The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

The message displayed on the formation barrier in front of the City Lord's Mansion announced that taxes would be waived for three years, allowing the people to recuperate. After three years, normal taxation would resume, but even then, the rates would be far more favorable than they had ever been under the Qin Dynasty.

Compared to the heavy taxes imposed by the Qin Dynasty, Yushui City now seemed like a paradise on earth. The difference between the Qin Dynasty and the Huaxia Empire was enormous, and the latter seemed almost too good to be true.

The entire city of Yushui was filled with joy. That very night, the entire city was lit up with lanterns and decorations, as if they were celebrating a grand festival. For the people of Yushui City, everything that had happened today felt like a festival.

Lin Qian quietly walked through Yushui City, watching the jubilant atmosphere. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. For him, all this was just a small effort. The Huaxia Empire was his empire, and he could shape it however he wished.

Yet, his benevolent treatment of the people led to an outpouring of joy and gratitude. The citizens of Yushui City were preparing for a night of celebration.

As long as his empire's citizens lived well, that was enough. As for the people under other powers, Lin Qian had no way to intervene. He wasn't a saint. Now that Yushui City had become part of the Huaxia Empire, it was only natural to treat the people well. As for the citizens of other powers, their fates would be reconsidered only when their lands became part of the Huaxia Empire.

Gradually, ten days passed since Lin Qian's arrival in Yushui City. The people still found it hard to adjust because their current lives were so much better than before.

The distribution of wealth from the City Lord's treasury meant that the people no longer had to worry about food and clothing. The filthy and chaotic slums were razed, and under the skilled hands of craftsmen, beautiful new buildings were erected. Though the houses weren't lavish and each home wasn't particularly large, compared to the past, they were nothing short of luxurious.

Knowing that these homes were being built for them, the citizens of Yushui City eagerly volunteered to help the craftsmen. To their amazement, they discovered that these craftsmen were all at the Nirvana Realm, which explained the speed of construction.

Despite their power, the craftsmen had no airs about them and were happy to chat and joke with the people.

The imperial soldiers patrolling the city also became a topic of admiration among the people. Although these soldiers were expressionless and cold-eyed, they strictly adhered to their patrol routes and did not trouble the citizens in the slightest.

In fact, when a child accidentally fell from a high place while playing, a nearby imperial soldier rushed over, caught the child, gently set them down, and then returned to his patrol without a word. Even when children ran into these soldiers while playing, causing themselves to fall, the soldiers would calmly help them up before continuing their patrols.

In contrast, the old city guards of the Qin Dynasty would have laughed at a child falling, perhaps even betting on whether the child would be crippled or killed by the impact. If a child ran into one of them, they might have kicked the child aside, indifferent to whether the child lived or died.

Many of the goods in Yushui City were now being supplied by the surrounding towns and villages. The people from these areas were equally grateful to the imperial soldiers because they too had been stationed in their regions to provide protection.

The soldiers cleared the surrounding forests of soul beasts, ensuring that the villagers no longer lived in fear of being attacked. They also constructed roads, making it safe for people to travel to the city without worry.

In the past, the city guards of the Qin Dynasty were supposed to protect the city and its people, but in reality, they were anything but.

"Pah!" An old man spat on the ground and pointed at the patrolling imperial soldiers. He shouted to the people around him, "Look at these Huaxia Empire soldiers! They're the real protectors of the people!"

A middle-aged man with one arm nodded in agreement. His right arm had been severed by the city guards. "Being a citizen of the Huaxia Empire is truly a blessing..."

The people of Yushui City nodded in agreement with the man's words. It was clear they all felt the same way.

"Hey! You can now apply for Huaxia Empire credentials! If you want to become a true citizen of the Huaxia Empire, you have to get it done. Don't waste time!" Suddenly, a young man ran over and shouted to the crowd.

Hearing this, the crowd erupted in excitement. People rushed back to their new homes to retrieve their old Qin Dynasty credentials, eager to exchange them for new ones, afraid they might miss the opportunity.

In just a few short days, the citizens of Yushui City had fully experienced how the Huaxia Empire treated them. Every person was eager for what the future would bring.

The will of the people—this was what Lin Qian hoped to see in his empire. As he had said, every aspect of the Huaxia Empire had to be the best.

In Yunshui City and Bishui City, Lei Qian and Gao Benli followed Lin Qian's instructions, winning the people's hearts and earning their gratitude. The citizens were eager to become part of the Huaxia Empire.

Further back in Fengzhou, Lianshanzhou, Qizhou, Tiaoshunzhou, and Nanyingzhou, the people were also fully committed to becoming citizens of the Huaxia Empire. The treatment they received from the empire was beyond anything they had ever expected. After all, Lin Qian's outlook was different from that of the world's power-hungry elites. His concern for the weaker members of the human race set him apart.

High above Yushui City, a group of figures flew closer. As they neared the city, the massive warship docked near the city's edge emitted a series of clicks as its energy cannons emerged, aiming at the approaching figures.

"Stop!" A voice rang out from within the group, and they immediately halted, revealing their identities.

The visitors were none other than Fang Shuiwen, Zhou Yian, and Yang Guixiang, the three elders. Alongside them were Fang Yiping, Li Xiaotian, and Yang Yifan, the current leaders of their respective factions.

Behind them stood two hundred elders from the three factions, representing the peak of their combined power.

Lin Qian had previously stated that sending ordinary members of the three factions would only create confusion. What the Huaxia Empire needed were powerful experts in the Awakening Realm to assist.

Now, the three elders had brought all their Awakening Realm experts with them.

As they halted, the elders of the three factions looked up at the warship, their eyes wide with astonishment. They were all deeply shaken by the sight.

They had seen cloudships before, but never anything this enormous. The aura of this massive vessel was overwhelming, especially the menacing energy emanating from its dark cannons.