Protect Our Patriarch-Chapter 53Book 6: : Shou Zhe digs a pit to bury the prince

……

The territory of the Tianrui Holy Dynasty is vast.

Apart from the surrounding semi-dependent or directly dependent celestial dynasties, the Holy Dynasty itself consists of seven "Paths," forty-nine provinces, three to four hundred commanderies, over two thousand counties, and more than ten thousand garrison towns. As for towns and villages, they are scattered like stars, too numerous to count.

Among them, Jiangnan Path is favorably located, with most areas having fertile land and a pleasant climate, crisscrossed by spiritual veins. Although its land area only accounts for one and a half percent of the entire Tianrui Holy Dynasty, the spiritual rice it produces makes up thirty-five percent of the total output of the Holy Dynasty, earning it the title of "Tianrui's Granary."

Jiangnan Path [Path Capital].

As the capital of Jiangnan Path, this is the most prosperous place in the entire region. In previous years, it was bustling with people, lively and flourishing, but this year it seems somewhat desolate.

Especially the [East Rice Market of the Path Capital].

This rice market has always been known for its trade in bulk spiritual rice and spiritual herbs. The numerous merchants rooted here, like carp crossing the river, all make their living by purchasing and wholesaling spiritual rice and herbs.

Yet this year, it seems as if all the buyers of the Holy Dynasty have collectively disappeared. The once bustling East Rice Market of the Path Capital now finds its major shops deserted.

[Fuyun Trading House] is a typical rice and herb trading house. While not the largest in the East Rice Market, it is still one of the notable "giants."

The reason is simple: Fuyun Trading House is a joint venture of five or six Void Realm families with marriage ties in Jiangnan Path, boasting considerable overall strength.

In the entire Jiangnan Path, there is only one celestial family, plus the hereditary Jiangnan Immortal King Mansion. Therefore, several first-class or super first-class Void Realm families united together form a significant force.

The Jiangnan Zhou Clan is a super first-class family and the largest shareholder of Fuyun Trading House.

At this moment.

Inside Fuyun Trading House, the heads of six Void Realm families are gathered, holding an internal shareholders' meeting.

But at this moment, each of them wears a heavy expression, with a few showing some discontent in their brows, clearly not in a good mood.

Zhou Wenqiu, as the head of the Jiangnan Zhou Clan, is also the convener and host of this shareholders' meeting.

Seeing the stalemate in the meeting, he solemnly scanned the other five family heads: "Gentlemen, arguing like this won't solve anything. This matter cannot be delayed any longer; we must come up with a plan."

"Patriarch Wenqiu," said Li Binghua, the head of the Jiangnan Li Clan, with some displeasure, "The price of spiritual rice has already been halved and halved again. Selling now would mean a significant loss. Moreover, you are well aware of the current situation. Even if we want to clear our inventory, someone has to be willing to take it."

"Patriarch Binghua," Zhou Wenqiu said seriously, "In recent years, due to the escalating friction between the two Holy Dynasties, food prices have soared rapidly. All families have heavily shifted their spiritual farmlands to grow spiritual rice, leading to a significant increase in production and inventory. As major grain merchants competed for spiritual rice, its price has been rising continuously over the past decade. Don't you understand how much of the 'highest price of spiritual rice' was inflated?"

"Even if it was inflated, selling at the current market price would mean an absurd loss," Li Binghua said unwillingly. "Why don't we wait and see if the price rebounds? According to rumors, the drop in grain prices is due to a fight between two immortals above. Once they settle their differences, the grain prices will eventually return to their high levels!"

"You think I don't understand?" Zhou Wenqiu said angrily. "But since it's a fight between immortals, they are big figures with substantial capital. How could they settle it in a short time? Waiting might mean a struggle lasting ten, twenty, or even a hundred years... Our Fuyun Trading House has accumulated so much grain over the years, with vast amounts of capital tied up. If we keep waiting, when will we be able to free it?"

"Moreover, all families have the habit of storing grain for famine years. In the past twenty years, food production has continuously increased. Everyone's granaries are not only full but have also been expanded significantly, all filled to the brim. The annual storage cost is also a considerable expense."

Storing spiritual rice is not just about having a warehouse; it requires a large amount of Cold Crystal Iron and a supporting array system to maintain the freshness of the spiritual rice. Otherwise, over long-term storage, not only will the spiritual energy and nutrients in the rice gradually dissipate and be lost, but the taste will also deteriorate significantly.

You must know that the most important aspects of spiritual rice are its spiritual energy and nutrients. Without these, spiritual rice is no different from ordinary rice.

Everyone understood Zhou Wenqiu's reasoning, but they were indeed reluctant to cut their losses.

"I have another crucial reason for wanting to clear our stock," Zhou Wenqiu sighed as he saw the others' attitudes begin to soften, taking out a letter. "Our family’s Ancestor Chengping has sent a letter saying he plans to go into seclusion soon to attempt breaking through to the True Immortal Realm within two hundred years, and he needs family resources for support."

"Ancestor Chengping is attempting to reach the True Immortal Realm? So soon..."

"That's wonderful! If Ancestor Chengping succeeds, our marriage alliance will have a strong backing."

"Ancestor Chengping is only two thousand six hundred years old now. If he successfully reaches the True Immortal Realm, he could protect our families for at least six to seven thousand years."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the family heads turned from worry to joy, and they couldn't help but discuss excitedly.

The shareholders of Fuyun Trading House are all related by marriage, with direct descendants intermarrying, making their relationships very close.

Back then, the Zhou Clan produced a cultivation genius, Zhou Chengping, who showed extraordinary talent at a young age. The family couldn't bear to waste his potential, so they gritted their teeth and sent him to the transcendent force, Cloud Sea Cave Heaven, to vie for a chance to become a True Immortal Seed.

Unfortunately, the Zhou Clan at that time was just an ordinary first-class family, and the resources they could provide to Zhou Chengping were very limited. Even with the resources from Cloud Sea Cave Heaven, attempting to break through to the True Immortal Realm was still very challenging.

To avoid missing the chance to compete for the True Immortal Seed due to insufficient resources, the Zhou Clan's Ancestor back then approached several closely connected allied families to discuss and agreed to jointly fund Zhou Chengping.

Later, Zhou Chengping, with his talent and the continuous support from the family alliance, rose steadily and eventually became a disciple of the Thunder Rhythm Immortal Mansion lineage in Cloud Sea Cave Heaven, finally becoming a True Immortal Seed.

Now, over two thousand years have passed, and the once-young Zhou Chengping has become Ancestor Chengping, reaching the most critical moment in his cultivation.

Whether Ancestor Chengping can successfully advance to the True Immortal Realm is a matter of success or failure.

After the initial excitement subsided a bit, Zhou Wenqiu put on a serious expression and said, "Right now, the most important thing is for Ancestor Chengping to advance to the True Immortal Realm. Any matters of our allied families must make way for Ancestor Chengping. Even if it means cutting some losses and bleeding a bit, we must gather substantial support for the Ancestor so he can attempt the breakthrough without worries."

Although True Immortal Seeds have extraordinary talent and their early cultivation progresses rapidly, once they reach the Great Perfection of the Void Realm, the benefits brought by the Heavenly Son and Heavenly Daughter's talent are almost exhausted. Breaking through to the True Immortal Realm remains a life-and-death challenge for them.

Historically, there have been instances where True Immortal Seeds failed to break through to the True Immortal Realm.

To ensure success, it is often necessary to make thorough preparations before attempting the breakthrough. At least one or two Ascending to Immortality Pills should be prepared, along with a dozen or so Immortal Spirit Stones. To guard against failure during the Tribulation Crossing, it is best to have some life-saving pills like the Heavenly Return Pill.

If conditions permit, it is best to prepare one or two Immortal Artifacts specifically for the Tribulation Crossing.

To ensure the best state for the breakthrough, it is generally necessary to go into seclusion for a period to refine cultivation, condense profound energy, and enhance one's state. This process can take a hundred or two hundred years, during which the necessary cultivation pills and spiritual food must also be prepared.

Considering the life and death of Ancestor Chengping and the honor and disgrace of the family for the next several thousand years, no amount of caution is excessive.

Hearing Zhou Wenqiu's words, all the shareholders put on serious expressions.

As heads of their respective families, they naturally understood the stakes. Even though they still felt the pain, they agreed to cut their losses.

Fortunately, the grain of Fuyun Trading House was mostly produced by their own estates, with only about forty percent purchased from outside.

Therefore, even if they cut their losses, it wasn't unbearable. It's just that the past two or three decades would have been in vain.

But even if they decided to cut their losses, they still needed to find buyers willing to take over.

Given the current slump in the spiritual rice market, this was the most challenging task.

In the days that followed, the families worked together to find buyers, but they were either outright rejected or offered purchase prices far below the market, breaking their psychological bottom line. They found themselves unable to sell despite their efforts.

And so it went.

Until one day.

A mysterious woman in the Void Realm, wearing a veil, visited [Fuyun Trading House] and expressed her intention to buy grain, demonstrating both financial and martial prowess.

The shopkeeper immediately invited Zhou Wenqiu, the head of the Zhou Clan, to personally entertain the mysterious woman.

"I am Wang Ji Yue," the mysterious woman said, lounging in a grand chair, sipping spiritual tea with ease, "introducing myself. I heard Fuyun Trading House has a batch of grain for sale..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqiu immediately perked up and began to engage in small talk with [Wang Ji Yue], attempting to negotiate.

To his surprise, Wang Ji Yue seemed well-prepared, not falling for any of it, and directly presented a purchase price list, detailing the purchase prices for various grades of spiritual rice.

Zhou Wenqiu initially thought she was trying to drive down the price, feeling somewhat depressed. But when he carefully examined the purchase price list, he was taken aback.

The purchase price offered by Wang Ji Yue was significantly higher than the current depressed market price.

Currently, grain prices are about thirty percent of the "once highest price," but Wang Ji Yue offered forty percent of that "once highest price," which, when calculated, was over thirty percent higher than the current market price.

Her enchanting eyes almost seemed to spell out the words "foolish and rich."

This "Wang Ji Yue" was, of course, Ji Yue'er, the Wang Clan's retainer.

Wang Ji Yue was a pseudonym she casually used when conducting business.

Overjoyed, Zhou Wenqiu treated Wang Ji Yue as a God of Wealth.

Having been worried about how to sell the spiritual rice, now that a "foolish and rich" major client had finally arrived, he naturally couldn't bear to let her go. He immediately put away all his miscellaneous thoughts and signed a purchase contract with Ji Yue'er, selling all the stockpile to her.

"According to the purchase contract, the total value of all the spiritual rice is twenty Immortal Spirit Stones and seventy-six Top-grade Spiritual Stones," Ji Yue'er said, putting away the contract and immediately taking out the Immortal Spirit Stones to pay, "Please, Patriarch Wenqiu, verify and confirm, then provide me with a receipt."

With excitement in his heart, Zhou Wenqiu carefully inspected the Immortal Spirit Stones and, finding no issues, immediately issued a receipt.

With all the procedures completed, he felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He planned to send twelve Immortal Spirit Stones to Ancestor Chengping and distribute the rest among the families according to their shares, allowing the families, who had been struggling for a long time, to finally catch a breath.

Each family had significant expenses every year, amounting to a considerable sum.

"Fairy Ji Yue, you must stay in Jiangnan Path for a few more days," Zhou Wenqiu said with heartfelt gratitude, sincerely inviting her, "I will gather representatives from Fuyun Trading House to properly host and thank you."

"No need for a banquet," Ji Yue'er said with a charming smile, "However, I do have a few small matters to trouble Patriarch Wenqiu with."

"Please, Fairy Ji Yue," Zhou Wenqiu immediately stood up straight, speaking earnestly.

"We will transport all the grain within three months, and I ask for your assistance at that time," Ji Yue'er said calmly.

"Rest assured, Fairy. I will personally organize a team to help with the loading," Zhou Wenqiu replied.

"If the empty granaries are temporarily unused, I would like to rent them, at the normal rate," Ji Yue'er said with a smile.

Renting the granaries?

Zhou Wenqiu's spirits lifted, his eyes lighting up.

Isn't this just another way to make money? But wait... why does Fairy Ji Yue want to rent the empty granaries?

While Zhou Wenqiu was puzzled, Ji Yue'er continued, "To be honest, we plan to transport this grain in bulk to the distant Qianyuan Holy Dynasty for sale. The journey is long and arduous, and we can't transport too much at once."

"Qianyuan Holy Dynasty?" Zhou Wenqiu's eyes sharpened.

He couldn't help but think that it was indeed a long journey. However, given the current low grain prices in the Tianrui Holy Dynasty, even though the journey is long, there is still some profit to be made.

However, the Second Prince is currently strictly controlling all routes, primarily to prevent grain exports to the neighboring Tianxing Holy Dynasty and to target the Jiang Clan. If there is a way to transport it to the Qianyuan Holy Dynasty, the price could indeed yield some profit, but it would ultimately be hard-earned money.

"In addition, we need to purchase more grain," Ji Yue'er said, seemingly revealing her true intentions, "If Fuyun Trading House is interested, we can collaborate. We will purchase any amount of grain at this price."

"Is this true?" Zhou Wenqiu's eyes gleamed, his mind racing.

There are countless families in Jiangnan Path that can't withstand the pressure. If Fuyun Trading House buys at thirty percent of the highest price, couldn't they make a significant profit?

The only issue is the risk!

What if they buy it and Fairy Ji Yue doesn't want it? This fairy has hidden her origins...

As if seeing through Zhou Wenqiu's concerns, Ji Yue'er smiled and said, "We can sign a contract and pay an advance."

With an advance payment, what is there to fear?

Zhou Wenqiu's confidence soared, and he immediately agreed, drafting another purchase contract with Ji Yue'er and receiving the first advance payment of ten Immortal Spirit Stones.

"Patriarch Wenqiu, please handle this matter discreetly. Even if the collection is slow, avoid making it widely known, or else this business..." Ji Yue'er hinted meaningfully.

"I understand," Zhou Wenqiu replied quickly, "The fewer people know about such a deal, the better. Rest assured, Fairy, Fuyun Trading House has been rooted in the spiritual rice and herb industry for over ten thousand years. Even for our own benefit, I will act prudently. As for those small families, just a little incentive will ensure they dare not defy us."

Ji Yue'er nodded in satisfaction.

At this moment, Zhou Wenqiu had completely regarded Ji Yue'er as a God of Wealth, speaking with reverence for money: "Fairy Ji Yue, is there anything else you need? As long as Fuyun Trading House can do it, there will be no hesitation."

"There is one more thing I need Patriarch Wenqiu's help with," Ji Yue'er said after a moment's thought, "This is also within Fuyun Trading House's expertise."

"Please, Fairy," Zhou Wenqiu said solemnly.

"Our trade group requires a long-term supply of fifty-year-old Purple Leaf Tuber Fleeceflower Root," Ji Yue'er said with a smile, "Can the Patriarch help with this?"

"This is the main ingredient for the lowest-grade pill, the Cultivation Pill, right?" Zhou Wenqiu understood immediately, though he frowned, "Well... although each family plans some spiritual herb fields to grow various grades of spiritual herbs, in recent years, with rising grain prices, many families have converted their spiritual herb fields to grow spiritual rice... This has led to a gradual decline in the production of various spiritual herbs, with most families only supplying their own needs."

"However, if Fairy Ji Yue needs it, I will try to gather a batch."

"I need more than just a batch," Ji Yue'er said with a smile, "In addition, I need hundred-year-old Purple Leaf Tuber Fleeceflower Root, hundred-year-old spiritual ginseng, and five-hundred-year-old profound ginseng."

With that, Ji Yue'er took out another list of spiritual herb purchases.

Clearly, this was well-prepared. The list contained low-grade spiritual herbs, but the purchase volume was enormous.

After a quick calculation of the price and volume, Zhou Wenqiu's heart couldn't help but race.

The demand is terrifying~

If purchased at this volume, the total amount would be calculated in Chaos Spirit Stones! Moreover, the price she offered was not low at all. When converted, the yield per acre of spiritual herb fields would be higher than the yield from growing spiritual rice in normal years.

As a businessman, Zhou Wenqiu was naturally good at math. He quickly calculated in his mind that if the Zhou Clan planted their vast spiritual farmland with low-grade spiritual herbs, the yield per acre in the next hundred years would far exceed that of growing spiritual rice.

Especially with the current low spiritual rice prices, growing spiritual herbs is very cost-effective.

The only issue is.

Spiritual herb cultivation requires time.

Take the fifty-year-old Purple Leaf Tuber Fleeceflower Root, for example.

With a first-grade spiritual farmland and a dedicated spiritual plant cultivator, it would take seventy to eighty years to meet the demand. If planted in a second-grade spiritual farmland with a spiritual plant cultivator, it would take about thirty years to mature.

However, if planted in a third-grade spiritual farmland, it would reach medicinal potency in about ten years.

Purple Leaf Tuber Fleeceflower Root is generally grown in first or second-grade spiritual herb fields, with cycles ranging from thirty to seventy years. The longer the cycle, the greater the uncertainty and risk.

While Zhou Wenqiu was pondering, Ji Yue'er spoke again, dispelling his doubts: "If Fuyun Trading House is willing to help, we can pay a twenty percent deposit in advance, ensuring you won't lose out."

Zhou Wenqiu's face lit up with joy, though he felt a bit embarrassed: "How can we accept that? Fairy has already helped us so much."

"In business, there's nothing to be embarrassed about," Ji Yue'er said with a light laugh.

"Alright," Zhou Wenqiu said, patting his chest, "Since it's Fairy's request, Fuyun Trading House will fully commit to this matter. After all, with grain prices so low now, planting doesn't make money. I don't know how many families would be willing to plant more spiritual herbs. I guarantee that at least the major families of Fuyun Trading House will allocate a large portion of their spiritual farmland to grow the spiritual herbs Fairy needs. No family is foolish~ Everyone knows what makes money."

Hearing this, Ji Yue'er felt reassured.

She couldn't help but marvel once again at the depth and foresight of Young Master Shouzhe's strategy. Every step taken here had its own significance.

Prince Wenyu had no business provoking Young Master Shouzhe; it was simply courting disaster.

And Fuyun Trading House was just one of the many ordinary partners Ji Yue'er collaborated with. After secretly reaching an agreement with Fuyun Trading House, Ji Yue'er immediately set off for another location.

……

Around the same time.

Qingyang Immortal Mansion.

[Qingyan Pavilion].

Qingyan Pavilion is located deep within the Immortal Mansion. Although not large in area, it is exquisitely built and beautifully designed, surrounded by serene and elegant scenery, with an air of refined elegance.

This pavilion is situated at the core of the entire Qingyang Immortal Mansion, serving as the focal point of the entire mansion's array and the place with the densest spiritual energy, making it the most suitable for cultivation.

The former East Sea Immortal King's wife was known for her beauty, literary talent, and love of tranquility. When she resided in the Holy City, she often stayed in this Qingyan Pavilion. Even after all these years, traces of her presence remain here.

The words "Qingyan Pavilion" were personally chosen by her, and even the plaque at the entrance was inscribed by her own hand.

Lüqiu Qingyang had modest requirements for her residence, not caring much for luxuries, and after moving in, she never thought of changing anything, so it remains much as it was.

At this moment.

At the entrance of Lüqiu Qingyang's bedroom in Qingyan Pavilion.

Sun Yumin returned from the training ground and saw two young girls holding spiritual food, pacing helplessly at Lüqiu Qingyang's door, causing her to frown: "The Princess still isn't eating?"

"Yes, Aunt Sun, please think of something~ How can this continue?"

Seeing her, the two young girls immediately gathered around her like finding their backbone, their faces full of worry.

Since Young Master Shouzhe's visit, the Princess had locked herself in her room and hadn't come out, not even eating the spiritual food delivered to her. At night, while on duty, they occasionally heard the Princess's cries and angry shouts from inside.

It had been almost a month, and they hadn't seen the Princess, driving them to despair.

"This can't go on. We need to find a way to persuade her," Aunt Sun also frowned, pondering a solution.

Unfortunately, she was a warrior, skilled in fighting and training, but not in comforting others.

But given the current situation, even if she wasn't good at it, she had to brace herself and try.

Just as she raised her hand to knock on the door and persuade Lüqiu Qingyang, a cheerful female voice suddenly came from not far away.

"Oh~ what's going on? Why do you all look so worried?"

Aunt Sun was taken aback, then her expression turned joyful as she quickly turned to the newcomer: "Sister Qinghe, what brings you here?"

In the nearby corridor, a middle-aged woman with delicate features and painted eyebrows walked gracefully. A gentle breeze stirred her light pink dress, exuding an ethereal elegance and indescribable charm.

This woman, named [Feng Qinghe], was the second steward of the East Sea Immortal King's Mansion's inner court.

Like Aunt Sun, her family had served the East Sea Immortal King's Mansion for generations. Her ancestor was once the chief steward of the mansion, and after her ancestor's passing a hundred years ago, she took over the position, entering the inner court.

Although she had the legacy of her ancestor, Feng Qinghe was young and initially not heavily relied upon. However, with her exceptional skills, she quickly rose to become the second steward of the inner court within a hundred years, now one of the most capable individuals under the East Sea Immortal King.

As Lüqiu Qingyang's personal guard, Aunt Sun had frequent dealings with Feng Qinghe at the East Sea Immortal King's Mansion, and they were naturally familiar with each other.

Hearing Aunt Sun's words, Feng Qinghe smiled gracefully: "I came to deliver something good to our little Immortal King."

"Deliver something good? What good things?" Aunt Sun was puzzled.

"Huh? You don't know?" Seeing her expression, Feng Qinghe looked puzzled, "Didn't Princess Qingyang write back to ask the Immortal King for it? Didn't she tell you?"

"Aunt Qinghe? Is Aunt Qinghe here?"

At that moment, the door to the bedroom suddenly swung open from the inside, and Lüqiu Qingyang rushed out.

Her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, landing on Feng Qinghe with anticipation: "How is it, Aunt Qinghe? Did the Ancestor agree? Did you bring the items?"

"Rest assured. Now that you've finally shown some initiative, the Immortal King is more than happy to oblige. Look, I've brought the items for you," Feng Qinghe said with a smile.

Without explaining to Aunt Sun, she retrieved a thumb-sized jade bottle and a slightly larger cyan jade bottle from her storage ring, carefully handing them to Lüqiu Qingyang.

Lüqiu Qingyang eagerly accepted them.

She first opened the small jade bottle and saw a Manifestation Pill inside.

Then she opened the larger cyan jade bottle, which contained a viscous liquid emitting a fiery red glow and an intensely fiery aura.

The liquid was incredibly thick, exuding a refreshing fragrance, clearly not an ordinary substance.

"Manifestation Pill? Red Sun Immortal Essence?" Aunt Sun finally reacted, instantly recognizing the two items in Lüqiu Qingyang's hands, her heart skipping a beat, "Princess, you intend to... enhance your bloodline?"

The Manifestation Pill was well-known, but the [Red Sun Immortal Essence] was a sacred item for fire-attribute bloodline cultivators to enhance their bloodline. Due to its extremely limited production and being a specialty and foundation of the East Sea Immortal King's Mansion, it was never sold externally.

The small bottle in Lüqiu Qingyang's hand was one of the East Sea Immortal King's Mansion's treasured possessions, something Aunt Sun had only seen from afar once before.

"Exactly."

Lüqiu Qingyang quickly resealed the bottles after a glance, her face showing a satisfied smile.

"My strength is on par with that of Wang Shouzhe, but my bloodline is lacking. After much thought, I realized that to surpass him, I must enhance my bloodline. With these, my bloodline quality will improve significantly, and I refuse to believe I can't defeat him!"

"Huh? So, Princess, you had already made up your mind. Why have you been hiding in your room crying these past days?" Aunt Sun was bewildered.

The distance from here to the East Sea Immortal King's Mansion was considerable, and Feng Qinghe's arrival indicated that Lüqiu Qingyang had written back long ago. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Who was crying?!" Lüqiu Qingyang's face turned red, and she became embarrassed and angry, "I was in seclusion, preparing to enhance my bloodline. Enough~ Don't dwell on unimportant details."

"Let's go. Accompany me to seek an audience with the Holy Emperor Ancestor Grandfather and ask him to protect me while I enhance my bloodline."

With that, she put away the two jade bottles and marched out energetically.Feng Qinghe and Aunt Sun exchanged a glance, both showing a satisfied smile.

Qingyang finally wants to rise up; it's not easy~

With Lüqiu Qingyang's talent, she is fully qualified to compete for the Holy Diagram, but unfortunately, she only wants to fight and has no interest in the position of Holy Emperor.

In the past, the East Sea Immortal King and others had tried to persuade her, but her mind was set, and they couldn't sway her.

Unexpectedly, this time, she was provoked by Wang Shouzhe, which sparked her competitive spirit and gave her the desire to advance further.

For the entire East Sea Immortal King's Mansion, this is undoubtedly a great thing.

...

Poor Prince Wenyu, at this moment, he has no idea that Wang Shouzhe has already dug several big pits for him, ready to trap him hard.

Wenyu Prince's Residence.

Prince Wenyu, who had just finished a busy day, stretched lazily and couldn't help but rub his temples in fatigue.

After drinking a bowl of spirit medicine porridge prepared by the maid, his energy was restored. Suddenly, he remembered that he hadn't paid attention to the grain prices and Wang Shouzhe for some time.

Immediately, he summoned his advisors Helian Duocai and Yao Xingshu to inquire about the grain price issue.

"Your Highness," Helian Duocai said, "Currently, the grain prices are still hovering at a low level, and many small businesses can't hold on. Should we take this opportunity to slightly increase the price and buy a batch of low-priced grain?"

"Take the opportunity to buy? No," Prince Wenyu waved his hand. "Buying now, although it could make some money, would revitalize the market and give Wang Shouzhe an opportunity."

"Our vision needs to be broader, not just focused on these immediate small profits. As long as we can subdue Wang Shouzhe and make him cooperate with us obediently, any cost is worth it."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Helian Duocai, though somewhat disagreeing, did not dare to contradict Prince Wenyu.

"By the way, Xingshu, how did it go when I asked you to sound out Wang Shouzhe?" Prince Wenyu asked Yao Xingshu, "Has his attitude softened a bit? As long as he shows some submission, I will still treat him with courtesy."

"Uh... well..." Yao Xingshu looked a bit embarrassed, "I went several times but always missed him. Last time, they said he went to tease Little Immortal King Qingyang and made her cry. The day before yesterday, he went out to sea with the maid Jiang Muxian and participated in the Four Directions Tournament."

"…"

Prince Wenyu's expression darkened.

After a long pause, he finally snorted in displeasure, "Truly, I offer my heart to the bright moon, but the moon shines on the ditch! A playboy is just a playboy, only knowing pleasure and not the bigger picture."

"Continue to suppress grain prices, and increase the oversight on Jiang's Clan."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Wang Shouzhe, oh Wang Shouzhe, keep holding out. Sooner or later, I will make you submit obediently!