Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu began managing Blue Poplar Village. Their first step was to change some of the village's rules.

The first rules to change concerned management fees.

In Blue Poplar Village, regardless of the business, one had to give the Song Family half of the profits, which was excessively exploitative.

Of course, it wouldn't be reasonable for businesses operating in Blue Poplar Village to contribute nothing, especially since Li Banfeng and Ma Wu had to ensure the territory's safety. After some discussion, they re-established the profit share: each household would only need to contribute twenty percent of their profits.

Beyond business operations, there were also matters related to hunting.

For game hunted in New Land and sold through Ma Wu, prices were negotiable and always higher, never lower, than those set by the Song Family.

But if hunters chose not to sell their game through Ma Wu, would he intervene?

This was a persistent headache for Ma Wu.

He didn't want to get entangled in such matters.

Consider Song Jiason: he once devoted eighty percent of his energy just to constantly monitor the villagers of Blue Poplar Village. How much could people like that truly achieve?

However, completely ignoring it would mean losing a significant portion of income.

After much deliberation, the two devised a sound strategy.

First, those willing to sell through them would definitely not lose out on price. The prices for many game items were doubled or even more. For some highly sought-after goods, prices could even be negotiated according to market conditions.

Second, they wouldn't stop those unwilling to sell through them. However, if anyone attempted to buy goods within Blue Poplar Village and disrupt the established market, they would absolutely not tolerate it, dealing with each offender decisively.

Third, if someone wanted to sell through them but found the offered price unsatisfactory, Ma Wu and Li Banfeng could act as consignment agents. However, the seller would bear all risks of profit or loss; Ma Wu and Li Banfeng would only take a twenty percent commission and not involve themselves further.

Once this news was posted, the village's youth became notably more enthusiastic. Traffic to and from New Land was constant every day, with over ninety percent of the people choosing to sell their goods through them.

The reason was simple: not everyone could find their own channels to sell goods.

Suppose a group of three to five young men caught a bag full of Earth Jade Peaches. Could they really transport and sell them in Greenwater City?

Going to Greenwater City might fetch a higher price, but Greenwater Bay was known for its simple folk—what if they were robbed en route? Wouldn't the round trip for food and lodging cost money? If bad weather delayed their journey and the peaches spoiled, who could they complain to?

These were all unavoidable problems.

But as more people came to sell their goods, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu began to feel the strain. Their capital wasn't quite sufficient. Having invested all their money, they were facing a temporary cash flow problem.

Xiao Chuan suggested an idea, "Why don't we hang up a sign tomorrow saying that, for the time being, we're only taking consignments and not buying goods outright?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "That's not an option. The most taboo thing in business is inconsistency. Either you don't do business, or if you do, you don't change the rules haphazardly."

Li Banfeng rubbed his chin. "It seems we need to make some quick money."

But where could they find quick money?

Li Banfeng was a law-abiding man; he couldn't just go out and rob someone.

Just as he was worrying about their predicament, Xiao Chuan suddenly rushed in to report, "Master Wu, someone from the Liu Family is here."

Ma Wu was startled. "Who is it?"

"Account Manager Hu Juncai."

Ma Wu furrowed his brow. "He's a difficult one to deal with."

Li Banfeng asked, "What's he here for?"

Ma Wu sighed. "Coming at this time, he's most likely here to collect debts."

Xiao Chuan carefully asked, "If he asks for money, should we give it to him?"

Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow. "No. We don't have money, so what is there to give?"

Xiao Chuan pressed, "But what about when we make money later on..."

"Even when we make money, we don't give it to him! He didn't earn it, so why should he get any?" Li Banfeng's stance was very firm.

Xiao Chuan looked towards Ma Wu.

Ma Wu let out a soft sigh. "First, invite him in. We'll talk in the 'new room.'"

The "new room" referred to Landlord Wei's house.

Just the day before, Landlord Wei had signed an agreement with Li Banfeng, unconditionally gifting all his houses to him. Both the house deeds and land deeds were now in Li Banfeng's hands. Landlord Wei had signed the agreement personally and voluntarily, with Ma Wu as a witness.

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu still lived in their original wooden cabin. The three-story building where Landlord Wei had resided now served as a place for receiving guests and conducting business.

Hu Juncai took a seat in the living room and smiled. "Young Master Wu, when I arrived today, I went straight to the Song Family's mansion. To my surprise, it was an empty lot. I almost thought I'd come to the wrong place."

Ma Wu smiled. "The old house was too dilapidated; it swayed even in the wind. I'm planning to build a new one."

Hu Juncai nodded. "Building a new one is appropriate. A new business needs a new look. Young Master Wu, you have a knack for business. Under your management, Blue Poplar Village is sure to prosper. I've come today for two reasons: first, to congratulate you, and second, to take a look at the account books."

Upon hearing "look at the account books," Ma Wu understood Hu Juncai's implication—this fellow had indeed come for money.

He was reluctant to show his account books to others, but he had no choice. The Liu Family's strength was far beyond anything the Song Family could match.

He brought over the account books. Hu Juncai glanced over them and frowned. "Ah, Young Master Wu, in the three days since you took over, you haven't made any money but have instead taken quite a loss."

Ma Wu smiled. "It's rather embarrassing. My business has just started, so I'm taking an initial loss to generate some buzz."

Hu Juncai shook his head. "You're paying too much for the goods you're acquiring. It won't be easy to run the business profitably in the future."

Ma Wu just smiled and said nothing.

From the side, Xiao Chuan glanced at Hu Juncai. Old thing, what do you know? How dare you try to teach our Young Master Wu how to make money?

Hu Juncai closed the account book. "I trust Young Master Wu, but we need to be clear about the rules. When the Song Family did business in Blue Poplar Village, eighty percent of their revenue had to be handed over to our manager. We didn't keep all that money; a portion had to be passed on to the Si Family. This is all documented in the deeds; it's not something I'm just saying. The deed also clearly states that regardless of profit or loss, a minimum of three thousand Ocean Dollars must be paid each month. If you don't believe me, I can show you the document."

Hu Juncai handed the deed to Ma Wu, who read it meticulously. Hu Juncai hadn't lied.

Ma Wu had been prepared for this. The Song Family's oppressive practices were largely due to the Liu Family's harsh methods. The Liu Family's ruthlessness, in turn, stemmed from the Si Family's hefty demands. And when the Si Family collected money, they still had to pay tribute to the Lu Family. It was a vicious cycle, with each layer of exploitation more severe than the last.

Ma Wu pondered deeply before speaking, "Old Hu, I really can't come up with that much money right now. Could you give me a few days' grace?"

"Young Master Wu, you're putting me in a difficult spot. The rule about collecting debts on the due date hasn't changed for over twenty years. How about this—I'll visit your warehouse, pick out a few goods, and we'll call it even by appraising their value."

Let him choose the goods? He could empty the warehouse. The price he'd set would certainly be unacceptable. Ma Wu thought.

Seeing Ma Wu's silence, Hu Juncai sighed. "Young Master Wu, if you can't produce the money and you have no goods, it will be hard for me to explain when I get back."

Ma Wu looked up. "Old Hu, please tell Manager Liu that I'm really strapped for cash right now. Once I've made some money in a few days, I will deliver it to the old manager myself."

Hu Juncai's frown deepened. After a long silence, he stood up. "Young Master Wu, if the rules are broken, business becomes difficult. That's all the advice I can offer. The decision is yours."

After Hu Juncai left, Ma Wu returned to his dwelling to discuss the matter with Li Banfeng.

"Brother Li, how much do you think we should give him? I feel three thousand Ocean Dollars is a bit much. I'll talk to him another day and offer two thousand."

Li Banfeng put down the newspaper he was holding, looked at Ma Wu, and said, "Haven't we already agreed? We're not giving him any money."

Ma Wu, looking helpless, replied, "We have to. Otherwise, they'll scheme against us."

"Scheme how? Are they going to storm Blue Poplar Village?"

"That's unlikely," Ma Wu shook his head. "Given the Liu Family's nature, they won't fight us openly. But their underhanded tactics are extremely vicious. Liu Liangyi was originally a mountain bandit. If I'm not mistaken, he's going to cut off our shipping routes."

Li Banfeng paused for a moment. "I hadn't considered that."

Ma Wu's expression was grave. "This can't be overlooked. The day after tomorrow, a batch of our goods is due for delivery to Greenwater City. If the goods are seized, we won't make our money back, and our business will be finished."

「...」

Hu Juncai returned to the Paper Horse Shop and reported the situation to the old manager, Liu Liangyi.

Liu Liangyi smiled indifferently. "Indeed, the son of a wealthy family doesn't want to part with a single coin."

Hu Juncai added, "I've seen his ledger. He really hasn't made any money. The price he's offering for goods is just too high."

Liu Liangyi shook his head. "Old Hu, this is where you're mistaken. In Puluo State, Ma Wu's ability to make money is among the best. A high price for goods means more hunters. It might be tough for the first few months, but once he breaks even, he'll make much more than Song Jiason ever did."

"Then let's give him a few months' leeway."

"We can't. Rules are rules. Once broken, they're difficult to re-establish. Whether he takes out loans or pays with goods, he can't be short a single coin of what's due."

Hu Juncai nodded. "I'll go to Blue Poplar Village again tomorrow and make the situation clear to him."

"What else is there to say? In this world, reasoning doesn't get you anywhere," Liu Liangyi countered. He called Liu Changyu over. "Didn't you want to meet Ma Wu a few days ago? This time, I'll send you. But not to Blue Poplar Village. Go to Top Peak Mountain and set up an ambush on the path. This mountain road is the vital route from Blue Poplar Village to Greenwater City. I want you to ambush them there. Stop any carriage or horse you see. If they're carrying anything from Blue Poplar Village, seize it all. Remember, only take the goods; don't harm anyone. Ma Wu is a clever man; he probably won't rush to ship anything in the next couple of days, so you'll have to wait longer. It's freezing out there. Can you endure such hardship?"

Liu Changyu, thumping his chest, assured, "Father, rest assured. I can endure this hardship. I guarantee the job will be done well."

Liu Liangyi nodded. "Remember, only plunder goods, do not harm anyone."

"Got it, Father. Should we announce our name? Otherwise, Ma Wu might not know who to beg for mercy from."

Liu Liangyi chuckled. "No need to announce our name. Top Peak Mountain is our territory. If he's robbed here, he'll know who's responsible."

Liu Changyu, along with his men, headed to Top Peak Mountain and set an ambush along the roadside.

This young man was capable of enduring hardship. In the cold November weather, the wind felt like it could peel a layer of skin from one's face.

Liu Changyu and his men took turns standing guard, and he also deployed Ghost Servants as lookouts, never once relaxing his vigilance.

A caravan passed by on the road. Liu Changyu immediately sent his men to intercept it. After an inspection, the cargo turned out to be pottery jars bound for the city.

There were many artisans in the surrounding villages, so these goods were naturally not from New Land. Liu Changyu let them pass and continued his watch by the mountain path.

Li Banfeng, traveling alone, passed along the mountain path. He thought he heard a sound from the roadside. Using his Silk-pulling Earrings to listen carefully, he confirmed that people were indeed lying in ambush.

Using his Golden Gaze Autumn Hair, he also noticed several Lost Souls nearby.

Ma Wu's speculation hadn't been wrong; the Liu Family had indeed cut off their shipping route.

Li Banfeng glanced at the weather. It was snowing, but the snow melted as soon as it hit the ground, not sticking. Lying in wait in such conditions out in the desolate wilderness must be incredibly arduous.

This isn't easy for them! These people can certainly endure suffering!

Li Banfeng was just a lone traveler without a carriage or horses, and he was very easy to overlook. Naturally, Liu Changyu wouldn't bother stopping him.

Upon arrival at Greenwater City, Li Banfeng rented a room and moved the goods out from his Portable Residence. He then went to the Imperial Workshop to find Manager Zhu and have him send people to collect the goods.

After Manager Zhu received the goods, he settled the payment on the spot, referencing his ledger.

Li Banfeng stored the money in his Portable Residence, then visited the Beautiful Voice Record Player Shop where he purchased some fuel and oil, and also selected a few records.

After leaving the record player shop, Li Banfeng found an old restaurant. He ordered a hot pot, a warmed jar of Shaoxing Yellow Wine, and called for two young women to sing and liven up his meal.

Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, Li Banfeng wiped off any traces of rouge and fragrance powder from himself and returned to his Portable Residence.

"Oh, my dear husband," she purred, her breath a wisp of warm steam. "You must be terribly cold after being out in this freezing weather. Come quickly to your little servant, let me warm you." She then embraced Li Banfeng, and they slept soundly and comfortably through the night.

The following day at dawn, Li Banfeng set off on his return journey. Passing Top Peak Mountain, he noticed people still on watch by the roadside.

Liu Changyu truly was a resilient young man. His father had ordered him to wait here, and aside from sleeping, he hadn't moved from his post.

What dedication! 'Only by enduring the bitterest of hardships can one endure even more bitter hardships.' These individuals have such perseverance; they're undoubtedly destined for an endless supply of suffering in the future!

Li Banfeng offered a couple of silent praises in his heart and returned to Blue Poplar Village.