"In just ten days, averaging twenty thousand per day. After ten days, the one hundred thousand Yuan Stones in our hands have tripled — a full three hundred thousand!" Staring at the ledger in her hands, Shang Xinci was equal parts shocked and delighted.
For the competition over the Young Master position, it had been only ten days, and Shang Xinci's initial capital of one hundred thousand had already tripled. In one stroke, she had pulled ahead of all the other candidates.
Three hundred thousand was only the capital for the Young Master competition. Fang Yuan and Bai Ningbing had also invested heavily, and both had earned themselves a fortune. The single Elder Gu in Fang Yuan's possession was no longer enough, so he had added two new ones. His total assets had risen to over two million four hundred thousand.
Bai Ningbing had likewise earned a considerable sum.
The two maids at Shang Xinci's side — Xiao Die and Xiao Lan — looked toward Fang Yuan with an inexplicable gleam in their eyes.
They both knew that this spectacular success was entirely thanks to Fang Yuan.
A good beginning is half the victory. The two maids had originally harbored doubts about Shang Xinci's bid for the Young Master position, but this outcome had greatly bolstered their confidence.
"But how did Fang Yuan get hold of accurate intelligence on the Three Kings' inheritance?" Bai Ningbing sat off to the side, filled with suspicion.
The reason Fang Yuan had been able to speculate and corner the market, making this massive profit, was entirely reliant on that intelligence.
Could it be that Fang Yuan had grasped the secrets of the Three Kings' inheritance? Or did he have some mysterious source of information?
Either way, it proved that Fang Yuan was no ordinary person.
Though Bai Ningbing had also earned a handsome sum, a sense of pressure began to build within her.
She had been around Fang Yuan for quite some time now, and she had noticed that, time and again, without warning, he would bring her some kind of surprise.
On the surface, Fang Yuan did not appear mysterious, but in truth he was perpetually shrouded in a layer of impenetrable fog.
It was precisely because she spent nearly every moment at his side that she could sense this all the more keenly — could appreciate just how unfathomable he truly was!
"Brother Heitu, thank you so much for this. With this three hundred thousand, I'll be able to carry out my plan much more effectively going forward," Shang Xinci said with a smile.
Yet Fang Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "No rush, no rush. Xinci, your thinking is sound, but executing it will still be quite difficult."
He continued: "Running an intelligence business in the martial arena is very different from our previous scheme of stockpiling Gu. That speculation succeeded because the move was sudden — your competitors simply couldn't react in time. More importantly, Shang Yazi, who had been managing the shops, had already been removed from his post. The shops were being managed collectively by the Shang family, with no single person's will dictating policy. Even if others had wanted to intervene, they couldn't very well do so. All they could do was watch helplessly."
"But an intelligence business is a different matter entirely. Implementing it doesn't require much in the way of material resources, but it demands a large number of people. You also need connections and goodwill from various quarters. Otherwise, your competitors will suppress and sabotage you. Our foundations are shallow — we cannot act rashly. Once we do act, we must guarantee success. That means thorough preparation is essential."
Shang Xinci's expression turned serious, and she nodded. "Brother Heitu, you're absolutely right. But I haven't been in Shang City for long. The only people at my disposal are Xiao Die and Xiao Lan. As for connections — I have none to speak of."
Xiao Die was the personal maid she had brought with her to Shang City, fiercely loyal. Shang Xinci was currently grooming her as a Gu Master, and her aptitude was quite respectable — Grade B cultivation. As for Xiao Lan, she had been assigned to Shang Xinci by Shang Yanfei — a Third Transformation healing Gu Master who could be trusted.
Fang Yuan chuckled. "Xinci, don't sell yourself short. Just Shang Chiwen in the martial arena alone already has a good relationship with you."
"We're both women, and we get along quite well. Besides, the intelligence business would also boost her performance metrics. I believe she won't object," Shang Xinci estimated.
"Xinci, I said I would help you ascend to the Young Master position. Naturally I have a strategy and a path to victory. You don't need to worry so much. From now on, just follow my instructions, and your chances of taking the position will be very high," Fang Yuan reassured her.
"I'll follow your every instruction, Brother Heitu," Shang Xinci replied with a smile, without a moment's hesitation.
Fang Yuan sat upright in his chair, assuming the bearing of a master strategist, which gave Shang Xinci a sense of security.
"Xinci, the first thing you need to do is recruit people. To run an intelligence business, you'll need a large number of loyal subordinates. But before that, what you need most is a general manager. This general manager must have at least Third Transformation cultivation, be capable of handling matters independently, and possess extensive experience in managing goods and commerce. I've already scouted someone for you — his surname is Zhou and his given name is Quan. He was a shopkeeper under Shang Yazi," Fang Yuan continued, guiding Shang Xinci.
Shang Xinci's expression grew slightly troubled. "Zhou Quan? I know of him. But he's a Third Transformation Gu Master — proud and aloof by nature. He was once the patriarch of the Zhou family with Fourth Transformation cultivation. However, the Zhou family was torn apart by internal strife and then slaughtered by Demonic Path Gu Masters. He was the sole survivor, but was gravely injured. Even now, his cultivation stands only at High Stage Third Transformation. The shop he managed had the best performance of all the stores. But even Shang Yazi couldn't earn his loyalty. A man like that — I'm afraid I'm not in a position to..."
Fang Yuan waved his hand and smiled. "How will you know unless you try? Xinci, have confidence in yourself. Trust me — you possess a kind of charisma that sets you apart from others. In the future, many people will willingly pledge themselves to you and serve you loyally. Zhou Quan is a difficult target, and you may not succeed. But as long as you show your sincerity, putting in the effort will always bear fruit."
"Yes, Brother Heitu! I'll do my best!" Shang Xinci clenched her delicate fist with determination.
Fang Yuan nodded. "Good. Then go and get to it."
Shortly after Shang Xinci took her leave, Wei Yang arrived at Nanqiu Garden.
Fang Yuan received him in the lakeside pavilion. "Brother Wei, I already know the purpose of your visit. Please, sit."
As he spoke, Fang Yuan poured Wei Yang a cup of tea.
Wei Yang smiled. "Younger Brother Fang Zheng, you are one of hidden depths. Then please, do share your thoughts."