Chapter 241: The World

Chapter 241: The World

The Old Marquis placed great expectations on Ning Xiaochuan, for he possessed the potential to cultivate to the Earthly Venerable Realm and the strength to uphold the entire Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

The Old Marquis said, "Once you have mastered the management of the shops under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and gained some experience, I will gradually hand over the core industries to you—mines, martial academies, the military, fiefdoms, and more."

"The Jian Pavilion Marquis House owns over 370,000 shops, spanning all trades and industries, complex and intricate. After taking over, how do you plan to manage them?"

Ning Xiaochuan was still too young and inexperienced. The Old Marquis wanted both to test him and to guide him.

Entrusting such vast industries to an eighteen-year-old was something no one could do with complete confidence.

Ning Xiaochuan’s mind raced as he pondered for a moment before replying, "I believe the value of these 370,000 shops should never be underestimated. If managed well, they could become the pillar industry of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, wielding even greater influence than the military."

"Although the shops under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House are numerous, they lack integration. If we could consolidate them into a Merchant Alliance and manage them uniformly, we could undoubtedly create far greater value—double, triple... even tenfold."

The Old Marquis said, "The idea of forming a 'Merchant Alliance' was proposed by the elders of the previous generation. However, the difficulty of integration was too great, and the losses outweighed the gains, so it was eventually abandoned."

"First, the Yulan Empire spans vast distances, making the transportation of goods and currency difficult."

"Second, the shops of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House cover all trades and industries, fragmented and numerous. Integrating them and creating value would be an even greater challenge."

"Third, the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is divided into many factions, each with their own interests. If you attempt to consolidate the shops, you will inevitably clash with the interests of your uncles and elders. They will never agree."

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Integrating the shops and establishing a Merchant Alliance is the inevitable trend of the times. It’s like the houses in the Imperial City—scattered apart, they are just ordinary buildings. But if they are integrated and meticulously crafted, they become an Imperial Palace that influences the world."

"The Yulan Empire spans vast distances, making the transportation of goods and currency difficult. We can establish our own mercenary army and set up relay stations dedicated to logistics."

The Old Marquis raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Logistics?"

"It means specializing in the transportation of goods, facilitating the transfer of resources and maximizing profits. Whatever needs to be delivered can be transported immediately to its destination."

The Old Marquis nodded with an approving smile. "That’s an excellent idea. For the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, raising a mercenary army is no difficult task. Establishing relay stations across the land is also easily achievable. However, while goods can be transported, currency cannot be moved so easily."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "While establishing the logistics system, we can also create a monetary system. Open money houses, issue paper currency, and encourage the public to deposit and borrow. By converting heavy Large Coins into paper currency, the transfer of money becomes effortless."

The Old Marquis said, "Issuing paper currency? No one has ever done it before, and others may not trust it. Given the choice between a piece of paper and a thousand Large Coins, many would still opt for the tangible coins."

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head and replied, "As long as the Jian Pavilion Marquis House stands firm, these paper notes will absolutely hold value. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House has endured for over a millennium, unshaken by storms. It is our brand, our guarantee of credibility. Of course, issuing paper currency isn’t something that can be achieved overnight. It would only be possible after the Merchant Alliance under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is successfully established and gains significant influence."

The Old Marquis said, "You want to consolidate various industries into a merchant alliance. But the industries under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House are too fragmented—tens of thousands of shops. Without decades, even a century, you’d never succeed in integrating them."

"The most profitable industries are always the monopolized ones."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "If I were to take charge of the shops and businesses of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, I would cut through the chaos decisively—selling off those fragmented industries and purchasing others to achieve monopoly."

"Monopoly?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "I’d sell off all other industries and focus solely on Mystic Beasts, pastures, and weapons."

The Old Marquis’s heart stirred. "Why only these three industries? You must know these aren’t the most lucrative sectors."

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "The most profitable industry is 'profound medicine,' but it’s already monopolized by the Three Great Heart Nurturing Halls. Given the financial strength of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, we can’t compete with the Golden Roc Prince's Manor, nor the imperial court. Why not abandon these industries and carve a new path?"

He continued, "In truth, Mystic Beasts and pastures can be merged into one industry, as both involve breeding mounts, war steeds, and Battle Pets."

"On the battlefield, a military equipped with Mystic Beast war steeds can slaughter those without—it’s the key to military might. Within the empire, every industry relies on mounts and war steeds as the driving force for transporting goods and manpower."

"Once we control the empire’s lifeblood—its transportation hubs—we’ll indirectly control all other industries."

Ning Xiaochuan pressed on, "The reason I want to develop weapons is because the Yulan Empire was founded on martial prowess. Whether one is a Martial Artist or not, everyone uses weapons. If the Jian Pavilion Marquis House can monopolize over half of the empire’s weapon production and trade, we’d rightfully become the Divine Arms Manor, wielding the sharpest blades in the land. We’d dictate the price of every weapon, even crafting arms for the military itself."

He concluded, "Once we firmly grasp these two industries and develop them to their peak, expanding into others will be effortless. When the Jian Pavilion Marquis House builds a vast military and commercial empire, even seizing the imperial throne from the Yu family wouldn’t be impossible."

Crack!

The Old Marquis crushed the porcelain cup in his hand, his gaze sharpening as he fixed it intently on Ning Xiaochuan.

At this moment, he suddenly realized the true purpose behind Ning Xiaochuan's words and thought to himself, "This little fellow has such grand ambitions. At such a young age, he already seems intent on seizing the world. However, as the future heir of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, without such ambition, he would never achieve greatness."

The Old Marquis felt that he had previously underestimated Ning Xiaochuan.

In truth, Ning Xiaochuan had never considered seizing the world or becoming the emperor of the Yulan Empire. His words were merely aimed at opposing the Jade Emperor and protecting his loved ones and friends.

Without formidable strength and influence, how could one protect their family and friends?

Just like in the past, when the Old Marquis knew full well that the Jade Emperor was responsible for his son's death, yet he could only choose to swallow his anger in silence.

The Old Marquis pondered for a long time before waving his hand and saying, "You may leave. This matter is of great importance—I need to think it over further."

Ning Xiaochuan also understood the gravity of the situation. For a young man, it might be easy to act impulsively and agree. But for the Old Marquis, with decades of experience, caution was absolutely necessary.

This concerned the rise or fall of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

After Ning Xiaochuan withdrew, Ji Bo emerged from the shadows and bowed respectfully to the Old Marquis.

"What do you think? Are his words feasible?" the Old Marquis asked.

Ji Bo replied respectfully, "The young master is a man of great courage and vision, but he is still somewhat impulsive due to his youth."

The Old Marquis nodded. "The Jade Emperor will never stand idly by and watch the Jian Pavilion Marquis House take control of the empire's military forces. One wrong move, and we could lose everything."

Ji Bo said, "That would have been true in the past, but now..."

"Oh?"

Ji Bo continued, "For the Jade Emperor, the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is not his greatest threat. The most pressing enemies he must deal with are the Golden Roc Prince's Manor and the Demon Sect. These two formidable adversaries, one internal and one external, both possess immense power capable of overthrowing the entire empire."

"If the Jian Pavilion Marquis House can quietly develop during this critical time, by the time the Jade Emperor, the Great Golden Roc King, and the Demon Emperor exhaust each other in battle, we could already control over half of the empire's weapons and war steeds. Then, we might just reap the fruits of victory and emerge as the ultimate winner."

The Old Marquis also nodded. "For the Jade Emperor and the Great Golden Roc King, their focus will undoubtedly remain fixed on the military. But we will take a different approach—secretly developing weapons and war steeds, firmly grasping control of these two industries. By the time they realize what's happening, dealing with the Jian Pavilion Marquis House will no longer be an easy task."

"How would they even oppose us? With weapons and war steeds in our hands, would their armies come at us bare-handed?" Ji Bo chuckled. "The young master's strategy is called 'pulling the firewood from under the cauldron'—truly ruthless and cunning."

The Old Marquis's expression turned solemn as he pondered for a long while before saying, "Perhaps it really is time to relinquish full authority to him, letting him act boldly and see what kind of future he can forge."

Ning Xiaochuan's coronation ceremony proceeded as scheduled, held within the Ancestral Grounds of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

The Ancestral Grounds are located in the Imperial City Border Market, within a manor.

At the center of the manor stands a massive 100-meter-high Sacrificial Altar made of Blue-Red Boulders, resembling a flat-topped hill—towering and imposing.

Every heir of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is crowned here, performing the Rituals to Honor Heaven, Gods, and Ancestors, witnessed by nobles and the State Preceptor, as the new successor is proclaimed.

The altar is already piled with thousands of cattle, sheep, chickens, and dogs, among which are massive Mystic Beasts, as well as 400 slaves.

They are all sacrificial offerings, destined to be pushed into the altar and refined into blood.

Because of the use of slaves in the sacrifice, Ning Xiaochuan specifically confronted the Old Marquis, arguing that such practices were too cruel.

Yet the Old Marquis insisted on using slaves for the ritual, stating, "This is a rule left by our ancestors, and no one may break it. The chosen slaves are also willing sacrifices."

No heir of any marquis house may be crowned without conducting a grand sacrificial ceremony—this is an unchangeable tradition, representing the supreme "Divine Authority."

Imperial authority must not be defied, and Divine Authority must not be violated.