Chapter 1694: Plan To Make Money
Zhang Feng’s men suddenly discovered that Zhang Feng has gained another confidant. This person would be beside Zhang Feng all the time. Moreover, it seems like this person’s status was the same as Hao Xing, or it might even be higher.
Originally, people thought that Hao Xing would be angry about this. But instead of being angry, Hao Xing was actually flattering this person. This caused Zhang Feng’s subordinates to be confused.
After inquiring, people finally understood. According to rumors, this person was called Li Ling, a very important general under Zhang Feng. In the past, Zhang Feng sent him away on a mission, which explains why he wasn’t seen beside Zhang Feng. Now that the task has been completed, he returned to Zhang Feng’s side.
But what surprised people was that this person wasn’t very strong. It even looks like he hasn’t condensed his dao avatar. Yet this person was very important to Zhang Feng, which was puzzling.
It has been seven days since Zhao Hai began following Zhang Feng. In these seven days, Zhang Feng had Zhao Hai follow him around to establish his presence.
Naturally, Zhang Feng planned to make Zhao Hai a steward. He took Zhao Hai to his study to get him acquainted with the faction’s business.
Zhao Hai came to know the faction’s strength in these seven days. The faction had quite a number of strong cultivators. Moreover, they had control over some industries. But Zhao Hai also saw that these industries don’t produce a lot of profits. Zhang Feng’s resources were partly provided by these industries while the rest was provided by the Gang Leader.
This could be regarded as Zhang Feng’s weak point. Zhao Hai has been using the last few days thinking about ways to make money and increase the faction’s income.
The four elements of cultivation were: laws, companions, wealth, and land. Wealth refers to money. If Zhang Feng wasn’t financially strong, he wouldn’t be able to attract people. If Zhang Feng’s faction continues going through its current path, then it wouldn’t be able to survive for long.
Zhang Feng was also aware of this situation. He knows that he has problems with money. He couldn’t compare to the top ten core disciples in this aspect. The top ten core disciples have the support of the great clans. These clans existed in the Black Tiger Gang for a very long time. They have numerous businesses and were able to support the core disciples. Meanwhile, even if Zhang Feng had the support of Tie Zhantian, the Gang Leader was under the gaze of numerous people. If he was too open in his support, then he would be questioned by the public. If the great clans make use of this, then Tie Zhantian would become even more pa.s.sive.
Because of this, Zhang Feng found himself worrying about money. This was a matter that he needed to solve himself.
On this day, as they finished their tasks, Zhang Feng turned to Zhao Hai and said, “How is it? Did you notice something while following me? Did you have any problems?”
Zhao Hai shook his head and said, “There’s no problem. But after reading through Senior Brother’s businesses, I discovered an issue. The faction is having a hard time making ends meet. You’re currently spending more than you earn. I’m afraid the faction wouldn’t be able to function if this goes on.”
Zhang Feng smiled bitterly and said, “I didn’t expect you to discover it so soon. You’re correct. I’m currently eating through my savings. I’m also worried about this matter. Actually, the Black Tiger Gang has always been famous for producing beast pills. We’re very famous all throughout the Northern Divergent Province. However, these channels aren’t in my hands. They’re under the control of the great clans. The businesses under me only produce raw materials. And because of pressure, our income isn’t a lot. It’s a hard problem to solve.”
Zhao Hai looked at Zhang Feng as he smiled and said, “Senior Brother, I have thought of a way to make money. It might be the only business of its kind in the Great World of Cultivation. As long as we keep this business, we should be able to make a lot of money.”
Zhang Feng stared, then he looked at Zhao and asked, “What kind of business? You really have a lot of ideas.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother, do you know what kind of business gives the most profits?”
Zhang Feng stared. Although he has a lot of businesses, he was still a cultivator in the end. In the Great World of Cultivation, merchant clans almost didn’t exist since everything relied on strength. Because of this, Zhang Feng wasn’t too proficient when it came to business. Naturally, it was impossible for him to know what Zhao Hai was thinking about.
Seeing Zhang Feng’s expression, Zhao Hai didn’t wait for him to respond as he continued, “People say that businesses involving women and children make the most money. In the Great World of Cultivation, it would be hard to make money from children. However, there are quite a few female cultivators. And it wouldn’t be difficult to earn their money.”
Zhang Feng asked, “Why wouldn’t it be difficult?”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother, women like to look beautiful. Although cultivators live long lives, they still age albeit slowly. You might have noticed that elderly female cultivators rarely go outside. This is because they feel that they are already past their prime and have become ugly. Although there are a lot of beauty pills in the Great World of Cultivation, their effects are not satisfactory. If we can sell an effective beauty pill, then female cultivators would spare nothing to get ahold of it.”
Zhang Feng stared. He hasn’t thought of this point. In fact, beauty products weren’t developed much. It can be said to be an empty market. If he took this business, not to mention the great clans, even the entire Black Tiger Gang wouldn’t be able to match his wealth.
This was a rich business!
This statement rang through Zhang Feng’s mind. He knew that there are a lot of female cultivators in the Great World of Cultivation. If he makes something that would attract them, then his wallet would certainly be fat.
However, Zhang Feng quickly thought of a problem. He looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Your idea is good. However, all of this is based on the beauty pill. Without the pill, all of this is empty talk.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother doesn’t have to worry about this. Remember when I told you that I benefited a lot from the foreign trial? The plants in the foreign trial might look the same as the ones we have in the Great World of Cultivation, but their effects are completely different. I have investigated the properties of those plants and they have strong cosmetic benefits. As long as we make pills out of them, not only can they make female cultivators beautiful, it could also restore their youth. If we can come up with a pill using those materials, wouldn’t the female cultivators go crazy for it?”
Zhang Feng stared at Zhao Hai. He let out a long breath as he said, “Little Hai, are you telling the truth? Does the foreign trial really have those plants?”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly as he took out a jade box. Then he handed the box over to Zhang Feng.
Zhang Feng took the box and opened it. Inside the box was an herb. The Great World of Cultivation was abundant with such herbs. It was called Seven Mountain Herb. The flowers and the leaves of the herb can be used for medicine.
Each sect’s medicinal fields would have Seven Mountain Herbs planted in them. It was a common plant used for medicine. Cultivators carry several bottles of crushed seven mountain herbs in order to treat any wounds.
Zhang Feng looked at the seven mountain herb and then looked at Zhao Hai and asked, “What’s special about this seven mountain herb?”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “This isn’t like the usual seven mountain herb we see. It is taken from the foreign trial’s subs.p.a.ce. If you can, you can try the effects of the herb. This seven mountain herb can be used to remove wrinkles.”
Zhang Feng stared for a moment before he tore off one leaf and put it in his mouth before chewing. Although Zhang Feng didn’t specialize in alchemy, he could still identify basic medicinal effects. He could do this through chewing. After all, herbs contain a form of spiritual qi, which cultivators are sensitive to.
As he chewed the seven mountain herb leaf, Zhang Feng’s expression suddenly froze. This was because the effects of this herb was completely different to the one he was used to. The herb had potent effects. However, its effects weren’t aimed at healing wounds. Instead, its effects were towards removing wrinkles like what Zhao Hai said.
With a thought, Zhang Feng dissolved the seven mountain herb essence in his body. Then he looked at Zhao Hai and said, “The medicinal effects are indeed different. How much of this seven mountain herb have you taken out? Can we plant it in the Great World of Cultivation?”
Zhao Hai shook his head and said, “I didn’t bring a lot. Moreover, I think it would be a bad idea for us to plant it in the Great World of Cultivation. The foreign trial might have the same environment as the Great World of Cultivation, but the plant needed certain essences to produce their effect. If we plant the foreign trial’s seven mountain herbs here, then it would have the same effects as normal seven mountain herbs. Therefore, I don’t agree to planting these plants here.”
Zhang Feng frowned and said, “If we can’t cultivate the herb here, then we would have an issue with raw materials. Even if we create a market, we wouldn’t be able to hold onto it for a long time.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly as he said, “First Senior Brother, did you forget about my other ability?”
Zhang Feng stared. Then his eyes shone as he looked at Zhao Hai and said, “You mean your spatial ability?”
Zhao Hai nodded and said, “Right, my spatial ability. Hehe. First Senior Brother, as long as I have been to a place, I can return to it any time using my ability. The foreign trial is not an exception. Even if I don’t pa.s.s through the gate, I can still enter. My spatial ability is different compared to other spatial abilities. Although my ability doesn’t have any offensive or defensive capabilities, it can completely disregard all kinds of spatial barriers. Therefore, we can treat the foreign trial as our medicinal garden. Think about how many herbs we can harvest each day. Hahaha.”
Hearing Zhao Hai, Zhang Feng was elated. Then he looked at Zhao Hai and asked, “Then about the beauty pill, do you think you can come up with a formula?”
Zhao Hai thought about it and said, “Give me three days. In three days, I’ll give you a recipe and a refining method. I can also provide you with a large amount of materials. But after this, I’ll have to retreat for some time. I wish that Senior Brother can give me some faith power. I wish to condense my dao avatar.”
Zhang Feng nodded and said, “I was also going to let you condense your dao avatar. Compared to other things, increasing your strength is most important. Go and prepare. I’ll also get your faith power.” Zhao Hai nodded, then he turned around and left.
Seeing Zhao Hai leave, Zhang Feng could no longer sit still. After walking around his room for some time, he said, “Little Xing, come here quickly.”
Hao Xing was dealing with his own tasks in his office. Being Zhang Feng’s most trusted subordinate, he had a lot of things to take care of. He can’t follow Zhang Feng every day like Zhao Hai. Actually, he was satisfied with his current life. Upon hearing Zhang Feng calling him, he couldn’t help but stare. Zhang Feng seems to be scolding him, but Hao Xing knew that this wasn’t the case. Even if Zhang Feng was angered, he wouldn’t scold Hao Xing.
Hao Xing moved quickly and arrived inside Zhang Feng’s room. When he saw Zhang Feng walking back and forth, he couldn’t help but stare. Zhang Feng had always been calm. This was the first time Hao Xing saw Zhang Feng this disturbed. Hao Xing looked at Zhang Feng and said, “First Senior Brother, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Zhang Feng looked at Hao Xing. He waved his hand and closed the door. Then with a serious tone he retold Zhao Hai’s plan. Then he looked at Hao Xing and said, “Little Xing, you understand women more than me. Do you think Little Hai’s plan would solve our financial problems?”
Hao Xing looked at Zhang Feng with a gaze as though he was looking at an idiot. This was the first time Hao Xing looked at Zhang Feng this way. Then he said, “Brother, do yourself a favor and find some women to play with when you’re free. You really don’t understand them at all. If such a medicine exists, then there’s no need to woo women to gain their favor. Just take this medicine out and they will come flooding in. If you have this medicine, then I would dare say that you would become the richest person in the Great World of Cultivation. Even richer than those powerful sects. Just as Little Hai said, this pill would drive women crazy!”