Chapter 1450: For the Future!

They had already presented their token of loyalty, which meant that they were all truly on the same boat now.

Everyone roared hysterically. Emotions ran high, and each face was twisted with excitement and fervor.

After all, who was the Academy Master? He was the god of the Guanxuan Universe, and now, they were cursing and scolding that god.

The hall boiled over like hot oil.

Just then, the white-robed man on the stage raised his right hand. In an instant, the commotion ceased.

The clamorous hall fell silent as if frozen in time.

The man in white was none other than Zou Qin, the incumbent president of the Guanxuan Chamber of Commerce. As for his true origins, no one knew. They only knew that his methods were godlike.

In addition to establishing the number one Xianyun Pavilion in the Guanxuan Universe, he also secured backing from the temporary Inner Committee, allowing the Chamber of Commerce to operate in the name of the Guanxuan Academy.

Using the name of the Guanxuan Academy and being officially recognized was something no ordinary person could ever hope to achieve.

Besides the Chamber of Commerce, he also controlled countless industries: weapons, mines, mortgages, and many shadowy underground businesses unknown to the public.

Rumor had it that his wealth even surpassed that of the Academy Master.

With everyone watching him, Zou Qin smiled and said, "For two hundred years, the Guanxuan Universe has developed steadily, thanks to everyone's support.

"Who would've thought that now that the Academy Master has taken the reins of power, the first thing he'd do is go after us merchants? Ye Guan is killing the donkey after it's done working for him; he is utterly heartless!"

As he spoke, his smile twisted into a fierce grimace. "Since Ye Guan is so ruthless, he can't blame us for being unjust. If he dares tax us, we'll raise the rent.

"For every extra percent of tax he collects, we'll double the rent. We'll cripple the entire Guanxuan Universe. I really want to see who will blink first."

"President, the Academy Master is only asking for a five percent tax. Honestly, we can still manage that..." someone chimed in.

"Fool!"

Zou Qin glared at the speaker and scolded him harshly. "You think this five percent tax is the end? No, it's just the beginning, just a test. Once we agree, he will impose higher taxes on us. That's why we can't give him even an inch."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

A five percent tax was a lot. For every million earned, fifty thousand had to go to the Guanxuan Academy. Without Ye Guan's taxes, they would be able to make even more!

Besides, even if there were taxes to pay, the people at the bottom of society ought to pay them! Why would they pay such taxes?

Zou Qin added, "This time, we absolutely cannot retreat; we must fight him to the end."

Another person suddenly asked, "What if the Academy Master enforces the tax by force?"

Zou Qin laughed. "If he dares to enforce it, we'll enforce the rent hikes just as harshly. All of us control at least half of the Guanxuan Universe's commercial activity.

"If we work together, we can plunge this universe into chaos. Let's see who will panic first."

"You're right, President!"

A stunningly beautiful woman walked to his side and smiled. "After this meeting, our Guanxuan Daily will publish an article titled 'Where Is the Academy Master's Justice and Kindness?'

"This article will spread quickly across the entire universe. People will start to realize that their worsening lives are all the Academy Master's fault. They'll think that he is taxing people out of selfishness..."

The woman's lips curled into a seductive smile. "When that happens, public opinion will drown him."

"Excellent, excellent!"

Zou Qin clapped and laughed. "In today's age, whoever controls public opinion controls justice. If Ye Guan dares tax us, we'll make him a public enemy."

Someone muttered, "But the Academy Master doesn't seem like an ordinary man. What if he gets mad?"

Zou Qin burst into laughter. "Don't worry. The Guanxuan Universe wasn't built by Ye Guan alone. He hasn't even been involved with the Academy until recently.

"According to reliable sources, he suffered a loss in some kind of 'Great Dao Contest and returned only because he failed. Very few people know about this, and the temporary Inner Committee has sealed the information to avoid any negative impact.

"Right now, he's just a clown. If we don't put him in his place now, we'll be completely under his thumb later."

Everyone grinned. They trusted Zou Qin's words completely after all, rumor had it that his backers were from the temporary Inner Committee.

The beautiful woman beside Zou Qin also smiled. "As the President said, Ye Guan came back only because he suffered humiliation.

"Now he's throwing his weight around. This is the worst time to back down if we give an inch, he'll take a mile."

"President Zou, we're all on the same boat now. Just give the word, and your brothers will follow you to the end," someone said.

Everyone echoed the sentiment. In moments like this, unity was the only path to greater profit.

Zou Qin smiled faintly. "I have a three-step plan. Step on, we will immediately raise the rent. The heavier the rent, the stronger the resentment the people would harbor toward Ye Guan. The more resentment, the greater the public outrage.

"Perhaps even a rebellion might happen."

"What's next? What's step two?"

Someone asked eagerly.

Zou Qin lifted a cup handed to him by a nearby servant lady, took a sip, and smiled. "Step two is to unite those angry citizens and forge them into a singular force. Let them riot. Let them turn the world upside down..."

Someone stammered, "P-President Zou, are you suggesting rebellion?"

The room went silent, and everyone's expression changed.

"No, no!"

Zou Qin shook his head and smiled. "We don't have the power for a rebellion

yet.

What we want is to negotiate with the Academy. When the unrest becomes too much, the Academy won't be able to stay passive.

"And since Ye Guan relies on faith power, he can't resort to military force. In such a scenario, the only way he can resolve the issue is through us!"

Us!

At that, some people understood the strategy, and their faces lit up with excitement.

Zou Qin looked around the room. His smile turned twisted. "Gentlemen, we have money, and we are the wealthiest people in the Guanxuan Universe. But we have one fatal weakness—we have no power

.

"Without power, we have no voice in the Academy. Without power, we're subject to others' whims. Without power, we can't fully maximize our profits..."

Zou Qin became agitated as he added, "What we're doing isn't just resisting Ye Guan's tax policy! It's about obtaining power for ourselves. When the Academy can't manage the public's anger anymore, we will step in.

"That's when we make our move! We will infiltrate the Academy and hopefully become a part of the Inner Committee..."

Those words ignited the hall.

Merchants had wealth, but not power, which was their biggest pain point.

Zou Qin was correct. Once they had power, their status would rise dramatically. Their profits could then grow exponentially.

Just thinking about it was enough to make them ecstatic.

The crowd was practically drunk on excitement.

Zou Qin added, "And that's not even our final plan. Do you want to know what our ultimate goal is?"

Everyone stared at him. Their eyes burned with anticipation, and their hearts were in their throats.

Under their rapt attention, Zou Qin grinned and said, "Our ultimate plan is that once we get into the Inner Committee, we will use our wealth to buy more people. We'll plant them in the Inner Committee and in every department of the Academy..."

His face flushed red with fervor as he raised his arm high. "We will control the Guanxuan Universe through politics! We will control the elections! We will become the true rulers behind the Guanxuan Universe!"

The crowd exploded. Merchants controlling everything? That was unthinkable!

Imagining it alone gave them pure ecstasy.

The hall reached a fever pitch.

Zou Qin was equally ecstatic. "Gentlemen, this tax from Ye Guan isn't a crisis! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we seize it, we can make a giant leap..."

"P-President Zou, what if we fail...?" someone asked.

The room cooled down significantly.

"What's there to fear?"

Zou Qin laughed it off. "Everything we're doing is legal and reasonable. The Guanxuan Laws never said we couldn't raise rent. Besides, we don't have to take the lead; we're just going to manipulate public opinion, raise a few brainless pawns, and let them riot.

"If anything happens, it's on them. What does it have to do with us?"

The crowd nodded, feeling reassured, but some still had lingering doubts.

Zou Qin added, "Besides, Ye Guan has just taken over the Academy. What does he know? If we work together, playing with him would be easier than playing with a dog!"

"

Hahaha!

"

The hall roared with laughter.

Zou Qin laughed. He drained his wine, and a servant lady quickly brought him another. He took the cup, looked around, and said with a grin, "Gentlemen, it won't be long before the Guanxuan Universe belongs to the Guanxuan Chamber of Commerce.

"When that day comes, whoever we want in the temporary Inner Committee will be able to get in. Whoever we don't want to become a part of the Committee will never become a part of it!"

Raising his cup high, he shouted, "For the future!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone in the hall raised their cups and cheered.