Du Chen looked earnestly at Balgna.

He had heard some rumors about King Lanning before. People said he was a mediocre king with no remarkable achievements to boast of, but he managed to hold onto the legacy left by his ancestors. However, Du Chen didn't think so. Anyone who could firmly sit on the throne was definitely not simple. Underestimating them would be an insult to one's own intelligence.

Balgna smiled and said, "Go on!"

Du Chen continued, "As everyone knows, the empire flourishes under Your Majesty's rule. However, Your Majesty has limited manpower and cannot shine your radiance on every citizen of the empire. Therefore, there are still many poor people in the empire who need help!"

As this flattery began, a few bureaucrats with shallow minds frowned. They no longer saw Du Chen as a child to be easily manipulated but as a cunning opponent!

Du Chen continued, "Just like St. John's City, the capital of the empire, as far as I know, there are tens of thousands of poor people in the southern city who cannot fill their stomachs or afford warm clothes. Your Majesty, St. John's City is the capital of the empire, the heart of three continents, especially the continent of Einstein. It is also your dignity! Imagine when foreign envoys come to pay their respects to you and see poor people eating bread crumbs and wearing coarse clothes not far from you. How would they view our empire?"

"How dare you! a fifteen-year-old child, discuss the affairs of the imperial court?" someone objected.

King Balgna did not stop the ministers' opposition, but instead watched the scene unfold. But Princess Yuna who spoke up for Du Chen, saying, "Everyone, Francis is speaking the truth, isn't he?"

Reluctantly, Du Chen thanked Yuna and continued, "So, I want to use these gold coins to help the poor people in the southern city, to ensure they have enough food and warm clothing. This way, any envoy who comes to the capital will see a prosperous and wealthy Empire of Lanning! They will also praise Your Majesty's rule!"

After speaking, Du Chen smiled and looked around at the Lanning court, calculating in his mind. Balgna should not refuse, as using someone else's money to give oneself face, those who refuse are fools!

Dealing with an old fox who had sat firmly on the throne for over twenty years, any clever tricks would be meaningless. No matter how powerful Du Chen was, he couldn't outsmart a seasoned politician. So, he chose the most assured approach - benefiting everyone together!

As expected, Balgna said, "Hmm, what you said makes sense. Are you really willing to use these gold coins to help the poor people in the southern city?"

"Yes! However, gold coins are limited. If we simply give them to the poor, it won't sustain them for long. I propose using another method to help them, which I call a charitable fund!" Du Chen assessed Balgna's reaction and, seeing his slight interest, explained, "My idea is to open an industry in the southern city in Your Majesty's name. The able-bodied poor can have an opportunity to work and earn money, while the elderly, weak, and disabled can receive free assistance."

"There are 67,000 poor people in the southern city. Your mere 3,000 gold coins won't be enough to build workshops for tens of thousands of people," Balgna immediately asked.

"We can start by helping a portion of the people. As this industry grows, it will be able to help more and more people! At the same time, the nobles and wealthy citizens of the empire can donate to this industry. I will record the names of every donor and make it public, so that everyone knows of their good deeds!"

As he spoke, Du Chen smiled and waited for Balgna's response. His idea was simple - to turn cash into fixed assets and a charitable fund, with Balgna having the naming rights while he controlled the operations and profits.

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This was a simple economic Thinking on Earth.

After a moment of contemplation, Balgna asked, "What do you all think? I think we can give it a try!" He patted his own cheek and said, "Ah, all of you, why is there not a single person who considers the dignity of the empire?"

His words clearly showed his support for Du Chen.

Seizing the opportunity, Du Chen said, "If Your Majesty allows, I would like to name this industry after Your Majesty."

The cunning little rascal! King Balgna laughed a few times and thought to himself, this kid dares to drag even the king down in order to keep the gold coins for himself, he's got some guts. But his proposal is not bad, at least it can increase his reputation among the people and help stabilize the political capital.

Thinking this, he said, "If there are no other objections, then let it be. Three thousand gold coins will be taken from the late Minister of Finance's estate and given to Francis, for him to help the poor in the southern city in my name, for the empire, and to save face for me as the king!"

At this moment, an elderly man in a purple robe standing in the front row cleared his throat and, once everyone noticed him, loudly said, "As the Prime Minister of the empire, I support Your Majesty's proposal!"

With both the king and the prime minister speaking up, more than half of the ministers immediately expressed approval. The matter was basically settled.

However, "The Lotus Treasure Mirror" did not remind Du Chen about this act of kindness, because this kind of self-made act of kindness had to be discovered by Du Chen himself. "The Lotus Treasure Mirror" could only provide him with basic hints. Also, only after the act of kindness was carried out would the lotus flower bloom.

Immediately after, the prime minister said, "Francis truly lives up to the 'Virtues of St. John's City.' At such a young age, he is able to consider the empire. I, in my personal capacity, will donate five hundred gold coins to his industry, which can be considered as helping the poor in the southern city!"

This was Prime Minister Antoine. Du Chen looked at him for a moment. Why was this old guy helping him? He was basically giving him five hundred gold coins for nothing!

Antoine seemed to find Du Chen quite pleasing and continued, "Furthermore, Francis cannot manage the industry in the name of a commoner. I propose granting him a title, at least a baron!"

This time, even King Balgna and Angus were surprised. Antoine was a well-known old fox in the empire, always seeking personal gain. Why was he so dedicated in helping Francis?

The other ministers were also surprised, but then they seemed to remember something and soon became relieved.

Du Chen didn't believe that pie would fall from the sky. He looked at Antoine with suspicion, and Antoine also turned to look at Du Chen, his shrewd eyes filled with a strange and ambiguous feeling, as if teasing Du Chen.

Could this old guy be a gay?!

Du Chen thought maliciously. At this moment, Balgna waved his hand and said, "Alright, grant him a title! Francis, you may leave. Organize your plan within three days and submit it to me! Everyone, let's continue discussing how to handle the remaining seven thousand gold coins!"

The hall returned to its noisy atmosphere, with everyone busy fighting for the inheritance. Only Ferdinand gave Du Chen an approving look as he left.

Seeing Ferdinand's gaze, Du Chen sneered in his heart. If he didn't have the powerful War God behind him, would Ferdinand still help him fight for a huge sum of money?

Du Chen knew very well that the Holy Church had given him some benefits, but these were all gestures of goodwill towards the powerful fighter God behind him. In other words, he was just a pawn between two giants, being used!

Now, all he was doing was trying to gain the maximum benefit between these two giants, dancing on the edge of a knife.

He believed that great risks could bring great wealth. In his past life, Du Chen believed in this principle, which was why he dared to deceive Ferdinand by hiding the holy artifact in his pants!

Steve followed Du Chen out of the hall in an orderly manner. But as soon as they stepped outside, he immediately put on a playful smile and grabbed Du Chen's hand. "Oh, dear brother, you're now a baron with thousands of gold coins. So, how about lending some to your dear big brother?"

"Just make sure you have enough money to flirt with girls!" Du Chen replied absentmindedly.

"Brother, is Prime Minister Antoine and my father from the same political faction?"

"Well, not exactly. That old guy doesn't offend anyone!"

"Then why is he helping me?" Du Chen wondered. "I can't cultivate battle qi, and I'm not a high-ranking official. He has no benefit in helping me!"

Steve widened his eyes in surprise. "Oh my, don't you know? Antoine is Avril's grandfather. He loves Avril, his granddaughter, the most!"

Du Chen was still puzzled. "Who is Avril?"

"Ancestors, please save poor Francis!" Steve exaggeratedly shouted until the palace guards ordered him to be quiet. He then lowered his head and smirked. "Let me tell you, Avril..."

"Steve, let me explain!" A person quickly walked out of the hall, and Du Chen recognized him as the Imperial Prime Minister, Antoine, who had helped him earlier.

"Avril is my granddaughter and the girl you saved on the day of the Divine Peace Festival!"