Your Highness, what is a [subjective motivation]? Does it possess that much power? How can we attain it?”

“It is not an object, but an actual type of attitude.” Feng Ming scratched his head, it was tricky, and he wasn’t able to clarify what he had meant and he personally didn’t want to explain it.

As he thought over the new problem his eyes met with the King’s, who was openly mocking him with the smile stretched across his smug face.

Feng Ming was stirred up by the King’s intentional irritation, determined to not let the King to dominate him, in terms of wit.

“In other words, if you were in the position of a slave and every day you are forced to work, knowing there is no prospects or rewards, then laboring would become meaningless, and one’s work ethics would fall. Given that you aren’t a slave, and have freedom to work hard and receive benefits and rewards for your efforts, you work harder. If everyone in this country is given this mentality, then Xi Rei is guaranteed to prosper in riches and power. This is precisely why slavery should be abolished as this kind of social structure does not benefit the country in the long run.”

“What the Prince has just said, is this a method to control the people?” Rong Wang asked sternly.

“So to speak…” Feng Ming nodding in confirmation, before turning to the man and in a low voice he demanded. “Give me back that handkerchief.”

Rong Wang’s replied in a whispered.

“It is my incentive to work harder. It’s my [subjective motivation].” He teased.

Feng Ming froze on the spot, like he was punched in the face every emotion tied with anger started to well up.

General Chu interrupted the hate as he commented, “Forgive this humble General’s stupidity, however this [subjective motivation] Your Highness speaks of, although it sounds interesting, how do we go about applying this method in practice?”

“As for the current military in Xi Rei, how are the upper positions appointed and what determines the hierarchy?”

“Your humble general originates from a noble bloodline of servicemen, I have been taught martial arts since childhood. The Country of Xi Rei requires selection of officials by the process of one’s prestige from esteemed family backgrounds, to avoid contamination with commoners.”

Feng Ming slapped his knee in frustration before condemning what he was told.

“That’s the problem, a selection system solely based on one’s bloodline, no wonder Xi Rei is challenged by so many enemies. The best solution, is to base selection by an individual’s abilities, for positions in the military and to rise in the ranks, who ever possesses the integrity, merit and talent can have the opportunity to become a High official. Hence, this will drive each individual to strive for promotions, and as a result it will naturally promote competition and enhance the quality of our soldiers.”

General Tong cried out in disbelief, “If this was to happen, wouldn’t any plain civilian be able to become a high ranking official? That is preposterous! It must not happen!”

“Why shouldn’t this be allowed?” Feng Ming’s eyes flashed at the General and he rebuked the outcry.

“This is the best solution in selecting candidates within the army, worthy of a high position and we won’t be wasting precious talents. [Heroes are born with out boundaries], do you understand?”

With his impassioned remark, Feng Ming pretty much managed to provoke every member of the crowd, as each were willing to offer a counter argument to his plans.

“This This …is nonsense!...”

“It’s not tradition…”

Feng Ming was just one voice against a whole room full of old coots, his face was red with anger, when he left the discussion hall, he was fuming with rage as he stomped back to the Prince’s quarters.

Rong Wang followed his blazing trail of fury, and when they entered the Prince’s chambers, he ordered the servants out and quickly grabbed Feng Ming and embraced him tightly in his arms.

“Let go of me! You bunch of fools, how can you not comprehend such a simple reason. It can’t possibly be that all ancient folks are completely brainless? “

The Regent King laughed at the bitter lashes of words sprouting from the Prince’s pretty little mouth.

“Don’t be so hasty, I know what you said is right. [‘Heroes are born with out boundaries’]”, he clicked his tongue, “I would have never imagined that you can be so impressive, conjuring these reasoning by yourself.”

“That’s right, compared to you idiots who depend on your family status and blood heritage to rise in ranks, I am stronger!” Feng Ming spat.

“Why the temper? Such good reasoning indeed must be heard. However, you can’t be impulsive. All matters that require adjustments can be fine tuned from within and can be carried out away from prying eyes.” Rong Wang held Feng Ming closer to his own body, they were basically plastered together.

“The country is in my hands, what is there that I can’t do?” he said in an intimate voice that tickled Feng Ming’s ears.

Under the candlelight, the Regent King’s words revealed his dark ambitions.

Feng Ming suddenly lifted his head, studied the face above him, he could only feel that the man before him was valiant and extraordinarily handsome.

This type of man was destined to become a legend that would last an eternity.

“What‘s the matter? Why are you staring at so intently at me?”

Feng Ming didn’t reply and instead asked him seriously, “I am capable of making you the ruler of all under the Heavens, do you believe me? Even if you are a Cao Cao, I will still help you.”

“The King of King’s?” A smile emerged on Rong Wang’s lips. He gazed down at the young man in his arms and gently replied.

“I believe you. Since I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were something different altogether."

“You want me to help you?”

Rong Wang nodded his head, and asked outright, “What are your conditions?”

“There are two”

“Tell me then.”

“First, return the handkerchief you have in your pocket. The second…”

Feng Ming conjured up his bravery, and placed his neck on the chopping board.

“Let me top you once!”

Feng Ming didn’t know whether this kind of tactic could be considered as rape.