The allied armies of Wei, Han, and Wu advanced slowly towards Yunzhou City. After their fierce battle against the Ming forces, haste should have been their priority. However, the ‘Fan’ banner fluttering proudly atop the city walls seemed to act as a signal, urging them to slow their advance. Thus, the weary allied armies, re-forming their ranks and straightening their banners, approached the city walls at a leisurely pace.

"Gentlemen!" Fan Li called out from atop the walls. "It's been a while since our encounter at Mount Yunmeng!" He didn't bother with pleasantries and openly greeted the men below.

Among the allied ranks, many generals stirred restlessly. They couldn't stomach the sight of the Chu army reaping the rewards of their hard-won victory. They had fought two grueling battles, only for the Chu to swoop in and claim the prize.

However, Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, and Zhou Yu stood unfazed.

"Duke Jin, your elegance remains undiminished," they said in unison, bowing respectfully. "It is a joy to see you again."

"Hahahahahaha!" Laughter erupted from both sides, Fan Li joining the chorus from atop the walls.

Sage Ruler Han Yue, standing beside him, couldn't understand their mirth. The allied generals below also seemed puzzled. The laughter, a shared understanding between the four men, sounded like a secret code to her ears, as if some clandestine agreement was being forged through veiled words.

A burly general with piercing eyes, his face tanned and weathered, finally spoke up. "Military Advisor, why are you laughing? Our troops fought valiantly, yet we have not claimed Yunzhou City. It truly angers me!"

Zhuge Liang, still smiling, but with a hint of resignation in his eyes, shook his head. "Patience, Second General. Our Military Advisor surely has a plan."

A handsome general clad in silver armor whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry, Second General. Our Military Advisor will make things right."

The burly general was forced to suppress his anger and fell silent. Similar exchanges occurred between Zhou Yu, Guo Jia, and their subordinates.

Fan Li’s laughter subsided, and after a moment of silence, he spoke again. "Hu Zongxian rescued Wanli and escaped. He's at the eighth rank of the Unity realm, a half-step to Great Perfection. It was only natural that I couldn't stop him, wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed."

"Perfectly reasonable."

"As it should be."

Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, and Zhou Yu responded in unison. Their seamless agreement seemed too perfect to Han Yue, fueling her suspicions. Once again, it felt like a secret code, some shady deal being struck under her very nose.

Another silence descended upon the scene.

"Joint administration by the four nations?" Zhou Yu finally broke the silence.

Fan Li shook his head. "Three is enough."

The three allied commanders were startled, then overjoyed. They hadn't expected the Chu to relinquish Yunzhou City entirely. This wasn't just a matter of losing a single city; it had profound symbolic implications. The Three Kingdoms, Wei, Han, and Wu, would have achieved the greatest victory in the campaign against the Ming, surpassing even the Great Ci Dynasty and the Great Chu.

The three commanders remained silent, waiting for Fan Li to reveal his terms. He was willingly giving up the city; he surely had conditions.

"Trade. Tax exemption." Fan Li uttered just three words, but they left the three commanders speechless.

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The Chu court was controlled by the Fan Clan, its wealth stemming from the Fan Clan Trading Company. The company's branches spanned the world, and the taxes levied on their trade each year amounted to a significant sum for every nation.

Tax exemption? It wasn't a one-time payment, a burden they could easily bear. It was a slow, insidious drain on their resources, a wound that would never fully heal. From this day forward, the Fan Clan Trading Company would no longer pay taxes. The accumulated losses, over time, would be immense.

"Duke Jin, your long-term planning is truly impressive…" Guo Jia said softly.

"Agreeing to this would be like drinking poison to quench our thirst," Zhou Yu added.

The Han Dynasty had crumbled, replaced by the Three Kingdoms. However, their foundations were weak, and losing such a significant source of revenue would cripple their development even further.

They both turned to Zhuge Liang.

Guo Jia and Zhou Yu, both disciples of the Guiguzi lineage, knew that Zhuge Liang, their fellow disciple, excelled at managing internal affairs and finances. Surely he had a solution.

They waited for his response.

Zhuge Liang pondered for a long time, finally speaking. "We can agree. But for how long?"

Guo Jia and Zhou Yu’s eyes lit up, praising his cleverness.

It seemed like a simple question, but it subtly shifted the terms of the negotiation. Tax exemption, but not permanent exemption. They were seeking a limited-time exemption.

Although his tone was casual, it conveyed a firm stance. They wouldn't compromise on this point. They were seeking a significant concession.

Tax exemption was acceptable, but not forever. Only for a specific timeframe.

They were all men of culture and refinement, allies in name. No one wanted to create a scene.

"Clever," Fan Li murmured softly, a comment only Han Yue could hear.

Zhuge Liang’s proposal aligned with Fan Li’s own bottom line. Tax exemption was the sole condition for relinquishing Yunzhou City. Permanent exemption was an empty promise. A specific timeframe, however, required careful consideration.

Fortunately, Fan Li had already calculated it.

"Five years."

"Five years of tax exemption is all I require."

"Within these five years, all trade between the Great Chu and Wei, Han, and Wu shall be exempt from taxes!"

This time, it was Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, and Guo Jia’s turn to be surprised. Fan Li’s offer was incredibly tempting. Five years were but a blink of an eye in the world of cultivators.

Five years of tax exemption? The three commanders didn't even need to consult their emperors. They could agree right now.

"Excellent!"

"The Great Wei agrees to this pact!"

"The Great Han agrees to this pact!"

"The Great Wu agrees to this pact!"

…

Fan Li led his one hundred thousand Chu troops away from Yunzhou City. The city walls now bore the dragon banners of Wei, Han, and Wu. It was a strange sight.

Han Yue still accompanied Fan Li. He was returning to Peng City, and so was she. Coincidence, it seemed, was their destiny.

"Fan Li."

"Yes?"

"They say you have a close relationship with the three emperors. It seems it's true. Five years of tax exemption... Even I think... Why are you laughing?"

Fan Li suppressed his mirth, cursing his own carelessness.

He answered her question. "Since ancient times, have you ever heard of a subject being friends with emperors?"

Han Yue was taken aback.

Fan Li continued, "Five years of tax exemption is all I need because that's the limit of the Great Ming's patience. If Emperor Jiajing doesn't reclaim Yunzhou City within five years, he's not worthy of being the strongest man in the world."

Han Yue stared at him, speechless. So, from the very beginning, Fan Li had never believed that the Great Ming had truly lost Yunzhou City?

"A weaker nation capturing a stronger nation’s territory? Preposterous!"

"If Emperor Jiajing doesn’t show his power, you truly believe he’s a harmless kitten?"

"But…" Han Yue couldn't help but ask. "Zhuge Liang and the others are renowned for their cleverness. You saw through this, why couldn't they?"

Fan Li smiled enigmatically. "Because they are imperial ministers, and I am a powerful official. Their actions must consider the emperor's desires, the dynasty's face. I, on the other hand, only need to be practical."

Han Yue felt a sense of awkwardness. After all, she was Xiang Chong's adoptive mother. To hear Fan Li openly dismiss Xiang Chong in her presence made her feel a twinge of guilt for not fulfilling her "motherly" duties.

"Let me give you an example. The Fan Clan Trading Company is launching a new line of cosmetics, and they're about to become a sensation in the allied nations. The first international branches will be established in Wei, Han, and Wu. Trade will explode, and with my tax exemption privileges, I'll make a fortune. I'll be swimming in money, and the three emperors won't be able to resist their envy.

Five years of tax exemption is neither too long nor too short. The Three Kingdoms can endure it. But if I asked for twenty or thirty years, even if Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan agreed, they would surely resent my cunning."

A mischievous smile appeared on Fan Li’s face.

"Five years. Perfect."

"They'll watch me make a fortune, believing that once the five years are up, they'll be able to share in my wealth. I make money, and they have a bright future to look forward to. That's what I call good business..."

Han Yue couldn't help but ask, "What about after five years?"

After five years?

Let's see if the Three Kingdoms can withstand the might of the Great Ming.