Chapter 1036

But he still pointed at Fang Canran: "Why not delegate this to Brother Songyuan?"

Fang Canran immediately said: "Uncle Wang did not delegate it to me, most likely because he felt it was inappropriate."

Wang Xingyi gave a hum: "Songyuan's character is resilient and he can endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens, but this mission requires outstanding cultivation and keen adaptability. It would be dangerous for Songyuan to go instead."

Before he came to Yang Shan, he had been somewhat moved by Fang Canran's mention of He Lingchuan's battle record, which is why he came personally to assess him.

Seeing He Lingchuan handle the hurricane, the Emperor's Flow, and the sudden Bailong rebellion and Beijia provocation with such ease, he truly met the organization's needs, which is why he finally spoke to entrust him with the task.

He had not expected this kid to ramble on and start making excuses.

Wang Xingyi saw at a glance that He Lingchuan was not unwilling to do it, but simply wanted to negotiate terms.

He was not a member of Lingshan; if Lingshan wanted to entrust him with a task and send him to take risks, then they had to pay a price.

Wang Xingyi was not annoyed; talented people are often arrogant, which is the so-called "talents are hard to use, while lackeys are easy to use but useless."

"The mission is difficult, and I cannot let you take risks for nothing, so I discussed it with Songyuan," Wang Xingyi said. "First, you are just starting out as the island master and need support. If you complete this mission, the Mou Nation can purchase all of the Yang Shan Archipelago's output for the next seven years at a price ten percent below market value."

He Lingchuan was moved and really wanted to give a thumbs up and say, "The boss is generous."

This was providing an economic floor for the Yang Shan Archipelago; if he agreed, the archipelago's income for the next seven years would be quite stable.

The biggest risk in business is uncertainty. Wang Xingyi giving such a good forecast was to help the Yang Shan Archipelago's economic development and help He Lingchuan's personal wallet expand.

But he only gave a hum and nodded.

The conditions were good, but not enough to make his heart race.

Wang Xingyi added: "Secondly, after this matter is accomplished, I originally intended to recommend you as the Field Commissioner for the three eastern prefectures of the Mou Nation, specifically responsible for the measurement, approval, and inspection of mountain forests, farmland, and town areas. The authority is quite significant."

At this time, the nation's most important means of production was land; being able to exercise power over land was a privilege everyone envied.

Fang Canran added from the side: "The Mou Nation's successive Grand Ministers of Agriculture all served as Field Commissioners earlier in their careers."

Wang Xingyi said leisurely: "However, you have no intention of becoming an official, so we shall skip this one."

He Lingchuan gave a bitter smile. Skipping it was fine, but to specifically bring it up—the State Preceptor was deliberately fishing for him with wealth.

"In addition, I will personally give you a few magic treasures, right now." The first two conditions required He Lingchuan to execute the mission and return alive before they could be fulfilled, like a blank check; only this last condition was something tangible he could get immediately.

Lingshan's conditions had been laid out, and they were waiting for He Lingchuan's reply.

Honestly, this conversation was not very fair; He Lingchuan did not know exactly how much risk he would be taking.

Gains being commensurate with risks had always been his principle.

But for an individual to negotiate terms with a behemoth like Lingshan was inherently at a disadvantage.

Never mind, what he was fighting for was not immediate gain or loss.

He Lingchuan pondered for a long time before saying: "For the first item, regarding the sale of Yang Shan Archipelago's produce to the Mou Nation, I hope to have the right of choice."

Meaning he sells if he wants to, and doesn't if he doesn't?

Wang Xingyi smiled: "When the Mou Nation purchases bulk goods like rice and oil, it usually requires booking half a year or a year in advance. You cannot just back out at the last minute."

"If the Mou Nation has a need, negotiating half a year or a few months in advance is no problem," He Lingchuan had always had a strong sense of contract. "The Mou Nation is currently at war with Beijia, and its financial strength will be affected to some extent. If it takes on all of Yang Shan's produce, buying things it doesn't need would be a waste of money."

He said sincerely: "It is best if we each take what we need. Therefore, Yang Shan only wants a priority right of sale for its produce. As long as the quality is equal, the Mou Nation is willing to purchase Yang Shan's produce first, and that will suffice."

The Soul-Gathering Mirror in his arms shouted: "Hey, hey, someone is paying to provide a floor for the Yang Shan Archipelago, what's wrong with that? Why are you refusing!"

No matter what you produce, someone buys it; you sell as much as you produce—this feeling couldn't be better! He Lingchuan smiled without a word.

Seven years is so long; who could predict the world seven years from now?

Currently, the war between Beijia and the Mou Nation is just a small skirmish; the two great nations haven't used their full strength at all, roughly equivalent to fighting with only one fist extended.

But who knows when the war will expand or escalate? When that time comes, can the Mou Nation's finances still be so relaxed? If the Mou Nation is also fought to the point of exhaustion but still has to take on Yang Shan's produce, guess what it will do?

It would only be able to exploit loopholes in the agreement, buying as little as possible or nothing at all.

Talking about money hurts feelings; once the facade is torn, it won't look good for either side. From the information He Lingchuan has continuously collected, the Mou Nation's temper is more volatile than Beijia's; who knows if it will suddenly turn on Yang Shan? Therefore, it is better for everyone to take a step back from the beginning and maintain a good, cooperative, and mutually beneficial relationship.

Buy when you can, and if you can't, then forget it; this way, the Mou Nation has no pressure.

He Lingchuan doing this is certainly not for the sake of the Mou Nation. The Yang Shan Archipelago wants to do business with the whole world and will not tie itself to the warship of the Mou Nation alone; otherwise, in the future, they would share in both glory and ruin.

If the economic lifeline depends entirely on other countries, one will have to live under others' breath in the future.

In the end, one still has to rely on one's own bones to grow flesh.

Wang Xingyi thought for a moment and said happily: "You child, you have quite a lot of ambition."

This kind of condition is also good for the Mou Nation; he will have more confidence when lobbying the imperial court.

"As for the second item—" He Lingchuan smiled, "I don't want to be an official yet, but there is indeed a small trouble at the moment."

He Lingchuan had long ago made up his mind not to enter the Mou Nation as an official; otherwise, he would be completely controlled by Lingshan.

Keeping a distance from this organization while also maintaining friendliness was his most comfortable posture.

Wang Xingyi gave a hum: "Speak."

He Lingchuan is doing things for Lingshan this time, so naturally, Lingshan should pay... or step forward.

"I have just arrived in Yang Shan and my footing is unstable, and the surrounding forces all harbor malice," He Lingchuan said sternly. "If I go out to handle matters for Lingshan, there is no guarantee that Yang Shan won't be taken advantage of by outsiders."

This... Wang Xingyi and Fang Canran looked at each other. If He Lingchuan went out to handle matters for Lingshan and his own lair was raided, that wouldn't make sense in terms of reason or emotion.

"You have conflicts with Bailie and Qing Nation?"

He Lingchuan glanced at Fang Canran, who immediately said: "After selling the Yang Shan Archipelago to Brother He, Bailie's Lu family regretted it and has been trying to use some methods to take it back."

He Lingchuan continued: "The Bailong people who caused the chaos received Bailie's funding. Ships, money, weapons—all had Bailie's support behind them; the Beijia squad that captured the spider demon was also linked by Bailie, which allowed them to collude with the Bailong people."

Hearing this, Wang Xingyi's brow furrowed slightly.

Oh, tonight's chaos also had Bailie's contribution? Before the two could speak, He Lingchuan said sincerely: "I am a newcomer, so naturally I want to have a good relationship with all parties, but their malice toward me is too deep! They dared to make a move while I was still on the island; if I were to leave Yang Shan to handle matters outside..."

"I thought it was some major matter; it's just a small effort," Wang Xingyi said, laughing and crying at the same time. "I can wipe away this grudge for you, but you must not take the initiative to provoke disputes and conflicts."

This youth sees major matters clearly, but is not transparent when it comes to small matters concerning himself.

He Lingchuan nodded: "That is so. All I want is this little plot of land, to be able to stand firm and make a living."

Wang Xingyi looked at him carefully for two seconds and suddenly said: "How about this, I will write personal letters to Dao Feng Port and the Lu family, so that you and your business can pass through both places without obstruction, how about that?"

He Lingchuan was overjoyed: "If the State Preceptor takes action personally, that would be the best!"

Wang Xingyi nodded with a smile, then changed the subject: "However, you must also remember to be a good neighbor, communicate more with the surroundings, and never treat neighbors as a ditch! This place called Bailie has origins with the Mou Nation and Lingshan; I do not wish for you to end up in armed conflict with it."

He Lingchuan's heart gave a jolt.

Did State Preceptor Wang see through his intentions for Bailie?

Otherwise, why would he specifically warn him? But on the surface, he still had to say humbly: "I will certainly keep it in mind!"

The first two conditions were settled, so they moved on to the main topic.

Fang Canran stood up and left, not forgetting to close the door for them.

Even though he was deeply trusted by Wang Xingyi, the secrets that followed were not for him to hear: "He Xiao, after the ancient war between immortals and demons, the immortals founded 'Lingshan' to manage the order of the world and track down the remnants of the Heavenly Demons," Wang Xingyi said with a solemn expression. "The founders of Lingshan included High Immortals and ordinary immortals. But in later generations, spiritual energy gradually declined, no longer suitable for the survival of immortals. Some of Lingshan's immortals helplessly passed away with time, but there were others—"

He Lingchuan pricked up his ears, knowing the main point was coming: "—who hid in secret realms and small worlds, also known as 'Blessed Lands,' far away from this Great Thousandfold World where spiritual energy is exhausted."

"Is there still spiritual energy in the Blessed Lands?"

"Some small worlds produce a small amount of spiritual energy themselves, but the number of living beings they can accommodate is also very small; there are also some Blessed Lands where the flow of time is different from this realm, so the loss of spiritual energy is slower."

"Logically speaking, these Blessed Lands could help immortals survive the period of weakness and wait for the next eruption of the spiritual energy tide," Wang Xingyi said in a deep voice. "But Lingshan did not know at that time that the Heavenly Demons had been secretly extracting the world's nightmare energy through the Heavenly Net Star. The spiritual energy tide that the immortals were waiting for so bitterly never arrived. The spiritual energy in the Blessed Lands where some immortals hid was exhausted, and they slept in them forever until they passed away."

He Lingchuan felt a chill in his heart, immediately thinking of the cave dwelling at the bottom of County Magistrate Lake.

That was also a small world, but after the spiritual energy was exhausted, True Person Dongli, who had entrusted himself to it, also passed away, and he would never be able to see his mentor one last time in his lifetime.

These immortals were also unlucky, trapped to death in their own "Blessed Lands" without a chance to leave alive.

What difference is there between this and a life sentence?

(End of chapter)