Chapter Forty-Five: Striking the Tiger to Shake the Mountain

ime the white lotus finally came to a stop, the sun was already high in the sky.Looking at the towering peak before him, hearing faint beast roars in his ears, Jiang Wang suddenly felt a sense of fore...Upon returning to the Xiashan Villa, Jiang Wang recounted his day's experiences to Chongxuan Sheng, omitting his discovery about Zhang Yong.

He had always felt a strange sense of familiarity towards Zhang Yong, even during their time in the Heavenly Mansion Secret Realm.

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For some reason, today Zhang Yong's gaze made him feel a pang of empathy.

He instinctively didn't want to tell anyone about this, and he couldn't even explain the reason why.

When interacting with Chongxuan, Fourteen was also present, silently keeping watch beside him.

Although Old Master Chongxuan first summoned Fourteen back to the Hou Mansion after he recovered from his injuries, using Fourteen's identity to remind Chongxuansheng to prioritize family and clan over personal gain, Chongxuansheng's trust in Fourteen remained unwavering. After returning, he was still inseparable from him.

Thus, Jiang Wang was released. He acted on behalf of Chong Xuan in socializing with others while still focusing on improving his strength.

During this time, Chong Xuan Sheng was mainly busy with three things. First, he was relentlessly pursuing the Treasure Pavilion Commerce Guild, which was done secretly.

The second is the attack and encroachment on various businesses under Zheng Xuan's control.

The third is cooperation with the Four Seas Merchant Alliance.

The intention has been settled with QIng Xi, what remains is the details.

Though the two parties had almost broken each other's heads on sunny days before, in the face of huge interests, even Fu Miao had to come up with a smile.

The cooperation between the two parties was always tinged with suspicion, which was the underlying principle of their initial contact.

However, at least for now, in this situation, each party is the best choice for the other.

Currently, the following entities can provide official influence in Yangdi: The Tian family, the Gao family, and the Chongxuan family, with the Chongxuan family, who spearheaded the war's outcome in Yangdi, leading the pack. Looking at the entire Qi country, after the聚寶商會 tore up their face with each other, the only one who could possibly match up to it is probably the Four Seas Merchant Alliance.

The reputation of the Sihai Merchant Alliance in Yangdi had already been tarnished, so this time, the two parties formed a joint chamber of commerce called "Desheng" to share the business in Yangdi.

The Allied Merchant Guild primarily relies on Chong Xuan Sheng and divides the spoils with the Four Seas Merchant Alliance four to six.

Now, the Chongxuan Family's greatest resource is its influence over Yangdi. In return, the Sihaishangmeng contributes various materials and other resources.

With Zhong Xuan Sheng controlling this area and the Yangdi region already under Qi's control, the new Chamber of Commerce needs to set a higher bottom line. Initially, the focus will be on building a reputation.

Of course, before the new chamber of commerce moved in, they had to drive out the Ju Bao Chamber of Commerce from Yang Di first.

Xu placed himself outside Qing Shi Gong, ready to die in atonement. As the "invisible hand," the Ju Bao Commerce Association would inevitably be affected by this.

But the extent to which this would go, whether it be an entire hand chopped off, a few fingers severed, or just a few blows to the palm of the hand, that's the crux of the standoff between Chong Xuan Sheng and the Ju Bao Merchant Guild during this period.

These struggles are inevitable within the overall framework and manifest concretely in actions.

Let's take a simple example. During this time of heightened tension, the official connections of the Ju Bao Chamber of Commerce would inevitably be silent. Zhong Xuan Sheng could then seize this opportunity to extensively investigate the businesses affiliated with the Ju Bao Chamber of Commerce. The problem is that something will definitely be found, it just depends on how serious it is.

Zhong Xuan Sheng's actions were to guide the direction of the investigation, amplify those problems, and best direct all the issues towards Baozhu Merchant Guild itself. The Baozhu Merchant Guild then needed to swiftly cut ties, minimize, or even eliminate those problems. It was a race to see who could act faster and more accurately.

The only thing the Treasure Merchants' Guild could be thankful for was that Prince Qi hadn't yet taken a stance on the matter of Qingshi Palace. While the executioner's blade was most terrifying before it fell, during the time between its wielding and striking, there was at least some room to struggle.

Hearing Jiang Wangfu recount Jiang Wuqi's words.

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Zhong Xuan chewed on the words for a long time before saying, “Jiang Wuqi is trying to teach me something.”

"Is he close with Jiang Wuyang" Regarding the internal relationships of the Great Qi imperial family, Jiang Wang indeed had no knowledge.

“Just a nobody like Jiang Wu Yong, what does he amount to It’s not uncommon for him to bring shame upon himself.” Chong Xuan Sheng shook his head: “Jiang Wu Qi is warning us, telling us to stop meddling with Qing Shi Gong. He just won’t say it plainly.”

“The former prince is a thorn in the side of the current prince, but for these princes who have not been properly designated as heirs apparent, he is a tool to restrain the current prince.”

This reason needn't be explained, Jiang Wang also understands it, so he only asked: "Does Xu Fang know that this is related to us"

"It's probably just speculation, but even speculation is enough." Chongxuan sighed: "As for the action against the Treasure Merchant Guild, we can only stop here for now."

"How are things going" asked Jiang Wang.

Zheng Xuan shang threw a booklet into Jiang Wang's hands: "This is the statistics from this period. Take a look yourself."

Although he had prepared himself mentally, after reading it, Jiang Wang was still surprised by Chongxuan Sheng's decisiveness: "He shut down eighty-seven stores belonging to the Jubao Commercial Association in Linzi alone"

"We mainly benefited from the Sihai Merchant Alliance's ruthless attacks. Of course, because we were prepared beforehand, we got the fattest cuts first. Those who could act as undercover agents independently have all been identified. On the surface, they are unrelated to us. Even so, the share we received openly is already considerable." Chong Xuan Sheng still felt a bit regretful: "If we eat any more, it will be too obvious."

Jiang Wang knew that the capable undercover agents like Chong Xuan Sheng, who could handle things independently, were mostly old subordinates sent to him by his uncle Chong Xuan Chu Liang. He could trust them very much.

“Should we let Su Xie go then” Jiang Wang pondered, “Someone like this, since they’ve offended us, should be killed.”

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Xu Fang's experience made a deep impression on him, Su Xie was absolutely not someone who could forget humiliation. At any time, one must never take lightly such a person.

"This truth is not only understood by you and me, but also by Qingxi!" Chongxuan Sheng said.

Indeed, the Four Seas Merchant Alliance wouldn't easily let the Ju Bao Merchant Guild get away with this. However, dealing with a major threat like Su She would be too risky to entrust to someone else, even if that person was Qing Xi... It simply wasn't Chong Xuan's style.

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Even with Jiang Wuqì's pounding, avoiding the Qingshi Palace was a viable option.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment: "Wang Yiwu"

Now that the situation is favorable, even the Ju Bao Guild is overwhelmed. Before Chongxuan Zun left the Academy, only Wang Yiwu was considered a real challenge.

Zhong Xuan nodded and said, "After all, he is the number one expert in the Heaven Reaching Realm throughout history. We have to give him some leeway and show him some respect!"

Saying that, he suddenly asked again: "Has the bald donkey from Xuankong Temple contacted you this period"

Zhonghuan Sheng's father later changed his name to Zhonghuan Futú, Futú meaning "stupa," which refers to a Buddhist temple.

Therefore, Chong Xuan always disliked Buddhism.

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That's also the reason why I treated Jingli Monk so rudely in Qingyang Town.

After that trip to the Bo Wang Hou Mansion, Jiang Wang would surely know.

"That's not true." Jiang Wang said.

Then he thought again, he had been hanging out in the Four Great Museums for this period of time. Even if those two monks, old and young, really came to find him, it wouldn't be very convenient...

Zhenxuan's words were just a spontaneous thought he blurted out.

"These days, for some reason, I feel a little dazed."

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Zhenxuan hesitated for a moment before saying what he really wanted to say: "Go out with me tonight."

This statement seems to be rather difficult for him.

Jiang Wang couldn't help but laugh: "Where are you going Is there anywhere that would embarrass you"

"Let's go and have a look at the ruins of Krūng Rong Yuan," Chong Xuan Sheng said.

Kuhō-in.

Once, in the Eastern regions, it was second only to the Hanging Temple in terms of Buddhist influence and scale.

The former practice place of the deposed prince Jiang Wuliang.

With Jiang Wuliang being ruthlessly dethroned and his territory razed to the ground by order of Emperor Qi.

This place is also where the 重玄浮圖 suppresses killing intent, and it's where 重玄浮圖 and 薑無量 became close friends.

Jiang Wang stopped laughing.

This is certainly a place that is not easy for Zhong Xuan to speak out about.g, the landscape of the Northern Territory is the most peculiar in the world.That "line of life and death" that divides the boundless desert from the endless grassland, within the borders of Jing, tak...