FVN Chapter 93 The Deal is Made
Chapter 93 The Deal is Made
Zhao Yuanlang opened the silk scroll, quickly browsed through a few pages, and the gleam in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
He was a discerning person. Although the methods recorded in this booklet lacked core formations, in his opinion, the approach was sound.
If this can be used as a foundation and further improved, its value will be immeasurable.
Shen Qing, who had been staring at Zhao Yuanlang, slowly revealed the key point: "However, I do not have any spirit seeds. If you could ask the county magistrate to help me find some spirit grains and spirit herb seeds through the channels of the Heavenly God Sect, I am willing to split the spoils fifty-fifty with the county magistrate once the spirit fields are successfully cultivated and harvested."
Zhao Yuanlang put down the silk scroll and lingered on Shen Qing's face for a long time.
Shen Qing's foundation is weak, and his cultivation has stagnated for many years. He doesn't seem like someone who can break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Mo Wentian, however, insisted on pushing him to the Foundation Establishment stage. Now it seems that what Mo Wentian left for Shen Qing was probably far more than just a Foundation Establishment Pill.
All these things combined made Zhao Yuanlang's thought even clearer: Mo Wentian must be a Golden Core cultivator.
Zhao Yuanlang took a deep breath and gently placed the silk scroll on the table.
"Sect Leader Shen, are you aware that Spirit Valley Seeds are also controlled items within the Heavenly God Sect? It's incredibly difficult for ordinary lower sects to even obtain a single bag. Yet you've offered a 50/50 split right off the bat; that's quite generous."
Shen Qing smiled slightly: "It is precisely because the county magistrate has connections within the Heavenly God Sect that I dare to speak up. If it were just the Qingyun Sect on its own, let alone a seed, it wouldn't even know which way to open the door."
"A 50/50 split is my way of showing my sincerity to the county magistrate. I, Shen Qing, will bear all the manpower and time spent on cultivating the spirit field. The county magistrate only needs to provide the seeds. On the day of harvest, half will go to the county magistrate and half to the Qingyun Sect."
Zhao Yuanlang tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, lost in thought and remaining silent.
He was a pragmatic person. Qinghe County was just a remote county under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly God Sect, and resources were scarce. Although he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the cultivation resources he received from the sect each month were really limited.
If there's another way to get here, why not?
More importantly, although Mo Wentian had traveled far away to Shu Prefecture, he left the method of cultivating spiritual fields to Shen Qing, which shows that Qingyun Sect held great importance in his heart.
Befriending the Qingyun Sect is tantamount to forging a good relationship. If Mo Wentian eventually reaches the Golden Core stage, the value of this good relationship will increase even further.
"it is good."
After a long silence, Zhao Yuanlang finally spoke, "Since Sect Leader Shen is so frank, I will not beat around the bush either. I agree to the matter of the spirit field."
"Regarding the spirit grain seeds, Zhao can apply for them from the Spirit Items Bureau in the county town, which should take about half a month. I will try to obtain another type of spirit herb seed and bring it along as well. The harvest will be split 50/50 as you said."
Shen Qing was secretly delighted, but showed no sign of it on his face: "Thank you, Magistrate."
"But there are a few rules that need to be made clear."
Zhao Yuanlang changed the subject, his tone becoming serious, "Firstly, shops in the market and martial arts escort agencies must pay taxes according to the general commercial taxes of Qinghe County, without exception."
"Secondly, Qingyun Sect disciples who operate businesses in the county town must register with the county government's martial arts department. If they use cultivator methods to oppress mortals, the government will arrest them without hesitation."
"Thirdly, the accounts for the output of the spirit fields will be reviewed by Xuanji and you in person every quarter, and the 50/50 split must be verifiable. Are you willing to agree to these three conditions, Sect Leader Shen?"
Shen Qing felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing this, and immediately said solemnly, "I will abide by the three rules set by the magistrate. If I violate them, I will be punished accordingly."
"Words are no proof; let us make a contract as an oath."
Zhao Yuanlang summoned Xuanji and ordered him to lay out paper and grind ink. The two made a pact on the spot, each swearing an oath by their inner demons.
Amidst the rustling sound of ink on paper, Zhao Yuanlang added, "Sect Leader Shen, I have one more thing to say. I will not report the matter of the Spirit Field Opening Method to the sect. This method originated from the Qingyun Sect and is being used on Qingyun Mountain. I am merely a personal investor in it."
"If this matter ever comes to light, I, Zhao, will explain it to the sect myself and will not make things difficult for Sect Leader Shen."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qing's heart stirred slightly. Zhao Yuanlang was planning to vouch for him and make a promise not to reveal the secrets of the Qingyun Sect.
Shen Qing immediately cupped his hands and said, "Shen Qing thanks the magistrate for his consideration."
The contract is made in duplicate, and each party should keep a copy.
Seeing that the main business was finished, Shen Qing brought up another matter: "Your Excellency, there is one more thing. Qingyun Academy will be recruiting children again after the New Year. Mr. Sun has discussed this matter with Instructor Ma and Instructor Zhou, and preparations are underway."
"Qingyun Academy teaches children to read and write, aiming to educate ordinary people. What does the county magistrate think?"
Zhao Yuanlang waved his hand: "An academy is an academy, and a sect is a sect. As long as the academy does not privately teach cultivation techniques and teaches children to read and recite scriptures, it is naturally a good thing. The county government's subsidies to the academy will continue as before. There is no need to say more about this matter. Sect Leader Shen, just go ahead and handle it."
Shen Qing suppressed his elation; he hadn't expected Zhao Yuanlang to be so indifferent to the affairs of the academy.
The academy is the key to his scheme; the martial arts escort agency and the shops in the market are just a smokescreen to settle the existing disciples and obtain funds for the sect's operation.
Shen Qing's true foundation lies with those young children who have studied and learned to read at Qingyun Academy since childhood, and are naturally close to Qingyun Sect.
In the future, those with spiritual roots will be selected from among them and brought into the outer sect. They will be supplemented with the "Qingyun Qi Refining Technique". Their future will be the source of his spiritual energy and the cornerstone of the growth of the Qingyun Sect.
At this moment, Zhao Yuanlang didn't care how many children the academy accepted, or whether those children would call Shen Qing "Headmaster" or "Teacher" in the future.
He only cared about how many spirit fields he could cultivate and how much spirit grain he could produce, and how much extra resources these could bring him.
Of course, this is exactly what Shen Qing wanted.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Shen Qing got up to take his leave.
Zhao Yuanlang escorted him to the entrance of the back hall, then suddenly stopped. "Sect Leader Shen, I have a favor to ask of you. If Brother Mo returns to Qinghe, please inform me so I can prepare a feast to welcome him."
Shen Qing sensed the probing in those words and replied without changing his expression, "I dare not guarantee when my martial uncle will return, but if he does, the first thing I will do is invite the county magistrate up the mountain for a drink."
The two exchanged a smile and, each with their own thoughts, bowed to each other.
After leaving the county government office, Shen Qing stood for a moment under the willow tree at the entrance.
The wind in January still carried a chill, but his heart was warm.
The martial arts escort agency, the noodle market, and the development of spiritual fields—all three tasks were successfully completed.
It went more smoothly than expected. Zhao Yuanlang was more pragmatic and smarter than he thought.
The biggest advantage of dealing with smart people is that it saves you trouble.
Shen Qing walked along South Street towards the Huang family mansion.
The plaque that used to hang above the gate of the Huang family mansion, which read "Huang Mansion," has been removed, leaving only an empty wooden frame.
A donkey cart was parked at the entrance, and several disciples were loading old furniture onto it.
Zhao Shoucheng came out from inside the door and, seeing that it was Shen Qing, quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Sect Master."
"How's the house renovation going?"
"The main hall and backyard are all set up. The front yard needs some work. We plan to demolish a few walls and open it up into one large open space. My junior sister says the shop needs to be brighter to attract customers."
Zhao Shoucheng then said, "By the way, Sect Master, we've discussed the shop's name. What do you think of 'Qingyunfang'?"
"Qingyunfang," Shen Qing read it aloud. "Okay. That's the name."