Chapter 250: The way of people

Li Qi walked through the jade shops.

The prices were… unexpectedly low.

Most jade materials were much cheaper than Heaven And Earth Treasure of the same grade.

Some Mortal-grade items were almost as cheap as meat.

It seemed they had no intention of hoarding goods.

Perhaps it was due to the custom of the entire Tang Nation wearing jade, so the Tang Nation specifically made such adjustments?

Thinking about it, it was quite possible.

Oh, right…

Li Qi suddenly realized something he had already discovered while talking with the Honglu Temple official earlier.

That was, in the Tang Nation's transactions, they didn't seem to pursue 'profit,' only a reasonable return for labor, meaning one only needed to pay the value of the labor, not additional profit from commodity appreciation.

It was just that the idea of having to pay extra money when buying things, creating profit for merchants to 'earn money,' had been ingrained in Li Qi's mind, making him slow to react.

But here, everything he had just bought was at cost price plus a small service fee!?

The entire society had no room for redundant profits; in other words… almost all commodities were essentially an exchange of labor and raw materials, thus completely eliminating financial crises caused by hoarding and surplus value.

How did cyclical financial crises arise?

If a commodity's cost value was one tael, but to gain profit, it was necessary to exploit the laborers who produced these commodities, making them generate surplus value, and then mark up the price in the market, ultimately selling for two taels, or even more.

If a commodity worth one tael was sold for two taels, the result was that the amount of money would be more than the goods, leading to people's money not being enough to buy all the goods on the market, causing a large accumulation of goods.

After accumulation, prices would inevitably drop to clear inventory, eventually leading to a price collapse and a financial crisis.

Of course, Li Qi also knew a way to alleviate this method.

That was debt.

If laborers couldn't afford the goods they produced with their money, it was fine; I'll lend you money, so you can afford them.

Through consumerism and pre-emptive loans, allowing people to borrow in advance to purchase goods could enable 'debt + income' to buy existing goods, thus allowing the market to continue operating.

But there was a limit to this; once that limit of being unable to repay was reached, meaning the debt became too much to bear, it would cause a second type of financial crisis, namely the 'subprime mortgage crisis.'

So, the Tang Nation had found a way to solve cyclical financial crises, breaking free from the shackles of private society? And at the same time, it adjusted the problem of labor devaluation through market regulation.

How did automated large-scale factory industries operate without profit, and how was the problem of labor enthusiasm solved?

How did they do it!?

Li Qi didn't understand; his knowledge of mathematics and economics only allowed him to analyze this far. He couldn't imagine how the Tang Nation achieved it beyond this point.

But the only thing he could be sure of was that even jade, which was in high demand, couldn't have its price raised here.

This Dao… indeed permeated everything; could it even consider this aspect?

Li Qi sighed in admiration.

The more he read these, the more he admired humanity, and at the same time, felt a little awe.

In terms of integrating resources and reducing internal friction, other Dao Orthodoxy might not be as good, but at least Shaman Dao was inferior.

However, Li Qi also didn't realize another thing.

That was, just by looking at the prices of jade and food, Li Qi had already perceived some of the economic operating laws of humanity.

His mind was smarter than before; as his cultivation improved, he was becoming increasingly intelligent.

But at this moment, he didn't pay attention to this, only summarizing humanity's finance while examining the jade materials in these shops.

After marveling at humanity's methods, he still had to continue looking for what to buy for Shen Shuibi, after all, this was also a proper matter.

However, although the jade here was cheaper than Li Qi imagined, it was only relatively speaking.

After all, as a natural treasure, jade, Qi, and natural elements also had grades; high-grade jade would never be cheap no matter what.

The normal formation of jade is when Qi from natural elements is hidden within stones, gradually influencing them, causing the stone's properties to change; this is the origin of jade.

For example, 'Chizhang' jade contains fire Qi, 'Qinggui' contains wood Qi, and 'Cangbi' contains pure heavenly Qi.

Li Qi's sacrificial rituals, where he offered Chizhang to the south and Qinggui to the east, also came from this direction.

And what Li Qi was preparing to buy this time was Biyu, which was the type of jade in Shen Shuibi’s name.

This was no ordinary item.

As the saying goes: “Emperors wear pure jade with Xuanzu ribbons, dukes and marquises wear Mountain Xuan Jade with Zhuzu ribbons, high officials wear Water Cang Jade with pure ribbons, crown princes wear Yu Jade with Qizu ribbons, and scholars wear Runwen with Yunzu ribbons.”

This Water Cang Jade was a type of Biyu.

There is a poem that says: “Ten thousand nations flock to the royal court, all officials wear Water Cang.”

Even high-ranking officials in the court would wear this jade when meeting with representatives from myriad nations, which shows its quality.

Water Cang Jade… Li Qi couldn't afford it, because this was an extremely high-quality Biyu, but a slightly lower grade, uncarved, and not buying ready-made Spiritual Tools, just the jade material, the price was acceptable if he gritted his teeth.

Walking into a shop, Li Qi saw an unopened raw stone.

Through True Knowledge Dao Resonance, he could see the jade contained within.

A piece of sixth-grade Biyu, containing the Qi of mountains and water, linked into one body, of excellent quality.

Li Qi walked over.

A female sales assistant walked over: “Sir, have you taken a liking to this raw Biyu stone?”

As soon as she spoke, she revealed that the raw stone contained Biyu.

That's right, in this kind of world, stone gambling is basically impossible; even on Earth, X-rays can be used to scan and pre-screen excellent raw stones.

In the Tang Nation, it was even simpler; cultivators could sense what was inside a raw stone with a glance. It was almost impossible to find a hidden gem; don't treat others as fools.

Understanding this, Li Qi asked: “Miss, what is the price of this raw stone?”

But the sales Young Miss did not directly state the price; instead, she waved her hand, her water sleeves fluttering, and a mirage of mirror flowers and moon in water appeared before Li Qi's eyes.

“Sir, please see, the formation of this Biyu is the result of two sixth-grade mountain Qi and water Qi merging into one, forming a pattern where mountains and water depend on each other, thus forming this Biyu.”

“Within this mountain Qi, there are the colors of the four seasons; spring mountains are enchanting and like a smile, summer mountains are verdant and like drops, autumn mountains are clear and like a wash, winter mountains are tranquil and like sleep, complementing each other in order, with respect having its own sequence, layers upon layers, profound even in a small space, with scenery so exquisite yet hazy and ethereal, possessing the demeanor of a refined gentleman!”

As she spoke, she demonstrated the properties of that mountain Qi.

Then, the scene shifted, moving to the water Qi surrounding this mountain Qi, the mirror flowers and moon in water lens zoomed in on the water encircling the mountains.

“Like this mountain, this water also has the colors of the four seasons, following the Qi of the four seasons; spring water is slightly green, summer water is slightly cool, autumn water is slightly clear, winter water is slightly desolate. The water flows smoothly and continuously, shining with the mountain, presenting the Qi of clouds, mist, and haze, as if with a shimmering light.”

“The Qi of this jade, when viewed from above, reveals overlapping shoals and rocks, surging water, amidst dense green peaks, lake light and water reflections, transforming Spirit Stone, interweaving and penetrating, with verdant colors brushing up the rocks, distinctly beyond the mundane world, with no hidden beauty in its height and depth, truly an excellent choice for a sixth-grade treasure jade.”

“Furthermore, this jade is still a raw stone, full of possibilities. Whether it's for a hairpin, a wine vessel, a jade bracelet, or a seal, it can be crafted. Subsequent Spiritual Artifact designs can also be customized according to its form, and we can also contact professional artisans and refiners for you, Sir.”

Honestly, I have to say, professional salespeople truly have a silver tongue.

Li Qi felt a little emotional; he certainly couldn't have said those words.

However, while he was emotional, he was also a little puzzled.

“Miss, I do want to buy it, but I have a question. This shouldn't have much profit, so why are you promoting it so enthusiastically?” Li Qi asked, puzzled.

However, saying this made the sales Young Miss puzzled instead.

She tilted her head, looking at Li Qi curiously, not knowing why this young man would say such a thing, but she still politely answered:

“Sir, you jest. Of course, it’s because this is my job. Didn’t I choose this job because I like it? Does Sir not do things because he likes them?”

Upon hearing this, Li Qi was stunned.

He froze on the spot, a tidal wave rising in his heart!

So that's how it is!

So that's how it is!

Pure liking, pure passion.

Humans inherently possess the instinct to pursue what they love, but elsewhere, this passion is bound by various difficulties in the real world, ultimately turning into 'forced by life.'

The various difficulties in this reality largely stem from the oppression caused by the shortage of living materials, and a small part comes from inflated desires and the mismatch with one's abilities.

But in the Tang Nation, the shortage of materials, this point, was gone.

In other words…

Not to mention the entire Tang Nation territory, just Chang'an alone, probably no one would be forced to do something they didn't like due to a shortage of living materials.

Moreover, they also had enough resources and energy to pursue what they truly liked.

That is… pursuing their 'Dao'.

Pure Dao seekers, constantly striving in the direction they love, the motivation generated this way is absolutely countless times stronger than striving out of survival pressure.

Don't think that hobbies are ridiculous things like being a construction worker or like this sales assistant now.

Doesn't a construction worker's upward development lead to the Dao of Reason or the artisan branch of humanity?

This sales assistant, moving further up… isn't she a 'traveler' under the Invoker lineage, or a small or large official in Honglu Temple who communicates with foreign countries?

A love that comes from the heart, and then pursued.

Is the entire Chang'an like this?

Countless Dao seekers!

Li Qi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

It was both beautiful and terrifying!

Such a world was simply a perfect heaven. For those living within it, it was a flawless ideal realm.

But Li Qi also knew very well what such beauty was built upon, which was why he broke out in a cold sweat.

Built on what?

You wouldn't think that humanity's silver hegemony and extremely strong desire for external expansion are just for show, would you?

Everything must be built on a material foundation.

So the conclusion is very simple: the superior environment and beautiful heavenly scene within humanity are entirely built upon the wanton aggression and crushing of the outside world.

Based on humanity, devouring all things.

This natural world, this heaven and earth, all things in the world, Boundless Outer Domain, everything must serve humanity!

This, I'm afraid, is the fundamental logic of humanity!

The Dao of humanity, taking from the insufficient to bestow upon the abundant!

Just as Li Qi was awestruck by his own thoughts, the voice of the sales assistant reached his ears.

“Sir? What’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?” She looked at Li Qi, puzzled.

This person is so strange; he asks some nonsensical questions, then falls into his own thoughts, and looks shocked.

I don't know what to say… I just feel like there's something mentally wrong with him.

He can't afford it, can he?

However, Li Qi immediately snapped out of it, recovering his senses from the shock, and said apologetically: “I’m sorry, I got lost in thought. I’m very satisfied with this jade. How much does it cost?”

The sales assistant nodded, then said: “After all, it is a sixth-grade treasure. Although its divine charm is currently restrained and it has no special effects, if it is refined into a Spiritual Artifact using it as raw material, its divine efficacy can be unleashed. Therefore, the price will not be too cheap. Two million taels of silver, or a ninth-grade B-rank miniature heaven and earth, are both acceptable.”

Worlds, due to their vast resources and continuous output, can generally be exchanged for items several grades higher than themselves, depending on their specific form, making them very valuable resources.

For example, the unique Zhoushi miniature heaven and earth that Shaman God Mountain had seen, although that miniature heaven and earth had no specific grade, its true value could probably sell for the price of a fifth-grade or higher Spiritual Artifact.

Worlds like Earth Oil Realm, which have special products, although only ninth-grade, can easily be exchanged for sixth-grade Spiritual Artifacts.

Other worlds with nothing special or no unique products would be slightly cheaper.

And now, a single piece of Biyu could be exchanged for a world.

Li Qi couldn't help but sigh… What were the lives in these worlds considered?

Shaman Dao did not occupy too many miniature heaven and earths, nor did it frequently enslave or seize the resources of miniature heaven and earths in large quantities. The entire Shaman Dao was not very aggressive; even the miniature heaven and earths under Shaman Dao's jurisdiction were mostly treated equally.

What it was, it was, without distinction of first, second, or third class, and worlds were almost never used as currency for transactions.

Thinking about this, Li Qi suddenly realized that Shaman Dao mostly engaged in bartering; there was no unified currency at all, only things like gold among Mortals.

Even the Qi beads he used when browsing stalls were actually items with practical uses, not general equivalents like silver, which had no inherent value.

The values of the two sides… the difference was truly not ordinary.

It wasn't about whose was better or worse, but such a disparity in worldviews made conflict inevitable.

The struggle between Dao probably arose from this.

While thinking about these things, his hands didn't stop; instead, he took out the 'disguise' set his teacher had given him earlier.

It was actually that set of particularly beautiful clothes, a complete set of seventh-grade Spiritual Artifacts, plus the hundreds of thousands of Qi beads from before.

But at this moment, a voice suddenly called out from behind Li Qi.

“Wait!”