Chapter 910: The Jin Clan Will Never Be Slaves, Unless Food and Lodging Are Included

"Shopkeeper Chen!"

After realizing the immense value of the Steam Locomotive, Jin Yangwu suppressed the excitement and heat in his heart and said solemnly:

"Our Jin Clan is willing to purchase the Steam Engines in your hands at a high price. We want as many as you have. Please, name your price!"

As an expert in manipulating metal, he knew very well that what he had built according to the blueprints was nothing more than an iron shell.

The truly critical component was that peculiar device called the 'Steam Combustion Engine.'

Without the drive of the 'Steam Combustion Engine,' this majestic-looking steel monster would be reduced to a lifeless object, with no value to speak of.

Of course, this was exactly the effect Qi Yuan wanted. The reason he had so generously provided the blueprints for the Steam Locomotive was naturally to keep a trump card.

As long as he controlled the engine—the core component of the Steam Locomotive—he didn't have to worry about the Jin Clan not obediently trading with him.

Although he had exchanged the most superficial and primitive Steam Engine blueprints from the System to save counterattack points, and their thermal efficiency was terrifyingly low, it was still a dimensional strike to the natives of the Great Void!

Of course, if placed in the Cultivation World outside, Steam Engines would have no value at all; any random Foundation Establishment Cultivator could tear this iron shell apart with their bare hands.

But in the Great Void, where the physical properties of matter were magnified countless times, a Steam Engine could practically be called an industrial miracle.

If a Steam Engine could produce ten tons of force outside the Great Void, in this place, it could likely reach tens of millions of tons with ease; they were completely different concepts.

In fact, the Great Void was entirely different from the outside world; even every flower, blade of grass, stone, and piece of wood was incredibly sturdy.

Qi Yuan possessed Intermediate Sword Dao Mastery, and his Physical Body strength could be considered top-tier in the Lower Realm. Even after being weakened by the power of the rules within the Great Void, he was at least not inferior to an ordinary Void Refining Cultivator, possessing strength comparable to dragons and elephants with a wave of his hand.

Even so, when he exerted his full strength while wielding the ningyuan sword, he couldn't even cut through a single vine and was easily captured by Mu Qingqing, which showed the strangeness of this Great Void.

It was also fortunate that these natives were all physically powerful and possessed immense strength; otherwise, let alone mining, they probably wouldn't even be able to break an ordinary rock.

In short, it wasn't that This Qi had suddenly become weak, but rather that this world was too high-end; the outside world simply couldn't compare…

Seeing the Jin Clan leader take the bait completely, the corners of Qi Yuan's mouth curled up, and he replied with a serious face:

"Chen can provide things like Steam Engines to the Jin Clan completely free of charge."

What?

Hearing this, Jin Yangwu was instantly stunned, unable to believe his ears.

The other party held such a precious divine object, yet instead of taking the opportunity to fleece the Jin Clan, he claimed he could let them use it for free?

Is this guy crazy?

Not just him, but even the Wood Clan Chief, Mu Clan Chief, who was present, showed a look of surprise, her gaze towards him full of suspicion and uncertainty.

From the Wood Clan's perspective, she very much did not want the Jin Clan to obtain such an incredible and magical machine, but due to their previous friendship, it was difficult to speak up and stop it.

Shopkeeper Chen was originally a traveling merchant doing business; if you didn't allow him to trade with the Jin Clan, it would inevitably seem like you were cutting off his livelihood.

Not to mention anything else, based solely on that terrifying weapon in his hand that could topple mountains and overturn peaks, the Wood Clan had no right to dictate his actions.

Therefore, Mu Clan Chief could only watch helplessly as the two sides bargained, while secretly praying that the deal would fall through.

Although the 'Steam Locomotive' didn't look like it was meant for fighting, if the Jin Clan truly possessed these immensely powerful steel beasts, their strength would surely increase greatly, which would be very unfavorable for the Wood Clan.

But Mu Clan Chief never expected that this unscrupulous merchant would not only fail to take the opportunity to make a fortune but would be generous enough to give such an incredibly precious divine object to the Jin Clan for free. Wasn't this too inconceivable?

Amidst the strange looks, Qi Yuan smiled slightly and explained solemnly:

"For a great invention like the Steam Engine, Chen is unwilling to keep it to himself. Instead, I plan to promote it to benefit more living beings."

"To achieve all this, we must manufacture as many Steam Engines as possible. And the Jin Clan, as experts in smelting metal, are exactly the best partners for Chen."

"Therefore, I have decided to invite the Jin Clan to build a large workshop with me, specifically for the mass production of great inventions like the Steam Engine that can change the world!"

At this moment, his tone was impassioned, as if he were describing himself as a warm-hearted traveling merchant who cared for the whole world, making people deeply impressed.

While painting a grand vision, Qi Yuan did not forget to throw out some practical benefits, promising solemnly:

"As long as your Jin Clan tribesmen are willing to work with me, not only can you receive ten Steam Combustion Engines for free every month, but food and lodging will also be included. The benefits will be absolutely generous!"

Hearing this, Jin Yangwu's expression changed slightly. He clearly hadn't expected the other party to propose such a unique plan, nor had he heard the saying that 'free' is often the most expensive.

The Jin Clan had lived by mining for generations and was not good at farming. They could only exchange various metal tools for grain and some daily necessities from other tribes.

Therefore, upon hearing that the Wood Clan had destroyed their mine, the entire Jin Clan was instantly furious and insisted on coming to settle the score with the Wood Clan.

This was because the mine was the entire Jin Clan's means of survival, concerning the livelihood of the whole tribe.

But in reality, even for professional miners, mining was still not an easy task for the Jin Clan. Not only did they face crises like tunnel collapses and resource depletion, but they also had to endure various price suppressions from other tribes.

After all, there were only five tribes in this area—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. With excessive production and a small market, it became increasingly difficult for the Jin Clan's output to be sold.

Regardless, compared to grain, steel was not a necessity and couldn't be eaten as food. After some gamesmanship, the ones who suffered were often the Jin Clan.

This was also the reason why the relationship between the Jin and Wood tribes was so poor. In the hearts of the Jin Clan tribesmen, the Wood Clan was like a big, unscrupulous merchant who only knew how to suppress prices.

Now, from a traveling merchant's mouth, Jin Yangwu seemed to see another, brighter path. Not only could they get a large number of Steam Engines for free, but food and lodging were even included…

Thinking of this, almost all the Jin Clan tribesmen, including Jin Yangwu, were moved. Their eyes shone, their faces were full of excitement, and even their breathing quickened a bit.

Even though they knew the other party must have some scheme, this temptation was simply too great, making it almost impossible to refuse.

Although he couldn't help but want to agree, out of caution, Jin Yangwu still asked tentatively:

"Shopkeeper Chen, regarding the 'food and lodging included' you mentioned, are there any other additional conditions?"

Seemingly afraid that he might be misunderstood as lacking sincerity for cooperation, he didn't dare use a questioning tone but instead added cautiously:

"When our Jin Clan tribesmen work in the mines, they only labor for eight shichen a day and eat two meals of grain rice. I wonder what the treatment is like on your side?"

The reason he asked this was because he was afraid this guy in front of him would treat the Jin Clan tribesmen who entered the workshop like beasts of burden.

If they had to work ten shichen a day after entering and were only given one meal, wouldn't they be worked to death?

On the other side, hearing such humble words, Qi Yuan was stunned at the time, feeling quite enlightened.

Damn… In the mines with heavy physical labor, the Jin Clan tribesmen had to work a full 16 hours a day and could only eat two meals of poor-quality grain. What kind of nuclear-powered beasts of burden were they?

Compared to these primitive tribal miners, the 996 companies of later generations were practically like charitable organizations.

After a good deal of astonishment, he suppressed his impulse and said with a calm face:

"All Jin Clan tribesmen who enter the workshop to work only need to do seven shichen a day. During work hours, three full meals are provided, with meat at every meal, and there are rewards for doing well."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding Jin Clan tribesmen all opened their mouths wide, looking at him in disbelief, their expressions filled with deep shock.

Holy crap!!!

Only needing to work seven shichen, and being able to eat three full meals a day!

If this were truly the treatment, they wouldn't even want to be a Great Priest!

Just as these tribesmen were falling into ecstasy, Jin Yangwu swallowed his saliva with some difficulty and weakly confirmed:

"Shopkeeper Chen, are these words true?"

"Naturally, they are true."

Qi Yuan nodded with a face full of certainty.

"Good!"

Jin Yangwu took a deep breath, stepped forward to grasp Qi Yuan's hands, and said generously:

"From today onwards, our Jin Clan is willing to cooperate with Shopkeeper Chen and will never let Shopkeeper Chen down!"

At the same time, as the leader of the Wood Clan, Mu Clan Chief could no longer hold back. The wooden staff in her hand trembled slightly, and her gaze toward Qi Yuan was full of shock.

She thought he would make a fortune from the Jin Clan, but she didn't expect this guy to be generous to this extent. He was completely not playing by the rules!

Seeing the Wood Clan tribesmen's eyes turning red with envy, Mu Clan Chief sighed with a complex expression and gave Mu Qingqing a meaningful look.

The latter immediately understood her Great Priest's meaning, took the initiative to walk up, and asked with a respectful expression:

"Um… Shopkeeper Chen, after that workshop is built, can you also recruit our Wood Clan tribesmen into it?"