As soon as Ji Fuling spoke, it was like the beginning of a violent storm, especially for Elder Chen and the others whose faces paled in response.
They could never have anticipated that Ji Fuling was considering leaving the Infinite Commerce Guild to join Dawu as a logistics supervisor, from which position she'd be aiding a martial sect. This was an eventuality none of them had contemplated.
After all, the Infinite Commerce Guild had businesses all over the eternal world, a position far more honorable than that of a logistics supervisor.
"Of course."
Chu Yuan said with a smile, "My promises are everlasting. Staying in Dawu will afford you a far better future than continuing with the Infinite Commerce Guild; you will have no regrets."
"Thank you, your majesty, for taking me in," Ji Fuling replied.
Elder Chen said solemnly, "Ji Fuling, if you are really considering leaving, think about it carefully. I can still offer you the position of president of a two-star branch within the powerful Imperial Dynasty, a position higher than your current one."
"My decision is final, and I will have no regrets." Ji Fuling was resolute. "Dawu suits me better than the Infinite Commerce Guild, and I am very disappointed in you."
She was a sharp woman.
She was keenly aware that her present position wasn't solely because of her abilities, but more so because of the vast amount of Divine Elixer Chu Yuan had provided her with in the past six months.
Without the Divine Elixer, she would become insignificant eventually, eventually being forgotten within the Infinite Commerce Guild.
What did Elder Chen's promise amount to?
Not even as much as roadside weeds.
She trusted Chu Yuan more.
Moreover, she had noticed Dawu's prosperity and felt moved; it seemed best just to follow one path to the end.
"Very well, since that's what you want, everyone has their ambitions. As an elder, I won't force you, but I hope I don't see the day when you come begging to me on your knees."
Elder Chen's expression warped into a sinister frown. With a wave of his sleeve and a resentful look, he turned and left the Royal Palace.
"Today was my fault. I thought Elder Chen and the others were here merely to ask your majesty for help with alchemy. I hadn't expected that their real goal was the Spirit Yuan Rice, and they even had your majesty offend the Infinite Commerce Guild by removing Dawu's branch."
Ji Fuling, this elegant and clever woman, looked regretful.
"Even if one Infinite Commerce Guild leaves, with the resources at my disposal, do you think I would be scared of not finding someone to do business with? Don't dwell on this."
However, Chu Yuan did not care at all: "Furthermore, we lost one branch of Dawu, but in return, we gained a capable and intelligent logistics supervisor. This trade was worthwhile. I need people like you."
"Your Majesty, is this what you truly think?"
A surprised look flashed in Ji Fuling's eyes.
Moreover, Chu Yuan intended to build a great army based on the five elements of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. This required a lot of talents.
He was also actively promoting various military competitions among the soldiers.
Everything was moving in a positive direction.
In the 31st year of the Great Martial Calendar, in the seventh month, more than a month after the Infinity Chamber of Commerce closed its branch, Chu Yuan's Dawu Chamber of Commerce was established within the Imperial City.
On this day, Chu Yuan received a special guest.
"Your Majesty, the president of the Qiankun Chamber of Commerce, Chai Ning, seeks an audience!"
At Chu Yuan's signal, a somewhat plump middle-aged man with sharp eyes entered the room.
Despite his unimpressive appearance, this middle-aged man was a terrifying figure at the Illumination stage, even more powerful than Elder Chen who had visited before.
The Qiankun Chamber of Commerce had actually dispatched a practitioner at the illuminating stage. This was a courtesy befitting a three-star power, showing the importance they placed on Chu Yuan.
"I am Chai Ning from Qiankun Chamber of Commerce, Upon hearing that Your Majesty is opening the Dawu Chamber of Commerce and seeking cooperation with other chambers of commerce, I volunteered to set up a branch here. We at Qiankun Chamber of Commerce come with absolute sincerity," he declared with genuine earnestness.
Although Chai Ning was a practitioner at the Illumination stage, his tone of voice was very comfortable, unlike Elder Chen's indiscernible attitude and airs of superiority.
He clearly understood that while Dawu was a two-star kingdom, its development in the past year had been nothing short of astonishing.
Not only had they annihilated four kingdoms and had the two major sects of Wan Xuan and Cang Nan submit to them, but there was also vague information about several powers that had gone to Dawu and never returned.
This made him realize that Dawu was no ordinary imperial dynasty.
Furthermore, the huge amount of divine elixirs that the Infinity Chamber of Commerce had recently brought to market apparently originated from Dawu, and even Spirit Yuan Rice was available.
Just as he was wondering how to approach Chu Yuan, the abrupt closure of the Infinity Chamber of Commerce's branch brought him great joy. He realized that the heavens had given him an opportunity.
The people of Infinity Chamber of Commerce were indeed shortsighted and arrogant.
"President Chai, I believe that Fu Ling has already elaborated on the key points of trading with Us. The Qiankun Chamber of Commerce will supply medicinal resources to Us, and the profits from pill refining will be shared in a seven-to-three ratio. Regardless of the success or failure of the refining, We will give you shares based on the amount of elixir materials you provide.
In addition, We will supply Spirit Yuan Rice in exchange for various materials that We need," stated Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan knew that Fu Ling would be able to handle it well.
"Of course, Chairman Ji has already explained everything to me very clearly. I'm not like those people from Infinity Chamber of Commerce. In business, my Qiankun Chamber of Commerce is more professional than they are. If Your Majesty entrusts the goods to me, I will naturally handle it as agreed," said Chai Ning confidently.
Chai Ning would never mention buying Spirit Yuan Rice seed forcefully, since he looked at business with a long-term perspective and wouldn't be blinded by immediate profits.
After feeling the fortune of Dawu, what he valued was the future of Dawu.
"In that case, I believe our dealings with the Qiankun Chamber of Commerce will be pleasant, and both of us will emerge as winners," said Chu Yuan with a smile. "From now on, regarding the business dealings, Us will leave Fu Ling in charge of liaising with the Qiankun Chamber of Commerce."