Chapter 605

Chapter 605: The New City Lord Thrives like a Fish in Water

The next day, with Hao Wentong’s great-grandfather yet to be buried, the clan elders convened and decided that the new city lord would follow the current trend and take office.

Hao Yue Lin wanted to see what Li Hui could accomplish, so after handing over all the procedures of the city lord’s residence, she assumed a posture of having completed her task and faded into the background.

In the vast residence, Li Hui became the primary figure. In fact, throughout all of Mufeng City, he was the top person. As for how many disciples supported and believed in him, there was no need for expectations.

All the wealth remained in the hands of Hao Yue Lin and the clan elders. In the eyes of the cultivators in the city, he seemed high and mighty, yet among the Hao Family, even a rookie would not consider him significant; the city lord’s residence was merely an empty shell.

However, Li Hui was already very satisfied to have this shell!

What did having this shell mean? It was equivalent to the Hao Family’s golden brand! He issued his first city lord decree, announcing to the entire city that residents and businesses could express their gratitude by wearing white mourning clothes. The new city lord ignited three flames during his inaugural address, the first being a six-month tax exemption.

He initially wanted to waive taxes for a year, but as the city lord, he faced limitations—he could grant at most six months of tax relief.

“Heh, six months it is then! Transmit my command to sell everything that can be sold in the residence—vases, screens, everything—send them to the auction house! Say that this city lord is striving to govern well and plans to build a series of facilities beneficial to the public and merchants. In the future, I will govern strictly with respect for all beings, treat others generously, reflect on my actions, and benefit the people’s lives.”

Once this news spread, some merchants were merely entertained, while others sensed opportunity and hurried to seek out the auction house that helped sell the city lord’s items.

After searching around, they finally found this newly registered auction house located in a corner of Mufeng City. It consisted of only three courtyards, and the place was as shabby as could be.

Li Hui, the freshly appointed city lord, had something to say: “I am penniless and in dire straits. How can I manage when Hao Yue Lin even took back the servant who boiled water? What should I do? The entire city lord residence is now empty, only a few flower pots and screens are left. Saying I will govern strictly and reflect is of no help; even if I try my best to save, there is nothing that can be saved.”

The situation seemed awkward, but Li Hui knew there were always adept merchants in the world, as well as bold investors. Sitting in the position of city lord, he was not the one seeking money; rather, money would come looking for him.

Everyone underestimated the new city lord. Those flower pots and screens garnered astronomical bids in that small courtyard.

Most importantly, all the participating merchants who paid hefty prices had their names meticulously recorded. They felt quite pleased!

Just when all the merchants thought this was the conclusion, the monk responsible for the registration stood up and said, “The items in the residence are limited, and it seems that everyone is not satisfied. How about we sell this auction house as well?”

“What does this mean?” The merchants present looked confused, but some clever individuals quickly realized that this shabby auction house was today’s biggest surprise.

“I’ll offer fifty thousand high-grade Miao Jade…”

This announcement signified that the auction house would not go unsold. The key was that the three courtyards were still rented, and once they left, they could carry away the signboard stuck out front.

To be honest, what the merchants were frantically bidding for was that signboard, as it represented the communication channel between the city lord’s residence and the outside world. They would risk everything to obtain it, knowing they could get money from any bank with it.

The merchants were not foolish. Even if Li Hui said nothing, they understood what needed to be done.

Once the offerings were brought back to the city lord’s residence and while they were marveling at how the young city lord could earn money, back in that small rented three-courtyard residence stood a second plaque.

“Bond Office? What does this mean?”

Soon, through the repeated narrations of some storytellers and little beggars, the residents of Mufeng City learned that the Bond Office was established by the city lord’s residence to issue spirit talisman bonds and borrow money from everyone.

“That’s novel! The city lord’s residence is borrowing money from us common folk, and only charging three percent interest each month. This young city lord is such a miser; many banks charge four percent.”

“Pfft! Those banks won’t even deal with us commoners. It takes ten or eight wealthy families to come together to get four percent; now the city lord’s residence makes it convenient for us, only recognizing bonds and not people. Plus, I heard these bonds have a face value and a Spirit Motion mark to distinguish authenticity—it’s a truly beneficial move for the people!”

The city lord’s residence had all its declaration papers cut down by a certain overzealous sect leader to create spirit talisman bonds for sale.

The Nine-Mystic Continent’s banks were too high-end and didn’t conduct business with commoners. Li Hui dared say that within two months, the spirit talisman bonds would thrive on the Hao Family’s territory. If the speed of control was fast enough, they could seize the bond market of other families, and just thinking about it sent shivers of excitement through him.

Gathering a little becomes a lot; tiny grains of sand form a tower—this approach had proven successful time and again.

The Nine-Mystic Continent was so wealthy that even the most modest commoners could be considered rich in other continents. Could one enter a treasure mountain and come back empty-handed?

Hao Yue Lin took control of the financial power, intending to showcase this imposter city lord. Little did she expect that not only was he skilled, but he also had a knack for collecting wealth, rivaling a Great Power. The question remained: who would embarrass whom in the future?

Li Hui created various denominations of spirit talisman bonds, and once he accumulated a sum of wealth, he began preparing treasure talisman bonds specifically for merchants. He also met with the wealthy merchant who purchased the auction house.

“Greetings, city lord!” The plump merchant entered the city lord’s residence, led by a servant into the study, which delighted him. According to custom, only close confidants could enter the study, indicating that his strategy was on the right track.

“Your name is Tie Yixin? I hope you will follow my lead.” Li Hui gestured for the fat merchant to come closer and whispered, “Collaboration is mutual. Let’s practice with bonds during this first partnership. Help me buy bonds at high prices, drive the prices up—doubling is just the start; a fivefold increase is not too much, and tenfold is a small matter. The higher the price, the better.”

“What? City lord, aren’t you risking your entire fortune?” The plump merchant thought this new city lord was incredibly foolish.

“Think again?” Li Hui smiled.

“Uh! Drive up the price, five times, ten times…” The plump merchant glanced at the stack of spirit talisman bonds on the table, nearly gasping in shock. With widened eyes, he fell to the ground and transmitted a message, “I understand. The decision-making power lies with the city lord. If we push the price of spirit talisman bonds higher, you can pull wealth in secretly, profiting tremendously. Those commoners and rich merchants will surely follow in pursuit once they see the potential for gain. However, this approach will inevitably lead back to reality, and both the city lord’s residence and the Hao Family may suffer reputational damage.”

“Good, quick on the uptake. There will surely be some who go bankrupt due to greed. Gather these individuals and organize them according to my requests into a tiered guild. I won’t compete for benefits with common merchants; the costs will come from the ten Great Families.”