You were taken hostage, why pursue the Enemy's Empress?

The business really can't go on anymore.

That's true.

Kingdom Qian practices legalist and agricultural policies, considering anything other than farming and warfare as crooked ways. This has created a war machine that other major kingdoms fear. Other industries within the country are extremely distorted, and there is naturally no environment for cultivating merchants.

Because of the lack of money, a group of people were allowed to go abroad for business, but most of them did not do well.

There's no way.

The resources are not good.

Kingdom Qian is very scarce internally, and exporting goods is difficult. How much money can foreign merchants really make?

Find the original at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Ying Wuji patted the merchant's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, take your time. What happened exactly?"

The merchant's emotions eased a bit and said, "To be honest, young master, you should know the situation in our Kingdom Qian. Apart from copper and iron mines, only crops are worth looking at. However, Li Kingdom has ordinary crops too. The only thing that can make money is the special product of Kingdom Qian, the Emperor Bamboo Grass, which we sell as paper."

Emperor Bamboo Grass is a high-quality raw material for making paper. Although the world structure is similar to the Spring and Autumn Period of the previous life, productivity has developed a lot. Papermaking technology appeared two hundred years ago and has become quite mature now.

Papermaking is one of the few businesses that Kingdom Qian can export.

The merchant continued, "But as you know, Flame Kingdom also produces Emperor Bamboo Grass. We have never gotten along, so we have always been competing with them. Although their paper quality was better in the past, their prices were also high. They sold to the rich at high prices, and we sold to the poor at low prices, which allowed us to survive.

However, half a month ago, they suddenly lowered their prices on a large scale. Now, whether poor or rich, everyone is buying their paper. We have stocked up batch after batch of goods, and if we continue like this, they will start to rot."

Xun Zhiyin snorted coldly, "Why don't you lower your prices even more than them?"

"Sir Xun! We are already making thin profits and selling in large quantities. We have already lowered our prices once. If we lower them again, we will really lose money."

The merchant was at a loss and looked at Ying Wuji, "Young master! Sir Xun! Do you have any way to stop them from being so ruthless?"

Xun Zhiyin sneered, "You really think I'm a god. The embassy is here to protect you, but doing business is your own affair. Besides, Flame Kingdom is richer than us, and we are archenemies. Even if ten young masters come, it won't help.

Of course, I'm not saying that young master is not capable enough, but this matter really can't be solved."

Huh?This guy is like a maggot, he can't hurt anyone but he's just disgusting.

Ying Wuji ignored him and asked, "How many paper merchants like you are there?"

The merchant pointed behind him, "We are all paper merchants. The Flame Kingdom has just started to act, and other merchants haven't been affected yet, but they will be soon."

"Oh..."

Ying Wuji turned his head, "Master Xun! I have a solution for this matter. Give me the official seal of the merchants, and you won't have to worry about it anymore."

The official seal is the official seal that manages the merchants of the embassy and is also a token representing the merchants negotiating with the Li Kingdom. At the same time, it manages the money and property that the merchants submit to the country, deciding how much to keep for embassy use and how much to transport back to the country.

Ying Wuji had never dealt with such a small matter like the official seal before, except for attending classes with various teachers and socializing with the celebrities of Li Kingdom. Xun Zhiyin had always been in charge of this matter. However, after so many years, not much money had been collected, and the embassy's funds were almost entirely allocated by Kingdom Qian.

Upon hearing Ying Wuji's words, the merchants were overjoyed.

"Really?"

"That's great!"

"You really have a solution, young master?"

However, Xun Zhiyin shook his head, "Young master, this won't work! You have never experienced the dangers of the business world. This matter concerns the livelihoods of thousands of people in Kingdom Qian, and we cannot act recklessly!"

Ying Wuji narrowed his eyes, "Master Xun, are you questioning me?"

Xun Zhiyin shook his head, "I dare not!"

Ying Wuji snorted, "The Flame Kingdom is targeting our Qian Kingdom merchants now. If we don't do anything, we will just wait for death. Master Xun's meaning is that he would rather let them die than let me try?"

Xun Zhiyin smiled, "Of course not! If the young master wants to help, he can naturally do so. If you need to use the official seal, just let me know. As long as the purpose is reasonable, I will not refuse. How can this be considered me stopping the young master from trying?"

Ying Wuji felt a burst of nameless anger in his heart and stopped being polite with him. He said directly, "I am a hostage for exchange, but I also hold the position of envoy. My rank is higher than yours. Give me the official seal of the merchants. I don't want to say it a second time!"

If he did this, the revival of the merchants would be his credit, and he would have nothing to do with it.

Moreover... if he used the official seal, he would have to submit it to Xun Zhiyin for judgement on whether it was reasonable or not. Did he think he was his subordinate?

Without the official seal, he would not have the qualifications to manage the finances, and he would be doing all the work for nothing.Xun Zhiyin said indifferently, "Young master, please forgive me for not obeying. Although your rank is higher than mine, our duties have been decided since we arrived in Li Kingdom. The matter of the merchants should not be handled by a prince of one country. The merchant seal was given to me by His Majesty, and I dare not give it to you without His Majesty's order. If you really want the seal, why not write a letter to His Majesty to ask for permission? If His Majesty agrees, I will obey."

Now, there is a great change in the internal situation of Kingdom Qian. Those who used to wait for Ying Wuji to return and become the crown prince have seen the return of Ying Wuque, who awakened his ancient bloodline, and they have vaguely seen the future of Kingdom Qian. Many people have begun to serve the future crown prince.

Xun's family is one of them.

Although Ying Wuque and his mother were born as commoners, his mother was very cunning and passed on a message from Xun's family: do not give Ying Wuji any chance to turn the tables, even if the gap between his ability and Ying Wuque's is like a chasm.

As long as they do well, they will have a bright future when they return to Kingdom Qian, so he has the confidence to deal with Ying Wuji.

In fact.

Ying Wuji was really angry. He had guessed that Xun Zhiyin had found a new patron, but he didn't expect him to be so arrogant.

He reached out his hand and said, "Give me the transmission symbol, I will personally talk to my father the king!"

The transmission symbol is an extremely high-level rune, with the effect of bridging vast distances. Only those who are proficient in the divine realm of rune can have a certain chance of drawing it. It is a very precious resource and is kept by Xun Zhiyin.

Xun Zhiyin sighed, "Young master, His Majesty has ordered that the transmission symbol is extremely precious and cannot be used unless it is a matter of national security. Please forgive me for not giving it to you. This matter is not urgent. If you write a letter, it might still be possible."

Ha!

Write a letter?

It takes more than two months for a letter to come and go. By the time the seal is obtained, the merchants will have already starved to death.

Ying Wuji's eyes were a bit gloomy. "Good! You are very good!"

Xun Zhiyin clearly perceived the killing intent in his eyes and said with a stiff smile, "Please don't blame me, young master, I am just following the king's orders!"

For a while.

The merchants were all at a loss.

Seeing their expressions, Xun Zhiyin finally showed a satisfied expression.

Without the seal, what can you do even if you have a solution?

However, to his surprise.

Ying Wuji looked at Xun Zhiyin coldly. This dog must have been prepared to completely tear his face with him in order to serve his new master.

He turned around and comforted the merchants, "Don't be too anxious. Wait a few days, I have other ways to help you."