Chapter 955: The Beginning is Always the Hardest

Even though Baile had been badly beaten by Yaguo, Lu Qinglin was currently fighting for Mu, not Baile. How could Sixth Master Lu be appeased?

"Hmm, we need to have more contact with Sixth Master Lu."

Ding Zuodong cleared his throat. "I thought you would focus your efforts on Lu Qingan, Lu Zhensheng's eldest son."

He Lingchuan smiled. "Are you assuming Lu Zhensheng's full support for his second son will displease Lu Qingan? And that we could then drive a wedge between father and son?"

That was precisely what Ding Zuodong had thought.

"You're half right. Lu Qingan will indeed be unhappy with his father's favoritism; but as for driving a wedge between the Lu father and son—" He Lingchuan shook his head. "Old Ding, you've never been part of a main clan, have you?"

"That's correct." Ding Zuodong used to be the steward in Dunyu, serving Third Master Shu's household. First Master Shu's was the main clan.

"If Lu Qinglin were a failure, your idea would be entirely correct. But he's on the verge of soaring to great heights, so there's no real competition between Lu Qingan and Lu Qinglin. Lu Qingan is in charge of holding the fort in Baile, while Lu Qinglin is making his way in Mu. They have a cooperative relationship. Lu Qinglin has already risen steadily in Mu; why would he care about the family's small holdings back home? Similarly, Lu Qingan also knows very well that Lu Qinglin has no interest in contending with him."

"It's human nature for brothers to compare themselves to each other." (Just as He Yue must secretly compare himself to his elder brother.) "But this doesn't affect the Lu family's overall situation."

Therefore, the minor friction between the Lu brothers isn't a fundamental conflict.

"Lu Zhensheng's full support for his second son may seem biased, and while clan members are pointing fingers, it's actually a painstaking effort on his part," He Lingchuan continued. "Only by leaving Baile and forging a career in the vast lands of Mu can Lu Qinglin break free from the competitive dynamic with his elder brother. This way, the two brothers will not only avoid contending for the family inheritance but also support each other in the future, and the status of the Lu clan and Baile can rise with Lu Qinglin's success."

"This situation is extremely common in Beijia and Yuanguo. Within a family, the legitimate eldest son protects the family property, while other sons venture out to make their mark. Once they achieve success, the entire family benefits, and sibling rivalry is avoided." It was just that Lu Zhensheng's approach was a bit more extreme, with resources tilted towards his second son rather than his eldest.

"Lu Zhensheng is not a broad-minded man, but he certainly didn't do anything wrong in this matter. If Lu Qinglin truly reaches a high position in Mu, Baile's resurgence will be within reach, and Lu Zhensheng won't have shamed his ancestors. He is using his own method to continue the Lu clan's lineage."

The mirror in his arms scoffed, "How is that *his* own method? Perhaps the Lu clan ancestors used it before!"

After all, a child of destiny appears in the Lu clan every few generations; if they bet correctly, the family's fortunes will turn around.

He Lingchuan gently patted the mirror and spoke fluently, "But by treating himself as the head of the family and siphoning all clan resources, this 'strengthening the main branch while weakening the others' approach will surely cause resentment among the Lu clan members."

Therefore, he needs to contact other members of the Lu clan to find more opportunities.

Ultimately, the Lu clan is, after all, his original body's family; blood is thicker than water. He couldn't immediately resort to brutal methods as he would with enemies.

This kind of unfamiliar familial bond is the most difficult to handle.

Ding Zuodong thought for a moment, then nodded. "The Master truly has foresight."

He Lingchuan pressed his temples. "Now, let's talk about the ships."

Being a lord was like this: in the early stages of establishing his business, things weren't yet properly set up, and manpower was insufficient, so he had to personally oversee every detail. Managing affairs on this small patch of land was no easier than being the Grand Marshal of Yuheng City.

The increase in ship rental prices was because autumn was typically the peak shipping season for Blade Port. This ice-free port took orders in spring and summer and shipped goods in autumn and winter. Its shipping routes were currently at their busiest; how many idle ships could there be for rent?

Want to rent? You'll have to pay more, a lot more.

As for timber, Ding Zuodong had recently purchased a large quantity of wood, preparing for the shipwrights of Centipede Island to show off their skills.

Although the Yangshan Archipelago was full of wood, and there was no shortage of sturdy, straight fir trees, timber for shipbuilding needed to be air-dried for two or three years first so that the resulting ships would be less prone to warping and leaking. Some even needed to be smoked beforehand to prevent insect infestations later on.

Freshly cut timber from the island could not be used to build cargo ships.

"Qingguo doesn't produce much timber; we have to rely on Baile. However, three years ago, a wildfire in Baile burned for three months, halving the output of fir plantations." That past output now affects current prices. "Furthermore, several timber merchants in Baile are connected to the Lu family. When they raise prices, other merchants have to follow suit, and prices soar, now more than double the usual! Calculating this, the cost to build a medium-sized cargo ship would be one thousand six hundred or seven hundred taels, which is absurd!"

The Yangshan Archipelago has only a few dozen cargo-carrying ships, which is severely insufficient. He had to rent and build; neither expense could be spared. Moreover, the supply of suitable shipbuilding timber is limited. If they don't buy it now, prices won't drop within a year.

There were dozens of such detailed expenses, all adding up. Each individual item seemed only slightly over budget, but the total sum was a staggering figure.

Not to mention, with grain prices skyrocketing, they faced an additional monthly expenditure of one thousand seven or eight hundred taels. How much money did He Lingchuan have to withstand such heavy spending?

After Ding Zuodong finished his report, sweat beaded on his forehead. Everything was expensive.

He Lingchuan knew perfectly well: "Isn't the Lu family behind this mischief? They want to inflate my costs."

The only local powers capable of such maneuvers were Qingguo and the Lu family of Baile. However, Qingguo wouldn't even notice an unknown nobody like He Lingchuan; why would they be interested in targeting him?

Only the Lu father and son would harbor such malice towards him and wish for his speedy bankruptcy.

It seemed they had realized their mistake, understood they had sold the island too cheaply, and were now displeased.

Ding Zuodong cursed under his breath. The Yangshan Archipelago was like a complex machine; once activated, it began to burn through money, but the costs far exceeded their expectations. The enemy's tactics were overt strategies; even if He Lingchuan infiltrated Baile and dismembered the father and son, it wouldn't help.

Such economic offensives were not problems that individual martial prowess could solve.

He Lingchuan, however, was philosophical. "There's nothing we can do. We'll just have to grit our teeth and bear this loss."

It was his own fault for being a newcomer and unfamiliar with the place.

Who told him to look like he had more money than sense?

Every setback he was due to face, he would face.

Every drop of blood he was meant to bleed, he would bleed.

"Difficulties are only temporary; we'll get through them." He, in turn, chuckled and comforted Ding Zuodong, "The Lu family can't wear us down. Soon enough, it will be their turn for bad luck."

When he was calm, his subordinates remained calm.

The contest between He Lingchuan and the Lu father and son had, in fact, already begun.

Currently, it was only the first stage: The Lu father and son attacked, and he defended.

They were attempting to wear him down through economic means.

Commerce was a bloodless killer, and He Lingchuan could only rely on his resilience to tough it out.

Once the Lu father and son realized that their underhanded tactics weren't harming him, they would have to show their hand.

Only then would the real game begin.

Furthermore, ever since learning that Second Mistress Zhu was being targeted by Beijia, He Lingchuan also had to reserve energy to guard against Beijia's moves.

Ling Guang suddenly interjected from the side, "Oh, right. The batch of medicinal herbs you ordered has arrived. I've already prepared the elixir formulas and assigned the Rongshan people to refine them. Each person needs to produce at least two hundred Clear Mind Pills. Time is short, so shouldn't you and Dong Rui also..."

He Lingchuan rolled his eyes. "You can take care of mine, and Dong Rui's share can't be one pill less."

"Oh."

Ding Zuodong added, "By the way, an assistant from Blade Port informed me that the Yashan Merchant Association to the west has gone bankrupt and is selling off twenty-seven cargo ships, ranging from eight to fifteen years old. The three largest ones are ten zhang long and can carry four hundred thousand catties (200 tons)." Ding Zuodong said, "I had Old Zheng, the head shipwright from Centipede Island, go and inspect them in person. He said the ships are all good, made of pine or fir, with decent materials and craftsmanship, and well-maintained. Only a few have minor leaks, but these are not serious issues and can all be repaired."

He Lingchuan frowned. "Selling them off at this time of year, it won't be cheap, will it?"

It was currently the peak season for shipping. The merchant association claimed to be 'selling off' the ships, but in reality, they were seizing a good opportunity to sell them.

"The three largest ships are priced at one thousand two hundred taels each, with smaller ones progressively less expensive. I have the price list here. If we buy the whole lot, the price can be negotiated further."

He Lingchuan asked, surprised, "One thousand two hundred taels? That cheap?"

With shipbuilding timber prices soaring, the cost to build a new ship was already one thousand six or seven hundred taels, not including the shipwrights' labor costs. In comparison, one thousand two hundred taels was a truly tempting price.

"Ships of this capacity normally fetch one thousand four or five hundred taels, and during the autumn and winter shipping season, when demand outstrips supply, they can rise to one thousand seven or eight hundred. Last year, I heard some sold for two thousand." Ding Zuodong said, "The Yashan Merchant Association was poorly managed, lost a large sum of money, and urgently needs to fill the deficit."

"Blade Port is teeming with merchant associations, and this news has already spread. The assistant said several merchant houses are interested and have sent people to inspect the ships and are currently negotiating with the Yashan Merchant Association. These ships are certainly going to sell."

The Yangshan Archipelago was desperately short of ships; even renting was difficult. If these twenty-something cargo ships were added, their transport capacity would significantly increase.

"Someone sends a pillow when you're sleepy?" With such good fortune, He Lingchuan hesitated instead. "Are the ships fine, and is the Yashan Merchant Association also fine?"

Ding Zuodong's reply was cautious. "Nothing has been found so far. However, among the stewards we are currently evaluating, one surnamed Guan believes that cheap deals often hide a trick, and this matter warrants closer scrutiny."

"He's right. Our intelligence sources are too weak right now, and I'm afraid of saving a small sum only to suffer a great loss." He Lingchuan decided, "Let the insiders take advantage of such a bargain."

To buy all twenty-something ships would require at least twenty thousand taels of silver. His current funds couldn't withstand such an expenditure; it was better to be cautious.

"Understood."

He Lingchuan was the master; Ding Zuodong simply followed his instructions.

"How much are we over budget now?"

"We originally estimated spending thirty-five thousand taels a month." Ding Zuodong gave a wry smile. "But we've already spent sixty-four thousand taels."

The month wasn't even over yet, and he felt like a true spendthrift, having almost squandered half of his master's capital!

Including the cost of buying the island, He Lingchuan had spent one hundred and forty-four thousand taels in just over a month.