Li Qi controlled himself from thinking about those matters, took out the food, and arranged it properly to start breakfast.
Rabbit was very happy helping to arrange everything, occasionally sniffing with evident joy.
The two began eating. Indeed, these delicacies from various places had their unique appeal.
Quality came at a price; even the craftsmanship wasn't inferior to that of the fox they met in Qingwu City.
They ate happily, and Shen Shuibei discussed her future plans while eating.
"Li Qi, you study at the Imperial Academy. Although I haven't left Luofu Mountain or truly visited Tang Kingdom, I've heard of Chang'an's Imperial Academy."
"Last night, I thought about how many noble sons are in the academy, and even selected commoners have their own support institutions with abundant resources. If you study there, you could connect with them..."
Hearing Shen Shuibei's words, Li Qi felt surprised.
Rabbit never considered such things before; now she was actively thinking...
Was this bittersweet or a sign of "maturity"?
Perhaps both.
However, Li Qi shook his head, "Not practical. As you said, most students at the Imperial Academy have their supporters. They won't lack for elixirs or insights, and internal resources are likely allocated systematically, making it hard to sell at a premium."
Yes, Li Qi believed that Tang Kingdom's internal trade regulations made profit generation difficult. Even large trading companies didn't exist here, indicating no fertile ground for such systems and profits.
Li Qi took out his notebook and began explaining his analysis to Shen Shuibei.
"Firstly, look... In Tang Kingdom, especially in Chang'an, most producers and buyers operate individually, occasionally hiring a few employees."
Li Qi started analyzing.
This one-on-one communication method couldn't be achieved elsewhere due to communication and transportation costs, which individuals couldn't afford, leading to specialized merchant guilds handling these tasks, thus creating the role of merchants.
Non-producers specializing in commerce.
Eventually, some producers emerged who also handled trade, profiting from information asymmetry, controlling production materials, and becoming powerful families.
But in Tang Kingdom, communication duties and authority were fully supported by terminals and dragon veins, resulting in individual merchants directly facing individual buyers without worrying about intermediary costs—essentially zero-cost aside from time.
As for production materials, almost all were state-owned, with private traders merely contracting. Controlling them was wishful thinking.
Large corporations acting as middlemen were eliminated.
It sounded surreal, and Li Qi didn't know how they managed it, but it worked without apparent drawbacks.
While beneficial for most, it wasn't good news for those hoping to accumulate wealth through trade.
Thus, Shen Shuibei's idea of earning money by selling knowledge and skills in such a market wouldn't be efficient, nor would sales channels open easily.
"So... we need to think of other methods," Shen Shuibei pondered along Li Qi's reasoning and realized the truth.
In such a society, relying on "selling" to make money only earned what matched one's abilities, making high premiums and profits hard to achieve.
High profits inherently meant exploiting buyers' value, something nearly eradicated in Chang'an.
Items bought at the morning market had minimal premiums, mostly cost prices beyond labor.
A dreamlike world, yet unfriendly to merchants dependent on others' exploitation.
But for cultivators, this was ideal.
Pursuing Dao primarily involved research, gradually finding the true essence of Dao.
More people meant higher chances of success and breakthroughs.
Tang Kingdom's upper echelons seemed to expand resources to keep the nation materially abundant, encouraging citizens to pursue spiritual realms and Dao paths for collective wisdom.
Knowledge was shareable, and further progress might depend on others' wisdom. As for merchants and exploited worlds?
Dead, who cared?
Therefore, this path wasn't viable.
Shen Shuibei frowned, contemplating other ways to earn more money.
But Li Qi spoke up, "I've thought of another method, not entirely ethical but probably the fastest way to amass wealth now."
"What?" Shen Shuibei looked up eagerly.
Li Qi was better at such matters.
"Tang Kingdom isn't an option; let's develop outside. Use Tang Kingdom's momentum," Li Qi suggested.
He explained, "Tang Kingdom's endless resources likely come from plundering countless outer realms. Now that we're at the Imperial Academy, why not join this plunder?"
Joining Tang Kingdom's plundering expeditions was indeed lucrative.
"Killing... looting?" Shen Shuibei found it hard to accept.
She had a natural Daoist disposition, peaceful and transcendent. Without being accidentally expelled, she might have spent eternity in the mountains as an immortal.
True "mountain immortal," devoid of worldly desires.
If not for the accident turning her mortal, Li Qi would never have approached such a fairy.
Now, asking Shen Shuibei to loot went against her nature, so she struggled to accept.
But...
She clenched her fist.
Sometimes, certain things must be done, for Luofu Mountain.
Seeing Rabbit's sudden determination, Li Qi suddenly tapped her head.
Her brewing killing intent dissipated. Shen Shuibei looked puzzled, "What... What happened?"
"Thinking about killing and looting? Too slow," Li Qi shook his head. "Except in special cases, Tang Kingdom wouldn't casually resort to violence."
"Look, Tang Kingdom's current method involves leveraging superior productivity and economic distribution, establishing cultural dominance across numerous worlds, forming de facto suzerainty. Using silver as a medium and a set of 'rules,' they reap benefits from myriad worlds efficiently and sustainably, likely welcomed elsewhere."
"This method is far superior to killing and looting."
Indeed, Tang Kingdom's approach was almost "win-win."
Because it wasn't just simple plundering but brought new opportunities alongside resource acquisition.
Imagine Earth encountering a super-civilization using irresistible financial means to extract resources and labor while offering access to other civilizations and unreachable resources like minerals deep underground.
Would Earthlings be thrilled or terrified? Was it beneficial or detrimental?
Undoubtedly beneficial, gaining unimaginable technological support, instantly becoming part of an interstellar civilization.
Sacrificing untapped resources was worth it.
Tang Kingdom played this role, according to terminal intelligence.
Hard to judge, each taking what they needed.
"But what about Luofu Mountain..." Shen Shuibei asked.
If Li Qi was right, how did Luofu Mountain fit? Wasn't it taken by force?
"Therefore, I believe there's more to Luofu Mountain's story. It feels complex, especially after seeing Chang'an. But these decisions are beyond us. We can't reach decision-makers, so keep it in mind and seek answers later. Focus on solutions now," Li Qi said.
He took a bite of a tender fish, delicious and boneless.
"So... joining the plundering trend?" Shen Shuibei tilted her head.
"Yes, I've always considered your situation. Based on recent terminal data, if you recover to fifth grade, you can participate in outer realm activities, like this." Li Qi showed a news item on his terminal.
The headline read: "Report on Accelerating Resource Development in Occupied Eastern Sea Zones"
"Tang Kingdom is conquering the Eastern Sea, winning continuously, and occupying a star region previously held by the Eastern Sea, known as Canglong's Tail."
Canglong, one of the four celestial symbols.
Now, it seemed its tail was severed.
"The newly occupied area needs manpower. Recovering to fifth grade makes you a high-grade expert, ensuring a place in development," Li Qi said.
Shen Shuibei doubted, "But according to you, Tang Kingdom manages resources cautiously, making profit hard."
"Not immediately. Developing an outer realm takes more than two to three years." Li Qi patted his chest, "I'm here."
"As you mentioned, many nobles study at the academy. Though nobility doesn't bring much benefit in Tang Kingdom, their capabilities offer channels."
From current understanding, Tang Kingdom was fair.
Fairness meant getting what you deserved without intermediaries siphoning off gains.
Fairness wasn't equality. An unranked mortal compared to a fifth-grade expert—equality impossible.
Equality would be unfair.
If Shen Shuibei recovered to fifth grade, she could use corresponding channels to gain status, joining new zone expansion.
With strategic operations, leveraging Tang Kingdom's power, securing a position in outer realms wasn't impossible.
"Then, we can leverage Tang Kingdom's resources indirectly. Direct theft would be detected, but outer realms contain resources beyond Tang Kingdom's control. With fifth-grade status and my support, many opportunities arise."
"No need to deal with Tang Kingdom directly. Leveraging their strength and my diplomatic immunity makes this plan feasible."
"This is just a proposal. During your recovery, I'll research at the academy, draft a detailed plan, list feasibility, and once confirmed, we'll try it."
"If feasible, we proceed; otherwise, consider alternatives," Li Qi closed his terminal, nodding to Shen Shuibei.
"In short, we use Tang Kingdom's influence to establish our power in outer realms and profit?" Shen Shuibei understood.
"Exactly. Execution requires consideration, starting with understanding the academy," Li Qi nodded.
He offered her a piece of cake, feeding it to her lips.
Shen Shuibei, deep in thought, instinctively bit into the cake, accidentally biting Li Qi.
Fortunately, Li Qi was eighth grade, his flesh tough enough to withstand a bite.
"Ah..." Shen Shuibei blushed, licking the bite mark, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Li Qi calmly withdrew his finger.
Actually, it was significant.
The sensation of fingers touching tongues...
His Dao heart was disturbed, unable to continue planning!
"What's your next move, Li Qi?" Shen Shuibei asked.
Originally, Li Qi had prepared an explanation.
But now, distracted, he didn't know where to begin.
He coughed, "First, your injury. Coming to Tang Kingdom was for treatment. After resting yesterday, we'll proceed with scheduled treatments today."
"Alright, let's go after breakfast!" With concrete plans, Shen Shuibei focused on finishing breakfast.
Leaving Li Qi to calm his heart.
Despite his composure, capable of resisting Chan Zhi monk's demonic thoughts, Shen Shuibei's touch was more unsettling.
Annoying, Rabbit's allure was unintentional yet captivating.
Like a gym classmate concerned about a bent-over peer, unaware of her provocative appearance.
Forget it, eat!