SWDnovel Chapter 8 The trade route is cut off? Then let's auction it off.
Chapter 8 The trade route is cut off? Then let's auction it off.
On Chang Street in the east, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Li Xuan's words, "The Li family should also get a share," were like a boulder thrown into the water, causing ripples throughout the entire street.
The onlookers, enjoying the spectacle, began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Does the Li family really dare to compete with the Wang family for grain supplies?"
"A small tribe from Blackstone Mountain has really gone too far."
"Didn't you see that jade spirit rice? The Li family seems to have real strength this time."
Wang Fu's face was ashen, and his fists clenched so tightly they turned white.
He had been operating in the East Market for many years, and relying on the prestige of the Wang family, everyone had to give him some leeway.
Today, however, a teenager stepped on his face in the street.
I can't swallow this insult.
⸻
"Closing up!"
Wang Fu suddenly turned around and shouted sharply.
The grain shop workers were taken aback.
"Shopkeeper, today's special-priced rice isn't sold out yet..."
"I said let's close up shop!"
Enraged, Wang Fu kicked over the rice bucket by the door.
The white, fragrant rice was scattered all over the ground.
"Send the message back to the clan."
"I want the Li family to know that not everyone can afford to eat in Qingyun County!"
The men dared not persuade him any further and hurriedly bowed their heads in agreement.
⸻
the other side.
The Li family's stall remains bustling with activity.
The aroma of the Jade Spirit Rice spread across half the street, attracting more and more people to buy it.
Li Yuanshan had gone from panic to a state of frenzy, clutching the ledger and shouting as he wrote:
"Don't push!"
"One ounce at a time!"
"Find your own change!"
Li Yuanlie stood aside to maintain order, his knife slung over his shoulder, and no one dared to approach him.
Li Xuan sat calmly on a wooden chair behind the stall, as if he had known this would happen.
⸻
Until sunset.
Of the three cartloads of Lingmi rice, only half remained.
Li Yuanshan was carrying a heavy bag of money, and he was walking on tiptoe.
"Young clan leader..."
"We made a net profit of 2,400 spirit coins today!"
His voice trembled as he finished speaking.
Even with the Li family's hard work over the past year, their net profit might not have been this high.
And today, just one day.
Li Yuanlie also smacked his lips.
"Selling rice is much more profitable than killing people."
Li Yuanshan immediately protected his money bag and watched him warily.
"Don't even think about getting your hands on that money."
Li Yuanlie scoffed.
"I despise money."
⸻
Li Xuan stood up and looked at the darkening street.
"Let's pack up and head back up the mountain."
Li Yuanshan was stunned for a moment.
"There's still half a truckload left, aren't you going to continue selling?"
Li Xuan shook his head.
"It won't sell tomorrow."
Everyone was taken aback.
⸻
really.
The next morning, the Li family's convoy was stopped at the entrance to the mountain road as soon as they left Black Stone Mountain.
A dozen or so idle cultivators stood haphazardly in the middle of the road, as if they had gathered by chance.
The leader had a face full of scars, was at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and was twirling an iron rod in his hand.
"This road has been in disrepair for many years. The toll is 100 spirit coins."
Li Yuanlie laughed on the spot.
"Yesterday they collected city gate tax, today they're collecting mountain road tax?"
Scarface sneered.
"Fine, you don't have to give it to me, but leave the car here."
Li Yuanshan's face turned ashen.
This is clearly a rogue cultivator hired by the Wang family.
The Wang family couldn't act openly, so they resorted to such despicable means to disgust people.
⸻
Li Yuanlie's sword was already half an inch out of its sheath.
"Young clan leader, may I cut it?"
Li Xuan raised his hand to stop him, his expression unchanged.
"No rush."
He looked at Scarface.
"Whom do you work for?"
Scarface laughed heartily.
"Work for Spirit Coins."
Li Xuan nodded.
"Understood."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Li Yuanshan was stunned.
"Young clan leader? Are we just going back like this?"
Li Xuan said calmly:
"What they want is to drag us down, not to rob us."
"Today's batch will be gone, but tomorrow there will be a second batch."
"Since the road is blocked—"
A slight smile played on his lips.
"Then we won't walk."
⸻
Back at the ancestral home, inside the council hall.
The clan elders were in an uproar after hearing what had happened.
"This is outrageous!"
"The Wang family is openly cutting off my trade routes!"
"If the goods don't sell, the profits from yesterday won't last long!"
Some advocate for a fierce fight, while others advocate for swallowing one's anger.
They were arguing fiercely.
Li Xuan listened quietly before tapping on the table.
The crowd immediately fell silent.
"The Wang family cut off the road because they were afraid."
"They're afraid that Li Jialing rice will continue to be sold."
Li Tianheng nodded slowly.
"So, what are you planning to do?"
Li Xuan stood up and walked to the center of the hall.
"They blocked the road, so I let the buyers go up the mountain on their own."
Everyone in the hall was taken aback.
Li Yuanshan was the first to react, and his eyes lit up instantly.
"What the young clan leader means is..."
"auction."
⸻
Li Xuan unfolded a piece of paper and wrote a few lines on the table.
"Starting tomorrow."
"Black Stone Mountain limits the daily sale of Qingyu Ling Rice to 100 jin."
"Highest bidder wins."
"First come, first served."
"If any monks wish to subscribe long-term, a monthly subscription contract can be signed."
Li Yuanshan was breathing rapidly.
This is not about selling rice.
This turns the Li family's rice into a scarce commodity!
⸻
The elders were still somewhat hesitant.
"But...who would come up the mountain to buy rice?"
Li Xuan said calmly:
"Those who bought it in the East Market yesterday will come."
"Those who didn't manage to buy it will come even more."
What are cultivators most afraid of?
Li Yuanlie answered quickly:
"I can't beat others."
Li Xuan nodded.
"Therefore, resources that can restore spiritual power will always be in demand, as long as they are effective."
⸻
Li Tianheng looked at Li Xuan, his admiration growing stronger.
Yesterday he was worried that the boy had only gotten his way by chance.
Today, however, I am completely relieved.
This is not a fluke.
This is about perspective.
⸻
It was afternoon.
The Li family guards scattered and spread the news to Qingyun County.
Meanwhile, Li Yuanshan personally led people to clean the platform behind the mountain, set up a wooden shed, and arranged tables and desks.
They even made a wooden sign:
Li Jialing Rice Auction House
The characters are crooked and twisted.
Li Yuanlie glanced at it and said disdainfully:
"Your handwriting looks like a dog's scribbles."
Li Yuanshan angrily said:
"What do you know? This is called good fortune!"
⸻
into the night.
Wang Family Residence.
Wang Fu hurriedly went inside and reported everything that had happened that day.
After hearing this, Wang Tonghai's face turned ashen.
"They didn't force their way in?"
"no."
"Didn't they do anything?"
"No, not at all."
Wang Tonghai frowned.
This is unlike the Li family's style.
The calmer things are, the more likely there is a backup plan.
Just then, a servant came running over.
"Master!"
"Everyone in the county is saying that the Li family will be auctioning off spirit rice at Blackstone Mountain tomorrow, limited to 100 jin!"
Wang Tonghai suddenly stood up.
"auction?!"
He understood instantly.
If the buyers are allowed to go up the mountain on their own, the Wang family's road closure will become a joke.
Moreover, scarcity drives up prices, so the price will only go higher!
"That damned little beast!"
Wang Tonghai slammed his hand on the tea table, shattering it, and roared angrily:
"Send someone up the mountain first thing tomorrow morning."
"I'd like to see who dares to buy the Li family's rice!"
⸻
On Black Rock Mountain, the night breeze was slightly cool.
Li Xuan stood on the platform behind the mountain, looking down at the lights of Qingyun County.
The system panel slowly appeared in my mind.
[Family Luck: 63]
[Industry: 1 mu of top-grade spiritual land, 9 mu of lower-grade spiritual land]
[Mission: Break the Wang Family's Monopoly on Grain Supply (Progress Increased)]
[Reward: Spirit Field Expansion Blueprint]
Li Xuan's eyes flickered slightly.
Tomorrow's auction is not just about selling rice.
This was the second clash between the Li and Wang families.
Whoever wins will control the grain transport route in Qingyun County.
He murmured to himself:
"The Wang family."
"Your good days are over."
A mountain breeze blows, and the banners flutter slightly.
A storm is brewing at the foot of Black Rock Mountain.
End of Chapter Eight