Chapter 137: Few Remaining

Within ten days... How is this even possible?

Li Zhi sat and pondered for a long time. His current liquid assets amounted to roughly ten million, all tied up in chambers of commerce, restaurants, and the entertainment club. It sounded like a significant sum, but after subtracting the daily operating capital and the millions owed to the county government, there was barely anything left.

In other words, he had to scrape together fifty million Kaiyuan Tongbao within ten days to complete this mission. What was even more infuriating was that the system hadn’t even revealed the reward!

"It shouldn't be scamming me, right?" Li Zhi decided to give it his all. Perhaps he could actually pull it off?

That evening, he returned to the city of Chang'an. Taking Cheng Yaojin with him, he checked into the entertainment club.

"I'm going to show you our newest business venture," Li Zhi said while walking, introducing the place.

"Your Highness... there is so much to handle at the military camp. Are you sure it's okay for me to be here playing around?"

"With General Yuchi there, it’s not a problem."

The influential clans were currently preoccupied with dealing with Luo Tong and the Golden Blade Guard; they certainly had no time to worry about the agricultural base. Whether or not Cheng Yaojin was there didn't make much of a difference.

"Since you're here, just enjoy yourself. I guarantee you've never seen anything like this before!"

"Fine!" Since Li Zhi had put it that way, there was no point in Cheng Yaojin being stubborn. He wanted to see for himself what exactly was in this entertainment club.

Cheng Chuliang was in charge of the club. Over the past month, he had managed it with great efficiency, earning a massive profit. Seeing Li Zhi and Cheng Yaojin arrive, he hurried to arrange some activities.

"Your Highness!"

"Father... there is a spectacular song and dance performance today, featuring the top stars from all the major brothels. Would you like to see it?" Cheng Chuliang asked with a mischievous grin.

To say such a thing in front of his father was truly asking for a beating. Cheng Yaojin blushed, kicked Cheng Chuliang in the backside, and huffed, "His Highness put you in charge of this club, and this is how you manage it? Watching songs and dances all day—what kind of future does that hold for you?"

"Father, calm down..."

"General Cheng, that is where you are wrong. Does watching a performance mean one lacks ambition? Chuliang has managed this club so well; it shows he is a talent. I was just about to promote him," Li Zhi interjected.

"Promote me?" Cheng Chuliang’s interest was piqued. He leaned in closer and asked, "Your Highness, how do you intend to promote me?"

Li Zhi replied, "I have an important mission for you. I’m just afraid you won't be able to handle it..."

"Your Highness, just name it!"

"Thirty million in ten days. Can you do it?"

Li Zhi's sudden demand left Cheng Chuliang stunned. What kind of concept was thirty million? That was enough to buy the entire club outright! Cheng Chuliang shook his head with a bitter smile, "I cannot do it."

"I knew you couldn't, which is why I came personally to guide you."

"Understood! With your involvement, Your Highness, it will surely go better than I could manage!"

Could Li Zhi really earn thirty million in ten days by coming here himself? Cheng Chuliang didn't believe it. The club was only so big, and the profitable projects were limited. Even if they made one hundred thousand a day, that was only one million in ten days. How could they possibly make thirty million?

Li Zhi said, "An entertainment club is a place that knows how to generate money. As long as you fully utilize its potential, you don't have to worry about not making a profit. Thirty million sounds like a lot, but it is not impossible!"

The father and son exchanged glances. They couldn't fathom where Li Zhi’s confidence came from. If the club could earn tens of millions, why would the state need to tax the commoners? Why not just open a club themselves?

Passing through the main hall, they entered a door leading to a massive casino. A dense crowd of people was swarming around a giant circular table, with the house acting as the dealer and the guests placing their bets. Pai Gow, guessing high or low, three-card poker... there were endless variations!

As long as you won, you could withdraw your money immediately. If you lost, the money stayed. It seemed fair and reasonable, but there were many tricks involved. Regardless of whether the house opened high or low, they would always turn a profit. Making tens of thousands a day was like child's play. The gamblers, however, would win and lose without ever realizing that the house was the destined winner.

"Look at this casino. How much do you think it makes in a day?" Li Zhi asked.

"At most, one hundred thousand," Cheng Chuliang replied.

"It can make one hundred thousand?" Cheng Yaojin was taken aback.

"It can!"

For a casino of this size, aside from the club's building costs, there was almost zero investment, yet it brought in huge sums of money. It was even more profitable than the top restaurant in the city! Cheng Yaojin was bewildered. Did Li Zhi open this club just to keep those merchants occupied, or had he planned all along to use it to rake in massive amounts of gold?

It seemed the latter was much more likely. This little devil’s mind was truly terrifying!

After touring the casino, they visited the swimming pool in the back. The price for bathing there was very cheap, almost free. However, if you wanted to purchase goods from the small shop, even a bottle of water could be sold at the price of divine wine. The club didn't allow people to bring their own water or food; if you were hungry or thirsty, you had to pay.

Gradually, buying things around the pool became a display of status. Those who were seen eating and drinking were referred to as top-tier tycoons. Businessmen who needed to discuss big deals enjoyed coming to the entertainment club. They would bathe while talking business, which both showcased their vast wealth and elevated their social standing.

Aside from the casino and the pool, there were many other projects, such as an amusement area, an acrobatic stage, and more. Every single one was a money-making machine. But the most dazzling of all were the song and dance performances and fashion shows. That was the key to raking in the real wealth.

The sprawling entertainment club took half a day just to walk through. By evening, the group was sitting in a VIP room on the second floor, looking down at the high stage in the main hall.

Cheng Chuliang said, "The most exciting event of the day is about to begin! All the top stars of the capital have gathered here to showcase their skill with the zither, their singing voices, and their dancing..."

"Your Highness, look!" Cheng Chuliang pointed below the stage. "Those sitting there are all wealthy young masters who have come to show their support! According to custom, after the girls perform, they will immediately shower them with tips!"

"Last time we held an event like this, we received tips worth one million!"

"That much?!" Cheng Yaojin was shocked. "Chuliang... you aren't trying to trick us, are you?"

"Father will see for himself in a moment!"

There were at least several hundred people gathered in the hall, all staring lecherously at the stage. A dozen lovely maids walked out carrying flower baskets, and a heady, intoxicating fragrance washed over the crowd.

"How fragrant!" Everyone couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Although the maids weren't famous, they were all hand-picked beauties. They were certainly deserving of the title.

"The entertainment club is truly extravagant. If even the serving maids are this beautiful, what kind of stunning creatures must those top stars be?" the young masters in the front row were already drooling.

Li Zhi looked down and smiled softly, "Beautiful women are the easiest way to make people act on impulse, and once they act on impulse, the tips never stop! No wonder they can earn nearly a million in a single event."