Chapter 139: Cooperation and Consultation (4000)

Inside the tent, the atmosphere was somewhat silent as everyone read through the Kingdom Commercial Agreement in their hands over and over again.

Their expressions flickered between solemn, astonished, and silent.

This time, Xuanlü had once again displayed a staggering and breathtaking financial might, but with a twist—they were not simply scattering money around.

The wording and format of the Kingdom Commercial Agreement were utterly bizarre, unlike anything they had ever laid eyes on, yet remarkably crisp, concise, and clear. It was roughly divided into three parts: what the agreement aimed to achieve, what they were required to contribute, and what they stood to gain.

Where did the risks lie, and where were the profits to be found?

Every single point was laid out explicitly, even pointing out hidden risks they had never previously imagined.

Simply put, the Kingdom Commercial Agreement established a far more comprehensive and massive commercial alliance. Xuanlü would provide various resources, and they would only be responsible for selling them.

If it were just that, they could still comprehend it. After all, everyone coveted the enormous profits generated by trade, and if other nobles hadn't been so inept at it, they would have jumped into the arena long ago. Of course, they had tried, but most of them had ended up bruised and battered.

Doing business was not as simple as merely taking goods out to sell. First, you needed a sufficient and stable supply of commodities, and those commodities had to maintain a steady demand. This condition was fairly easy to meet; iron ore was essentially a universal panacea, and as long as the quality was decent, it could be sold anywhere.

The more monsters infested a region, the greater the demand for iron ore.

Meeting that first requirement was merely the prelude; the true challenge followed. You needed to build a complete caravan, led by a shrewd leader, guarded by formidable protectors, and capable of pulling massive loads of cargo via colossal beasts.

Once the caravan was established, you still had to grease palms, ensure your trade routes remained unobstructed, and pay protection money year after year.

Finally, you successfully transported the goods to your destination, but that did not guarantee profit—you had to outcompete everyone else.

This series of stringent requirements directly locked the vast majority of nobles out of the market, which was precisely why Jinisi’s commercial alliance had expanded so rapidly over the past few years.

And then, today, another grand duke wished to dip their fingers into this field, giving them an opportunity to fleece some wool. That had been their initial thought; however, after perusing this strange agreement, everyone immediately dismissed the notion.

The Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory was no fool; the other party was even more intimately familiar with this domain than they were.

In the agreement, the counterpart had acutely locked onto two distinct directions: high volume with low margins, and low volume with high margins. These two directions catered to two separate groups—the Hunters' Guild and the aristocracy, respectively.

The former were essentially mercenaries constantly locked in combat with monsters, resulting in massive wear and tear on equipment and a huge demand for medicinal herbs, making them a major client for the commercial guild.

The aristocracy, on the other hand, possessed vast wealth and indulged in all manner of luxury goods, representing another boundless financial source.

Jinisi bit her fingernail lightly with an ungraceful gesture, her glamorous face contorted with hesitation.

Taking a soft breath to clear her mind, she held the Kingdom Commercial Agreement and asked, "Mr. Wen Bi, is the statement on the final page—that one million *shi* of goods can be provided every month—truly genuine?"

At these words, the rest of the group froze, then hurriedly flipped the agreement to the final page. They scanned it quickly, their eyes finally lingering on a specific line: [Xuanlü will supply five million *shi* of goods each month, including valuables, weapons, medicine, grain, spices, tea, and more. The specific allocations will be determined by Xuanlü.]

"..." A profound silence descended upon everyone; their expressions stiffened, and their breathing hitched.

Five million *shi*! One million *shi* of goods every month!

The total volume of goods transported annually by all of them combined barely exceeded six million *shi*—and that was the aggregate total for the entire kingdom! Yet the other party could supply five million in a single month! The monthly supply almost rivaled their entire yearly turnover!

Even if Xuanlü provided nothing but iron, it would be physically impossible to smelt such a colossal amount of iron in a single month, even if it were the lowest-grade pig iron! Even if it were entirely unsmelted iron ore, extracting over five million *shi* in a month was utterly impossible! Unless the iron ore voluntarily queued up and marched into the city, this was sheer lunacy!

If they could supply five million *shi* of iron in a month, even the poorest peasants would have the chance to wear armor!

Just as everyone was frantically dismissing the notion, Wen Bi smiled and replied, "That is correct. Xuanlü will supply five million *shi* of goods every month. In fact, should you possess the capacity to absorb it, ten million *shi* a month is by no means out of the question."

One *shi* roughly translated to half a kilogram, meaning one million *shi* was around 500 tons, and five million equaled 2,500 tons—merely a round trip for a train.

"This is impossible! Unless you are selling rocks!" Count Masi blurted out.

The other merchants wore similarly incredulous expressions.

Wen Bi gazed at the crowd with a gentle smile, neither rebutting nor showing anger. He maintained his habitual equanimity—a steady, mountain-like calm.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is written clearly in black and white. Are you willing to participate in this agreement? If not, please temporarily step outside the tent, as the subsequent conversation is confidential."

The mouths of several prominent merchants slightly parted, their eyes filled with doubt as they wondered if the man was treating them like fools.

Supplying five million *shi* of goods a month was absolute madness, entirely akin to a fever dream.

The steward of Count Masi slowly stood up, pressed a hand to his shoulder, and bowed slightly to Wen Bi. "My apologies, Mr. Wen Bi, but the Masi family cannot accept such a massive volume of goods. Please forgive us."

Wen Bi smiled and nodded. "It is a pity we cannot reach a cooperation this time, but that does not impair our friendship."

*Because hereafter, you will have only one path left: death.*

Xuanlü had already granted them an opportunity to survive. Since they failed to seize it, they could simply await being thoroughly crushed by the colossal economic juggernaut of industrial society.

"Thank you for your magnanimity." The steward of Count Masi departed the tent.

Count Richter also rose to take his leave, walking out of the tent.

This scene tempted several wealthy merchants sitting beside Jinisi, yet none of them stood up.

Because Jinisi had not risen; she had no intention of leaving.

Her rational mind told her this was a scam—a very crude and clumsy scam—yet what if it were true?

The other party belonged to the higher human species (allegedly); perhaps they were genuinely capable of achieving this!

Assuming what they claimed was true, Jinisi, with her rich commercial experience, knew very well that such a colossal flow of goods cascading across the kingdom would cause a nationwide sensation. It would be an unstoppable giant, and she had to be a part of it, or else she would face certain death.

Jinisi spoke up, asking, "Mr. Wen Bi, I am very eager to join the Kingdom Commercial Agreement, but before that, I must understand the profit-sharing terms."

These words snapped the others back to reality, their eyes brightening.

*Right! Profit-sharing! Once profit distribution is involved, it becomes much harder for them to fake it.*

If the counterpart willingly and generously handed over a share, they could essentially believe half of it. If the other party equivocated and remained vague about the distribution of profits, the whole thing was most likely a fabrication.

The Kingdom Commercial Agreement stated its purpose clearly in the name; fundamentally, it was about doing business, and business was about making money. To omit the most crucial discussion of splitting profits would simply mean they intended to play rogue.

"Of course." Wen Bi nodded, then turned and signaled a soldier to bring forward another document.

Another paper was placed before each person present. This time, there was only a single sheet.

Everyone hastily picked up the white paper and began to read it meticulously.

The profit-sharing was divided into two models. Under the first model, all costs and revenues belonged entirely to Xuanlü, and Xuanlü would grant corresponding remuneration based on the proportions of different goods.

Commodities were primarily split into two categories: ordinary goods and luxury items.

Ordinary goods, such as minerals and grain, yielded 1 gold coin or 50 mithril coins per 10,000 *shi* (the gold coins possessed special purity treatments, matching the value of gold coins in the New World).

Valuable items, such as cola, alcohol, glassware, mithril, and mysterious steel weapons (ordinary alloys), were calculated per piece, granting 1 mithril coin per unit.

Under the second model, Xuanlü would likewise provide the goods, while they would be responsible for selling them. All expenses incurred during transportation and sales would be borne entirely by the commercial guild; in return, Xuanlü would provide assistance and a 5% share of the total sales revenue.

Concurrently, Xuanlü retained coordination rights, allowing them to adjust the guild's policies to a certain extent.

Settlements of the gross total could only be transacted in silver and gold.

Having finished reading, the merchants fell into deep thought, trying to decipher the underlying implications.

Two sharing schemes were offered. The first guaranteed a steady profit with zero risk; regardless of how they sold the goods, they would turn a profit, and perhaps even pocket massive kickbacks along the way.

As for the second scheme, wasn't it a blatant trap? Not only did they have to shoulder all transportation costs, but they would also receive a mere 5% cut. If they failed to sell the goods, wouldn't they suffer a devastating loss?

Furthermore, what did "coordination rights to a certain extent" actually entail? It wasn't specified at all. What if the counterpart ended up swallowing the entire commercial guild whole?

Did offering such a pair of choices even make sense? Any normal person would pick the first option.

The first option guaranteed no losses! This time, they might actually strike it rich! Even if the other party was deceiving them, given this profit-sharing structure, their potential losses would be minimal.

Unnatural flushes appeared on the merchants' faces, and their bodies trembled slightly with excitement.

Wen Bi raised his right hand slightly and asked with a smile, "How do you all find this agreement? Do you wish to sign? I reiterate, participation is entirely voluntary, and Xuanlü will not resort to any coercive measures."

Jinisi exhaled softly, picked up the fountain pen on the table, and signed her name on the Kingdom Commercial Agreement.

The rest of the group successively picked up their pens and signed the Kingdom Commercial Agreement as well.

With a total of six caravans assisting them, Xuanlü’s cheap industrial goods would flood the entire kingdom, crushing existing markets and plundering massive amounts of precious resources.

Wen Bi collected the six contracts and nodded in profound satisfaction. Now, only the Hunters' Guild remained.

Xuanlü had extended invitations not only to the major commercial guilds but also to the Hunters' Guild—a faction that wielded vast transcendent resources.

Just as Wen Bi examined Jinisi's signed agreement, his expression shifted slightly, and he abruptly looked up at her.

Everyone else had signed the first profit-sharing model, but this Sixth Princess had chosen the second.

The reason Xuanlü had drafted two contracts was primarily to filter out clever individuals, or gamblers, to conduct deeper cooperation—namely, dirty work, such as acquiring items exclusively obtainable through the black market.

Jinisi smiled faintly and said to the surrounding merchants, "Everyone, I have some private matters to discuss next, concerning how one might gain an audience with *that person*... and how to live a proper life from now on."

The merchants froze for a moment, then instantly caught on, wearing meaningful smiles.

"Hahaha, I wish Her Highness Jinisi success."

"We old men shall not pry into Her Highness's private life."

Princess Jinisi clearly no longer had any possibility of ascending the throne; it was indeed time for her to find a husband. The Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory was unquestionably the most suitable candidate, though it remained to be seen whether Princess Olina would consent.

To capture the hearts of two beautiful and noble princesses—how deeply enviable!

***

Once the merchants had left the tent, Irene spoke up first. "Mr. Wen Bi, I went to the royal capital a dozen days ago to petition my royal father to relinquish my claim to the throne."

Wen Bi did not display the slightest surprise. Although Xuanlü had not received official word and the King had not made a public announcement, this decision was well within reason.

According to research by the expert panel, Jinisi was fundamentally a businesswoman who understood the art of cutting losses.

The royal succession race had effectively narrowed down to a duel between two individuals: Irene and Olina.

Aside from these two, no one else could firmly secure the throne, not even Aryra, who had previously enjoyed the highest public acclaim and the backing of Grand Duke Carter.

If anyone else took the throne, Xuanlü would undoubtedly refuse to cooperate and flip the table entirely. Even if Xuanlü did not take action, Irene would strike ruthlessly, leading the royal knights to seize power directly.

The future Monarch of Dawn could only be one of these two women; this was the consensus among the two most powerful factions in the Kingdom of Dawn.

Aside from wealth, Jinisi possessed nothing else, save perhaps hiring the Hunters' Guild to protect her safety. She had zero chance of ascending the throne unless the Hunters' Guild personally intervened.

However, the Hunters' Guild clearly would not aid her; if they were to support anyone, it would be Irene.

"You must realize that I arrived a month earlier than the others, and throughout that month, I observed those commoners in blue uniforms. It turns out they are not foolish at all; they can display discipline as strict as the knight orders, and they even dare to take strides forward knowing full well the dangers involved. They are not stupid; they merely lack education and cultivation."

Hearing this, Wen Bi wore a slightly surprised expression. What was she trying to convey? Was she, too, intending to follow Comrade Olina's path and resolutely march toward communism?

"I've heard that Xuanlü's weapons are capable of granting ordinary people power comparable to transcendents. Is that true?"

"Of course." Wen Bi nodded.

This response brought a smile to Jinisi's face—a radiant, joyous smile that completely disregarded aristocratic decorum.

"Mr. Wen Bi, can you sell these weapons to me? I am willing to pay any price."

Wen Bi gave her a deep, penetrating look and asked, "What is your objective?"

A look of madness flashed in Jinisi's eyes as she replied, "To found a nation. To go to Cixian and establish a country of my own—a nation built by ordinary people."

"Mr. Wen Bi, my transcendent talent is abysmal, and I have no powerful maternal family. As royalty, this is a sin. My best destination would be to marry some noble lord, but I refuse to be reconciled to that fate."

Listening to her frantic declaration, Wen Bi pondered for a long time, the sound of imaginary coins clinking loudly in his mind as countless little fortunes seemingly fluttered toward him.

Then, a specific term popped into his head: *international aid!*

Nothing yielded more exorbitant profits than arms trading. Regardless of whether she had lost her mind or knew what she was doing, selling a batch of older-model rifles to her first was the logical step.

She possessed no manufacturing technology, let alone corresponding factories. Once a war broke out, all consumption would require purchases from Xuanlü, generating yet another massive wave of small fortunes.

Furthermore, firearm operation required training, which meant another hefty instruction fee.

As for whether she might turn these weapons around and use them against Xuanlü?

Assuming she could defeat Xuanlü using a batch of obsolete, pre-world-war-era rifles, they might as well commit suicide right then and there.

Firearms were merely one type of modern weaponry—and the least lethal kind at that.

"I cannot make this decision alone. You will need to speak with *that person*."

"*That person*?"

"The Grand Duke of the Eastern Territory."

Regardless of whether the woman had gone mad, Wen Bi lacked the authority to either accept or reject such a proposition.

In this society of the strong, propagating the spark perhaps wasn't quite as difficult as one might imagine.

After all, transcendence originated from the broad masses of the people—at least where humanity was concerned.

***

In a tent adjacent to Jinisi's, another negotiation—or rather, consultation—was underway.

The representative of the Hunters' Guild verified the agreement multiple times before signing his name upon it.

"The Hunters' Guild is delighted to establish a presence in the Eastern Territory and is willing to amend our regulations in accordance with the laws established by Xuanlü."

The Xuanlü representative looked at the counterpart in slight astonishment, never expecting the consultation to proceed so smoothly. The other party hadn't even haggled over conditions; they had simply reviewed the contents and agreed.

They hadn't raised a single objection regarding weapon restriction ordinances, identity registration, or the jurisdiction of Xuanlü over legal infractions.

This level of cooperation was uncanny, bearing no resemblance to a top-tier organization spanning the entire world.