My wife is an immortal black snake.

Page 56

"What should we do about the tokens? Paper money is at risk of being counterfeited, and metal currency is not as good as our Ursus currency. Besides, whether the shops are willing to accept the tokens we issue is another matter."

"It's their business if the shops don't want to accept it. Our Duke's Mansion will invest in building some shops in various areas. In addition, our Duke's Mansion will also pay for the consumer goods stockpiled by factories to meet their needs for restarting operations. As for the token, that's indeed a headache for me... Mr. Joseph, how does Ursus prevent the currency from being counterfeited?"

That's about it...

They talked about many things, and Yang Hao took many notes seriously.

The final decision was that the Duchy of Kosiché's next work relief program would provide relief and employment to the unemployed through the distribution of consumer goods and tokens. The Duchy of Kosiché did not mandate that all businesses acknowledge the value of these tokens—but in return, the Duchy of Kosiché would personally fund the construction of exclusive stores throughout the Duchy that would recognize the value of the tokens.

These specialty stores sell consumer goods and some durable goods that the unemployed urgently need, while also serving as a way to recycle tokens. The tokens are all printed by the Ducal Bank and have anti-counterfeiting labels. Meanwhile, the stores source their goods from the warehouses of bankrupt factories and businesses: the Ducal Palace can purchase goods from these bankrupt businesses at very low prices, allowing them to refinance and reopen, or even directly acquire them and turn them into its own property.

As the economy of the lower classes gradually recovers, the issuance of tokens will decrease, eventually reverting to the traditional Ursus currency. Finally, when the work relief program ends, workers will regain stable employment in an improved economic environment. This renewed economic stability, once the lower classes have stable jobs, will in turn stimulate business growth...

“But that could take decades,” Mr. Joseph sighed at the end. “I may not live to see that moment happen.”

"Perhaps it won't take that long." Yang Hao smiled as he looked at the resolution and national policy tree that popped up. "Maybe you'll live to see the day when the work-for-relief program is completed."

"Haha, I hope so. But sir, you should also know that we old men understand that our days are numbered, so we do not expect to witness that day arrive."

"So what we need to do is achieve the goal of this plan as quickly as possible while maintaining stability, right?"

"Haha, let's see how far ahead we can go."

Mr. Joseph personally escorted Yang Hao out of his office. After leaving Mr. Joseph's office, Yang Hao reviewed the newly emerging national policies on his way back, while also considering the feasibility of military expansion after economic reforms.

National Policy: Work Relief Program – Tokens and Consumer Goods (2 days)

Mr. Joseph didn't focus on rigidly improving administrative efficiency. On the one hand, he clearly understood that only when the people were freed from poverty could the nation escape poverty. On the other hand, he also understood that hoarded consumer goods, besides taking up space, were more likely to be dumped down the drain by capitalists with nowhere else to turn. Therefore, in order to give value to hoarded consumer goods, he introduced the concept of "tokens."

However, the start of this plan is destined to be based on "work," and fortunately, you have already found a lot of work for the workers: building basic schools in various urban areas and even some villages, demolishing slums and transforming them into relatively dense residential areas, building the Four Seasons Hotel Gulag to entertain guests, and the spectacle—their work for the next ten years or so is all included, and they can indeed accumulate a lot of money and goods while working so that they can find better jobs after the work relief ends.

Incidentally, work relief programs don't necessarily have to be used only once. Perhaps in the future, when there are more unemployed people in your territory, or when there are unemployed people in the regions under your government, you can use it again.

effect:

The Duchy of Kosiché gains the temporary trait: "Tokens".

Resident stability is rising by 0.5% daily, up to a maximum of 20%.

Residents' resistance decreased

Commercial circulation increased slightly.

You can acquire businesses and factories for less money.

Obtain a military factory outside the map *1

'Come to think of it, I seem to have had a military factory outside the map before?'

...This national policy tree, which can be completed in just two days, is the source of Yang Hao's confidence in ending the work-for-relief program in a short time. It will bring numerous positive effects to the Duchy of Kosiché, while also paving the way for Yang Hao's future preparations.

But then again? A military factory outside the map? I remember when my ability evolved, it came with one as a bonus, didn't it?

But then again, how am I supposed to get in?

Not long after he reported this idea, as Yang Hao absentmindedly walked through the gate of the living area to go to the courtyard for a short rest, he suddenly saw that a gate leading to some gloomy factory had been erected in front of him.

Chapter 126

Where does this door lead?

At first, Yang Hao was suspicious of the factory gate that suddenly appeared in the Duke's mansion, but in the next instant, he understood—it was actually similar to the way of entering and exiting the House of Elegy!

However, considering that this is a factory, and someone needs to go in to move the goods out, it is only natural that it would directly show its entrance and exit in the physical world.

"Well, the next task is to inquire about Paul and the others' progress, the work with the Gauls, and handing over the sword to them... After that, we need to check on Monica's condition and then find the ponies to prepare them for dealing with the Colombians. None of these things take much time, so going in and taking a look should be fine."

Yang Hao estimated his tasks for the day and realized that the total working time, including travel time, might not exceed 4 hours. He decided to go inside the [Military Factory Outside the Map] and see what surprises it had in store for him.

So he went in without hesitation, while the snake scales that had been protecting him in the shadows disappeared without a trace after they saw their adult walk through a suddenly appearing door. Although they looked at each other in bewilderment, they knew what to do.

They first sent men to block the passage, and then informed Duke Kosiché. While the Serpent Scales were busy, Yang Hao entered the [Military Factory Outside the Map] and, somewhat bewildered, found himself in a vast, brightly lit, empty space. There wasn't a single worker in the space. However, the automatically operating lathes and automated equipment demonstrated their ability to operate automatically.

"Wow? It looks huge..." Yang Hao looked at the lathes in the factory with considerable surprise. These automated lathes were truly enormous—for a moment, Yang Hao even thought they were lathes used to build tanks, and the instruction manual he found later confirmed his guess. "This is the instruction manual? Let me see..."

It was a yellowish-brown instruction manual, only four pages long, with three pages filled with strange and incomprehensible color illustrations. The only useful part was the text at the end.

[Instruction manual for the military factory outside the map:]

1. Select the equipment you wish to produce. This factory can support the production of military products such as heavy tanks or heavy strategic bombers. However, most military supplies require blueprint research before production can begin.

2. Wait for the product to be manufactured. The production time depends on the size of the product.

3. Have your loyal subordinates receive the goods outside.

...

It consists of only three sentences, but the meaning is simple and easy to understand.

1. This factory outside the map has the capability to produce almost all military products, including individual weapons, tanks, and aircraft—and its lathes appear to be general-purpose lathes manufactured by unknown technology. At least Yang Hao had never seen a lathe used to produce firearms that could be used to produce aircraft.

2. Production of military products—more precisely, the vast majority of military products require something called a "blueprint." I think it's a design drawing?

3. This factory will not consume any resources on Yang Hao's territory. It may be located on Mars or the Moon. In short, this [off-map military factory] does not exist in the physical reality—otherwise, Yang Hao would not have ordered his loyal subordinates to come and collect the products.

“If used properly, this will be a great asset to our territory,” Yang Hao remarked. After noting down the factory’s capabilities, he couldn’t wait to share this valuable asset, which he had overlooked for so long, with his wife! “Whether it’s commercial or military—speaking of which, if we could get our hands on the blueprints for the Emperor’s personal guard equipment, wouldn’t we be able to equip every one of our regular army soldiers with the guard’s gear? Hmm, this is promising… I need to have a serious talk with Kosiché about this.”

He rubbed his hands together excitedly, and then, in a fit of ecstasy, he retraced his steps and left the deserted factory. Not long after he left, Miss Elegy appeared, equally curious about everything around her.

"Phew, Mr. Yang Hao has finally put this to use? I need to take a good look at what this building can do..."

Miss Elegy was excitedly studying all the functions of the military factory.

Back in the real world, Yang Hao excitedly ran back to his room and found Koschke there. Before she could even ask him a question, he excitedly pulled his wife into a tight hug.

"Kosich! I have something good to tell you!"

"Hey? Okay, okay, don't get so worked up, calm down, okay?" Although Koschie had learned about Yang Hao's trip to the other world from Snake Scale, she still hoped that Yang Hao would tell her about his experiences there himself. "Let's take it slow. After you're done, I'll tell you about mine, okay?"

“Of course.” He calmed down a bit, but the excitement and elation in his eyes showed no sign of fading. He placed the crumpled instruction manual in Koschei’s hand, and after sitting down on the bed with her, he gestured for her to take a good look: “Take a look at this first.”

Kosichello blinked, took the crumpled instruction manual he handed her, and unfolded it. After carefully reading through the text, which was probably less than a page long, she frowned.

"My dear husband, what is this?" Kosiché pointed to the three instructions in the manual with some confusion: "...is this your [Puppet Stage]? And if I'm not mistaken, is this a factory that can produce military equipment without using any resources from our territory?"

She was clever; she guessed it was Yang Hao's puppet stage ability, and she also guessed that the military factory outside the map didn't consume any resources at all. But she certainly didn't guess just how high the limit of the capabilities this military factory possessed was.

So Yang Hao excitedly explained it to her. When he explained that "if we could get our hands on the blueprints for the Ursus Emperor's personal guards' equipment, this military factory could produce the corresponding equipment," Kosiché's expression changed slightly. And when Yang Hao explained that "even equipment from other countries would be similar," her expression became even more serious.

Kosichrie also recognized its capabilities. No need to collect rare materials, no need for the industries of several cities to collaborate in creating the necessary precursors, not even need to adapt artisans and technicians to foreign technology... this [Off-Map Military Factory] could actually perfectly replicate all the equipment of a nation's most secret military unit, based solely on blueprints?

...Anyone with a sound mind knows what this means militarily. Even disregarding military applications, what could be more satisfying than stealing the Victorian steam armor blueprints right in front of them, then using that factory to produce the equipment and selling it cheaply all over the world? The Victorians would be forced to watch helplessly as their nation's top military secrets become readily available weapons for mercenaries, their equipment turning into Ursus's best-selling commodities. Their military advantage would become a joke!

So, after realizing these things, Kosice understood why her husband had rushed over so excitedly to share this great news with her.

"In short, I understand this matter. This will be a top secret in our territory, is that alright?"

"Of course. And we don't see any use for it right now—unless we stockpile large quantities of our current military equipment?"

“No need. We can increase orders for those equipment to military enterprises so they can get out of the economic crisis. But you’re right... we might be able to borrow some things from the Emperor.”

"Kosiché, are you very familiar with the Emperor?"

“It depends on which emperor.” Kosichè recalled that the current Ursus emperor seemed to have his eye on her husband, and she felt somewhat displeased. So, when she answered Yang Hao’s question, her tone turned cold. “But more importantly than that, let’s look at something more crucial first.”

"Something more important?" Yang Hao blinked, wondering if something important was happening this afternoon.

I think so? Is it about going to Monica's place? And giving that sword to the Gauls? Everything else can be discussed tomorrow.

"It's about your physical exam. You haven't had a physical exam since you came to Ursus, have you? To avoid any potential health issues affecting your safety, don't work this afternoon. Take care of your business with the doctor first, okay?"

"Ah..." So that's what it is...

Yang Hao recalled that the last thorough physical examination was probably a year ago at Columbia Hospital, and readily agreed to his wife's suggestion.

He stayed in the room, chatting and laughing with Koschche while waiting for the doctor to arrive.

Meanwhile, Margarita, who had just returned from the cemetery, was processing what she had seen and heard there the previous night.

... .....

For Margarita, what happened in the cemetery last night was something she had never imagined before.

Well, that night, the person who was taken to the cemetery for burial was an old man from the village where she and Mr. Norson now lived.

The old woman was very healthy and didn't look like a 70-year-old at all. She could even lift buckets full of water from the well with her bare hands. Besides being strong, the old woman was also well-liked in the village and was very kind, taking good care of Margarita, who was new to the village.

But this very old woman passed away just a few days after Margarita met her.

“Her body has reached its limit.” Seeing Margarita’s confusion and the sadness on her face, Mr. Northam simply shrugged, gesturing for her to sit down. “When you first met her, how much longer did you think she had to live, Margarita?”

"...a few days?"

After all, she looks so tough. Margarita shook her head.

"A few days for Blood Demons, or a few days for humans?" Mr. Norsen pressed. "The difference is huge. For us Blood Demons, our 'few days' refers to several months for humans. What were you thinking back then?"

"...It should be...a few days of Blood Demon's life, right?"

If it were just a normal short-lived species, perhaps she wouldn't feel regret? Margarita lowered her head blankly. She recalled seeing the old woman being buried by her son last night, and her thought was, "She passed away so quickly."

To a Blood Demon, "so fast" might mean hours, minutes, or even seconds. But for a Blood Demon, "so fast" means several days for a human.

“That’s right. If you viewed that old man through the lens of human time, you wouldn’t be so surprised,” Mr. Northon chuckled. “Next time you witness someone’s death, try to use the human perspective of time to determine their date of death, and then try to see if you can learn about their life and their story in such a short time.”

"But..."

Is it really necessary... to do this? To just watch them die? Margarita had some doubts about whether it would even make a difference, but when she saw Mr. Northon's expression turn serious, she knew that her senior's lecture was about to begin.

Margarita quickly sat up straight, preparing to carefully memorize her predecessor's life experience.

“This is a necessary action.” Mr. Northumberon took a cigar from his pocket, put it in his mouth, but paused slightly after noticing a lipstick stain on the spot where he was biting it, then put the cigar back. “Only by experiencing the society of the short-lived can we, the long-lived, understand how incredibly short time is for them. Margarita, have you ever tried sleeping for an extended period of time without ever getting up again?”

"Sleeping forever?" Margarita shook her head in confusion as she diligently wrote on the paper. "What is that?"

"It's about finding a secluded spot after a good meal and taking a long nap." Mr. Northon sighed, reminiscing nostalgically, "The last time I took a long nap was when I was 40... Back then, I was arguing with my father, and after a good meal, I nestled in my bedroom, lay on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep."

"Hmm..." Sounds normal? Margarita blinked.

"And then? Then I fell asleep, and 20 years passed. Twenty years had no impact on my family at all, but in those 20 years, my next-door neighbor had died of old age, and his son was now the same age as him. When I got up and instinctively wanted to ask that kind uncle for pocket money, but saw his frail son, I realized how stupid I had been."

"what..."

“So Margarita, we need to immerse ourselves in the society of the short-lived species to understand just how important time is to them.” Mr. Northam shook his head with a wry smile. “Otherwise, we’ll only do many things we’ll regret.”

For example, someone might argue with their boyfriend, then run away over 50 years later, only to return to find a grave...

For example, you might want to sleep in, only to wake up to find everything changed; your neighbors have been dead for generations, and you've become a legend among their descendants...

For example, someone might diligently study and believe they have plenty of time, only to find, after achieving results, that the country they've worked so hard for has become history...

If you don't want to turn your sweetheart into an old man because of a moment of anger, then you need to cultivate yourself well during your time here, understand?

After saying that, Miss Norson wiped the lipstick off her lips with a tissue and began to happily smoke her cigar.

Margarita, on the other hand, was reminiscing about what happened in Colombia—she recalled her unwarranted expectations of Yang Hao: five years, four years. Perhaps it was because she didn't understand how precious his time was back then that she ended up in this situation?

She wasn't entirely sure, but she felt that she was gradually growing up.

"Ah."

Chapter 127

"Um..."

"In conclusion, Lord Koschche, Mr. Yang Hao is in very good health..."

On the afternoon of April 2nd, after finishing his physical examination, Yang Hao left home without waiting for the medical report, intending to take care of his work first.

Koschke remained in the room, frowning as he listened to the old doctor explain the contents of the report that would be delivered in half an hour. During the medical team's examination, Yang Hao's body was undoubtedly healthy—although his overly fulfilling married life had caused some... weakness, overall, Mr. Yang Hao, with his daily exercise and nutritious diet, was undoubtedly a healthy and strong man.

Naturally, his bodily fluids should have been perfectly normal. The old doctor, who had tried everything, was practically begging Lord Koschche to squeeze some out for examination... but even after such a thorough examination, he couldn't find anything unusual.

This round of examinations suggests either the old doctor's skills were inadequate, failing to detect Yang Hao's underlying health issues, or Yang Hao is indeed very healthy, but he simply cannot father children with the Philin—and it might not just be that he cannot father children with the Philin; if the old doctor's deduction is correct, Mr. Yang Hao should also have difficulty fathering children with conventional races.

“Based on my deduction, Mr. Koschei… Lord Yang Hao’s race should be one with a weak reproductive capacity and no other way to have offspring with outsiders—I understand what you mean, but it certainly seems so now.” The old doctor pushed up his glasses, seemingly unconcerned by the faint hint of danger in Lord Koschei’s eyes. “Lord Yang Hao has no racial characteristics whatsoever, and a thorough examination has ruled out the possibility that he is a Sarkaz.”

Since he's neither a Sarkaz nor any other race, I boldly speculate that Mr. Yang Hao's reproductive ability is very weak—at least very weak when facing outsiders. And the body you, Lord Koschich, are currently occupying is undoubtedly an "outsider" to him.

"...Simply put, it's a race that almost always needs members of the same clan to reproduce? But this shouldn't be the case...My husband hasn't shown any strong physical abilities. Logically, isn't this a problem only that exists in the Drak race? Individual strength is too great, resulting in weak reproductive ability."

There's a strange theory in biology: the longer an organism's lifespan and the more powerful it is, the weaker its reproductive capacity tends to be. Conversely, the shorter the lifespan and the weaker the organism, the more likely it is to have a high reproductive capacity.