MWC – Chapter 196 Danger and Opportunity

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

On the grassy slope outside Wolong Fort, beneath the shade of a parasol, Lu Ming watched as Liu Laocai’s hands trembled while holding a glass of fruit juice. He sighed softly in his heart. Although Liu Laocai acted carefree, this recent ordeal had clearly left a deep psychological scar.

Locked in a small room and fed dog food, with the constant threat of being beheaded—such pressure was unimaginable for someone used to a civilized world unless they had lived through it.

“Sis-in-law just insists on staying busy,” Lu Ming commented, glancing into the distance at Ha Shan, who was peeling and juicing a local specialty fruit alongside Papaya.

Within Wolong Fort, Sanjin Po and Papaya held the lowest status, even beneath Luo Yi and Luo Er. Yet Ha Shan, Liu Laocai’s legitimate wife, was willing to serve others alongside these lowly servants, even adopting the mindset of a maid toward them.

After all, Sanjin Po was the matriarch of a prominent local clan, and Papaya was the beloved wife of a clan leader.

Hearing Lu Ming’s words, Liu Laocai gave a bitter smile. “She wouldn’t dare sit next to you and chat. I brought up the wedding plans with her, and she outright refused. She said a notarization is enough. She won’t return to Donghai with me. If I insist on going, she told me I could send her a letter of divorce. If I don’t, she’ll just wait for me here forever. I can come see her now and then, that’s all she asks.”

He clenched his jaw. “But I am taking her back to Donghai! When we get there, I’ll throw the grandest wedding ever.”

Lu Ming smiled. “Now that’s the Liu I know. I support you.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “Next up is the matter of that oil field. You’ve got a copy of the land deed with you, right? The original is stored in the Baoyin Bank’s safe deposit box? We might need to retrieve it soon. We’ll need it for some formal agreements.”

Liu Laocai’s expression turned bitter. “Qianxing, from today on, that headache is yours. I’m giving the oil field to you—completely. But I know you won’t accept that. So how about this? Once it starts producing, you give me 200,000 a year for 50 years. If I go before the fifty years are up, the income goes to Ha Shan. Sound good? Honestly, this whole Westward trip has wrecked my health. I don’t think I’ve got many years left… please help take care of Ha Shan for me after I’m gone…”

Lu Ming was taken aback, then said helplessly, “Don’t be so pessimistic. You’ve only just been released. Give it some time, rest up—you’ll be as energetic as ever.”

Looking at Lu Ming seriously, Liu Laocai said, “I’m not just talking about my health—let’s talk about the oil field. Qianxing, I mean it. I’ve thought it all through. You have to wear a hat that fits your head, or it’ll kill you. That oil field’s too big for me. Even if you help me win the lawsuit and I get the rights, there’ll still be endless troubles afterward. I can’t keep relying on you to show up whenever I call. And even if you could come, who knows if I’d still be around by the time you did?”

“Qianxing, among all my friends and family, only you can hold that golden bowl steady. I’ll be blessed just to eat a few bites from your bowl. And as for your character—do I even need to say it? If you promise me fifty years, I know you’ll keep that promise. I couldn’t trust anyone else.”

Then Liu Laocai gave a strange grin. “Honestly, I’ve always felt that oil field was meant for you in the first place. Heaven just used me as the middleman. It’s the reward for all your good deeds. I did a tiny bit of good myself and got to drink some of your soup. But if there’s too much soup, it’ll scald me to death.”

Lu Ming had been about to respond seriously, moved by his words—but that last bit made him sigh helplessly. “Brother, oh brother… you’re still that same old ‘Immortal Cultivator Liu,’ Liu Guolao…”

“Liu Guolao? Who’s that?” Liu Laocai’s eyes lit up. “I feel like that name really suits me! Once I get back to Donghai, I’m changing my name to that!”

Lu Ming waved a hand helplessly, then thought for a moment and said, “Alright, how about this—if we do manage to secure the oil field, I’ll find a partner to help develop it. From the profits, I’ll give you 70% each year, and I’ll keep 30%.”

But Liu Laocai shook his head. “Let’s not do that. No matter how much you give me, I’m only keeping 200,000 a year. The rest, I’ll transfer back to your account. If you’re not worried about people getting suspicious over our strange financial records, then fine, go ahead.”

He looked seriously at Lu Ming. “I’m only worth that 200,000 a year. And fifty years—that’s ten million. That’s the most I’m worth. Are you really trying to jinx me into dying tomorrow?”

Lu Ming chuckled, thinking for a moment before saying, “We don’t even have the oil field yet. It’d be hilarious if we started fighting about it already. There’s this joke from my hometown—two guys got into a fight so bad that one of their heads turned into a dog’s head. The police brought them in for questioning and found out they were fighting over how to split the lottery winnings. The kicker? They hadn’t even bought the ticket yet—they were just arguing about how to divvy up the prize if they won.”

Old Liu was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. “What a pair of clowns, you two…” After laughing for a while, he looked at Lu Ming and said, “But I still want to make things clear with you. Right now, in fact. You brat, you’ve got too many crafty ideas—I’m afraid I’ll fall into your trap later. Qianxing, just tell me straight—do you want your big brother to live peacefully for a few more years?”

Lu Ming pondered for a moment. “How about this—two million a year. And you don’t have to wait for the oil field to be fully developed. I’ll start paying this year.”

Old Liu chuckled. “How about a hundred thousand? One hundred thousand a year.”

Lu Ming looked helpless.

Old Liu laughed boisterously. “Didn’t expect me to bargain like this, huh?”

Lu Ming thought for a bit, then said seriously, “Let’s say five hundred thousand. I’ll start paying from this year. And not for fifty years either—it would be best if you and sister-in-law had a child. Or, you designate a bloodline. From now on, my Lu family will pay this five hundred thousand annually. The amount will be adjusted for inflation if needed—unless my descendants are useless and squander everything, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Old Liu waved his hand. “No need for that. Qianxing, I understand your intentions. But children and grandchildren have their own fate. Who can control what happens in the future? Let’s not end up with our descendants turning against each other someday. Don’t you think I’m right? It’s better to set a time limit—say, a hundred years. I reckon Qianxing, you can at least make decisions for the next hundred years.”

Just as Lu Ming was about to respond, Luo Yi hurried over. When he came close, he whispered, “Master, Lord Chongquan Luo, the city lord, is on his way here. He’s about three miles away now.”

Lu Ming smiled, already knowing what he was here for.

He said to Old Liu, “Alright, we talked about the oil field, and now it’s here.” Then he added, “Five hundred thousand—based on the profits stated by Fira Petroleum, that’s just two percent of the whole oil field’s earnings. Just don’t regret it later!”

Old Liu spat on the ground. “Pah! Liu Laocai, oh Liu Laocai, someone sees you as less than a pig or dog! You’ve lived this life in vain! Even your best friend thinks you’re a scoundrel!”

Lu Ming spread his hands and stood up. “I’ll go wait to meet Chongquan Luo.”

In truth, the overall current economic conditions, roughly speaking, if multiplied by 50 to 70 in US dollars, are about equivalent to the future standards.

Of course, there are still some differences in income and prices.

But generally speaking, this gives a rough, intuitive comparison.

By future standards, Old Liu would be earning around 30 million US dollars annually. That’s more than enough for him. He could continue cultivating, live happily as a wealthy gentleman, with no pressure at all. A fixed income and a personal brand to his name—that’s probably his dream life.

And the Tianshai Desert oil field, calculated this way, would yield over one billion USD in net income per year. Though current technology limits its daily output compared to the future, and there are no quotas, this oil field is essentially equivalent to a future ultra-large oil field with $7–8 billion annual net profit.

In the guest room on the second floor of Wolong Fort, Chongquan Luo wore a deeply troubled expression.

Lu Ming said to Luo Yi, “Send a telegram to the imperial capital headquarters of Fira Petroleum. Regarding development cooperation for the Tianshai oil field, our side will only speak with Rabi Fira—no one else.”

He then smiled at Chongquan Luo and added, “That youngest Fira boy—when I was campaigning, I donated three hundred thousand in contributions!”

The interpreter whispered this softly into Chongquan Luo’s ear.

Chongquan Luo’s expression immediately shifted unpredictably.

Lu Ming smiled again. “The Tianshai Desert has always belonged to Bate City. During your grandfather’s time as city lord, it was granted to a meritorious official. It was just a desert back then—not much value. Now, after changing hands several times, it belongs to me. I’ll need your support, Lord Chongquan.”

As the interpreter translated, Chongquan Luo’s face became even more peculiar and surprised.

Lu Ming continued, “Although Bate City and Bailu City have had many territorial disputes, the Tianshai Desert was never one of them. It wasn’t until Fira Petroleum discovered oil and gas in the area that Bailu City suddenly declared sovereignty over it, right?”

“Since the desert now belongs to me, and someone wants to seize my property by force—there’s no need for lawsuits. Just see what he’ll do. Why should I go to court over land that was never disputed? Going to court would mean admitting there’s a dispute. That would put me at a disadvantage—it’s like taking a step back and giving them ground for free. Wouldn’t you say so, Lord Chongquan?”

Chongquan Luo said nothing.

Lu Ming went on: “To be frank, the territorial disputes between Bate and Bailu are key to rallying both small lords and even serfs, stirring patriotism and pride.”

“If even such disputed lands are taken seriously, then if someone from Bate City were to betray the teachings of their ancestors and the will of the entire city-state, and acknowledge the Tianshai Desert as part of Bailu City—”

Lu Ming shook his head. “If word got out, that person would probably be torn to pieces by an enraged mob—regardless of who they are.”

“Lawyer Lu, I believe you may be mistaken. The Tianshai Desert belongs to our city-state. There is no dispute about that,” Chongquan Luo finally straightened his posture and said.

Lu Ming gave a faint smile. “It’s great that we can reach a consensus on that point, City Lord.”

He continued, “Once I’ve finalized the development cooperation with the young master of Fira Petroleum, I also intend to set up a fund—about fifty thousand a year—to support the development of Bate City. Moreover, our other cooperative matters, including those between my Beiguan business community and Bate City, will only grow in scale. Lord Chongquan, you should have great confidence in the future of Bate City!”

Chongquan Luo gave a bitter smile and hesitated. “Mayor Lu, since I’m here, I won’t hide it from you. The trial two days ago has caused a huge problem.”

Lu Ming nodded. “I know. Someone informed me. The media in the Imperial Capital has gone crazy, haven’t they?” He smiled as he spoke.

Even though Richard and his group had, at most, just arrived in Niccolo and were still far from the Imperial Capital, yesterday, several of the capital’s largest newspapers had already reported on Liu Laocai’s rape case. Public outrage was boiling over, and Lu Ming himself had become a disgrace to the legal profession, facing a fierce wave of condemnation.

As for Bate City-State, a place deemed barbaric, nearly all the media outlets were of one voice: calling it a cancer within the Empire and demanding it be expelled from the Empire’s jurisdiction altogether.

Chongquan Luo sighed. “Mayor Lu, you only know part of it. This morning, my uncle, who represents our city in the City-State Alliance as a delegate in Niccolo…”

He seemed unsure how to explain the relationship so that Lu Ming would understand.

Lu Ming nodded. “A delegate to the Alliance. I understand. Please go on.”

The Western Free City-States Alliance had hundreds of city-states, big and small, with each sending one representative to the Alliance Parliament, which was based in Niccolo.

Chongquan Luo shook his head. “He called me this morning. He said he’s been banned from participating in all parliamentary activities. It seems the Alliance Parliament is about to pass a resolution to expel Bate City from the Alliance—to strip us of our membership…” The more he spoke, the paler his face became.

It was no surprise—if Bate City were truly expelled from the Alliance, annihilation would be imminent.

In the past, even though Bailu City was powerful, Bate still had allies and the City-State Alliance backing it. While those supports weren’t overwhelmingly effective, they offered some leverage—Bailu City dared not go too far.

Additionally, other large city-states in the region didn’t want Bailu to become too dominant and often acted as a counterbalance.

But if Bate were expelled from the Alliance, its allies would withdraw support. Then, if Bailu City sent in its army, even total genocide might not provoke any international concern.

Chongquan Luo, barely in his thirties, had only recently taken up the post of City Lord. At this moment, he was completely at a loss, lacking the composure a city-state leader should have.

He looked at Lu Ming with a face full of despair. “Mayor Lu, can you help me… help us Bate people?”

He sighed. “It’s not like this kind of custom exists only in our city-state…”

Indeed, such backward customs also existed in Bailu City—and even worse ones. But somehow, public opinion had fixated solely on Bate City.

Lu Ming waved his hand. “You can’t think like that. When dealing with public opinion, the worst thing is to throw in the towel and say, ‘we’re not the worst—there are worse ones out there.’ That only invites harsher attacks.”

He continued, “Also, this wave of public backlash isn’t just targeting your Bate City. Honestly, it’s aimed at me as well. So now, you and I—we’re in the same boat.”

Chongquan Luo’s eyes lit up. He looked at Lu Ming as if seeing a lifeline. “Then you…”

Lu Ming nodded. “Let’s not delay. Convene the City-State Assembly as soon as possible. We’ll discuss it together.”

Chongquan Luo nodded repeatedly and said, “I’ll summon the Tri-Flag delegates immediately. Mayor Lu, before the assembly convenes, I’ll grant you the title of ‘Hurricane Delegate.’ From now on, within our city-state, your authority will match that of the City Lord. Also, for any legal proceedings that take place while you’re here, you will serve as the supreme judge.”

Apparently, this had been planned on his way over—he intended to bind this potential city-destroying crisis tightly to Mayor Lu.

Lu Ming chuckled. “That title doesn’t sound good—like it’s going to blow everything away.”

Chongquan Luo was taken aback. “Then I shall grant you the title of ‘Sole and Unrivaled Monsoon Delegate.’ This title carries the same power as the Hurricane Delegate—and you alone shall hold it.”