Broad Cloud Ward, inside the Market Chief's Residence.
Dong Pengfei sat composedly at the head of the inner hall, sipping tea. Below him sat the merchants' association representatives, their expressions varied.
That day, they had suddenly received notice that they were being summoned for a matter of business, leaving them puzzled for a while.
Before long, everyone had arrived. Helm Master Qiu of the Universal Profits Merchants' Association, who had been quietly discussing the matter with others, asked tentatively, "Market Chief Dong, may I ask why you summoned us here?"
Dong Pengfei set down his teacup and straightened his expression. "To tell you the truth, I am merely passing on a message. Our Peak Master of Broad Cloud Peak, Grand Artisan Li, intends to establish Trade City. He has invited you all to join as partner merchants."
"Establish Trade City?"
"The Peak Master wants to go into trade and enter our line of business too?"
"What exactly will Trade City sell?"
At his words, their expressions shifted in different ways.
They were already members of the merchant alliance under the Guangyun forces, and their businesses had been doing well. Now, suddenly hearing that Li Chen wanted to establish some kind of Trade City, they could not help worrying that he would personally enter the fray and take a share of the pie.
Lin Qinghe of the Everflow Merchants' Association looked equally tense. To him, Li Chen was clearly trying to snatch food from their bowls, using his advantages as Peak Master and Grand Artisan to forcibly squeeze into their market.
But before they could devise a response, Dong Pengfei continued, "Rest assured, this Trade City is not what you imagine. Not only will it not compete with you, it will actually benefit you."
"Oh? We would like to hear the