Chapter 200 Nanshan Club
One hundred years of life?
This is no longer a question of temptation, but rather a naked act of throwing bait.
It’s almost like saying: Come and eat!
In this age when people are sixty, telling me that you will live for a hundred years is like dropping a nuclear bomb in someone's heart.
The wealthy merchants below were all excited, their faces turned red, their necks turned red, and then their eyes turned red.
But there are always "calm and sober people".
One of the merchants stood up. Unlike the other wealthy merchants with big bellies, he was quite thin and had a bit of the temperament of a scholar.
Is this what is called a Confucian businessman?
He clasped his fists and asked, "Master Lu, everyone wants to live longer. Everyone knows that life span is far more valuable than money. So, how many gemstones of good or bad composition can give a certain amount of life span? Could you please let us know so that we can have a rough idea?"
These words immediately attracted the attention and approval of all the businessmen, and they all looked at Lu Sen eagerly.
"What's your name, sir?"
"Your surname is Lin."
"Mr. Lin, I can answer your question now."
Mr. Zhang from Bitian Pavilion, who had been standing next to Lu Sen, walked up to the stage with a few sheets of white paper and handed them to Mr. Lin and several other well-known wealthy businessmen.
The white paper was passed from one person to another, and the excitement just now gradually subsided.
"So one year of life requires so many gems in exchange?" Mr. Lin looked up at Lu Sen and said, "Isn't it too expensive?"
Lu Sen chuckled and said, "If you think it's expensive, you don't have to!"
When it comes to business, these wealthy businessmen also know how profitable monopoly business can be.
But the prices here were still beyond their expectations.
In fact, it is not surprising. If they had such resources, they would probably sell Yang Shou for several times or even dozens of times higher.
In comparison, Lu Sen had actually sold it very conscientiously, but this still made these wealthy businessmen feel painful.
Lin Yuanwai was not annoyed by Lu Sen's retort. He frowned slightly and asked, "Master Lu, do you want to empty the country of Tianzhu of its gems?"
"You can say that. Gems are very useful to me. They can be used in alchemy and Qi training." Lu Sen was not afraid of exposing his own secrets: "Or I can build a few more treasure ships and go out to sea. I can also earn a lot of gems, but I am lazy, you know."
The wealthy merchants were all stunned and fell into deep thought. It seemed that Master Lu didn't actually need their help. As long as he was willing to expand his power... all the troubles would no longer be troubles.
However, this was not Lu Sen's original intention.
Asking the merchants to look for gems was just an excuse. The real purpose was to let them go farther and farther, slowly see the world, and guide them out step by step.
The world outside is wonderful.
As they see more and travel more, and as the news slowly spreads, the "character" of the Northern Song Dynasty will slowly change.
Even a stubborn stone like Bao Zheng is changing, why can't others change!
Seeing that the merchants had calmed down, Lu Sen continued, "Also... life span is limited. I can only give you a total of 1,000 years of life span, and the limit for a single person is 100 years! First come, first served."
This statement once again caused the people below to explode.
The whole scene was buzzing.
Originally, these sea merchants still had some ideas of waiting for a higher price in their minds, such as hoarding gems and waiting for Master Lu to come to them so that they could negotiate a better price.
But when the 'number' of life span was announced, everyone felt that their dirty thoughts were simply ridiculous.
It's still for sale at a price, it'd be great if you can grab it.
Seeing that everyone below seemed to be getting anxious, Lu Sen was quite satisfied; this was exactly the effect he wanted.
We've almost finished talking and the fire has almost been lit, it's time to go.
He stood up and was about to leave when the thin middle-aged businessman clasped his hands and shouted, "Master Lu, I have one more question. Even if it's not a gem from Tianzhu, will you accept it?"
"Yes." Lu Sen smiled: "But how much can you have?"
Two or three years ago, Lu Sen asked the Prince of Runan to help him collect gems.
Among the recipes provided by the system, gem consumption is the highest and they are also relatively rare.
There were not many gemstones produced here in the Northern Song Dynasty, but mostly beautiful jade.
So after two or three years, most of the gems circulating on the market in the Northern Song Dynasty were collected by the Prince of Runan.
What's left are either other people's heirlooms or precious rarities that are hard to collect.
"It's still possible to exchange it for two or three years of life." The middle-aged man clasped his fists and smiled, "If we pool our efforts, it won't be a problem to exchange it for ten years."
Lu Sen smiled: "How do we divide it? Give ten years of life to one person at a time?"
"That's right, I was too reckless." The middle-aged man clasped his fists and bowed.
Lu Sen looked at him for a while and asked, "Mr. Lin, do you have anything else to say?"
"Master Lu, I would also like to ask, can we keep this matter secret for the time being?" Mr. Lin's eyes were burning.
The merchants in the Bitian Pavilion were stunned for a moment, and then someone reacted and closed the window next to them.
There is a total number of lifespans. It's fine for these people to know about it, but if more people get to know about it, wealthy merchants will come and no matter how many lifespans there are, they won't be enough to share with them.
"It's up to you. I'm not in a hurry anyway."
Lu Sen smiled and finally left this time.
After Lu Sen left, the sea merchants who remained in the Bitian Pavilion were talking about the matter.
After arguing and quarreling for a while, Mr. Lin walked to the high platform where Lu Sen had just stood, bowed his hands, and said loudly: "My fellow officials and colleagues, please listen to what I have to say."
Everyone fell silent at that moment. After all, it was he who had just advised Lu Sen not to spread the news.
Being able to fight for benefits for your own people in front of important people is also a skill.
So no matter whether everyone obeyed him or not, they all felt that they should listen to what he had to say first.
Mr. Lin looked around and saw that everyone was looking at him. He was not afraid. He bowed and said, "Master Lu is very kind. He has given us lowly businessmen a great opportunity. Yangshou has always been something that only noble people can get their hands on. This time it is finally our turn. How lucky we are!"
Hearing this, everyone nodded.
Indeed...only fame and power can impress those Taoists and alchemists who can make elixirs.
merchant?
You are a money-grubber, so just stay aside.
"So this time we should unite and work together to eat up this thousand years of life. I just calculated that there are twenty-four people here. Even if we divide it equally, each person can get at least forty years of life. It's better than fighting each other. Isn't it reasonable?"
This was indeed reasonable, and everyone nodded as they listened.
Seeing this, Mr. Lin continued, "And we are all here by chance, it's destiny. This day has allowed us to live longer, so we are naturally different from other merchants."
When everyone heard this, they nodded even more.
"Mr. Lin has an idea. Since we all have the same opportunity, why not take advantage of it and work together?" There seemed to be a flame in Mr. Lin's clear eyes.
The sea merchants below the stage looked at each other, and then all became excited. Someone shouted, "Mr. Lin, do you mean that the twenty-four of us should form a party and establish a society?"
“That’s a really good idea.”
"Mr. Lin is indeed a man who has studied for a few years. He has a long-term vision."
"Since we have established a society, we need to give it a name."
Mr. Lin pressed his hands downward, and the people below immediately quieted down. He took a deep breath and smiled, "Anyone with a high position and reputation is also called Taishan, and even the emperor wants to be enthroned at Taishan. I originally wanted to name us 'Taishan Club', but this name is too ostentatious. We are weak now, so we cannot use this honorific name for the time being."
Everyone nodded. They knew very well that this name was indeed a bit touching, especially the bottom line of scholars.
Mr. Lin continued to laugh and said, "So let's change the name to Nanshan Club, which means 'live as long as the Southern Mountains'. How do you think?"
"Well, well done."
"What a moral!"
“A good sign.”
All the sea merchants applauded and praised, their faces full of excitement.
"Next, let's talk about how to distribute this thousand years of life. Since we want to form a society, we must first establish the rules."
The group of people discussed in the Bitian Pavilion for nearly a day and a night before dispersing.
Although they had not slept all night, these merchants were all excited, their faces flushed and they were full of energy.
Lu Sen found out about this matter soon after.
"My dear, do you think we should put a stop to their aggressiveness?" Mr. Zhang from Bitian Pavilion half bent over and looked at Lu Sen respectfully.
Lu Sen's fingers flicked the water cup on the table, watching the ripples of the tea in the cup slightly vibrate: "Mr. Zhang, you are also a member of the Nanshan Society, right?"
"Of course they don't dare to get rid of me. After all, I am also a part of the Bitian Pavilion."
Lu Sen smiled and said, "That's fine. Just play with them and help me watch them."
"Sir, are you optimistic about the Nanshan Society?" Mr. Zhang was a little surprised, and his fat cheeks trembled twice.
Lu Sen nodded: "It's okay, anyway, it doesn't bother me, and it has no conflict of interest with me. Besides, this world is too boring, it's good to have some excitement."
When Mr. Zhang heard this, he suddenly thought of something and swallowed subconsciously.
My son-in-law is half-immortal, so there should be explanations and reasons for the people and things he likes.
Moreover, there was a very subtle feeling in the words of my brother-in-law just now, as if... Will the Nanshan Club be very powerful in the future?
Can it stir up the calm waters of the Song Dynasty?
Thinking of this, not only the flesh on Mr. Zhang's cheeks trembled, but even his lips were shaking a little.
His voice was trembling slightly: "Then I will stay in the Nanshan Society for now... I will definitely report everything the Nanshan Society does to you, my lord."
"Well, thank you for your help."
"Working for you is a lifetime blessing for me!"
Mr. Zhang, who was so excited that he could not contain himself, left with a basket of fruit. Of course, he was blindfolded when he left.
Lu Sen stayed in the pavilion, feeling a little funny and also a little emotional.
Taishan Society? Nanshan Society?
Is this a coincidence or a joke of history?
Capitals gather together to form larger capital.
When capital becomes strong enough, it starts to eat people.
To be honest, as long as capital is properly controlled, it is not entirely harmful.
But you, the Nanshan Society, are going to go outward, like a pack of wolves and tigers, and conquer new territories; or are you going to stick to the old ways and eat the marrow of your own people?
Not long after Mr. Zhang left, Lu Xianxian came over again, twisting her waist slightly. She sat down in front of Lu Sen and said with a smile, "My dear, it seems that you are worried again."
"Yes, a little bit. I thought of some things." Lu Sen took a sip of tea.
"I vaguely heard some of your conversation just now, but I didn't mean to do that." A pair of white fox ears suddenly appeared on Lu Xianxian's head. She touched them and smiled, "They are just some merchants. Are they worthy of my husband's attention?"
Lu Sen thought for a moment and said, "Because I see that a turning point in history has appeared."
Um?
Lu Xianxian looked confused.
Lu Sen smiled and said, "Let me put it this way. I see that fate has come to a fork in the road. Should it go left or right, or stay where it is? I don't know."
Lu Xianxian understood now, and her expression was even more surprised: "They are just some businessmen, can they really change the world's situation?"
"It should be possible." After thinking for a while, Lu Sen said, "It's definitely possible."
Looking at Lu Sen's determined expression, Lu Xianxian's worry gradually appeared. She sighed and said, "My dear, I have something to say to you. Please don't be angry!"
"Just tell me, we are all family, there is nothing to be shy about."
"My concubines and I can all see that you have a big vision, and you seem to want to use the world as a chessboard and control the situation." Lu Xianxian kept staring at Lu Sen's eyes: "But we are just women, and we don't understand what you are doing. You don't look like you want to fight for the throne, nor do you look like you want to cause chaos in the world and dominate one side. But why do you spend so much time and resources outside, and give outsiders a benefit in vain?"
Lu Sen looked not far away and saw several other girls playing.
Zhao Bilian had just learned the art of summoning and controlling shikigami, and was shouting, "Snow Girl, Binghua is coming!"
Bai Xue, who had transformed into a snow banshee again, was dressed in white. Upon hearing Zhao Bilian's command, she raised her hands and waved them forward. Then, a small snowstorm suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Ice spine thousands of miles."
A dense patch of spikes appeared on the ground in front of them.
Then there were the excited shouts of several women, even Pang Meir was among them, and they were all extremely excited.
Lu Sen retracted his gaze and said with a smile: "Actually, it's just that Xianxian you are interested in my layout."
Lu Xianxian raised her eyebrows: "Why do you say that? The three ladies are also very..."
"They do care about me." Lu Sen interrupted the vixen, "But they are very virtuous women. They never ask me what I say or do, but only support me with all their strength. If I want to kill someone, they will help me sharpen my knife. If I kill someone, they will help me bury the body. They will not ask me why I want to kill people, nor will they ask me what I plan to do."
Lu Xianxian suddenly felt her face burning.
Indeed, what she said just now was an excuse. She just wanted to know what Lu Sen was planning by doing this.
Bringing up the three ladies was just an attempt to make the argument more convincing.
After all, foxes are very curious animals.
It was Daji back then, and it is also Xianxian now!
Lu Sen looked at the somewhat shy fox and asked, "Are you bored staying at home?"
