Chapter 327: with translation of chapter title

Xiao Zong heard that Chen Wuji actually even refused the business of Shocking Heaven Thunder, his expression instantly wrinkled into a ball, full face of disbelief, "Deputy Commander Chen, this is... Shocking Heaven Thunder!"

"I know, but I have no Silver." Chen Wuji said.

He already has Shocking Heaven Thunder, yet he spends money to buy an unfinished half-finished product—isn't that a hole in his brain?

"I know Deputy Commander Chen just recently escaped from the Xianya with a hundred thousand taels." Xiao Zong said leisurely.

Chen Wuji sighed, "I heard Lord Xiao also keeps many servant-soldiers; keeping people consumes a lot of Silver, spending money like flowing water every day. If there's no war, it's fine as long as no one dies, but if war breaks out and people die, the Silver spent makes my heart tremble."

"That... is also true." Xiao Zong nodded, "But this after all is Shocking Heaven Thunder."

"I know, but I must plan for the future; if this sum of Silver is spent in just a few taels, I'll have big trouble later." Chen Wuji said.

"I know Shocking Heaven Thunder is excellent, indeed a great weapon, but if later we can't pay the soldiers' wages, even the greatest weapon is useless and will instead harm ourselves."

"However, if we change the approach, I might be willing to give it a try."

Xiao Zong felt a bit disappointed, "What kind of alternative?"

"I will lend Lord Xiao a sum of Silver for him to research Shocking Heaven Thunder." Chen Wuji said.

I don't know if it's his illusion, but he always feels Xiao Zong seems to be lacking Silver.

Although logically this seems unlikely.

After all, the Xiao Family's business is quite diverse; Xiao Zong's information in hand, Xiao Yuji's furs, and the estates that these big households in Yunan care about.

But he just has this feeling.

"What are the conditions?" Xiao Zong stared at Chen Wuji, his expression suddenly gaining a few degrees of wariness.

Chen Wuji asked, "What conditions can you afford?"

He needs to first Shìhòu Shìhòu Xiao Zong's bottom line where it is.

"What I can afford..." Xiao Zong muttered, then after a moment said, "I can, after Shocking Heaven Thunder is made, give some to Deputy Commander Chen for free and repay the Silver."

Chen Wuji chuckled, "Lord Xiao, this condition doesn't sound like something you could say; I don't want Shocking Heaven Thunder now, you can abandon this condition."

After all, he's one of the prominent figures in Yunan; this behavior is really stingy.

Xiao Zong gave a dry laugh, "Indeed seems a bit petty; Deputy Commander Chen, what you want is my manpower?"

"Your manpower I can also do without, but at the right time, such as when dealing with the Cao Family, I hope Lord Xiao can bring people to help out. Also, I need Lord Xiao to spread the word that you, and the Xiao Family behind you, are now on my side." Chen Wuji said.

Xiao Zong gave Chen Wuji a complex look, then began to pace in the room.

He was very troubled.

But he, it seems, really lacks Silver.

The Xiao Family seems to have encountered something.

Otherwise, given their family's industry and Xiao Yuji's trade routes, they shouldn't be short of Silver.

"Deputy Commander Chen is more suited to be a businessman than I am; I clearly know this business is a pit, yet I can't help but want to jump in." Xiao Zong said with a bitter smile, "Alright, I agree."

"On the Xiao Family estate, there are only six hundred servant-servants now; previously they needed to tend the fields, their martial skills aren't great; if Deputy Commander Chen approves, you can call on me anytime."

"Lord Xiao, you've even dismissed your manpower?" Deputy Commander Chen asked in surprise.

Xiao Zong's expression was bitter, he nodded, "Something minor happened at home; though it doesn't injure muscles or bones, I have no Silver left to continue sending people out to find materials for making Shocking Heaven Thunder."

"Although I firmly believe there must be something in this world that can increase Shocking Heaven Thunder's power, this matter truly burns money; the family's resources are almost burned through."

Chen Wuji initially thought Lao Deng was just looking for an excuse to research Shocking Heaven Thunder to get Silver, but didn't expect the excuse to be genuine; he actually isn't using the original materials, but is seeking new ones.

Chen Wuji couldn't help but want to tell him what the facts actually are.

But right now, being a good person really isn't feasible.

"Lord Xiao truly is a marvel of the age!" Chen Wuji praised.

Xiao Zong gave a bitter smile and waved his hand, "I just don't want to lose the craft passed down from my ancestral master, and I'd like to leave something in the historical records. I originally wanted to gain fame through office, but after failing the imperial examinations several times, I can only take these side paths."

"I want future generations, when they pick up something, to think of my name, like the Medicine Saint, the Wine Saint, and our lineage's ancestral master."

Chen Wuji felt somewhat moved hearing this; such a grand ambition, even as a transmigrator he never had.

"Lord Xiao, do you have any other creations?" he asked.

Xiao Zong has always been vague about his teacher's lineage, but has mentioned the art of mechanisms several times.

Chen Wuji thought that someone who understands mechanisms should be able to build war chariots, linked crossbows, and the like.

"The book boxes and brushes I make are also excellent, especially the book boxes, with exquisite mechanisms; nowadays almost all the scholars use my design." Xiao Zong said this, then suddenly cursed angrily, "I don't know which scoundrel quickly copied my stuff, causing me to earn hardly any Silver."

This isn't a laughing matter, but Chen Wuji really can't help but laugh.

He really doesn't seem like a qualified businessman.

"Lord Xiao, why do you always clash with the Four Treasures of the Study? Why not make something else?" Chen Wuji asked.

He studied the art of mechanisms, yet everything he fiddles with is scholars' stuff; does that count as mechanism art? Chen Wuji doesn't really understand, but he always feels this old brat is somewhat trying to fool him.

Xiao Zong glanced at Chen Wuji, folded his hands over his abdomen, and said softly, "Because whether it's official history or unofficial history, it's all written down by scholars."

Chen Wuji:...

So that's the idea.

He didn't know how to evaluate it for a moment.

"Lord Xiao studies the Way of Mechanisms, so he must be able to make crossbows, right?" Chen Wuji bluntly threw out his own purpose.

Xiao Zong suddenly realized, "Crossbow? This is simple; I'll draw a rough sketch, Deputy Commander Chen finds a few carpenters and blacksmiths to make it, I thought it was something else. This thing is worthless, just give it to Deputy Commander Chen."

Chen Wuji:...

Chatting with this guy leaves him with genuinely mixed feelings.

Others obsess over things, even spending heavily to obtain them, but he looks down on them.

But what he obsesses over, in their eyes, is actually a worthless casual item.

This matter has left...

"Thanks." Chen Wuji really didn't know what to say, so he just offered thanks.

Xiao Zong waved his hand, "Actually, ever since my daughter went into business with Deputy Commander Chen, I've already considered myself on his side; these small matters don't need to be worried about."

"But that's a separate matter, I need to borrow ten thousand."