"Is this the building?" Hao Yu raised his head, looking at a big building at the corner of the street. He cross checked the building with the information written on the paper he held. "The building should be at the corner of the third street, and it's called the Merchant Association."
Hao Yu found the plaque on top of the entrance, showing the same name. Without hesitation, he entered the building with a solemn expression, wondering what they had prepared for him.
"Welcome." The moment he opened the door, he was greeted by a young receptionist.
"I'm looking for the association president." Hao Yu took out his badge, showing that he was an Administrator of the government.
Not only the receptionist but also other people in the hall had their eyes glued to the token.
"This… I'll inform him immediately." The receptionist panicked as she rushed toward the upper floor while Hao Yu remained in his position, observing the rest of the hall. It was indeed a grand hall, and he could see a few people going back and forth. From their attire and demeanor, it was clear that they were merchants.
Due to knowing his identity, they became a bit more wary of Hao Yu and acted as if nothing happened.
Their actions alone were already enough for Hao Yu to raise his suspicion.
'Hmmm… there is something amiss. If I'm not wrong, the conflict is about the price that is too high, and the merchant doesn't want to lower it, right? But if that's the only case, it won't reach this point. So, they must be hiding something… Are they related to the cultivators?'
If it was only a mortal problem, Hao Yu wouldn't face many problems. But if the merchant employed cultivators, the situation would be extremely different.
It seemed that the man in power had finally come down as he immediately greeted Hao Yu. "Welcome, Mr. Administrator. I'm the Dragon City's Branch Manager, Wan Fei is the name."
The manager seemed to be a middle-aged man. His body was smaller than most people, but Hao Yu could see the slyness in his eyes. He knew that this president wouldn't be easy to deal with.
Hao Yu cupped his hands politely while saying, "Thank you, Manager Wan Fei. I'm Hao Yu, granted the position of an Administrator by the Magistrate not long ago."
"Oh my. It's no wonder I have never heard of you. Welcome to the city… Since you're new here, why don't we head upstairs so that I can welcome you as the association manager."
"In that case, I'll take your offer."
As soon as they reached the manager's room, Wan Fei's expression darkened as he started revealing his authority. "So, what does an Administrator want to do with the merchant association?"
"Heh?" Hao Yu smirked. "You're not going to pretend anymore."
"You should be aware that the merchant association has been helping Dragon City bring goods from the outside. Even the other administrators have to be polite to me. As a young administrator, your talent must be good. However…" Wan Fei crossed his arms. "…you should still know your place."
"Wow. You're acting no differently than cultivators, high and mighty." Hao Yu chuckled as if he wasn't bothered by Wan Fei's actions.
Due to Hao Yu's indifference, Wan Fei looked a bit pissed. "It seems that you are too ignorant. You should know that if the merchant association closes its branch here, there won't be any more merchants bringing goods to this city. And the people won't get anything from the outside due to its location."
Wan Fei indirectly told Hao Yu to bow down and apologize. Yet, Hao Yu continued, "I'm coming here to solve the problems between the merchants and the people. It seems that the merchants have raised their prices so much that the citizens can't afford it anymore. Don't forget that the city might be prosperous due to the mine, but the citizens are different. So, I ask you to lower the price."
Wan Fei slammed his hand on the table while shouting, "Do you not understand the situation, brat? I have been polite to you since you are an administrator. If you're going to continue acting like this, then it won't be a threat coming from me anymore."
Hao Yu sighed. "It seems that the manager can't even understand my words."
"There is no need to listen to you. Even if we raise the price, you, governor, can simply give away your money a bit."
"I finally understand your stance." Hao Yu nodded with a calm expression. "I think I should feel lucky that despite having that much wisdom, greed has corrupted you. It would be very troublesome if you are a cunning bastard."
Hao Yu's words started turning a bit violent. Wan Fei, on the other hand, couldn't take it anymore as he roared, "You… Do you think this is just an empty threat? I am going to report to the Magistrate about your action today. Unless you are reduced to a beggar on the street, the merchant association will leave this city! We'll see how much the people are going to suffer."
Hao Yu calmly smiled as if he didn't care about the threat. "You can do that right away, but you will probably get rejected. After all, I'm personally coming here under the direct order of the magistrate."
"…" Wan Fei looked a bit surprised, but Hao Yu didn't let him speak.
"If you wish to leave this city, be my guest. The Dragon City doesn't need the merchant association anymore! If that's your stance as the manager of the merchant association, then I will convey your words to the magistrate and ask him to expel all the merchants." Hao Yu stood up and turned around as though he was ready to leave.
Wan Fei was confused as to why Hao Yu could act this arrogant.
But before Hao Yu left, he gave one last message. "Ah, right. I think I should say this to you. There would be two giant dams on the rivers that isolated the Dragon City. The dams will be huge enough to act as a road. That's all… I'm waiting for your departure from Dragon City."
'Dams?!' Wan Fei widened his eyes in shock. 'Due to the mountain on the north of the city, people always have to go around the mountain to deliver the goods. The Dragon City is useless right now because they are too isolated. However, if one looks closely, its location is perfect to become a hub for the merchants. They don't need to go around the mountain anymore and take more than several days just to reach the other side.
'Even if there is no merchant association in this place, the merchants will definitely go to the Dragon City. During their time in the Dragon City, the trade…' Wan Fei understood the reason why Hao Yu was confident.
Even if the merchant association left this place, the city would only prosper from that point onward.
While Wan Fei was in deep shock, Hao Yu opened the door, prompting his leave.
"W-wait!"
Hao Yu glanced back, but this time, with a disgusted gaze as if he didn't want to have anything with the association anymore. "What?"
The situation had changed. However, Hao Yu didn't realize at the time that his meeting with the merchant association was one of the major turning points in his life.