The Plan Begins!

"Lots of money? How much, exactly?" Chen Yongfa asked. For some reason, his throat felt dry.

Bai Yang shook his head with a chuckle. "Brother Chen, there's no need to worry. It's actually not that much, just the initial investment. After that, wealth will keep pouring into our hands in an endless stream. This investment is absolutely worth it—it'll bring us enormous profits!"

"Brother Bai, you'd better give me a specific figure. Otherwise, I won't feel confident," Chen Yongfa said, regaining his composure.

Bai Yang thought for a moment. "Let me put it this way. I plan to open shops in four administrative divisions of the Azure Wolf Dynasty: prefectural capitals, commandery cities, county seats, and towns. The shops don't need to be large, but they must operate legally. One shop in each town should be enough; at least five in each county, twenty in each commandery, and fifty in each prefectural capital. That should about do it. We'll need to hire shop assistants and register with the authorities. Opening so many shops all at once, scattering them everywhere, will cost a fortune. Especially if we want them up and running quickly—we'll have to buy off officials in each administrative division. This gives them a chance to build up their record of achievements. They won't turn us down!"

"If that's all, then the expense is within our means. But, Brother Bai, how can you be sure the Azure Wolf Dynasty's officials will accept bribes and grant us permission to open shops?" Chen Yongfa asked, puzzled.

Vaguely, he felt that Bai Yang had opened a brand-new door for him. The two nations were at war, yet Bai Yang's plan had nothing whatsoever to do with warfare. And still, he wanted to hear more.

"Because our people will stay behind the scenes