Chapter 1408: Fellow Daoists
Chapter 1408: Fellow Daoists
Qi Xuansu laughed. “Playing poor, are you? A few wealthy families in the Central Plains could easily scrape together 1.5 million Taiping coins. Don’t tell me you can’t.”Huangfu Ji did not answer directly. “Water supply, roads, communications, steam systems, land leveling, and sewage are all basic infrastructure for a solid foundation. It’s really not much at 75,000 Taiping coins per hectare. We have excluded labor costs to minimize expenses.
“We’re not dealing in empty talk or grand theories, just a straightforward economic calculation. Once completed, we plan to designate all 20 hectares as commercial land. Based on a conservative estimate of 450,000 Taiping coins per hectare or higher for prime locations, the total revenue won’t be less than 10 million. That would make the whole project viable.”
Qi Xuansu stood up and nodded slightly. “I’ve been to St. York. Prime land like that is indeed worth a fortune.”
Huangfu Ji stood up as well. “You see, the returns are quite promising. We just need some startup capital for now.”
Qi Xuansu spread his hands. “Brother Li Ming, you keep circling back to money. Where am I supposed to get 1.5 million Taiping coins? This mansion of mine is worth 1.45 million. My past, present, and future stipends are all tied up in this house. You might as well take it if you want.”
“You’re the one playing poor,” Huangfu Ji laughed. “Didn’t you just say that a few wealthy families could raise 1.5 million Taiping coins easily? Now, you’re suddenly broke? Besides, I’m not asking you personally. I’m asking for support from the Daoist Order.”
Qi Xuansu refused. “You know how sensitive this topic is right now. The Golden Tower Council’s vote was six to six. There’s no advantage. Support is out of the question.”
“Not a handout, a loan,” Huangfu Ji said immediately. “We really have no other choice.”
Qi Xuansu remained silent.
Huangfu Ji continued, “A loan of 1.5 million Taiping coins, using the 20 hectares as collateral. Whatever interest rate is set, we’ll pay it.”
Qi Xuansu said, “I see how it is. That 20 hectares of land exists only on paper, and you want to exchange it for 1.5 million Taiping coins? That’s taking something for nothing.”