Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1862: 1400: Auction
Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
So, just an hour after hearing the news, Li Zhirui set off from Bianshan City.
His upcoming stop lay in Jinzhou, within Daqian.
This thriving region stood out for its sericulture, brocade production, and bustling trade, setting it apart from the rest of Daqian, where the Human Dao Hundred Schools held sway, especially the Xiu Family and the merchant school.
Within Human Dao, these two paths faced heavy prejudice, since one focused on women and the other on trade, both viewed as lowly in society.
Yet, in a twist of fate, their alliance forged the wealthiest State Domain in all of Daqian!
Cloud Brocade from Daqian enjoyed fame across the world; the masterpieces crafted by Xiu Family experts fetched a thousand gold pieces each, an outrageous sum!
Li Zhirui had spotted Cloud Brocade in Bianshan City as well, its silky fabric resembling drifting clouds, soft and light, with a shimmering glow that left one breathless.
Not even he could resist a wave of admiration, and if it hadn't already been claimed, he might have snapped up a bolt for himself.
That's why he chose to head to Jinzhou right away, planning to grab some Cloud Brocade on the journey.
With no hurry on his schedule, Li Zhirui savored the scenic views of mountains and rivers, spending more than a month before reaching Yunbrocade City, Jinzhou's capital.
In truth, as soon as he crossed into Jinzhou, he saw how the area brimmed with rolling hills and peaks, lacking any vast flatlands.
By all rights, such rugged landscape hardly suited regular folk for living, with challenges in clothing, sustenance, housing, and travel galore!
But in the capable grasp of the Xiu Family and merchant school, this tough terrain burst into lively prosperity, transforming into Daqian's richest State Domain.
What's more, they didn't hoard every bit of gain but shared the bulk with the commoners, letting them enjoy abundant lives and binding them as the staunchest supporters of both schools!
As a result, in Jinzhou, the Xiu Family and merchant school commanded respect like never before; even the mandates from officials paled against the words of the two school heads.
After grasping Jinzhou's ways, Li Zhirui once reflected with a sigh, “The two leaders of Xiu Family and merchant back then were undoubtedly geniuses of their time! They laid the foundation for the schools to stand firm for a thousand years!”
In a place as unforgiving as Jinzhou's terrain, neither the Xiu Family nor the merchant school could thrive alone; the first could generate riches but struggled to turn them into real power, while the second could seize fortunes yet lacked standout treasures.
Only their combined strength lifted Jinzhou to its current glory!
A vital element here involved funneling riches to everyday people, rooting the two schools in the masses and drawing in constant new vitality.
Through the ages, rival schools surely coveted this wealth and spared no effort to break in.
Still, to this day, none could match the Xiu Family and merchant school, let alone claim a spot just below them!
Not even Daqian's Four Great Schools—Confucian, Mo Family, Legalist faction, Military Family—could rival these two inside Jinzhou.
Now, Li Zhirui stood at the gates of Yunbrocade City, where the massive, broad entrance buzzed with endless traffic, as hordes of travelers flowed in and out.
Through his gaze, the scene shifted; even the simplest, everyday residents looked healthy and well-attired.
This held true not for just a handful, but for everyone in sight!
“Truly remarkable!” Li Zhirui couldn't hold back his admiration.
Should all of Daqian's subjects live so free of cares, the dynasty's might would grow unimaginably formidable!
It might even crush the other Human Dao groups outright, uniting the Southern Domain's Human Clan lands and propelling Daqian forward.
Alas, achieving that level proves incredibly tough, bordering on impossible.
Even so!
Riding the rush of the moving throng, Li Zhirui soon approached the city entrance; the sentries proved far laxer than Bianshan City's, offering only a quick glance before waving him through.
Still, he sensed it wasn't quite so straightforward.
Suspended under the majestic city gate signboard were lines of hefty bronze mirrors, each set featuring several pieces that captured full views of every entrant; the guards scanned these reflections, permitting passage if all seemed normal.
Li Zhirui had a fair idea of the techniques at play; the merchant school, beyond running trades and amassing vast fortunes, relied above all on their sharp judgment!
Without keen sight and quick instincts, plus a wide outlook, how could they spot rare jewels amid heaps of wares?
They'd woven this approach into the mirrors, streamlining the flow of people.
Failing that, with inspections like Bianshan City's, checking crowds would drag on forever, crippling trade ties and preventing Jinzhou's boom.
Stepping within the walls, Li Zhirui once more sensed Jinzhou's booming, opulent vibe!
Down a vast, unending avenue, masses surged; amid the bustle, feet hurried along, while shops flanked the way: taverns, eateries, bakeries, jewelers, beauty parlors, and more.
Any need or want found its match!
At every turn, folks streamed into and out of the roadside establishments, snapping up whatever caught their fancy.