Chapter 330: Funds and Backing

At the moment, the stock market in Spirit Province was filled with many powerful players. If Chu Qiguang wanted to profit from it, he would have to secure powerful backers of his own. His plan was to sway both Zhong Shan'e and the Yong'an Emperor to his side, thereby gaining the backing he needed.

Chu Qiguang cast a subtle glance at Yang Ling. Yang Ling explained the purpose of his visit and informed Zhong Shan'e that he had called upon Chu Qiguang for assistance.

Chu Qiguang then took out a series of picture scrolls and gave Zhong Shan'e a presentation on the bright future of Spirit Province. Zhong Shan'e didn't understand everything he was being told, but Chu Qiguang didn't need him to do much anyway. He intended to secure funding from the Demon Vanquishing Department in Spirit Province. All Zhong Shan'e had to do was express his support for Chu Qiguang at the right moment.

"As long as we follow my plan, not only will the Demon Vanquishing Department in Spirit Province make a profit, but even His Majesty will be able to earn a large sum of money," Chu Qiguang concluded.

Zhong Shan'e had always thought highly of Chu Qiguang, but when it came to financial matters, he knew that he couldn't allow his personal feelings to cloud his judgment.

"It all sounds very enticing, but why should I believe you?" he asked. "I've looked into Spirit Province's stock market, and I must say that it's all very confusing to me. The stock market has nothing to do with martial arts or Dao arts, so how can you be so certain that you'll profit from it?"

"To tell you the truth, I was the one who founded the Azure Sun Trade Association," Chu Qiguang replied with a smile. "All the tricks that Wu Wei and Sun Bin are using right now were taught to them by me, and I've naturally reserved some tricks of my own to deal with them."

"I can confirm that," Yang Ling chimed in. "The Azure Sun Trade Association was indeed founded by Chu Qiguang, and he was also the one who established the stock market. That's why I called upon him for help."

Zhong Shan'e nodded in response. He had previously heard about some of Chu Qiguang's accomplishments in Azure Sun County, so he had no reason to doubt claims that could easily be verified.

Chu Qiguang decided to strike while the iron was hot, declaring, "If the Spirit Province's Demon Vanquishing Department is willing to invest a hundred thousand taels of silver in the stock market through me, I can guarantee that the value of this investment will exceed one hundred and fifty thousand by the end of the year. If I fail to fulfill that promise, I'm willing to buy those shares for one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver out of my own pocket. I've drawn up a contract containing all these terms, and I have it here with me."

"You have that much money?" Zhong Shan'e asked with a surprised expression.

Chu Qiguang smiled and clapped his hands. Wang Cailiang then entered the room with a wooden box.

Chu Qiguang took the wooden box from him, opened it, and said, "There are three hundred thousand taels' worth of silver notes in here. This is my investment. Combined with the hundred thousand taels of silver from the Demon Vanquishing Department, we'll be investing a total of four hundred thousand taels of silver in the stock market.

"You can appoint someone to supervise the investment. If its total value falls to one hundred and fifty thousand taels, you can enforce the contract and compel me to sell all the shares and give that amount to you. Regardless of what happens, neither you nor Spirit Province's Demon Vanquishing Department will suffer any losses."

Chu Qiguang had previously invested thirty thousand taels of silver in the stock market when the stock price was four qian of silver. Over time, he had slowly increased his holdings to more than seventy thousand shares.

In the past month or two, the Azure Sun Trade Association's stock price had risen as high as five taels of silver. Since then, it had fluctuated around four taels of silver.

Chu Qiguang instructed Wang Cailiang to sell off the shares in batches, earning a total of three hundred and ten thousand taels of silver. Ten thousand taels had been set aside for daily expenses, while the remaining three hundred thousand were all here.

If the Demon Vanquishing Department agreed to invest, Chu Qiguang would have both the Demon Vanquishing Department and the emperor on his side. At that point, he would be able to profit from the stock market as he pleased without any reservations.

Furthermore, he was confident that he could earn far more than fifty thousand taels in profit from the Demon Vanquishing Department's investment of a hundred thousand taels, with all the excess profits going into his own pocket.

"How did you get so much money?" Zhong Shan'e exclaimed with an incredulous expression.

"I've been buying shares in the Azure Sun Trade Association shares since they were priced at four qian of silver," Chu Qiguang replied with a smile.

After hearing his answer, Zhong Shan'e realized that Chu Qiguang had clearly been planning this for a long time.

With the contract in place and Chu Qiguang contributing three hundred thousand taels of his own money, Zhong Shan'e seemed to have no reason to refuse.

"Alright, I can see that you're very confident, so I'll place my trust in you."

Wang Cailiang then began the arrangements with an accountant from the Demon Vanquishing Department, while Chu Qiguang invited Zhong Shan'e and Yang Ling out for a lavish meal.

By the next morning, Chu Qiguang had moved into Liu Yao's residence. As the wealthiest man in Heavenly Melody Manor, Liu Yao owned an extremely grand residence and had arranged for Chu Qiguang to stay in its best courtyard.

At that moment, Chu Qiguang was sitting cross-legged on the bed in his room, having just finished meditating. He stood up and stretched, and a series of loud cracks and pops immediately rang out from his joints.

He glanced at Luo Binghong, who was lying on the bed beside him, then scoffed. "Stop pretending to be asleep. You're not fooling anyone. Get up. We have work to do today."

To keep a constant eye on Liu Binghong, Chu Qiguang had to keep her by his side at all times.

Luo Binghong got out of bed with an indignant expression.

Chu Qiguang pointed to a set of gray cotton garments on the table and ordered, "Put those on." ℯ

Constantly having a woman by his side was inconvenient, so Chu Qiguang had prepared a servant's outfit for her, allowing her to pose as a male servant.

When the two of them emerged from the room, Maiden Thirteen was already waiting outside with their breakfast, and she took an envious glance at Luo Binghong.

A contemplative look then appeared on her face when she noticed Luo Binghong's male servant attire. Is that what Master Omniscient is into?

Shortly after breakfast, Liu Yao arrived to join them. Chu Qiguang wasted no time and went straight to the point.

"How much money can you invest?" he asked.

"Most of our clan's money is already tied up in our businesses and fields, but if I gather everything else together, I should be able to invest two hundred thousand taels of silver," Liu Yao replied.

Chu Qiguang nodded.

"That brings the total to six hundred thousand taels of silver, which should be enough. I'm returning to Azure Sun County now. Join me once you've prepared the money."