That is to say, the same amount of silver can have different values at different times and in the eyes of different people.

For example, in his father's storeroom, there were piles of stored silver, with some money chests even gathering a thick layer of dust. To the Big Bowl Grain Shop, this silver was almost nonexistent, but to others, it was desperately sought after—such as a newly opened restaurant, or an escort agency eager to expand... Lending a small sum to them could very likely yield a generous return.

Usurious lending among the common folk may seem similar, but there is a fundamental difference—the latter merely takes advantage of others' misfortune, seizing and plundering, never stopping until they've sucked someone dry, while the former looks to the future, seeking mutual benefit. The very fact that it bears its own risk makes it much more acceptable than greedy usury.

Moreover, risks are not impossible to avoid. For example, by bringing in more people and sharing the lending costs, even if the investment fails, losses can be greatly reduced...

The more William Grant thought about it, the more excited he became, his hands even trembling slightly!

The potential of this business probably far exceeds that of selling grain!

"This principle... might be applicable to a trading firm," he said, unable to contain his excitement.

It did originate from commerce, after all. Brian Carter smiled but did not respond.

While the other was lost in thought, he had already finished counting the money in his hand—a total of seven people had taken his IOUs, exchanging them for twenty-one taels of silver in total, more than enough to afford a top room.

Unfortunately, the Fei family reacted quite swiftly, discovering a small wave of withdrawals among the examinees in less than two hours and immediately taking the most advantageous countermeasures for themselves. You have to know, there are over four hundred examinees in Qingshan Town, all getting up and moving at different times, so the number of people on the street fluctuates normally. To notice such a subtle change amidst the crowd, the scions of noble families were indeed well prepared.

Otherwise, if he had managed to save up a bit more silver, he might have been able to buy a bottle of spirit fire directly from someone else.

"Brother Carter, I now understand the matter of venture investment," William Grant gradually calmed down from his daydreams, "It truly is a good plan, but without so many candidates to choose from, its effectiveness would be greatly diminished. How did you know there would be a batch of examinees giving up the exam this morning?"

"That's a personal secret," Brian Carter replied easily.

"You can't tell me?" William Grant put on a look of desperate curiosity.

"No, I can't."

"Brother Carter, ten meals!"

"Even if you gave me a whole restaurant, I wouldn't tell you."

...

Now that he had money in hand, it was time to consider serious matters. Brian Carter returned to the teahouse and spent one tael of silver to ask the waiter about the situation on the back mountain—there was indeed a flat area halfway up the mountain, with some scattered ancient graves piled there. These burial mounds had existed for nearly a hundred years, and in summer and autumn, faint lights could often be seen.

Besides that, there was also a winding mountain path, but the roadside was overgrown with vegetation and extremely difficult to traverse. Few people other than the town's hunters ever ventured deep into Qingshan.

"Where does that path lead?" Brian Carter was a bit curious. In theory, such a mountain path would be formed over many years of trampling, and a few hunters alone shouldn't be able to manage that.

"I don't know about that," the waiter shook his head. "The mountain range behind Qingshan Town stretches as far as the eye can see. There's no way that path could cross all the mountains and come out the other side, right? Nine times out of ten, it's a dead end."

"Alright, that's all I need for now." Brian Carter tossed him another half tael of broken silver. "One order of braised beef buns, deliver it to my room door."

"Right away!"

He then looked at William Grant, "I'm planning to check out the back mountain. Surely you don't want to follow me this time?"

The latter quickly shook his head, "I've already decided not to get involved in the scholar's exam. Brother Carter, you go ahead. I'll stay in the teahouse, and if I happen to hear any useful clues, maybe I can help you out."

"Thanks." Brian Carter finished his tea in one gulp and turned to leave.

After passing the crossroads and walking several hundred more meters, the small town was already behind him.

Although there were still some mud houses here, their dilapidation was no different from ruins—either the roofs had collapsed, or only half the walls remained.

The weeds on the road grew ever denser, and with the shade of the trees gradually encroaching on the path, the breeze blowing from all around felt much cooler.

The cliffs that had seemed far away now loomed overhead; in another world, this nameless mountain might be insignificant, but here, anyone who tried to cross it would be deterred by the tangled vines and thorns.

If the waiter was right, the path under his feet would soon split in two, as if cleaved by the cliff ahead.

At that moment, Brian Carter suddenly heard the sound of an argument.

He raised his eyebrows in mild surprise and followed the sound.

At the fork in the road, he saw a group of examinees gathered together, shouting and cursing at something. Opposite them stood a group of people dressed in white.

Due to limitations in dyeing technology, pure-colored clothing was rare in this era, and white was one of the rarest. In this scholar's exam, the only ones who wore all white and often moved in groups, as far as Brian Carter could recall, were the disciples of the Fei family.

There were seven or eight of them, standing in a row, perfectly blocking the road leading up the mountainside.