Apart from the Ministry of Revenue, it was another major financial institution in Da Qian, responsible for the procurement, storage, and management of resources in the imperial palace to ensure the livelihood and daily expenses of the royal family.
It could be said to be the emperor's personal treasury, a prestigious institution throughout the ages.
It served as a means for the emperor to accumulate wealth separately from the national treasury.
Seemingly progressive, it actually allowed the emperor to spend extravagantly within the bounds of propriety.
To indulge in luxuries with the national treasury was considered foolish, but to use one's personal treasury even ministers could not criticize.
However, the Ministry of Works in this dynasty was different because due to the emperor's alchemy pursuits, it had almost surpassed the Ministry of Revenue.
The silver in the national treasury might not even compare to what the Ministry of Works possessed.
Zhao Feng's expenditure of a hundred thousand taels for alchemy was just a trivial matter.
For the sake of alchemy, the despicable emperor had practically extorted the entire populace.
The wealth accumulated over the years from salt, iron, and various harsh taxes amounted to tens of millions.
Even if not a single coin was spent, let alone if one-thousandth remained, it would still be an astronomical figure.
Who knew how many elixirs and miraculous medicines were stored inside?
Coincidentally, at this moment, all the mobilized Forbidden Army in Bianjing had arrived at Longqiao.
Wasn't this the perfect opportunity for looting?
Gu Wen's eyes widened.
At this moment, He Huan finished adjusting his breath, slowly exhaled a turbid breath, and explained, "Due to the limitations of fate, the escape technique will have a certain side effect on the soul. The distance of ten not existing as one, hence there may be some impact, please forgive me, Daoist friend."
"However, Daoist friend's strike has already formed a rudimentary Dharma image, splendid, truly splendid!"
Gu Wen did not respond, still gazing into the distance, while He Huan, unable to see his expression, was accustomed to the other party's aloofness.
His gaze was fervent, his heart even more so.
He Huan felt that his Dao fortune was exceptional.
Shortly after entering Da Qian, he had established a relationship with a peerless genius who possessed a Battle Dao Dharma image, one who had defeated the fifth on the Earth Ranking, the Fox Immortal Lu Chan.
This was also a kind of opportunity for ascending to immortality, an opportunity to form relationships with future top practitioners in the cultivation world.
Although the two had only recently met, having experienced life and death together, as long as this relationship continued to develop, it would not be inferior.
Apart from blood relations, the closeness or distance between people was built step by step.
"I wonder if Daoist friend would mind telling me about his lineage?"
Gu Wen came back to his senses and replied, "A wandering cultivator, without a sect or school."
He thought it might raise doubts or disdain, but for some reason, the other party's previously somewhat fervent eyes now seemed to sparkle with joy, as if they had won the lottery.
He took two steps forward, grabbed Gu Wen's shoulder, and said very seriously, "Friend from the mortal world, we hit it off at first sight. I don't seek to become sworn brothers with you, but at least let's be friends. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, I will definitely do my best to help!"
Gu Wen was a bit puzzled, thinking that the other party might be afraid of being excluded, he took out a Condensing Dao Pill and said, "Friend He, there's no need for this, I never go back on my word."
He Huan shook his head and said, "No, no, I genuinely want to be friends with Daoist friend. If you are willing, I can give you this Condensing Dao Pill."
He marveled at the other party's talent and blessings, being able to gather so many spiritual items to activate the Boundary-breaking Array.
He also realized an important point.
In cultivation, the combination of methods, resources, and location was crucial.
Conversely, a genius without a sect or school could further demonstrate their talent and blessings.
Moreover, forming a relationship with such a person would be like providing timely help.
There was a saying in the cultivation world: "It's better to support a cold door than to befriend a saint."
Often, geniuses without a sect or school would walk around with gold bricks, either being robbed or invested in by various forces.
On the other hand, a prestigious sect with heritage and background would, without exception, choose the latter, even if they didn't accept the person into the sect, forming good relationships was the priority.
Adding icing on the cake and providing timely help were different.
Gu Wen instantly understood the other party's intentions.
Having encountered such situations in his business dealings, he would often offer preferential treatment to important clients, and in return, they would reciprocate in their respective fields.
"In that case, thank you, Brother He."
Gu Wen took back the pill, changed his address, he did not resist building relationships with others, let alone shy away from capable individuals.
Although He Huan lost a pill, he was all smiles, saying, "Brother from the mortal world, you're too polite."
While a Condensing Dao Pill might be precious, it was not a necessity for him.
He valued more a peerless genius with a Dharma image.
Gu Wen glanced at the Ministry of Works and then changed the subject, "Brother from the mortal world, since we are friends, shouldn't we share both joys and sorrows?"
"Of course." He Huan nodded without hesitation, sincerely saying, "Friends don't necessarily have to enjoy good fortune together, but when in trouble, they will definitely lend a hand."
"Then let's go and snatch the Ministry of Works."
Gu Wen pointed to the distance, and He Huan also looked over, his face showing contemplation, then his brows furrowed.
He said, "Brother from the mortal world, this belongs to the Daoist Emperor, it's not the same as Zhao Feng's, are you planning to meddle with the Emperor's possessions?"
Gu Wen asked, "Go or not?"
He Huan hesitated for a few seconds, thinking that since they had already raided the Qianfeng Tower, a bigger challenge wouldn't hurt.
"I will accompany you even at the risk of my life."
"Let's go."
Gu Wen led the way towards the Ministry of Works outside the alley.
He was not invincible and needed someone to assist him from the side.
He had no means to deal with formations or illusions, he could only rely on his strength to throw bricks, but that method couldn't be effective every time.
Moreover, this guy had too many life-saving tricks.
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The Ministry of Works.
The gates were tightly closed, and two figures leaped across the street from the alley, crossing over the high walls and entering.
The interior was pitch black, with only a few scattered lights.
Gu Wen and He Huan quickly approached the lighted areas.
They crouched on the roof to observe, seeing an old man dozing off at the warehouse entrance, holding a broken sword.
"He has cultivation."
Gu Wen affirmed, then asked, "Who is this worldly person, or a guardian or follower of the Daoist Emperor?"
"Not necessarily, I think he's just one of the Daoist Emperor's disciples," He Huan said, "I don't know if you've heard, but hundreds of years ago, the Daoist Emperor brought dozens of people into the Immortal Ascension Grounds, sweeping away the forces inserted by various major sects and establishing Da Qian."
His tone was casual, but the information was significant to Gu Wen.
'Established Da Qian hundreds of years ago, is the current Daoist Emperor the founding ancestor of that time?'
Gu Wen asked, "Can they live for hundreds of years here?"
He Huan shook his head and said, "They should have used secret methods to seal themselves for hundreds of years."
"How did a major sect manage to bring in dozens of people?" Gu Wen asked again, based on what he knew, entering Da Qian should come at a great cost.
It was definitely not something that could be solved by common agreements.
When it came to power struggles, even one's own father could be denied, who would adhere to the rules then?
He Huan replied, "Normally, only the Three Pure Daoist Sects could provide such resources, but the Daoist Emperor squeezed his entire sect, even all the favors, dry. He didn't hesitate to deceive and manipulate, even my ancestral home was used to borrow a Five Elements Essence Soul."
"If a top expert asks you for a favor, would you agree?"
Gu Wen's expression was strange, he could understand the logic behind it, it was like a top capitalist asking a bank for a loan, there was no reason to refuse, but the behavior was a bit like profiting from microloans to ascend to the Immortal Ascension Grounds.
He felt that if he had to run away, he could also play out a scenario like this in Longqiao.
"Do you still want to snatch it, Brother from the mortal world? Once we take action, the Daoist Emperor will definitely find out, and we may not be able to kill him."
He Huan had some serious concerns.
Gu Wen asked one last question, "Can the Daoist Emperor arrive in an instant?"
"He probably won't come out, he still has to guard the alchemy furnace he's been refining for over a decade."
"Kill."
Gu Wen's voice was calm, then his figure shot out, the old man below holding the sword sensed the movement, abruptly opened his eyes, and rebuked, "Who dares to be so audacious!"
Clang!
The clash of blades, a flash of blood appeared, the old man's body stiffened, his pupils shrouded in boundless killing intent.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, the action of swinging the sword was not as swift as before, only his pupils remained normal.
Gu Wen, as if taking a leisurely stroll, approached with the spear, seemingly casual, the spear pierced through the chest, blood blossomed under the moonlight.
It wasn't that he was slow, but the other party was too fast.
The old man stared at the masked figure less than an inch away from him, the blade stopped just an inch away from the other.
His life-saving technique took effect, then disappeared in an instant.
Gu Wen retracted the spear, the old man's blood was drawn out and merged into the spear, the blood qi on the spear became even more intense.
Thud!
A corpse fell in front of him.
Weak, too weak.
Gu Wen stepped over the body, his heart calm.
Is this all it takes to die?
On the side, He Huan was already dumbfounded, holding the spear in place, he had wanted to help, aiming for a single strike to kill without revealing their presence.
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