Chapter 1331: He Lingchuan Is Worth Five Hundred Thousand Taels

## Chapter 1317: He Lingchuan Is Worth Half a Million Taels

Just as the Bixia envoy was about to ascend to the top floor, he was stopped:"No admittance to unauthorized personnel."

The Bixia envoy raised his voice so that those above could hear: "By the command of God Wuzhuo, I have come specifically to pay my respects to the Master of the Red Lodge!"

Only a few breaths later, the music from above ceased.

Soon, a servant in green robes descended the stairs: "Follow me."

He led the Bixia envoy to the third floor, bowed twice towards the interior, and then withdrew.

In front was a platform enclosed by a gauze curtain. The Bixia envoy could only vaguely make out a few figures inside: musicians, singers, and dancers. Their lively performance of song and dance had been interrupted by him.

Another person was half-reclining on a couch, but their face was not visible.

Before the Bixia envoy could finish observing, the person on the couch spoke: "Which country are you from?"

The voice was deep.

"Bixia," the envoy quickly replied. "I have come by the command of our tribal chief!"

The person waved a hand: "You may leave."

The dancers and performers on the platform filed out, leaving only the two of them to converse.

The person remained arrogant, his attitude unchanged by the envoy's background: "Who told you I was here?"

"I followed the guidance of God Wuxiu."

"Wuxiu?" The Master of the Red Lodge slowly uttered the deity's name. "Speak, what do you want from me?"

"My lord wishes to seek your assistance."

"Assistance?" The Master of the Red Lodge took a sip of wine. "I offer only one kind of help. Do the Bixia people know this?"

"Yes, very clearly."

The Master of the Red Lodge said casually: "Tell me, who is the target?"

"There are two targets. First, Situ Yu, the leader of the Seven-Route Allied Army. Secondly—" The Bixia envoy paused. "—He Lingchuan, the founder of the Yangshan Merchant Guild!"

"If you can eliminate these two villains, my king is willing to offer 300,000 taels as a reward!"

"300,000 taels?" The Master of the Red Lodge chuckled. "Bixia is in a difficult situation now. And I would only receive 300,000 taels for rescuing Bixia from dire straits?"

He slowly stated: "To kill Situ Yu, 700,000 taels; to kill He Lingchuan, 500,000 taels!"

The total would be 1,200,000 taels.

The Bixia envoy's eyes widened. This figure was more than three times what he had proposed—a truly exorbitant demand.

"500,000 taels..." Situ Yu was one thing; as the leader of the Seven-Route Allied Army attacking Bixia, his head was always particularly valuable. But, "What makes He Lingchuan worth 500,000 taels?"

"The Yangshan Merchant Guild has played a role in the allied army's offensive that is no less significant than any of the main forces. Without it, you wouldn't have been defeated so badly, and you still wouldn't have turned the tide," the Master of the Red Lodge evidently understood the current situation very well. "Furthermore, it's said that this person personally slew the Ghost King Xuanlu, which shows his formidable cultivation; he's not just a simple merchant. Moreover, he is an honored guest of the allied nations and is under strict protection in Jucheng. Do you think this person named He is easy to kill?"

While acknowledging the logic, the Bixia envoy still felt the asking price was too high. Killing two people would cost over a billion coins? Bixia was not wealthy to begin with, and recent warfare had left them financially strapped; truthfully, even raising 300,000 taels was extremely difficult. If they truly had the financial power to spend millions of taels at will, they would have long since sent the allied army back to their homeland.

Fortunately, before his departure, the Bixia chieftain had given him a bottom line. The envoy gritted his teeth and said solemnly: "Our tribe has never been known for its wealth. If you can truly eliminate these two, our tribe will offer 700,000 taels with both hands, as a token of our gratitude!"

The Master of the Red Lodge smiled: "I think the Bixia people should just do it themselves; they could earn 700,000 taels for free."

If the Bixia people could eliminate them, why would they need to find him?

The Bixia envoy thought for a moment: "How long would it take you to eliminate these two?"

"Just two nights," the Master of the Red Lodge raised two fingers. "You can specify the order, who goes first and who second."

The Bixia envoy pondered for a long time, then finally said: "Very well, 450,000 taels, please eliminate Situ Yu for us!"

"Not concerned about He Lingchuan anymore?"

"First eliminate Situ Yu, then we'll observe the aftermath." The Situ clan is the leader of the offensive against Bixia. Once Situ Yu is gone, the allied army will disperse like loose sand. Can that person named He still cause such upheaval?

While Bixia disliked the Yangshan Merchant Guild and He Lingchuan, it was well aware of who the main enemy was.

The Master of the Red Lodge finally conceded: "500,000 taels, plus three catties of black crystals, of yellow-orange grade or higher."

The Bixia envoy immediately pressed: "When can you begin?"

"Within ten days," the Master of the Red Lodge mused slightly. "I have other important matters to attend to first before I can help you."

"Please do so as soon as possible!" The Bixia envoy took out two banknotes and handed them over. "This is a 100,000 tael deposit. The remaining balance will be paid upon completion."

The person on the couch remained in the same posture, but something whizzed past the Bixia envoy. He felt only a slight disturbance in the air, his hand lightened, and the banknotes were gone.

What was that fast thing? The Bixia envoy didn't see clearly, but the Master of the Red Lodge already said: "You may leave."

With the deposit handed over, the Bixia envoy was about to turn and leave.

However, the Master of the Red Lodge spoke again: "Oh, do you have information on He Lingchuan? Give it to me as well."

The Bixia envoy was overjoyed: "Are you willing to kill...?"

"Let me see. What kind of people are around this person named He? I heard that in his great battle with the Ghost King Xuanlu, he deployed a giant ape?"

"Ah, yes, yes." The Bixia envoy, thinking there was no harm in speaking, told the Master of the Red Lodge all the information their side had collected on He Lingchuan.

***

In the evening, as He Lingchuan was discussing guild matters with Yu Hai, Situ He arrived, looking travel-worn, with another person accompanying him: Kang Lang.

Sure enough, Situ Yu had not only adopted He Lingchuan's suggestion but also had his son invite Kang Lang along.

Kang Lang stepped forward a few paces and bowed deeply to He Lingchuan, his fingers touching the sand on the ground:

"Brother He, I will surely repay your great kindness!"

He Lingchuan held his arm and said: "This position is tailor-made for Brother Kang. What the Yuancun Guild hopes for is simply that everyone can fully utilize their talents."

Yu Hai also smiled from the side: "Congratulations, Brother Kang, you are finally about to embark on a grand career!"

Kang Lang was flushed with excitement.

Born the sixth child, he had no claim to the throne. The Kanc Clan chieftain didn't particularly favor this son-in-law either. He had always been frustrated and had to constantly endure pressure between the Perliu Kingdom and the Kanc Clan.

However, He Lingchuan's proposal for Qingye immediately gave him a place to demonstrate his abilities!

Once he became an official in Qingye, both sides would need him, and he would henceforth have position, authority, and influence!

This prospect, this excitement, filled Kang Lang with ambition:

"Situ said that Brother He can resolve the problem with the 50-70 revenue split?"

"A minor matter," He Lingchuan offered an analogy. "For instance, Brother Kang could establish a joint-stock purchasing association in Qingye—or, of course, outsource it to a large merchant guild—dedicated to the procurement and circulation of bulk goods. Then, the Perliu Kingdom could buy shares, converting their share of the revenue into equity. At the end of each year, dividends would be distributed according to shares, ensuring Perliu Kingdom's profits are definitely higher than the Kanc Clan's, perhaps even more than twenty percent higher!"

Silence fell in the room as the three of them tried to process his suggestion.

Although all of them had studied abroad in Lingxu City, He Lingchuan's suggestion still struck them as remarkably novel.

"So where exactly would this extra share come from?" Kang Lang inquired again.

"It wouldn't come from Qingye's fiscal revenue, but rather from the 'separate' operating profits of the purchasing association," He Lingchuan explained, emphasizing 'separate'. "Qingye's surplus revenue would be split 50-50 between the Perliu Kingdom and the Kanc Clan; Perliu Kingdom's additional twenty percent would come from the purchasing association's dividends."

After a good while, Situ He finally, on Kang Lang's behalf, asked the crucial question: "I understand, but, but can this newly established purchasing office really earn that much money? Of course, the Perliu Kingdom would be happy if it earns a lot, but they definitely wouldn't agree if it earns too little."

He Lingchuan laughed heartily: "Why not? This dispute might actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Qingye. Since both Perliu and the Kanc Clan consider Qingye their territory, they cannot impose customs duties or border taxes on goods circulating there. And since Qingye's sovereignty is unresolved, neither party can levy corvée labor or other burdensome taxes here."

Tax reduction, exemption from corvée! Situ He and Yu Hai both looked enlightened; how had they never thought of that at all!

There are pros and cons, but they had only seen the cons.

"For commoners and merchants alike, whether living or doing business, Qingye's environment will be much more relaxed than surrounding areas," He Lingchuan continued. "Qingye itself has excellent geographical advantages. As long as Brother Kang puts in some effort to build it into a tax-free free trade zone... I mean, a trading post, why would local population and businesses not thrive? At that point, it won't be people chasing money, but money chasing people."

Hearing this, Yu Hai clapped his hands in admiration: "Brother He, you are truly brilliant!"

Could the problems left by war really be solved through economic means?

Kang Lang bowed deeply to He Lingchuan once more: "I am enlightened!"

He Lingchuan smiled: "This is a rare opportunity, Brother Kang, make the most of it."

Kang Lang was also eager to try: "My father-in-law will be easy to deal with; I don't expect much objection—"

The Kanc Clan's demands were only two: Qingye must not be taken by Perliu, and they must receive fifty percent of the profits. If these are met, there will be no objection.

"—As for my king father, I will return to the kingdom tonight to persuade him." Kang Lang knew his old man's temperament well. "I think as long as we can ensure a seventy percent share of the profits, it won't be too difficult."

Ultimately, it was all about money. In truth, both parties accepting mediation understood that some concessions would have to be made.

After the discussion concluded, everyone dined within the Yuancun Guild.

The Yuancun Guild frequently held gatherings and meetings, so it had its own banquet hall and chefs, meaning members didn't need to go out for meals. It was high-class and offered excellent privacy.

Kang Lang was eager to return, so no one pressed him to drink excessively. They enjoyed their meal and then went their separate ways.

When He Lingchuan returned to the Yangshan Merchant Guild and settled into his study, the mirror finally asked him: "Hey, what if Kang's purchasing association can't make that much money?"

"That was just an analogy; I merely suggested a method they could accept," He Lingchuan said, brushing it off as a trivial matter. "There are many ways. At worst, we'll manipulate the books. As long as we inflate costs, underreport profits, and create clever categories, where wouldn't that small percentage of profit come from? Don't even talk about a mere twenty percent profit; I could balance the books for an eighty percent profit!"