Chapter 5: Making a Fortune

“Loss-making? Why?” Li Youwei was momentarily confused.

“It’s simple, it’s called advertising—spreading the word. I’m going to give these items to the palace and to the homes of various officials. Mirrors will be gifted to the Empress, the concubines, the princesses, and the wives and daughters of ministers. The night lights will be sent to the military, among others.

But I’ll need to consult my father on this.”

At least Li Xian understood his limits and knew that matters involving court politics had to be discussed with his "capable" father.

Lord Li Yulong was quite pleased to accept Li Xian's request. He had been observing his son’s progress over the past sixty days. However, when presented with these items, the well-experienced Li Yulong gave them a lukewarm review:

“They’re very nice, but they’re just clever tricks, with no benefit to cultivation. If you’re just playing around, that’s fine, but don’t get too invested. Cultivation is the foundation.”

Hearing this, Li Xian silently gritted his teeth: Dad, in less than a year, you’ll understand that clever tricks can be incredibly useful. Cultivation? It takes thousands of years, far too long.

Besides, cultivation is a solitary endeavor; research is done by a group! Who do you think gets things done faster, one person or a whole team? Hmmph!

Seeing the determination in Li Xian’s eyes, Li Yulong didn’t continue criticizing him but instead offered praise. “These things are indeed beautiful, vibrant, and colorful. The switch mechanism does make it much easier to operate. Since you want to advertise, just boldly send the items to the palace. As for the number, choose a lucky one—365, the number of days in a year.

As for sending them to the ministers and the military, that’s something only His Majesty has the authority to do. You just need to deliver them to the Emperor.

I’ll report to His Majesty today. Tomorrow evening, we’ll light up all the colorful lamps and send them into the palace.”

“Father, do I need to kneel when I meet the Emperor?”

“Cultivators kneel to the heavens, the earth, their parents, and their masters. I’ve never heard of kneeling to the Emperor. Where did you get that idea?”

“Uh…” Li Xian blinked and chuckled sheepishly, realizing he had slipped up again.

Li Xian wasn’t worried about this; what truly delighted him was that consulting with Li Yulong had proven to be the right move. Directly presenting the items to His Majesty and then having them distributed by the Emperor himself was a much better advertising strategy! It avoided offending anyone, and at least, it wouldn’t offend the Emperor.

Li Xian had already started packaging everything, preparing to send it to the inner city of Wuyang. Transporting the massive Seven Fairies lamp wasn’t a concern either; two foundation-building experts using talismans made it a breeze. Li Xian watched in amazement—developing technology in such a world was a monumental challenge!

Meanwhile, Li Yulong had reported to the Emperor about the “auspicious” gifts.

“Your Majesty, my son, who has returned from his wandering, has unexpectedly discovered a fascinating technology. After two months of hard work, he has produced over 500 exquisite items. We have specially selected 365 of the finest to present to Your Majesty tomorrow evening.”

“Oh?” The middle-aged Emperor, seated on his throne, appeared puzzled. “Why in the evening?”

“Please allow me to keep a bit of suspense. Tomorrow evening, Your Majesty will understand. My son is still preparing, but since the items are quite valuable, I request Your Majesty to send a few guards to inspect them.”

“Haha, Lord Li always knows how to please me,” the Emperor said with a smile.

The Emperor was pleased. While Li Yulong requested guards to inspect the gifts, it was actually to keep an eye on things. The Emperor was quite happy with such a loyal and capable minister.

News of this soon reached the Prime Minister and other officials. The Prime Minister merely snorted, but many of the officials were curious. Anything that made the Emperor wait must be extraordinary.

As anticipation built, Li Xian was busy with the “packaging.” Good items deserved good packaging. The smaller decorations were placed in crystal trays, adorned with red silk, with the help of the textile workshop. Mirrors and other items were framed with exquisite wooden frames made by the carpentry workshop. With generous rewards, the carpenters and textile workers put in their best effort.

By the next evening, Li Xian, under the “protection” of several palace guards, led the procession. Behind him, over 600 people carried or lifted the 365 lanterns into the palace. The procession stretched a whole mile. As the colorful lanterns were unveiled at dusk, they instantly drew immense attention.

“How beautiful!”

“Stunning!”

“That little mouse is so cute, though its tail is quite large.” “Fool, that’s a tree squirrel, not a mouse.”

“Is that a mirror? It looks like an immortal’s precious mirror.”

“Those fairies are so beautiful, like real immortals.”

“They must be worth a lot, right?”

“Where can I buy them?”

……

The crowd on the streets grew larger and larger. Li Xian listened to the discussions around him and was overjoyed. This advertising was truly worth it!

As the magnificent procession approached the palace gates, the Emperor, seated on a floating dragon throne, observed the unprecedented spectacle. Surrounding him were a few airborne guards, and further back, several concubines had come to witness the event. The world of cultivation was indeed more open-minded than expected, with fewer rigid constraints.

As the brightly illuminated parade entered the palace, many of the women present gasped in amazement.

“Excellent!” The Emperor expressed his delight.

Li Xian stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Your Majesty, I have unexpectedly discovered a fascinating skill and have crafted 365 of the finest treasures for Your Majesty's appreciation.”

“Come closer and explain them to me,” the Emperor commanded.

With trepidation, Li Xian approached and felt an invisible force lift him to stand beside the Emperor. The middle-aged Emperor exuded an air of dignity and authority, flanked by his favored concubine, Hua Guifei, who was both regal and alluring.

Under the arrangement of the palace guards, each item was presented to the Emperor. With every piece revealed, the Emperor praised them enthusiastically.

“This little squirrel is so cute,” Hua Guifei remarked, her eyes bright.

“Take it, my dear,” the Emperor said generously.

“A seven-foot-tall mirror, so clear and brilliant,” Hua Guifei marveled.

“Take it, my dear.”

“No, Your Majesty, this mirror is something only you should have.”

Li Xian promptly added, “If Your Majesty likes it, I will prepare ten more and send them over immediately.”

“Good, good.” The Emperor laughed heartily. With Li Xian's assurance, the Emperor became even more generous, rewarding not only his concubines but also officials and guards nearby.

Seeing the Emperor so pleased, Li Xian outwardly rejoiced but inwardly sighed, reflecting on the consequences of the fall of a once-great nation.

Finally, the curious “night lanterns” were presented. These were among the few items that had not yet been lit. There were six in total, neatly arranged on a tray.

“What is this?” The Emperor, intrigued, picked one up to inspect. Confident in his own strength and not fearing any potential hazards, he dismissed the guards’ inspections.

“Your Majesty, simply push this button,” Li Xian explained.

“Oh? Let me try.” The Emperor eagerly experimented with the lanterns, shining the bright light in various directions. As expected of an Emperor, after a period of playful experimentation, he issued his first command, “Li Xian, from now on, these night lanterns are to be sold exclusively to me.”

“Indeed.” Li Xian understood that the Emperor was not entirely foolish; he had recognized the military value of the item.

“How much?” 

“8 taels of silver for 660 copper coins.”

“10 taels of silver each. Prepare 10,000 for me first!”

Li Xian continued to showcase other items, but the Emperor's favorite remained the six high-intensity night lanterns. These lanterns could illuminate up to three miles, and with the keen eyes of cultivators, it was like an eagle with a telescope or a rabbit with a rocket launcher—truly extraordinary.

But Li Xian was even more delighted. Not only did the advertisement have an impressive effect, but the 10,000 night lanterns requested by the Emperor alone amounted to a transaction of 10,000 taels of gold, with a pure profit of 6,000 taels of gold! The price of 8 taels of silver for 660 copper coins that Li Xian quoted was the selling price, not the cost price.

Moreover, the Emperor’s reward was an unprecedented advertisement. Many officials did not attend, but it didn’t matter; His Majesty had thoughtfully sent guards to deliver it. Li Xian was so excited he wanted to jump up and shout—amazing! Profits beyond imagination!

After a night had passed, when Li Xian returned to the workshop, the craftsmen from the original jade lamp workshop, including Sun Ming, were all excitedly shouting. The 10,000 taels of gold given by the Emperor had arrived overnight, and everyone was dividing up the gold.

The power of money was immense; once, everyone had worked overtime for a few copper coins; now, even the least of the apprentices received 1.5 taels of gold! Gold! And it had only been two months.

“Wuwu…” One apprentice even started crying.

“What’s your name? Why are you crying?” Li Xian, curious about this apprentice who was about his age, asked. Everyone else was celebrating, so why was he crying?

“Master, my name is Wang Dashi. My mother is ill, and now I finally have the money to treat her,” Wang Dashi said tearfully.

“Is that so?” Li Xian suddenly turned to Sun Ming, “Master, now that we have money, if any family is in difficulty, we can allow them to owe wages first, to be deducted from their future wages. If future wages are insufficient, they can sign on for ten or thirty more years of work.”

Sun Ming, hearing this, actually bowed to Li Xian for the first time, “Young Master, on behalf of the 58 craftsmen, I thank you.”

“I accept!” Li Xian helped Sun Ming up.

From that day on, Li Xian finally established the foundation of his first team!

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