Primordial World: Big shots are all my friends

Three days later in the Heavenly Court, Bai Jin sat in the supreme seat within the Bird's Nest with Shi Ji, Gu Liang, Wuzhiqi, Yun Xiao, Zhao Gongming, and other Immortal Gods standing below.

Bai Jin spoke solemnly, "The Three Realms Mall is extremely important to us; it concerns the future trend of our Mysterious Sect, so we must succeed, not fail.

Zhao Gongming, we must install tracking devices on all goods that pass through our hands; we cannot allow any theft or loss."

Zhao Gongming nodded and said with equal seriousness, "That's not difficult, leave it to me."

Bai Jin looked at Wuzhiqi and said, "The transportation of goods in the mortal world will be secured by the mechanical cars of the Mo School, ensuring their safety is not difficult.

However, the transportation of goods among Cultivators is more valuable, and Wuzhiqi, your responsibility is enormous."

Bang~ Wuzhiqi clenched his fist and said sternly, "Emperor, rest assured, old Wuzhi promises that not a single item will be lost, or my head will be yours."

Bai Jin replied irritably, "Don't keep offering your head as if it were nothing, it's dreadful, turning my Bird's Nest into a bloody mess."

"Hehe~" Wuzhiqi chuckled oddly.

Bai Jin stood up and declared seriously, "Then let us begin! As Buddhism flourishes, so too must our Heavenly Court."

The many Immortal Gods standing below all bowed and said in unison, "Your order is received!"

They turned and strode out, moving with the vigour of dragons and the step of tigers, and exuding a robust fighting spirit.

...

"Brother Zhang, you came as well."

"Ha ha~ Old Wang, are your goods also listed in the Three Realms Mall?"

"The Mixed School disciples approached me, I had no choice but to list. Fortunately, the first batch is free; otherwise, it would require a substantial fee."

"I have a friend who is a Legalist Disciple; apparently, the Three Realms Mall has already cooperated with our Great Tang court, and the transactions we conduct there are also subject to tax."

An old man leaning on a cane humphed and said, "What Three Realms Mall, all smoke and mirrors. My Zhou Family has been doing business for thousands of years, and this is the first I've heard of doing business without a storefront. Later they will also charge us phantom shop fees, delivery fees, isn't this just fleecing our money?"

"Elder Zhou, have you listed your goods?"

The rest turned to Elder Zhou; he was the greatest merchant of the Great Tang, involved in many industries such as textiles, grains, and porcelain.

Elder Zhou struck his cane on the floor with a bang and scoffed, "I am the top merchant of the Great Tang, and I fear none of the Hundred Schools; I have always been the one to make money from others. When have you ever seen me give my money away? I will not play into their hands."

"Elder Zhou, how magnanimous!"

"We are no match for Elder Zhou's breadth of spirit!"

"Elder Zhou, we'll be relying on your support and guidance in the future."

...

A youth asked puzzledly, "If Elder Zhou hasn't joined the Three Realms Mall, why come here today?"

Elder Zhou replied indifferently, "I am here to witness the bank's embarrassment; when the key moment arrives, I can step in for closure.

The business sea is vast yet serene, and my Zhou Family wouldn't like a bank's caprice to stir up waves, causing loss to fellow practitioners."

"Elder Zhou truly has a magnanimous heart!"

"With such vision, Elder Zhou, we have much to learn!"

"Elder Zhou is the Mt. Tai of our Great Tang Business World!"

...

Elder Zhou sat in the place of honor, his face brimming with self-satisfaction. As the greatest merchant of the Great Tang and one with contacts within the Imperial Palace, he harbored no fear of the Hundred Schools. The business sea was vast and challenging, and a mere bank could not expect to change its structures overnight. The Zhou Family played the game well.

The main reason was that the current structure was most advantageous for the Zhou Family; should it change, whether his family could remain the top merchant of the Great Tang was uncertain.

...

As discussions continued, more and more common people gathered in front of the bank, crowding around it and engaging in spirited debate.

Wang Er was one such commoner living in Chang'an City, running a tableware business at home and doing fairly well. Curiosity had brought him here early today.

Wang Er stood under the Sun, soaking up its warming rays. Early autumn in Chang'an brought a chill to the air as he listened to the varied discussions nearby.

"Chang'an Bank announced a month ago that today they would unveil an important product; have you heard?"

"Of course, we have, why else would we come? It's odd, though. Banks have always been about saving and withdrawing money, haven't they? What could they suddenly start selling? Who knows what it will be."

"It must be from having too much money! I've heard that Chang'an Bank has more wealth inside than the Imperial Palace, piled high into mountains. Many thieves have wished to plunder it, but all were captured."

"Of course, every bank is said to be protected by powerful Arrays set up by immortals; they ensure the security of the bank. They even hire Sha Family Disciples as guards."

"What do you suppose Chang'an Bank will sell?"

"It's probably grain! Since ancient times, food is most important, and selling grain surely wouldn't lose money."

"I think it will be textiles. Textiles and money are interchangeable, so that also falls within the bank's domain."

"I think it will be meat!"

"That's not right; I think it should be horses, for our Great Tang lacks good horses!"

"What does selling horses have to do with us commoners? The bank already said it would change our way of life and be closely related to us; it's definitely going to be salt!"

...

Hearing the various opinions from all around, Wang Wu also felt puzzled. What exactly was the bank planning to sell?

He himself had only heard a big merchant's son mention in passing at a gathering that the bank's new offering was closely related to merchants, but the specifics were unknown to him. When he asked his father, the elder revealed nothing, shrouded in mystery as to what he was concocting.

Boom~ The grand doors of the bank swung open, and two rows of guards wearing uniform attire ran out and stood on either side of the entrance.

Across in the tavern above, numerous merchants ceased their conversations and gathered at the windows, looking down below, each carrying a hint of intrigue. Could this so-called Three Real Mall really succeed?

A middle-aged man with a small mustache led two or three high-level bank officials out the doors of the bank.

The many commoners below stopped their discussions, looking curiously and with some anticipation at the bank president who emerged.

The tall buildings around opened their windows wide, unveiling the prominent figures seated inside, including members of the Great Tang Royal Family.

The president of Chang'an Bank, stroking his mustache, smiled broadly and with a fist and palm salute to all sides, said, "My thanks, many thanks to all the town elders and folks for your presence and support.

Our bank has been established for many years now; how many I can't even remember.

Please don't spread this around, or if the higher-ups at the headquarters hear that I've forgotten the monumental date of the bank's founding, I'll surely be removed from my position."