YWTGU -Chapter 34 A World Where Only Li An Gets Hurt Achieved

Inside the Revenue Department.

When Li An returned, Jin Daya was busy as ever, leading a group of people in full swing.

“Sir!”

The moment Jin Daya saw him, he hurried over, his face blooming with a smile.

“The expo grounds are almost fully set up! Would you like to take a look?”

Li An waved his hand, showing little interest. “Look at what? Just a few tents, right?”

Jin Daya froze. “Tents?”

“I mean, the expo grounds—aren’t they just temporary tents and exhibition booths? There’s hardly any time, and it’s not like we’re building a palace. Why make it so complicated?”

Li An’s intention was to keep things simple, making it easier to dismantle and leave afterward.

“Sir, wise as always!”

Jin Daya’s eyes lit up. “Exactly! We’re using temporary booths with wooden frames covered in waterproof fabric. Quick to set up, quick to take down, and cheap too!”

“That’s good.” Li An nodded.

Then he asked, “By the way, how much did all this cost?”

“Reporting to you, sir, originally, according to Lord Wang’s quote, it would’ve been one million taels.”

“One million taels for a few tents?” Li An’s eyes went wide.

Jin Daya chuckled. “Exactly! But then Miss Liu came over and said that price could build three palaces, so she forced it down to eighty thousand taels.”

Eighty thousand taels…

Li An felt a pang in his heart.

My thirty-million-tael extravagant plan… just ruined by Liu Wanqing?

“And!” Jin Daya continued, counting on his fingers, “Miss Liu said these temporary booths use detachable mortise-and-tenon joints, easy to assemble and dismantle. After the expo, they can even be sold to merchants as warehouses.

“Conservatively, with the expo’s reputation, just selling the booths can recoup two hundred thousand taels!”

Li An: …

I just wanted a few shabby tents to lose money.

How did you turn it into a profitable business?

Ding!

【Liu Wanqing optimized the expo site plan!】

【Temporary booths now combine practicality and cost-effectiveness!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +1000】

【Current National Fortune: 57,479】

Li An looked at the system prompt, feeling a tightness in his chest.

It went up again.

Just then, someone from Murong Xue’s side arrived.

“Sir Li!”

A Northern Yan envoy respectfully handed over a letter.

“Princess Her Highness asked me to convey that regarding the expo bet, she proposes adding some… stakes.”

Stakes?

Li An took the letter and opened it.

The handwriting of Murong Xue was elegant and flowing:

“Sir Li, after careful consideration, I feel the previous bet was not thrilling enough. Therefore, I propose the following—if the expo’s final profit exceeds ten million taels, I acknowledge the prosperity of Great Qi and am willing to marry you as a concubine. If it does not reach ten million taels…”

Li An read on.

“Great Qi must cede three border cities, and you, Sir Li, must marry into Northern Yan and serve our nation.”

Li An’s eyes lit up instantly.

Marry into Northern Yan?

Isn’t that like returning home?

And he could officially shake off this mess in Great Qi!

He forced down his inner excitement, pretending to be hesitant. “Th…this bet is huge, isn’t it?”

“Princess says it’s fine if you don’t dare to accept.”

The envoy smiled. “After all, ten million taels is equivalent to three years of Great Qi’s taxes. Quite a challenge for you, sir.”

Three years of taxes?

Li An’s heart soared with joy.

Ten million taels? Dream on!

Normally, it would be a miracle if the expo didn’t lose money. Let alone ten million taels—one million taels would already be a stretch!

“Don’t dare to accept?”

Li An slammed the table. “Am I the type to chicken out?”

He declared loudly, “It’s a deal! Whoever backs out is a puppy!”

The envoy froze.

This… so straightforward?

“Sir, you really are decisive!”

Recovering, the envoy hurriedly saluted and left.

After they left, Jin Daya approached, full of worry.

“Sir, ten million taels… can it really be done?”

“Of course not!”

Li An was delighted inwardly: exactly—it’s better if it can’t be done!

“Ahem, what I mean is…” he shifted tone, “we must handle this expo properly!”

“Make sure every merchant understands that I genuinely want them to profit!”

Jin Daya was even more confused. “Sir, what you mean is…”

“The expo opens tomorrow. All goods, sell at 20% off!”

“20% off?” Jin Daya exclaimed.

“Yes! 20% off!”

Li An waved his hand. “No, let’s go with 30%! Or 50%! Just give as many discounts as possible depending on the item!”

“Anyway, it must be cheap! Must lose money!”

He planned in his mind: the deeper the discount, the more we lose. Losing money means not reaching ten million taels; not reaching it means losing the bet; losing the bet means returning to Northern Yan!

Perfect!

“Also!” Li An continued, “no forced sales! No selling inferior goods! No scams or tricks!”

Jin Daya was completely stunned. “Sir, wouldn’t this make it impossible for merchants to profit?”

“Exactly! I don’t want them to profit!”

Li An thought: I want the treasury to bleed money! I want the merchants to lose too!

Jin Daya stayed silent for a moment, conflicted.

“Sir… I’m foolish, I really don’t understand…”

“If we do this, won’t we lose everything?”

Li An inwardly cheered: isn’t that exactly what I want?

“Stop talking! Do as I say!”

“Yes, yes!”

Though puzzled, Jin Daya still saluted. “Sir, we’ll do exactly as you say!”

Li An nodded, satisfied.

Good. That’s the correct reaction.

Follow my plan, and the expo will certainly lose to the bottom!

Ding!

【Jin Daya worries about the ‘Spendthrift Order’!】

【Rumors spread: The expo will be a bottomless money pit for Great Qi!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -2000】

【Current National Fortune: 55,479】

Li An looked at the system prompt, delighted.

This time, we should finally lose money, right?

Just as he was reveling, someone else arrived outside.

“Sir! Miss Liu requests an audience!”

Liu Wanqing?

Li An rubbed his temple. “Let her in.”

Liu Wanqing rushed in, energetic as ever.

“Master Li!”

Her eyes sparkled. “I heard about the bet! Ten million taels, right?”

“Yes…” Li An replied weakly.

“Master, don’t worry!” Liu Wanqing clenched her fists. “I’ll give it my all!”

Li An’s mind moved.

Perfect timing—he could assign her a few “sure-to-lose tasks” to ensure the expo loses thoroughly!

“Miss Liu, regarding the expo preparations, I have a few requirements.”

“Please, Master!”

“First, all goods must be sold at fair prices; no price gouging.”

Liu Wanqing nodded. “Good! Fair to all, that’s correct!”

“Second, no forced sales; buying and selling must be voluntary.”

“Yes! Don’t ruin Great Qi’s merchant reputation!”

“Third…”

Li An paused, making a decisive choice: “All booth fees are waived!”

“Waived?” Liu Wanqing was stunned.

“Yes! Not a single coin! Let the merchants take advantage for free!”

Li An calculated: no booth fees means no stable income. Selling goods at a discount? They’ll surely lose!

Ten million taels? Dream on!

“But Master…” Liu Wanqing hesitated, “won’t this mean we’re…”

“No buts!” Li An interrupted. “If I say waive, it’s waived!”

Liu Wanqing opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but ultimately swallowed her words.

“Understood… Miss Liu.”

Though confused, seeing Li An’s determination, she chose to obey.

Li An nodded, satisfied.

Good.

Free booth fees, fair pricing, discounts, no forced sales…

With this combo, the expo is bound to lose to the bottom!

He even began imagining the National Fortune plummeting while he secretly profits in spirit.

Just thinking about it made him giddy!

Ding!

【Although Liu Wanqing doesn’t understand, she obeys!】

【Expo booth fees waived, giving merchants more room for cheating!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -1000】

【Current National Fortune: 54,479】

Li An looked at the system prompt and felt elated.

This time, it’s secure!

But… the system’s settlement cycle!

Li An’s heart skipped a beat.

A thirty-day cycle… counting the days, it seemed almost due?

He hurriedly did the math in his head: from the time he transmigrated until now, it should have been… twenty-five days? Twenty-six days?

In other words, only four or five days left until the settlement day!

If by then the national fortune hasn’t decreased but instead increased…

Not only would he not get the reward, he might even face system penalties!

And there was one more potential problem—

If the expo makes a huge profit and Murong Xue loses the bet, how would Northern Yan see him, the so-called “undercover”?

“You’re a Northern Yan spy, and instead of harming Great Qi’s fortune, you helped them earn ten million taels…”

What is that considered?

Treason!

So… Li An made up his mind. This time, the expo must incur a huge loss, a loss so thorough it hurts!

“Miss Liu!”

He suddenly grabbed Liu Wanqing’s hand.

“Master… what’s wrong?”

Liu Wanqing’s face flushed.

“This expo… can it… have a few more problems?”

“Problems? Li Master, Wanqing doesn’t understand. What do you mean?”

“For example… merchants fighting? The venue suddenly collapsing? Something unexpected that drastically reduces attendance…”

Liu Wanqing blinked, confused.

Then realization dawned on her.

“Master is testing whether Wanqing has the awareness to prevent such accidents!”

“No, no!”

“Don’t worry, Master. Wanqing will ensure the expo goes off without a hitch, absolutely no problems!”

Li An: I really wasn’t testing you!

Ding!

【Host Li An attempts to create an expo accident!】

【Failed!】

【Liu Wanqing’s determination grows even stronger!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +1000】

【Current National Fortune: 55,479】

Li An stared at the word “Failed,” utterly devastated.

How can this girl… be so immune to subtle hints?!

At this moment, the world where only Li An gets hurt had been realized.

…

Night fell.

Li An sat alone in the Finance Bureau study, flipping through ledgers, a trace of pride curling his lips.

Hongmei carried a cup of tea and entered.

“Master, it’s time to rest.”

“Rest?” Li An put down the ledger, beaming with satisfaction. “How could I possibly rest right now?”

Hongmei glanced at him. “Master… you seem… in a good mood?”

“Good? More than good! It’s absolutely wonderful!”

Li An stood up, counting on his fingers, exultant:

“Look, today I issued several orders… first, all goods are discounted; second, price increases prohibited; third, booth fees waived entirely!”

Hongmei: …

“Think about it: discounted sales, no profit! Booth fees waived, no income! How could this expo make money?”

Li An grew more excited as he spoke.

“Ten million taels? Dream on! Even making back fifty thousand taels would count as lucky!”

Hongmei paused, then asked:

“So you mean… this expo is bound to lose money?”

“Not just lose money!” Li An patted his chest. “Lose to the bottom! Lose so thoroughly there won’t even be pants left to wear!”

The thought made him happier and happier.

Hongmei’s lips twitched.

She had seen plenty of powerful ministers and strategists in Northern Yan, yet never anyone who could speak about “squandering” with such righteous pride and satisfaction.

“Master… are you truly confident?”

“Of course!” Li An said confidently. “Unless it rains gold from the sky, this expo will never make ten million taels!”

Hongmei nodded and added:

“In that case, I have something to report.”

“What is it?”

“Regarding the Princess’s bet… I’ve already sent a message to Northern Yan.”

Li An was taken aback: “What did you say?”

“I claimed credit for your audacious bet, saying that you deliberately proposed an outrageous wager to embarrass the Princess and provoke tension between our countries.”

Hongmei’s tone was as cold as ever.

“In this way, no matter the expo’s outcome, Northern Yan will see you as loyal and considerate.”

Li An’s eyes lit up. “You said that?”

“Yes.”

“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”

Li An rejoiced.

“Hongmei, you truly are my most trusted aide!”

Hongmei kept a straight face. “Master, mind your manners.”

“All right, all right, I’ll behave.”

Li An smiled, feeling even more delighted.

It seemed everything was ready, only the final key was missing!

Once the expo opens tomorrow and loses money spectacularly, he could complete his mission and make a fortune!

Thinking of this, Li An happily sipped his tea.

But at that moment…

A commotion erupted outside.

“What’s happening?”

Li An stood up.

Jin Daya came rushing in:

“Master! Something bad has happened!”

“What is it?”

“The news has leaked!”

“What news?”

“About the discounts!”

Jin Daya panted. “Somehow the message that ‘expo items start at 10% of the price’ got out! Now the whole city knows!”

Li An froze. “And?”

“They… they started lining up overnight!”

“Lining up?”

“Yes! The expo hasn’t even opened yet, and there’s already a line three li long at the entrance!”

Jin Daya slapped his thigh in excitement.

“They say people started queuing yesterday evening! Now the streets outside are packed! A sea of people, Master!”

Li An’s expression instantly changed.

A sea of people?

This… this is going to make a fortune!

“That’s not all!” Jin Daya continued. “Merchants from neighboring cities heard about the discounts and rushed over overnight!”

“They said, Great Qi goods are already cheaper than our country’s, and now discounted too? Anyone who doesn’t buy is an idiot!”

Li An: …

Ding!

【Expo “discount” news leaked!】

【Citizens and merchants swarm in!】

【Expo hits fame even before opening!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +3000】

【Current National Fortune: 58,479】

Li An looked at the system prompt, completely stunned.

From 56,479 to 58,479.

In just one day, it had risen by two thousand points.

“At this time, there are—”

Jin Daya checked the sky.

“Six hours left!”

Li An stood still, motionless.

The entire city was in a frenzy.

A sea of people.

At this moment, only Li An’s heart screamed:

I just wanted to lose!

Why is everyone working so hard to make me win???

…

Meanwhile, in a corner of the Imperial Garden.

Murong Xue stood alone under the moon, a meaningful smile curling her lips.

“Ten million taels… Li An, you took this bet, but did you really think you’d lose?”

She shook her head gently.

“No.”

“From the beginning, I never intended to win.”

“What I wanted… was you.”