In the study of the Royal Palace of the Land of Water, Shun looked at two secret reports.
The first secret report indicated that the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth had secretly dispatched a large number of spies. They disguised themselves as ninjas from the Land of Akatsuki and set fires and robbed in the border cities of the Land of Fire, bringing immense disaster and panic to the local residents.
The second secret report showed that spies, disguised as soldiers from the Land of Water, plundered food and valuables from border villages in the Land of Akatsuki, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth, deliberately leaving behind markings of the Land of Water, attempting to frame them.
Shikaku stood by, analyzing with a solemn expression, "According to the information from the Anbu, many villagers in our neighboring border villages have reported 'being robbed by Land of Water soldiers who took their food and valuables,' causing many civilians to fear immigrating to the Land of Water."
Shun listened quietly, his face somewhat grim. "They are using these underhanded tactics because, to put it plainly, they are afraid of civilians sneaking over like before. That's why they use robbery and intimidation to trap civilians in their countries. This behavior is disgusting."
Shikaku rubbed his temple, considering countermeasures. "Shun-sama, their ultimate goal should be to provoke a war between us and the Land of Akatsuki."
Shun's fingers lightly tapped the table, his gaze fixed on the map on the wall.
"Perhaps, I should plan for the unification of the Ninja World."
After a moment of contemplation, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
"They want to disrupt public sentiment, so I will use money to guide public sentiment towards the Land of Water. Give the order, starting today, adjust the immigration reward policy."
"Bringing one person to immigrate to the Land of Water will be rewarded with 200,000 ryo. If more than 20 people immigrate, an additional 1,000,000 ryo will be rewarded."
Shikaku was slightly startled, then quickly understood. "200,000 ryo for bringing one person? Are you using money to break the rumors created by the spies?"
Shun said with a slight smile and full confidence, "Yes, 200,000 ryo is equivalent to the total income of civilians in the Land of Wind and Land of Earth working for two years. Coupled with the Land of Water's high salaries, free medical care, and other welfare benefits, it is enough to make them ignore the panic created by the spies."
"Moreover, with a large number of people immigrating, even if the spies from the Land of Wind and Land of Earth want to cause trouble, they won't have a popular base and naturally won't amount to anything."
He paused, then added, "Additionally, have the guard team strengthen border patrols. Once spies impersonating the Land of Water or the Land of Akatsuki are caught, execute them at the border as a public display so that the people can see the truth."
"At the same time, have officials at the immigration registration office give returning immigrants a mobile phone to facilitate them taking videos and sending messages to break the rumors."
Hearing Shun's solution, Shikaku respectfully bowed. "I will arrange it immediately."
...
The news quickly reached the immigration registration office in Flame City.
Early in the morning, as the sun had just risen, the city gates slowly opened.
A civilian named Araki hurried towards the immigration registration office.
Araki was wearing a blue work uniform issued by a Land of Water factory.
The factory's serial number, "Textile 9527," was embroidered on the cuff of this uniform. In his pocket was a wad of brand new banknotes, his hard-earned wages from last month.
In his other hand, he held his last month's payslip, on which "Salary: 62,000 ryo" was prominently written in black font. This figure shimmered in the sunlight, making him feel a little dizzy.
Keep in mind, this was equivalent to the total income he earned from six months of hard work as a textile worker in the Land of Wind.
Araki jogged all the way and finally arrived at the immigration registration office.
He rushed to the counter, out of breath, and excitedly said, "I want to apply to return. I want to go back to my village and bring more people over."
The staff at the registration office looked up at the somewhat disheveled man and asked with a smile, "Sir, please don't rush, tell me what's on your mind slowly."
Araki took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then said, "I heard that if you bring one person to immigrate, you get a reward of 200,000 ryo. Is that true?"
The staff member nodded, confirming, "Yes, sir, that is our latest policy."
Araki's face immediately showed an expression of ecstatic joy. "I heard that as long as the application is successful, I can get a new mobile phone. Is that true?"
The Land of Water official at the registration office smiled and handed over a silver mobile phone and an operating guide, tapping the newly posted policy poster on the wall with his finger.
"It's all true. Starting today, bringing one person is rewarded with 200,000 ryo, and bringing more than 20 people gets an additional reward of 1,000,000 ryo. This mobile phone comes pre-installed with the 'Land of Water Life' app, which includes salary records and videos of resettlement housing. It's convenient for you to send messages to your fellow villagers."
Araki took the phone, his fingers carefully sliding across the screen.
Following the official's guidance, he opened the camera and took several photos of the resettlement housing nearby.
The two-story houses with red tiles and white walls had independent yards, newly washed clothes were drying at the yard gates, and several children ran through the alley holding pinwheels.
He spoke into the phone camera, excitedly showing off, "This is where I live now. Each family gets a two-bedroom apartment, fully furnished. I earn 62,000 ryo a month at the textile factory, and I can get another 200,000 ryo for bringing one person over, which is more than I get working for two years in the Land of Wind."
The official then handed Araki a color poster.
"The highest monthly salary for textile workers in the Land of Wind is 10,000 ryo, and they often delay payments. In the Land of Water, not only do we pay on time every month, but overtime also gets triple pay, and gifts are given on holidays."
"Even coming here to be a farmer, the treatment is very good. Helping the country cultivate contracted land, with high yields and guaranteed sales, you can steadily earn 50,000 ryo a month. Farmers in the Land of Wind work themselves to death for only 8,000 ryo, and they even hesitate for a long time before buying food and other things."
Araki stared at the numbers on the poster, his eyes instantly turning red. "My mother farmed her whole life in the Land of Wind, saving at most 86,000 ryo a year. If she farmed in the Land of Water, she could earn 100,000 ryo in two months. If I bring a few more people over, the reward will be enough to buy a big yard. If I had come earlier, my mother's leg illness would have been cured long ago."
The official patted his shoulder, comforting him, "That's right, the Land of Water's medical clinics also provide free medical care. The guard team will meet you at the border."
"Yesterday, they just caught a few spies impersonating the Land of Akatsuki and have already executed them at the border as a public display. Please be careful on your way, and if you encounter any suspicious individuals, use your mobile phone to call for help."
Araki carefully put the phone, poster, and payslip into his pocket.
"Alright, I'll set off immediately. I will definitely bring my family and relatives over."