Chapter 162: One Move Ahead

The defeat at the Gray Wolf Pass checkpoint was like a muffled thunderclap, exploding in Zhao Kuangyin's chest, its reverberations lingering long.

On the rough wooden table in his tent, the steward's detailed account records were spread out.

Every line betrayed a sense of frustration and helplessness.

Not only did the expected large batch of warhorses fail to arrive,

Moreover, the stockpiled salt, iron, and cloth also struggled to sell, causing the cash flow to suddenly become strained.

By contrast, on Chen Wen's side, it is said that the warhorses obtained in exchange are about to fill the temporarily requisitioned horse farm.

"Trash! All trash!"

Zhao Kuangyin irritably swept the ledger to the ground, his chest heaving violently.

He asked himself that he had prepared thoroughly, and the quantity of goods he brought even surpassed expectations, so why was he so utterly defeated in the competition?

Chen Wenzhong's people seem to be able to foresee the future, always able to produce goods and terms that perfectly counter him and entice those Khitan barbarians.

"Commander, please calm your anger."

The aide beside him cautiously advised.

"It's not that the lads aren't giving their all; it's that that Defense Commissioner Chen... his methods are too cunning."

His salt seems whiter and finer;

His cloth feels denser;

"Especially those iron knives, exquisitely crafted yet he's willing to give them away for free—this... this is simply reckless!"

"Reckless?"

Zhao Kuangyin let out a cold snort, a chill flashing in his eyes.

"Chen Wenzhong is no philanthropist; how could he engage in a loss‑making deal? There must be something fishy going on!"

"Could he have discovered a new salt well or mineral vein? Or perhaps he received guidance from an expert, greatly improving the artisans' skills?"

He paced to the map hung on the tent wall, his gaze fixed on the area representing the three counties of Luochuan, Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and Linhe.

That land, after the Battle of Gaoping, seemed to have been infused with some miraculous vitality, its development speed astonishingly fast.

Now even the market competition here shows an overwhelming, crushing momentum.

"Investigate! Investigate it thoroughly for me!"

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned around and sternly told his aide and several trusted officers.

"I need to know what secrets are hidden in his three counties!"

"The output of the salt works, workshops, and even the fields—I want you to find out everything clearly!"

"Yes!" The crowd received the order, their expressions solemn.

However, the investigation takes time, while the interests at Gray Wolf Pass are being lost day by day.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Zhao Kuangyin decided to increase investment and mobilize more resources.

He even did not hesitate to use some military reserves, preparing to face Chen Wen again in the next market round to settle the score.

Several days later, the Gray Wolf Pass checkpoint reopened.

Zhao Kuangyin's forces indeed brought more goods, even gritting their teeth to lower prices further, trying to win by volume and regain the market.

However, they miscalculated again.

On Chen Wen's side, it seemed they had already anticipated his reaction.

Zhou Kui and his companions brought an even greater variety of goods; not only were the salt, iron, cloth, and tea still of high quality and low price,

they also brought a small amount of warm‑glazed porcelain, as well as some exquisitely packaged southern pastries and dried fruits.

These were lethally attractive to the chieftains and nobles of the steppe tribes.

What made Zhao Kuangyin's side spit blood was that Zhou Kui once again unleashed the 'gift' big move.

This time, it was not iron knives but specially made wolf‑tooth arrow clusters with barbs, crafted by the artisans' camp.

and a lightweight, sturdy leather arrow quiver!

For the nomadic tribes who follow water and grass and revere martial prowess,

fine arrows and quivers have an allure far greater than that of a butcher's knife!

"Exchange for horses! Five fine warhorses, in addition to salt, iron, and cloth, plus fifty wolf‑tooth arrow clusters and two leather arrow quivers as gifts!"

Zhou Kui's voice rang out especially loud in the market.

Instantly, the tribal caravans that had been hesitating before Zhao Kuangyin's stall surged over all at once.

"Wolf‑tooth arrow clusters! Those are excellent battlefield items, hard to make and expensive, yet they actually give them away as gifts?"

Zhao Kuangyin's steward saw black before his eyes, nearly fainting.

His goods once again stalled in sales, and the prices were thrown into disarray.

Even if he wanted to press prices below cost, he could not produce gifts that precisely struck the opponent's needs like theirs!

He certainly can't give away military crossbows, can he?

That thing is strictly controlled military equipment; privately selling it is a capital offense!

This time, Zhao Kuangyin's side can be said to have suffered a utter rout.

Not only did they fail to seize much decent resources, but because of price cutting and inventory backlog, they incurred considerable losses.

When the news came back, Zhao Kuangyin's tent fell into dead silence.

He sat alone in the dark, his face ashen, his clenched fists whitening from the strain.

The feeling of defeat gnawed at his heart like a poisonous snake.

For the first time he clearly felt the gap between himself and Chen Wenzhong, who had risen alongside him.

It seemed an unbridgeable chasm lay between them.

The other side was not only brave on the battlefield, but also highly adept at governing the locality.

Now even this petty, fly‑market trade can be played with tricks, driving him to such a sorry state!

"Why…… what does he rely on……?"

Zhao Kuangyin mutters to himself, his voice filled with unwillingness and a hint of fear he himself doesn't want to admit… fear.

He recalls the message brought back by Wang Yansheng, from that mysterious blacksmith shop.

The people over there seem to be extremely wary of Chen Wen as well, calling him a "variable that must be eliminated."

They promised that if he, Zhao Kuangyin, were willing to cooperate, they would provide more support to help him "return to the right path."

Originally, he still harbored doubts about those secretive folks, and cooperation was limited to limited information exchange.

But now, faced with successive setbacks.

Under the pressure brought by that huge, incomprehensible gap.

The seed named "ambition" and "self-preservation" begins to grow wildly.

"Chen Wen…… this is you forcing me……"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Zhao Kuangyin's eyes.

He can no longer sit and wait for death; he must seize every possible strength.

Only then can he survive in this ever more intense competition, only then can he achieve his ambition!

He shouted in a deep voice toward the outside.

"Let Wang Yansheng come see me!"

The night was deep; in Zhao Kuangyin's military camp, a more dangerous aura began to spread.

And Chen Wen, far away in Luo Chuan, had just finished listening to Zhou Kui's report, his face glowing red.

"My lord, Zhao Kuangyin's side has completely gone silent this time!"

"We've exchanged for a full two hundred fine horses, countless furs and medicinal herbs!"

"The arrow clusters and quivers crafted by the Artisans' Camp have rendered great service!"

Zhou Kui said excitedly.

Chen Wen gave a light smile, not too surprised.

Before the absolute advantage in production efficiency and quality, traditional business competition means appear pale and powerless.

He merely converted part of the benefits brought by "Ability Granting" into weapons for market competition.

"Well done. The officials and artisans involved in this will all be rewarded."

Chen Wen ordered, then his tone turned solemn.

"However, after this battle, Zhao Kuangyin will surely not let it rest."

"Notify Qian Gui, have his people stay on high alert… perhaps… the other side will have new moves."

"Yes!" Zhou Kui received the order and departed.

Chen Wen walked to the window, gazing toward the general direction of Zhao Kuangyin's camp.

The victory in the border market contest is merely the first step of striking the mountain to shock the tiger.

He believes that this provoked "tiger" will soon reveal sharper fangs.

And he has already set up his net, readied his hunting rifle.