Chapter 152: Bizarre Happenings! (1/2)

“My demands are simple. If we can to an agreement, the Zhang Clan will have to help me produce the items drawn on the blueprint continuously for the next thirty years. The items must be forged strictly based on the blueprint, and every single one must be forged to the best to your abilities. All of the steel parts must be inscribed with ten layers of resilience enchantment.”

Wang Chong didn’t know the thoughts running through the mind of the head of the Zhang Clan at this instant, or perhaps he knew but didn’t pay it any heed.

He lightly tapped on the table with the forefinger of his right hand, and the rhythmic sounds seemed to feel reassuring.

“Ten layers of resilience enchantment? The cost will be at a frightening level!”

The head of the Zhang Clan frowned.

He nearly thought that the Wang Clan was going to revolt. However, upon hearing the ten layers of resilience enchantment, he immediately realized that he was overthinking it.

“There’s no need for you to worry about that! I’ll pay for the cost of the inscription!”

Wang Chong replied calmly.

Of all things he might lack, one thing he didn’t need to worry about was money. The fee for inscription was expensive, but given Wang Chong’s current financial ability, it wasn’t a problem at all.

“There’s no problem then. We’ve no qualms in bearing the cost of the inscription in advance. Moving on, what about the Wootz steel?”

The head of the Zhang Clan asked. He stared concernedly at Wang Chong.

Of the entire deal, this was what he was the most concerned about.

Wang Chong could own a share in the Zhang Clan, and he didn’t mind even if there wasn’t a thirty year cap imposed. What the Zhang Clan was the most concerned about was the mysterious and highly sought after Wootz steel, which Wang Chong still had a monopoly over.

Only those in the circle would understand what kind of fearsome standing the youngster before him possessed.

Three hundred thousand gold taels for a single sword was sufficient the send the entire industry into a frenzy. At this moment, nearly all weapon traders viewed this youngster as their god.

Most of them would kill for an opportunity to work for this youngster.

However, this youngster rarely appeared in public, and it wasn’t easy to strike up a connection with the Wang Clan either.

Otherwise, this youngster were to just take a walk around the weapon market, the prestige he possessed would immediately shine through.

And this influence, coupled with the name of the Wootz steel, were what the Zhang Clan was interested in. If they could work together, their prestige would surely reach higher heights. Just like what Wang Chong said, becoming the number one swordsmithing clan wouldn’t be just a dream.

This was also the main reason why he chose to appear here today.

“Simple. I can sell you all the Hyderabad ore for 20000 gold taels per jun. How much you all manage to earn is your problem, it has nothing to do with me. However, I have two conditions on the sales of the Wootz steel sword. Firstly, you all cannot use my name.”

(12.5~13kg)

“Secondly, I’ll determine how much Wootz steel sword you all can sell per month. For now, the sales of the weapon cannot exceed four per month. If there’s any changes in the future, I’ll inform you all. Also, during this period of time, the Wootz steel sword can only be sold to the Imperial Army!”

Wang Chong said.

“Four? That’s too little. Can you increase it by a little?”

With a slight frown, the head of the Zhang Clan asked.

“Heh, no can do!”

Wang Chong smiled. Even though he looked as though he was open to negotiation, his words spoke a completely different story.

“Rarity determines the value of an object. If the Wootz steel were to become commonplace in the market, do you all think that it’ll be able to fetch its current price? But of course, I wouldn’t be too surprised if some unfilial son of the Zhang Clan were to sneak out a few Wootz steel weapon out into the market from time to time. Don’t you agree?”

“Haha, gongzi is indeed wise. Don’t worry, our Zhang Clan will definitely fulfill the end of our promise!”

The head of the Zhang Clan couldn’t help but feel impressed by the wisdom of the young man before him.

Just like what Wang Chong said, rarity determines the value of an object. If too much Wootz steel sword were to appear in the market all of the sudden, the price would surely plummet. However, if one or two weapons were to appear in the black market from time to time, not only would it not affect the prices of the Wootz steel sword, it might even fuel the market’s desire for it.

In fact, it was highly possible that the prices in the black market would exceed even that of the Imperial Army.

This was indeed the best way for them to achieve maximum profits from the Wootz steel trade in the long run. On this aspect, this youngster had indeed considered the matter thoroughly.

Very few clan heads possessed the same insight as him.

“There’s also one last matter. I believe that gongzi should know that we don’t have any ores to use at the moment!”

Slyness gleamed in the eyes of the head of the Zhang Clan as he brought up this matter.

The Zhang Clan’s mines were about to depleted, and this was the greatest problem regarding their partnership, as well as the greatest weakness of the Zhang Clan. The Zhang Clan was afraid that this would influence Wang Chong’s decision, so he left this matter to the very end.

“Hahaha…”

Wang Chong laughed heartily as he stood up from the back of the table. He seemed to have expected the head of the Zhang Clan to bring up this matter.

“This matter is even easier to settle. I’ve already prepared a new large-scale ore deposit for you all!”

Saying so, Wang Chong shook his sleeves, and the deed he prepared beforehand dropped into his grasp. Then, he placed it on the table and slid it over to the other party.

“!!!”

Upon seeing the deed, shock finally cracked through the pokerface of the head of the Zhang Clan for the first time. He couldn’t have expected that the greatest problem of the Zhang Clan, the matter which concerns their survival, would have already been solved by Wang Chong!

…

With a dazed look, the head of the Zhang Clan stepped over the doorsill of the Wang Family Residence, holding a deed tightly in his hands. Even until now, he still felt a little floaty, and he found it hard to believe what that had just happened.

It had been many years since he had become the clan head, and his emotions no longer swayed easily to external factors. However, this time, grasping the deed in his hands, he couldn’t help but feel as though he was in a dream.

“Young master, the profits of the Wootz steel is extremely great. Why do you want to give it away to the Zhang Clan? Isn’t it better to keep it to ourselves?”

Standing behind Wang Chong, Shen Hai asked doubtfully.