My wife is an immortal black snake.

Page 44

In other words, national policies must be implemented gradually, unlocking them step by step.

...

As for the "resolution," you can choose any resolution you want as long as you have enough political points. As long as the resolutions are not mutually exclusive (such as simultaneously killing and saving a common individual), Yang Hao can confirm any resolution and then stay at home to wait for the effects to appear.

However, this requires him to have a large number of political points to squander. Currently, Yang Hao earns approximately 2 political points per day, but these 2 points are reduced to 1 political point during the implementation of a national policy. For the resolution, this is a dire situation, adding insult to injury.

...

As for the [Event], it's easy to understand: as long as it's triggered, you can make a choice, and as long as you make a choice, there will be a corresponding result. It doesn't consume anything at all, and there's no need to wait for time. It can be said to be Yang Hao's most ideal ability.

However, the price is that in order to trigger the event, Yang Hao has to personally explore a certain place and talk to a certain person... This is a very dangerous act in a sense, especially now that he has not yet achieved immortality and may die at any time.

...He needed to figure out the correct order of using these three abilities; originally, this should have been quite simple...

But here’s the thing…

【national policy--】

【resolution--】

【resolution--】

【national policy--】

【event--】

In just one afternoon of work, he triggered more than five on-site resolutions, 17 usable resolutions, and 12 optional national policies.

The combined pressure from all these factors was enough to drive someone with decision-making anxiety to suicide on the spot. This was especially true when it became clear that some national policies were mutually exclusive, while others were complementary, and that these policies would affect every aspect of the Duchy of Kosiché...

Yang Hao genuinely believed he needed a high-performance computer to assist him in processing data. Right now, mentally calculating various gains and losses had already exhausted all his energy. These tasks, originally delegated to his deputy or accountant, had to be handled by him alone due to the unique nature and confidentiality of his abilities.

Even head maid Monica couldn't offer him any small help with such a complicated job... All she could do was hand Yang Hao a glass of water when he was thirsty and help him wipe his sweat when he needed to—that was all.

"Ahhh—anything will do, Shenzhou computers or Mechrevo computers... just give me a computer to calculate this enormous number..."

What is this percentage bonus for scientific research calculated as 1.5 * 0.5 * 3.5 then ÷ 2? And why is the final figure subject to further deductions for the impact on people's livelihood and the economy?

What is the exact figure that led to over 70% of the population of the Duchy of Kosiché being drafted into the army? And what exactly is this over 1,000 birth rate?

Is it a gain or a loss that this would increase food production by 70% next year, and then lead to famine with less than 60% food production in the following two years?

...and so on, and so forth.

Some elementary school math problems that Yang Hao could originally calculate the results of later turned into advanced mathematics due to various complex influences—this is ridiculous!

I've just learned addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and you're already asking me to use calculus to solve a difficult math problem?

Why don't you let elementary school students who have just learned to translate classical Chinese translate oracle bone script?

This is ridiculous! This kind of thing requires a computer to calculate the results... How could my brain possibly calculate hundreds of calculus formulas for you in two minutes? That's impossible!

At this moment, Yang Hao felt utterly exhausted and was about to give up thinking.

But he couldn't give up thinking about it, because those things were truly important and incredibly tempting. He really wanted them all! If he could figure out how to make things work in the best way to achieve the best results, then having it all was feasible!

As long as you can figure out those intricate efficiency and profit formulas...

if only...

He sat leaning back on the bench, looking up at the sky. As he looked, he suddenly felt a darkness engulf his vision and almost fainted.

Fortunately, he held on. But even if he held on, it didn't mean his complexion would look normal.

“My lord…you must rest.” Monica looked at Yang Hao with concern. “I’ve already had the snake scales prepare the carriage. You’d better go back and rest.”

"what--"

"...Don't say anymore. Even a seven-year-old could see that your condition is terrible."

"...It's already gotten this bad?"

"Yes."

Monica helped Yang Hao back to the car that was ready for their trip. After they were both settled in the back seat, Paul, who was driving, began to move the car towards the side of the Duke's mansion.

In the car, Monica used a cold towel to wipe the sweat off Yang Hao's face. At the same time, she handed Yang Hao the last bottle of drink that could restore his energy. These drinks were very expensive, and Monica herself was reluctant to use them, but now it seemed that they were all used by Yang Hao.

"...Monica, does the Duke's mansion have calculators or anything like that?"

“Calculators? Hmm... yes. But sir, as you know, those calculators would be extremely complicated to process data if they weren’t connected to a server.”

"...Does that mean if I can't connect to the server, I have to type in the formulas one by one...?"

"Yes. I think it can only be of negligible help to your abilities."

The computer technology in this world wasn't as rudimentary as Yang Hao had imagined. At the very least, there were mobile phones, server hosts controlling the various districts of the mobile city, and naturally, computers for calculation or entertainment also existed.

The problem is, those things can't meet Yang Hao's needs. The data in Yang Hao's mind can't be exported for computer calculations... What he needs is a calculator to assist his [Puppet Stage] ability in internal operations—of course, he knows perfectly well that such a thing doesn't exist in this world. In other words, does he really have to rely on himself?

...He wearily downed the last bottle of green beverage in one gulp. Just as he finished it, another event popped up in front of him.

[Event: The Limits of Humanity]

The human brain is ultimately the human brain; it cannot compare to machines in performing extremely complex data processing. This is especially true as technology advances.

Perhaps you could consider giving up your own flesh and blood? If the only price is the loss of emotions, and if you're absolutely rational...

'...'

Effect: Unlocks the national policy tree 'Weak Flesh and Blood'. Estimated completion time for this national policy tree: 70 years.

...grass.

Why is another one coming at this crucial moment?

Putting aside whether I'd be willing to become a machine, just these 70 years? Ha! Don't you know how much I lack time? Those 70 years, if devoted to my own work, could have brought the Duchy of Cosice to a comfortable standard of living, right? Another national policy that's bankrupted bakeries just to eat cake...

This incident made Yang Hao even more irritable... but he still held back and didn't intend to vent his negative emotions on the people around him—however, if there were a place like a venting room in the Duke's mansion, he would probably go there.

Smash anything to pieces... these negative emotions still need to be released.

"grown ups?"

"...No, it's nothing...I want to take a nap. Wake me up when we get home."

"Yes."

He closed his eyes, letting physical and mental exhaustion consume him.

... .....

At 7 o'clock in the evening.

When Yang Hao was woken up by Monica in a half-awake state, he found that he was already home.

"...Ah—how long have I been asleep?"

“Two hours. Because of traffic,” Monica explained. “Lady Koschche is waiting for you outside. She’s very worried about you.”

"...Did you tell her?"

“Yes, sir. I am not only your maid, but also Lord Koschche’s maid.”

Monica's expression was calm, as if it was her duty to inform on Koschke—but whatever, Koschke would definitely notice her expression anyway... So Yang Hao simply tapped Monica's forehead lightly as punishment, then patted his own cheeks and got out of the car.

The return of his feet to solid ground brought him a dizzying sensation from not having had enough rest. Today's work had already drained him of too much energy—he had never felt such a craving for candy to replenish his brain's energy as he did now.

Just as Yang Hao was subconsciously recalling the awfully sweet, awfully salty, or awfully sour dinners he had eaten in Ursus, he noticed someone standing in front of him...

“My husband, you are so tired.” It was Koschke.

She looked at Yang Hao with deep concern. She reached out to support the man, who was clearly exhausted, and after confirming several times that he could still move, she gestured for Monica to prepare the meal first.

“Yes…I’m so tired…” Yang Hao nodded. “…I want to rest.”

"I've already told you that you don't need to work so hard."

"But now I either have to deal with my own affairs and watch our territory slowly sink into the abyss, or I have to fight tooth and nail to get everything... I'm too tired, I need to get some rest tonight."

"Yes, yes, yes... Let's go back first. Would you like to take a shower first?"

"Um..."

Kosichrie personally helped her husband move slowly towards the palace. She instructed Serpent Scales to clear away any potential bystanders along the way.

Only when her child was supporting her husband could Koschie realize the vulnerability his body truly conveyed to her after she stopped looking at him with the eyes of an "immortal."

Yes, how fragile he is. Koschie knew that he must have gone through a lot of hard work to be so depressed, both mentally and physically... She had considered this before, but she arrogantly assumed that Yang Hao would follow her advice and only do a short period of work.

In reality, Yang Hao is a person, and he won't always follow my lead. He's someone on the same level as me—my husband. He has his own ideas, and he'll work himself to the bone to make our family better... This is something I hadn't considered before, something I overlooked due to my idealized image or other reasons.

It was precisely because of this neglect that Kosichev made a mistake, and that's when she saw her beloved husband exhausting himself, and then needing someone to help him walk.

"...Honey."

"what happened?"

"No, it's nothing..."

Kosic originally intended to comfort him and offer some words of advice...

But when she opened her mouth, she found that she had no idea what to say.

Her understanding of Yang Hao was like that of a mountaineer gazing at a mountain from afar.

She could see the mountaintop, but did she really know the safe route to the top? Did she really understand what kind of rich history this mountain held... what was lurking within it? She didn't even know why Yang Hao kept all his troubles bottled up inside, unwilling to confide in her or vent even when she was right beside him.

...Indeed, we still have a long way to go.

It wasn't to fight against Miss Margarita, nor for any noble or sinister purpose, nor even because of his own obsession as an "immortal" who had lived for thousands of years...

At this point, Koschke only wants to understand her husband from the perspective of his wife. That's all.

Chapter 103

Did I do something wrong?

Late at night, when Yang Hao was once again awakened by a heavy dream, his mind was filled with this question that seemed to have no answer.

...After returning home, he shouldn't have done anything that might anger Kosich.

He continued to shower with her as always, and eat with her as always. Apart from not telling her about the various negative emotions that had accumulated in his heart... he really was just living his life as usual.

So, did he really do something wrong? So much so that tonight the couple only had a brief chat, talking about work for a while, before hastily lying in bed to rest?

...But what good will it do if you don't bottle up those negative emotions and find a chance to vent them? Did you just unleash a torrent of complaints on Koschie? And then, because of your own bad outburst, did it make her mood worse too?

Yang Hao truly didn't want things to turn out this way... He didn't want his negative emotions to affect the relationship between his family members, not even his trusted servants, Monica and Paul. He absolutely didn't want emotional issues to create future resentment between them...

'call...'

He sighed, feeling his wife still embracing him in his arms, and relieved that she wasn't avoiding him.

"Can't sleep?"

"Kosichello suddenly said. She doesn't seem to have slept at all...?"

"Hmm...it's probably because I'm too tired that I have trouble falling asleep."

"...Try to close your eyes and rest, my dear husband."

She smiled helplessly, gently stroked Yang Hao's lower abdomen with her tail to comfort him, and then fell silent.

Kosichek appears to be asleep.

Unable to fall asleep no matter what he did... Yang Hao chose to quietly close his eyes, feeling the warmth from his wife and her tail in his arms, while he began to check what was to come.

He doesn't intend to think about so much complicated data anymore... He just wants to organize the core development direction for the future.

The first decade... was the first year of administrative reforms and economic reforms in the Duchy of Cosice. The minimum requirement for this first decade was to achieve the goal of providing work relief.

And then what? The second decade, the third decade...

...Just thinking about it gave him a headache. He gave up on thinking and decided to go check on Margarita's condition first.

'I wonder if that silly girl received the letter...'

As Yang Hao muttered to himself, he buried his face in Kosiché's hair, greedily inhaling her fragrance, while also using the [Puppet Stage] to check on Margarita's condition.

How is this silly girl doing lately? He's been too busy to care... but at least now, when he can't sleep, he can still check on her.

[Event: The True Ancestor's Mentor]

The still-young True Ancestor found her next mentor in a small village in Minos. Although the mentor was over 600 years old, he was still trustworthy enough to temporarily teach a blood demon who hadn't yet been weaned human nature.

But this doesn't mean the little blood demon's path to growth will be smooth sailing. Regardless, for your sake, she will strive to grow stronger.