Li Daoqiang's brow remained tightly furrowed, showing no sign of easing. He said calmly, "Brother Si, you're showing no sincerity here. Though I, Li Daoqiang, am not wealthy, I'm confident I could earn five hundred million taels of silver within a few years. A few years versus the next one or two hundred—I'm not foolish."
His tone carried a hint of displeasure, as if he felt insulted. At the same time, Si Hanfei was even more displeased, his pent-up frustration barely contained. This Li Daoqiang was too greedy, too insatiable—so much so that Si Hanfei felt a urge to kill him.
Wang Chongyang and the other two felt a bit more at ease but couldn't help feeling speechless. When it came to personal wealth, given Li Daoqiang's frantic pace of amassing money over the past year or two, probably no one present except Si Hanfei could match him. If this was called "not wealthy," then hardly anyone in the world could claim to be rich.
"Chief Li, five hundred million taels of silver—do you know how much that is? Your appetite is far too big," the Carefree King couldn't help interjecting, his tone displeased.
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "I, Li, have always matched my appetite to my ability. A mere five hundred million taels to buy my service—ridiculous, and an insult to me as chief."
The Carefree King wanted to say more, but Si Hanfei stopped him. Calming himself, Si Hanfei said earnestly, "Brother Li, we can negotiate slowly. How about one billion taels? But this sum must come from the Song Kingdom after it's conquered. And I can guarantee that whatever you gain then will be yours to keep."
"Delusional," Wang Chongyang snorted coldly, a hint of amusement in his mind.
Si Hanfei said nothing, looking at Li Daoqiang with sincerity.
Li Daoqiang felt displeased inside—this was a trick to get something for nothing. You bandits are skilled at this, but I'm a bandit too, and not bad at it. Would I fall for it? His face turned cold, showing clear displeasure. "Brother Si, I've treated you with sincerity, and you're trying to fool me? I, Li Daoqiang, am a bandit—I never do credit."
"Brother Li jokes. It's just that our Great Yuan truly can't come up with more silver, unless you're willing to trade for other things," Si Hanfei said, his expression even more earnest, tinged with helplessness.
"What things?" Li Daoqiang's face showed some interest.
"Beauties, secret martial arts manuals, power and noble titles, fiefdoms—anything is possible," Si Hanfei declared grandly. A proud, disdainful aura emanated from him, as if he were looking down on Wang Chongyang and Zhuge Zhengwo. The implication was clear: only the Great Yuan could offer such things, with the strength and boldness to do so. As long as you had enough power, you'd get corresponding treatment. Thrones and fiefdoms were no issue. As for the Song and Ming kingdoms, which also had such strength? Hmph.
Wang Chongyang and the other two ignored him, their expressions unchanged.
Li Daoqiang blinked, curled his lip slightly, and said disinterestedly, "What would I do with those? Silver is what matters most."
Si Hanfei paused, cursing inwardly a few times. But his strong will allowed him to quickly regain composure, racing to think of how to win Li Daoqiang over.
Suddenly, Li Daoqiang seemed to think of something, his expression turning subtle. "Brother Si, you keep dodging—could it be you think I'm not worth that price?"
Everyone's eyes flickered, each lost in thought.
Before Si Hanfei could speak, Li Daoqiang continued with a look of realization, "Ah, I see. Brother Si and the others haven't truly grasped my value yet, so naturally you'd haggle. To be honest, this price might be a bit inflated for now, but in the long run, you absolutely won't lose. Five billion taels—I'm definitely worth that."
His firm, confident words made everyone pause. Their thoughts returned to the core issue: what level had Li Daoqiang's strength reached? That he dared to name such a price, aside from his inherent greed or whether he was bargaining or simply toying with Si Hanfei, the most important point was likely his extreme confidence in his own abilities. Recalling his two simple moves earlier, their minds grew heavier.
Si Hanfei's thoughts raced, and his face took on a helpless smile. "Brother Li isn't wrong. If you don't show enough value, we definitely won't accept that price."
Li Daoqiang's expression turned serious as he pondered deeply, then nodded solemnly. "Brother Si is right. Fine, I should first demonstrate my value, and then we'll talk."
Emotions fluctuated among the group. Si Hanfei's eyes brightened slightly. "How does Brother Li intend to demonstrate?"
Li Daoqiang's gaze swept over Si Hanfei and the other two, finally settling on Bi Xuan. He said seriously, "Brother Si, Brother Bi isn't a Mongol of your Yuan. How about I spar with him a bit to showcase my value?"
"Boom!"
The air around Bi Xuan roared and twisted, his eyes sharp as he said coldly, "Chief, do you think I'm easy to bully?"
The others exchanged glances, some wary and uncertain as they watched Li Daoqiang. Their minds raced. What was Li Daoqiang really up to? Was it truly just to show his value, as he claimed? Instinctively, they doubted it, but they couldn't find another sufficient reason. Si Hanfei kept a close eye on Wang Chongyang and the other two, finding no flaw. Li Daoqiang shouldn't be helping Wang Chongyang's group—why would he risk an irreconcilable conflict with the Great Yuan for the Song Kingdom? Li Daoqiang was no patriot of Song.
"Heh, Brother Bi overthink it. I just want to spar with you to show my value. It can't be helped—Brother Si doesn't believe I'm worth that price. Among the friends here, Brother Wang and his two are a group, and Black Dragon Stronghold is still in Song territory. Brother Si and the Carefree King are Yuan men, and I'm negotiating with them now, so it's awkward to challenge them. That leaves you, Brother Bi," Li Daoqiang said with a tone of helplessness.
"Haha, Chief, your silver tongue truly opens my eyes," Bi Xuan laughed loudly, a hint of disdain in his eyes, his cold, proud aura spreading.
Li Daoqiang narrowed his eyes, his face darkening. "Brother Bi, are you insulting me?"
"If that's how the Chief sees it, then so be it," Bi Xuan said, lifting his chin slightly, offering no explanation.
"Heh, seems Brother Bi really looks down on me," Li Daoqiang laughed, a hearty sound.
"Brother Li, Brother Bi, no need for this," Si Hanfei stepped in to mediate.
(Chapter 2, thanks for the support. Rest now; I'll definitely write more tomorrow.) ······