The Human Emperor (1-200)

C150: Investing in the Zhang Clan (1)

“Clan head, I feel that we should negotiate with Chong gongzi of the Wang Clan. Even if we don’t earn any monetary incentive from working with him, I believe that we’ll benefit from a partnership. The Wootz steel sword is currently standing at the peak of all weapons, and if we manage to procure Wootz steel, we’ll surely be able to suppress all of the other clans. This way, we’ll have sufficient time to look for a suitable mine without worrying about our market share being stolen by the Cheng, Huang, and Lu clan.”

One of the elders suggested.

To the swordsmithing clans, superior ore wasn’t just money; it was their lifeline. The moment a clan lacked superior ores, its market share would immediately plummet.

It would be impossible for the other clans to not exploit this opportunity.

The moment a clan lost its market share, it would be difficult to regain it. What all of the swordsmithing clans were vying for was market share! Furthermore, this matter had a chain reaction.

Once the market share of a clan plummeted, the swordsmiths in the clan would become idle. They would then leave the clan to join another faction.

If such a situation were to occur, the clan would have truly fallen into decline. It would be for naught even if the clan still possessed a large sum of money. Money was just like flowing water; without a steady income, it would be emptied out quickly.

The Zhang Clan was one of the oldest swordsmithing clans, and having experienced such dangers before, they were extremely familiar with it, so they feared it greatly.

They didn’t wish to experience it once more.

This was also the reason why everyone was gathered here today. The danger had already reached an unimaginable level, and it would blow up in three months at latest.

Before this, they had to find a solution.

“It’s no use! Before the matter at the Bluebottle Pavilion, we might still stand a chance. However… You all should know that he sold a saber in the Imperial Army for three hundred thousand gold taels! With such profit, how could he be willing to share it with us?”

A plump elder objected.

These words sent everyone into silence. The Wootz steel sword had already become a legend in the Central Plains. Despite the standard market price of around six hundred to seven hundred gold taels for a single top-notch sword, Wang Chong managed to sell a saber for three hundred thousand gold taels. To the prestigious clans, this was completely unimaginable!

Just the thought of it placed immense pressure on their shoulders.

Before the incident at the Bluebottle Pavilion, Wang Chong was just an unknown figure. Everyone in the room could be considered as his seniors.

But now, this fifteen-year-old youngster, along with his Wootz steel and forging techniques, had become a towering mountain to them, an existence that they couldn’t comprehend and could only look up to.

“… Actually, this matter isn’t completely impossible!”

Suddenly, a voice sounded, grasping everyone’s attention in an instant.

“Zhang Jian? What do you intend to say?”

Everyone immediately turned to look at Zhang Jian. Speaking of the third son of the Wang Clan, Zhang Jian and Zhang Cong were the first to come into contact with him, so they had the most authority in this aspect.

“Haven’t you all realized yet? Until now, we haven’t heard any news on him buying a forge or him working with anyone. Furthermore, even though his Wootz steel sword managed to fetch an astronomical sum, he can only produce one per month!”