Chapter 312: Has My Salary Increased Over the Years?
Today has arrived.
The mask mode is something that Sang Zhe has yet to figure out.
It’s not like Nian Nian, the system itself, which can at least communicate with him. Nian Nian has always been cryptic about the mask mode.
At first, he thought the mask mode was part of the system, a built-in cheat.
Later, he found out that it doesn’t seem to be that way.
Even Nian Nian can’t truly control the mask mode.
Its various abilities seem to be unlocking little by little as he collects heavenly treasures.
By now, the mask mode is no longer just a little trick to scare off opponents.
“What is the mask mode remains?”
“I can’t explain the true nature of the mask mode either,” Nian Nian absentmindedly twirled a strand of hair and said, “If one day, host, you really strike it rich and unlock the full extent of the mask mode, you’ll know.”
“But since we’ve encountered it, there’s no reason to let it go.”
“This system will generously give you a main quest.”
With that, Nian Nian lightly raised a hand, and a line of text appeared before Sang Zhe.
【Main Quest: Collect Mask Mode Remnants.】
… This just feels like getting dragged into trouble.
But it shouldn’t be too hard. After all, compared to previous tasks, convincing the somewhat dim-witted Empress Huo Ningxue should be much easier.
In contrast, the most important thing for him now is to give Bai Ming a call.
“Why are you calling Bai Ming?” Nian Nian asked.
“I want the sales agency rights for Tianlang City!”
Sang Zhe said seriously. “Today, I just need to con the Empress into buying a bunch of stuff. Over these days, I’ll have her empty her little treasure chest and leave her in debt by millions!”
“But giving so much money to Floating Splendor Commerce won’t do. I’ve worked hard to trick money out… I should at least get a share of that pie!”
“Once I have the sales agency rights and commission, I’ve got even more motivation to keep scamming the Empress!”
Nian Nian: “…”
——
——
In the following days, the Empress frequently sought out Sang Zhe for political advice.
Though Sang Zhe himself doesn’t know much about ruling a country, the good thing is the Empress believes whatever he says. She’s quite easy to con.
Thus, Sang Zhe flat-out slacked off on governance and went all out on sales.
“Your Majesty, I’ve recently compiled a set of practice books for the Little Prince’s last-minute study before the exam. Every little point counts – one point can crush millions!”
“Buy.”
“Your Majesty, look at this new type of towel, our compressed towel is small and convenient to carry—”
“Buy.”
“Your Majesty, there’s also this latest fashionable eyebrow pencil, a limited edition from Fusa Pavilion, only fifty thousand spirit stones—”
“Fifty thousand spirit stones for an eyebrow pencil? Isn’t that a bit expensive…”
“Expensive? This has been the price for years! Don’t just casually judge, Fusa Pavilion’s brand is very reputable… oh never mind.”
“Well… buy it then.”
……
In these days, the eunuchs in the palace have been puzzled.
The Empress has recently been exceptionally fond of shopping, often sending them to fetch money from the internal treasury.
Money goes out of the treasury way faster than it comes in.
No one knows why the Empress suddenly went on a shopping spree, but the eunuchs know that if this continues, the treasury won’t hold up.
So, a eunuch quietly reported to Grand Eunuch Qin Xiuyuan.
However, just after a brief understanding of the situation, Grand Eunuch Qin could only smile bitterly and shake his head.
“Forget it.”
“The treasury is ultimately the Empress’s money; how she spends it is her own business, and we shouldn’t speak out.”
“Remember, our only mission is to protect the safety of the Sovereign; we can’t stick our noses into other matters. This is an old family rule.”
Thus, the eunuchs could only remain silent, hoping Li Shanyan would emerge from his retreat soon to rescue the dwindling treasury.
On the flip side.
Sang Zhe has practically been dreaming of counting money these past few days.
After the ban on the communication devices was lifted, Sang Zhe’s underground sales operation could finally come to light.
Plus, with the agency sales rights and commission he secured from Bai Ming, Sang Zhe earns forty percent of each communication device sold in Tianlang City.
That commission rate is exclusive to Floating Splendor Commerce and was specially approved by Bai Ming.
Consequently, these past few days Sang Zhe has been making money with his eyes closed. Even while soaking in a bathing tub, he feels like the water isn’t warm water but spirit stones.
So satisfying.
No wonder there are so many blood-sucking capitalists in the country. This feeling of just sitting back and raking in cash is heavenly.
Of course, the Holy Kingdom has been avoiding the world for so long; the money circulating in Tianlang City has mostly accumulated over time.
With so much money per capita, the communication devices alone won’t consume much.
But once the communication devices become popular…
Along with Fusa Pavilion, Cang Hong Pavilion, and other Floating Splendor Commerce ventures’ cultural infiltration stimulating consumption, this hidden treasure trove of wealth in the Holy Kingdom will eventually get dragged into the market environment, and the money will be greatly extracted.
Besides that.
Recently, as the communication devices have become more popular, the game “Original Immortal” has also gained increasing popularity in the Holy Kingdom.
Initially, only the offspring of nobility played “Original Immortal” out of childish fun. But now, thanks to word of mouth, it has expanded to include many middle-class and ordinary families. Players are no longer just children; even many youngsters in their twenties and thirties have fallen in love with this leisure activity.
Of course, the game’s popularity will inevitably bring some trouble.
For example, a few days later, after Sang Zhe finished his class as usual with the Tian Number One Class, he was suddenly stopped by Young Master Cao.
“Brother Sang, have you heard about that recent hot topic?”
“What topic?”
Sang Zhe, busy trying to scam money from the Empress daily, hasn’t been paying much attention to public discourse in the Holy Kingdom.
“There’s a woman who got obsessed with ‘Original Immortal’ and her husband wouldn’t give her money to top up her game account; she secretly sold herself, and her husband found out.”
“I heard when he caught her in the act, she had just received the money and was logging in to draw characters without even getting dressed.”
There’s such a thing? Sang Zhe couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing it.
Is ‘Original Immortal’ really that powerful?
“The problem is, if it were an ordinary person, it probably wouldn’t have gotten so big.”
Young Master Cao whispered, “The key is that her husband is a general of Tianlang Wei.”
As soon as he heard that, Sang Zhe paused for a second.
He suddenly remembered someone.
“Umm… is this general’s last name Niu?”
“Hey, Brother Sang, you know him?” Young Master Cao was surprised.
…Great.
So, it seems this isn’t about ‘Original Immortal’ after all.
It’s a people problem.
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