602: The situation of An Yun Chamber of Commerce

Yang Xizhi's brows were tightly locked, and his tone was extremely grave: "The day after tomorrow is the auction for the management rights of Sanyang Street. This is likely our only chance to turn things around."

Within the Cangyun Empire, the business world is not like other industries where people are always fighting to the death.

Conflicts in the business world usually do not involve combat; they only target industries. However, sometimes this war without gunpowder is even more terrifying.

The business world is a competition of financial resources. If one's financial power is insufficient, it is certainly impossible to compete with other chambers of commerce.

Previously, their Anyun Chamber of Commerce was just an ordinary small chamber of commerce, eating the scraps left by the large chambers of commerce, so no one paid much attention to them. But in recent years, relying on their good reputation, their chamber of commerce has received quite a significant response, and the profits of the entire chamber of commerce have been flourishing.

But the pie in the Imperial City is only so big. If you eat more, others naturally eat less, and it is inevitable that you will be targeted.

Consequently, the four most influential Four Great Chambers of Commerce joined forces to pressure their Anyun Chamber of Commerce. These days have been miserable; the chamber of commerce's income has plummeted, and it is already on the verge of being unable to maintain operations.

"We are likely unable to compete for Sanyang Street. Given our current strength, even if we bid a very high price, they will certainly be able to keep up, unless our chamber of commerce sells off its core assets, but that would be putting the cart before the horse."

"Indeed. Sanyang Street has huge foot traffic. If anyone can obtain its management rights, they will have absolute say in the surrounding area."

"The Four Great Chambers of Commerce will not let this rest. They originally intended to beat our Anyun Chamber of Commerce back to its original form, so how could they possibly give us a chance? Just give up on that idea."

"Then what do you suggest we do? Are we really going to just disband? Gentlemen, you are all veterans of the Anyun Chamber of Commerce. Only if the chamber of commerce exists will your interests be protected. If the chamber of commerce is gone, will you all just starve?"

Someone couldn't help but shout angrily, and the others immediately fell silent.

Indeed.

Their interests were deeply tied to the Anyun Chamber of Commerce. If something happened to the Anyun Chamber of Commerce, their own impact would not be small.

Everyone had been discussing it, but after talking for a long time, there was still no suitable solution.

Finally, the hall fell into silence again, and everyone stopped talking.

Yang Xizhi could only speak up: "Regardless, we will go and see what the situation with the auction is. It is led by the Imperial Family. Even if the Four Great Chambers of Commerce have some connections within the Imperial Family, with so many eyes watching, it will be very difficult for them to do anything."

"During this time, look for connections to see if we can resolve this with Immortal Crystals. If there is truly no other way, I will sell off my family property to take down Sanyang Street."

His tone was full of determination. He had poured a lot of effort into the Anyun Chamber of Commerce and could not just give up like this. As long as it hadn't reached the last moment, he would not just let it go.

Seeing this, the others looked at each other. Some wanted to speak but hesitated, wanting to persuade Yang Xizhi, but in the end, not a single word was said.

Looking at the current situation, it is very difficult for their Anyun Chamber of Commerce to continue to exist.

The Four Great Chambers of Commerce are pressing step by step; how can the Anyun Chamber of Commerce oppose the Four Great Chambers of Commerce?

It is too difficult!

It is basically impossible to achieve.

But saying such things out loud would certainly be bad, so everyone chose to keep quiet.

Yang Lan watched the group of elders talking. She couldn't get a word in and could only watch from the side, full of worry.

After the meeting ended, Yang Xizhi kept Yang Lan behind alone.

"Father?" Yang Lan asked, her face full of curiosity.

Yang Xizhi sighed silently: "From now on, you should interact well with that honorable gentleman. If he can take you away, that would be for the best."

"Father, I am not leaving!" Yang Lan shook her head immediately.

Yang Xizhi's eyes were somewhat desolate. He said dejectedly: "Father will be fine, rest assured. It is just that our Anyun Chamber of Commerce will likely cease to exist very soon. If you stay with me, I fear you will suffer, and Father does not wish for that."

"You following that honorable gentleman is the best choice."

He never thought that Su Chen would step in to help. After all, this is the Imperial City. Although Su Chen possesses the cultivation of an Immortal King, this Realm is not enough to be considered significant by the Imperial Family.

As for the situation of Su Chen using Immortal Crystals to help them solve the problem, he had never even considered it.

Taking down the management rights of Sanyang Street is not a small sum. Even an Immortal King Cultivator would be severely drained. Even if it were placed in the heyday of their Anyun Chamber of Commerce, it would likely require emptying out all their wealth.

How could Su Chen possibly casually take out so many Spirit Stones to help the Anyun Chamber of Commerce?

Yang Lan's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked at her father helplessly.

Yang Xizhi's voice sounded again: "Do you remember my teachings? At any time, you must not be influenced by romantic feelings. This matter has a huge impact. If the Anyun Chamber of Commerce is truly gone, I will likely be very busy afterward and will have no time to look after you."

"But I can help you." Yang Lan suddenly said.

Yang Xizhi was stunned for a moment. He turned his head to look at Yang Lan's somewhat stubborn expression, then smiled with gratification: "There is no need. You also have your own life."

Yang Lan has good talent in business and could indeed help him, but he does not want Yang Lan to suffer with him.

For Yang Xizhi, as a man, he should bear all of this.

Yang Xizhi suddenly felt exhausted. All the efforts of these years were suddenly wasted, his mood was a bit broken, and the hall remained silent for a long time.

He slowly stood up, appearing as if he had aged ten years, and walked out of the hall.

Yang Lan remained stunned on the spot, not saying a word. She really wanted to help Yang Xizhi, but she couldn't do anything and could only watch helplessly. Facing such a situation, she felt only helplessness in her heart.

Yang Lan returned to the backyard. Just as she was about to reach the courtyard where Su Chen was, she wore a smile on her face again. Yang Lan did not want her negative emotions to affect Su Chen.

She also did not want Su Chen to help for her sake.

Taking down Sanyang Street would cost a lot of Immortal Crystals. If she even mentioned a word of it, she would be putting Su Chen in a difficult position. She did not know why, but Yang Lan always felt that as long as she asked, Su Chen would help her. Therefore, no matter what, she could not let Su Chen help.

Yang Lan smiled: "The future is still long, we can always overcome these difficulties. Come on!" She cheered herself on, comforting herself.

Walking into the courtyard, Su Chen was brewing tea. His technique was very skillful, even more proficient than Yang Lan's, just like an old master. Every movement was so elegant. For a moment, Yang Lan watched, somewhat entranced.

The crisis of the chamber of commerce seemed to be swept away in an instant upon seeing Su Chen, and those melancholic emotions vanished completely.