Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Risky… investment?” Wei Wushuang repeated Xia Fan’s words.
“That’s right, it’s back to the same question. If we weren’t in Qing Shan Town, are ten taels of silver a lot?”
Wei Wushuang shook his head. “My family’s store can earn this amount in one day.”
Damned tycoon. Xia Fan curled his lips. “Things are just so simple… for those who decided to quit the mystic examination, this amount of money no longer has much meaning, while for those who continue to take the examination, every tael is precious, and both parties know this fact. Because of this, the offer has a basis to be established. One shouldn’t care about the momentary gain or loss, but instead, look at the long-term return and deal. Even if I disappear afterward, they can accept the loss without any losses. But what if I succeed?”
Xia Fan didn’t continue explaining as he saw Wei Wushuang’s eyes lit up.
Clearly, he had grasped the key point there.
If Xia Fan succeeded, not only would they be able to get ten times more money, they would also gain a friend who was a mystic. Even for the mystic who just entered the Privy Council, they were considered an official. As compared to such generous rewards, the risk taken was nothing.
However, not everyone could weigh the pros and cons. However, as he asked many people, some would definitely not be so petty about a few taels of silver.
Wei Wushuang continued thinking and realized something more significant hidden in this.
For the same amount of silver, different people would view it differently.
For example, a large amount of silver was stored in his father’s storage room, and some money boxes even had a thick layer of dust over them. They weren’t significant for shops like the Big Bowl Grain Shop but were something extremely important for some. For example, a newly established grain shop, or an establishment that was eager to expand… Any small amount of loan might bring them a huge sum of return.
The loan sharks in the market also seemed to be the same. However, the difference would be that the latter took advantage of the needy and wouldn’t stop until they fully exploited them. Meanwhile, the former thought about the future and fought for a win-win situation. It was much more acceptable than the greedy loan sharks just by the fact that they were able to bear the risk themselves.
Moreover, risks could be avoided. For example, pulling together more individuals to share the cost. Even if their investment failed, the individual losses would be significantly reduced…
Thinking about that, Wei Wushuang became more excited and his hands began to tremble!
The potential of the sales was much more than the sale of grains!
“This theory may… be used for businesses too,” said Wei Wushuang excitedly.
It was originally a theory from the businesses. Xia Fan smiled and did not reply.
While Wei Wushuang was deep in thought, Xia Fan had counted the money in his hands. Seven people took away his IOU, and he managed to get 21 taels of silver as a return. With that amount of money, it was more than enough to stay in a better room.
Unfortunately, the Fei family reacted extremely quickly and found out that a small number of candidates withdrew in less than two hours. They began their countermeasures which were advantageous for themselves. There were more than 400 candidates in the Qing Shan Town, and their active hours were all different, so it was normal for the number of people on the streets to vary. In order to discover the changes, the people from the wealthy families definitely came prepared.
Otherwise, if Xia Fan had obtained more silver, he might even be able to buy a bottle of spirit fire directly from someone else.
“Brother Xia, I understand the risky investment now.” Wei Wushuang calmed down after thinking through. “It’s indeed a good plan, but if there were not as many choices, its effect would be greatly reduced. How did you know that a group of candidates would withdraw today morning?”
“That’s a personal secret,” said Xia Fan.
“You can’t reveal it?” Wei Wushuang showed an expression of interest.
“No.”
“Brother Xia, ten meals!”
“I won’t say even if you gave me your entire shop!”
…
With enough money in hand, Xia Fan needed to think about his plans. He returned to the teahouse and traded with the waiter on the information about the situation in the rear mountains with a tael of silver. There was indeed a flat piece of land at the center of the mountain with some scattered graves. These graves had existed for almost a hundred years, and one could see glowing lights during summer and autumn.
Besides that, there was a circling road up the mountain. However, the road was lined with grass, and it was very difficult to walk through it. Apart from the town’s hunters, very few people entered deep into the mountains.
“Where does that road lead?” Xia Fan was slightly concerned. The road must have been created after a long time of being trampled upon, and it wouldn’t be possible with only a few hunters.
“I’m not sure about that.” The waiter shook his head and said, “You won’t be able to see the end of the mountains behind Qing Shan Town. It would be nearly impossible that this path passed through the mountain and led downwards on the other side? I suspect it’s a dead end.”
“Sure, I don’t have any other questions for now.” Xia Fan passed him another half a tael of silver. “A bag of braised beef, send it to my room.”
“Sure!”
Then, Xia Fan turned to Wei Wushuang. “I plan to go to the rear mountains, do you still want to follow me?”
Wei Wushuang immediately shook his head. “I have already decided to withdraw from the mystic examination. Brother Xia, you can go ahead by yourself. I will stay in the teahouse. If I happen to catch any useful clues, it might be helpful for you.”
“Thank you.” Xia Fan drank the tea and turned to leave.
After passing through the road junction and walking several hundred meters, the town was way behind him.
Although he could still see some houses at this point, many of them were destroyed. The roofs had either collapsed or the walls were left half-broken.
The weeds on the road got thicker and thicker, and the trees began to invade the roads. The blowing wind became cooler too.
The cliffs that seemed so far apart initially were now above his head. In another world, this nameless mountain might not be significant, but here, anyone who wanted to go over it would leave after seeing the intertwined vines and thorns.
If the waiter of the teahouse was right, the road he was walking on would soon split into two paths, like how a mountain cliff was split.
At this moment, Xia Fan suddenly heard a brawl.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise and followed the sound.
At the road junction, a group of candidates gathered around and seemed to be scolding something. Meanwhile, opposite them was a group of men in white.
Due to the limitations of dyeing, there were very few pure colored clothing in this era. Moreover, white was one of the rarest. Only one group of individuals wore white and liked to move around in groups. They were from the Fei family.
Seven or eight of them were lined up in a row, blocking the road leading to the mountain.
The person at the front had handsome features, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. He looked special and exuded an extraordinary era.
“Why don’t you let the rest pass?”
“This is the mystic examination of the Qi country, not the backyard of your family! Aren’t you scared that we will report this to the invigilator?”
“If you insist on doing so, then we will not show mercy!”
However, the leading man did not budge. “I have made it clear. Based on the observations last night, there isn’t much spirit fire in that land. Our collection efficiency will only be lowered if we continue arguing. Instead of wasting our time in these meaningless fights, let’s just line up. It won’t be too late for you guys to go after our Fei family finished the collection.”
“We can’t go over too?”
Suddenly, a lady in a blue robe walked out of the crowd. The double feathers embroidery on her shoulders indicated her identity.
“The Luo family of the You state is here,” someone said.
Xia Fan realized that the other party was the same young girl who had jumped onto the examination table and single-handedly made the crowd obey her orders obediently.
“It’s Miss Luo Qingqing, nice to meet you.” The man nodded. “I heard about you when I was in the capital. You know the law, have an astonishing talent, and nobody in the You state can outperform you.”
“It’s just a false praise.”
“Things won’t spread without any truths. Even if it’s a rumor, it must be especially unusual. That’s what I think.”
Tsk, this guy is good at talking. Xia Fan thought. He had a handsome face and gave good praise, he must be extremely attractive to any female.
Indeed, the lady named Luo Qingqing smiled slightly. “Thank you, but you haven’t answered my question.”
“Yes, but we will only collect for one day,” said the other party as he pointed his finger. “No matter how much we can get, we will leave tomorrow. We will also never step into this place until the examination ends.”
“One day only?”
“One day only. After which, you can plan whatever by yourself. If necessary, we can even assign some people to help guard the area.” The leader of the Fei family gave a contemptuous glance at the crowd behind her and said, “If you aren’t agreeable to this, we can fight it out. Unfortunately, the mystic examination doesn’t emphasize who is stronger or weaker, it’s meant to allow the sneaky individuals to steal the spirit fire. Won’t you feel indignant?”
Luo Qingqing thought about it for a while before nodding. “Alright.”
A commotion exploded amongst the crowd.
“What is this! The wealthy families have united together to bully the poor candidates?”
“The Fei and Luo families, what about the Fang family? If each of them spends one day, what about us?”
“Let’s stop wasting time, let’s all go together. I don’t believe he can stop all of us!”
“Stop joking!” The man suddenly shouted loudly, shocking the crowd. “Even so, you still have three days left, right? This is the mystic examination of the Qi Country, not a place to allow anyone to pass. You can only become a mystic with real capability, isn’t that obvious? If you aren’t capable and plan to obtain the spirit fire in the mess, that’s simply hilarious! Instead of squabbling here, why don’t you guys think about how to get the priority position the next day!” The man paused with one hand behind him and another hand in front. “Of course, if anyone of you wants to prove yourselves now, I welcome you!”
After Luo Qingqing turned and walked away and passed by Xia Fan, Xia Fan looked at her interestedly. “I can’t believe you agreed so simply. Aren’t you afraid of people spreading the word that the Luo family doesn’t have the guts to compete with the Fei family?”
“It’s you.” Luo Qingqing seemed to have remembered him. She looked helpless and said, “I’m not some extraordinary person, what’s wrong with me not being able to win the Fei family?”
“Ugh…” Xia Fan blinked surprisedly. He initially thought that those who were named geniuses would be arrogant and wouldn’t want to admit defeat. It was the first time meeting someone like her who gave in so easily.
“If they had already fought before I reached, then things might have turned around. However, it seems that Fei Nian was right.” Luo Qingqing laughed and waved to bid farewell. “Also, even it’s bad order, it will be better than having no order at all.”