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墨書 Inktalez
After the challenges, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce entered a brief period of stable transition, and business gradually improved.
On the other hand, the New Home Chamber of Commerce found itself in a difficult predicament. Their ore ships had been frequently attacked recently, and each time they were robbed by the Sea Beasts from the Sea. The variety of Sea Beasts made it difficult for the New Home Chamber of Commerce to transport ore from their six ore islands to Luo Heng Island. To maintain their status, they had no choice but to purchase ore from elsewhere, which caused the prices of weapons for the New Home Chamber of Commerce to rise significantly.
Many people were dissatisfied with the price increase, especially some large Merchant Guilds and families. What frustrated the New Home Chamber of Commerce even more was that those small ore merchants who usually followed them around had stopped seeking them out during this time. Even when they proactively offered to buy ore, the response was always that all their ore had been purchased by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Through inquiries, they learned that the purchasing price offered by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was definitely higher than theirs. This led several major ore merchants who had initially insisted on doing business with them to consider shifting their partnerships.
To stabilize these major ore merchants, the New Home Chamber of Commerce had no choice but to grit their teeth and raise their purchasing prices. This left Guo Leigang extremely angry.
In the office of the New Home Chamber of Commerce's President, Guo Leigang had already smashed four or five tables. He continued to bang on his desk loudly and paced back and forth in his office, while Guo Yunhua, Guo Hai, and several other managers could only stand aside with their heads down.
After walking around a few times, Guo Leigang quickly approached Guo Yunhua and slapped him across the face. Angrily pointing at Guo Yunhua, he said, "You little brat, who gave you the guts to cause trouble with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce? You didn't even bother to find out about that competition beforehand; you made our Merchant Guild lose all its face."
After being slapped by his father, Guo Yunhua immediately knelt on the ground. "Please calm your anger, Father. I know I was wrong."
Seeing that his only son was disappointing but still his only child, Guo Leigang shouted at Guo Yunhua, "Get up. You must be more careful in your work from now on."
"I understand," Guo Yunhua replied. Although he was usually spoiled by his father, he had always feared him the most. He knew that no matter how big a mistake he made, as long as his father wasn't angry, it wasn't a serious issue. However, even a small problem could become significant if his father lost his temper.
So when he saw his father—who had never raised a finger against him—suddenly furious today, he realized that this time he had indeed crossed a line and thus knelt down to admit his mistake.
After Guo Yunhua got up, Guo Leigang continued with a stern face, "You are all managers in four cities; do you have any good ideas to resolve the issues with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce? Also, what is causing our ore transport ships to be frequently robbed lately?"
One of the managers stepped forward and said to Guo Leigang, "President, based on my observations during this time, our transport ships have completely disappeared after being sunk. However, after more than a week, we find wreckage about ten miles from where they were attacked, but all the ore on board has vanished without a trace. I believe this is something that has been planned for a long time."
"Did you send someone to follow them?"
"Yes, after I received the news about the robbery, I sent a large number of people to track those Sea Beasts. However, these Sea Beasts seem very alert; not only did they shake off my people, but one even killed someone directly."
"Who could have the ability to control the Sea Beasts like that?"
Guo Yunhua thought for a moment and said, "Father, do you think it could be Liu Xin from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce?"
"How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Father, I'm just speculating. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce has just been established, and our merchant ship was robbed. Isn't that too coincidental?"
Guo Leigang pondered this and also felt something was amiss. He turned to Guo Hai and said, "You need to keep a close watch on every move of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Report any news to me immediately."
"Understood." Guo Hai replied before turning to leave.
Guo Leigang then waved his hand at the others and said, "You all can go now and continue gathering information about the Merchant Guild's robbery."
"Yes." Several managers responded in unison before exiting.
At this moment, Guo Yunhua did not leave with them but stepped forward to his father's side. "Father."
Guo Leigang looked at his son with affection. "Does it still hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore. It's my fault; I'll be more careful in the future." Guo Yunhua's greatest skill was playing the victim to win his father's sympathy, and this tactic had always worked for him.
"I'm glad it doesn't hurt anymore. It's also my fault for being too impulsive just now."
"Father, what should we do about the Chinese Chamber of Commerce? We can't let them continue like this; otherwise, it will be very difficult for our Merchant Guild to establish a foothold on Luo Heng Island."
Guo Leigang thought for a moment and said, "In that case, go find Chu Hanlu and see if he has any way to salvage our trade with the New World. At the same time, have him help investigate who exactly this Liu Xin is."
"Yes, Father, I will go right away," Guo Yunhua replied and left the room.
On the other side, Liu Guanfeng's Chinese Chamber of Commerce received good news: Zhang Diba, who had long been considered "dead," had now successfully become a Divine Knight and returned with a newly recovered Ninth-Stage Beast, the Tiger Head Sea Monster.
Liu Guanfeng immediately brought Zhang Diba to his Chinese Chamber of Commerce and briefly introduced him to some recent events that had occurred within the Chinese business community.
After learning about some matters in his new world, Zhang Diba left the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He also agreed with Liu Guanfeng to eliminate all the traitors within his organization as soon as possible and hoped that Liu Guanfeng could provide some assistance during the upcoming uprising in the New World.
Even without Zhang Diba mentioning it, Liu Guanfeng would have done so anyway, as the current Big Leader of the New World was still Zhang Yuru.
After seeing off Zhang Diba, Liu Guanfeng began urging the blacksmiths to accelerate the production of various high-quality weapons and armor.
That night, Liu Guanfeng went to bed early to rest. However, before he fell asleep, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, Tiger Tail stood outside. "Is there something wrong?"
Tiger Tail nodded and said, "Master, someone is outside saying they want to see you."
"Who is it?"
"The person says his name is Hou Chuan."
"Hou Chuan? What does he want?"
Tiger Tail shook his head. "I don't know either, but this person is covered in blood. I've already called a doctor to bandage him up. The doctor said he only has some superficial wounds and will be fine after some rest."
"Let's go, take me to see."
Tiger Tail led Liu Guanfeng to the guest room door, pushed it open, and Liu Guanfeng stepped inside. At that moment, Hou Chuan was completely wrapped up in white gauze, with a guard beside him feeding him water.
Liu Guanfeng approached Hou Chuan's bed and asked, "Why did you come to find me?"
Seeing Liu Guanfeng arrive, Hou Chuan prepared to get up immediately, but Liu Guanfeng pressed him back down onto the bed. "Just lie down and talk."
Hou Chuan glanced awkwardly at the guards around him. Liu Guanfeng reassured him, "Don't worry, everyone here is on my side."
"Liu President, I live in a small village not far from here. I grew up with my two older sisters. When I was five years old, both of my sisters were taken by the head of a prominent family in our village who wanted them as concubines. His family had significant influence in our village, so my sisters were forced to become his concubines.
My sisters thought they had found a home, but that family treated them as if they were nothing. Even the servants in their household held higher status than my sisters. After five years of marriage, both of my sisters worked themselves to death, leaving me an orphan. I was only ten at the time, and from that moment on, I sought revenge. Eventually, I trained myself to become an Intermediate Knight, but when I went to take revenge, I discovered that there were no fewer than ten Intermediate Knights among their household servants; I had no chance.
So I joined a Merchant Guild as a guard. However, I never forgot my desire for revenge. Just a few days ago, after you taught me two sword techniques, I knew my opportunity had come. After returning home, I immediately resigned from my guard position and practiced the sword techniques for two days until I felt ready. That night, I returned to my village and killed the head of the family who had taken my sisters and his wicked wife.
However, this alarmed their guards, and the injuries on me were all inflicted by them. The only reason I came here today is to ask you to take me in, Liu President. You helped me achieve my revenge; therefore, I vowed that if I succeeded in avenging my sisters, I would spend the rest of my life repaying your kindness. Please take me in." After finishing his words, Hou Chuan attempted to kneel before Liu Guanfeng again. At that moment, Cui Zhongyi standing nearby was taken aback with tears in his eyes; this young man named Hou Chuan had such a similar experience to his own.
Liu Guanfeng looked at Hou Chuan and said, "Since you want to follow me, then I'll take you in. From today on, you will follow him." He pointed at Cui Zhongyi beside him.
"Brother, I'm leaving this kid in your hands; please take good care of him."
"Don't worry about it," Cui Zhongyi assured him confidently.
On one side, Liu Guanfeng accepted Hou Chuan who was determined to repay his debt of gratitude after avenging his sisters. On the other side, Liu Guanfeng expanded his Chinese Chamber of Commerce branches across the four cities of Luo Heng Island: Spring City, Summer City, Autumn City, and Winter City.
However, just as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was thriving in business, troubles began to arise. In three of the four cities under the Chinese Chamber of Commerce—except for Winter City—its branches faced joint suppression from the Blacksmith Guild and New Home Chamber of Commerce. Moreover, local authorities were also involved in this exclusion process.
Liu Guanfeng understood that the New Home Chamber of Commerce was about to take action against him. However, he was not afraid of this because when Liu Guanfeng established the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, he did not intend to conduct business here for long; his goal was to help the New World overthrow the tyranny.
Once the forces ruling Severe Winter were overthrown, his own experience would come to an end. Therefore, Liu Guanfeng immediately informed his three branches to keep a low profile in their operations. Regardless of whether business was good or bad, as long as they could gather certain intelligence, that was sufficient. Thus, in the other three cities, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce did not perform well.
Seven days later, Hou Chuan's injuries had healed. Liu Guanfeng called Hou Chuan to his side: "Hou Chuan, I have a mission for you."
"Master, please tell me. I will ensure any mission is completed."
"That's good. Pack your belongings; you will depart the day after tomorrow."
"Depart? Where are you sending me, Master?"
"You will know when the time comes."
On the third day, Hou Chuan was ready to leave and arrived at the beach. At that moment, a large ship was anchored offshore. He was not the only person on the beach; there were over two hundred others, all elite warriors selected from the New World. Standing on the beach, Liu Guanfeng said to Hou Chuan:
"When you reach your destination, your task will be to help train these soldiers. You will be their commander but not their instructor. I will assign you two instructors; you will act according to their guidance."
Thus, accompanied by two Special Forces soldiers, Hou Chuan led the two hundred guards from the New World onto the large ship. As for where they were going and what they would do, everyone except for the two Special Forces soldiers was completely unaware.
Watching the departing ship, Liu Guanfeng silently encouraged himself; the final moment was approaching. Whether they could overthrow Severe Winter's rule depended on these two hundred individuals.
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