Chapter 405 - 240: Construction

Chapter 405: Chapter 240: Construction

...

A map of Songjiang Prefecture was spread out before Su Mu.

The Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, Li Dangsen, had been detained by the Inspection Bureau. He would likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

Until the new Prefect arrived, Su Mu and Wu Yiqi were the highest-ranking officials in Songjiang Prefecture.

Su Mu was choosing a location for the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy, and the officials at the Songjiang Prefecture Government Office were in no position to object.

"Songjiang Prefecture has beautiful mountains and clear waters. I think building it here would be great."

Wu Yiqi suggested, casually pointing to a spot.

The location he pointed to was twenty li outside Songjiang Prefecture City. It was backed by mountains and faced the water, far enough not to disturb the city’s residents. It was indeed a good place.

"I think the Songjiang Bailu Academy should be built here."

Su Mu shook his head, his finger landing on the map.

"Here?"

Wu Yiqi looked puzzled. "Isn’t this spot... unsuitable?

This is the most prosperous area in the city. If those demons from the Demon Court live here, they could easily hurt people if they lose their temper."

Su Mu was pointing to a location almost in the very center of Songjiang Prefecture.

There was indeed a large, empty plot of land there, which Li Dangsen, the Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, had acquired through various means to build the Li Family estate.

Now, he naturally had no use for it.

The location was prime real estate and large enough for an academy, but the problem was that it was too bustling.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since they’ve come to Da Xuan, they must abide by Da Xuan’s rules. If they dare to harm anyone, we’ll just kill them,"

Su Mu said nonchalantly.

’That’s so Su Mu,’

Wu Yiqi complained inwardly. ’But on second thought, he has a point.’

The Demon Court was sending demons here to learn from humans, not to kill them. They should be able to restrain their base instincts.

If they really dared to harm people in Songjiang Prefecture, then it would give them the perfect excuse to kill them.

"Not only must the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy be built in the most prosperous area, but we must also hire the best artisans in Da Xuan to construct the finest buildings.

The places where those demons live must be large enough, and luxurious enough. The moment they lay eyes on it, they must be overwhelmed by decadence and extravagance!"

Su Mu continued.

"Do we really need to treat them that well?"

Wu Yiqi said, "If we build it like this, the cost will be far too high."

"It’s not that the Wu Family is unwilling to spend the money..."

he quickly explained.

Su Mu waved his hand. "The Wu Family’s funds won’t be enough. We’ll pour in all the silver confiscated from Songjiang Prefecture.

After the houses are built, if the demons want to live in them, they’ll have to pay.

If they don’t pay, they can live in the cowsheds."

Wu Yiqi, Luo Anning, Xiang Xiaoyuan, Shi Ziran, and the others present stared at each other, their faces filled with peculiar expressions.

"Not only will they live in the best housing, but they’ll also eat the best food. Every meal will feature the meat of Tier Three Demons, and we’ll even make the meat of Tier Four Demons readily available. As long as they pay, we’ll provide as much as they want."

Su Mu continued.

"If they want to learn anything, they’ll have to pay for that too. If they don’t pay, they can study basic primers with the human children. Anything else is off the table."

Wu Yiqi’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but swallow hard.

’Listen to this! Is this a plan a fucking human could come up with?’

He really wanted to crack open Su Mu’s head and see what was inside.

"We’ll skip the brothels, but we’ll set up gambling dens for them too."

Su Mu said, "Don’t worry. The first batch the Demon Court sends to Da Xuan will undoubtedly be their carefully cultivated elites. They certainly won’t be short on cash. We must get them addicted to a life of debauchery.

Annual tribute?

Heh, however they took it from Da Xuan, that’s how they’re going to give it back to me!"

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

The idea was simply genius.

The key was, even if the Demon Court found out, there was nothing they could do.

’We in Da Xuan are giving your "exchange students" the best treatment. Is there anything wrong with that?’

The Demon Court sent these demons to Da Xuan with a purpose. They absolutely will not leave easily until they achieve it.

And as long as they don’t leave, as long as they remain in Da Xuan for even a day, they will have to spend money on food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

And when it comes to making them willingly part with the money in their pockets, Da Xuan excels.

"I understand."

Wu Yiqi said seriously, "However, if we are to build it this way, the Wu Family’s financial resources will indeed be insufficient. We’ll need to get the local families of Songjiang Prefecture involved as well."

If they were to follow Su Mu’s plan, they would have to turn the entire Songjiang Prefecture into a money pit to achieve the best effect.

This was not something a single family could accomplish alone.

"That Chen Yougong is a clever man. Have him contact the local families of Songjiang Prefecture."

Su Mu said slowly, "If this is done right, there’s money to be made for everyone. Those families will understand that."

...

"Even if Su Mu weren’t the Taiping Bureau Governor, he’d be a tycoon if he went into business!"

Chen Yougong said with deep emotion, "What a genius concept.

I never used to believe in geniuses who knew everything, but now I do.

It turns out there really are people who are better than the average person in every single way."

"M-My lord, what do we do now? Should we cooperate?"

a man dressed as an attendant asked.

"Of course, we cooperate."

A profound, inscrutable smile appeared on Chen Yougong’s face. "There’s money to be made. Why wouldn’t we cooperate?

I was just wondering how to get Su Mu to trust me more. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity?

Not only must we cooperate, but we must do a good job.

A beautiful job!

Whether it’s Su Mu or Wu Yiqi, they are both outsiders in Songjiang Prefecture. If they want to get things done here, they can’t do it without the locals.

If we handle this matter beautifully, they will become more and more dependent on me.

When that time comes, they won’t be able to do anything in Songjiang Prefecture without me."

The few other people in the room all wore thoughtful expressions.

"When that time comes, if we want to... do something... won’t it be as easy as flipping our hands?"

one person said.

"Exactly."

Chen Yougong said confidently, "Only a brute would fight the Taiping Bureau head-on. Wu the Second was arrogant, so he died and lost a fine Profound Weapon.

But I will eliminate Su Mu without shedding a single drop of blood.

Only I am the best candidate for Cyan Lotus Envoy."

...

Inside the Songjiang Prefecture’s Taiping Bureau.

Su Mu sat in his room.

Although he had brought Luo Anning and Xiang Xiaoyuan with him to his new post, Su Mu did not share a room with them.

This was mainly because the two women had not yet reached Perfection in their transformations and were not ready to lose their virginity.

If they lived together, being young and full of vigor, it would be hard to prevent a misfire.

To be able to enjoy the bliss of having both of them sooner, the best strategy was to let the two women focus on their cultivation.

Looking at the items on the table before him, Su Mu’s face grew thoughtful.

A Profound Weapon Longbow whose power was no less than that of the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow.

He had confiscated this from the assassin.

He already possessed the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, so another similar bow wouldn’t be of much use to him.

’Perhaps I can use it to trade for a different Profound Weapon,’

Su Mu thought to himself.

His Thunder Shocking Saber and Ziwei Soft Sword were both top-tier Divine Weapons, but there was still a gap between a Divine Weapon and a Profound Weapon.

It would be great if he could trade for a Profound Weapon saber or sword.

An ordinary person might not be able to make such a trade, but he happened to know someone from the Divine Weapon Pavilion. ’Perhaps I can contact him.’

Then there were the two Space Rings, which he still hadn’t given to Luo Anning and Xiang Xiaoyuan.

Such items were simply too precious; even Su Mu had to be cautious.

It wasn’t that he was reluctant to part with them.

Rather, he was worried that handing them over rashly would bring disaster upon the two women.

It would be more appropriate to give the rings to them after they broke through to the True Essence Realm and had greater power to protect themselves. By then, his own deterrent power would likely be stronger as well.

’I could call Huo Zhen Court to Songjiang Prefecture,’ Su Mu mused to himself.

’He would definitely be interested in the weapon-forging materials I got from the wildlands, and he seems to have a particular interest in making money.’

He had some resources now; it was time to find a way to turn those resources into personal strength.