Translator: AnubisTL
For a period of time after that, the more than 200 Innate Realm cultivators under Sima Juncong's command fully demonstrated their spirit of enduring hardship and fatigue, tirelessly patrolling the marshlands to capture smugglers.
Their methods were highly questionable, but their work ethic was beyond reproach, strictly following orders and making Gu Feng drool with envy.
Upon learning that these were the guards specially selectsed by Sima Juncong's mother before he left the capital, Gu Feng began to harbor some devious thoughts.
"Brother Sima, what do you think of this place?" Gu Feng tentatively asked while they were drinking.
"It's absolutely terrible, not an exaggeration to say it's the worst area in the northern region," Sima Juncong replied with a pout.
"Spot on, but you can't deny it's a paradise for making money!" Gu Feng raised his glass, clinking it with Sima's, and chuckled.
Sima Juncong nodded, "By the way, how much have we gained recently?"
"You're still 13 million Mid-Grade Spirit Stones short of redeeming the 'Hundred Birds Glazed Carriage'!" Gu Feng pulled out a small notebook, densely filled with records of Sima Juncong's team's gains over the past month.
"Still so much? Does that mean we'll have to keep at it until the end of the year?" Sima Juncong was somewhat dissatisfied with the current gains.
The thought of having to stay here for another half a year made him frown slightly.
"Have you ever thought about staying here and joining me in a grand venture?" Gu Feng asked with a smile, chewing on some roasted meat.
"No way, with such a small territory, what grand venture can there be!"
This marshland, within the territory of the Great Chu Dynasty, was only 10 kilometers wide and 8 kilometers long, smaller than a speck, and Sima Juncong had little interest in it.
"You only know the surface, not the depth. Although the marsh area is small, it's a haven for smugglers. The military once estimated that if converted into tax revenue, this place accounts for five percent of the 20,000-kilometer border in the north. That's an astonishing figure, you must realize that!" Gu Feng spoke with a smile in his eyes, elaborating enthusiastically.
"There are two main reasons why it's a haven for smugglers. First, the complex environment makes it hard to attack and defend, passing through here makes it difficult to be caught.
Second, this marshland runs through the Great Chu and Great Li, passing through here can save two days of mountain travel, directly entering the 'Voler Pass' in Great Li!"
"As the crackdown on smuggling continues, the risk of passing through here becomes greater, and the number of smugglers decreases, eventually turning it into a dilemma, tasteless to eat but a pity to discard.
Over time, this place won't be able to support so many cultivators, and the garrison will inevitably be reduced. Before long, smugglers will rise again... and we'll crack down again... it's a cycle that repeats endlessly."
Sima Juncong felt dizzy and somewhat impatient, "What are you trying to say with all this?"
"Ha," Gu Feng smiled slightly, tilting his head back to take a big gulp of Spirit Wine: "I want to build a dam here, turning it into a real commercial checkpoint for legitimate merchants to pay taxes and pass through.
If successful, merchants within two hundred miles on either side will choose to pass through here, after all, it saves two days of travel!"
At this point, Gu Feng suddenly stood up, startling Sima Juncong across from him.
"Have you ever seriously committed to doing something in your life?"
"Yes... When I was modifying the 'Hundred Birds Glazed Carriage,' I went several days without eating or drinking, constantly discussing plans with the Rune Masters and Artifact Refiners."
"That doesn't count. I'm talking about something substantial, something that would make your parents proud and earn the respect of others."
"No—" Sima Juncong looked at Gu Feng, and in the other's eyes, he saw a glimmer of light.
"Right now, there's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before you, a chance to make the world take you seriously. If you succeed, your father will be overjoyed, your mother will be moved to tears, and your grandmother will weep with happiness..."
"I plan to build a dam in the swamp, set up checkpoints at the entrances and exits, and collect tolls!"
"I'll let you invest in my venture and become a leader in your own right, standing firm in this world through your own abilities!"
"Your two hundred elite soldiers, plus my seven hundred prodigies—this is just the beginning. Once the dam is built, I'll bring in a Spirit Fire to forge artifacts and refine pills... Once we have the funds, we'll recruit soldiers and expand continuously... If one day Great Li invades, we'll lead our own army to repel the enemy and achieve eternal glory!"
"I'll be the commander-in-chief, and you'll be the deputy commander. Together, we'll accomplish something great!"
Gu Feng spoke with great enthusiasm, painting a grand vision for Sima Juncong, who was so overwhelmed that he stuck out his tongue.
"A good idea, but what do I need to contribute? You certainly won't let me invest for free!" Sima Juncong was somewhat tempted. If someone else had said this, he would have scoffed and called it a pipe dream. But Gu Feng was different, especially since he had a hundred-year management right over the swamp and could establish specific regulations without violating the laws of Chu.
As long as they got the checkpoint approval and slightly lowered the tolls, merchants would flock to them, and the entire border would thrive.
"What you need to invest is simple: get the checkpoint approval document, your 'Hundred Birds Glazed Carriage,' and two hundred Innate Realm cultivators.
Of course, although the carriage is under the Swamp Army's name, you'll still be its primary user, and the two hundred Innate Realm cultivators will remain under your command."
Hearing this, Sima Juncong began to calculate. "So, I have to secure the hardest-to-get checkpoint document and also give up a carriage? How much equity will you give me?"
"Five percent!" Gu Feng said solemnly. Seeing Sima Juncong's displeased expression, he quickly added, "And the position of deputy commander of the Swamp Army. Plus, the 13 million Mid-Grade Spirit Stones you owe me—you won't have to repay them."
Chu Youhuan, who had been listening to their conversation, twitched her lips.
Exchanging five percent equity and a nominal deputy commander position for a checkpoint document, a carriage, and two hundred Innate Realm cultivators...
The key issue was that Gu Feng was currently penniless, and everything was still in the planning stage. This was somewhat outrageous.
After all, in the entire Northern Territory, aside from the Grand Marshal and the 'Number One Young Master of the Northern Territory' before her, no one could secure such a checkpoint document. It wasn't something money could buy—you needed connections that reached the heavens. The document alone was worth a fortune.
More importantly, with Sima Juncong on board, the opposition in the court wouldn't dare to act before understanding the situation.
A strategy that kills several birds with one stone—if Sima Juncong agrees, Gu Feng would truly breathe life into this place. Chu Youhuan felt a faint sense of anticipation in her heart.
"Investing is no problem, and I'll handle the paperwork. But where will you get the money to build the dam? It's not a small sum!" Sima Juncong pondered for a moment before asking in a serious tone. A five percent stake wasn't particularly attractive, but he highly valued the title of deputy commander.
"Money is a trivial matter. As long as you get the paperwork, I'll find the money!" Gu Feng replied with a mysterious smile.
"Alright, I'll handle the paperwork!"
"Take the carriage away. Don't tarnish the reputation of the 'Number One Young Master of the Northern Territory'!" Gu Feng generously returned the 'Hundred Birds Glazed Carriage.'
"Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"
"You're the 'Number One Young Master of the Northern Territory.' I trust your character." Gu Feng chuckled. Just as Sima Juncong felt a surge of gratitude, he heard Gu Feng casually add, "If you run away, I'll hire hundreds of storytellers to spread tales of your deeds every day!"
After Sima Juncong left with a dark expression, Chu Youhuan approached slowly.
"How do you plan to get the money? Building a dam on the swamp, spanning ten kilometers, capable of withstanding attacks from the Spirit Nurturing Realm... the cost is astronomical!"
"Money isn't an issue. Once I have the paperwork, I'll approach Elder Liu to have the Sunset Glow Sect's outer sect invest. Although the Cloud Prefecture's governor can't use official funds, his family is one of the wealthiest in the prefecture and can contribute.
There's also the Myriad Harmony Guild, which once promised to support me with two billion low-grade spirit stones. Persuading them to increase their investment won't be difficult. Most of the cultivators who followed us come from smaller families, and those willing to contribute can pool their resources to buy shares.
Most importantly, Sima Juncong's maternal grandmother's family—they're the real tycoons...
Raising the funds for the dam? There'll even be plenty left over!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Youhuan's eyes widened in disbelief.
Gu Feng's plan of 'empty hands taming a wolf' could potentially yield hundreds of billions. Building the dam would naturally be no problem.
It all began when Sima Juncong came looking for trouble.
"With so many forces involved, aren't you afraid they'll take over?"
"There is indeed some risk, but it's manageable. That's why I'll have the Sunset Glow Sect's outer sect send an Elder to oversee things. The other parties will only have profit-sharing rights, at most some oversight.
This is my territory, and I'm in charge. They can join if they want, or not—it's not like we'll lack investors!"
As he spoke, Gu Feng exuded boundless confidence, leaving Chu Youhuan captivated.
"By the way, you'll also be a deputy commander. The existing seven hundred people will be under your command, with a one percent stake."
"How many deputy commanders are there? It sounds a bit cheap!"
"Haha, every investing party gets a deputy commander title. If something happens, we can call on them to lead their clansmen to fend off enemies."
"Clever plan!"
(End of the Chapter)
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