Chapter 442: First Volume, Chapter 442: Commercial Alliance

First Volume, Chapter 442: Commercial Alliance

"Qin Qianhu, the imperial examinations are a matter of national importance; favoritism and fraud are utterly forbidden. How could the Sage Emperor possibly approve?"

"You're right—it's probably another trap you're setting for us, only to kill the donkey after grinding the grain."

Several merchants present were highly interested in Qin Feng's conditions, yet their hearts brimmed with caution, for once bitten by a snake, one fears a well for ten years.

Who in the entire Jingdu aristocratic circle didn't know Qin Feng was no good man?

The young men beside him immediately shouted rebukes.

"You lot really forget your scars the moment they heal!"

"Never trust Qin Feng's words!"

"Everyone in Heaven knows how ruthless Qin Feng is—fall into his trap, and you'll be stripped bare to the bone. Don't let short-term greed blind you and destroy your clan's business!"

Facing the merchants' doubts and the young men's rebuttals, Qin Feng remained calm, for he had already prepared himself psychologically to stand against the powerful when he chose to stand with the people.

But times change—since he sought help from like-minded individuals across all sectors, he must face skepticism, even insults.

Qin Feng immediately explained: "You've misunderstood my meaning."

"Priority consideration does not mean direct appointment."

"To enter officialdom, one must first be strong enough to forge one's own iron. If your performance is outstanding, only then will the advantage of priority consideration matter when competing with other Imperial Examination Candidates for limited slots. This is a reward for those who have rendered service—nothing improper about it. I'm sure the Imperial Examination Candidates will understand."

"Moreover, any merchant who supports the Northern Border's Autumn Harvest will be officially recorded. As long as you conduct legitimate business and never harm the people, you will come under the protection of my Qin Shi Trading House. We will assist each other without interfering in your operations. Compared to the Merchant Guild, my Qin Shi Trading House merely offers protection."

"And after the National War ends, regardless of victory or defeat, Liang's trade routes with neighboring nations will be reopened. At that time, I will also provide you with commercial channels."

Qin Feng threw out two massive benefits in quick succession. The merchants present were far too shrewd not to immediately recognize the opportunity—compared to priority consideration in the imperial exams, these two perks were real, tangible advantages!

Who in Heaven didn't know the Qin Family's power? In the Imperial Court, they controlled both the Pro-War Faction and the Taolin Party, held the titles of Supervisor of War, Supervisory Special Envoy, Minister of War, and Qianhu—official status rivaling even the Imperial Protector. In the business world, their position was even more pivotal: the Qin Family was now the undisputed leader in sugar, and though they had sold the Sugar Distribution Rights, as long as they controlled the source of production, their dominance could never be shaken.

Add to that the wildly popular 'Candy'—ask any merchant in any sector, who wasn't envious?

Furthermore, the Qin Shi Grain Shop, stretching from north to south, had seized territory through fair pricing and mass purchases, delivering a blow to the grain industry across Liang unlike any seen in history.

In weapons manufacturing, they split the Heaven with the Ministry of Works—thanks to the Tianji Camp Workshop's massive output of Elite Troops' Weapons and Armor, their demand for raw minerals and resources was terrifying.

Rumors had recently spread that the Tianji Camp had already formed a commercial alliance with Gaoshan Country; though frontline warfare had temporarily severed trade routes, everyone knew that once the war ended, the Tianji Camp would use Gaoshan Country as a springboard to expand commerce across all nations.

The merchants no longer envied—they looked up.

Now Qin Feng offered them a chance to join the Qin Family's vast Shangjie Banshi. Whoever seized this opportunity could ride the Qin Family's wind and soar to glory, forging great achievements!

Despite the young men's constant obstruction, they could not stop the merchants' instinct for profit.

"Young Master Qin, are you truly serious about what you've said?"

Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his bright gaze sweeping over the merchants, each word ringing clear: "I, Qin Feng, am at odds with the Jingdu merchant youths."

"Not out of personal grudges, but to return wealth to the people and jointly build a glorious Liang. If you, men of ambition, wish to lay bricks and tiles for Liang's prosperity, you are all heroes. I, Qin Feng, will protect you before you even ask—how could I betray you?"

"Merchants seek profit—that is instinct! I, Qin Feng, am no lofty scholar—I value profit too. But while making profit, never forget you are a subject of Liang. When the nation is in peril, stand firmly behind it. You are the solid foundation of Liang. I declare this today: patriotic merchants shall receive the highest privileges. Whoever harms a patriotic merchant harms the Qin Family!"

These words stirred the merchants' blood.

As the saying goes: Shinan Nonggong—merchants may be rich beyond measure, yet their social status has always been the lowest. Each time the court levied wealth from merchants, they called it "borrowing," but it was outright robbery. Anyone who dared refuse faced brutal punishment. Yet today, Qin Feng introduced a term none had ever heard before.

Patriotic Merchant!

Qin Feng didn't just grant merchants honor—he gave them real, tangible benefits.

The merchants paid no heed to the young men's obstruction and surged forward.

"Young Master Qin, my Lin Shi Trading House pledges five hundred Horses for the Northern Border people!"

"Our Ma Family Cloth Workshop pledges two hundred Horses and one thousand carts."

"I, Zhang Family, take full responsibility for ten thousand shi of Grain and Forage!"

"My Wang Family is tight on cash this year, can't spare much money—but we have connections locally and can help hire one thousand Civilian Laborers."

Seeing the merchants eagerly stepping forward to offer support, Qin Feng felt the heavy stone in his chest ease slightly. He hurriedly joined Xie Yun'er in registering and documenting each merchant's name and pledged contribution in meticulous detail. This register would one day serve as the key to joining the Qin Shi Trading House.

These Jingdu merchants were deeply connected to the regions—once they supported him, the local areas would be far easier to manage; Qin Feng need not personally travel to persuade them—they would do the work for him.

Seeing Qin Feng win over the merchants, the young men present wore expressions of bitter resentment.

They cursed inwardly.

These damn merchants, pretending to be clever, were all forgetful fools.

Had they forgotten how Qin Feng seized territory in Jingdu? How he crushed the Jingdu Merchant Guild?

Supporting the nation was fine—but allying with Qin Feng? That was shameful.

The young men began sneering sarcastically.

"Qin Qianhu, if you're holding this Hedging Meeting, why invite us? Just summon the merchants!"

"We don't have extra money to support materials. Are you deliberately calling us here to humiliate us?"

"Heh, Qin Feng, you really know how to win hearts!"

Facing the young men's contempt and baseless smears,

Qin Feng still smiled—now, in the face of national crisis, public sentiment mattered most.