"Would Your Majesty like to earn more?"
The question lingered in the air.
Inside the royal dining hall, Dongfang Jun fell silent.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his gaze rested on Li Tian, studying him carefully.
Everything he had heard about this young man began resurfacing in his mind.
From a declining family to building multiple profitable ventures in a short time—
Chili.
Refined salt.
Sugar.
Even glass.
And more importantly…
The rumor about the Bai family.
A new silk formula.
A product that was said to rival high-grade silk.
Jun tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
This wasn't just a merchant.
This was someone who changed markets.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"…Speak."
---
Li Tian didn't waste time.
"First, I need information," he said calmly.
"What kind of clothing materials are commonly used in your continent?"
Jun leaned back slightly.
"That's simple."
"The Blaze Continent lies in the central plains."
"It is one of the largest silk production hubs."
"We export silk and silk garments to more than twenty continents."
He continued,
"The main materials are hemp, linen, coarse cloth, fine silk, and brocade silk."
Li Tian listened without interrupting.
Jun gestured, and an attendant quickly brought a rough pricing summary.
"One bundle can produce clothing for ten people," Jun explained.
Then he listed them clearly:
Hemp — 500 copper coins
Linen — 600 copper coins
Coarse cloth — 2 silver coins
Fine silk — 5 silver coins
Brocade silk — 12 silver coins
Jun paused before adding,
"A common person earns around 5 to 6 silver coins a month."
Li Tian nodded slightly.
He had already started calculating.
---
"Bring me samples," Li Tian said.
Jun raised an eyebrow but didn't refuse.
Soon, several fabric pieces were placed on the table.
Li Tian examined each one carefully.
Texture.
Weight.
Finish.
Durability.
His fingers moved slowly across the materials—
Until they stopped on one piece.
A dull-looking fabric.
Rough.
Unappealing.
"This one," Li Tian said. "Cotton?"
Jun nodded.
"Yes. But it's mostly useless."
"Why?" Li Tian asked.
"It costs around 2 silver coins to produce," Jun replied.
"But its quality is too poor."
"Commoners can't afford it."
"And nobles would never wear it."
"So it has no real market."
Li Tian smiled faintly.
---
Without another word, he took out a small box and placed it on the table.
"Then take a look at this."
Jun opened the box.
Inside were three folded pieces of cloth.
At first glance—
They looked completely different from anything on the table.
Smooth.
Light.
Soft.
And the color… had a subtle sheen that caught the light naturally.
Jun's expression changed immediately.
He picked one up.
Ran his fingers across it.
"…What material is this?"
Li Tian met his gaze.
"This is Rou Guang Silk."
"A soft-gloss silk."
"I created it."
---
Jun's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Price?"
"Three silver coins per bundle," Li Tian replied.
A brief pause.
"Only for the Blaze Continent."
"If any other empire wants it from me…"
"It will cost five silver coins."
---
Silence.
Jun didn't speak for several seconds.
But his mind was moving rapidly.
This fabric—
It was lighter than fine silk.
More comfortable for central plains climate.
And visually…
It carried a premium feel.
At half the price.
If introduced properly—
It could completely replace fine silk.
And with further refinement…
It could even challenge brocade.
---
"You're trying to reshape the market," Jun said slowly.
Li Tian didn't deny it.
"I'm offering you the chance to control it."
---
Jun exhaled lightly.
"…Continue."
---
Li Tian leaned forward slightly.
"My conditions are simple."
"We supply Rou Guang Silk to the Blaze Continent at three silver coins per bundle."
"Exclusive supply."
Jun's eyes sharpened.
"Go on."
"When you export this to the Sevenrock Continent…"
"You will sell it one silver coin cheaper."
Jun immediately understood.
Undercut the market.
Take control faster.
"And in the Azure Flame Continent…"
Li Tian continued,
"The distribution will be handled exclusively by the Bai family."
---
The room fell silent again.
This was no longer a simple trade deal.
This was a continent-level strategy.
Jun leaned back, closing his eyes briefly.
Too many variables.
Too many implications.
If successful—
It would strengthen Blaze Continent's influence massively.
If it failed—
It could disrupt their entire silk economy.
After a long pause, Jun opened his eyes.
"I need time."
He stood up.
"You will stay in the guest residence."
"We will discuss this further."
Li Tian nodded.
He had expected this.
---
Later That Night
Inside the royal palace, Jun didn't rest.
Instead, he immediately summoned key figures.
Master craftsmen.
Senior weavers.
Then—
The Prime Minister, Ling Ge.
And finally—
Dongfang Ming.
The atmosphere in the chamber turned serious.
Jun placed the Rou Guang Silk on the table.
"Evaluate this."
The craftsmen stepped forward.
Moments later—
Their expressions changed.
"This… shouldn't be possible."
"The texture…"
"The finish…"
"And at this cost?"
---
Ling Ge narrowed his eyes.
"Where did you get this?"
Jun replied calmly.
"From Li Tian."
---
Dongfang Ming's gaze darkened slightly.
"That merchant again…"
---
Jun looked at everyone in the room.
"This is not just fabric."
"This is a weapon."
---
Silence filled the chamber.
Because everyone present understood—
If used correctly,
This single product could shake the balance of multiple continents.
---
To be continued…