NOVEL WEB Chapter 80: Where Did the Money Go?
To understand their position, one must recognize that they are blacksmiths backed by a reasonably influential family. Naturally, they are engaged in the iron trade.
As blacksmiths, they inherently have advantages and conveniences in trading iron goods.
However, if asked about the iron market in their respective cities, they could provide some data. Yet, Ling Yi's inquiry targets the entire iron market of the Shuimu Principality, considering the many master blacksmiths present today, spanning the three major cities, several smaller towns, and even more villages.
Thus, the two soul-master-level experts didn't immediately offer a response. After all, they couldn't simply say they were only aware of their own business and were clueless about everything else outside.
As dignified individuals, they couldn't afford to show ignorance.
Consequently, Long Ang didn't maintain his usual straightforward persona. Like Qingqiu Li, he gazed at Ling Yi with a look of keen interest, resembling an enlightened elder willing to hear the younger generation out.
Ling Yi, who had done his homework beforehand and understood their situation well, gave them face by saying, "You two seniors must be aware, last year's iron market in the Shuimu Principality had a turnover of about 1,830,000 gold soul coins..."
This self-posed, seamlessly answered question made Long Ang and Qingqiu Li, sitting opposite Ling Yi, suddenly widen their eyes in surprise.
Ling Yi's eyes lowered at just the right moment, focusing on the spread-out papers on the table as he continued to speak: "The sum of 1.83 million Golden Soul Coins, from the various blacksmith shops in 'Mu Plant City', accounts for over 387,000 Golden Soul Coins in transactions. From ordinary farm tools, kitchenware, basic knives, axes, and staffs, to all kinds of hundred-forged excellent weapons and equipment, the range is vast...
In the city where the two seniors are located, 'Cold Wind City', the transaction volume is around 320,000 Golden Soul Coins, whereas 'Azure Blue City' is less than 300,000 Golden Soul Coins...
Including all the duchy's towns and villages, the total transaction volume for various ironwares amounts to approximately 50,000 to 60,000 Golden Soul Coins..."
Upon hearing this, except for Elder Jin, Fu Shan, and Li Qiang, who were already aware, both Long Ang and Qingqiu Li couldn't help but frown.
Even Elder Jin and the other two wore slightly complex expressions on their faces at this moment.
"Ah, um... Ah Yi... I'm older than you, so just like Elder Jin, I'll call you Ah Yi,"
At this moment, Qingqiu Li spoke up, first glancing at the unusually calm Long Ang beside him, then shifting his gaze back and forth between Elder Jin and Ling Yi as he continued, "Although the data I have is not as comprehensive as yours, I think in this capital, with the network of three master blacksmiths, your data, Ah Yi, should be accurate..."
Qingqiu Li paused for a moment, casting a deep look at Ling Yi before asking, “Can you tell me where the other half of the iron trade revenue has gone?”
'Mu Plant City' reported 387,000 gold soul coins, 'Cold Wind City' reported 320,000, and 'Azure Blue City' came in at just under 300,000, to be precise, 291,000. Together, these three major cities of the Water Plant Principality total around one million gold soul coins.
Even including the smaller city regions and areas beyond, the total barely exceeds one million.
Honestly, this figure had already gone beyond what both he and Long Ang expected.
But what astonished them even more was that the entire iron trade revenue within the Water Plant Principality amounted to a staggering 1.83 million gold soul coins!
So, where have the nearly 800,000 gold soul coins gone?
Of course, ordinary people are different from soul masters.
A one-ring soul master can collect one gold soul coin each month from the Spirit Hall, while a two-ring master earns ten gold soul coins, and a three-ring soul expert can earn up to a hundred gold soul coins!
Becoming a soul master is considered a major leap in the social hierarchy on the Douluo Continent. Apart from strength, the tangible earnings from being a soul master are also a huge factor.
Money isn't everything, but it can solve many troubles and problems in the world.
That was the understanding Qingqiu Li held firmly as he stared at the calculations scribbled across the parchment.
When money reaches a certain abundance, without considering other factors, even the soul realm's coveted treasures, the soul bones people chase madly after, can be bought!
Ordinary people need money for their daily needs, and soul masters require it even more, with higher expenditures.
Any soul master who has aspirations of power won't deprive themselves of nourishment. While they might not eat soul beast meat every meal, they certainly wouldn't settle for plain gruel, buns, and pickled vegetables—indulgences are rare in comparison.
So, who wouldn't wish for a bit more gold soul coins in their pocket under such circumstances?
In the original story, the leader of the Min Clan, Bai He, a dignified Soul Douluo, was troubled by just a few hundred gold soul coins. This was due to their enmity with the Spirit Hall. Otherwise, the young members of the clan could fleece a significant amount from the Spirit Hall's system each month.
Although the clan spends considerably on sustenance, training, and other necessities, it shouldn't have been as dire as depicted in the original appearance.
Thus, as a soul master himself with a family to support, Qingqiu Li was deeply concerned about the near 800,000 gold soul coins that vanished from the iron trade agreement.
Even though this was merely the turnover, after deducting costs for raw materials, forging expenses, fuel, labor, transportation, and a series of other costs, the gross profit might be less than half. Still, that would amount to a whopping thirty to forty thousand gold soul coins!
Such a large sum, it can be said that in the entire Principality of Shumu, few could turn a blind eye!
If Ling Yi wasn't lying, if such a transaction really existed, if this iron trade were to be completed under their watch...
At this thought, both Qingqiu Li and Long Ang couldn't help but breathe a bit heavier.
They stared intently at Ling Yi, waiting for his answer.
In response, Ling Yi smiled faintly, tapped the table lightly, and said, “It went this way—”
Following where Ling Yi pointed, Qingqiu Li and Long Ang lifted their eyes to see a rough depiction of the Principality of Shumu's terrain and city layout sketched on white paper with ink strokes.
However, Ling Yi's hand did not land on any place within the Principality of Shumu.
Seeing Ling Yi pointing at the blank paper, Qingqiu Li and Long Ang felt a jolt, a sense of foreboding rising within their hearts.
At this moment, Ling Yi's voice rang out timely, “Actually, both of you should know, but subconsciously chose not to think about it, right—”
The mystery set in motion by Ling Yi has everyone puzzled. Qingqiu Li and Long Ang gather in a dimly lit room, maps sprawled across the table, tracing routes through the Principality of Shumu with furrowed brows.
The question that haunted them was simple yet perplexing: where did the money vanish to?
Ling Yi had suggested that the answer lay beyond the familiar borders, possibly in territories yet untouched by their investigations.
This unsettling revelation brought a sense of urgency to their discussions. Qingqiu Li, known for her sharp wit, began connecting the points on the map with swift, deliberate strokes.
"There must be a trail," she murmured, more to herself than to Long Ang, who nodded in agreement but maintained his stoic silence.
Meanwhile, Du Jun found himself pacing the corridors of the Blacksmith Association, his thoughts heavy with suspicions and half-formed theories. The association, bustling during working hours, held secrets of its own behind closed doors. Du Jun's mind raced, wondering if someone within their ranks was involved in this mysterious disappearance.
As shadows lengthened, the group realized that their search was far from over. An urgency to unravel this enigma and the implications it carried weighed heavily upon them all, hinting that greater machinations were at play behind the scenes.
(End of Chapter)
