In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Although Su Chan appeared to be a delicate and frail young woman in front of Zhang Xiaoshan.

In reality, she appears to everyone as aloof and unconventional, a powerful businesswoman and the head of the household. Without exceptional ability, how could she have stood out among the many talented individuals in the Zhang family?

Because this Miss Su Chan had just arrived, even Ba Zhu'er had only met her a few times.

However, the head manager who oversaw a seven-story restaurant and a nine-story palace, and Baju'er, who was the highest-ranking manager below, still respected each other.

There are many strong women, but very few iron ladies in business.

Besides, it's a combination of one red and one white!

···

"Master, this is the income for the past month!"

The newly appointed leader of the Ten Protectors of the White Lotus Sect—Li Tong, a renowned scholar from Jiangnan.

Originally a frustrated scholar, he possessed extraordinary talent. After being discovered, he became a disciple of an elder of the White Lotus Sect, where he rapidly improved his martial arts skills and is now a top-tier master in the martial arts world.

Even within the Xuanming Sect or the Demonic Sect, such a person would be considered an elder or the master of the Six Paths Sect.

Moreover, Li Tong also had the identity of a renowned Confucian scholar from Jiangnan to conceal his status, making him one of the celebrities in Jiangnan.

However, the driving force behind the consumption of Wushisan this time was this seemingly famous Confucian scholar from Jiangnan, and behind the scenes, it was naturally Zhang Xiaoshan who was inducing it.

What does the White Lotus Sect lack most?

Financial resources and manpower!

As for how to amass a large amount of wealth, the White Lotus Sect used to lure wealthy landowners into donating.

But now that the White Lotus Sect has emerged, it will be targeted by the Luo Net and besieged by the imperial army.

Therefore, the emergence of Wushi San gave the great Confucian scholar Li Tong hope.

It is important to know that Wushi San (五石散) was one of the manifestations of the spirit of the Wei and Jin dynasties, and also the earliest prototype of drug use.

Therefore, Li Tong secretly sold Wushi San, and since he himself was a great Confucian scholar and had also publicly taken it, it quickly became popular among the upper echelons of Jiangnan.

Even the imperial nobles kept up with the trend.

In just the first month, Li Tong amassed a large fortune thanks to the Five-Stone Powder.

However, after discovering that the Empire had its eye on him, Zhang Xiaoshan arranged for people to guide Li Tong to open up export channels, such as Korea, Japan, the Northern Yuan nobility, and even Western countries!

What Li Tong saw was a golden road, with mountains of gold and silver rushing towards him!

Moreover, just as Li Tong was making his preparations, Zhang Xiaoshan inadvertently revealed Li Tong's financial schemes to the powerful families of Jiangnan.

Although all the powerful figures from before were forcibly relocated to the capital.

But while one group left, another rose to power within five years, and many of them bore the shadow of imperial rebellion.

This is also why Emperor Ying Zheng hastily dispatched Ba Qing to Sichuan to suppress the business.

After all, the upper echelons of Jiangnan were willing to pay high prices for cinnabar and vermilion for their own benefit, which crossed Ying Zheng's bottom line.

"One hundred thousand gold?"

In just one month, the gold earned was enough for the White Lotus Sect to sustain its activities for a year.

Previously, each branch had to raise funds on its own, and the headquarters had no financial support. No one expected that the profits from Wushi San would be so great.

"Reporting to the Master, this is only the Jiangnan region."

"My subordinates also plan to expand overseas, to places like Japan, Korea, India, and neighboring foreign tribes, as well as western barbarians. Even then, how could the Zhang family compare to the Holy Church!"

"Good! Good! Good..."

The White Lotus Mother, who was already pleasantly surprised, suddenly had her eyes light up. This was indeed a feasible plan.

In the Jiangnan region alone, the monthly income reached 100,000 gold coins.

If the powerful families of Guanzhong, the northern barbarians, and the western nobles could be developed into a feast, wouldn't that mean that the White Lotus Sect could surpass the Zhang family with just the Five Stone Powder?

However, the White Lotus Saint Mother was overthinking it. Those so-called "scholarly families" in Jiangnan were only trying to survive by using Five Stone Powder because they were being ostracized and suppressed.

But the powerful families of Guanzhong were different; they were at the peak of their power.

At first, a few spoiled brats were to be tolerated, but as soon as they slightly touched the strong will of the people of Guanzhong, they were immediately discovered by the patriarchs of those big families.

Then, several spoiled young men were hung from a big tree and whipped for three days and three nights, completely kicking their addiction to the drug, Wushi San.

Therefore, in his rage, Emperor Ying Zheng dispatched the Net and the imperial army, who are on their way.

"Protector Li, you are in charge of handling this matter. If there is anything the Holy Sect needs to do, please let us know!"

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Li Tong was overjoyed to receive the affirmation of the White Lotus Mother. He then proposed:

"Reporting to the Master, the sale of Five-Stone Powder has caught the attention of several forces in Ghost Street, including Shangguan Jin Hong, Xiaoyao Tianzong, Tianmo Sect, and Sun Moon Divine Sect, all of whom have sent people to investigate!"

"…No Zhang family?"

Li Tong shook his head!

In Jiangnan, who doesn't know the Zhang family's reputation? They are considered a paragon of virtue and benevolence throughout the land.

Moreover, the Zhang family's business had no interest in Wushi San.

After all, this kind of thing is immoral, and the Zhang family wouldn't do something that would destroy their own reputation.

However, what Li Tong did not expect was that the Zhang family would not do it, but instead led them to do it, and they could not find the Zhang family to be responsible.

Zhang Xiaoshan had even secretly sold Wushisan to various tribes in Japan, Korea, the Turks, and the Northern Yuan under Li Tong's name, but the profits were quietly lost in the transactions.

Only a top-notch business genius could understand Zhang Xiaoshan's actions.

They thought that all their remaining capital had flowed into the hands of the White Lotus Sect.

After all, the White Lotus Sect itself was a rebel group. The empire only needed to know that the White Lotus Sect was the mastermind behind it all, and wouldn't investigate anything else.

Even the Luo Wang (a powerful organization) didn't notice, after all, the Luo Wang's influence extends throughout Kyushu!

"The Zhang family doesn't interfere in the affairs of other forces. They may seem aloof, but in reality, the Zhang family simply disdains it!"

A decade or so ago, the White Lotus Sect still had the strength to rival the Zhang family; at the very least, they could have inflicted significant losses on the Zhang family if they fought to the death.

but now?

The White Lotus Sect was nothing more than a large ant in the Zhang family.

The main reason is that even the White Lotus Saintess, who has the best aptitude among her four disciples (Li De), has only just stepped into the peerless realm at this time, while the other three disciples are hovering around the peak of the peerless realm.

Moreover, these disciples are not newcomers; they are all at their peak (30 to 50 years old).

"What the cult leader says is absolutely right!"

"Keep the business of Five-Stone Powder away from the Zhang family. Under no circumstances should you have any conflict with the Zhang family. As for the rest, Protector Li, you can handle it yourself."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

As Li Tong left the headquarters, the imperial army slowly approached Jiangnan!

As for why the nearby garrison troops were not mobilized, it was because the Jiangnan region was home to many powerful clans with deeply entrenched influence, and many of them were rebels.

The imperial army's arrival this time was not without the intention of purging the enemy.

With the methods of the Net and the imperial army, those villains were naturally doomed to be slaughtered.

"A bunch of reckless fools, how dare they get involved!"

Zhao Gao looked at the intelligence report in his hand and learned that at least three of the six sects of Ghost Street had been involved in the treacherous scheme to seize the cinnabar resources.

After all, the immense profits from Five-Stone Powder made them disregard any potential drawbacks; all they cared about was the huge profits. Therefore, the Money Gang, the Heavenly Sect, the Heavenly Demon Sect, and even the Sun Moon Divine Sect all got involved.

Needless to say, the Lower Nine Gates had at least five members involved, showing no regard for the Empire whatsoever.

Chapter 628 The Zhang Family's Terrifying Prestige

Ghost Street!

Because the interests involved in this Five Stone Powder incident were numerous, by the time they discovered that the empire had dispatched a large army to suppress them, Shangguan Jin Hong, Gongsun Da Niang, Hong An Tong, and others were already in a state of panic, and had no choice but to seek help from Ghost Yama.

After all, they were from Ghost Street, and the trouble they had caused this time was beyond their control, so they had no choice but to call upon their last backer.

But the Zhang family isn't going to be taken advantage of. This is an outrageous crime, so how could the Zhang family possibly bail them out?

Therefore, Ghost Yama convened a meeting of the Nine Gates, and with the arrival of Zhao Gao, they discussed solutions.

"Ghost King, it's been a long time!"

Of the many unparalleled masters within the Ghost Gate, only a handful truly instilled fear in Zhao Gao—

Ghost Yama's Dragon-Slaying Saber Technique is unparalleled in its ferocity and domineering power; Demon Saber Ding Peng's Crescent Moon Saber is so powerful that even ghosts and gods would flee at the mere sight of it; the White-Clad Swordsman's Eastern Demon Saber is a legendary martial art comparable to the Dragon-Slaying Saber Technique, and is invincible within three feet.

Therefore, Zhao Gao did not dare to act recklessly in Ghost Street, because he had not yet broken through to the Grandmaster realm.

At this time, Zhao Gao was similar to Ding Peng, who had previously received the initiation of both the Ghost Yama and the Buddha-Demon paths. His skill was extremely profound, but he was unable to break through to the Grandmaster level.

Ghost Yama possesses the ninth form of the Dragon Slayer Saber, the Tathagata Palm, and the essence, energy, and spirit infused by the Ancient Sword Soul.

After receiving the transmission of skills, he mastered them and advanced to the Grandmaster level in less than a year.

However, on the surface, Ghost Yama is still at the pinnacle of power.

"Lord Zhao's charisma is even more remarkable, it's a pity. It seems Lord Zhao is about to break through!"

Ghost Yama looked at Zhao Gao, his eyes and brows concealing their inner light, yet still unable to hide the brilliance within. Moreover, his breathing and gait were even, long, and rhythmic, clearly indicating that his skill had reached an extremely profound level.

Even the Ghost King isn't like that!

The two exchanged a smile, but Zhao Gao did not expect that Gui Yanluo had already broken through to the Grandmaster level, and that his power was as vast as an abyss.

"We're almost there, Lord Zhao, please!"

"What is your attitude this time, young master?"

"A small punishment serves as a warning!"

Zhao Gao nodded upon hearing this; it was also his idea.

Complete punishment is impossible. With so many top-tier forces, even the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) cannot withstand their retaliation. Only the Zhang family and the Golden-Faced Buddha can suppress them.

However, this is impossible, because a minor punishment is appropriate.

"King Yama! Lord Zhao!"

The two entered the core of Ghost Street. At this time, almost everyone in Ghost Street had gathered, except for the Venerable of Longevity, the Heavenly Official of Tomb Raider, Lady Dongming, and the Sun Moon Cult.

The Venerable One of Longevity, the Heavenly Official of the Tomb Raider, and the Lady of the Eastern Sea are not included in this list, so naturally they would not seek trouble for themselves.

As for the Sun Moon Cult?

With three Grandmasters stationed at Blackwood Cliff, they completely ignored the Imperial Army. Even Zhao Gao dared not provoke the Grandmasters.

Moreover, thanks to Zhao Min's familiarity with the desert, the Five Stone Powder refined by the Sun Moon Sect was sold to the northern desert, the nobles of the Jin Kingdom, and Goguryeo. Even if the empire knew about it, it would at most issue a reprimand, as it did not violate any laws.

"Everyone is here?"

Zhao Gao merely glanced at them, paying no attention to the few who hadn't arrived.

The mysterious Golden-Faced Buddha was not someone he could afford to provoke. Even the once invincible Ancient Sword Soul was no match for the Golden-Faced Buddha's Heavenly Crippled Kick, let alone his incredibly mysterious and peerless sword technique—the Flying Immortal Sword Technique.

The Dongming Sect lives far overseas and has nothing to do with them this time. In addition, Shan Meixian is backed by the Demonic Sect, so he doesn't want to cause trouble.

"Since everyone is here, I won't waste any more words."

You are all heroes of our time, and you should know the extent to which Five-Stone Powder can erode a person's will.

It can be said that Five-Stone Powder is the most terrifying poison of willpower, capable of eroding the will of the great noble families and clans of the Nine Provinces. Like a thousand-mile dike destroyed by an anthill, it will not only destroy the empire, but the entire Nine Provinces!

Prioritizing righteousness, Zhao Gao was most disgusted by the arrogance of these people.

If he had developed the business secretly, he might have been able to get involved, but now, under the Dragon Emperor's fury, he has decided to wipe out the Five-Stone Powder business, essentially cutting off its supply.

"If it were a family like the Zhangs, acquiring mercury to make glass mirrors, thermometers, and barometers, the Empire wouldn't say anything."

But what you have done has crossed the empire's bottom line.

Ying Zheng valued the mercury and cinnabar business for the purpose of refining elixirs of immortality, but given the Zhang family's strong financial resources and normal business competition, he wouldn't say anything.

After all, the ingenuity of the thermometer was so remarkable that even Qin Shi Huang was amazed by its exquisite craftsmanship.

Besides these glass mirrors, the Imperial Palace alone purchased tens of thousands of gold coins worth of them. Not to mention the wealthy families, it was normal for the Zhang family to snap up some mercury for their orders.