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

"Pshaw, it's just in your head."

Seeing Huang Rong's reaction, Zhang Xiaoshan was already plotting how to expose the "scam" of the ambergris, and then seize the opportunity to buy it up at a low price and hoard it.

That's how the business world is—it's all about deceit and ruthlessness.

Good things are good things.

After the downturn, prices will surge once the market recovers.

Even rat droppings are used in traditional Chinese medicine, let alone whale excrement that has been adrift on the sea for decades or even centuries.

Ambergris has always commanded high prices in later generations, and is considered one of the most premium fragrances.

"It's all your fault."

The carriage slowly entered the city. Compared to the prosperity of the Central Plains and the solemnity of Dali City, the exotic scenery here was undoubtedly more beautiful and colorful.

Along the way, you'll see unique and stylish bamboo stilted houses, beautiful and colorful ethnic costumes, and charming Dai girls...

Huang Rong thought they were beautiful and graceful, while they thought Zhang Xiaoshan and the others' clothes were gorgeous and colorful.

The clothing worn by ethnic minorities, in particular, is elegant and refreshing, a sight to behold.

"If you like them, buy a few pieces; they should be Dai ethnic clothing."

The dress looks somewhat revealing, but that's related to the climate and culture here.

This isn't the Central Plains; there are no strict rules of etiquette here. And during festivals, they celebrate with singing and dancing. Even princesses are expected to dance.

Unfortunately, we arrived too late. I remember the Dai people have a Water Splashing Festival, which is extremely lively.

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's introduction, Huang Rong became somewhat interested, so she turned around and said:

"Hongxiao, Jiangxue, let's go together!"

"Sister Piaoxu, we'll bring you a few things later."

Liu Sheng Piaoxu has always been served by the Japanese, because he wears the Fire Cloud Battle Suit underneath, which is warm in winter and cool in summer, so there is no need to worry about him getting prickly heat.

····

caravan!

The leader of the caravan was a Han Chinese, and the majority of the population in Pu'er City was Han Chinese.

The Tea Horse Road was pioneered by the Han people.

The purpose was to trade the tea and salt from here with Tibetan horses.

However, there are too many ethnic minorities here, which over time have formed a unique culture of integration.

"This old man, Gu Yang, greets Young Master Zhang!"

The caravan leader was already over 60 years old. Perhaps due to his years of traveling the Ancient Tea Horse Road, he was still robust and strong, like a white-haired lion, inspiring awe in all who saw him.

He received the news as soon as Zhang Xiaoshan arrived, and he also learned about the Zhang family's power.

The Duan family of Tiannan, the Zhang family of Jiangnan!

This was a behemoth for the caravan, but it was also an opportunity.

After all, their caravans were based here; the gang was just a facade, the real entity was the Chamber of Commerce.

For a large business family like the Zhangs, even a small profit from a partnership would be enough to ensure they have no worries about food and drink.

"This lad greets Chief Gu!"

The major gangs that became famous in later generations—the horse gang, the salt gang, the trough gang—were all extremely wealthy.

However, compared to other groups, the caravans undoubtedly endured the most hardships, traveling the Ancient Tea Horse Road year-round and facing the greatest risks.

However, the caravan route is also the most brilliant and glorious part of history. They set out along the ancient Tea Horse Road and left a strong mark on history books.

Like a star, it shines brightly.

"Young Master Zhang's visit to the caravan is an honor to our humble abode. Please come in!"

"please!"

Entering the caravan headquarters with Liu Sheng Piaoxu, the caravan headquarters was undoubtedly a very conspicuous group of Central Plains buildings compared to the exotic buildings here.

This place not only boasts the elegance and seclusion of Jiangnan gardens, but also the solemnity and grandeur of Central Plains mansions... From afar, it appears magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Wanmatang was the meeting hall of the caravan, and it had a bit of the imposing atmosphere of Wanmatang outside the Great Wall.

"Young master, did you come here for sightseeing, or...?"

Gu Yang looked at Zhang Xiaoshan, who had already been to the capital of Dali, and judging from Zhang Xiaoshan's leisurely and carefree attitude, it seemed that he really had no purpose.

"Zhang is going to Wuyou River to inspect the three jade mines that the Zhang family purchased from the Duan family of Dali. In addition to conducting an on-site inspection of the current state of the mines, he will also demarcate the boundaries to determine where the Zhang family plans to claim territory!"

what?

Not only was Gu Yang, the leader of the caravan, shocked, but even the experts of the caravan were also horrified and looked at Zhang Xiaoshan in disbelief.

mineral?

And not just one place, but three.

Even the worst mineral deposits are not simple wealth, let alone jadeite deposits, which are gemstone mines.

Even though jadeite is far less valuable than Kunyu jade, jade is still jade, and top-quality jadeite is worth a fortune.

The fact that the Dali Duan family was willing to sacrifice so much for the Zhang family demonstrates the immense interests involved in this cooperation between the Dali Duan family and our family, which is why the Dali Duan family was so generous.

"Young master, are you joking?"

"Hehe, does Chief Gu think that Zhang would joke about something like this?"

The Zhang family and the Duan family have reached an agreement; the three mines are just the beginning. As for Zhang's arrival here, it's also for the sake of the caravan.

"caravan!"

Gu Yang's expression immediately turned serious, realizing that Zhang Xiaoshan's visit was ill-intentioned.

After all, the caravan had reached such an important cooperation with the Duan family of Dali, so Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose in coming here must not be simple.

"Hehe, Chief Gu, rest assured, the Zhang family is just here to seek cooperation."

Firstly, the Zhang family doesn't have many people here, and even if they were to send people over, it would probably take a year to coordinate.

Secondly, this trip also serves to assess the quality of some Pu'er tea.

To be honest, Mr. Zhang had heard of Pu'er tea, but had never drunk it. It was a niche tea variety in the Central Plains and not among the top famous teas.

However, Zhang knew that some Pu'er tea bricks and cakes improve in quality the longer they are stored.

Therefore, the Zhang family plans to purchase some tea bricks and cakes that are over ten years old here, and take them back to test the waters.

Third, Zhang wanted to designate an area here to grow a plant called coffee beans.

They are famous teas from Persia in the West, and this region is suitable for growing their crops. The Zhang family's tea grown here isn't necessarily better than that of the Westerners; rather, they have their own trade secrets.

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's three objectives, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, I was secretly thrilled, never expecting such a windfall to come so suddenly.

Even setting aside the fact that the Zhang family is planning to target Pu'er tea, this collaboration alone will greatly benefit them.

"May I ask how you, young master, intend to cooperate?"

Two cooperation models:

First, the Zhang family directly took over the caravans and paid them a fixed fee.

For example, the annual allowance for everyone present starts at at least one thousand taels of silver, and the Zhang family will also provide some secret manuals to give you room for advancement.

Secondly, they will be employed for about a year until the Zhang family takes over.

During this period, the Zhang family paid a monthly wage of ten thousand taels of gold, which included all other expenses. The caravan also had at least one thousand men who were at the Zhang family's beck and call.

Hiss...

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's two approaches, they were all terrified by the second one.

Ten thousand taels of gold per month, that's one hundred thousand taels of gold per year.

Such hiring fees are incredibly high, but similarly, important areas like mining regions also carry significant risks.

"Gentlemen, there is no need to worry about the problem of the Biao Kingdom. This time, I am passing through here instead of going directly through the Yunnan-Yue region, because I am preparing to visit the Biao Kingdom."

Gang Leader Gu should know that Zhang brought bronze-armored warriors with him this time.

Not only can they take the head of a general amidst a million-strong army, but their invulnerable bronze armor and invincible aura mean that even if they face a million soldiers alone, in a direct confrontation, they will undoubtedly be the ones standing, not the million soldiers.

Everyone suddenly perked up, realizing that Zhang Xiaoshan was not lying.

Especially since this person himself is a peerless martial artist, once he makes a trip to the escort country, the three mineral sites are basically recognized by the two countries as belonging to a third party.

In an instant, everyone turned to look at Gu Yang.

The second option seems to offer greater benefits, but it's only a one-time thing. Once the Zhang family sends people over, they'll basically be out of the picture.

The first condition, submitting to the Zhang family, would directly solve the problem of old age, and Zhang Xiaoshan's promise was not empty.

Although the caravan was a merchant group, martial arts were the fundamental skill to overcome the dangers of the Tea Horse Road.

As for whether the Zhang family lacks secret manuals?

Not long ago, the Zhang family directly tore down Huanshi Water Pavilion.

Moreover, as the leader of the gang, he undoubtedly receives preferential treatment.

"I wonder what secret manuals you, young master, can offer the caravan?"

Gu Yang's question drew the attention of everyone present, who were also watching Zhang Xiaoshan closely. If Zhang Xiaoshan truly cared about their caravan, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

"There once was a sect beyond the Great Wall called the Iron-Blooded Banner Sect..."

Therefore, the disciples of the caravan can practice the secret techniques and moves of the Iron Blood Banner Sect, which are extremely suitable for the treacherous environment of the Tea Horse Road, and can hone their minds and martial arts skills.

As for you gentlemen, I have here a complete manual of Shaolin martial arts techniques that I obtained from the Tibetan National Preceptor. Among them are four martial arts techniques that are prevalent among lay disciples—

One-finger Zen, Shaoyang (Hundred Steps) Divine Fist, Twelve-Road Tan Leg, and Great Stele-Smashing Hand.

In addition, in order to suppress the martial arts world here, Zhang is also willing to provide the gang leader with a copy of the "Absorption Technique" to quickly increase his strength and the gang's power.

Chapter 264 The Four Great Shaolin Skills

The caravan's strength was not weak; in fact, it could be said to be very strong.

A top master, 'Lion' Gu Yang, possesses the Lion Heart Fist, a superior martial art among external martial arts.

The four top-tier masters are: Vajra Arhat Qiu Long, Eight-Armed Fist King Luo Mo, Holy Hand Spirit Ape Yang Yi, and Nujiang One-Shot Zhang Shun!

Although the disciples under his tutelage varied in ability, they were all fierce and brave.

Such a caravan would never have needed to be involved with the Zhang family.

After all, this is their centuries-old foundation; how could they just hand it over to someone else?

But a moment of curiosity led to the complete demise of the caravan.

It wasn't that they were unfilial, but rather that the Zhang family was simply too wealthy.

Leaving aside the Iron Blood Banner Sect's martial arts, which they already considered superior, enough to help most of their martial arts improve further.

Four Shaolin unique skills, one scroll of absorption technique.

For the caravan, it was extremely precious, belonging to the realm of divine skills and ultimate techniques.

Even the aging hero Gu Yang could not resist the temptation of the Absorption Technique.

With the Absorption Technique, he could advance to the level of a top expert in a very short time, thereby dominating the Southern Yue region.

They really had no reason to refuse. With the ability, how much money couldn't they earn?

A fixed, fixed salary?

They wouldn't just look at these things, especially since the profits from the Tea Horse Road belonged entirely to their caravan.

Zhang Xiaoshan's meaning is that he doesn't think it's good enough!

Having thrown out such a large bait, Zhang Xiaoshan had no means of coercing the Ma Gang, because there was no need for it.

For example, right now...