Chapter 79: Wang Chong’s Ambitions (1/2)

“Hahaha, I won’t hide anything from you two. Your Hyderabad ore has brought me much profit this time. In gratitude, I decided to increase the payment to 400 gold taels per jun from 300!”

Wang Chong laughed heartily.

“Ah!”

The duo was taken aback.

“I know that Sindhu needs the money urgently, so feel free to take it. As for the excess, take it as the deposit for the next batch. Of course, this is just the price for the first batch. The price may still rise higher in the future along with our partnership.”

Wang Chong said.

“Gongzi!”

They were both astonished and moved. Often, many business partners only spoke of strictly business and don’t interact on a personal basis. As such, the relationship between both sides was shallow and mainly revolved around profits.

The condition in Sindhu was severe, and no amount of money was too much for them. If they could, they would plead for aid. However, who would be willing to lend the sum of money to them?

There was no need for Wang Chong to pay them an additional sum after earning a fortune. This was no longer just business.

“Gongzi, we will remember this gratitude. We thank you on behalf of Sindhu. Gongzi, rest assured, we will definitely return this favor in the future.”

Ablonodan and Arloja lowered their heads and spoke earnestly.

Wang Chong chuckled.

Before the two Sindhi monks said anything, Wang Chong raised the price of the Hyderabad ore by a third, from 300 gold taels per jun to 400 gold taels per jun.

Wang Chong wasn’t a fool. It wasn’t because he didn’t have any other use for the money, but rather, he was considering deeper into the matter.

Wang Chong’s first thought after obtaining the 600,000 gold taels deposit from the thirty plus Imperial Army commander was to ensure and increase his supply of Hyderabad ores.

A single Wootz steel sword was insignificant in a war. Three hundred Wootz steel sword was only useful in a small skirmish. Without sufficient of it, it was impossible for the Wootz steel sword to bring about strategic purpose.

If Wang Chong desired to bring out the fearsome strength of the Wootz steel sword to determine the tides of a war, as he has witnessed in his previous life, he had to equip at least an entire army. Meaning, he had to equip soldiers in units of ten thousand, and only then would the might of the Wootz steel weapons show through.

Only then would it be of use for Wang Chong to accomplish his dream and mission!

Thus, from the very start, Wang Chong wasn’t content with just the 300 jun of Hyderabad ore. What he wanted was the entire Hyderabad mine! If he could, he would even buy the entire mine down!

And that 600,000 gold taels had given him the strength to accomplish his ambitions.

Sindhu was a far distance away from the Central Plains. In contrast, it was much closer to the Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu. This was a factor that Wang Chong had to take into account when competing against them for the rights to the Hyderabad ore.

‘The one in the lakeside pavilion obtains the moon first’. Given the difference in distance, it was impossible Sindhu to neglect the closer Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu for the faraway Central Plains.

If Wang Chong wanted to triumph against the Abbasid Caliphate and the Charax Spasinu in the fight for the Hyderabad ore, he could only do so in a price war.

Even though Arloja and Ablonodan didn’t say it explicitly, it was clear that 300 gold taels per jun was the lowest price Sindhu could accept. Otherwise, they wouldn’t go to the extent of breaking down the negotiations immediately when a lower price was offered.

Thus, the Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu must have been offered the same price as well.

‘The earliest bird gets the worm’, if Sindhu felt that they could obtain more profits from the Central Plains, they would give priority to the faraway Central Plains instead of Charax Spasinu or Abbasid Caliphate.

At the same time, this would raise Sindhu’s expectations for the Abbasid Caliphate and the Charax Spasinu. However, the two countries would definitely find it hard to accept the abrupt rise in price.

Wang Chong would benefit as the conflict between the both sides worsened.

This was what Wang Chong was aiming for!

Tens of thousand of gold taels meant nothing to him. His priority was to maximize the supply of Hyderabad ores to the Central Plains!

Stepping out from the White Agate Jewelry Store, Wang Chong couldn’t help but laugh heartily. Then, he drove the carriage to the Ghost Tree District.

…

After Su Bai was captured by the Court of Judicial Review and jailed, the matter before the Wang Clan spread as though the wind, reaching the ears of all of the nobility throughout the capital.

“What? Su Bai is in jail? The one who sold the sword at the Bluebottle Pavilion was Wang Chong?”

When the news reached the Yao Clan, Yao Feng smacked the table. Astonishment reflected in his eyes. He has been waiting in anticipation for news of Su Bai’s victory, but unexpectedly, what welcomed him was this instead.

“Yes, gongzi. Upon hearing of the matter, Duke of Su quickly left the royal court to save Su gongzi. As for Wang Chong… We have witnessed the Imperial Army commanders bringing carriages of gold and jewels to visit the Wang Family Residence. Every single one of them addressed Wang Chong as the number one swordsmith in the world!”

Kneeling on the floor, Gao Fei reported. When the matter happened, Gao Fei was within the crowd as well. Knowing that Wang Chong knew of his identity, he made sure to proceed carefully to escape his notice.

Yao Feng found it hard to believe that Su Bai would be jailed, and Wang Chong was the ‘Bluebottle Pavilion’s’ number one swordsmith in the world. He was completely astounded by the turn of events.

“What kind of sword could be worth 40000 gold taels? How could a brat like him possess such capability?”

Yao Feng spat through gritted teeth. It wasn’t long ago when Wang Chong was just a profligate scion in the capital, and his target for revenge against the Wang Clan. In fact, even a mere Ma Zhou was able to play him in his palms.

But in an instant, Wang Chong suddenly turned into the number one swordsmith in the world!

The abrupt change was so shocking that Yao Feng couldn’t believe it, needless to say, accept it.

“We’ve no idea as well, but it is impossible for the Imperial Army to be mistaken. Su gongzi has asked them whether they have made a mistake, but all he received as their ridicule.”

Gao Fei reported.