With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter

"The West." When Zinu heard Daniel mention the West, a barely perceptible glint flickered in her eyes. In Korea, the only significant place to the west was Qin.

While the Six States often dismissed Qin with contempt, they also harbored a hidden fear of it, especially Korea. Being the closest to Qin and the weakest among the Six States, Korea had the most to fear from Qin.

Just consider how later, as an envoy, Li Si could act with impunity in the Korean royal palace, all because Qin stood behind him. Even King Han didn't dare to easily offend Li Si. If an envoy from any other state had behaved so recklessly, they might not have been killed, but they would certainly have been expelled. But against Qin, King Han cowered.

Since Daniel needed an excuse, he naturally chose the strongest state. After all, he had only mentioned the West, not specifically Qin.

"This way, please." Zinu smiled as she led Daniel upstairs. As the owner of Zilan Xuan, she typically wouldn't personally greet guests. Officials of low rank wouldn't be aware of Zinu personally attending to guests, and the true elite rarely visited Zilan Xuan.

Figures like Prince Han Yu, Chancellor Zhang Kaidi, Ji Wuye, or the Blood-Clothed Marquis generally wouldn't come here. Han Fei, however, frequented the place, earning himself a reputation as a playboy.

"By the way, is the term 'gongzi' already being used this way?" As Daniel followed Zinu upstairs, he couldn't help but think about the term she had used to address him. The title "gongzi" wasn't something that could be casually used; it was reserved for the sons of emperors or nobles, like Han Fei, the Ninth Prince, Han Yu, the Fourth Prince, and Fusu.

Now, it seemed that Zilan Xuan used the title "gongzi" for all its guests. According to Confucian principles, this would be considered a breach of etiquette.

"What brings you to Xinzheng, Gongzi?" Although Zinu was probing for Daniel's intentions, her question seemed perfectly natural.

"I'm a businessman. I came here, of course, to do business." After a moment of silence, Daniel responded with this answer.

He had no intention of allying with Han Fei or joining Quicksand. Han Fei was destined to fail unless Daniel devoted all his resources to supporting him, which still wouldn't be enough to overcome Ying Zheng. Korea's geographical position was too weak, surrounded on three sides by enemies, making it nearly impossible for the state to rise. Any attempt at growth would be swiftly crushed.

Qin's rise was unparalleled. It began with Shang Yang's reforms and took six generations of rulers to build Qin's strength. Han Fei couldn't hope to surpass Qin within his lifetime, let alone take control of the entire world.

Furthermore, while Daniel admired Han Fei, he also had a favorable impression of Ying Zheng. Helping Han Fei fight against Ying Zheng wasn't something he could bring himself to do. On the other hand, helping Ying Zheng ensure that the Qin Dynasty didn't collapse after just two generations was a different story.

Another issue was what Korea would be called if it unified the world. It's easy to guess. With his wisdom, Han Fei probably foresaw this outcome but couldn't change his fate due to his position, unlike Li Si, who could follow his own heart.

"And what kind of business does Gongzi engage in?" Zinu naturally continued her inquiry.

"I do all kinds of business. There's nothing you can think of that I can't do," Daniel confidently replied. He wasn't exaggerating; in this era, the number of businesses he could engage in was practically limitless.

"Oh? So you even dabble in the kind of business where 'strange goods can be kept for profitable sale'?" A sudden, unexpected voice interrupted the conversation between Daniel and Zinu. Turning around, Daniel saw Han Fei holding a wine cup, smiling at him.

"Strange goods can be kept for profitable sale" was the phrase associated with Lü Buwei's most successful investment, which people in the modern era still study as a classic example of investment strategy.

Han Fei was indeed Han Fei, starting with such a high-level question.

"The Ninth Prince is as sharp as always. That's a tough question. But since you've asked, I'll answer. I'm not interested in that kind of business."

"Sir, you've just arrived in Korea, yet you already know who I am."

"I've heard of your reputation, Ninth Prince." Daniel wasn't lying; he had indeed known about Han Fei for a long time.

After nodding at Daniel, Han Fei turned and left. Daniel, meanwhile, followed Zinu into a spacious room, characteristic of this era, where rooms were typically large.

"I'm a bit hungry. Could you bring me some food?" After entering the room, Daniel's request momentarily caught Zinu off guard. People came to Zilan Xuan for various reasons, but someone coming solely to eat without requesting the company of a courtesan was a first.

Though Daniel's request was unusual, Zinu quickly adapted.

"The soundproofing is good." Daniel commented after opening the window to the courtyard, which was brightly lit with people gathering in small groups. He then closed the window and sat down.

Soon, Zinu returned with two maidservants carrying dishes. There were eight dishes in total, including soup, each one exquisitely prepared. This attention to detail was reminiscent of modern five-star hotels, where the dishes were beautifully presented but the portions were small.

"Zinu, you've built such a successful business here in Xinzheng. I wonder if you could help me with something."

"Please don't hesitate to ask, Gongzi. I'll see if I can assist."

"It's a simple request. I want to open a shop in Xinzheng. Could you help me find a suitable location to buy? Money is not an issue," Daniel stated directly.

The idea to open a shop in Xinzheng had come to Daniel suddenly. Since he had free time, he figured he might as well open a shop for fun. As for money, Daniel's wealth was truly immense.

Compared to him, even the Jade Tiger, one of the Four Evil Generals of the Night, was insignificant. Every time Daniel crossed into a new dimension, he carried large amounts of gold. He could even transmute gold using alchemy, although the gold created this way wouldn't be real—just like how Edward Elric fooled the mining boss.

Creating real gold was within Daniel's capabilities, but it would require the use of the Philosopher's Stone, which he wasn't willing to waste on such things.

But there was no need for that. He could easily acquire gold in various worlds, and he had already discovered multiple gold mines in the worlds of giants and extraterrestrials. To put it bluntly, Daniel's wealth was sufficient to sustain an entire country like Korea.

"What kind of business does Gongzi plan to conduct?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Of course, I wouldn't ask for your help without compensation. Would these be sufficient?" Daniel said, taking out five gold bars.

In this era, gold was primarily circulated as gold leaves and coins, with larger amounts in the form of gold ingots. Gold bars, however, hadn't yet been introduced.

Daniel had already familiarized himself with the currency system of this world. Although the Seven Warring States had their own characters, they were all once part of the Zhou Dynasty, so the official languages and currency units, while not identical, were similar enough. This wasn't the true historical era, after all.

Gold was the highest currency unit, with one gold equal to twenty taels, and one tael equal to 24 zhu, meaning one gold was worth 480 zhu. Considering the standard market prices, a dou of rice cost 30 to 40 zhu, indicating that currency had strong purchasing power. A dou of rice, in modern units, is about 70 pounds.

This was under normal circumstances, of course. In abnormal situations, prices could vary greatly. In this era, the government didn't regulate grain prices as strictly as in the modern world. During Han Fei's bet with the Jade Tiger, rice prices had soared to the point where they were valued in gold.

"If it's just this, I'd be happy to help. As for the payment, it's not necessary."

"Then please use this money to buy food and help the poor."

"On their behalf, I thank you." When Daniel mentioned helping the poor, Zinu didn't refuse.

Though Zilan Xuan seemed to be a place of indulgence, it actually provided refuge for many women during these war-torn times. Without Zinu, their lives would likely have been much worse.

The Warring States period was marked by frequent conflicts. Despite Qin's looming threat, the other six states weren't on friendly terms. While large-scale wars were avoided, smaller skirmishes were common.

"Zinu, what is this?" In another room, Han Fei was about to speak when Zinu entered, but his gaze immediately shifted to the gold bars in her hands.

"He gave them to me," Zinu said, explaining the situation.

"Solid gold, and he's a businessman? How interesting. According to the information from the Seven Swords Hall, this man entered the city alone." On the side, Wei Zhuang examined the gold bars Zinu placed on the table, forming a hand seal to gather the information he had just received.

"In that case, Zinu, please assist him. I'm quite curious about what kind of business he's in."

"You still have time to worry about that? The agreed time is fast approaching, and the military pay is still missing."

"Don't worry, I've got it under control."

"Quick work, Zinu, as expected." The next day, Daniel and Zinu stood in front of a four-courtyard estate, with the shopfront making it five.

If Daniel had tried to buy it himself, he might have succeeded, but securing such a property in such a short time would have been difficult.

"Since I've already troubled you, Zinu, could you also provide some staff to help? It would save me the trouble of hiring people."

"Of course, that won't be a problem."

With Zinu's help, the staff quickly arrived, consisting mostly of women, some young and others older, probably people under Zinu's care. Daniel didn't give it much thought.

Daniel had been somewhat undecided about the shop's name, but after Han Fei's earlier mention of "strange goods can be kept for profitable sale," he decided to name the shop "Qiwutang," similar to the Farmers' Qianlongtang.

As for what Qiwutang would sell, that was easy: glass products—glass goblets, glass dishes, and so on. Manufacturing them was simple for Daniel. With the right materials, he didn't even need Hong Hou's help; he could produce them himself using alchemy.

"One of these glass goblets could probably be traded for Zilan Xuan's Gold-threaded Red Agate Cup, or maybe even Han Fei's Coral of the Blue Sea." After producing several glass items, Daniel decided to invite Han Fei, Zhang Liang, and others for a grand opening ceremony.

"Time to get down to business." Late that night, after placing his book on the table, Daniel changed into a black outfit and jumped out the window, heading to the location he had scouted earlier.

The General's Mansion—this was Daniel's target, the residence of Ji Wuye. Over the past few days, Daniel had memorized the key locations in Korea: the royal palace, Zhang Liang's residence, Han Fei's mansion, Han Yu's estate, and even the Crown Prince's residence.

"Golden Birds Splitting Gold—so I've arrived at the right moment." As Daniel infiltrated Ji Wuye's mansion and entered the hall, he saw Han Fei eloquently debating, while Ji Wuye looked enraged.

"Why offer ninety-nine and one? The second person could just as easily threaten the first: 'If you don't give me more, we both go down together.'" Of course, it ultimately boils down to who fears death more because if the second person pushes too hard, the first might take them down out of spite.

"Zinu really is this era's chemist. Aside from the Yin-Yang School, no one else is likely to be so skilled in these methods. Is Zinu really a member of the Yin-Yang School? No, just because she can make Water Dissolves Gold doesn't necessarily mean she's from the Yin-Yang School." Zinu's true identity had always been a mystery.

"Idiot, you fell for it. This is the so-called strongest general Korea has had in a hundred years? How pitiful." As a grand general, Ji Wuye's intellect was quite limited. It's a wonder how he even became a general when he couldn't see through Han Fei's schemes.

Among the current grand generals of the Seven Warring States, Ji Wuye was probably only slightly stronger than Yan Yi of Yan State.

"Baichou." When Ji Wuye dispatched his cavalry to check the hiding place of the ten thousand gold pieces, Daniel seized the opportunity to capture two members of Ji Wuye's Baichou, not Moya and Baifeng, but two ordinary members. This was his real objective in coming to the General's Mansion.

As for assassinating Ji Wuye, it would be a piece of cake for Daniel. With his current strength, he could take the head of a general from among a million soldiers. But there was no need to do so now.

Killing Ji Wuye at this time wouldn't benefit Han Fei, nor would it benefit Ying Zheng.

"Quegue." After knocking out the two Baichou members and storing them in an impossibly convenient wrapping cloth, Daniel arrived at Quegue, a luxurious eight-story tower. It was one of the most distinctive buildings in Xinzheng City, visible from far away.

After sensing the number of people inside, Daniel abandoned the idea of destroying Quegue. Even if he destroyed it, Ji Wuye could simply rebuild it, or a new grand general could take his place.

"Let's see what true energy really is." Daniel had captured the Baichou members to study the cultivation techniques of this world.

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