Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1274 - 829: The Ji Family’s Scheming (Part 2)
Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
"In that case, there's no need to hike the price!" Yang Zhenshan declared with a grin, "We shouldn't just avoid raising it—we ought to drop it!"
"Drop the price?" Yang Chengmao revealed a baffled look.
Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod, "Right now, the output from our Spirit Source Land is excessively high. You can see all the goods stacking up in the storage."
The population in Spirit Source Land stands at roughly ten thousand souls. How vast a market can such a modest number sustain?
Most residents there are warriors who step into martial arts at age sixteen, achieve Post-heaven by twenty, and hit Innate around thirty-five or thirty-six.
This progression has turned into the standard cultivation path within Spirit Source Land.
Warriors in labor naturally outpace regular folks by far.
Even if mortals toil carefully, handling ten acres of farmland would wear them out.
Yet a single warrior can handle twenty or thirty acres with ease on their own.
As a result, Spirit Source Land faces a surplus of production these days.
Internal consumption alone can't possibly absorb all these resources, so exports to the outside are essential for Spirit Source Land.
Snow silkworm silk stands out as an excellent export item without question.
Establishing solid trade routes could transform silkworm farming and weaving into key sectors for Spirit Source Land.
Above all, these fields would generate plenty of employment opportunities for the locals.
Yang Zhenshan must also think about the well-being of those in Spirit Source Land; while safety and stability abound, climbing to greater heights demands diligent effort.
The cultivation stipends from the Clan Hall merely cover the essentials for practice, and extra resources come through personal initiative.
Thus, the Clan Hall needs to offer sufficient work options, allowing folks to earn more resources and providing clear routes for advancement.
"Cutting the price lets us move more goods; we must gauge outside market responses and our own output levels! Striking a balance between making and selling is ideal!"
"It's time to broaden our overseas trade now. Snow Valley Town's dealings shouldn't stick to just tobacco, alcohol, and tea; we can peddle all sorts of products."
"Oh yeah, what's the situation with the Ji family lately?"
Yang Zhenshan inquired.
For years, commerce in Snow Valley Town has been confined to tobacco, alcohol, and tea, alongside buying mutant beast materials and herbs from the Yunxiao Mountain Range.
But that's changed—with the Illusion Moon Sect as allies, Spirit Source Land can leap forward boldly.
"The Ji family!" Yang Chengmao pondered briefly before pulling a file from the nearby shelf.
"Lately, the Ji family has grown restless! They've pushed multiple times for us to slash prices, but we've turned them down every time!"
"On top of that, the Secret Martial Guards have picked up plenty of dissenting murmurs inside the Ji family aimed at us!"
Yang Zhenshan arched a brow, "What sort of murmurs?"
"Heh, they're scheming to squeeze us in Snow Valley Town, compelling us to offload spiritual wine cheaper!" Yang Chengmao chuckled.
Yang Zhenshan laughed lightly, "Looks like the Ji family's power has surged quite a bit over these years, or they wouldn't dare entertain such notions!"
"Of course, intel from the Secret Martial Guards shows the Ji family now boasts four Heavenly Gang Stage warriors, and they've started dominating the Cold Cloud Sect," Yang Chengmao explained.
This didn't catch Yang Zhenshan off guard, since the Ji family's boost from abundant spiritual wine was foreseeable.
With their power growing, the Ji family would inevitably tighten their hold on the Cold Cloud Sect.
"How does Ji Linfeng feel about this?" Yang Zhenshan questioned.
"Ji Linfeng has stayed in closed-door cultivation for years, leaving Ji De’an to run things, but Ji De’an doesn't command enough authority to quiet the internal opposition," Yang Chengmao answered.
Yang Zhenshan shook his head faintly, "That seclusion is merely Ji Linfeng testing the waters."
Ji Linfeng must have signaled behind the scenes; without that, the Ji family wouldn't behave this way.
"Do we cut ties with the Ji family?" Yang Chengmao suggested.
"No, just send a caution and keep working together," Yang Zhenshan rejected.
Ending the partnership with the Ji family would harm Spirit Source Land in no way beneficial; instead, ongoing ties ensure a steady influx of spirit stones.
Even as a mere martial family, the Ji clan's operations cover numerous warrior workshops, rendering them a crucial ally for Spirit Source Land.
Their minor plots aren't worth a second thought. Once Spirit Source Land shows overwhelming might, those schemes will evaporate in an instant.
...
In Snow Valley Town, at the backyard of the Yang family winery.
Guided by a servant, Ji Linfeng and Ji De’an reached the stables in the yard.
"Haha, I'm Yang Mingzhi—greetings to you, Ji Senior, Brother Ji!"
Yang Mingzhi, midway through brushing the horses, set aside the tool upon spotting them and offered a hearty welcome.
Ji Linfeng and Ji De’an quickly bowed back, "Hello, Manager Yang!"
Yang Mingzhi beamed, "As you see, I'm tied up and haven't been able to give you proper hospitality yet!"
Ji Linfeng eyed Yang Mingzhi closely, a sense of discomfort brewing inside.
What was the intent here?
You were the one who summoned us, yet now claim no time to receive us?
Still, he kept his composure and replied, "No trouble, Manager Yang—carry on!"
Yang Mingzhi grinned, retrieved the brush, and resumed tending to the horse.
"Does Senior Ji know this steed?"
He inquired in a light, conversational tone.
"No, I don't!" Ji Linfeng denied with a shake of his head.
"This one's named Red Cloud Horse, a special mutant beast bred by our Yang family. Even as the basest type of mutant beast, the Red Cloud Horse offers numerous perks."
"The Red Cloud Horse possesses a docile temperament, can soar through the air, and excels at hauling burdens. Though it lacks the might of superior mutant beasts, it makes a fine travel mount," Yang Mingzhi elaborated.
Doubts swirled in Ji Linfeng's mind, but he nodded outwardly, "Yes, this horse looks rather fine."
Yang Mingzhi shot him a look and smiled, "If Senior takes a liking to it, I could simply give you one!"
"That wouldn't do!" Ji Linfeng blurted out in astonishment.
Prices for first-order mutant beasts vary wildly, from mere dozens of spirit stones for the inexpensive ones to over a thousand for combat-strong varieties.
The Red Cloud Horse may not rank as a formidable mutant beast, but tamed creatures like it are scarce and typically fetch about two hundred spirit stones.
Yang Zhenshan priced the Red Cloud Horse at one hundred eighty spirit stones.
Two hundred spirit stones might seem trivial, but to the guilt-plagued Ji Linfeng, the vibe felt strangely off.
His conscience weighed on him, making him restless in Yang Mingzhi's presence.
All the more so with Yang Mingzhi freely offering a horse.
Noticing his unease, Yang Mingzhi smiled and called out to the adjacent guest room, "Old Luo!"
The door swung open, and Luo Jingsong emerged with Wu Zhan right behind.
"Second Young Master, what do you need?" Luo Jingsong queried casually.
"Grab the supply list for me!" Yang Mingzhi instructed.