Chapter 85: Way of Commerce

Hehe, I merely got a bit of luck; I can't compare to Brother Zhao, such a high-ranking disciple of the Sect of the Cutting!

Ao Yifan said humbly.

Is it related to the Heavenly Realm?

Picking up the teacup beside him, Zhao Gongming took a sip and said, "The method of brewing this tea is also a technique passed down from the Heavenly Realm; it seems the legend of the Black Bird is true."

Upon hearing this, Ao Yifan merely smiled and said nothing.

This Outer Gate Senior Martial Brother of the Sect of the Cutting seems to have misunderstood something.

But it's fine if it's a misunderstanding; Ao Yifan also doesn't need to explain it for him.

After all, he doesn't have many chips in hand now; wanting to negotiate with this Outer Gate Senior Martial Brother of the Sect of the Cutting, even using the Heavenly Realm as a tiger's skin, is not a bad plan.

Seeing Ao Yifan remain silent, Zhao Gongming took it as his assent.

Immediately, Zhao Gongming put down his teacup and said, "I don't care what relation you have with the Heavenly Realm, but you must not scheme against my Sect of the Cutting; my Junior Martial Sister Yunxiao is pure-hearted—if you scheme against her, my Twenty-Four Dinghai Pearls will definitely not spare a person from the Heavenly Realm!"

Facing Zhao Gongming's threat, Ao Yifan remained quite composed; after all, he never intended to scheme against Immortal Yunxiao from the start.

"Brother Zhao, you worry too much; I truly wish to have my daughter become a disciple of Immortal Yunxiao—it is sincere, and the reason will become clear to you in time, Brother Zhao."

Ao Yifan said, "It's about time; I have other matters, let's talk after the summit."

Ao Yifan said this and immediately walked up onto the high platform.

"Everyone, I am the Yin Shang Prince Consort; I have some insights in the way of commerce!"

Ao Yifan's voice immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Now the way of commerce is in chaos; I, the Prince Consort, wish to form a Merchant Alliance, divide the world's commercial sectors, combine everyone's strengths and advantages, then allocate benefits—do you all have interest?"

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar immediately arose among the crowd.

You must know that now the way of commerce is in chaos; everyone goes their own way, and no one has ever considered forming a Merchant Alliance.

Besides the fact that everyone cannot unite, there is another most important reason: the way of commerce is weak, suppressed and discriminated against by the powerful; thus, even if someone wishes to bring the two groups together, it is difficult to create synergy.

"Everyone need not rush to reply; I have here some draft articles and regulations for the Merchant Alliance—please take a look!"

Ao Yifan waved his hand, and immediately several soldiers came forward, each holding a jade slip, delivering them to each great merchant present.

"Marvelous, marvelous!"

Merely glancing briefly at the Merchant Alliance Charter on the jade slip, many great merchants were instantly astonished.

There's no way—these things are truly too novel for merchants of this era.

"Great lord, this Yin Shang Prince Consort has grand ambitions; if he succeeds, he will surely open a new great path!"

By Zhao Gongming's side, Chen Jiu Gong and Yao Shao Si, both carefully cultivated by him, see more than ordinary mortals.

The Three Thousand Great Dao of heaven and earth lead straight to the Sacred Realm; although only few can truly walk them to the end, opening a new great path is also shocking to the world.

It is obvious that what Ao Yifan is smiling about is opening a new great path.

Way of Commerce!

"Hehe, just some preliminary ideas; truly opening a new great path—how difficult!"

Zhao Gongming set the jade slip aside, and his gaze toward Ao Yifan gained a hint of appreciation.

"Such talent—should we not bring him into our Sect of the Cutting? Our master would surely like him."

At the same time, Shang Qingjun looked at the jade slip in her hand, her interest growing stronger.

Indeed, each article of the Merchant Alliance Charter let her see more of the way of commerce and also resolved many of her former doubts.

"How exactly did he come up with these things?"

Those jade slips—Shang Qingjun gazed at Ao Yifan standing with his hands behind his back, and her eyes involuntarily sparkled.

To become a great merchant in this era, one must be clever.

Although the content of the jade slips is quite novel.

But everyone can see that joining the so-called Merchant Alliance is definitely beneficial over harmful.

The most important point is that after the Merchant Alliance is established, we can unite everyone's strength.

Then, if the powerful again try to oppress with influence, we will have to weigh it carefully.

After all, if you suppress a Merchant Alliance member today, even if they don't retaliate, the other Merchant Alliance members will learn of your situation.

Then, merchants will fear you like a tiger, commerce will be blocked, and this place will surely decline sooner or later.

Moreover, the one uniting everyone now is the Yin Shang Prince Consort, and his wife is none other than the Commander of Chen Tang Pass, the illustrious Princess Su Zhi!

Many have already harbored the thought of joining the Merchant Alliance, after all, everyone understands the principle that it's good to enjoy the shade under a big tree.

"This Prince Consort harbors grand ambitions!"

On the wine tower, Shang Rong put down the jade slip in his hand and spoke in a deep voice.

"Minister of Commerce, what should we do about this?"

Deng Jiu Gong asked: "If this succeeds, Princess Su Zhi's power will likely grow even greater; on the king's side..."

He did not continue with the rest of his words.

After all, this already involves royal affairs; it's no longer something a minor commander like him can comment on freely.

"Let's wait and see; I always feel this Prince Consort still has a trump up his sleeve, after all, he knows our purpose in coming; if he isn't fully prepared, he wouldn't do these things right under our noses."

Shang Rong said.

At this moment, his friends are increasingly curious about how many surprises this Prince Consort could bring them.

However, Shang Rong, overly focused on the jade slip in his hand, completely failed to notice that among the crowd of great merchants was his own daughter!

That is probably the biggest surprise of this occasion!

"Prince Consort, we are willing to join the Merchant Alliance, but how should the leader be chosen, and do we need to produce a charter?"

A great merchant stood up and said.

In an instant, all the merchants present turned their gazes uniformly toward Ao Yifan.

After all, once the Merchant Alliance is established, as the Alliance Chief of the Merchant Alliance, its status will surely rise with the water, and the interests involved are astronomical figures.

Therefore, everyone places such great importance on the position of Alliance Chief of the Merchant Alliance.

Of course, in everyone's mind, the position of Alliance Chief of the Merchant Alliance will most likely ultimately fall to Ao Yifan.

After all, his status and wealth are here, and he is the founder of the Merchant Alliance; the Alliance Chief position ought naturally to be his to hold.

"Since everyone is so enthusiastic, I propose that this Boss Zhao become our Merchant Alliance's first Alliance Chief!"

Ao Yifan also didn't waste words, directly stating his opinion.

Ah?

In an instant, everyone was shocked.

After all, no one expected that Ao Yifan, after painstakingly building this huge Merchant Alliance, would, in the election for Alliance Chief, actually endorse someone else.

"Huh?"

At the same time, Zhao Gongming's expression shifted, for just as Ao Yifan nominated him to become Alliance Chief of the Merchant Alliance, in the unseen a terrifying fortune descended upon his head.

Opportunity!

A tremendous opportunity!

Gazing deeply at Ao Yifan, Zhao Gongming did not expect that the other would bestow upon him immense wealth and honor!