chsdbacks Page 417
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At least he knew that Zhang Xiaoshan's words were full of hidden meanings.
Moreover, he felt a surge of excitement. If they could truly break this damned seal, it wouldn't be impossible.
After leaving, Zhang Xiaoshan continued to make arrangements for Gu Jianhun as usual.
As for why he didn't release the Ancient Sword Soul, Zhang Xiaoshan had his own reasons.
First, the Ancient Sword Soul Ties 2.0 is too far-fetched; once it's released, all sorts of controversies will inevitably follow.
Secondly, he imprisoned Gu Jianhun here because he didn't trust Gu Jianhun.
After all, Gu Jianhun is a seasoned veteran; who knows if he's just putting on an act?
"Uncle Gui, is all the goods ready?"
"Reporting to your young master, everything is ready, and we are loading the goods!"
With the opening of the Third Ghost Street, Zhang Xiaoshan naturally had to prepare a lot of things.
This first batch consisted of essential items for those navigating the martial world, such as weapons from the Dongming Sect, thunderbolts from the Jiangnan Thunderbolt Hall, and funerary artifacts treasured in the Ghost Street of Lin'an Prefecture...
With the addition of some local specialties, the cargo filled five large Fujian-style boats.
In addition, there are over ten million taels of gold that will form the foundation of the Third Ghost Street.
After all, Ghost Street is all about real money transactions, just like a bank's vault. It needs real money to back it up and let you know where your confidence comes from.
As for Yangzhou Ghost Street?
It's a commercial street, a den of iniquity, with real money flowing through it every day, so there's no need for these hidden treasures.
"That's good. Has Jiangnan Yue made any unusual moves?"
"No, they're probably planning to retire at the Hong residence!"
"It's fine to keep him in retirement. If there are any changes in his life, there's no need to keep him."
"Understood, young master!"
Chapter 491 Prince Ning Zhu Shou's Plan to Use One Tiger to Devour Another
"set sail!"
Six large Fujian-style ships and thirty cargo ships belonging to Aunt Yu, fully loaded with goods, set off from Lin'an Prefecture.
One of them was Zhang Xiaoshan's pleasure boat, which was also filled with seafood. The convoy was impressive and stood out even among thousands of ships.
After all, most of these ships are small boats, and even many of the cargo ships that come and go are no more than five or six zhang in length.
However, the cargo ships used by the Zhang family were large, luxurious ships capable of carrying 100,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).
Aunt Yu's cargo ship can carry 10,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).
These were all top-tier cargo ships assembled by the Zhang family. Even after the imperial court learned that the Zhang family had transported so many goods, they were eager to inspect them and assess their profits.
This is a principle that has remained unchanged since ancient times.
But this time, Zhang Xiaoshan was personally in charge.
Anyone with even a little inside information knows that this guy is unstoppable.
If someone can actually intercept this guy, then the Zhang family's reputation will be undeserved.
Passing through Yangzhou Ghost Street, forty more beautiful and dignified young women joined Zhang Xiaoshan's boat, each one delicate and graceful, gentle and refined.
These are neither Silla maids from the north nor bodhisattvas from the south, but rather young ladies from noble families!
This was because their family was implicated in Zhu Wushi's usurpation of the throne, and their property was confiscated and they were exterminated. They went from being pampered young ladies who never left their homes to being prisoners in an instant.
Their fate was already sealed; they were destined to be unfortunate official singers!
But through her connections, Madam Wang managed to get them to Ghost Street.
Looking at these delicate, frail, and pitiful young girls, Zhang Xiaoshan naturally didn't intend to traffic them in; rather, he planned to send them to Yingbinlou to be trained as the new head of the Zhang family.
After all, they were all well-educated women from impoverished backgrounds with high levels of education.
With a little training, he could become the next Manager Feng.
Even if you don't have the ability to run a business, you can still take on other positions, after all, the Zhang family has more than just a need for a manager.
Therefore, these girls are lucky.
Those who are older or ugly are basically destined to become playthings in brothels.
And once they are deeply involved, it is even more difficult for them to extricate themselves.
"Husband, there are seven of them who are suitable for martial arts training, and two of them have exceptionally high aptitude!"
Huang Rong wasn't as jealous of these young girls as she was of other women.
Even Xuan Nu, who truly understood the plight of these young girls, felt genuine sorrow and deep sympathy.
Although they knew that Zhang Xiaoshan had ulterior motives.
As they spoke, Huang Rong arrived gracefully with two beautiful and slender young women, who looked like two frightened little birds, truly a sight to behold.
"I've met the young master!"
The two girls looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with a surprised expression and quickly bowed.
Through Madam Wang's explanation and Huang Rong's introduction, they all knew that they were probably safe.
After all, they were aware of the Zhang family's reputation.
Even working as a servant in the Zhang family's shop is better than being a courtesan in the brothel.
At least the servants were still respectable young women, but once they entered the brothel, their reputations were ruined, even the most famous courtesans were no exception.
They may appear glamorous and admired by many, but in the eyes of those influential people, it's really just a fleeting novelty.
"What are your names?"
"Yuan Ling'er (Yang Xuan)!"
Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the two of them and grabbed Yuan Ling'er's soft, boneless arm with his large hand.
Even though Huang Rong had investigated, Zhang Xiaoshan still wanted to confirm it himself and see what their qualifications were really like.
Yuan Ling'er was initially shy, but her beautiful eyes were soon filled with anticipation.
Because she knew that if Zhang Xiaoshan truly valued her, it would be a golden opportunity for her to rise in status, given Zhang Xiaoshan's background; he was undoubtedly a peerless strategist.
Zhang Xiaoshan then examined Yang Xuan's meridians and nodded.
"Such talent! If he had received guidance from a renowned teacher from a young age, he might already be a top-tier expert!"
Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the two women. Yuan Ling'er was fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a green gauze dress. She was charming and cute, a petite and lovely guest.
Yang Xuan is at least eighteen years old. She has fair skin, a long, slender neck, and delicate, three-dimensional features. Her eyes are deep and unfathomable, and her slender and graceful figure makes her a stunning beauty, one in a million.
"Once you get ashore, if your identities are not in question, you can stay."
If you don't want to stay and wish to work for the Zhang family elsewhere, you can let us know, and the Zhang family will provide you with the greatest assistance.
"Thank you, sir!"
The two women were immediately excited, never expecting such an extraordinary encounter.
This is clearly related to their qualifications, and they also have the opportunity to become superior people.
"Rong'er, pass on the Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter to them, and also give them some pointers on how to get started."
The others were taught the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, and after their identities were verified, they received slightly more resources.
"Don't worry, my husband, Rong'er knows what to do."
Huang Rong has a typical chivalrous spirit, so she respects the strong and naturally understands Zhang Xiaoshan's meaning.
After Huang Rong and the others left, Zhang Xiaoshan sketched three statues of Yuan Ling'er and Yang Xuan, and then handed them over to Liu Sheng Piaoxu to be sent down for comparison!
Both women possessed exceptionally high aptitude, had the Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter, and had access to the Zhang family's resources.
Training two top-tier experts within ten years is not a problem.
Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan would be extremely cautious about his background and identity.
···
"Minister Cao, where is the Nine Dragon Jade Disc?"
"Your Majesty, the Nine Dragon Jade Disc has arrived in Quanzhou and should reach the capital in another half month."
The new emperor Zhu Shou coveted the Nine Dragon Jade Disc not only for its martial arts, but also for the Zhang family's sincerity.
The Nine Dragon Jade Disc represents the Zhang family's approval, meaning he has essentially secured his throne.
After all, the rise of the Zhang family was no longer just about being a merchant family, nor was it limited to the martial arts world.
Whether it was building dikes or bringing sweet potatoes and potatoes from overseas, the Zhang family's prestige had reached its peak in Kyushu.
If the Zhang family hadn't been unwilling to join any empire, they would definitely have achieved the merit of being granted the titles of king and prime minister.
It's not that they didn't want to seal it off, but that the Zhang family wouldn't accept it.
Unless the Zhang family is like Wan Sanqian and supports rebellion, any emperor who wants to deal with the Zhang family should think twice about the consequences.
"So fast? Was the journey smooth?"
Zhu Shou also knew martial arts, so he knew the allure of the Dragon-Slaying Saber Technique, which was a peerless saber technique.
Faced with such temptation, how could those martial arts masters remain unmoved?
This is so bizarre!
"Your Majesty, apart from a few petty thieves who don't know their own mortality, which of the various forces in the martial arts world doesn't give the Zhang family some face?"
Moreover, this time it was Wan Sanqian who personally went to the capital to present the treasure. Besides a peerless master guarding him, he was also accompanied by the unpredictable Four Ghosts of Xiangxi. It's impossible that the Zhang family didn't have a master escorting them.
Even Zhu Shou couldn't help but nod in agreement with Cao Shaoqing's analysis.
Even an emperor like him had to give the Zhang family some face, let alone people in the martial arts world.
Within the Nine Provinces, the Zhang family is definitely one of the most formidable forces.
The current situation of the Song Dynasty is a good example.
The loss of the Zhang family did not cause the Song Dynasty's economy to regress by ten years, but it certainly dealt a blow.
The impact is particularly severe on upper-class consumption.
Meanwhile, Wan Sanqian's return to the Ming Dynasty under the identity of the Zhang family's head manager was tantamount to a union between the Zhang family and the former Wan family, which played an extremely important role in stabilizing the internal conflicts within the Ming Dynasty.
This is also why he didn't hold a grudge.
Prioritizing interests and employing a strategy of balance—this is the way of the emperor.
"What's the news about the two major demonic sects?"
"Your Majesty, the Sun Moon Cult is a tightly organized and powerful force."
In particular, the leader of the Sun Moon Sect, Dongfang Bubai, was a grandmaster-level expert and the pillar of the sect.
Recently, the Sun Moon Cult recruited the Xuanming Elders, the Eight-Armed Divine Swordsman, and three top masters from the Vajra Gate, greatly increasing the cult's strength. Even the Eastern Depot has yet to find a weakness to defeat them!
“I know that. Let’s put the Sun Moon Sect aside for now. It’s not wise to provoke a Grandmaster level 353 expert!”
What about the Demonic Cult?
"Some time ago, Ding Peng, the Demon Blade, came to see me and gave me many secret martial arts techniques from various schools and the Eastern Depot."
"Ding Peng, the Demon Blade? Can I recruit him for my own use?"
Zhu Shou, hearing that Ding Peng knew how to conduct himself, didn't intend to make a fuss.
These people are all opportunists, and besides, he is still not firmly established. If the Demonic Sect shows him goodwill, he will take advantage of the situation.
"Disaster!
The members of the Demonic Cult are all unruly and difficult to tame.
Moreover, Ding Peng is extremely skilled in martial arts, and his internal energy cultivation is even higher than that of the servant.
Especially that demonic blade technique, which shook the world; among those below the Grandmaster level in the martial arts world, very few could withstand it.
Zhu Shou was even more impressed by Cao Shaoqing's evaluation.