Chapter 645 - 464: I’ll Pay Top Price for This Grain

Under Zhou Ming’s management, the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect was expanding at a breakneck pace, like a snowball rolling downhill, changing day by day.

Everything else was manageable, but on Zheng Yi’s side, the food supply was gradually becoming insufficient.

Although he was trying every possible way to procure supplies, grain itself was a sensitive commodity.

Small-scale distribution wasn’t a problem.

But once large-scale procurement occurred, it would inevitably attract the attention of those with intentions.

Currently, the development of the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect was entirely dependent on the support of food supplies.

If there were any issues with the food supply, the current situation could collapse in an instant, let alone continued development.

As for stopping the expansion, Zheng Yi never even considered it.

The terrifying expansion speed of the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect was not merely due to the fact that ordinary people were indeed living difficult lives.

More importantly, Zhou Ming had a strong drive. As long as this momentum was not lost, he could continue to push forward relentlessly.

However, if this momentum was blocked, his accomplishments might end there.

Therefore, under no circumstances would Zheng Yi allow Zhou Ming to stop.

"Zhao Tianming, I need you to find the channels for the grain supply," Zheng Yi said, staring intently at Zhao Tianming.

"I... I have no idea what you are talking about," Zhao Tianming responded, somewhat guiltily.

The main reason was that he had recently made a considerable amount of money from Zheng Yi regarding the grain situation.

To obtain grain and other materials, Zheng Yi was offering very generous prices, not caring about the costs.

Even though he had already been forced by Zhou Kunshan to teach those black market merchants a lesson,

the grain prices were still climbing both openly and covertly.

However, the merchants were being discreet this time, and the price increase was gradual, so Zheng Yi turned a blind eye to it.

To be honest, if not for holding the Fire Rock Ore Vein and using new mining tools, resulting in a significant increase in production,

Zheng Yi would not have been able to bear the ridiculously high grain prices.

Zhao Tianming and his men naturally were among the beneficiaries as well.

Now that Zheng Yi suddenly required his supply channels, regardless of the purpose, he dared not agree immediately.

"Or we could put it this way," Zheng Yi raised two fingers, "I’ll pay twenty times the price for you to get me 100,000 bushels of grain."

Zhao Tianming’s mouth dropped open, so wide you could fit two apples in it.

"So much grain, are you crazy..." Zhao Tianming was about to say, are you crazy?

But then he recalled that the person in front of him was indeed a madman.

If he wasn’t, how could he dare to kill Zhao Family members?

Moreover, from his actions, this guy was clearly preparing for a rebellion. It’s only normal that such a person would need a large amount of grain.

"There’s no way my people can get that much grain," Zhao Tianming said dejectedly.

He did have some channels, but those under-the-table channels could only smuggle a hundred or two hundred bushels, 100,000 bushels was simply impossible.

"That’s why I need your supply channels. Since you can’t get them yourself, I’ll have to do it myself."

Zhao Tianming hesitated, seemed like he wanted to persuade something, but eventually gave up: "Even though I want to say that it’s not that easy, I guess you wouldn’t listen, would you?"

"Fine... Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to Patriarch Long of Qingjiang City. Although he’s not from the Zhao Family, he’s a big local landowner in Qingjiang City, with at least a thousand acres of fertile land."

"But I suggest you be mentally prepared. Although he has plenty of grain, most of it must be handed over to the Zhao Family. Even if he keeps some for himself, it won’t be very much."

South of Qingjiang City, in a secluded courtyard.

Zheng Yi met this patriarch of the Long Family, Long Aotian.

"I am Long Aotian, I have met the Immortal." As soon as they met, Long Aotian recognized Zheng Yi’s identity.

Standing behind Zheng Yi, Zhao Tianming quickly explained to Zheng Yi: "As for the mining operations, I have never told anyone about it, and neither has this guy."

"As for how he discovered your identity, it has nothing to do with me."

Zheng Yi nodded slightly, not doubting Zhao Tianming’s words.

After all, Zhao Tianming now had his weakness in his hands, and only if he himself was safe would Zhao Tianming be safe.

If anything happened to Zheng Yi, Zhao Tianming would be dragged down with him.

In this situation, Zhao Tianming didn’t have enough time to hide his own identity, how would he dare to easily tell others about this matter?

Even if he and Long Aotian were merely in a cooperative relationship, even if the other were his biological father, Zhao Tianming would keep this secret in his belly, never telling anyone.

"Recently, the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect has been frequently active in our county. Even an old man like me finds it hard not to know," Long Aotian, in his sixties, appeared vigorous, smiling and stroking his beard, with an air of calm and ease.

Being the local power, many things were ultimately unable to escape their eyes.

"Since you already know, I won’t hide anything. The reason I wanted to meet you is simple, I need grain."

Long Aotian shifted his gaze to Zhao Tianming, feigned surprise and said, "Strange, if I remember correctly, you should have stored a lot of grain, right?"

"The grain I have is limited. If it’s too much, I’m afraid I won’t be able to meet your needs, Immortal."