Chapter 849

First Volume, Chapter 849: Big Talk on Cooperation

The merchants present were not fools; according to Qin Feng's profit-sharing arrangement, one day the gold and silver of Great Di would be completely emptied.

This was not mutual cooperation and win-win—it was outright attrition!

Facing the big-bearded man's challenge, Qin Feng did not grow angry; instead, he smiled lightly and asked, "What is your name?"

The big-bearded man took a deep breath and said gravely, "I am Ma Lüping."

Ma Lüping? Qin Feng had heard that name before.

During the Tianji Camp's first reconnaissance of the Di Royal Capital, all merchants with assets exceeding ten taels of silver were recorded—and Ma Lüping was among them.

This man was a well-known merchant in the Wang Du marketplace, specializing in livestock trade.

Besides horses and sheep, he even dealt in cattle, for here in the Di Royal Capital, oxen were not valued as they were in Liang Kingdom; moreover, Di's cattle were primarily meat breeds, vastly different in quality.

Qin Feng held a favorable impression of this Ma Lüping.

As the saying goes: loyalty often resides among the lowly, while cruelty most often dwells among the scholarly.

This livestock trader had the courage to speak up for his nation's interests—more admirable than the vast majority of guests here.

"Master Wang, how far south have you sold your cattle and sheep?" Qin Feng asked casually.

Ma Lüping's face lit up with pride, and he declared boldly, "South to Zhuozhou, north to Qiángáng State!"

Between Zhuozhou and Qiángáng State lay two other states, plus Wang Du itself; given the productivity of this era, Ma Lüping expanding his business across five states was already remarkable.

Unfortunately, livestock trading was a common industry in Great Di, with too many participants, so profit margins were thin; in Wang Du's merchant circles, Ma Lüping was merely a big merchant, never a top-tier one.

Watching Ma Lüping stand tall with pride, Qin Feng coldly doused him with a bucket of ice water.

"So your business hasn't even crossed national borders?"

At this, Ma Lüping's face flushed red, and he hurried to defend himself: "Lord Qin, your ambition is not something a mere commoner can match! I've built my business this large—how many in Heaven and Earth can rival me?"

"As for crossing borders, without imperial support and protection, how could it possibly be done?"

Qin Feng gestured with his hand, signaling Ma Lüping to calm down, then smiled warmly: "Then let me ask you—when your livestock reaches Zhuozhou, what profit remains?"

Ma Lüping fell silent, then stammered after a long pause: "About half a percent."

Qin Feng spread his hands, as if stating the obvious: "So you see, your capacity is limited to Zhuozhou—expand further, and you'll lose money."

"Now do you understand why I demand seven-tenths profit?"

"This commodity travels thousands of miles to your country; the value of the goods themselves is negligible—the real cost lies in transportation."

"Typically, when transporting military rations across a thousand li, for every one shi delivered, the carriers consume five shi. Likewise, transporting goods across two or three thousand li, the food and lodging costs alone are staggering."

"Add to that labor costs, the risk of bandit raids, and loss in transit."

"When all is accounted for, do you still think seven-tenths profit is too much?"

These merchants had never engaged in cross-border trade, so they naturally did not understand its risks and losses; Qin Feng, through Tianji Camp and Gaoshan Country's commerce, had long accumulated rich experience.

Ma Lüping rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, found it reasonable, and did not argue further—he bowed slightly and sat back down.

This willingness to admit fault and move on earned Qin Feng's further approval.

Seeing how easygoing Qin Feng was during business talks, the others gradually grew bolder.

Wang Fugui quickly added: "If we could get one-third profit just selling locally, that would be acceptable."

Qin Feng shook his head with a smile: "Don't get too excited—of that one-third profit, you'll keep only one-tenth; the remaining two-tenths must fund business expansion, maintain trade routes, and cover labor and material costs. Though our profit split is clear, our relationship is one of cooperation—otherwise, if the top enacts policy and the bottom finds loopholes, this business cannot proceed."

One-tenth profit…

The merchants' eyes dimmed, but they quickly regained composure.

One-tenth profit was small, but the scale of this business was enormous—even half a tenth would be substantial.

Moreover, they had no intention of cooperating with Qin Feng, so whether they profited or not did not concern them.

Qin Feng pressed forward, shifting the topic back to its origin: "If you refuse to cooperate, I will not force you."

"Your country has enormous demand for ceramics, silk, salt, and sugar—the market is right here; whether you admit it or not, a single trade war will crush and cripple your local ceramic and silk merchants."

"Once you hold absolute market control, even if every soul in your country is made of iron, how long can they hold out? Eventually, they will still have to buy my goods."

"You are handing over this vast market, willingly and freely."

At these words, murmurs erupted through the room.

Ma Lüping muttered "tsk tsk" under his breath: "Makes sense! Where there's demand, there's business—if we don't make this profit, someone else will."

"Besides… in imported goods, local merchants already have to buy from Liang Kingdom; when Qin Feng cuts off the source, he won't even need a trade war—he'll starve them to death."

"Any business where Liang Kingdom controls the source cannot stand against Qin Feng."

At that moment, Jing Ci spoke calmly and firmly: "Even so, the survival of local merchants won't be as dire as Lord Qin suggests."

"Liang Kingdom's advantage in ceramics and silk is unquestionable, but Great Di holds dominance in livestock and minerals."

"Even with your vast wealth, Lord Qin, you cannot overcome Great Di's key industries, can you?"

Qin Feng grinned, silently marveling—Jing Ci Princess had truly improved!

How short a time had passed? She was already a competent merchant.

Yet beneath his smile lay cold killing intent.

"Princess, have you forgotten that all trade routes connecting neighboring states run through Sangzhou?"

At this, Jing Ci's face turned instantly pale—she cursed herself for forgetting such a vital point!

Qin Feng had been willing to sacrifice everything to seize Sangzhou—to control the trade hub. This man was too treacherous!

Watching Jing Ci's humiliation, Qin Feng felt a quiet satisfaction.

Teach the apprentice, starve the master—he must keep a trick up his sleeve.

"If your country seeks a shortcut, you must pass through Sangzhou—who holds sway over Sangzhou? Liang Kingdom? Your country? Or… me?"

"The Sangzhou trade routes are not covered by any treaty between your two nations."

"Unless you wish to isolate yourselves entirely, if you want to use Sangzhou's routes, you must pay for passage—if you detour, your costs will soar—then by all means, go your own way."