Rise in Douluo Continent with the help of bean buns

As night deepened, an oil lamp still shone in the study in the backyard of Qinghetang.

Lin Chen sat at his desk, with a faded, simplified map of Douluo Continent spread out in front of him, and several local gazetteers and merchant records beside him.

Three days have passed since we finished discussing the cooperation with Liu He of Wanyaotang.

The first batch of trial goods was sent to Tiandou City with the Wanyaotang caravan, and the affairs of Blackstone Town were gradually handed over to Lao Wu, with daily operations running smoothly.

But the real choice has only just been placed before Lin Chen.

What's next?

This is a question he has been thinking about repeatedly lately.

The ceiling in Blackrock Town is already quite clear. A monthly income of four hundred gold coins is pretty much the limit; going any higher is as difficult as climbing to the sky. Cultivation resources are also scarce; you can't even buy a complete thousand-year-old soul beast encyclopedia. Staying here for too long will only delay your progress.

Leaving was inevitable.

But where to go is a question that requires careful consideration.

Lin Chen's fingertips slowly traced across the map.

The first option is Soto.

Located within the Kingdom of Barak, it's a fairly large city with a junior Soul Master academy and a thriving commercial sector. It's close to the Star Dou Great Forest, making Soul Hunting convenient. However, its city size isn't top-tier, its market capacity is limited, and the situation in the Kingdom of Barak is rather unstable, with deeply entrenched local powers making it easy to enter but difficult to establish a foothold.

The second option is Shrek City.

It's famous because of Shrek Academy, with a strong atmosphere of Soul Masters and a gathering of geniuses. However, the city itself is small, and commerce isn't particularly developed, relying mainly on the academy for its economy. More importantly, I'm not even 11 years old yet, and my Soul Power hasn't reached its peak. I figured I wouldn't get much attention there, so there's no point in going. Besides, there are too many people and too many geniuses and high-level Soul Masters there, which wouldn't be conducive to developing my abilities discreetly.

The third option is Tiandou City.

Once the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, and the largest city on the continent, it boasted extremely developed commerce, numerous merchant guilds, and a massive market. The headquarters of the Soul Master Guild was located there, possessing the continent's most advanced cultivation resources, scriptures, and information. With stable order and direct imperial control, evil soul masters and local forces dared not act too recklessly, ensuring high security. Furthermore, it wasn't far from the Star Dou Great Forest; a journey of half a month by fast horse would be sufficient, making soul hunting convenient.

Of course, there are also drawbacks.

  

Competition is fierce in big cities, and local forces are deeply entrenched, making it difficult for an outsider to gain a foothold. Moreover, expenses are high, and costs in all aspects are much higher than in small towns.

There are several other options, such as Gengxin City and Xilu City, but they are either too unbalanced or too poorly located, so they are not among the top choices.

Lin Chen stopped his fingertip at the location of Tian Dou City and tapped it lightly.

His intuition told him that Tiandou City was the best choice, and ever since he met that herbalist, he had subconsciously felt that going to Tiandou City was inevitable.

But intuition aside, he was used to reasoning things out and calculating all the risks and benefits.

"Doubao, do a comparative analysis," Lin Chen said to himself. "Choose the optimal development path from the three options: Tiandou City, Soto City, and Shrek City."

"Received. Building the simulation model... Model complete."

"[Deduction Dimensions: Commercial Development Potential, Abundance of Cultivation Resources, Security Factor, Geographical Convenience, Difficulty in Obtaining Information, Long-Term Growth Capacity, and Initial Establishment Difficulty]"

"[Quantifying the score... Scoring complete.]"

Doubao's voice rang out steadily, and at the same time, a clear comparison chart appeared in Lin Chen's mind.

Dimensional Sky City, Soto City, Shrek City

"[Conclusion: Tiandou City is the optimal choice.]"

【Core Advantages:】

1. With a market size more than five times that of Soto City, Qinghetang's product differentiation advantages can be maximized, resulting in the highest long-term commercial value.

2. With complete institutions such as the Soul Master Guild, the Alchemist Association, and the Library, the efficiency of replenishing cultivation resources and knowledge base far exceeds that of other cities, which is in line with the host's path of steadily honing his foundation.

3. The capital city of the empire has well-established laws, so high-level soul masters will not act rashly, and evil soul masters are less active, making it suitable for concealing one's strength and developing in a low-key manner.

4. It is about 15 days' journey from the core area of ​​the Starry Sky Forest. Although it is slightly farther than Soto City, it is still within an acceptable range. Moreover, the trade routes along the way are well-established, making it safer.

5. With the highest information density on the continent, it can obtain information on soul beasts, soul guidance technology, and the continental situation the fastest, facilitating advance planning.

[Main Risks:]

1. Local medicinal herb merchants are relatively powerful and will face competitive suppression in the early stages.

2. Operating costs are high; rent, labor, and maintenance expenses are 3-4 times that of Blackstone Town.

3. With many high-level Soul Masters around, it's crucial to maintain a low profile and avoid easily revealing the unique aspects of one's Martial Soul.

【Solution Plan:】

1. Leverage Wan Yaotang's existing channels to enter the market, focusing on wholesale and avoiding direct retail competition.

2. Start small, proceed steadily, and don't rush to expand.

3. Continue to implement the strategy of concealing one's strength, only displaying the level of ordinary Blue Silver Grass to the outside world, and not revealing the special effects of the soul skills.

Doubao's analysis was detailed and objective, clearly outlining the advantages, risks, and solutions.

After reading it, Lin Chen became even more certain.

Tian Dou City is the next stop.

Although it is difficult to establish oneself and the competition is fierce, it also has the highest potential.

Whether for business development or personal cultivation, Tiandou City can provide the broadest platform.

It's okay if things are a little difficult in the short term.

He has never been one to pursue short-term windfall profits.

Take steady steps, proceed cautiously, and lay a solid foundation; things will only get smoother in the future.

"It's Tian Dou City then." Lin Chen made his final decision in his heart.

He blew on the oil lamp's wick, and the light flickered slightly, reflecting in his calm eyes.

The future is set.

Next, we need to plan our escape route and prepare to set off.

The next morning, Lin Chen called Zhou Lei to his study.

"Boss, you wanted to see me?" Zhou Lei strode in with a simple, honest smile.

He was very excited during this time, thinking that he would soon be able to go to Tiandou City with Lin Chen to broaden his horizons.

Lin Chen pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit."

Zhou Lei sat down and rubbed his hands together. "Boss, is it time to set a departure date? I can pack my things anytime!"

Lin Chen looked at him calmly and said, "Zhou Lei, you can't come to Tiandou City with me."

"Huh?" Zhou Lei's smile froze instantly. "Why, boss? I... I've been with you for so long, I go wherever you go!"

He was getting a little anxious, and his voice rose a few decibels.

Lin Chen didn't answer immediately, but slowly said, "Blackstone Town is our foundation. Qinghetang started from here, and the industries, channels, and workshops here are all our assets. I can only feel at ease if someone of our own looks after this place after I leave."

He paused, looking at Zhou Lei: "Old Wu is fine with production and operations, but he can't manage the situation. Someone has to handle the external socializing, dealing with government officials, and security. You were one of the first to follow me, and I trust you the most."

Zhou Lei opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

He knew his employer was telling the truth.

Blackstone Town is our root; we cannot lose it.

Although Lao Wu is reliable, he is a newcomer and just a craftsman; he can't manage outside affairs.

I was one of the first people to join the company and also the person the company trusted the most.

Staying in town to oversee things is a responsibility that I should indeed shoulder myself.

He understood the reasoning, but he still felt a little disappointed.

He was still thinking of going to Tiandou City to broaden his horizons and to do something big with his boss.

"But Master..." Zhou Lei scratched his head, "How can you go to Tiandou City without anyone by your side? You're unfamiliar with the place, what if something happens..."

"I'll take Old Chen and Old Li with me," Lin Chen said calmly. "Old Chen is steady and has strong defense, so he can hold his own; Old Li is an agile attacker, which is convenient for scouting and running errands. The two of them are enough."

"Where's Lao Zhao?" Zhou Lei asked.

"Old Zhao has just recovered from his injury and is not suited for long-distance travel," Lin Chen said. "He'll stay and help you, managing security and patrolling the workshops. With the two of you and Old Wu, the leadership of Blackstone Town will be stable."

Zhou Lei paused for a moment, then nodded heavily: "Alright! Boss, I'll listen to you! I'll stay in Blackstone Town and protect your assets! I'll guarantee that Qinghetang will not encounter any problems!"

Although disappointed, he could distinguish between what was important and what was not.

The master entrusted such a large business to me; it was a sign of trust and a heavy responsibility.

I must not let my employer down.

"Okay." Lin Chen nodded slightly, satisfied with Zhou Lei's attitude. "Let me explain the specific arrangements to you."

He picked up a piece of paper from the table and pushed it over.

"First, Lao Wu is in charge of all daily operations. He can make all the decisions regarding procurement, production, and sales."

"Secondly, you'll be responsible for security, external affairs, and bribing government officials. If anyone causes trouble or local thugs cause problems, you and Lao Zhao will handle it."

"Third, the finance department will reconcile accounts monthly. Once the accounts are in order, they will be sent to me on the 15th of each month. I will then review and approve the budget for the following month."

"Fourth, the core formula is still only handled by Lao Wu. I will prepare the proportions of each batch of raw materials in advance and send them back. You just need to follow the procedures."

"Fifth, if you encounter any major issues you are unsure about, do not make decisions on your own. Immediately send a message to me. If you encounter a real emergency, ask the Soul Master Guild in town for help and tell them that I am their registered Soul Master."

Each point is clearly and logically presented.

Zhou Lei listened attentively, nodding repeatedly, and memorized every single point.

"And another thing," Lin Chen added, "I'll increase your monthly salary by twenty gold coins, Old Zhao by ten, and Old Wu by ten. If business is good at the end of the year, there will be bonuses. Work hard, and you won't be treated unfairly."

"Twenty gold coins?!" Zhou Lei's eyes widened. "Boss, that's too much! I just..."

For a Great Soul Master like him, a monthly salary of twenty gold coins is already considered high in a place like Blackrock Town.

Add another 2 gold coins, doubling the amount.

"It's deserved," Lin Chen said calmly. "With heavier responsibilities, the compensation should naturally follow."

Zhou Lei's nose felt a little sore.

He was desperate when his employer took him in.

Now you trust him so much and give him such a high monthly salary.

"Don't worry, boss!" Zhou Lei stood up and bowed solemnly. "I, Zhou Lei, swear to heaven that I will protect Qinghe Hall and will never cause you any trouble! I will never allow anyone to touch our property!"

"Sit down." Lin Chen raised his hand slightly. "No need to swear an oath, just do your job well."

"Yes!" Zhou Lei nodded emphatically, sat back down, and straightened his back.

After explaining things to Zhou Lei, Lin Chen then summoned Lao Chen, Lao Li, and Lao Zhao.

The three men entered the study, all somewhat nervous, wondering why their master had summoned them.

"Sit down." Lin Chen gestured for them to sit down and got straight to the point, "I'm planning to go to Tiandou City to develop my career."

The three exchanged a glance, all somewhat surprised.

Tian Dou City?

That's the capital of the empire!

Is the boss going to Tiandou City so soon?

"Zhou Lei and Lao Zhao will stay behind in Blackstone Town to oversee things," Lin Chen continued. "Lao Chen and Lao Li, you two come with me to Tiandou City."

Old Chen and Old Li were taken aback at first, then their faces lit up with joy.

Heavenly Dou City!

They've been around for so many years, but they've only been there a few times, always rushing to finish their business and leaving immediately.

Being able to follow my employer to Tiandou City to develop is an incredibly great opportunity!

"Thank you for your trust, sir!" Old Chen quickly stood up and bowed respectfully. "My brother and I will definitely work hard and never let you down!"

Old Li quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "I will follow your orders, Master!"

Although Lao Zhao was a little disappointed that he couldn't go, he also knew that he had just recovered from his injury and it was indeed more appropriate for him to stay.

"Don't worry, boss, I will definitely cooperate with Brother Zhou Lei to protect Blackstone Town!" Old Zhao said earnestly.

"Okay." Lin Chen nodded. "Please sit down."

He looked at Old Chen and the other man: "Going to Heaven Dou City is not like going to Black Stone Town. There are many more people and eyes, and many high-level Soul Masters. Remember two things: First, keep a low profile. Don't provoke things you shouldn't provoke, and don't show off when you shouldn't. Second, keep your mouth shut. You can't say a word about my affairs, especially about my Martial Soul and Soul Skills."

"Don't worry!" Old Chen said seriously, "My brother and I are very discreet; we know exactly what we should and shouldn't say!"

"That's good." Lin Chen said calmly. "The monthly salary will remain the same as before, thirty gold coins a month. If you do well in Tiandou City, there will be additional rewards."

"Yes!" the two replied in unison.

A monthly salary of thirty gold coins is not low, even in Tiandou City.

Moreover, working for such a promising company will only lead to a better future.

All three of them were eager to perform well.

Over the next few days, everyone at Qinghetang was busy in an orderly manner.

Old Wu took over all the daily operations, Zhou Lei started handling external social engagements and government relations, while Old Zhao led a few guards to inspect the workshops and shops, and reviewed the security system.

The leadership team in Heishi Town has successfully completed the handover.

Lin Chen was taking stock of the luggage and funds.

In the study, several boxes were neatly arranged on the floor.

[Funds Inventory:]

1. Available Cash: 1872 Gold Soul Coins

2. Blackrock Town Real Estate (Shops, Workshops, Farmland): Estimated Value: Approximately 1200 Gold

3. Inventory valuation: Approximately 500 gold.

4. Total assets: Approximately 3572 gold.

"[Recommended starting capital: 1200 gold. The remaining 672 gold should be kept as working capital for Blackrock Town, sufficient to support operations for more than six months.]"

Doubao's inventory was clear and accurate.

Lin Chen nodded slightly.

1,200 gold coins is enough to get started in Tiandou City.

Renting a small courtyard and a small workshop should be enough for initial setup and preparation.

He then checked the other supplies.

High-grade antidotes, healing medicines, dry rations, water pouches, a detailed map of Heaven Dou City, Soul Master badges, and the Wan Yao Tang token...

There are also some precious medicinal herb seeds and optimized planting technology data, which are Qinghetang's core competitiveness and must be kept with us.

Of course, the most crucial recipe and proportions are all memorized and backed up in Doubao's database, so they will never be lost.

Everything is ready.

The departure date was set for three days later.

On the evening before his departure, Lin Chen walked alone to the outside of Qinghetang's workshop.

As the sun sets, its golden rays bathe the green tiles and white walls, giving them a warm glow.

The sounds of workers bustling about could still be heard from the workshop, and a faint aroma of medicinal herbs wafted through the air.

He stood there, watching quietly for a long time.

More than a year ago, he had just transmigrated here, penniless, and was making a living on the streets of Blackrock Town.

From a small medicine stall to the first shop, and now to Qinghetang, with workshops, planting land, monthly income of several hundred gold coins, and loyal subordinates.

It all feels like it happened just yesterday.

Blackrock Town was where he started.

That's where he established himself in this world.

I have feelings, but I won't cling to them.

His path has never been here.

A bigger world and a broader stage await him.

"Boss, it's getting windy, let's go back inside," Zhou Lei said in a low voice as he walked over.

His eyes were a little red.

The boss is leaving tomorrow, and I don't know when he'll be back.

"Hmm." Lin Chen withdrew his gaze and turned to walk back.

"I'm leaving Blackrock Town to you," Lin Chen said as he walked. "No need to rush expansion; stability is the most important thing. If anything happens, send word immediately."

"Don't worry, boss!" Zhou Lei nodded emphatically. "I will definitely protect our assets!"

Lin Chen didn't say anything more.

He believed in Zhou Lei.

This person, though honest and simple, is loyal, reliable, and down-to-earth.

Handing Blackrock Town over to him is no problem.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

A simple horse-drawn carriage was already prepared at the entrance of Qinghe Hall.

There was no fanfare, no crowds to see them off.

Only Zhou Lei, Lao Wu, and Lao Zhao, along with a few trusted associates, quietly came to see them off.

"Master, take care on your journey!" Zhou Lei stepped forward, his voice a little hoarse.

"Okay." Lin Chen nodded. "Do a good job."

"Why!"

Old Chen loaded the luggage onto the carriage, while Old Li sat in the driver's seat, ready to depart at any moment.

Lin Chen took one last look at the plaque of Qinghe Hall, then turned and boarded the carriage.

"Let's go," he said casually.

"drive!"

Old Li gave the reins a tug, and the carriage slowly started moving, heading out of town.

The wheels rolled and churned on the bluestone road, disappearing into the distance.

Zhou Lei and his two companions stood at the door, watching the carriage's retreating figure until it disappeared at the end of the street, their gaze lingering there for a long time.

Inside the carriage, Lin Chen leaned against the wall, closing his eyes to rest.

There was no turning back.

What's past is past.

More importantly, what lies ahead.

Tian Dou City.

That was a new beginning.

This is also a new challenge.

He didn't know what he would encounter or experience there.

But he knew that as long as he proceeded step by step and steadily, there was no obstacle he couldn't overcome.

Conceal your talents and remain humble; accumulate knowledge and experience before unleashing your full potential.

He will always remember these eight words.

The carriage traveled eastward, heading towards the imperial capital.

The sun rises above the horizon, casting golden rays across the earth.

The road ahead is long, but full of hope.