Chapter 811: Checking the Accounts
The taxes were heavy, but truth be told, there was simply no other choice.
If the Prince of Yan wanted to hold on to his slice of territory, he needed silver no matter what. Yet in today's world, the Southern Domain Land was arguably the wealthiest region of all, but also the most impoverished.
The advantage lay in its rugged terrain. With its endless overlapping mountains, the region naturally deterred many ambitious outsiders. Furthermore, the climate was exceptionally well-suited for growing grain.
But the disadvantages were just as numerous.
In the early years, the divide between the Jing People and the Xiang People had forged distinct differences between the north and the south.
The Grand Ancestor was of the Xiang People by birth, and the empire's center of power rested in the Northern Territory. He had initially intended to balance the north and south, but the later rebellions in the Southern Domain completely severed that path. Afterward, the imperial court scarcely spared any effort on the revitalization and education of the south.
It lacked talent!
Looking across the region, capable individuals were few and far between.
Furthermore, the endless overlapping mountains of the Southern Domain Land made travel overwhelmingly long and difficult. This barrier deterred merchants. Thus, despite sitting on an abundant granary, the region could never build a thriving economy.