Chapter 647: First Volume, Chapter 647: Accept Your Fate

First Volume, Chapter 647: Accept Your Fate

Everyone knows the principle: "Shi Shi Zhe Wei Junjie."

But those who can make swift decisions and cut their losses in time are exceedingly few.

Everyone believes they can turn defeat into victory, yet they often end up utterly ruined.

Zhao Li is able to clearly recognize his own weaknesses; alone, this qualifies him as a "talent."

"Brother Zhao, whether I show mercy depends on your sincerity."

Qin Feng replied calmly and lightly.

Zhao Li said nothing more, turned, and left with Zhao Zan.

Watching the backs of the Zhao brothers, Ning Hu furrowed his brow tightly.

"Brother Qin, in my view, just chop these two brothers down—why go through all this trouble?"

In Ning Hu's eyes, no method under Heaven is as effective as brute force.

Whoever has the stronger fist holds the truth.

All this trade war maneuvering is pure waste of time.

Qin Feng stood up, patted Ning Hu's shoulder, and walked out with his hands behind his back, explaining solemnly.

"Your fists are hard, but there are others with fists harder than yours."

"Business matters require brains; relying solely on force only sets a terrible example for Heaven."

"At that point, it won't be commercial competition anymore—it'll be pure plunder."

"It's better to keep a gang of thugs than to hire accountants and business talents."

"No matter how much you profit from business, it's never faster than robbery."

Only after Qin Feng's explanation did Ning Hu finally understand.

No wonder Qin Feng, despite possessing overwhelming power to crush the Zhao family, insisted on slow, deliberate maneuvering with them.

Though, this approach is far too technically demanding for Ning Hu.

But Ning Hu knew clearly: as long as Qin Feng was around, such problems would never fall on him.

Qin Feng stood at the door, watching the grain merchants come and go, and sighed.

"The marketplace has always been survival of the fittest."

"When one Zhao family falls, thousands rise in its place."

"The merchant's pursuit of profit remains unchanged since ancient times."

"Even if the Qin Family grows stronger, it can only be strong for a time—whether it can even last a hundred years, let alone a thousand generations, is uncertain."

"If Shedynasty fails to value merchants and commoners, one day someone else will sever its lifeline."

Lin Ziyi appeared beside Qin Feng without notice.

Seeing the helplessness in Qin Feng's eyes, she felt a deep pang inside.

Who, if not for witnessing it firsthand, could believe the legendary First Rake of the Capital was so devoted to his country and people?

Lin Ziyi admired Qin Feng's methods.

In just one day in Yanshou County, he had brought the Zhao family to heel.

At the same time, she pitied Qin Feng.

So young, yet burdened with weights no ordinary person could imagine.

"Young Master, I have a question—whether I should speak it or not, I'm unsure."

"With your status, position, and wealth, your life is already secure—why take on these troublesome duties?"

Lin Ziyi simply could not understand.

Even the current Emperor avoids Qin Feng's sharpness.

He could have enjoyed glory and riches as second only to the Emperor.

Yet Qin Feng insists on standing among the poor and suffering.

How many millions are there in Shedynasty's commoners?

Even if Qin Feng is immensely wealthy, spreading all his wealth evenly among every commoner would still amount to a drop in the ocean.

Without hesitation, Qin Feng answered Lin Ziyi's question outright.

"Someone has to do these things."

"Since no one has started, I, Qin Feng, will begin."

His casual words struck Lin Ziyi with a force equal to shattering her worldview.

In that moment, her respect for Qin Feng rose another level.

…

The Zhao Family mansion.

Zhao Li frowned deeply, his face dark with gloom, unable to stop sighing.

Zhao Zan, who had barely escaped death, felt cold shivers run down his back at the mere thought of Qin Feng's terror.

He never imagined that one day the Zhao Family would face an enemy of this caliber.

But Zhao Zan harbored deep doubts about Zhao Li's "weakness."

"Big brother, you're not seriously thinking of giving up Yanshou County, are you?"

"It's just ten million shi of grain—we can afford to lose it."

"Once we get past this crisis, with the Zhao Family's strength, a comeback is only a matter of time."

Hearing Zhao Zan's words, Zhao Li's anger flared.

If not for this fool's recklessness, how could the Zhao Family have ended up like this?

He slammed his palm on the table right then and there.

Brows knit, eyes glaring, he bellowed furiously.

"What the hell do you know!"

"At the normal price, one hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver can only buy two million stones of grain."

"Qin Feng used a little trick and quadrupled the grain!"

"One hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver to buy ten million stones of grain — where under heaven is there such logic?"

"And… that one hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver was still our own money…"

"He, Qin Feng, didn't spend a single coin, yet he swindled ten million stones of grain from us for nothing. Things have come to this — can you still not see how formidable Qin Feng's methods are?"

"Today he has raised ten million stones of grain; tomorrow he'll find a way to swindle another ten million stones from us."

"How many tens of millions of stones can the Zhao Family afford to compensate?"

Zhao Zan was seeing his elder brother fly into such a rage for the first time.

His heart tightened involuntarily, and his tone softened considerably.

"If it really won't work, let's go to Jingdu and lodge a complaint with the emperor."

The moment these words left his mouth—

Zhao Li slumped back into his chair, his face utterly crestfallen.

"The Jingzhao Prefecture Chief, Dali Temple, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel — every yamen you can think of is all Qin Feng's people."

"Where would you lodge the complaint?"

"Even if you complained before the Sage Himself, what good would it do?"

"The Sage is still counting on Qin Feng for the State Peace Talks with the Northern Di — would he offend Qin Feng over a single Zhao Family?"

"Accept your fate."

"We can't beat Qin Feng. Whether it's business, connections, or brains, we're simply not on the same level."

Zhao Li pressed his forehead and waved a hand at Zhao Zan.

"Second Brother, from now on just behave yourself and be a rich family's young master. Don't get involved in business matters anymore."

"The matter of withdrawing from Yanshou County is settled as such."

"Hopefully this move can cut the Zhao Family's losses."

Given Zhao Zan's temperament, he was naturally unwilling, but the moment the name "Qin Feng" surfaced in his mind, he couldn't help breaking out in goosebumps all over.

Retreating was for the best!

At least from then on, he wouldn't have to face that monster Qin Feng anymore.

The Zhao Family moved quickly.

The next morning, they began preparations for the relocation.

With the Zhao Family Grain Firm closing down for good, the once-deserted Qin Shi Trading House was instantly packed to the brim.

The Northern merchants could only place their last hope entirely on the Qin Shi Trading House.

Whether they broke even or were ruined depended entirely on whether Qin Shi would show any decency.

"Young Master Qin! Young Master Qin!"

"Is your Qin Shi Grain Shop still buying grain or not? Give us a straight answer."

"The Zhao Family has fallen. In this Yanshou County, only your Qin Shi remains — the one big grain merchant."

"Only you can take in this much grain."

"Even if it's cheaper, that's fine. Just please don't limit grain purchases anymore, or we'll have no choice but to haul the grain back home, and then we'd truly die from the loss."