The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

As the morning light grew brighter, the area outside the West Gate of Chengdu was already bustling with traffic and crowds.

Farmers carrying vegetables into the city on shoulder poles, merchants driving packhorse caravans, commoners riding in simple donkey carts, and soldiers in twos and threes blocked the city gate, making it impossible to pass. The noise, hawking, and the neighing of livestock mingled together, creating a vibrant and chaotic atmosphere.

Yi Huawei and Wanwan walked into the crowd one after the other. His calm demeanor, so different from his surroundings, seemed to possess an invisible aura; wherever he went, the noise seemed to subconsciously subside. Many pedestrians instinctively made way for him, and when their eyes met his, though they couldn't discern anything specific, they all sensed that this person was extraordinary and dared not approach or disturb him easily.

Following behind him was Wanwan, whose vibrant crimson dress stood out against the dusty crowd. Her bare feet, like jade, remained spotless on the ground. Her beauty was unparalleled; her brows held both the innocence of a young girl and the alluring charm of a sorceress. Especially after her power had greatly increased, her inner light shone forth, and every glance exuded a captivating allure. Wherever she went, almost everyone's gaze was drawn to her. Men stared in astonishment, while women whispered amongst themselves, filled with envy and jealousy.

"Look at that girl, she's so pretty..."

"Which family's young lady are you? Why are you barefoot?"

"Who is that man in blue up ahead of her? He looks completely ordinary..."

"........."

"Shh...keep your voice down. I think these two are not simple..."

Various whispers drifted over, but Wanwan seemed oblivious, following closely behind Yi Huawei. A barely perceptible smile played on her lips, as if she were enjoying the spotlight, or perhaps she was simply used to the admiring gazes of others.

Yi Huawei remained oblivious to everything around him, his gaze calmly sweeping over the roadside vendors, shops, and passing crowds.

Passing through the most crowded city gate, the streets inside the city are slightly wider, but still bustling with activity. Shops line both sides of the road, wine flags flutter in the breeze, and breakfast stalls emit enticing aromas.

Yi Huawei slowed his pace and walked alongside Wanwan, speaking softly, "Wanwan, look at this market. Everyone is busy making a living: farmers sell grain, artisans sell goods, and merchants make profits. Behind this seemingly chaotic scene, what drives everything is the 'economic' power we just mentioned. From the daily necessities of a family to the rise and fall of a nation, everything depends on this."

Wanwan followed his gaze and saw a shop assistant loudly hawking rice prices in front of a grain store; inside a cloth shop, the shopkeeper and a customer were arguing heatedly over the price of a piece of Shu brocade; and at the entrance of a money exchange, some people were happily taking out money, while others were pawning items with worried expressions.

"What the Alliance Leader says is true. I used to think these were all mundane matters, but now I see that the underlying principles are clear, and they are even more complex and interesting than many martial arts moves." Wanwan nodded in agreement, and there was some sincerity in her words.

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with her comprehension. He stopped and took out a thin booklet from the sleeve of his blue robe. The booklet's cover was made of light blue stiff paper, with only two simple and powerful characters in ink—"Economy".

"This booklet was compiled and edited in my spare time, covering goods, money, circulation, taxation, and even the way of managing a country."

Yi Huawei handed the booklet to Wanwan, his tone calm but unquestionable: "Take this and look at it often when you have nothing to do."

When Wanwan saw the book, she was slightly taken aback at first, then reached out her slender hand and respectfully accepted it. The book felt slightly heavy in her hand, and the paper had a unique texture. When she opened it, she saw that the handwriting was clear and neat, and the organization was logical. Although some of the terms were a little unfamiliar, most of them could be explained with common analogies. It was a deepening and systematization of what Yi Huawei had just said.

However, as she held the book, a barely perceptible hesitation and a hint of reluctance flashed across Wanwan's expressive eyes. She secretly glanced at Yi Huawei and gently bit her lower lip.

Who is Wanwan? A prodigy of the Yin Kui Sect, a woman whose Heavenly Demon Art has reached the seventeenth level. She excels at the intricate web of intelligence warfare—stealing secrets amidst swordplay and manipulating the treacherous world of human nature! That's her domain! Now, the Alliance Leader wants her to look at these…ledger-like things? Does this mean she'll be dealing with money-grubbing merchants and dry numbers all day? This…this is just too much…

How could her little scheme escape Yi Huawei's notice?

Yi Huawei looked at her calmly, without immediately revealing his thoughts. Instead, he pointed to a silk shop across the street that was unloading goods and asked, "Wanwan, look at that shop. If you were its owner, how would you know whether it made a profit or loss this month? Which silk was the most popular? How much stock should you order next month? Where would be the most cost-effective place to buy it?"

Wanwan was taken aback by the question; how could she possibly know any of this? After stammering for a moment, she managed to answer, "Well... check the ledgers... ask the manager?"

Yi Huawei remained noncommittal, then pointed to a sparsely populated restaurant in the distance: "Why is that restaurant so quiet? Is it because the prices are too high? The food is bad? The location is bad? Or is it because the newly opened restaurant across the street is stealing its business? If we want to revive it, where should we start?"

Wanwan was speechless again, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. These questions, seemingly simple, actually touched upon the core of the business, and were far beyond what she could answer with mere cleverness.

Yi Huawei then turned his gaze back to her face, his tone still calm: "What do you think intelligence is? Is it merely other people's privacy, martial arts manuals, or the movements of powerful forces?"

After a pause, Yi Huawei answered his own question: "The real top-level intelligence is hidden in these seemingly ordinary market transactions, price fluctuations, and the flow of goods. A sudden rise in grain prices may indicate floods or disruptions to the canal transport; frequent horse trade on the border may suggest some unusual activity by the grassland tribes; and an abnormal outflow of pig iron from Sichuan may be related to the illegal casting of weapons."

"Introducing you to commerce isn't about turning you into a penny-pinching accountant. It's about teaching you to see through the flow of money and goods to understand the shifts in people's hearts, the ebb and flow of power, and even the overall trend of the world! By grasping the economic pulse, you can more accurately grasp the direction of intelligence and influence or even control your targets at their source. This is true high-level intelligence work, far more profound and powerful than simple surveillance or message passing." Looking into Wanwan's eyes, Yi Huawei said meaningfully, "Martial arts give you the power to protect yourself and kill enemies, intelligence allows you to discern the situation, and economics... gives you the leverage to influence the entire world. The combination of these three is the true path. You are quick-witted and have great potential; don't waste this talent, and don't... limit yourself."

These words were like a wake-up call, instantly extinguishing the small flame of reluctance in Wanwan's heart. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes, followed by a deep sense of realization!
That's it!

The Alliance Leader's vision and strategy are truly profound! I was only thinking about the immediate thrill, but I never saw the vast potential behind it! Combining economics and intelligence is simply... a game-changer! If I could truly master this, wouldn't it be incredibly effective for the Alliance Leader in the future, achieving twice the result with half the effort, or even moving a thousand pounds with four ounces of force?
Having grasped this point, Wanwan's gaze towards the book "Economics" was completely different. It was no longer a dry ledger, but a key that could unlock a new world! Clutching the book tightly to her chest as if holding a priceless treasure, she looked up to meet Yi Huawei's gaze, her face devoid of any hesitation, replaced by an unprecedented determination and fervor:

"I will remember your teachings, Alliance Leader! It was my shortsightedness that prevented me from understanding your profound meaning! Please rest assured, I will study this book diligently and live up to your expectations. I will integrate this 'way of economics' with the 'art of intelligence' and serve you faithfully!"

Seeing the fighting spirit and understanding burning in her eyes, Yi Huawei nodded slightly, said nothing more, and turned to continue walking forward.

Wanwan quickly followed, carrying the book "Economics," her bare feet lightly touching the ground, her mood completely different from a moment ago.

………………

The geographical environment of the Sichuan Basin is the fundamental reason why it occupies an important position in the overall strategic landscape.

To the north, the Qinling Mountains, Micang Mountains, and Daba Mountains form natural barriers, isolating the Guanzhong Plain; to the east, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River guard the vital passage from Hubei to Sichuan; to the west, the remnants of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau extend, and to the south, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, creating a natural defensive barrier. This made it difficult for external forces to wage war, while internal forces could easily establish their own independent regimes. At the same time, the Chengdu Plain, nourished by the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, was fertile and agriculturally developed, providing the necessary material foundation to support any separatist regime.

For the major powers that aspire to rule the world, Sichuan is a key area that must be won over or at least kept neutral.

For the Li clan, seizing Sichuan would allow them to sail down the Yangtze River and attack Du Fuwei's Jianghuai Army and the Tiandao Alliance in the south, thus completing their strategic plan to unify the south. For the Tiandao Alliance, consolidating their alliance with Duzun Fort would ensure the security of the northern flank of their Lingnan base and extend their influence to the Central Plains.

Furthermore, the Chengdu Plain, with its vast fertile land and abundant resources, was a vital source of grain and tax revenue for the Sui Dynasty. Its rich resources, including Shu brocade, salt wells, and iron ore, were sufficient to support a powerful army and sustain prolonged warfare. Whoever controlled Sichuan possessed a stable and powerful logistical base.

Historically, from the Qin state in the pre-Qin period to the Shu Han state during the Three Kingdoms period, the enormous potential of Bashu as a major rear area has been proven.

The Yangtze River waterway provided access to Tibet to the west and Jiangling and Jiangdu to the east, threatening the Jiangnan region. On land, ancient roads such as the Jinniu Road and Micang Road connected to Guanzhong in the north, serving as crucial points for entering and exiting the Central Plains. Therefore, Sichuan and Chongqing became a strategic crossroads connecting the Central Plains, Jiangnan, Lingnan, and the Western Regions.

In the Sichuan-Chongqing region, there were three main powers: the Duzunbao, representing the emerging aristocratic families; the Sichuanese, representing the Han Chinese grassroots; and the Bayannur League, representing the interests of ethnic minorities. A delicate balance existed among these three groups, with each interdependent and jointly resisting external aggression, while also competing with each other for regional dominance.

Duzun Fortress is the most influential emerging force in the Bashu region. Its rise has broken the traditional monopoly of top power held by the four major clans (Li, Song, Yuwen, and Dugu).

As the founder of Duzun Fortress, Jie Hui was a true hero of his time. His nickname, "The Judge of the Martial World," referred not only to his exceptional martial arts skills but also to his style of doing things—he established order in the chaotic martial world, using absolute power and prestige to arbitrate disputes. This positioning effectively made him the "uncrowned king" of the Sichuan martial arts world.

His martial arts skills have reached the level of a grandmaster, and he is on par with "Heavenly Blade" Song Que. This alone is enough to make all forces wary of him.

Of course, Xie Hui was not a mere military man; he possessed keen political insight and knew that while the foundation of Duzun Fort lay in Sichuan, its future depended on the broader political landscape. Therefore, he forged a strong alliance with the Song clan of Lingnan early on.

The marriage between Xie Hui's son, Xie Wenlong, and Song Que's eldest daughter, Song Yuhua, served as the link between Duzun Fortress and the Song Clan. This marriage transcended a simple union of interests; it was a manifestation of the shared ideals of the two great clans. Through this relationship, the Song Clan's Han Chinese ideology profoundly influenced Duzun Fortress's orientation, naturally leading Xie Hui to favor the Song Clan, representing the orthodoxy of Han Chinese culture, rather than the Li Clan, which had non-Han ancestry, in the struggle for supremacy.

Duzunbao is located in Chengdu, and its influence has permeated every corner of Sichuan.

It was not only the arbiter of the martial arts world, but also controlled the lifeline of the local economy through a vast commercial network and interpersonal relationships. During Kou Zhong's struggle for supremacy in the original novel, although Jie Hui did not openly raise the banner of rebellion against the Tang Dynasty, his very existence was the biggest obstacle to the Li clan's infiltration of Sichuan. He used his influence to secretly restrain and delay the Li clan's integration of Sichuan, buying valuable time for Kou Zhong and the Song clan's strategic planning. The existence of Duzun Fort ensured that Sichuan remained a crucial link in the struggle between the southern Han Chinese forces and the northern Guanzhong clique during the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

The Sichuan Gang is a group of local Han Chinese from Sichuan and Chongqing who form a gang based on their practical interests in controlling land and water trade routes. Their style is more simple and direct.

As the leader of the Sichuan Gang, Fan Zhuo was a typical outlaw hero. His martial arts were known for their fierce and domineering swordsmanship. He was loyal, kept his promises, and was a staunch defender of the interests of the Sichuan region. He knew that the strength of the Sichuan Gang lay in unity, so he actively united with the Ba-Meng (Ba-Shu Alliance) to form the "Ba-Shu Alliance" to resist the encroachment of external forces with collective strength.

Fan Zhuo's attitude towards Duzun Fort was complex. He respected Jie Hui's martial arts skills and status, but also maintained a certain distance, unwilling to become a complete vassal. This reflected the efforts of the local forces to maintain their independence.

As Fan Zhuo's nephew, Fan Changlong is a rising star among the younger generation of the Sichuan Gang and its main source of force. His reputation as the "King of Guns" was earned through countless battles against external enemies and for maintaining internal stability. He is responsible for specific tasks such as escorting caravans, suppressing bandits on waterways, and fighting against rival forces, making him the de facto "fist" of the Sichuan Gang. (End of Chapter)