Chapter 584
Zhang Shijie was like a heartless computer, meticulously calculating the sales volume, costs, and profits of various products for Jiushan Sect this month, down to the last detail.
"Latest news just in!"
The three of them listened as all this data rushed into their ears, their minds nearly tangling up in confusion.
But…
"Wait? No, Han Qi made a mistake here… Let me fix that."
This Zhang Zhenren was actually calculating while reciting!
And she could correct mistakes?
Zheng Fa listened intently, mainly because the economic system of the Xuanwei Realm was quite primitive and complicated—
In the realm of cultivation, while spirit stones had some monetary function, the problem was… there weren't many of them.
In large commodity transactions, it often ended up being a barter system.
Thus, when Zhang Shijie calculated the income of Jiushan Realm, she was also counting how much spiritual material they had received.
If it weren't for someone as exceptional as Zhang Shijie, it would be hard for anyone else to grasp this.
After listening to Zhang Shijie's calculations, Zheng Fa finally understood:
This month, Jiushan Sect made a profit!
And not just a small one.
It was a big profit!
"With our cost and technological advantages, we control over 80% of the talisman market, 50% of the pill business, and 40% of the magical artifact trade in the Baixian Alliance," Zhang Shijie said, then added, "However, Han Qi also mentioned that he discovered two issues:"
"…Many small sects are quite poor. No matter how low our costs are, they still can't afford many of Jiushan Sect's products."
"And indeed, there is a limit to the Baixian Alliance. He was thinking of exploring the sea route."
At this point, Zhang Shijie frowned slightly: "Our production in Jiushan Sect will only increase… but who knows how much the Baixian Alliance can absorb."
Zheng Fa smiled, appreciating her insight:
"I told you, his mind is quite agile."
Seeing his expression, Zhang Shijie understood that Zheng Fa had some ideas on how to address this issue and looked at him expectantly.
"Shijie, do you remember Uncle Pang's census report?"
Zhang Shijie nodded.
"Do you think those sects would be willing to exchange mining rights for spiritual materials?"
Zhang Shijie's brows furrowed, realizing Zheng Fa's intention: "You mean using the Shenxiao mining ship?"
"That's what I was thinking. The efficiency of the Shenxiao mining ship is extremely high; it's a waste to use it only within Jiushan Realm."
"So you're planning to target the spiritual mines of the Baixian Alliance?"
Zheng Fa nodded.
He had Uncle Pang investigate those spiritual mines with this plan in mind—
After all, Zheng Fa still viewed the Baixian Alliance primarily as a source of raw materials, and what he valued most were these spiritual materials.
"Are you suggesting… we let them pay with mining rights?"
Zheng Fa nodded slightly.
He smiled and said, "You know the efficiency of the Shenxiao mining ship, Shijie. We can't possibly lose…"
Zhang Shijie's expression twisted a bit.
Her calculating ability was exceptional, and she quickly understood what "can't possibly lose" meant.
They could make the various sects of the Baixian Alliance cry!
In simple terms, Zheng Fa wanted to use various magical artifacts and pills as payment to secure mining rights from the major sects of the Baixian Alliance for a certain period.
The problem was…
How much could those sects mine with their cultivators in a year?
How much could Jiushan Sect mine with the Shenxiao mining ship in a year?
Thinking of this, Zhang Shijie felt that the future for those sects in the Baixian Alliance might be bleak.
Even if some were unwilling to sell their mining rights to Jiushan Sect, the massive output from the Shenxiao mining ship would surely cause the prices of many spiritual materials in the Baixian Alliance to plummet…
At that point, many sects relying on spiritual mines for survival would struggle to get by.
She looked at Zheng Fa, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Shijie, for those sects willing to cooperate with us in mining, we could offer them a share of the profits…" Zheng Fa paused, "If they refuse, then this will be their last chance. Three strikes and you're out…"
Zhang Shijie understood Zheng Fa's implication:
To put it bluntly, compared to the domineering Haori Mountain, Zheng Fa was indeed more lenient, at least giving the various sects of the Baixian Alliance three chances:
The first was the guild matter:
At that time, less than 40% of the sects in the Baixian Alliance responded, as most were wary of Jiushan Sect seizing their legacies.
The second opportunity was actually related to the Chongxuan Sect:
Now, the Chongxuan Sect's intentions were becoming clear, and there were still a good number of sects in the Baixian Alliance maintaining relations with them.
Since Haori Mountain didn't bother to hide its support for the Chongxuan Sect, many of these sects still preferred it—perhaps in their minds, Haori Mountain was ultimately more reliable than Jiushan Realm.
The third chance was this mining cooperation.
After these three chances, if they still hadn't boarded the Jiushan Sect ship…
Then, as far as Jiushan Sect was concerned, they wouldn't be considered allies anymore.
"As for exploring maritime trade routes, that should be done," Zheng Fa said thoughtfully. "I still haven't figured out the situation with the Xianjian from the Chongxuan Sect, but to be cautious, we can assume our land trade routes are nearly cut off…"
"The sea could be a way out." Zhang Shijie frowned as she spoke, gritting her teeth, "This Chongxuan Sect is indeed a nuisance."
"While there are plenty of spiritual materials in the Baixian Alliance, the variety is ultimately not that rich…"
"Otherwise, we could train more disciples and conduct more experiments…"
Zheng Fa felt a bit helpless.
The income of Jiushan Realm was increasing, but expenses would also rise accordingly.
In next month's budget, 40% of the expenditure was on education—wanting to cultivate 500 Yuanying (Nascent Soul) cultivators in fifty years would only require more investment, and currently, it was far from enough.
On the other hand, the experiments at Tiangong Pavilion and the Alchemist Guild had never stopped, which accounted for about 30%.
What Zheng Fa was doing now was digging deep within, but according to the "First Fifty-Year Plan," it was still somewhat insufficient.
Zheng Fa shook his head: "Even without considering the conspiracy behind the Xianjian, Haori Mountain's severing of our land trade routes is enough to impact the development of the Baixian Alliance."
Beside him, Han Lao listened in confusion. He exchanged glances with Xie Qingxue, both understanding each other:
To be fair, Haori Mountain was a bit wronged in this matter.
Jiushan Sect lacked funds, and of course, Haori Mountain's tactics had an impact.
But the main issue was, wasn't it a bit too ambitious to aim for 500 Yuanying in fifty years?
They both knew that if Jiushan Sect were a traditional sect like Tianhe Sect, its current income would be more than enough to rest easy…
The problem was… Zheng Fa was prepared to burn spirit stones for development!
Even Yan Wushuang, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said:
"Why do I feel like… a Qi Refining disciple from Jiushan Sect is living better than me, the less-than-esteemed leader of Tianhe?"
"…"
Xie Qingxue shot a glance at Yan Wushuang, realizing that this silly junior was actually right this time:
She thought for a moment and confirmed one thing: if she had been able to join a sect like Jiushan Sect back in the day… this suffocating Tianhe Senior Sister, whoever wanted to take that role could have it!
…
It wasn't just Zheng Fa who was prepared to burn spirit stones; Haori Mountain was also doing the same.
On Mount Shenhuo, Zheng Fa looked at the Ninth Elder of the Chongxuan Sect, somewhat surprised: "You want our Chongxuan Sect disciples to rob Jiushan Sect's ships?"
The Ninth Elder nodded and added, "It's not just our disciples; Haori Mountain has already put a bounty on this, and even various loose cultivators within Haori Mountain are involved."
She thought for a moment and explained, "Recently, Jiushan Sect's business has been booming, and our Chongxuan Sect's magical artifacts can't even be sold…"
Zheng Fa understood.
Haori Mountain wanted to restrain Jiushan Sect's development by cutting off trade routes, but they hadn't expected Jiushan Sect's various businesses to flourish, and now they were a bit anxious…
Were they planning to recruit loose cultivators or Chongxuan Sect cultivators to act as bandits?
"Who’s that reckless?"
Even in front of the Ninth Elder, Zheng Fa couldn't help but scoff.
Did they really think he and Zhang Shijie were just for show?
The Ninth Elder remained silent, handing him a piece of paper. Upon glancing at it, Zheng Fa's pupils constricted—Haori Mountain was truly prepared to pay for lives:
Their bounty was extraordinarily high.
For every magical artifact or pill they robbed, or even for the life of a Jiushan Sect disciple, there would be corresponding rewards—
The problem was, these rewards far exceeded the prices of those magical artifacts and pills.
It was a case of harming others to benefit oneself…
"Not to mention our Chongxuan Sect disciples, those loose cultivators… there are bound to be some who value money over life." The Ninth Elder saw that he seemed to understand and sighed, "Even our Chongxuan Sect disciples are in a precarious situation now… some might want to take a gamble."
Zheng Fa felt a bit troubled.
The lives of these people brought in by Haori Mountain were not worth much; every disciple of his had cost a fortune to cultivate!
They couldn't afford to lose them!
What a low human rights advantage!
Uh… wait!
Zheng Fa looked at the bounty in his hand, and Zhang Shijie leaned in, quickly calculating…
According to the prices listed, if he submitted the various magical artifacts and pills produced in Jiushan Realm and received the rewards… it seemed like he could earn even more than through normal transactions?
He seemed to have found a special trading technique!
"Master… I want to give it a try!"
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