Chapter 117: Unable to Hold On

"What? Are you still unwilling?" Luo Tong, having endured enough, finally snapped, "Those willing to cooperate with us are treated with fine wine and food. For those who aren't, we don't force you. You can just stay right here, exposed to the sun and rain, without even a stool to sit on!"

"Exactly!"

"Consider it carefully yourselves!" Cheng Chumo added.

...

Not long after, some began to feel their ankles aching and could no longer hold out. They started to compromise with the Chamber of Commerce, planning to head over to the club in the East Market for a look. If it really didn't work out, they could always come back.

"Since the Chamber of Commerce has decided this, let's stop being stubborn and go take a look. It's better than standing here, wouldn't you all agree?" someone suddenly spoke up.

No one recognized him. They hadn't seen him before; he seemed to have appeared out of thin air. When he called out to head to the East Market, the crowd glanced at him and, surprisingly, began to agree: "Let's go, let's go... let's take a look!"

"Who was that just now?"

"A plant I hired, hehe!" Cheng Chumo laughed. "These people were already tired of standing, but due to instructions from their noble families, they didn't dare leave. More importantly, they didn't dare be the first to speak up and openly quit, fearing the families would settle scores later. I arranged for a bellwether to take on that responsibility, so of course they’d follow!"

"Well done!"

Li Zhi had intended to dispatch a plant earlier but hadn't had the time. He hadn't expected Cheng Chumo to fill the gap.

"You stay here and watch the Chamber of Commerce; we are going to the East Market!" Li Zhi said to Luo Tong.

"Understood!"

Lou Yi and Lou Er were responsible for Li Zhi's personal protection. The group headed off in a grand procession toward the Wanjinhao Club in the East Market.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by a magnificent and opulent three-story building. Most establishments in Chang'an were two-story structures, and three-story buildings were rarely seen. The architecture before them was truly a rarity, and in terms of scale, no other establishment could compare.

"This is..."

"A while ago, this building wasn't here. It must have been newly constructed, right?" Everyone present was well-versed in social affairs and intimately familiar with the architecture of the East Market. The traces of new construction were immediately apparent.

"Gentlemen, come in and enjoy yourselves!" A group of beauties emerged from the Wanjinhao Club, beckoning to the crowd. It immediately captured everyone's attention.

Those with a sharp eye were astonished: "That’s the top star of the Yingchun Pavilion! I heard she never sees guests. How did she end up here?"

"And the four beauties from the Lichun Court are here too!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"Has every top courtesan in the capital been gathered here?"

...

The crowd gradually realized that all the beauties emerging from the club were of significant status. Several of them were notoriously difficult; no matter how much money was offered, they were rarely seen. Yet today, they were walking out openly, inviting the men in as guests.

This!

What to do?

They had to go in!

Li Zhi was still pondering how to get them inside when he looked over and saw them acting like lechers, rushing forward impatiently. Each grabbed a beauty and dashed into the club.

"Hahaha..."

"My little darling, I’ve finally got my hands on you today!" They had completely abandoned their dignity, teasing the women right at the entrance.

"It seems I didn't need to persuade them; they would have gone in on their own!" Li Zhi looked at Cheng Chumo and praised, "Well done, Chumo! You actually managed to gather all the top courtesans of the capital into the club. You’ve got quite the talent!"

"You flatter me, Your Highness! It’s just a small matter."

"Tch... look at how arrogant you are!"

Cheng Chumo wasn't lying. Gathering all the top courtesans sounded difficult, but for him, it was incredibly simple—just a matter of a few words. Don't forget his status: the young Duke of the Lu State, son of Cheng Yaojin. Who in the capital's various factions and businesses wouldn't grant him a bit of face? Who would dare to offend him? Once his status was revealed, he could do whatever he wanted.

Li Zhi also entered the club to take a good look around. After detailed renovations, the scene was entirely different.

"Your Highness... are you satisfied?" Cheng Chumo asked.

"Whether I'm satisfied doesn't matter; ask those lechers—they are the ones who count!"

The merchants who had followed them were already completely captivated by the top courtesans from the various brothels; they couldn't even be bothered to look at the club's other entertainment options. They simply embraced the beauties and found places to flirt.

Cheng Chumo laughed. "Ask them? No need for that!"

"The Wanjinhao cost a massive fortune to build, and at first, I felt a bit of a sting. But not anymore... as long as it's managed well, the investment will be recouped in less than two years!"

...

There was now an urgent problem: who would manage the Wanjinhao Club? The three Cheng brothers and Yuchi Baolin all had their own tasks. There was no one else. He couldn't just go to the Ministry of Personnel to find someone; Li Zhi didn't like entrusting business to people he didn't trust—it was too prone to trouble.

After thinking it over, Cheng Chumo was the most suitable choice.

"The club is yours. You must ensure those people stay, to buy Chubi time for the brewing. As for the Chamber of Commerce, Luo Tong will help oversee it!"

"Yes!"

Cheng Chumo had the same intention. The Wanjinhao was much more fun than the Chamber of Commerce. He could wake up any time and see beauties. If he wanted to play around, the women in the club were his to choose from. Just thinking about it was enticing!

*Slurp...*

Cheng Chumo glanced at the beauties dancing on the high platform, and drool unconsciously escaped the corner of his mouth.

Li Zhi didn't notice. He had already left with the Golden Blade Guards.

...

Looking north from Chang'an, in the counties of Hedong, the Guanlong noble families held their first major gathering. They prepared to launch a precise strike against Li Zhi's Chamber of Commerce. Because the emergence of the capital's Chamber of Commerce had impacted the families' businesses, and more importantly, many merchants were now cooperating with Li Zhi and gradually slipping out of the families' control, their influence was being diluted. Their prestige in the business world was also declining. If this continued, the day would come when the families would be unable to sustain themselves alone.

The Liu, Guo, Wei, and other families—all led by Hedong—sat in the main hall.

Liu Lin said, "I have already sent people to the capital's Chamber of Commerce, but the results were minimal. To cut off this threat as soon as possible, we must come up with a viable plan!"

"Everyone, speak your minds!"

Wei Tai, the head of the Wei family, stood up and said, "What is there to discuss? I'll just send men to smash his shop..."

"Are you sure? He is the Prince of Jin!"

Liu Lin didn't want to talk to this brute; he had no brains at all.

Guo Jiang said, "Smashing the shop is definitely not an option! The troops in the capital are all under his command. If you go to cause trouble, he can charge you with any crime he wants. We shouldn't walk right into a trap!"

Aside from smashing the shop, Wei Tai's brain couldn't conceive of a better idea.

At this moment, the decrepit head of the Li family, Li Dejiang, spoke up: "I do have an idea, though I don't know if everyone will accept it."