Volume Two: Bandits Around Here Chapter 136: The Scholar of Anma City

The young man strolled down the street, draped in a fur coat, his pace leisurely as if savoring the sights of the bustling city.

“Last time I came, it was too rushed. This time, I’ll take a proper look,” Lin Changtian murmured to himself. He resembled a rural newcomer entering the city for the first time, craning his woolly head to take in his surroundings. The street echoed with continuous calls of vendors, full of lively commotion.

More street vendors had set up stalls along both sides, all shouting to attract customers. Among them stood a handsome scholar, conspicuously out of place. He kept his hands buried in his pockets—partly to ward off the cold and avoid chapping, and partly out of sheer boredom. Business was slow, and naturally, the stall owner wore an air of idleness.

“Vendors can’t be this carefree, can they?” Lin Changtian frowned, hesitating as he debated whether to approach and personally teach these people a thing or two.

After all, wasn’t he considered a small prodigy in goods trading from Sishan?

With that thought, he stepped forward.

“Hey there, you seem pretty relaxed,” Lin Changtian said slowly as he stopped in front of the stall.

The stall owner waved his hand impatiently and snapped, “You buying or not? If you’re not, then move along. Don’t bother me while I’m working.”

Lin Changtian wasn’t offended. He smiled at the scholar and said, “Look at it this way, who chases people away when they’re trying to do business? I’m guessing you haven’t been in this trade long, huh?”

“What’s it to you?” The scholar still looked displeased, but his tone softened somewhat when he noticed the fur coat on Lin Changtian’s shoulders.

Lin Changtian gave a mysterious smile, turned his back, and folded his arms, adopting the air of a recluse sage.

He was certain the stall owner couldn’t resist his curiosity and would soon ask about him. But after waiting a long while, no voice came from that side.

“Eh?” Lin Changtian was taken aback. He turned to look at the scholar. The scholar met his gaze with an odd expression, biting his lip as if making up his mind.

“Brother, keep this money,” the scholar said generously. “I know you beggars have to meet your quotas by year’s end. Life’s no easy road.” With that, he pulled out some coins and handed them to Lin Changtian.

Lin Changtian’s anger flared instantly. He snatched the money back and glared fiercely at the scholar. “Do you think you can just bribe a beggar? I came here sincerely to teach you how to do business!”

“Fine, fine, fine. You say it, I’m listening,” the scholar replied softly, his eyes full of pity.

Tsk, this beggar’s brain must not be too sharp.

Lin Changtian grew interested, cleared his throat, and spoke loudly, “Let me ask you: Are the goods on your stall meant for local townsfolk or to deceive outsiders?”

“Don’t you know? It’s year-end, time to pay tribute to Su Richen. There’s been no real war in the Northern Region lately, so many come from the other three realms. Outsiders don’t understand the city’s ways. This is the perfect time to make a fortune!”

“And what are you selling?”

The scholar gestured to the scrolls on the stall. “Mostly old books, couplets I’ve written by hand, poetry, calligraphy, and paintings. But no one takes interest, so few customers come.”

“Scholars in the Northern Region are few to begin with. If you don’t spice things up, who’ll buy from you? Look at the guy next door selling weapons. He even performs by breaking stones on his chest. And that fellow selling poisons—when someone doubted his medicine’s potency, he gulped down a whole bottle without hesitation! Look, the doubters shut up; they’re scared! That guy keeps talking, claiming the taste is quite something. Huh? Why’s he convulsing and foaming at the mouth? Guess he drank too fast! Such a young demise.”

Lin Changtian sighed and spilled his hot tea onto the ground, bowing deeply to the poison seller in respect.

“Listen, scholar, when cultured people sell cultured goods, they must brand them properly to create value. In the Central Lands, this kind of thing can multiply profits by tens or even hundreds of times!” Lin Changtian turned to the scholar and said.

“Do you mean… borrow someone else’s name? Especially those with high prestige?” The scholar’s eyes lit up. He stroked his chin, his mind racing with a terrifying idea.

Maybe I should head west and drag Lin Yuan here? Or visit the Cheng family patriarch in the east? Hmm, Anma City is worth a visit to cause trouble for Ma Hui, but that guy is seriously ill and a treacherous old fox at the Order of Heaven realm. If he fights me to the death, it won’t be worth it.

Lin Changtian was oblivious to the scholar’s thoughts. He thought this simple provincial from Anma City must be stunned by his ideas.

“In addition, you can find people to pose as customers—what we call ‘shills.’ Then stage an auction, have them bid against each other, tricking the outsiders. If you know any famous figures, invite them to hold a poetry and painting fundraiser, throw a gala or a show. Once the money rolls in, split the profits fifty-fifty. Isn’t that perfect?” Lin Changtian said excitedly, even jumping up as he poured out his grand commercial plan.

The scholar frowned and stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This method sounds good, but what if buyers go home and feel cheated, ruining our reputation? Or what if they just come for the spectacle, watch the show for free, and leave? What then?”

Lin Changtian sighed deeply. People from the Northern Region are truly honest and straightforward. Even at this point, they still have a ‘goodness’ in their hearts.

“Use that empty little head of yours. Before the show, spread the word that it’s free. Then, behind the scenes, stir things up. When the hype’s at its peak, claim tickets are sold out, and send scalpers to sell them at high prices. That way, whether they buy or not, we benefit. Once they enter, the place is yours—they can’t leave without paying!”

The scholar’s eyes widened. This guy was even more shameless than himself! “Isn’t that strong-arming buyers and ruining our reputation? And those famous people are protective of their image; I doubt they’d agree.”

“We’re in the business of trickery and deception! What famous people wouldn’t come? When things go south, blame it on them. If they complain, provoke them into a public spat. We just move elsewhere and keep doing business,” Lin Changtian said slowly, rubbing his hands with excitement.

The scholar grew excited too. Carefully savoring Lin Changtian’s words, he said hurriedly, “I get what you mean. Since we’re this far, you have to buy everything on my stall!”

Lin Changtian was stunned, scratching his head in surprise. “Why would I buy your stuff? Your handwriting is ugly and ridiculously overpriced. Are you trying to extort?”

“That’s your own words,” the scholar said seriously, shrugging. “Didn’t you just say this is my territory? Anyone who won’t buy can’t leave.”

Lin Changtian froze, then sneered, “You’re just a frail scholar. What are you afraid of?”

No sooner had he spoken than dozens of burly men with tiger-like physiques surrounded him, glowering fiercely.

The weather was cold, but the scholar’s heart was warm, for he had an extra fur coat on.

...

Stripped of his coat, Lin Changtian curled up in a street corner, gritting his teeth and vowing silently: if it weren’t for fear of exposing his identity, he would have dealt with these scoundrels thoroughly!

Damn it all—who was it that called Northern Region people honest and simple-hearted?