Chapter 640 - 461: You Don’t Understand Economics 2

"If you won’t help, at least give me a hint. I’m at a complete loss and don’t know where to start."

Feng Haitao hesitated for a moment, thinking that giving a hint shouldn’t be a big deal.

"Zhao Tianming." After saying the name, Feng Haitao fell silent again.

Knowing he couldn’t get more information, Zhou Kunshan left Feng Haitao’s house in frustration and headed straight for Zhao Tianming’s study.

This time, Zhou Kunshan was smarter; he didn’t tell Zhao Tianming the truth but stormed into his room angrily.

"Those damn profiteers, sooner or later I’ll slaughter them all!"

Seeing his murderous demeanor, Zhao Tianming was startled and quickly offered a cup of tea, "Brother Zhou, calm down. What’s gotten you so worked up?"

A month ago, a peasant like Zhou Kunshan was someone Zhao Tianming wouldn’t even glance at.

But now, he could only greet him warmly.

"It’s still those black market fellows. Even though we’re trading Fire Rock Ore for food and cloth, they’re already getting a huge bargain. Yet they’re not satisfied and want to raise the price."

"I knew it, no businessman is ever good."

"Let’s report to the lord now, mobilize the mine’s guards, and kill them all!"

His bloodthirsty expression seemed as though he had made up his mind to unleash a massacre.

Zhao Tianming hurriedly stopped him, "Wait. Brother Zhou, wait. There’s still a chance, no need to rush into a killing spree."

What a joke; if Zhou Kunshan really killed all those black market traders, Zhao Tianming’s people wouldn’t survive either.

The black market had his people; this was something Zhou Kunshan was certainly unaware of.

As for whether Zheng Yi knew about it, Zhao Tianming thought he probably did, but he wasn’t concerned with such matters.

As the Mine Master, Zhao Tianming’s salary wasn’t low compared to ordinary people. Yet, at his position, relying solely on his salary was impossible.

To prevent future issues, Zhao Tianming himself maintained an impeccable facade, never engaging in any improper transactions.

Under these circumstances, naturally, he needed other methods to increase his income.

Some people in the black market appeared to have no connection to him on the surface, but in reality, he secretly supported their businesses.

Over the past month, due to material transactions with Zheng Yi, Zhao Tianming had made quite a fortune.

Unexpectedly, this offended Zhou Kunshan.

"What do you mean!" Zhou Kunshan felt a trace of hope.

After all, Zhao Tianming had been the Mine Master for many years; if he took action, wouldn’t the problem be resolved?

Casually, Zhou Kunshan showed no emotion, "Mine Master, do you have a solution? If you step in, those greedy merchants should give you face."

Zhao Tianming sighed silently, this guy was really quite naive.

"Brother Zhou, if all it took was me stepping in to solve the problem, I wouldn’t refuse. But since these merchants can conduct business in the black market, they must have some backing we cannot afford to offend."

"If I take action, I might suppress them, but it wouldn’t necessarily be good for our mine."

"So what should we do?" Zhou Kunshan suppressed his irritation and patiently asked.

"Actually, solving this isn’t difficult. Our mine’s purchasing power is large, and the prices we pay are quite generous. Those merchants can’t let such a big piece of meat slip by."

"How about this: I’ll spread the word that I’m preparing to contact a major guild in the county for long-term supplies."

"Brother Zhou, you go to those black market traders and say you want to reduce our purchasing."

"At that point, it won’t be us who’ll be anxious, but those black market traders."

Zhou Kunshan suddenly realized, "So that’s a way, great! Perhaps we can even bring the price down to normal market levels..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Tianming interrupted him, "Brother Zhou, I advise you not to do that."

"Why not? I just hope to buy at normal market prices, not for free."

Zhao Tianming gave a bitter laugh and shook his head, "Brother Zhou, a lie is still a lie; it might be concealed for a while, but not forever."

"Those black market traders will eventually realize they’ve been toyed with."

"If we continue to trade at the current prices, they’ll be unhappy but understand not to test our boundaries further."

"Although they’re deprived of extra profits, the original profit is still in their hands. No matter how unhappy, they won’t take action."

"However, if we lower the price too ruthlessly, nobody knows how those furious traders might deal with us.

"I see." Zhou Kunshan seemed to vaguely understand.

This was no different from how he managed Riverbend Village.

You can’t let it go completely unchecked, but while managing, it shouldn’t be overdone.

Seeing Zhou Kunshan agree to his suggestion, Zhao Tianming secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Not only were lives preserved, but profits weren’t heavily dented.

Just as things were settled, a message brought tension to everyone.

In three days, a Zhao Family special envoy would arrive at the mine.

The envoy had one purpose: to investigate the death of three Zhao Family members.

"They’re arriving really late." Zheng Yi’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Unlike the others, this envoy’s arrival allowed Zheng Yi to see things more clearly.

The Zhao Family had means to somehow know that their members had died.

Yet, it took them almost a month to send someone to investigate.

This showed just how corrupt the current Zhao Family had become.

For Zheng Yi, this was excellent news.

"You’re in charge of welcoming this guy. I’ve already covered the tracks; they shouldn’t find any problems."

"However, if they really find something," Zheng Yi stated with a cold smile, "You know what to do."

Zhao Tianming’s forehead continuously perspired sweat, "I... I understand."

"That’s good." Zheng Yi said coolly, "For any reason, the Zhao Family won’t spare a traitor."

Thinking about what Zheng Yi had on him, Zhao Tianming felt a chill; by now, he had no way out.

Soon the Zhao Family’s special envoy arrived.

Before his arrival, the brand-new mining pickaxes had been put away, and everyone switched back to the less functional ones.

Despite this, the mining efficiency was still higher than before.

After all, ever since Zheng Yi fully controlled the mine, everyone could at least have their fill of food daily.

With plenty of time for cultivation, everyone’s physical condition had significantly improved.

Previously, most people would start using cultivation just after a few swings. But now, many could swing three to fifty times easily.

In this regard, Zheng Yi hadn’t asked Zhao Tianming to hide anything.

Some things could be concealed, but others were impossible to hide.

The Zhao Family’s special envoy was unexpectedly a round and chubby man.

If it weren’t for sensing his cultivation, merely watching him pant after a few steps with support, Zheng Yi might have dismissed him as a total invalid.

After the envoy got off, everyone in the mine knelt down.

"Welcome, Special Envoy!"

The envoy seemed quite satisfied, "Not bad, not bad, I always knew Zhao Tianming was very capable."

"While all other mining sites have been reducing output, yours remains stable or sometimes even increases, greatly pleasing the lord."

Zhao Tianming respectfully bowed his head, "It is my honor to please the lord."

"I’ve already prepared a banquet to cleanse the dust; please, do come."

The envoy was about to agree when he suddenly turned and coldly looked in Zheng Yi’s direction, shouting, "You... yes, you, come here now."