In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

As for the 'Old Man in a Straw Hat and Raincoat'? He's fishing for people!

"What's so strange about that? The ocean is vast and contains a universe within it. The fish there are far more than ordinary carp from the Dragon River."

If it weren't for the exceptionally tough silkworm silk, even a fish weighing thousands or tens of thousands of pounds could easily break free with a slight struggle, and I would still complain that there wasn't enough silkworm silk.

If the fishing line is too thin, it won't be strong enough; if it's made stronger, it might not be long enough!

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Zhang Xiaoshan as if he were a madman.

Fish weighing thousands of kilograms, or even tens of thousands of kilograms? Zhang Xiaoshan really dared to dream.

It's likely that only sharks living along the coast have such a size.

"That's interesting! If those Zhang brothers are going sea fishing, don't forget to take me along."

"It would be an honor if Brother An could join us."

Zhang Xiaoshan did not refuse; sea fishing is just a hobby, something to do for fun.

"And me, I've seen the ocean, but I've never fished in it!"

Zhuge Zhengwo narrowed his eyes, clearly regarding Zhang Xiaoshan as a dangerous individual as well.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan did not refuse. He figured it was just a matter of chasing after one or two people; it wasn't anything shameful.

Soon, as those different products were launched one after another, prices fluctuated.

The transaction amount ranged from a few hundred gold coins to tens of thousands of gold coins, and in a short period of time, the total transaction amount had exceeded one hundred thousand gold coins.

Ghost Street takes 30%, which is 30,000 gold coins.

Even Zhang Xiaoshan also bid on three items: an eleven-tael thousand-year-old ginseng, which cost three thousand taels of gold; a silk scroll from the Great Zhou Dynasty—in dragon scale seal script, which cost six thousand taels of gold; and a wolf clan recurve bow, which cost three hundred taels of gold.

This is gold, not silver; the cost of a single Ghost Street feast exceeded the imperial court's disaster relief funds.

Even Zhuge Zhengwo couldn't help but lament, "Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the road, frozen corpses lie."

"Now let's begin the auction for the final three items!"

As they spoke, three incense tables were carried forward.

When the first red cloth was lifted, it turned out to be a luminous pearl.

But it doesn't look like an ordinary pearl; otherwise, even the best luminous pearls would only cost a thousand taels of gold.

"This is a mermaid pearl that came from the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace. It was a tribute to the imperial palace and is valued at a thousand taels of gold!"

A tribute from the Ming Dynasty? A mermaid pearl?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshan's expression turned suspicious.

But adhering to the principle of "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free," he still spoke directly:

"Three thousand taels!"

Seeing Zhang Xiaoshan make another move, everyone glanced at the Little Mermaid Pearl and did not compete for it.

A top-grade luminous pearl is already priced high at a thousand taels of gold, and three thousand taels is more than double that. If they offer an even higher price and Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't make a bid, they'll lose a fortune.

After all, this thing looks like an ordinary luminous pearl.

"Congratulations, Young Master Zhang, on acquiring today's fifth item, the penultimate and most anticipated piece—the Tang Clan's hidden weapon, the Rain of Pear Blossom Nails."

I believe everyone here has heard the legend of the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle. This brocade box, no bigger than a child's palm, is the famous Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle in the martial arts world.

Once the mechanism is triggered, all forty-nine Meridian Soul-Severing Nails inside the brocade box will burst forth, and even the most skilled martial artist within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) will be certain to die if caught off guard!

Heavy rain of pear blossom nails!

Looking at the brocade box, even those who didn't know before would turn pale at the mere mention of it.

This thing is too dangerous; it's like a time bomb.

"This box of Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails is worth a thousand taels of gold!"

"Ten thousand!"

This time, the one who used his power to intimidate others was a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

Looking at the expression on Bao Yu Li Hua Ding's face, he was determined to win.

After all, this thing is far too dangerous. If it's in someone else's hands, your life could be in danger; but if you have it in your own hands, it might be your trump card to save your life in a critical moment.

Many in the martial arts world are eager to compete for it, but with a price of ten thousand gold coins, only a few have the strength to contend for it!

However, An Shigeng and Zhang Xiaoshan were disdainful. The wealthy merchants had the same idea, but their status was not as high as the other party's.

Therefore, it was eventually sold for 10,000 gold coins.

"The final, grand finale item: one of the Ten Famous Swords of Yanhuang—Longquan!"

Longquan sword!

As the red cloth was lifted, a rusty divine sword appeared before everyone.

Longquan Sword is one of the ten legendary divine swords from before the Zhou Dynasty. Compared to the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue, Longquan Sword has even more legendary tales.

"This Longquan sword can cut through iron like mud, and its sword energy overflows when it is wielded. Master Ou Yunzi has confirmed it as a divine weapon of Longquan, and this sword is valued at ten thousand taels of gold!"

Ten thousand taels of gold!

The starting price alone increased tenfold, and the final transaction price is unknown.

"Thirty thousand taels of gold!"

Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't use a sword, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want one.

Zhang Xiaoshan could accept the price if it was reasonable.

Especially the Longquan Divine Weapon, Zhang Xiaoshan felt that this sword could break through his body of external defenses, so it was safer to keep it in his own hand.

"Thirty-five thousand taels!"

"forty thousand!"

Zhang Xiaoshan casually added 10,000 taels of gold, creating such a powerful pressure that several wealthy merchants and dignitaries who had been considering trying it out immediately gave up.

This is gold; every additional thousand taels increases the pressure significantly.

Moreover, with Zhang Xiaoshan adding so much money, even if they were to withdraw, they might not be able to absorb it all themselves.

They had no doubt that the Zhang family could take it all!

Among those present, only two people dared to raise the price like that—the Zhang family and the An family.

"Congratulations, Mr. Zhang, on becoming the winner of the first Ghost Street event."

As the leader of Ghost Street, on behalf of the Nine Gates, I present Young Master Zhang with a set of Warring States period bronze bells. This set comprises sixty-five bronze bells of varying sizes, a rare treasure among bronze bells. I hope you will not find it lacking.

"Thank you!"

A set of sixty-five chime bells surprised many dignitaries, who never expected that Ghost Street would have such a treasure.

If it were brought to the stage, the transaction price would definitely not be less than ten thousand taels of gold.

Chapter Eighteen: Taking Stock of the Successful Cooperation

As the Ghost Street feast came to an end, most of the dignitaries and tycoons were still reluctant to leave.

Keep in mind that most of them returned empty-handed.

This was just the beginning; there were only a little over a hundred items, and not only were the prices inflated, but most of them were stolen goods.

As the influence of Ghost Street gradually expands and Wanbao arrives, this place will become their paradise, and prices will stabilize and no longer be so inflated.

This is the capital of Phu Song. Its reputation has spread, and everyone knows that treasures can be sold here for a high price.

Furthermore, Ghost Street is secluded, so there's no need to worry about revealing your identity.

After the event, Zhang Xiaoshan went to collect his belongings, a total of 60,000 gold coins.

The amount of 2,300 taels was extremely humane.

"Young Master Zhang, may we speak further?"

"please!"

At Tianji Tower, Ghost Yama led Zhang Xiaoshan to the previous conference room.

At this moment, all nine gates of Ghost Street are present, after all, he himself is the most mysterious of the nine gates, the Golden-Faced Buddha, and even the God of Wealth played by An Shigeng is there.

Everyone's eyes gleamed as they watched the carefree young man who had followed Ghost Yama into the room.

This young master, the only son of the Zhang family, is definitely not a simple character compared to the spendthrift sons they previously knew.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan's generosity tonight was something they hadn't expected.

Sixty thousand taels of gold were scattered away as if they weren't even gold.

Even if it's silver, that's still a huge fortune.

"You are all members of the Nine Gates of Ghost Street."

"Senior Ghost King Yama, you gave me a set of Warring States period chime bells; your purpose isn't simple, is it?"

Zhang Xiaoshan sat to one side with amusement, glancing at the astonished crowd, showing no sign of being lambs to the slaughter.

"As expected of Young Master Zhang, since Young Master Zhang has been so straightforward, we will not hold back either."

"Our Ghost Street Black Market wants to cooperate with the Zhang family to import a batch of soap and glass. Everyone will make money; we will never let the Zhang family suffer a loss!"

As soon as Ghost Yama spoke, everyone turned to look at Zhang Xiaoshan.

The success of today's Ghost Street event means the plan is halfway to success. If they can secure the Zhang family's business, they can expect to count money until their hands cramp.

"A business dealing in soap and glass?"

Zhang Xiaoshan did not agree immediately, for agreeing too early would have meant losing the initiative.

Tap! Tap! Tap...

The meteorite iron folding fan made a soft rustling sound on the mahogany table, as if striking the hearts of everyone present.

They knew Zhang Xiaoshan was pondering the pros and cons; if it were them, they wouldn't have trusted others so easily either.

After a long while, Zhang Xiaoshan slowly spoke:

"I also have the intention to venture into Ghost Street, but I don't want to get too involved."

"Senior Ghost Yama is right, it doesn't matter whose money we make, but I want 30% of the profits."

"Thirty percent? That's too much!"

Upon hearing this, everyone realized that although there was still a profit to be made, the amount of profit distributed was too large.

What does 30% mean? None of the nine departments could get even 10%.

"Thirty percent is neither high nor low. I don't believe you would sell these things for less than ten times the price."

Otherwise, we'll wholesale it to you at three times the market price; how much you sell it for is none of my business.”

Upon hearing that Zhang Xiaoshan seemed to have guessed their plan, everyone's expressions changed slightly.

As expected of a merchant family!

How much stuff is there?

An Shigeng, who had remained silent until now, asked the crucial question.

If the quantity is large, such as 30% or three times, they would not find it unacceptable.

At most, it's a matter of 'small profits but quick turnover'!

"One hundred sets of glass lamps, one hundred bars of soap, and ten thousand bars of soap every month."

"In the second year, the allocation will be determined based on your strength, and if there are no unforeseen circumstances, the number can be doubled!"

When Zhang Xiaoshan spoke, everyone's hearts skipped a beat.

Unexpectedly, the Zhang family was able to produce so much in just one month, and this was only the beginning. If the cooperation goes well, the Zhang family will be able to produce even more in the future.

You should know that all of this is gold!

"Does Young Master Zhang want 30% or three times the price?"

"Three times the price first!"