Chapter 40: Chu Tian’s Dream (1/2)
In the middle of the night, the Meng house was brightly lit. The table was filled with good food and drink.
“Everybody did splendidly!”
“For the company!”
“A toast!”
Chu Tian, Meng Qing Wu, Meng Ying Ying, Nangong Yun, Xiong Tian Yan, Zhang Li Qing, everybody raised their cups for a toast!
Zhang Li Qing was seated in the middle. His presence was quite strange. He was a noble scholar, originally he did not want to be mixed up with business affairs so as not to ruin his illustrious name.
This time, without the slightest hesitation, he publicly became a member of Southern Cloud Commerce.
Why did he make such an exception?
Was it to repay the kindness of saving his life?
No, that was only part of the reason.
Zhang Li Qing had very good foresight. He had long discovered that Chu Tian had something other people didn’t have, it was a type of ambition, a type of fantasy, a type of spirit, a type of prejudice. Beneath his youthful appearance throbbed an outstanding mind that was ahead of its time; underneath his frivolity hid a wise spirit.
When the miraculous ship set sail, it would be a sensational thing, full of ideals, ambitions and feelings!
But, after all, what kind of mentality did Ye Qian have in establishing it?
How far could this ship sail?
It was something to look forward to!
Zhang Li Qing was 70 years old, already in his twilight years, he had never felt as young as he felt now. The newborn Miracle Commerce was going to face many problems, and it needed his help at this time!
If he were to cower now, he might regret it for the rest of his days.
“The Summit Meeting had many twists and turns, but it had a good conclusion. We have taken the first step all thanks to everyone’s hard work.” Meng Qing Wu poured a cup of wine for Chu Tian, “On behalf of all our partners, I present a toast to you!”
“Eldest Miss is too kind. If you keep talking that way I’ll become arrogrant.” Chu Tian chuckled in reply. “It wasn’t all my work, at best it was only 99% thanks to me.”
Everybody laughed in reply.
This guy really didn’t know how to be modest!
Meng Ying Ying drank a mouthful of wine and looked at Chu Tian with her droopy lids, a small smile on her face. This guy was a little bad, very arrogant, a little frivolous, but as long as he’s beside me nothing bad will happen. As long as he’s beside me everything is so safe and secure!
Everybody enjoyed the food and wine to their hearts content.
Meng Qing Wu wasn’t intoxicated by the alcohol, she soberly said, “Everyone, while it is worth celebrating the smooth birth of the company, this is just the first step. We mustn't become careless. I have a few urgent matters to discuss with everybody.”
“First, the factory for the electric light is incomplete.”
“Second, the restaurant is in the middle of preparations, it needs to be open for business as soon as possible.”
“Third, the structure of our company is messy. Above we have management, below we have the production line. We are short on people, short on money, short on materials, there’s almost nothing we aren’t short on. We have to settle these problems as soon as possible.”
“...”
Meng Qing Wu finished speaking.
Everybody calmed down.
The business had a weak infrastructure and was unable to make a robust production line. The money they lacked was not a small amount, but even more inconvenient was that they lacked people. It wasn’t because it was hard to recruit people, it was just hard to find people they trusted.
Chu Tian did not feel this was a huge problem. One couldn’t get fat with one bite of food. The business was at its early stages, not everything could be solved immediatley. It was all just a matter of time. Sooner or later all these issues would be fixed.
Chu Tian asked, “What are the other problems?”
“I’m afraid that it is the product itself.” Meng Qing Wu knitted her brows, “The electric lamp runs on magic. Each usage would need five minutes of magic; to maintain the light, it would need around one hour of magic. However, among the 3 million people in Tian Nan City, only 200,000 can use magic. This implies that ordinary people cannot use the electric lamp.”
Chu Tian was impressed that Meng Qing Wu understood this point.
An idea suddenly occurred to Meng Yi Yi, and she instantly raised a small, delicate hand.
When Meng Qing Wu saw her younger sister’s enthusiasm, a gratified smile appeared on her face and she asked warmly, “Ying Ying, is there something you’d like to say?”
“I, I… I have an idea.” Meng Ying Ying’s little face blushed as she clenched her fists nervously, looking at Chu Tian. She stammered a reply, “We can open up a charging station and hire some cultivators to work there. Then oridanary people can charge their electric lamps there. This way, that problem can be solved.”
Xiong Tian Yan quickly replied, “Teacher is correct. We can even charge a fee for the charging station. Wouldn’t it be good to make extra money? The business is currently lacking funds, and this can be considered a good plan.”
Meng Qing Wu did not agree with the plan, she gently shook her head.
Chu Tian answered for her, “The selling point of our electric lamp is affordability, convenience, safety, practicality, if we do that we lose out on the core thing that makes us superior, it would be better to use candles in that case.
Meng Ying Ying’s face fell with an expression of disappointment.
Chu Tian comforted her, “Your plan is still good. But it’s just not the correct approach for the electrical lamp.”
Meng Ying Ying smiled sweetly, not dwelling on the matter.
Chu Tian continued, “I’ve already thought about how to fix that problem. I’m about to begin research on a long-lasting, inexpensive solid energy source. It will also use sunlight to recharge. This will solve the problem of the electric lamp’s power source.”
Meng Qing Wu’s eyes brightened, “Can you really do it?”
Chu Tian replied with extreme confidence, “What, you don’t believe me? Your job is to build and manage the company, you don’t have to worry about the technical aspects! There’s won’t be a problem as long as I’m around!”
Chu Tian was very arrogant, but he had a good point.
Meng Qing Wu appeared to be set at ease!
The biggest problem was now resolved!
A servant hastily rushed over and presented a letter, “The mayor sent an invitation! He is asking Master Chu Tian to participate in the handover ceremony for the resource rights!
Chu Tian heard this and replied with a blank expression, “Handover ceremony?”
“The purpose of this competition in the Summit is dividing up territory.” Nangong Yun replied with a strange expression, “You didn’t know any of this and you still joined?”
I really didn’t know!
It turns out the Summit Meeting Big Competion had such an important meaning?
But after all, this wasn’t a bad thing. Chu Tian accepted the invitation.
“Let me tell you, that guy is really crafty, you have to be careful.” Nangong Yun said to Chu Tian who was being too unconcerned, “Remember, don’t accept too many favors, he’s a person that does things for profit. The more generous he is the more he is looking for a deal! If he brings up any plans on investing, you may kick him. That damn old demon! Who told him not to give me money!”
The Nangong Eldest Miss was also formidable, but Chu Tian only reassured by telling her that he would keep her suggestions in mind.
Meng Qing Wu stood up to say, “It’s getting late, let’s call it a day. Everybody should go home and rest!”
Everybody was a little exhausted.
They immediately stood up and left.
Chu Tian had long stopped living in his small room. Right now he stepped into a small courtyard. It was quiet and comfortable, very suitable for cultivation training.
The courtyard was so peaceful, not a sound could be heard. A cool breeze carressed his face.
Chu Tian inhaled the cool and refreshing air, gradually relaxing his mind. He lifted his head to look at the night sky, pitch-black eyes watching the stars distractedly.
The dark night sky was filled with stars.
Thirty thousand years ago to thirty thousand years later, from ancient times until now, this starry sky has never changed.
But underneath this starry sky, every living being alternated between glory and ruin, over and over, forming an eternal cycle that would continue on till the end of the world.
For an outsider, history was a bland descriptor. But for those who experienced it personally, it was a life of flesh and blood. Chu Tian now felt all of this.
One who is a peerless beauty.
One who has unmatched intelligence.
What's the point?
These are but a single pebble in the the great river of history!
Meng Qing Wu, Meng Ying Ying, Nangong Yun and the others, they were all lively figures. After many years, who would remember their existence? A king could move unhindered under the heavens, look disdainfully over the whole world, but still only be a ripple in the ocean.