Chapter 341

First Volume, Chapter 341: Long-Term Client

Gaoshan Country is small in territory and sparse in population, with its materials and supplies severely lacking; commerce is at a remarkably primitive level. Not only are decent household goods unavailable, but even small items like needles and thread must be imported from other nations.

Since Liang and Beidi became hostile, Gaoshan Country's supply routes were directly severed, leaving it to trade only with Beidi.

Beidi's commercial capacity is utterly incomparable to Liang's.

Take sugar as an example: not only commoners, but even nobles can no longer afford it—only members of Gaoshan's royal family still enjoy it, and even their stock is nearly exhausted.

The merchant caravan dispatched by Qin Feng is nothing short of timely assistance to Gaoshan Country.

From cloth to sugar and tea, anything Qin Feng can supply, Gaoshan Country accepts without hesitation. But since Gaoshan produces no gold or silver, it can only trade goods for goods, paying with its native livestock—such as Highland Horses, sheep, and yak.

Yet Qin Feng has no interest in sheep or cattle.

Qin Feng couldn't help but snort: "One Highland Horse priced at one thousand liang of silver? Gaoshan Country isn't being honest! They can't even afford salt, wine, sugar, or tea, yet they still try to fleece me—do they think they hold absolute leverage?"

Qin Feng didn't even bother replying; he simply spoke calmly through the carriage curtain: "Bring back the one thousand Highland Horses we already agreed upon. Reject all future business. Also, inform the King of Gaoshan: your nation shows no basic sincerity. Once the current payment is settled, Tianji Camp will no longer trade with Gaoshan Country—unless…"

"Price each Highland Horse at five hundred taels of silver."

A faint voice came from outside the curtain: "Yes, sir."

Upon hearing Qin Feng intended to slash the price in half, Jing Qianying frowned slightly, concerned: "Isn't that cutting too deeply? Even Liang's own bred Warhorses cost five or six hundred taels apiece."

Jing Qianying loves wealth, and her sole source of income is Qin Feng, so she cares deeply about his profits and losses.

Even Xiao Xiangxiang, who knows nothing about the Way of Commerce, thought Qin Feng had gone too far—no one haggles this ruthlessly, slashing prices in half at once. If the King of Gaoshan had even a shred of pride, he'd refuse to deal with Qin Feng ever again.

Xiao Xiangxiang softly urged: "Master, what if the King of Gaoshan flatly refuses? After all, only Gaoshan produces Highland Horses."

Qin Feng slumped back, collapsing into Xiao Xiangxiang's lap, hands behind his head, legs crossed, lounging lazily: "Don't worry. Business involves haggling—it's normal. Right now, Gaoshan's only trading partner is Beidi, whose commercial scale is pitifully small and who can barely sustain themselves—how could they possibly supply Gaoshan?"

"Heh. The King of Gaoshan has no choice."

"Besides, even at five hundred taels, Gaoshan isn't losing. We trade goods directly for goods, cutting out middlemen. Five hundred taels of silver equals five hundred taels worth of materials and supplies. If I were the King of Gaoshan, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."

Xiao Xiangxiang bit her lower lip. Though she trusted Qin Feng completely, she couldn't help mutter softly: "It's not quite as dramatic as you say."

Qin Feng gave Xiao Xiangxiang's rear a firm pinch, ignoring her flushed face, and said casually: "Let me put it this way: I don't just want to trade with Gaoshan—I intend to turn Gaoshan into Tianji Camp's exclusive warhorse supplier. That kind of small nation has no commercial leverage to begin with."

Jing Qianying and Xiao Xiangxiang exchanged a glance, both filled with disbelief.

Even if small, Gaoshan Country is still a nation.

Qin Feng actually wants to hold a nation in his palm and turn Gaoshan into Tianji Camp's vassal—this utterly shattered their understanding.

Qin Feng knew his idea would shock people of this era.

But in practice, it's not difficult—ultimately, it's just four words: economic colonization.

According to Qin Feng's knowledge, Gaoshan's total population is only a few hundred thousand. Add its highland location, narrow land, and scarce resources, and it cannot grow crops—its economy relies entirely on animal husbandry. This overlaps with Beidi's pastoral industry, making Gaoshan's livestock sector uncompetitive; most animals are consumed domestically.

The only livestock worthy of trade is the Highland Horse.

Liang desperately needs Highland Horses, but Beidi blocks access. Beidi's own Beidi Horses, though less powerful, are numerous enough to form large cavalry units—so demand for Highland Horses becomes negligible.

In Gaoshan's awkward position, anyone offering a stable trade channel is extremely valuable.

Economic colonization may not be a noble term, but by providing Gaoshan with a stable trade channel, Qin Feng creates a win-win situation.

Yet cultivating Gaoshan's commercial channels won't happen overnight, and Qin Feng isn't in a hurry.

Just then, Qin Xiaofu's voice called from outside the curtain.

"Master, we've entered Fuyun County."

The moment Qin Feng heard "Fuyun County," his head buzzed.

To avoid being dragged down by the Ming Prince's family, Qin Feng immediately sat up and warned: "Full speed ahead—get through Fuyun County as fast as possible. If you spot the Li Family Brothers, shake them off!"

After what happened in Pingyao County, Qin Feng didn't dislike the Li Family Brothers—in fact, he admired them.

The sheer audacity of their goal—"no achievements, no family"—was something Qin Feng could never achieve in his lifetime.

But the Ming Prince's family is the Liang Emperor's Achilles' heel.

Following the principle of avoiding trouble, Qin Feng naturally kept as far away as possible—otherwise, he'd not only invite trouble but also alienate everyone.

Under Qin Feng's urging, the caravan kicked up dust and raced along the Official Road.

Just as they were about to exit Fuyun County, Qin Feng was about to relax—when some malicious soul had dumped several tree stumps right across the Official Road, blocking the caravan's path.

With no choice, Qin Xiaofu and the servants got off the carts and moved the stumps aside, then continued their journey, shaken but unharmed.

Only after traveling over ten miles beyond Fuyun County did Qin Feng finally exhale in relief and slump back into Xiao Xiangxiang's lap.

Xiao Xiangxiang found it absurd: her fearless master, who feared nothing, now trembled at the mention of the Li Family Brothers. She teased: "Master, why do you turn into a mouse at the sight of cats whenever the Li Family Brothers are mentioned?"

Qin Feng pursed his lips, looking helpless: "The Li Family Brothers are bad luck. I'm afraid I'll get burned by association."

A smirk curled at Jing Qianying's lips.