For the next two days, grain prices rebounded, recovering to over 370 Mora per kilogram.
However, Old Master Fan of Weiyun Slope and his father's family could no longer hold on.
After two days of frantic blood-sucking, merchants from various nations and all corners of Liyue had nearly drained the last vestiges of their resources. From initially claiming to have no grain to truly having none, Old Master Fan experienced the full rollercoaster of soaring highs and crushing lows. His once proudly flaunted grain reserves had now become death warrants. For every kilogram of grain released, he lost hundreds of Mora in capital. Three consecutive days of sales had almost wiped out his entire family fortune.
Originally, he held about 800,000 kilograms of reserve grain. The cost alone amounted to 3-4 billion Mora. Under normal operations, he could have earned at least one billion Mora annually, not to mention income from derivative industries. While not exactly among the ultra-wealthy, he was certainly a major household. To reside in the Yujing Terrace residential area, an annual income below one billion Mora was considered...
But now, after this incident with Su Bai, just from those 800,000 kilograms of grain, his assets instantly shrunk drastically in the final settlement.
Yet, this alone wasn't enough to drive him to despair.
Because the final transaction volume reached 10 million kilograms.
This is Liyue's rule: as a nation built on commerce, merchants have their responsibilities. Even if you sell at a loss, as long as the market demands it, you must supply. You can raise prices, you can use your own channels to buy from others at high prices, but you cannot claim to have none. This is the obligation of major players in the industry. In the future, Su Bai will also bear such obligations. Whenever Liyue needs it, he must find ways to provide. Otherwise, he will face official denial.
That kind of denial is what truly ruins a person forever, what forced Old Master Fan to grit his teeth and buy back, at over 370 Mora per kilogram, the grain that Su Bai had purchased from him for 310 Mora just the day before.
Under such depletion, even over two billion Mora couldn't withstand the strain. Moreover, much of it was critical assets—agents from various regions, sensing the unfavorable turn, had mostly fled.
In the end, he had no choice but to approach Manager Andrei of the Northland Bank again, resorting to that "burning money" for emergency relief.
Step by step, link by link. Even if he had realized it immediately, upon reflection, as long as he wanted to save the Fan family, he had no choice but to drink poison to quench his thirst and follow the path Su Bai had laid out.
Over ten days, when prices warmed back to over 400 Mora and the market stabilized with steady trading volume, this commercial war finally entered its concluding phase.
The final move was decided by Su Bai.
"The price of grain in Liyue will henceforth be fixed at 400 Mora. Does the Tianquan have any objections?"
Inside the Jade Chamber, Su Bai leaned back in his chair, holding a gilded blue-and-white porcelain bowl, and took a light sip.
With such major movements in the market, Ningguang naturally wouldn't stand idly by. However, Su Bai's earlier assurance to Baixiao that he would explain things to Ningguang wasn't just a brush-off. While large-character posters were being put up at the Wanwen Bookhouse, Su Bai had sent a letter via Baixiao to Ningguang.
After that, Ningguang observed from the sidelines, quietly watching from the Jade Chamber as Su Bai manipulated the market to crush his competitors. She also witnessed the rapid expansion of the General Goods store under Baixiao's operations, soaring on the momentum.
Now, the situation was settled. Among those still standing with any strength were only the retail representatives of the Tianheng Mu family and Su Bai. And the only one with sufficient capability was Su Bai's General Goods store.
Hence, it was time to finalize a unified stance between the two of them.
"The production costs in the Guili Plains, Bishui River, and Mount Tianheng regions are 400 Mora. Mr. Su, are you unaware that low grain prices harm the farmers?"
Ningguang spoke softly, her tone devoid of emotion, elegant and solemn, yet her intentions remained elusive.
"Regarding official procurement, the General Goods store can sign an agreement at a 30% discount," Su Bai replied.
He didn't engage with Ningguang's point, knowing full well that her intention lay elsewhere. This was merely a lead-in.
"Deal," Ningguang agreed without hesitation. Su Bai's directness saved her trouble. A 30% discount meant 280 Mora, even lower than her intended price.
"One thing I'm curious about: currently, the General Goods store alone has a turnover of over a hundred million. Even at the lowest profit ratio, your personal assets must exceed a hundred million by now. Why persist in this?"
With business concluded, Ningguang shifted topics, asking something she found quite puzzling.
From start to finish, Su Bai's goal was clear: to establish commercial influence and make money. Especially during this grain trade war, his burgeoning ambition was no less than hers in the past.
It gave her a sense of encountering a kindred spirit. However, she didn't believe his specific goals aligned with her own back then. After all, Su Bai demonstrated that his ultimate aim was to earn Mora, unlike her, who sought a place on the stage of power.
Once personal assets exceed one billion, Mora becomes just a number. This is common knowledge.
"Heh, shouldn't the Tianquan be asking about the future of those grain merchants?" Su Bai once again avoided Ningguang's question, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Perhaps they'll face utter ruin, perhaps they'll resort to desperate measures. Won't the Tianquan issue some policies to placate them?"
Merchants are fickle—this saying seems to apply in Teyvat too. Yet, Ningguang showed no understanding of the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold.
"They were outmatched, and greed brought its own consequences. There's no right or wrong in worldly affairs. Now that the winner is before me, why should I inquire about the defeated?"
A fragrant mist drifted from between Ningguang's lips, veiling her fair complexion. Her crimson eyes flickered, radiating an enchanting aura that captivated the senses.
"The Tianquan certainly has a broad perspective."
After two deflections, Ningguang ceased her questioning. Since Su Bai was unwilling to speak, she wouldn't press further—she could investigate on her own later.
Su Bai drained the tea in his bowl, closed the lid, and placed it on the table.
"Does the Tianquan have any other matters? If not, I shall take my leave."
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100 powerstones = 1 chapter
200 powerstones = 3 chapters
300 powerstones = 5 chapters