Selling Out

"One month?" Zhong Shan tapped his finger lightly against the tabletop as he pondered.

"Yes. Given how frenzied the people are now, if our Great Rong Sumeru Stone shop doesn't raise its prices, we'll be completely out of stock in a month. Your Majesty, should we limit the daily sales or suspend business for now, then resume selling after this period has passed and the storm has died down?" Zhao Hai asked worriedly.

"No. Keep operating as usual!" Zhong Shan shook his head.

Suspend business? This wasn't an ordinary commercial sale, but a clash with Lu Buwei. To wait until the storm had passed before selling again would be no different from admitting defeat.

"Yes!" Zhao Hai furrowed his brows worriedly.

"You may leave," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!"

Zhao Hai left the hall. Zhong Shan closed his eyes and lightly tapped his finger against the tabletop, pondering a workable solution.

In one of the residences of Lu's Merchant Guild.

Fifty Yarrow Stalks lay before Lu Buwei. He seemed to be arranging them to divine and deduce something. None of his many subordinates dared disturb him.

After making his deductions for a while, Lu Buwei shook his head and let out a long breath. Clearly, he had gained nothing.

Looking outside, Lu Buwei asked, "How are things out there?"

"The price of Sumeru Stones has risen throughout the entire city. Only the Great Rong Sumeru Stone shop is still selling at the original price. Everyone in the city knows about it, and they've swarmed over. The Great Rong Merchant Guild's Sumeru Stones probably won't last much longer!" the servant said.

"Still selling at the original price?" A strange smile appeared at the corner of Lu Buwei's mouth.

"Yes!"--

At the entrance of the Great Rong Sumeru Stone shop.

A long line