Dao Equaling the Heavens-Chapter 48 - 42 Lu Chan

48: Chapter 42 Lu Chan

48 -42 Lu Chan

Qianfeng Tower has six floors; due to architectural limits, the higher the building, the smaller it gets, so by the sixth floor there remains only one room.

Gu Wen entered and was immediately enveloped in a wisp of faint fragrance, while Yang Shanyu stood at the doorway, clearly with no intention of inviting him inside.

Behind the layered curtains in the room, a languid voice emerged from behind the light gauze screens.

“Mr.

Gu is truly a man of great talent.

Your approach to business is always so sharp.

If I didn’t say anything, would you be aware of the profit margins on Dragon Tiger Pills?”

Lu Chan, the Fox Fairy ranked fifth on the Earth List.

“I dare not claim the title of ‘Sir’, nor dare to make reckless comments.”

Gu Wen bowed with hands clasped in front of him, alert in his heart, yet knowing this was an opportunity.

He didn’t need to force his way into the circles of the worldly folk, but if an appropriate chance arose, he didn’t mind securing a niche for himself, convenient for purchasing pills and for acquiring more information so as not to be completely in the dark.

The languid voice spoke again, “Lin Chuan medicinal fruits have a purchase cost of ten taels apiece.

They are the main ingredient needed for concocting Dragon Tiger Pills, requiring five portions, while the numerous auxiliary ingredients are not strict in variety, averaging at five taels each per portion.

Known then, the materials for one portion of Dragon Tiger Pills need fifty-five taels, and on average, fifteen pills are produced per furnace.

How much do we, Qianfeng Tower, earn?”

Is this a math test?

But these pills really are profitable, making over tenfold.

Without hesitation, Gu Wen said, “Subtracting the costs, the total profit is six hundred ninety-five taels.”

“Do you think that’s a lot?”

“Not enough.”

“Then how should we earn more?”

Gu Wen didn’t answer, instead he clasped his hands and said, “That is my trade secret.”

Want to know?

Pay up!

Qianfeng Tower’s hunger marketing is clearly learned from him, but they have only grasped the surface.

Not every product can be sold purely through marketing, nor is marketing suitable for all products.

Dragon Tiger Pills are primarily marketed toward the affluent officials and nobility who frequent brothels, who can be considered as the main consumer group for brothels on Dragon Bridge.

Yet, the inferior Dragon Tiger Pills differ little from ordinary tonic drugs, and ordinary people who consume too much without being able to metabolize it could suffer health issues.

With a small consumer base, weak buying power, and prices that are not exorbitantly high.

In Gu Wen’s view, this was simple logic, but the ancient society couldn’t understand it—not that the people living in that era were stupid, but rather the objective conditions did not allow for it.

In the merchant environment of a feudal dynasty, too much speculation and trickery could easily lead to a crushing blow, and earning too much would leave one devoured by the literati.

The most profitable thing is power, not commerce.

No matter how much Dragon Bridge hustles, they only make a few hundred thousand taels, but salt and iron alone bring in tens of millions per year— their fundamental income from land and grain can no longer be described merely in terms of money.

“Shanyu, take five middle-grade Dragon Tiger Pills to give to Mr.

Gu.”

“Yes.”

As Gu Wen predicted, the other party wouldn’t be stingy with extra payment.

Those only thinking about looting and plundering wouldn’t open a shop on Dragon Bridge, and opening a shop indicated an inclination to cooperate—business itself is a sophisticated social act.

Business is not just about making money but a form of social interaction.

Only groups of a similar nature can come together.

Having obtained the pills, Gu Wen voiced the thoughts he had just harbored, clarifying the benefits and highlighting the flaws in the product.

The other party asked, “So I should raise the price?”

Gu Wen countered with a question, “How long can the Dragon Tiger Pills last?”

Upon receiving the answer that they would lose potency after a month, no wonder Qianfeng Tower did not hoard and consider them as rare commodities.

It turns out they were all short-term goods that couldn’t be stockpiled.

Which means, these items were originally meant to be discarded.

Thus, I can find an opening to seize the profit.

He answered, “In Bianjing, fifty taels each has already created an impression of the product, and since Dragon Tiger Pills can’t be stored, they might as well be sold directly.

If Gu were to sell them to the south, even outside of Daqian.

Bianjing is the most affluent in the whole world, but that doesn’t mean all the world’s wealth is here, and tonic drugs are something all wealthy men need.”

“Selling them outside for five hundred taels each, let the price become the reason to purchase Dragon Tiger Pills, and it can also boost sales in Bianjing.”

Five hundred taels?

Yang Shanyu’s mouth opened slightly in surprise; the price had been multiplied by ten.

Even the room fell silent for a good while.

Gu Wen wasn’t sure what the other party was thinking, but he knew well the ways of pyramid selling—if he said a hundred taels, they would believe it and wouldn’t be moved, but what if it was five hundred taels, or even a thousand?

Moreover, whether the words made sense was not important; what mattered was who spoke them.

“Wealthy merchants in Nanshui number in the millions, and there are countless pelts in Northern Mo; if we can make a name for ourselves, it would be worth more than a thousand taels.”

The other party asked again, “How to sell?”

“If I may be so bold, I can take on the task.”

Gu Wen was ready to show his trump card; with short-term goods, he could greedily exploit to his advantage.

The response was a clear, bell-like laugh, and though the identity of the speaker was elusive, a charming figure already emerged in his mind, even more stunning than Yang Shanyu before him, yet her face remained indistinct.

Misty, unknowable, intangible, yet it leaves one longing for more.

“Mr.

Gu helps the Wang residence with its affairs, could he possibly help me too?”

The jade sword moved, the haze in Gu Wen’s eyes disappeared, but he made no further action, instead repeatedly shaking his head, already having lost the cunning he was known for, thrown off balance.

“The Water House is the Wang residence’s business, and you are the Dragon Tiger Pill’s business—not a conflict.”

Yang Shanyu chuckled to himself: This fellow is also fond of beautiful colors, usually carrying himself like a monk.

“But I’m afraid I may not be able to afford the fee.”

The voice behind the door was soft and melodiously lingering, making one’s bones turn soft upon hearing it.

“Only ten percent is needed, no, even five percent will do—the rest of the fee I will cover.”

“Then I must thank Mr.

Gu~”

—————–

Midnight.

A figure drifted down to Qianfeng Tower, where Yu Hua stood at the entrance, the candlelight casting long shadows, as her leisurely voice drifted out.

“Ah, isn’t this sister Yu Hua?

What wind has blown you to my little sister’s place today?”

The two knew each other but were not close, merely nodding acquaintances.

“Just passing by, decided to come take a look.”

Yu Hua’s tone was even, but in reality, she was not quite at ease, hence the visit.

Fox fairies of the realm, adept in illusion and seduction; their magic seeps through like water with no escape, ensnaring all those with hearts, only varying in severity.

To Yu Hua, the voice was merely pleasant to hear, but the top scholar from Daqian had been thoroughly captivated.

Normally indistinguishable from ordinary people, but the moment Lu Chan spoke, they couldn’t help but want to give their all.

The surrounding noises gradually quieted, sweet sounds enveloping one like multiple hands, caressing and comforting, soothing the hardships within hearts.

Insinuating ever deeper, not saying anything overt, yet feeling like a confidante comforting the soul.

The brilliance of enchantment does not twist the heart but becomes the most wonderful fancy within it.

Why does it sound somewhat like a man’s voice?

“Sister, did you come today to ask the Guardian for medicine?”

“A wastrel who must rely on pills for cultivation—why should I bother?”

Yu Hua’s dao heart remained untouched as she pushed open the door and saw the reflection on the screen; beguiling, full of charm and vitality, sparking imagination.

Stepping further in, past the screen, what met her eyes was not a peerlessly beautiful woman, but a petite, green young girl.

The candlelight elongated her figure; the posture outside the screen was alluring, but inside was the clawing and biting of a young girl.

Fox fairies not only lied but also faked.

It is said that solitary Yin does not thrive; Qianfeng Sect’s cultivation practice side effect is to permanently maintain a youthful appearance, with the higher the cultivation, the younger one appears, until as a baby one becomes a True Monarch.

Foundation Establishment Second Level—not bad.

Lu Chan, seeing the other pass by her set array without any obstacle, had a slightly stiff expression, and her voice lost its aggressive tone, softly asking, “Then what is sister Yu Hua here for today?”

Yu Hua inquired, “I’ve heard that a scholar has written poetry for you recently.”

“Indeed, that’s true.” Lu Chan’s eyes gleamed and, as Yu Hua predicted, she proudly recited, “A smile alone blooms a hundred flowers, a glance brings radiance and divine vigor.

Though it describes me, it should also be fitting for Sister Yu Hua.”

She knew of Yu Hua’s taste; despite never taking the spotlight, others rarely offered her poems, always watching silently from the sidelines.

Perhaps out of disdain, but is there anyone without admiration?

Not needing doesn’t mean not liking.

What responded to her was a clear and refined voice.

“Clouds wish for attire, flowers yearn for beauty, spring breeze brushes the threshold, dew laden with fragrance.

Unless on the summit of a sea of jades, one would only meet her under the moon at the Jade Terrace.”

Lu Chan’s eyes widened slightly, then gradually darkened.

More than just being upstaged—utterly embarrassed.

Yet Yu Hua smiled.

She tilted her head and asked, “How did you know someone wrote poetry for me?”

Having said her piece, she turned and left, her spirit clear and refreshed.

Lu Chan hastily followed, inquiring, “May I ask sister, who wrote this poem?”

Yu Hua didn’t reply but simply glanced back, causing the other to feel like facing a great enemy, daring not to err again.

Not until her figure disappeared into the vast night did Lu Chan purse her red lips; just now, she had felt a hint of killing intent emanating from the other.

Such a big reaction just for a name, who could it be?

Gossip curiosity stirred within her, yet without a clue to pursue.