Shi Lang’s words hooked Xiao Nan’s soul. The terran replied, “I wish to destroy the Ling Family’s wealth and, along with them, the city hall.”
Xiao Nan was surprised, but as an experienced businessperson, she did not show any of it on her face. She nodded and asked, “How do you intend to do that?”
Shi Yua was on the side with her mouth wide open. She could not believe what and how Shi Lang will do this. The terran picked up the teacup and said, “The most profiteering business in the city is pill shops. The Shi Family pill shop is third, followed by your Tianxu Pavilion as the second. While the Ling family operates holds the top of the market share. The reason is City Hall.”
Xiao Nan nodded and said, “What you said is correct. The city hall allows the Ling family to manipulate the trade route connected to the capital. They would provide security, and the taxes are lower than we must pay.”
Shi Lang nodded, “This is true not only for the two of our families but even the neutral party.”
Shi Yua narrowed her gaze and asked, “You mean the Jiang House?”
Shi Lang nodded subtly and said, “The Jiang house is the direct supplier of arms to the imperial army. They are also known for refining the weapons on their own.”
Xiao Nan nodded and said, “However, they will never tag with us. They have the direct support of the Imperial Family. If the city hall dared to bother them, the Xuan family would end before they could figure out what hit them.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “The Ling family acts as a transport for the Jiang Family. There are multiple ways to destroy the Ling and Xuan families. But I would like to try the direct method.”
Xiao Nan asked, “What is that?”
Shi Lang replied, “Divide and rule.”
Xiao Nan asked, “How do you intend to do that?”
Shi Lang looked around and said a few things. The more he spoke, the more fascinated Xiao Nan became. She finally could not help but feel shocked at the plan described by this young man. The young man smiled and said, “The Tianxu pavilion can reap the benefits.”
Xiao Nan sighed and asked, “Why do you not want to have a share of the benefits for the Shi Family?”
Shi Lang smiled and replied, “After the Ling family disappears, the market share for the Shi Family will increase. You may be able to seize most of it, but the leftover will automatically channel to the Shi Family. That much will be enough to propel the Shi Family forward. Another reason is the ability to retain the share.
Unlike your Tianxu Pavilion. I heard that you have branches all over the continent.”
Xiao Nan nodded and asked, “So, what is in it for you?”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “I have two things, One is peace of mind, and another is to hand over a stable clan to the sisters.”
Xiao Nan was shocked when she heard this. She asked, “What do you mean?”
Shi Yua sighed and said, “Big brother won the right to be the Young Master of the clan, but he declined. He says that girls can also be successors of a clan and can lead the family to a better peak.” 𝞸𝗏𝐿xt.𝒸𝑂𝑀
Xiao Nan could not help but reevaluate the young man sipping tea before her. Shi Lang placed the cup on the table and asked, “So, Miss Xiao, may I know your answer?”
Xiao Nan thought for a bit and weighed all the pros and cons before she nodded. The girl said, “The Tianxu Pavilion will proceed with this plan.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “If you have any confusion regarding the plan or any of the mentioned factors change even the slightest, do inform me.”
Xiao Nan nodded. She understood it clearly. Shi Lang did not carve out a piece of the speculated market share for her to bear the cost of this entire plot. After the discussion, the two people left Tianxu Pavilion.
Xiao Nan sat on her chair with her fingers tapping the armrest gently. She picked up the bell on the table and gently shook it. Soon an attendant rushed over, and Xiao Nan said, “Send a notice to young master Ling Tian. The monthly auction will be held in a week. If the Ling Family wants to sell some high-quality goods, they must send them in early for appraisal.”
The attendant nodded and left the place with shock visible on her face. Soon after the attendant left, Elder Chen walked into the room, and after closing the door, he asked, “Young Miss, why the sudden notice to the Ling Family.”
Xiao Nan looked at Elder Chen and, while caressing the mark on her cheek, said, “It is time they pay back what they owe me.”
The old man was surprised, but Xiao Nan waved her hand and said, “Uncle Chen, hire ten men from the Moon Shadow house. I need two to investigate every bad deed the Ling and Xuan families did. Send the rest to loot the Ling Family caravans.”
Elder Chen was shocked and wise enough to know what this would do. He asked, “Miss, are you sure?”
Xiao Nan nodded and said, “These people have been dancing over our heads for a long time, and I am tired of being conservative. I have little time left in this place, so I must resort to desperate measures.”
Old man Chen sighed and said, “Very well, I shall see to the arrangements.”
Xiao Nan said, “Uncle Chen, none shall know about this.”
The man nodded and left the room. When he was walking through the corridors, he mumbled, “Finally, you have grown up, Young Miss.”
…
Conversely, the Ling Family was surprised to receive advanced notice. This notice was not showing them a favor but telling them that the Tianxu Pavilion needed their support for this matter.
However, they were unaware of the consequences. The family leader of the Ling Family mobilized the family elders to procure the best products they had stowed away.
Ling Tian sat with his father and the family elders in the main hall, discussing the situation. After everything was said, an elder asked, “Tian, what do you think?”
Ling Tian stood up and said, “Grand Uncle, I think something is fishy about this whole ordeal.”
The people turned to look at him. Ling Tian was the family’s most outstanding youth, and it was only logical for him to have this much say in family matters. He said, “Elders, I investigated Xiao Nan. It turned out she belonged to the main family of the Central Plane’s Xiao Family. She is here on a trial to prove herself.
She had been working independently but failed to secure the market for the Tianxu Pavilion. Now that she is willing to invite our products, she has little time left. So, she is looking for profits.”
The people nodded, but the clan leader asked, “What is the source of this information?”
Ling Tian replied, “Senior brother Zhou Cang.”
The middle-aged man nodded and said, “This can be trusted. Then what do you suggest we do?”
Ling Tian smirked and said, “We can do business with Tianxu Pavilion. Since she needs us so badly, she can have it on our terms.”
The people thought about it and could not help but feel greedy. The Ling Family cheered up, and since they had no one to answer to, they ran amok. This was what Xiao Nan and Shi Lang were aiming for.
The more arrogant they become, the lower their vigilance.
…
Shi Lang was inside the dining hall with the rest of the family, but he did not tell them about his plan, and Shi Yua also did not say anything. She was told not to by the Terran. He did not wish to feed it to the spies.
Shi Yua ate more than usual today and was even smiling. The family members noticed this, and Shi Ning asked, “Yua, what are you smiling like an idiot for?”
Shi Yua grinned at her and said, “Big Brother Shi Lang taught me a very useful skill.”
The people were surprised and Shi Ning asked, “What skill?”
“Cloaked Dagger.”, said Shi Yua.
The terran almost spewed the soup in his mouth while the rest were confused. They cast a gaze at Shi Lang and the young man smiled as he said, “Nothing, just a way of saying business. You will know soon, it is a surprise.”
…
While the family was eating, Elder Chen left the city and hurried through the forest outside. He was looking for a special place called the moon tower. This tower was not located inside any city because the people in this tower were all trained assassins. They were capable of even conducting political hits. No nation liked them.
This was in favor of the assassins. They hid in the forests and were free to move whenever they wanted.