Rongcheng County’s problems had not been completely resolved.
Although all the refugees had returned to the county seat and back to their own lands, the flood had subrged many grain cellars. Prices soared, and even in Huishui County, commodity prices rose by a noticeable margin.
Several downstream counties had also suffered disaster. Many rchants saw opportunity and arrived in droves, transporting large quantities of grain and daily necessities to do business.
The Yulong Gang’s operations surged.
Fully loaded cargo ships flowed downriver from Sanhe Commandery one after another. Protection fees, shipping charges, and docking fees poured into the dock hall in solid silver.
Qingfeng Escort Agency and Sihai Escort Agency both saw their business improve as well.
For two consecutive days, Su Wangchuan trained 《Blazing Leg》 at the hall’s training grounds. Each kick tore through the air with force. Every movent carried explosive power and a strong rhythm. Even inner disciples who were not martial artists could sense that the Hall Master’s strength was rising swiftly.
Ding!
[System Notification:]
“《Blazing Leg》 has advanced from ‘Minor Mastery’ to ‘Practice Makes Perfect.’ Reward:
2 Agility.”
His Agility rose to 42.
Su Wangchuan accepted a towel handed over by an inner disciple and wiped his sweat. Just then, Wang Yuehui hurried in from outside to report.
“Hall Master.”
“Today, one hundred and thirty-seven cargo ships docked temporarily at the pier, paying one hundred and thirty-seven taels of silver in docking fees. Eighteen of them underwent simple repairs. After deducting costs, that brought in thirty-three taels of silver. We hired one hundred and seventy-two escorts to accompany ships, totaling eighty-six taels of silver.”
“Fourteen ships were rented out, generating fourteen taels of silver in personnel fees. That cos to one hundred and fifty-four taels in total.”
“Protection fees in this area brought in two hundred and seventy-four taels.”
“Escort fees for special vessels totaled one hundred taels.”
“For special cargo, three hundred taels were left behind. We detained half a ship of Iron Ore and grain.”
“Adding the seven hundred-plus taels taken in by the dock branch helm, today’s total revenue amounts to one thousand eight hundred and sixty taels of silver—not including that half-ship of goods.”
Wang Yuehui calculated every item with precision. At the end, he grinned in excitent.
“After deducting labor costs and other expenses, our net profit today is one thousand six hundred taels of silver—one hundred taels more than yesterday. We have already recovered the losses from the past few empty days. From here on, we will be making pure profit.”
“Excellent.”
Su Wangchuan took the Gold Notes Wang Yuehui had exchanged and nodded with a smile.
“If business were like this every day, the monthly profit would be terrifying.”
A daily net profit equivalent to sixteen taels of gold—over a month, that would amount to four or five hundred taels of gold.
And that did not even include revenue from Qingfeng Escort Agency or the Weapon Room.
“Very well. It is getting late. Leave the dock matters to your subordinates and go train… By the way, how are 《Heart-Piercing Dart》 and 《Green Robe Dance》 progressing?”
Wang Yuehui replied, “《Heart-Piercing Dart》 has reached Practice Makes Perfect. 《Green Robe Dance》 trains more slowly—I have only reached Minor Mastery. I am planning to train 《Green Bamboo Staff Art》 and 《Iron Sand Palm》 next…”
“Do not train Iron Sand Palm yet. It wastes too much ti. Leave it for last.”
Su Wangchuan advised him, “Without 《Qingcheng Heart thod》, your training will yield half the results for twice the effort, and you might injure yourself. Train 《Swift Sword Art》 and 《Iron Shirt》 instead.”
“If you have the funds, consider purchasing a copy of 《Qingcheng Heart thod》.”
Wang Yuehui nodded.
“I have saved about twenty taels of gold recently. But I keep a low profile at the studio. They do not know I have already entered rank. I submit only the minimum required silver each month.”
“It is fine. I am about to purchase new martial manuals myself. I will ask Captain Bai to help. We can buy your manuals together… I will arrange a copy of 《Qingcheng Heart thod》 for you. Do you need anything else? If you are short on funds, I can advance it for you.”
Su Wangchuan was generous toward Wang Yuehui.
He was one of only two First-Rank martial artists in the hall. During the day, he managed inner affairs with clarity and precision; at night, he stood guard, saving Su Wangchuan considerable effort. Such a capable right-hand man had to be cultivated properly.
“Thank you, Hall Master!”
“I also need 《Five-Finger Rapid Shot》 and 《Blazing Leg》.” Wang Yuehui was clearly modeling his cultivation path after the Hall Master’s.
“Very well.”
Su Wangchuan nodded.
“《Five-Finger Rapid Shot》, 《Blazing Leg》, and 《Qingcheng Heart thod》—three Second-Rank martial manuals. I will rember.”
After returning to his room and logging off, he went straight to Su Wan’s office.
Su Wan was indeed there.
Unfortunately, two other people were also inside.
He recognized both.
One was Chen Hong from the Land-Clearing Reserve Team. The other was Taotao, his forr neighbor from the Public Rental Housing.
The two won happened to be coming out.
“Hall Master Su! Here to see Manager Su?” Chen Hong had a good mory. She greeted Su Wangchuan proactively, smiling brightly.
Su Wangchuan nodded in response.
“Sister Hong is here as well. I have sothing to discuss with the General Manager.”
“Then you two talk. I will take my leave.”
Chen Hong led Taotao out of the office.
“Hall Master Su? He is the Hall Master of Huishui County—Hall Master Wangchuan?” Taotao covered her mouth in astonishnt, disbelief written across her face.
“You know him?” Chen Hong asked.
“He used to be my neighbor.”
“Oh.”
Chen Hong nodded, walking ahead with an envious expression.
“When I was still a Quasi-Martial Artist, he was only the Room Master of the Weapon Room, also a Quasi-Martial Artist. Now he commands several hundred n as Hall Master of a major hall, and he is already a First-Rank martial artist.”
“He has reached First Rank? Even more powerful than you, Sister Hong?” Taotao asked from behind.
“Of course. Hall Master Su is far stronger. His deeds have even reached our Heilong County. The Qingyi Sect’s sect master, Feng Shaoguang, was killed by him. Now the Yulong Gang has risen to dominance in Heilong County. We have been pushed to the margins and can only survive under their shadow.”
Chen Hong ca from a martial family in Heilong County that once had good relations with the Qingyi Sect. After a partial purge, her family’s influence diminished.
Since descending upon Heilong County, Taotao had joined this female-focused martial family and naturally followed under Chen Hong’s wing.
The two won had co to Su Wan seeking studio support to purchase martial manuals and break through to First Rank.
Their family’s collection of martial manuals was sparse, and the black market supply had been exhausted. Now, they could only rely on the studio to strengthen themselves.
Unfortunately…
Because purchasing First-Rank martial manuals individually would waste too much money and ti, Su Wan’s reply had been: wait until others have the sa demand, then escort the manuals together and split the transportation costs.
…
Su Wangchuan entered the office and closed the door, sitting across from Su Wan.
“I need a batch of Second-Rank martial manuals. And while we are at it… how are Third-Rank martial manuals sold?”
That final question caused a flicker of surprise in Su Wan’s eyes. The lenses of her glasses glinted faintly.
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