Chapter 68

Chapter 67>

Of course, negotiating ransom for hostages is a common occurrence in the Jianghu.

But wait a moment.

Isn't the other party the Little Sword God, who represents the sword sect of the righteous faction?

A righteous person, especially one who claims to be the leader of a faction, and who has the title of 'God' inscribed on his body, is negotiating a ransom for a hostage?

This must be the first time in the history of the martial world.

Naturally, Jin Xihan, the chief of the Sichuan Association, could not help but rack his brains, suspecting that the other party had some ulterior motive.

"Little Sword God, please state your true intentions."

Zhang Hui's expression seemed somewhat displeased.

"I really came to sell."

"Hmm..."

Jin Xihan had a difficult look on his face.

If he were to take Little Sword God's words at face value, how much would he have to pay?

This was unprecedented.

There was no way to determine how much money would be required to secure the safety of the 'Four Great Evils' with no precedent.

"Then you must give me the price first..."

Zhang Hui frowned again.

Is it inevitable that there are 'price setters' in both the modern world and the Jianghu?

"I don't want to receive it in kind; let's do it in terms of interests."

Jin Xihan's expression became even more distorted.

Having thoroughly examined the process of Little Sword God's annexation of Jiangxi, he knew all too well the terrifying implications of the word 'interests' that Little Sword God had mentioned.

"Surely you don't intend to demand the land of Hunan?"

The first thing Little Sword God did upon entering Jiangxi was to purchase a vast amount of land.

Moreover, the one who donated this land to Little Sword God was none other than the Black Heaven Great Killer.

Of course, it was impossible to understand now why that cold and ruthless demon made such a decision.

However, given his cruel nature, the probability that the Zhao Family Trading Company intended to forcibly seize the thriving business territories developed by the Zhao Family Trading Company in the future was high.

The problem was that they had overlooked the tremendous variable that was Little Sword God.

Would the Sichuan Association, which is not foolish, fall into the same trap as the Black Heaven Alliance?

Jin Xihan's sharp gaze, carefully observing Zhang Hui, clearly conveyed this message.

"I'm not a thief."

"..."

How could a person be so shameless?

The Zhao Family Trading Company, which swallowed the Black Heaven Alliance, or rather, Little Sword God, was so ruthless that it made one's tongue wag.

Although his true intentions were only revealed now, the raid on the warehouse of an absolute expert who used the mental map was a strategy unprecedented in the history of the martial world.

Moreover, the method of infiltration through commerce before conquest was certainly not the way of the Jianghu.

The most terrifying aspect of the Zhao Family Trading Company was that they tamed their enemies with the products they produced.

Items that made people's hearts subservient.

Such precious items were often referred to as cultural artifacts or culture.

To Jin Xihan, Zhang Hui was not a simple martial artist or merchant.

He was a genius who had given birth to new culture.

Of course, the vast Central Plains are filled with extraordinary people who possess immense martial arts and profound knowledge, but those who have created new culture and civilization can be counted on one hand.

The only figures that immediately came to mind were Shen Nong, who taught agriculture to the ancient people of the Central Plains, and Shi Huangdi, who unified the continent for the first time and tied the Central Plains together with new laws and measurements.

As the saying goes, "You see as much as you know."

Jin Xihan's fear and admiration for Zhang Hui were on a different level from ordinary people.

"Hey, tell me what you want."

Zhang Hui was looking at Jin Xihan, who was wiping the sweat off his forehead, with a look of amusement.

"The Sichuan Association must surely want to enter our Jiangxi, right? I'll allow you to take any land in Jiangxi. You can set up a branch or invest a trade company. Of course, I'll also give you the right to purchase our Zhao Family Trading Company's products."

"…What do you mean by that?"

"However, I demand the exclusive right to sell all silk and brocade distributed by the Sichuan Association."

"What, what!"

While the demand for brocade is understandable, the 'exclusive right' to silk?

The territory controlled by the Sichuan Association includes Hunan and Jiangsu provinces.

Especially, the massive amount of silk they monopolize from Suzhou, the largest silk production area in the Central Plains, was the fundamental driving force that allowed them to dominate the Jiangnan region.

Upon hearing this, the Four Great Evils became furious.

"What is that crazy bastard saying now!"

"I'll add fifty percent to the existing transaction price."

"What, fifty percent?"

The price of a bolt of silk varies depending on the season and crop conditions but generally converges to four taels of silver in the market.

So, Little Sword God is indicating his willingness to purchase a bolt of silk for at least seven to eight taels, which is a price that, no matter how skilled the Zhao Family Trading Company is, cannot possibly generate a profit.

In exchange for purchasing silk at such a high price, he is also willing to share the interests of Jiangxi?

This was a heavenly temptation that could not possibly result in a loss.

Refusing such a sweet offer would be tantamount to being a fool!

However, the exclusive right to silk, or rather, the monopoly, that he mentioned continued to bother Jin Xihan.

The monopoly, a terrifying authority that can cause the market to wither or even collapse at the will of the one exercising it.

"Buying silk at seven taels per bolt... It's a structure that cannot possibly generate a profit. What do you intend to do by buying at such a high price?"

"You don't need to worry about our Zhao Family Trading Company's affairs."

The Four Great Evils laughed sardonically.

"Little Sword God, you're not a fool. Chief, if you offer to surrender the Black Heaven Great Killer and buy silk at a high price, what else is there to think about? Moreover, you're even offering to help our association enter Jiangxi."

On the surface, it all made sense.

But Jin Xihan could not accept Little Sword God's words at face value.

There must be some other plan, but he couldn't figure it out, which was frustrating.

He needed to continue the conversation to understand the other party's true intentions.

"Little Sword God, you can get silk from anywhere, so why are you specifically looking to our association?"

"The issue is the quantity. The amount of silk that can be purchased from ordinary markets is limited. Even if we pay a higher price, we need a stable and long-term supplier."

Jin Xihan looked even more puzzled.

"Do you even know the quantity? To casually talk about the exclusive right to the silk we distribute. No matter how prosperous the Zhao Family Trading Company is, it's not a quantity you can handle."

Zhang Hui smiled wryly.

Am I a fool?

He knew very well that the Sichuan Association controlled one-third of all silk distributed in the Central Plains.

He came here with that in mind.

Why would he ask such a naive question when he came here with that in mind?

"When the third master of your family granted the exclusive right to iron ore, he said the same thing as you. But the result is as you know."

Jin Xihan bit his lip.

As Zhang Hui said, in the Jiangnan region, it was impossible for iron to be distributed without passing through the Zhao Family Trading Company.

The influence of the Zhao Family Trading Company was so strong that it was said to be closely watched not only by the government but also by the imperial court.

"Hmm..."

However, no matter how much Jin Xihan thought, he could not figure out Little Sword God's intentions.

How could he resell such a large quantity at such a high price?

In the Central Plains, there was no place to resell at such a high price.

At that moment, a thought flashed through Jin Xihan's mind!

"Y-You...?"

Looking at Zhang Hui, who did not hide his usual mischievous smile, Jin Xihan finally seemed to be convinced.

"The Silk Road...!"

Securing the Silk Road was an impossible task even for the Sichuan Association, which controlled the distribution of silk from Suzhou.

It was an impossible task unless it was a trading company sanctioned by the emperor's power, a trading company that operated on a continental scale.

There were only two trading companies in the world that had secured the Silk Road: the Tianhua Trading Company and the Wanjin Trading Company.

"R-Really, Little Sword God, have you secured the Silk Road?"

"I don't think it's necessary for me to explain the affairs of our Zhao Family Trading Company."

Though his words seemed to deny it, there was no reason to buy at such a high price if he hadn't secured the Silk Road.

This was beyond his authority.

Jin Xihan could only look at the supreme leader of the Sichuan Association, the Four Great Evils, with a troubled expression.

"President, what will you do?"

The Four Great Evils, inwardly surprised, responded.

This was the first time Chief Jin Xihan had deferred the decision to him, indicating that even his profound wisdom could not make a judgment.

After much deliberation, the Four Great Evils finally spoke with a heavy voice.

"If you add seventy percent to the existing transaction price, I will make a decision."

Surprisingly, Zhang Hui nodded readily.

"Let's do it that way."

The Four Great Evils, who had readily accepted his negotiation terms, felt even more uncomfortable and frowned.

"Seventy percent!"

When the silk from the Central Plains reaches the Western Regions via the Silk Road, its price soars to at least ten times its original value.

The love of the Western people for the silk and pepper from the East was that intense.

Still, Zhang Hui thought it was ridiculous for a person known as the Four Great Evils to speak with two different mouths.

"Of course, even seventy percent is still below twice the existing transaction price."

After calculating the costs and profits involved in distribution, Zhang Hui nodded again.

"Seventy percent? Fine! I'll accept it. But no further negotiation is possible."

"You're a straightforward man, fitting for a righteous sect. Fine. I will accept your offer."

As the negotiation was settled smoothly, Zhang Hui looked at the Black Heaven Great Killer with satisfaction.

Not only could he deal with that cruel person through someone else, but he also secured the monopoly on a business that would bring in huge profits.

What a win-win situation!

"Of course, you will execute him, right?"

"Of course. I will execute him in front of all my subordinates tonight. Considering the damage our association has suffered because of him..."

Crunch—

The sound of the Four Great Evils grinding his teeth was clearly audible.

His murderous intent was so intense that it made people's hair stand on end.

At that moment, the Black Heaven Great Killer, who had been lying on the ground, began to stir and slowly lifted his head to gaze at the Four Great Evils.

"Chang Tian..."

Even in this situation, the Black Heaven Great Killer dared to mention his real name.

"Jing Zhen, you are truly mad!"

Clang—

However, the Black Heaven Great Killer's next words forced the Four Great Evils to sheath his sword.

"Chang Tian, don't you miss your daughter?"

"What, what?"

The fundamental reason the Four Great Evils hated the Black Heaven Great Killer was because he believed his daughter, known as Sa Zhonghua, had disappeared due to him.

"Ugh... The Sa Zhonghua you cherished is alive. Her hiding