Chapter 1024 The lion opens his mouth and takes the opportunity to blackmail
It was late at night, and the cold wind was howling.
Outside the mighty and domineering gate of the City Lord's Mansion, there were more than a dozen Jindan masters in brocade robes and extraordinary demeanor, pacing back and forth with uneasy faces, as if anxiously waiting for something.
There is no doubt that these people are the leaders of the major chambers of commerce in Xiancheng, who are pampered and noble on weekdays.
However, this group of prominent figures in Xiancheng have been waiting for three days and three nights, but they can't even enter the gate of the City Lord's Mansion.
That look is really as humble as it can be.
It is probably difficult for outsiders to understand how tormented these three days and three nights were for the top leaders of the Chamber of Commerce. It can almost be described as roasting on the fire.
And this movement naturally attracted the attention of many passers-by. Perhaps out of curiosity, many people pointed and talked about it.
But in the face of such an embarrassing scene, no Chamber of Commerce leader chose to leave, but continued to hold on despite many strange looks.
After all, for a group of old-timers who have been working in the business world for many years, face is the least valuable thing. What they really care about is their lives and whether their own interests can be guaranteed!
Obviously, from the unexpected death of the Shadow Saint, to the Demon Forbidden Order that shocked Kyushu, to the sudden entry of the Jin Family Chamber of Commerce, through this series of emergencies, everyone has completely recognized the current situation.
At the same time, they also understood Dao Zong's tough attitude and realized how terrifying the hidden strength of the new city lord was, and how clever and ruthless his methods were.
Because of this, seeing that the defeat of the Xiao family and the two major forces was a foregone conclusion, a group of shrewd and treacherous Chamber of Commerce leaders naturally did not want to hang themselves on the same tree.
After all, the Xiao family and the two major forces were the masterminds of the whole thing, and the major chambers of commerce in the city were at most accomplices. No matter what, there was still a little room for maneuver.
So seeing that things were not going well, the leaders of the chambers of commerce naturally showed their speciality of changing their stance according to the situation, and they were the perfect example of fence-sitters.
Just at this time, Long Aotian, the deputy commander of the garrison, finished his inspection and returned happily humming a little tune.
Seeing this scene, the heads of the chambers of commerce immediately brightened up their eyes, and immediately surrounded him without saying a word:
"I haven't seen you for a long time, Commander Long is still as elegant as ever!"
"That's right, Commander Long works hard day and night for the order of the fairy city, which is really a blessing for our fairy city!"
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Hearing this compliment, Long Aotian was slightly stunned, and then asked knowingly:
"What are you doing here late at night?"
Everyone smiled bitterly and said politely:
"To be honest, we are here to find the city lord to discuss important matters, and I hope Commander Long will report it on our behalf?"
Hearing this, Long Aotian's eyes turned, and then he said with difficulty.
"Well... The city lord has been busy with mundane affairs recently, and I, Long, can't disturb him presumptuously!"
As soon as this was said, as an old hand in the business world, everyone naturally knew the deep meaning.
So several of the representatives quickly waved their sleeves to take out a storage bag and handed it over calmly.
"Haha! Commander Long, you have worked hard. This small gift is not a respect, but I hope you will accept it!"
As they spoke, everyone flattered him again.
Seeing the heads of the chambers of commerce who usually have a good status, now all servile, Long Aotian was secretly happy.
But after following Qin Tian for a long time, he also learned a lot of face skills.
So he didn't show too much strangeness, just took the storage bag without leaving a trace, and said in a serious tone:
"Forget it, since you Taoist friends are so kind, I, Long, will take a risk and go to the city lord to report it!"
After that, Long Aotian turned around and headed straight to the gate, and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.
After that, the heads of the chambers of commerce could only continue to wait anxiously.
Fortunately, not long after, Long Aotian came back with a dragon-like gait, and said in a slightly serious tone:
"After Long risked his life to advise, the city lord finally agreed to take some time out of his busy schedule, please come!"
Hearing this, the leaders of the chambers of commerce were naturally overjoyed, and hurriedly bowed their hands to thank him.
Such a grateful look really made Long Aotian secretly very proud.
Not long after, as everyone slowly walked into the meeting hall, they finally saw the city lord who had been waiting for three days and three nights, sitting in the main seat and leisurely drinking tea.
However, seeing this scene, especially looking at the young man who was dressed in gorgeous clothes but not showing his true colors, the Jindan masters who usually lived a life of luxury did not dare to show any dissatisfaction at this moment. Instead, they all looked uneasy and hurriedly saluted and said:
"We greet the Lord of the City!"
Hearing this, Qin Tian did not raise his head and said calmly:
"Why did you come here so late at night?"
While speaking, although Qin Tian looked calm, he exuded an invisible majesty.
Seeing this, the leaders of the Chamber of Commerce below naturally did not dare to hesitate at all, and hurriedly said in a flurry:
"To be honest, we are here to ask for forgiveness!"
"That's right, we were blinded by greed and instigated by the young master of the Xiao family. I hope the Lord of the City will be generous and don't treat us like that!"
"My Lord City Lord, please understand. All these things were caused by Xiao Bufan. We were just deceived by lies. If we have offended you, please forgive us!"
"Don't worry, Lord City Lord. From now on, all the major chambers of commerce in this fairy city will follow your lead and never dare to be disrespectful again!"
"Yes, yes, we sincerely repent. I hope you will forgive us!"
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However, as the voice fell, Qin Tian did not respond. Instead, he lowered his head and concentrated on sipping the fragrant tea.
For a while, the atmosphere in the field fell into silence.
When the heads of the chambers of commerce saw this, they lowered their eyebrows and looked embarrassed. They didn't even dare to breathe, and their eyes were full of fear and anxiety.
They looked as well-behaved as little lambs.
Time passed quietly in such an anxious wait.
After more than ten breaths, Qin Tian put down the teacup in his hand and said in a slightly serious tone:
"Let me be frank. According to the above, after the auction, you will not be able to escape this time!"
As soon as these words came out, the faces of the people present changed drastically, and they were extremely panicked!
But at this moment, Qin Tian changed the subject:
"However, considering that you have been here for a long time and have made a lot of contributions to the development of my fairy city, Qin is not incapable of showing mercy and saying a few good words to the top leaders of my Taoist sect!"
Hearing this, the people present were overjoyed, just like a drowning man grabbing a life-saving straw, and hurriedly said impatiently:
"Thank you, Lord City Lord, for your kindness! This small gift will be regarded as an apology, and I hope that Lord City Lord will accept it! If you have any other requests, Lord City Lord, just speak up!"
After that, everyone fumbled for a while and gathered more than a dozen storage bags, floating in the air in front of Qin Tian.
Seeing this, the latter naturally did not hesitate, and immediately waved his sleeves to accept the order, and then said in a serious tone, without question:
"In this case, Qin will speak frankly! If you want to be safe and sound and continue to stay in Xiancheng to make money, there is only one way to choose now, that is to hand over 30% of the annual profit of the Chamber of Commerce to the City Lord's Mansion as an offering!"
"In this way, with the interests tied to form a win-win situation, the top leaders of this sect will naturally not embarrass you!"
When these words came out, everyone present was shocked.
After all, 30% of the profit every year is not a small amount. This behavior is completely a lion's mouth, and it is simply forcibly cutting meat from the major chambers of commerce.
But on second thought, compared with life and property and long-term interests, some external things are really not worth mentioning, and it is clear at a glance what to choose.
Besides, I am the fish on the chopping board.
Facing the angry Dao Zong, the major chambers of commerce did not have the courage to bargain.
Therefore, after everyone's faces changed rapidly for a while, they all bowed their hands and agreed to this matter.
Seeing everyone's bleeding expression, Qin Tian's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said earnestly:
"Don't feel that you are at a loss, you must know that even the Jin's Chamber of Commerce also handed in 30% of the tribute!"
Sure enough, when this was said, everyone present was shocked.
After all, even the No. 1 Chamber of Commerce in Jiuzhou had to hand in 30% of the profits as tribute, so you can imagine how powerful the master of the fairy city is!
Compared with the Jin's Chamber of Commerce, the small and medium-sized chambers of commerce in the city are a little bit inferior, but the amount of tribute they handed in is the same, which is undoubtedly a great bargain.
Thinking of this, everyone no longer had any complaints, but instead bowed respectfully with gratitude:
"Thank you, Lord City Lord, for your kindness. We are so grateful!"
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In the following time, Qin Tian first signed a long-term contract with the leaders of the Chamber of Commerce, discussed the details, and made a more precise deployment.
When everything was ready, the sky was approaching dawn.
After everyone left, Qin Tian called Long Aotian, who was waiting on the side, and said meaningfully:
"Next, it's time for Junior Brother Long to show his expertise, but remember, we are a famous and upright sect, so do things in a polite manner!"
Hearing this, Long Aotian's face was immediately full of excitement.
"Please rest assured, Master Peak, I, Long Aotian, am now a polite man!"
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