Lán, Saman Pa, Shú and Baek sat around the wooden circular table in Lán's office with grim looks on their faces.

“Well, there’s no way around it” Shú said “We’re broke”

Lán sighed as he rubbed his face, the Lusé Elenea Medical Clinic had managed to balance its budget, albeit barely, but the main issue that had haunted the Lúse Family for the past three years still remained. Money.

They were spread extremely thin, even more now that they had spent basically all of their savings. They had managed to get the West Wind Taoist Sect out of Húchéng but the threat of the Jinzí Merchant Union remained. 

In the few days after the sect’s departure, both the Jinzi Merchant Union and the Lúse Family scrambled to gain control in the power vacuum, but many of the Taoist aligned businesses allied themselves with the merchants to secure a stable source of clients. 

Now with two factions vying for control of Húchéng, a fight between the two of them was all but guaranteed. 

“We have a few advantages” Lán said “Firstly, the clinic has bought us a lot of goodwill from the people, they will trust any business with the Lúse Family name”

Saman Pa nodded in agreement “Im already beginning to find ways to expand the clinic, mainly by making an in-house pharmacy, however since the Jinzi Merchant Union controls the trade routes surrounding Húchéng, procuring the necessary herbs and ingredients has proved quite difficult”

Baek continued. “We have managed to recruit more men, so now we can restart our caravan and private security business” 

This was also true, since Lán had basically taken over all of the administrative and civil tasks of the Lúse Family, his father could focus on his martial training and had begun to personally instruct the Lúse Family guards. Since training under an Advanced Martial artist was a rare opportunity, many young people flocked to Li’s banner.

“However I'm running into the same problem as Saman Pa” Baek continued “Since most of the businesses are aligned with the Jinzi only a few businesses have even considered hiring our services”

Shú scratched her head as she pulled out maps and different ledgers. Lán had taught her how to read and write and she was making excellent use of it.

“We know a lot of things about them, their shipments, their businesses, their enemies, their leaders and even how they bully small businesses and homeowners into unfavorable contracts” she said “but they are extremely clever about their practices, everything is strictly legal and above board, and they keep a tight watch over their business” 

The three looked at Lán expectantly, but he was deep inside the Azure Palace, he was still listening to his allies words of course, he was still developing the skill of flickering between the inside and outside his mind.

Inside the Hall of Worlds a whirlwind of pen and paper raged on, Lán drafted plans and plans but they each seemed to bump against the same core issue. The Jinzi Merchant Union had too much money and a complete monopoly of Húchéng, whatever business they could possibly attempt would easily be choked out and bought up by the merchants.

The Lúse Family needed money, but they needed such a huge amount that they could break through the monopoly and slowly begin to establish roots. 

Lán continued thinking for several hours, plans came and went, until one broke through, one plan that even though it was a long shot, could make them so much money that Lán even worried it was too much.

Lán opened his eyes to see his friends' expectant faces and explain his plan. Shú was instantly onboard and Baek and Saman Pa’s befuddlement quickly became awe, as they began to understand the magnitude of what Lán was implying. 

_____________________________________________________

Su Youlan grumbled angrily as she stared down from her balcony into the hall below. A fat greasy man was causing a ruckus, his name was Guan Baocai, he was one of the heads of the Jinzi Merchant Union and had spent the past week in her Qinglou* The Green Lotus scaring off her customers and harassing her girls. 

Su Youlan went into her room to change and re-apply her makeup, she hid the lines along her face as she prepared to go downstairs.

She prided herself on her ability to deeply understand just what a person wanted and she had trained tirelessly to make herself be able to become that person on the fly. She had spent twenty grueling years working to be able to open The Green Lotus, and no one was going to take it away from her. 

Youlan strode into the main hall majestically, even through the music, food, and other alluring sights, everyone in the hall could not help but look at her. She smiled pleasantly and greeted her guests, asking for forgiveness for the mess Guan Baocai was making and slowly making his way towards him.

“Most esteemed guest, I'm grateful that you seem to be having a wonderful time” Youlan addressed the man smiling “May I offer you a private room with my finest girls and wine to continue your revelry?”

Baocai narrowed his eyes as he stared Su Youlan down “Youlan! You have been avoiding me all night!” he said as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her towards him. 

“Not at all sir, I’ve simply been busy with other matters,” Youlan replied calmly.

Baocai grinned from ear to ear, his yellow teeth matching the gold jewelry that covered him. “You see, that's why you should sell this measly place to the Jinzi Merchant Union, a beautiful flower has no need to worry herself with business”  

"Especially when it's already beginning to wilt" he whispered in her ear.

Youlan kept the anger that raised from her stomach inside of her as she laughed cordially. Baocai shrugged and took his posse towards one of the private rooms, leaving the main hall and ending the ruckus.

Youlan went back to her office after meeting a few more guests, some minutes passed when one of her girls knocked on her door.

“A client asked for you directly madam, he says he is the Young Master of the Lúse family” she said. Youlan stood up and looked over the balcony. Near the entrance sat a pretty young man on a wheelchair, he looked like he was just about to reach adulthood but there were still many boyish features on his face.

“Now that's a surprise” she thought “I wonder what a boy in a wheelchair wants with me” she smirked, but by the time she had changed and gone down the stairs again, she knew exactly what he wanted.