Chapter 238 That's really vicious!
Although Sima Changfeng had never heard this term, he understood its meaning!
His mind raced, and he instantly understood.
He had tens of thousands of soldiers under his command; if each person had one... and this thing was consumable, a single war would require an unknown quantity.
If he sold this to others... holy crap!
He might as well just go rob money.
No, that's not right.
This was much faster than robbing money!
Sima Changfeng's eyes instantly turned red, and his breathing became heavy.
But he quickly calmed down and shook his head.
"No! This thing absolutely cannot be sold to my enemies!
This is a decisive weapon on the battlefield; only I can have it!"
"Marquis, you are mistaken."
Shen Yulou patiently explained, "The Yan State market is only so big; we need to look further ahead. If we can't sell in Yan State, we can sell to Wulin Kingdom!"
"Wulin Kingdom?"
Sima Changfeng frowned deeply.
Although he was ambitious, he still had a sense of the bigger picture.
Wulin Kingdom was already the strongest nation at present; if they also obtained such a divine item, how could he compete with them in the future?
Even if he became emperor, wouldn't he still have to bow down to Wulin Kingdom and act like their subordinate?
Shen Yulou watched his 'concerned for the nation and its people' expression and sneered inwardly.
This grandson hasn't even settled his internal strife yet and is already worrying about relations with neighboring countries?
Quite ambitious.
He lowered his voice, a hint of a wicked smile appearing.
"Brother, you don't know.
Both my 'Blazing Sun Essence' and trauma powder have a fatal flaw."
"What flaw?"
"Short shelf life."
Shen Yulou said each word distinctly.
"This item must be used within half a year.
Once it exceeds half a year, its medicinal properties will completely reverse.
At that time, not only will it have no healing effect, but it will turn into a deadly poison!
If it touches a wound, the wound will immediately fester and rot, beyond saving even by immortals!"
Shen Yulou was, of course, spouting nonsense.
He was just trying to make money, tricking this Marquis Sima.
As for what happens after half a year, who would care?
"If we sell these expired items to Wulin Kingdom, we can not only make a hefty profit from them.
We can also, at a crucial moment, make their army collapse without a fight! At that time... hehe."
Boom!
A clap of thunder seemed to explode in Sima Changfeng's mind!
He stared blankly at Shen Yulou, his gaze like he was looking at a devil.
Holy crap!
This was too vicious!
"Good! Good brother!"
Sima Changfeng excitedly slapped his thigh, and in his gaze towards Shen Yulou, besides immense joy, there was also a deep sense of awe.
"You, my brother, Sima Changfeng has decided to be sworn brothers with you! This plan is like killing two birds with one stone—no, several birds with one stone!"
The conversation had gone on long enough; Shen Yulou felt the time was right to talk about money.
He cleared his throat and became serious.
"Marquis, my little brother, I came here this time, and this cart of first-aid kits is all my worldly possessions.
If you want all of them, I will sell them all to you today."
"Also, even among close brothers, accounts must be clear.
I'll give you an internal price of fifty taels, but you must pay a deposit first, plus an exclusive agency fee.
Once this money is paid, no matter how much you sell them for later, even if you sell one for a thousand taels, that's your own capability; your little brother here will not even glance at it!"
After listening, Sima Changfeng hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded.
He had to get his hands on such a divine item.
If he didn't buy it and Shen Yulou sold it to the other two Military Marquises, he would be at a disadvantage.
He grabbed Shen Yulou's hand, so excited that the scars on his face trembled.
He shook Shen Yulou's hand vigorously.
"Good brother! You are truly my timely savior! In the future, if you ever need anything, just say the word, and your brother here will not hesitate to face a thousand deaths!"
Madam Li, watching this deeply moving display of brotherly affection, felt no ripples in her heart, even a little amusement.
She had finally understood completely.
Lord Shen's tactics were too profound.
First, he paints a grand picture for you, then quotes an exorbitant price that makes your heart ache, and when your heart has already cooled by half, he then "mercifully" gives you a fifty percent discount.
Something that costs five coppers, he sells to you for fifty taels, and you still have to be grateful to him, wishing you could become sworn brothers with him on the spot.
These methods, tsk tsk.
Madam Li couldn't help but sigh in her heart that this trip had truly broadened her horizons.
Before, she only thought Shen Yulou was somewhat skilled, and by following him, her son would be well cared for and have a future.
Now she understood that this was not mere cleverness; this was the demeanor of a hero in chaotic times!
This mind, if placed in a time of great upheaval, might be more effective than a thousand armies.
Her resolve grew even stronger; she and her wooden husband were determined to follow Shen Yulou for life.
Sima Changfeng was also a straightforward man; he immediately ordered several large chests of gleaming gold to be brought in and paid the money without hesitation.
With the transaction complete, Shen Yulou struck while the iron was hot and brought up the main topic.
"Marquis, my little brother, I actually came to Yan State this time under the orders of our Great Hun Emperor to handle some official business."
He changed his tone, and his voice also became serious.
"Our Hun Kingdom has also sacrificed a lot to help Princess Na Xing give birth.
His Majesty said that we must at least ask the Princess for one or two cities as compensation.
Of course, the most important thing is that I want to come and see my big, fat son."
Saying this, Shen Yulou proposed that he wanted to enter the palace and meet Princess Na Xing.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Sima Changfeng's scarred face faltered slightly, his eyes narrowed, calculating something in his mind.
However, he hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded.
In his view, Shen Yulou was now his trump card, the most important chip for his future ascension to the throne.
Letting him meet Princess Na Xing wouldn't cause any trouble.
Anyway, everyone outside the palace was his person; as long as he strictly guarded, not letting Shen Yulou go to other Military Marquises, it would be fine.
"No problem! However, it's getting late, and you, my brother, have had a long journey. Why don't you rest for a night at my residence first?"
He would let Shen Yulou stay here for a night first, and then he would discuss it with his strategists.
Sima Changfeng enthusiastically put his arm around Shen Yulou's shoulder.
"Your brother here has arranged the most famous courtesan in our Water City for you, guaranteed to make you enjoy yourself to the fullest!
Tomorrow, your brother here will personally escort you into the palace!"
"Then I thank you, elder brother."
Shen Yulou didn't refuse, responding with a chuckle.
He knew this was both hospitality and surveillance.
Sima Changfeng was indeed "generous," directly arranging the best and most central courtyard in his residence for Shen Yulou.
Of course, this was also the most difficult building to escape from.
As for Madam Li, she had no interest in the elaborately carved and painted room.
Her figure flickered, and she silently leaped onto the rooftop, found a sturdy beam, and lay down in her clothes.
With her hands behind her head, she crossed her legs and even had a foxtail grass, snagged from who knows where, dangling from her mouth.
Shen Yulou, meanwhile, waited in his room.
Before long, a faint, elusive fragrance drifted in.
A woman in sheer gauze, with a graceful figure, entered Shen Yulou's room with light, lotus-like steps, carrying wine and dishes.
That was precisely the courtesan Sima Changfeng had arranged