After his morning training the next day, Lin Ze opened the door and walked into his Two Realms Trade Base, looking at the piles of silver that filled an entire room.
There were a full ten million taels of silver here—five hundred tons.
Lin Ze had spent 118,000 taels of gold to buy it in the Main World, using up most of the gold he had plundered from the Other World. It was worth nearly 2.7 billion.
Besides all this silver, there was also some loose gold and silver in Lin Ze's basement.
By now, Lin Ze had a clear understanding of the assets he currently possessed.
"Excluding real estate and personal spending, I can currently put my available wealth at around 14 billion."
"These precious metals will be used to keep the Gold Bank in the Other World running and to plunder gold and silver from there, so I can't touch them for now."
"Besides that, I need to set aside some funds for emergencies. And since quite a bit of my money is in overseas accounts, the funds I can openly use here at home currently amount to around 4.5 billion. That'll be my investment in setting up a shipping company over the coming period."
"The money in my overseas accounts can be used to buy supplies if I run short of precious metals."
At that moment, an understanding dawned on Lin Ze.
Only four months had passed since trade between the two worlds began.
Yet Lin Ze's net worth had already exceeded ten billion. On average, since the start of trade between the two worlds, he had been making a hundred million a day.
But in reality, Lin Ze had already gotten through the initial setup phase.
The Gold Bank operating in the Other World could bring in around two thousand taels of gold a day, earning Lin Ze forty million daily. On top of that, Delicious Forest in the Main World made forty million a day, and Zhiyuan Trading Company made more than three hundred million a day.
There was also the coal mine in the Other World, which continued to turn a profit. Lin Ze's daily income had now reached the four-hundred-million mark, and the pace of growth would only keep accelerating.
At Qianyun Manor, Lin Ze and Ji Shuqing ate breakfast prepared by the housekeeper and several female bodyguards.
That was why female bodyguards cost more than male ones: they could stay in the inner courtyard and accompany the family, whereas male bodyguards could not.
Female bodyguards were not as strong as their male counterparts. The extra pay they received was what the employer paid for the right to call on them around the clock. Unlike the male bodyguards, they could not take turns resting every so often.
Basically, female bodyguards made their living while they were young. Once their physical abilities declined with age, they had to consider changing careers.
"Shuqing, stay home and get some good rest today."
After breakfast, Lin Ze said with a smile.
Maybe it was because Lin Ze and Ji Shuqing had earned over a billion in a month while living together, or maybe it was because absence made the heart grow fonder. Either way, the two of them had gotten quite wild last night.
At first, Ji Shuqing had thought that after practicing the Life Nurturing Fist for a month and improving her physical fitness so much, she had nothing to fear from Lin Ze.
But by the seventh time, all she could do was whimper.
Even as she ate breakfast now, Ji Shuqing felt limp from head to toe. She had no objection to Lin Ze's arrangement.
After breakfast, she went straight back to rest.
As for Lin Ze, he got busy with the shipping company.
He knew nothing at all about shipping companies.
But he had money.
After contacting a headhunting firm that served as a talent broker, Lin Ze received quite a few resumes from relevant professionals. After interviewing them one by one over a period of time, he found a professional manager who suited him.
Tang Guangyun, male, forty-two years old.
A graduate of a prestigious university, he had years of experience in the shipping industry.
After learning what Lin Ze needed, the professional manager offered a plan that satisfied him.
In Lin Ze's study at Qianyun Manor, the professional manager he had approved was outlining his plans for the company.
"Boss, first I'll take care of the company's premises and initial staffing."
"After that, I'll purchase the ships and aircraft you need. I'll also recruit staff to build our own supply transfer warehouse and airport near the docks in Yulin City, Canghai Country, on the Golden Continent, and set up a security escort company."
"Don't worry, Boss. I have established channels and experience in all these areas. I'll make sure to meet your requirements at a favorable price."
Tang Guangyun concluded.
"Mm. Manager Tang, I'll leave the company's affairs to you from now on."
"Things are chaotic over on the Golden Continent, so I'll assign you a team of senior security personnel from Jixiang Security Company. You can take them with you when you travel for work."
Lin Ze shook Tang Guangyun's hand, then spoke.
The security personnel were not spies Lin Ze had sent to keep tabs on him. Although Tang Guangyun would be handling the shipping company's affairs, Lin Ze would also hire a third-party auditing firm to supervise him, so he had no need to worry about Tang Guangyun acting recklessly. The security personnel were there to meet a genuine practical need.
"Thank you, Boss."
Tang Guangyun sincerely thanked the considerate man before him.
November 8.
Other World, Lin Residence.
He had finished dealing with everything that needed his attention lately, and now all that was left was to wait for his businesses to develop.
So Lin Ze shifted his focus back to the Other World, enjoying the leisurely life of a wealthy master with his beloved wives and concubines in his arms.
At the end of last month, Lin Ze had already made time to personally pay all the miners, escort agency staff, and Gold Bank employees. He had also distributed the profits among the shareholders. Overall, the earnings this month were about the same as last month, so there was no need for a last-minute rush.
"Master, the doorman reports that five martial artists have come to pay you a visit."
Xiang Xue came to report. Lin Ze had been casually flipping through a book while enjoying his wife's qin music and having the maid Bao Qin feed him fruit. He straightened up.
He asked, "Did they introduce themselves?"
Xiang Xue nodded. "To answer you, Master, these martial artists say they admire your reputation and have come especially to call on you."
By now, more than half a month had passed since the high-stakes commercial battle between the Fengping County and Songmao County coal mines.
News of the battle in the Distant Moon Mountain Range had long since spread far and wide through the stories of merchants traveling north and south. People throughout the martial world and the streets knew that a great expert called Thunderbolt Young Master Lin Ze had emerged in Fengping County, Qingyu County.
This great expert had traveled hundreds of miles in a single night, wiping out twenty-seven bandit strongholds in the Distant Moon Mountain Range and ridding the people of their scourge. He had brought peace back to the land and earned widespread praise.
One respected elder of the martial world had declared that, at such a young age, Thunderbolt Young Master Lin Ze already ranked among the Super-Class Experts, and that one day he would surely become a Peerless Expert.
At first, this reputation had only brought Lin Ze a good name. Whenever he went out for a stroll, the local gentry and common folk in Fengping County greeted him respectfully, and merchants even waived his bills.
Now it seemed that his good name had brought him some unexpected benefits as well.
"Let's go see them."
Lin Ze rose, allowing the maid beside him to straighten his clothes, while someone went out to notify the martial artists waiting outside.
Soon, Lin Ze was seated in the main hall, meeting the men the servants had ushered in.
They were five burly men in the prime of their lives. Just from their appearance, it was clear they were no ordinary people.
As a martial artist whose mind had been strengthened twice by the Gates to Heavens, Lin Ze could clearly sense that their qi and blood were far more vigorous than those of ordinary people.
They were already first-rate martial artists.
"I'm Fang Qing. These are my four brothers, Fang Lan, Fang Hong, Fang Jin, and Fang Mo. We pay our respects to Young Master Lin."
Fang Qing, a sturdy middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes, cupped his fists and saluted Lin Ze.
The four brothers behind him also cupped their fists and bowed respectfully.
"Gentlemen, you're too kind. Bring our guests some tea."
Lin Ze rose, returned the salute, and then instructed a servant nearby.
After exchanging pleasantries and inviting them to sit and have tea, Lin Ze got straight to the point. "What brings you here today?"
Fang Qing set down his teacup, stood, and said respectfully, "To be frank, Young Master Lin, my brothers and I are from the area around the Distant Moon Mountain Range. When we were young, disaster struck: bandits in the mountains killed our family. We escaped by sheer luck because we were out playing."
"We were displaced for many years. At last, when we were ten, we joined the Cao Gang to make a living and learn martial arts. We thought of revenge every day, but never had the chance to act."
"This time, we heard that Young Master Lin had wiped out all the bandits in the mountains. You've avenged us, too. So we've come especially to thank you."
"We've practiced martial arts for many years, and we're now first-rate martial artists. If you don't disdain us, we brothers are willing to become your retainers. Whatever you command, we'll brave fire and water without hesitation."
"Please take us in, Young Master Lin!"
As he finished, Fang Qing dropped to one knee to show his sincerity.
The brothers behind him followed suit, kneeling on one knee and lowering their heads. "Please take us in, Young Master Lin!"
At this, Lin Ze's mind began racing.
Having people come to pledge themselves to him was certainly a good thing.
In a sense, retainers could be equated with death warriors.
Their patron kept them well fed and well cared for, and when needed, could send them to do anything, even at the cost of their lives.
And if what these men said was true, then their loyalty could be all the more assured.
Helping them avenge their family was certainly a kindness worth being grateful for all their lives.
But what if they were lying?
What if someone with ulterior motives had placed spies among Lin Ze's subordinates?
In the blink of an eye, Lin Ze's thoughts raced, and he made a decision.
"Please rise. Such a grand gesture isn't necessary."
"If you're willing to pledge yourselves to me, then it's my honor."
As the men knelt to show their respect, a smile had already appeared on Lin Ze's face. He accepted their offer.
For now, he would take them in. Lin Ze had so many businesses that five first-rate martial artists would surely prove useful.
Afterward, he could secretly investigate their backgrounds and watch how they behaved. If they were truly sincere, he could gradually give them more responsibility and put them to better use.
If their origins were unclear, he could sideline them or even find a chance to eliminate them.
That way, even if they were spies working for someone else, they would never be able to cause Lin Ze much trouble.
"Greetings, my lord."
Fang Qing refused Lin Ze's attempt to help him up. He and his brothers knocked their foreheads firmly against the floor before rising with respectful expressions.
"Someone, set a banquet. I'm going to host these fine men. Go invite Escort Chief Xu to join us."
At that moment, Lin Ze showed that he accepted Fang Qing and his brothers. He arranged a banquet and called Xu Sheng over to keep them company.
Lin Ze and Fang Qing's group drank and exchanged toasts while Xu Sheng joined in, keeping the conversation lively. Before long, the newcomers had lost their awkwardness.
When the banquet ended, Lin Ze had Xu Sheng take the new retainers away and assign them to Zhiyuan Transport, the business representing the Wooden Railcar industry, as guards in the West Gate docks area.
Soon, Xu Sheng had temporarily settled them in and returned.
"Zi Yi, we don't know where these men came from. We can't trust them easily."
Only after they were alone did Xu Sheng remind Lin Ze.
"I know, Brother Xu. Keep an eye on their habits and conduct for the time being. I'll ask Dan Xuliang of the Cao Gang and Shi Qingnian at the Songmao County coal mine to look into their backgrounds."
"If there's nothing wrong with their origins, we can try trusting them and give them more important work."
Lin Ze nodded and explained what he planned to do with Fang Qing and his brothers.
Xu Sheng nodded. "As long as you know what you're doing, Zi Yi. I'll keep an eye on them."
After Xu Sheng left, Lin Ze still felt a little excited.
He had never imagined that one day he would reach the point where people would bow down to him simply because of his reputation.
He hoped he could trust Fang Qing and his brothers. If so, he would have quite a few more people he could put to use.
"While I'm at it, I should clearly divide the servants in the household into ranks."
"First, ordinary servants. They've just been brought under my wing, and their character and ability haven't been confirmed. They'll be third-class servants and receive only the usual treatment."
"Next, servants whose loyalty is assured but who don't have much ability. I can increase their monthly pay a little, and prioritize them when assigning good work. They'll be second-class servants."
"Then there are servants who have both ability and loyalty. They'll receive higher monthly pay and priority for benefits. I'll also devote resources to training them. They'll be first-class servants."
"Finally, there are those who have both ability and loyalty and can hold their own in a small sphere. If such a person is a servant, I'll strip away that lowly status and give them the respect they deserve. I'll treat them as confidants and bind our interests together completely."
"At present, I have a few first- and second-class servants, but very few people I can treat as confidants."
"But every journey begins with a single step. As my businesses continue to run, I'll eventually gain a steady stream of confidants of my own."
Deep in thought, Lin Ze established a new standard.
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