Chapter 84: Shang Qingjun, Zhao Gongming

Today is the day the first Yin-Shang Business Summit is convened.

Almost all the inhabitants of Chen Tang Pass have arrived, and in the center there is also a huge platform.

On both sides of the platform are rows of tables and chairs arranged in advance.

Just these tables and chairs are valuable, all made from the East Sea's thousand-year-old sunkiss wood, displaying the status of their owners.

And on each table, the name of the owner of each set of tables and chairs is carved in ten-thousand-year cold jade.

"This is really too extravagant!"

Many of the big merchants who arrived one after another were also shocked by the grand scale before them.

But they had no idea that, while these things are priceless to them, for Ao Yifan, who controls the Four Seas Dragon Clan, they are as abundant as he wishes.

"Hehe, that's actually quite interesting!"

The dark-faced middle-aged man looked down on these ordinary mundane objects.

What truly interested him was this format!

"It seems that the Yin-Shang prince consort intends to raise the status of these big merchants, satisfy their vanity, and then they will willingly spend money."

Yao Shaosi, standing nearby, said with a smile.

"Indeed!"

Chen Jiugong also nodded, indicating his agreement.

Indeed, in this era, merchants may have money, but their status is extremely low.

Whether traveling or dressing, there are strict regulations.

Any overstep will be met with harsh punishment.

So merchants feel stifled, and these big merchants feel even more stifled.

After all, who can understand the anguish of having money but nowhere to spend it?

As for this business summit, it can be said that it greatly elevated the status of merchants.

Let alone anything else, just these positions, enjoying the gaze of myriad people, make the vanity of the big merchants present almost overflow!

Not seeing each big merchant sitting in his own exclusive seat, face flushed, as if drunk, that is some overexcitement.

When their heads get hot, even these shrewd merchants will make many foolish moves, and in the end the benefits still go to Lady Yin and Ao Yifan.

"Miss, this way!"

The pretty maid finally found her mistress's seat, and upon discovering it was very close to the central platform, she nodded satisfied.

But then the pretty maid seemed to think of something, and complained to the elegant lady sitting nearby: "Miss, that whatever prince consort, I think he's just a black-hearted profiteer; this seat could be sold to us for ten thousand coins!"

"Indeed, he is a black-hearted profiteer!"

The elegant lady's fingers, like jade scallions, lightly traced the name carved on the ten-thousand-year cold jade—

Shang Qingjun!

"I have heard that the prince consort is a cultivator, faintly connected to the Four Seas Dragon Clan; these rare treasures of the land are probably ordinary to him, yet he uses them to gather the world's wealth."

Shang Qingjun said.

"Ah? How can he do that?"

The pretty maid pouted: "That prince consort is really bad, Miss; should we complain to the minister of commerce and have him punish the prince consort's profiteering conduct?"

Shang Qingjun glanced lightly at her maid and said: "I often teach you, in business talk business, never use noble status to coerce others; otherwise, no one will sincerely do business with you in the future. Moreover, the prince consort stands behind Princess; do you think my father could still punish the princess?"

"Miss, I..."

The pretty maid was about to say something when a hearty laugh came from behind them.

"What a fine saying 'talk business in business'; Miss, if you have time, could we discuss the way of commerce together?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Qingjun and the pretty maid turned their heads to look.

In an instant, the pretty maid couldn't help but brighten.

"What a handsome man; he really is good-looking!"

Not only the pretty maid, but Shang Qingjun also couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

"You, are you also a merchant participating in this summit?"

"I am not!"

Ao Yifan shook his head and said: "I am the master of this place!"

"The master of this place?"

Shang Qingjun pondered slightly, then in the next moment realized the identity of the person before her.

"You are, then, the legendary prince consort?"

"Hehe, that is indeed me!"

Ao Yifan smiled and said: "Beautiful miss, welcome to participate in the summit I hosted; I hope you return with a full load!"

Saying this, Ao Yifan gave Shang Qingjun an apologetic glance and said: "Sorry, I still have an old friend to meet; if there's a chance, we'll chat again; farewell for now!"

Immediately, Ao Yifan didn't give her a chance to speak, turned and walked toward a direction.

Watching Ao Yifan's back, Shang Qingjun couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression.

"Hmph, turns out he's just a rascal; who praises someone like that on a first meeting?"

Beside her, the pretty maid slightly frowned in dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing this, Shang Qingjun lightly laughed and shook her head; regarding Ao Yifan's frank praise, she didn't really mind.

And she was even more curious about how many wild and imaginative business methods this prince consort still had.

"If there's an opportunity, I could pay a visit!"

……

"Old Dao Friend Zhao, long time no see!"

Ao Yifan cupped his hands toward the dark-complexioned middle-aged man.

"It's you!"

Zhao Gongming stared deeply at Ao Yifan, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile: "It seems you still have some skill, actually able to see through my true form!"

As it turned out, this dark-complexioned man was none other than the Senior Disciple of the Outer Gate of the Sect of the Cutting, Zhao Gongming!

Back then, Ao Yifan almost mobilized the power of the Four Seas Dragon Clan, striving to develop the economy of Chen Tang Pass.

Firstly, it was indeed to help Lady Yin, allowing the people of Chen Tang Pass to live prosperous lives.

However, Ao Yifan's true purpose was still fishing—fishing for a staggeringly huge fish!

It was quite evident that his efforts were not in vain; this Senior Disciple of the Outer Gate of the Sect of the Cutting had indeed come of his own accord.

After all, according to Ao Yifan's knowledge, Zhao Gongming was not only the Senior Brother of the Outer Gate of the Sect of the Cutting, but also possessed immense supernatural powers and methods.

Moreover, he himself greatly enjoyed business, being a commercial genius who could be described as having wealth spanning the four seas.

This is also why Zhao Gongming would later be ennobled as the God of Wealth.

Ao Yifan turned Chen Tang Pass into a commercial hub for the Yin merchants, and by hosting such a novel business summit, he was confident he could attract this commercial genius.

Indeed, possessing the Heavenly Dao Eye, even Zhao Gongming's transformation technique could not escape Ao Yifan's notice, being recognized at a glance.

"Hehe, what bit of modest cultivation could possibly hope to escape the discerning eye of Dao friend Zhao!"

Ao Yifan said with a smile: "However, for Dao friend Zhao to appear here is truly unexpected; as a Dao friend, you would actually take an interest in these mundane things?"

"This is merely Zhao's personal hobby!"

Zhao Gongming said lightly: "However, since our parting at the Jade Void Palace, I never expected that you, a mere Golden Immortal, would now have attained late-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal cultivation—truly impressive."