Chapter 47: First Volume, Chapter 47: Sugar Tycoon

First Volume, Chapter 47: Sugar Tycoon

Ji Wang's fondness for sweets is well known; Qin Feng's gift was truly on point.

Moreover… even a fool could tell: Qin Feng's tribute was a sham, his real intent was to hand over silver!

With the sugarcane plantations damaged, sugar frost has already soared to five taels of silver per tael; this white sugar is far superior, and a catty would easily fetch hundreds of taels. Just the one sack of white sugar Qin Feng delivered weighs twenty to thirty catties—minimum value: ten thousand taels of silver.

Even if Ji Wang loved sugar, he couldn't eat it for meals; the leftover white sugar could be directly converted to cash.

If Qin Feng sent just a hundred catties of sugar each year, it would equal tens of thousands of taels of silver—and the Emperor couldn't find fault. How could Ji Wang not love it?

Li Rui clenched his teeth inwardly: "That damned Qin Feng—when did he suddenly become so shrewd? He's not sending sugar—he's sending social capital!"

Qin Tianhu despised bribery more than anything in life, yet Qin Feng's bizarre maneuver left him both exasperated and amused: it won Ji Wang's favor while avoiding any scandal. He had spent his life upright and incorruptible—how could he have sired a son with the makings of a corrupt minister?

Delivering the white sugar was only the first step; the second step was the critical one. Qin Feng quickly turned and shouted to the crowd: "I still have some white sugar in storage at my residence. If anyone is interested, please go to the Qin Residence and negotiate with my sister, Hongyan. Sugar frost is five taels per tael—this white sugar is five hundred taels per catty. Is that unreasonable? Prices are fair, honest, and trustworthy."

Five hundred taels per catty? The crowd knew white sugar was precious, but this price was outrageous.

What family could afford such a luxury?

Qin Feng added quickly: "As I understand, the sugarcane plantations send five hundred catties of the finest sugar frost to the Imperial Palace each year. I suspect the Palace has nearly consumed its stock—will this year's harvest arrive on time? I wonder when the Emperor will taste this white sugar…"

The crowd's eyes instantly lit up!

If one could be the first to deliver white sugar to the Palace—even if the Emperor merely remembered one's name—it would be an immeasurable merit.

The crowd surged forward.

"Young Master Qin, how much white sugar do you have left? Do you have a hundred catties? I reserve them first!"

"Move aside! I want five hundred catties!"

"Five hundred catties? How dare you ask for that? Young Master Qin, I'll take every last bit you have—I'll personally supply the Palace's entire future demand for white sugar."

Qin Feng never doubted white sugar would sell, but he never expected such a frenzy—his grin stretched ear to ear. He waved his hands urgently, signaling the crowd to calm down.

He barely held back his laughter, yet still couldn't stop grinning: "Everyone, calm down! Today is Ji Wang's birthday—first, let us toast the Prince. As for buying sugar, simply send your servants to my sister."

At these words, everyone immediately summoned their servants and rushed them off to the Qin Residence.

Li Rui and Cheng Fa exchanged glances and shook their heads in bitter amusement. They had planned to ruin the Qin Family's reputation—but the outcome had completely escaped their control. That damned Qin Feng wasn't just shameless—he was brazenly reckless, turning Ji Wang's mansion into a marketplace. But… Ji Wang had gained benefits—how could he possibly blame Qin Feng?

At this critical moment, Li Rui noticed Wu Yong had also summoned his servant—and, furious, he flung his sleeve and stormed off.

Wu Yong despised Qin Feng more than anyone, but he couldn't miss the chance to impress the Emperor. One thing at a time—he leaned close to his servant and hissed: "Go buy a hundred catties of white sugar—send it straight to the Palace! Be first! I'll let that bastard Qin Feng profit this once—hurry, hurry!"

Qin Feng beamed with satisfaction. Judging by this scene, even his entire stock wouldn't suffice—orders would be booked months ahead. The jingling of silver echoed constantly in his ears. This time, white sugar couldn't help but become a sensation. The Sugar Tycoon of Shedynasty was unquestionably him—and the thought made him chuckle foolishly.

Then his rear end took a hard kick. He spun around to find Qin Tianhu standing beside him, face twisted like a man ready to devour him.

"Brat, did you really refine this white sugar? Or are you just spouting nonsense again? If you can't deliver and the scandal blows up, the entire Qin Residence will be implicated with you!"

Qin Feng rubbed his backside, looking wounded: "Father, there are so many people here—can't you give me some dignity? After all, I…" *cough, cough, cough. *

Seeing Qin Tianhu raise his massive, tiger-like hand, Qin Feng shrank back, silent: "The white sugar was truly refined by me—my sister was fully aware."

Qin Tianhu didn't believe Qin Feng—but if Liu Hongyan was involved, he had no further reason to worry. As for the refining method, it was likely learned from that so-called Book of Heavenly Crafts.

Qin Tianhu didn't press further. His gaze turned stern: "The National Treasury is strained, yet you're openly amassing wealth. If the Emperor finds out, will he spare you? Five hundred taels per catty? You dare set such a price? I've fought on battlefields for decades and never had your audacity. Here's my solution: white sugar priced at ten taels per tael—double the sugar frost."

Qin Feng rolled his eyes. He thought his father ruled the Imperial Court and battlefield like a fish in water—but had zero business sense. Ten taels per tael? He'd rather burn it all than sell at that price. Low profit? He had no interest. If he had time to waste, he'd rather swindle a few wastrels—it was more profitable.

"Father, leave this to me. I know what I'm doing."

Seeing Qin Feng refuse to lower the price, Qin Tianhu prepared to force the issue—just as he raised his hand, Qin Feng bolted like a startled rabbit. Watching his son leap and scramble away, Qin Tianhu sighed deeply: "Having a son like this—blessing or curse, I can't tell."

Though Qin Feng nearly turned Ji Wangye Fu into chaos, order was restored—the banquet proceeded as planned.

Ji Wang and court ministers toasted each other, exchanging flattery. If even the Prince and ministers acted this way, the other guests could hardly behave better.

Qin Feng always hated such gatherings. He grabbed a handful of peanuts from the table and slipped away. Happy from his profits, he cracked peanuts as he hummed a tune, wandering aimlessly until he reached the Pian Yuan.

The Pian Yuan was breathtaking: artificial hills, flowing streams, blooming flowers, birds and butterflies fluttering among them. Compared to the false, clinking revelry of the main courtyard, it was a paradise beyond the world.

Qin Feng idly tossed peanut shells as he strolled through the blossoms.

At that moment, an unexpected guest burst into the main courtyard—his eyes, fierce and predatory, scanned the area, searching for something.