Chapter 1409: Apprenticeship Ceremony
Chapter 1409: Apprenticeship Ceremony
Qi Xuansu spent the entire day running around and successfully got things arranged for Huangfu Ji. His main role was to connect the right people. He hosted a tea meeting between the Chief Deputy of Shibo Hall and Huangfu Ji, settling most of the deal. The remaining details would be handled by their subordinates, leading to a formal contract.For an individual, 1.5 million Taiping coins was a huge sum. Qi Xuansu had carried massive debts across two lifetimes and still had no personal stipend. He was essentially broke. But for the Daoist Order, it was not a significant amount at all, not even worth bringing to the Golden Tower Council. The Nine Halls had sufficient autonomy to handle it.
If the previous Golden Tower Council meeting had produced a formal resolution, it might have influenced this matter. But since no decision was reached, that created a different political climate altogether.
The key was that the Western Daoist Order’s terms were extremely generous. It was an investment of 1.5 million Taiping coins with an expected return of 3 million Taiping coins. Anyone would see it as a profitable deal.
The Nine Halls also cared about performance. For the Shibo Hall, performance meant money. Big windfall deals, like the arms trade earlier in the year, were rare and dependent on perfect conditions. Normally, success came from steady, long-term investments like this.
Once the port was built, the Western Daoist Order would provide land, labor, raw materials, and policy support, while the Daoist Order would contribute capital, technology, networks, and overseas markets. It was a clear win-win partnership.
After resolving these matters, Qi Xuansu met with Great Sage Shi.
This time, it was for official business.
Great Sage Shi summoned Qi Xuansu because Huangfu Ji planned to visit the Wanxiang Daoist Palace to study the Daoist Order’s talent development system.
Great Sage Shi wanted Qi Xuansu, as an outstanding alumnus of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, to accompany Huangfu Ji during the visit.
This was already part of Qi Xuansu’s plan. Even without Huangfu Ji, he intended to visit.
However, Great Sage Shi had another request. He wanted Qi Xuansu to give a speech as a distinguished senior to encourage younger students. So he asked Qi Xuansu to prepare in advance.