Qin Shi Huang: Swordsmanship begins with picking up Xiao Meng

Chapter 116 The First Stock Exchange in History
Zilanxuan!
"Miss Zi Nu, it looks quite lively today."

Zi Nu, who was busy greeting guests, heard a familiar greeting, turned around and saw Han Fei and Zhang Liang arriving.

"He's not here if you two come at this time."

The "he" that Zi Nu was referring to was naturally Wei Zhuang. Yesterday, Jiang Yu said that he was going to start selling off the Qiulan contracts, so Wei Zhuang went to the Seven Absolutes Hall to find Tang Qi.

First, it explains to Tang Qi how to be a good shill; second, it uses Tang Qi's identity to help Zi Lan Xuan make money.

“Miss Zi Nu, you’ve guessed wrong. I’m not here to see Brother Wei Zhuang today, but to see you.”

Han Fei explained his purpose, while glancing at the guests present, and then asked curiously:
"These people don't seem to be here for pleasure."

At this moment, a tall and conspicuous scoring board was hung in Zilan Pavilion. On the left side, there was a "gold" character written on it. People below pulled the hanging rope according to the rules, and the corresponding number moved up or down by one position.

At this moment, all the guests were gathered in front of the points board, chatting and discussing something among themselves, while seemingly waiting for something.

This is a very rare occurrence for Zilanxuan, a brothel.

As Zi Nu led the two upstairs for a private chat, she said:
"The young master said that he wanted to warm up and cultivate the market, so he asked us to find some small merchants from Xinzheng."

Finding small merchants is easy, then use them to influence the real big merchants in Xinzheng, until finally, the ultimate boss, Jade Tiger.

"Has it started yet?"

Han Fei, who had already fully cooperated with Zi Lan Xuan, was naturally aware of the cause and effect.

"Zifang, we're in for a good show soon."

"I am very much looking forward to Mr. Jiang's plan."

Since playing that game of chess with Jiang Yu, Zhang Liang has gained another person he admires.

"It seems that in that game of chess, you won more than just one bet against me."

Zi Nu's words were suggestive, and she then gestured for the two to enter the private room and sit down, serving them wine as she said:

"What business do you two have with me?"

"Miss Zi Nu, it's like this."

Han Fei accepted the wine and explained his purpose:

“Last night, Zuo Sima Liu Yi died in his own residence. The case has now been handed over to me. I heard that something seemed to have happened to Liu Yi at Zilan Pavilion last night, so I came to ask Miss Zi Nu about the situation.”

"Left Sima Liu Yi is dead?"

Zi Nu frowned upon hearing this, wondering how so many things had happened last night.

Han Fei was attacked!
Liu Yi is dead!

And then there's Zilanxuan; if it weren't for Jiang Yu's reminder, people would probably have died there too.

Zi Nu's thoughts shifted, and she seemed to understand something.

Could it be that the young master knew Liu Yi was going to die, which is why he dared to play tricks on Liu Yi so recklessly?

Han Fei, gazing at Zi Nu who remained lost in thought for a long time, could only call out again:
"Miss Zi Nu?"

Liu Yi's behavior last night was really too strange. He actually took his wife to Zilan Pavilion, and then left alone to return in a hurry.

This left Han Fei and Zhang Liang, who had no clue about the case, with no choice but to seek help from Zi Nu first.

"Gentlemen, this matter concerns the young master, so it is not appropriate for Zi Nu to say more."

Coming to her senses, Zi Nu first apologized, then added:
"The young master will be here shortly. Why don't you two wait a bit and ask him again?"

"In that case, let's wait for Brother Jiang!"

When Han Fei and Zhang Liang heard that it was related to Jiang Yu, they could only wait patiently.

"Then I'll excuse myself!"

Zi Nu apologized and continued downstairs, explaining the trading rules to the merchants.

Han Fei and Zhang Liang leaned against the second-floor railing, watching Zi Nu's control and operations.

Not long after, Wei Zhuang, who hadn't used the main gate, also returned and stood with Han Fei and Zhang Liang.

All three had a premonition that they were about to witness a landmark moment in history.

Following Wei Zhuang in was Tang Qi, who entered through the main entrance and was the last person invited to participate in this transaction.

Finally, after some time, Jiang Yu, having finished accompanying Shao Siming, arrived late and, of course, immediately noticed the three people on the second floor.

However, Jiang Yu did not pay attention to the three of them first. Instead, she handed the contract that she had prepared earlier to Zi Nu before going upstairs to find the three of them.

"Brother Han, Brother Wei Zhuang, Zifang,"

"Brother Jiang!"

"Mr. Jiang!" Han Fei and Zhang Liang responded with smiles, while Wei Zhuang, without saying a word, immediately stepped back a distance.

"Sigh, I never expected to find such an ungrateful wretch. I helped him make so much money, and he didn't even say thank you."

Jiang Yu sighed deeply:

"The world is declining!"

Wei Zhuang's grip on his sword tightened, his back teeth almost grinding to powder. Jiang Yu had indeed helped them make money, but the problem was that all the money they earned had to go into filling the enormous hole of 100,000 in military pay.

And who made this huge hole? Don't you, Jiang Yu, have any idea?
"Haha, Brother Jiang, I have some things I'd like to ask you about."

Han Fei, naturally aware of the situation, quickly smoothed things over and explained his purpose.

You mean Madam Hu?

Jiang Yu naturally had nothing to hide from Han Fei and told him in detail what had happened last night.

As Jiang Yu was narrating, Zi Nu, who had received the contract below, officially began the transaction.

First, the contract was presented. With the endorsement of Honglian, the most favored princess in Korea, the small merchants were naturally reassured.

Then the transaction officially began!
As the rope was pulled, the scoreboard, which had been at zero, jumped to five, forming the character "五金" (five gold) together with the character "金".

However, Jiang Yu only paid one gold medal in the contract.

Therefore, when the price was announced, the room fell silent for a moment, with no one bidding. After all, it was a new thing, and no one dared to be the first to try it.

However, at this moment, Tang Qi, the shill, came in handy.

"I want it."

Tang Qi stood up and shouted:

"Damn it, even if we pay the nine gold coins from the contract, it's only fourteen gold coins in total. Now, a single autumn orchid is worth one gold coin. How many autumn orchids would we have to plant on an acre of land? How much would that be worth?"

Tang Qihao's shout was like a thunderclap, and only then did everyone on the field react.

Yeah, according to Tang Qi's calculation method, how much money would he make?

"I'll offer ten gold pieces."

"fifteen!"

"eighteen!"

……

The silence on the field instantly turned into a frenzy, with the numbers on the scoreboard jumping and rising rapidly.

Soon, all ten acres of autumn orchids that Jiang Yu initially offered were snapped up.

Just as everyone was about to leave in disappointment, Jiang Yu shouted from the second floor:

"I offer 100 gold coins for a contract to purchase one acre of autumn orchids."

Just as everyone was feeling both confused and impressed, Tang Qi, the shill, jumped out again:
“Young master, I have some here. I’ll sell them to you. I bought them for five gold coins and made a profit of ninety-five gold coins on the spot. This is the first time I’ve seen money made so easily, hahaha.”

"Can you still play like this?"

The crowd, who had originally intended to leave, suddenly woke up as if from a dream.

Then the atmosphere became lively again, with shouts of people wanting to buy the items filling the air.

Han Fei, Zhang Liang, and Wei Zhuang's earlier premonition was correct; they did indeed witness history firsthand.

Zilanxuan!
It will be recorded in history textbooks as the "first stock exchange in history".

Looking at the situation on the field, Zhang Liang said to Jiang Yu with admiration:
"Sir, you are truly a divine being. Even if Guan Zhong and Fan Li were reincarnated, they would not be any better than you."

"Haha, Zifang, you flatter me."

After selling the contract in his possession for 120 gold, Jiang Yu said to Han Fei:
"If Brother Han wishes to inquire about the case from Madam Hu, he can go to the theater tonight."

"Thank you, Brother Jiang!"

Han Fei thanked him.

"I'll be going now, anyway, someone doesn't welcome me."

Seeing that the transaction was going well and that Zi Nu had completely taken control of the situation, Jiang Yu waved and left.

Because now is not the time for him to step in. With 100,000 military funds in hand as his capital, he will wait for Emerald Tiger to step in before he can truly make his move.

Given Jade Tiger's greed, such a simple and quick way to make money shouldn't require Jiang Yu to wait long.

As for Zi Nu, Wei Zhuang, Han Fei, and Zhang Liang, they were busy. With limited resources, they needed to accumulate more before Jiang Yu made his move so that they could eat more tiger meat in the final tiger-slaying battle.

(End of this chapter)