Bab 35: Chapter 35: Doomed to Live a Short Life
Su Xing'er walked into the VIP room with a smile.
"I was just wondering if I had any old acquaintances, and it turns out to be you," Su Xing'er said as she took a seat across from Jiang Ce. She smiled warmly at him.
"That's right! I still owe you my thanks for your help back then," Jiang Ce replied, returning the smile.
"It's the fault of our manager's inexperience. I should be the one apologizing to you," Su Xing'er responded politely, maintaining a slight distance from Jiang Ce. She had grown considerably during these days, becoming adept at handling social interactions.
"I wonder if the young master has a specific reason for visiting today, and if there's anything Xing'er can assist with?" Su Xing'er didn't beat around the bush; she went straight to the point.
Without hesitation, Jiang Ce responded, "Not at all. I simply wanted to express my gratitude to Miss Xing'er for your assistance before leaving." He reached into his storage ring, retrieving a box and placing it on the table.
"Leaving?" Su Xing'er didn't focus on the box on the table; she seized upon the main point in the young master's words.
"I must apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Jiang Ce. My father is the lord of the Northwest Region. This time, I've come to Azure Cloud Kingdom for… some experience," Jiang Ce explained with a hint of embarrassment.
"Jiang Ce, the young master of the Jiang family?" Su Xing'er's smile widened as she pieced together the puzzle. "As far as I know, the Azure Cloud royal family seems to be a branch of your Jiang family."
Su Xing'er's words contained an undertone of understanding. Jiang Ce was naturally cautious about revealing too much about his situation. She had speculated that he might be from a prominent family, but she hadn't expected him to be from the main family of the Northwest Region.
"It's true that things haven't been going well for the Lord's Mansion recently, isn't it?" Su Xing'er picked up her tea cup, took a sip, and then turned her gaze toward Jiang Ce.
Jiang Ce's expression became somewhat unnatural.
"I meant no offense." Su Xing'er smiled, noting Jiang Ce's discomfort.
"You're right; what you said is true. How could I be angry? It's just the reality. "It's the truth, and I have no intention of denying it," Jiang Ce replied with a smile that appeared open and sincere.
"In that case, would Young Master Jiang be interested in conducting a transaction with our Kyushu Chamber of Commerce?" Su Xing'er gazed at Jiang Ce.
Su Xing'er had spent a considerable amount of time in the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce and had acquired some information about the state of the Jiang family. Given the current predicament of the Lord's Mansion, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for collaboration.
The Lord of the Northwestern Region's physical conditions was no longer enough to suppress the people under him and the other regions were also eying the Northwestern region. So it can be said that the Lord's Mansion was suffering from both internal and external sides.
In Su Xing'er's view, Jiang Ce's going back at this time was nothing more than going into the mouth of a tiger. After all, Jian Ce is the sole heir of the Lord's Mansion.
Jiang Ce's eyes lit up with hope. "What kind of transaction is Miss Xing'er proposing?"
Naturally, Jiang Ce was concerned about his family's condition, and the possibility of obtaining rare elixirs or medicines from the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce was an enticing prospect.
"Our Kyushu Chamber of Commerce is willing to assist in stabilizing the current situation in the Northwestern Realm. We can send our experts to help resolve the issues you're facing."
"Then what's the cost?" Jiang Ce didn't hurry to respond. Instead, he looked at Su Xinger and inquired about the price.
"Once the situation is stable, we propose that every city in the Northwestern Realm should host a branch of the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, there should only be one trading firm in the entire Northwestern Realm, which would be ours," Su Xing'er stated, her eyes filled with a mixture of shrewdness and wisdom.
"Miss Xinger, your scheme is truly ringing like a bell." Hearing this price, Jiang Ce laughed with a hint of annoyance.
How vast was the northwest territory?
Inside were numerous kingdoms, totaling at least hundreds. As for cities, there were no less than tens of thousands.
And there was another condition: only the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce could exist within the entire northwest territory? If they agreed to this, the Lord's Mansion would offend how many powers? At that point, let alone management, the survival of the Lord's Mansion would be in question.
"In this deal, you won't lose out. The concern you have about the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce, I can resolve it for you. Furthermore, I can even promise you the position of the Lord for your Jiang family for generations to come." Su Xinger said dominantly.
"Moreover, as far as I know, the Nanyao Empire probably harbors intentions to deal with several Lord's Mansions, right?" Su Xinger continued, as if she had complete control over Jiang Ce.
"What if that's the case? But I can still purchase heavenly treasures to heal my father's injuries. Once my father recovers, these problems will naturally be resolved." Jiang Ce felt that this condition was a bit audacious and didn't want to agree.
"Hehehe." Su Xinger burst into laughter. "Why didn't I realize before that you're so naive?
"If it's really possible to buy miraculous elixirs, why hasn't this issue been resolved for so long? Besides, in the Southern Domain, if someone doesn't want you to acquire spiritual medicine, your father won't be able to buy it.
"Moreover, how could the other Lord's Mansions and the Nanyao Empire allow your father to recover so easily? And how could your father, at such an old age, sustain such serious injuries?" Su Xinger's barrage of questions silenced Jiang Ce and stopped him from speaking.
"You…" Jiang Ce was rendered speechless by these consecutive questions, not knowing what to say.
"Collaborate with my Kyushu Chamber of Commerce, and your Lord's Mansion won't be at a loss. It could even be a win-win situation. Moreover, can you wait? Your father may not be able to wait," Su Xinger smiled at Jiang Ce. However, the smile appeared like it could devour him from his perspective.
A struggle flickered across Jiang Ce's face, and Su Xinger seized the opportunity.
She refilled Jiang Ce's tea and lifted her own teacup, a clear gesture.
A trace of determination crossed Jiang Ce's face, and he picked up the teacup.
"Let's cooperate happily." Su Xinger clinked her teacup against Jiang Ce's and took a light sip.
However, Jiang Ce drained his cup in one gulp.
"I will ask the help of my family for this matter. But remember, it won't be the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce that offers assistance," Su Xinger disregarded Jiang Ce's expression, stood up directly, and looked him in the eye, speaking seriously.
"Why?" When Su Xinger turned to leave, Jiang Ce asked this question.
Upon hearing his words, Su Xinger didn't turn around. She merely turned her head and said something to Jiang Ce.
"I'm a merchant. Merchants value profits. In this world where might is right, no one will genuinely help you. Compassion is destined to lead to an early demise."
After saying this, Su Xinger turned and left.
Jiang Ce sat alone in his seat, motionless.
He thought she was different, but what he didn't anticipate was that she, like many others, prioritized profits. He had misjudged her.
Yes! Profit, no one ignores it. He was just like most people.
Jiang Ce chuckled self-mockingly.
Perhaps you're right. This world is a survival of the fittest. Maybe compassion truly doesn't lead to a long life.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone