420: Chapter 421 They even suffered a loss!

She paused, turned a page, and continued, "There are a total of thirty-one newborns this year. Among them, three have superior Spiritual Roots—one is Grade 5, two are Grade 6; the rest are mostly Grade 7 to Grade 9. All have been entered into the genealogy and incorporated into the Family cultivation system."

Ye Changge finished listening and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Two hundred and seventy-four people, ninety-seven Cultivators.

This number might not seem outstanding among all the cultivation Families in the Zhao State.

But for a Foundation Establishment Family that has only risen for a few years, it is already an extremely dazzling achievement.

Liu Yiyi finished her report, gently closed the genealogy, nodded slightly towards Ye Changge, and then retreated to her seat.

She was wearing a simple and elegant cyan-green long dress today, her black hair loosely tied up with just a single wooden hairpin. Although she was already a mother of several children, her brows still carried that same pure and gentle, grass-like quality from when they first met.

She sat back down beside Lu Shiyin and let out a soft sigh, clearly the long report just now had taken quite a bit of her mental energy.

Ye Changge cast an approving look at her, then turned his gaze to the next person.

Xiao Caiyue stood up.

She was wearing a water-blue wide-sleeved long dress today, the fabric was fine cloud brocade, with delicate flowing cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs, making her figure appear even more slender and her temperament dignified.

Her black hair was meticulously styled into a matron's bun, with a white jade hairpin inserted at an angle, from which a thin tassel hung down, swaying gently with her movements.

Since returning to Longmai Mountain with Ye Changge last year, she had naturally taken over the tasks of Family finance and internal management.

She was inherently a person skilled in calculation, having operated a Formation shop for many years; her skill with accounts was far superior to that of ordinary Cultivators.

Over this past year, the income and expenditure of such a large Family had been managed by her in an orderly and clear manner.

She walked into the hall, holding a thick ledger in her hand. She bowed slightly towards Ye Changge at the head of the table, and then nodded in greeting to Lu Shiyin, Lu Shiqing, Liu Yiyi, and the others on both sides before speaking, her voice gentle and clear:

"Reporting to Husband and sisters, I will now present the financial income and expenditure of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain for the past year to everyone."

Her voice was unhurried, carrying a sense of reassuring composure.

"Over the past year, the total profit of our Ye Family of Longmai Mountain was fifty-four thousand three hundred and sixty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of low gasps sounded in the hall.

"Fifty-four thousand?"

"So much!"

"Our Family... earned so many Spirit Stones last year?"

The concubines whispered among themselves, their eyes full of surprise and joy. Even Lu Shiqing widened her eyes slightly, clearly this number exceeded her expectations. She couldn't help but glance at Ye Changge, her eyes filled with the delight of "So our Family is actually this rich."

Xiao Caiyue did not pause and continued:

"Among them, the main sources of income are divided into the following items—"

She turned a page of the ledger, her voice steady:

"Fishery income, about six thousand Spirit Stones; Talisman shop income, about eleven thousand Spirit Stones; Spiritual Land output, about three thousand Spirit Stones; Spirit Wine industry, newly started, income of about two thousand Spirit Stones; other miscellaneous income, about one thousand Spirit Stones."

"The above are all earnings from the continuous operation of Family industries."

She paused, her voice lowering slightly:

"There is also a one-time income of about thirty-two thousand Spirit Stones, derived from the sale of idle Spiritual Land, mining rights, and other assets."

"That is to say..."

a younger concubine nearby whispered, "What we actually earned from our own industries is only over twenty thousand Spirit Stones?"

Xiao Caiyue glanced at her, did not deny it, and just nodded slightly:

"Exactly. Therefore, although the Family's current book profit figure is acceptable, most of it is derived from liquidating assets and is not sustainable, stable income."

She turned a few pages, her tone unchanged:

"Next, is the total expenditure."

"A total of eighty-four thousand seven hundred Spirit Stones."

The atmosphere in the hall changed abruptly.

The joyful whispers from just a moment ago vanished completely, replaced by silence.

Ye Pingan couldn't help but whisper:

"Expenditure... over eighty thousand?"

Xiao Caiyue ignored everyone's reaction and continued to report item by item:

"Grand Array construction and maintenance, twenty-four thousand Spirit Stones. This is a one-time major expense, mainly used to perfect the Family defense system and expand the coverage of the Spirit Gathering Array."

"Purchasing the Lin Family's Spiritual Land, twelve thousand Spirit Stones. This plot borders Longmai Mountain and has connected Spiritual Veins; after acquisition, it can expand the Family's Spiritual Land by more than 30% and has been listed as a long-term asset."

"Tribute to the Lingxiao Sect, twelve thousand Spirit Stones annually. This is customary and cannot be skipped."

"Fish farming and Spirit Lake maintenance, two thousand Spirit Stones."

"Family Cultivator and Disciple cultivation expenses, ten thousand five hundred Spirit Stones. Including the purchase of Cultivation Technique jade slips, Medicinal Pill rations, distribution of Magical Artifacts, subsidies for traveling abroad, etc."

"Family retainer expenses, five thousand Spirit Stones. There are twenty-three retainers in total, including twelve Late Stage of Qi Refining retainers, eight Qi Refining Great Perfection retainers, and three Foundation Establishment Early Stage retainers."

"Wages for Mortals such as spiritual farmers, fishermen, servants, and low-level Cultivators, one thousand three hundred Spirit Stones."

"Puppet Materials procurement, two thousand Spirit Stones."

"Social obligations, five thousand Spirit Stones. Including birthday banquets, wedding banquets, promotion gifts for various Families, and external social engagements."

"External procurement of various Materials and spiritual items, five thousand Spirit Stones."

"There are also miscellaneous expenses of about two thousand Spirit Stones."

Xiao Caiyue finished reporting, slowly closed the ledger, and raised her eyes to look at everyone.

"The above is the total expenditure for last year."

The hall was silent.

After a long while, a young concubine who looked no more than fifteen or sixteen couldn't help but exclaim:

"Our Family... not only didn't make money last year, but actually lost over thirty thousand Spirit Stones?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a buzzing sound of whispers immediately filled the hall.

The concubines looked at each other, their expressions varied. Some were worried, some were confused, and some looked blank, unable to understand the accounts. Several young descendants also looked over, clearly shocked by this number.

Lu Shiyin frowned slightly.

Although she was one of the matriarchs of the Ye Family, she usually only managed internal affairs and the cultivation of the younger generation, and was not very clear about the Family's overall financial situation. Hearing this number now, her heart couldn't help but sink a little.

Lu Shiqing widened her eyes even more: "Lost... thirty thousand? How did our Family spend so much?"

Liu Yiyi pursed her lips, did not speak, but subconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Ye Changge sat at the head of the table, one hand supporting his chin, his expression quite calm.

He had known these numbers for a long time.

Over this past year, his spending of Spirit Stones had indeed been like water. The Grand Array had to be built, Spiritual Land had to be bought, the Puppet Factory had to be invested in, tribute had to be paid, social obligations had to be met, wives, concubines, and descendants had to be supported... every single item was a clear, glaring expense.