Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 606 - 63: An Opponent Like a Pig
After Qian Chang was subdued, the situation on Linlan Street was completely turned around.
Besides the lone-wolf-like Ming Lang, the other three forces had all quietly formed an alliance with the Duke Mansion.
It became difficult to see any street fights, and the dirty and disorderly stones on the streets vanished from the eyes of the Imperial City’s citizens, along with the dilapidated shops.
What emerged anew were assorted dazzling shops, bustling taverns, and a Xuan Beast Store continuously supplied by Xuan Beast Ridge. In the torrid heat of June’s end, Linlan Street was officially renamed Empire New Street.
Its purpose is self-evident; it was clearly aiming to compete with Wohua Avenue, which is known as the number one street in Wohua.
The one most impacted by the new street was naturally the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce, which mainly dealt in Xuan Beasts and Elixir Pills.
Following the Parrot Snail incident, Xuan Beast Ridge almost cut off all cooperation with the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce, and the Elixir Pills produced by the Pill Masters of Yanyue Chamber of Commerce could not compare to those crafted by Feng Chuo-led Pill Masters from the Duke Mansion.
The position of the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce was precarious, and on the other hand, the strong rise of the Duke Mansion also alarmed the Yunhu Commerce.
After Yun Shangjun last refused to support Yue Jinghua, he didn’t expect the other party to actually reorganize Linlan Street in a short time and even directly shake the foundation of the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce.
"Sixth Young Master, it has been made clear that the Duke Mansion settled one-third of their debts last month. Moreover, due to poor management, the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce has urgently sold several prime shops on Wohua Avenue. According to reliable information, the Duke Mansion intends to compete for these prime shops," within the Yunhu Commerce, a fragrance of tea lingered while Yun Lang tasted the hot tea in his hands, listening to the housekeeper’s report.
"Qingfeng father and son are really useless. I thought they could hold out for at least a year, who knew it was just two or three months before Yanyue Chamber of Commerce showed signs of decay," Yun Lang put down his tea cup, and with a casual gesture, he appeared very elegant, looking unspeakably attractive.
"Young Master, should we also take action, seize the opportunity to uproot Yanyue Chamber of Commerce entirely?" The housekeeper of Yunhu Commerce did not understand. Whether it was the old master Yun Shangjun or the seemingly nonchalant Sixth Young Master Yun Lang, or even Miss Yun Luo, who had started learning how to manage the family business after returning to the Imperial City recently.
Each of them was several times stronger than the father-son duo of the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce. Under such circumstances, why has Yunhu Commerce been on par with Yanyue Chamber of Commerce over the years, sometimes even being tightly controlled and counterattacked by the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce.
"No, housekeeper, you are mistaken. We not only cannot eradicate Yanyue Chamber of Commerce, but on the contrary, we should extend help in their time of need. We need to suppress the Duke Mansion," Yun Lang was well aware that Yue Jinghua of the Duke Mansion had a very close relationship with his niece Yun Luo.
If he were to secretly suppress Yue Jinghua, Yun Luo might not be pleased. Fortunately, Yun Luo was not in the Imperial City recently, so he took this opportunity to directly stifle the Duke Mansion.
"Sixth Young Master, why would you have such an idea?" In the housekeeper’s view, now was a great opportunity to overthrow the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce and swallow the entire commercial lifeline of the Imperial City. Instead, Yun Lang wanted to help the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce, which made him utterly baffled.
"Do you know why over these years, my father and I have been reluctant to monopolize the commerce in the Imperial City? It is not because we couldn’t compete with Yanyue Chamber of Commerce, but because we didn’t wish to do so. The so-called one who complies flourishes, and one who resists perishes. Yanyue Chamber of Commerce deals in Elixir Pills and Xuan Beasts trading, while Yunhu handles Spiritual Artifacts and Holy Rune. They are unrelated to each other, but indispensable to the Empire. If Yanyue Chamber of Commerce falls, only two outcomes would follow. One is Yunhu Commerce monopolizing power and controlling the commercial lifeline of the Imperial City, which is clearly something that the person in the Imperial City hopes to see. The other possibility is that a new power would replace Yanyue Chamber of Commerce, such as the skilled in alchemy Danlu, and like the currently popular Duke Mansion. And this is what my father and I do not wish to see." Yun Lang played with the tea bowl in his hand, which was not too full or empty, just about seventy percent filled.
From Yun Lang’s perspective, managing a business is like serving tea to guests, pouring too little shows disrespect, while pouring too much can lead to spillage.
Yunhu Commerce has been able to stand firm in the Dragon War Empire over the years, also because each successor understands the art of strategizing.
When facing a strong opponent, feign weakness; when facing a weak opponent, offer support.
In this way, Yunhu and Yanyue have been able to coexist, avoiding speculative thoughts from the intentionally curious.
"Then why support Yanyue Chamber of Commerce? Are you implying that, in Sixth Young Master’s eyes, Duke Mansion poses a greater challenge than Yanyue Chamber of Commerce?" the housekeeper was still full of confusion.
He had followed the Yun family father and son for many years, considering himself well-versed in their thoughts; yet, this time, the decision of the Sixth Young Master left him puzzled.
Just now, Sixth Young Master discussed Danlu and Duke Mansion together; could it be he already sees Duke Mansion as a formidable foe?
"To be able to snatch the lucrative deal of Xuan Beast from Yanyue Chamber of Commerce in just a few months, and to rise to fame in the Beast Fighting Arena, bringing together the scattered forces of Linlan Street — this young lord of the Duke’s Mansion is not merely cunning as the outside world describes. In my words, he has a huge appetite and is fiercely aggressive. It is always better to be neighbors with a pig than to dance with a gluttonous beast. Follow my orders and act immediately. You take care of the Yanyue Chamber of Commerce affair, and leave that hungry beast of the Duke Mansion to me," Yun Lang finished his cup of hot tea, his brows expressing a light and elegant demeanor, as if dealing with Yue Jinghua was as easy as squashing an ant.
The operation on Empire New Street was gradually reaching a perfect state; with the help from the ladies of Duke Mansion and the three chiefs, Yue Jinghua managed to find some free time and became a hands-off manager.
Yue Minzhi also finished his month-long intensive training and returned home from the Dragon Rider Reserve Camp, preparing for the Dragon Pulling Test of the Dragon War Empire, which occurs once every five years.
Although it had been months since returning to Wo Hua Imperial City, it was the first time the mother and children of Duke Dan Mansion were reunited.
The three of them gathered happily, enjoying a family reunion dinner and talking about the heartache of being separated over the years and the relief during their reunion.
After learning of the great improvements in Duke Mansion’s situation, Yue Minzhi felt both touched and sighed, looking at his sister Yue Jinghua with even more guilt in his eyes.
In the conversation, Lie Rou caught Yue Jinghua’s eye and sighed deeply, "Minzhi, today I went to the temple outside the city to offer prayers and met the aunt from Lord Zhao’s house, her child is the same age as you and has already welcomed his second grandchild."
Hearing this, Yue Minzhi understood his mother’s intention to probe his marriage situation with Long Rui.
His expression grew somber, and he suddenly said, "Mother, since you and Jinghua are here, I also have something to discuss with you; I want to call off this marriage."
