Monopoly Tycoon

The New Year was fast approaching, and the Tycoon had come to bring fortune to Little White Village, wishing everyone prosperity and great wealth in the coming year.

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At dawn, a luxurious four-wheeled carriage drawn by two fine horses slowly entered Little White Village. Riding alongside it were armed cavalrymen, providing an impressive escort—judging by their bearing, they must have been at least level thirty or forty, formidable indeed.

The arrival of this carriage from afar caused quite a stir; many players gathered around, curious to see who might be inside. Some tried to get a closer look, but the cavalry guards immediately raised their lances, aiming them at the players with cold, warning stares. No one dared challenge them—a single thrust from those lances and no one would survive. The players backed away in embarrassment, unwilling to approach the carriage any further.

The carriage halted in front of the inn, and a portly, corpulent NPC stepped out, glancing about with an air of authority, as if he were an official come to inspect the countryside.

Exclamations arose from the crowd: “What a wealthy NPC!” “Look at that gold chain—thick as a thumb!”

Old Green Bean, the inn’s serving lad, saw the lavish carriage and hurried outside, plastering a fawning smile on his face as he greeted, “Welcome, sir, to our humble establishment. Please, come in!”

The portly NPC cast a disdainful glance at the shabby inn and, instead of entering, shuffled over to sit at the adjacent Lady Xu’s Tavern. “Bring me a few light dishes to fill my stomach—I’m exhausted from the journey.”

The cavalry guards tied their horses to the posts beside the tavern and took seats at the empty tables nearby, while the coachman tended to the steeds. Seeing that the NPC wasn’t issuing any quests, the crowd’s curiosity soon waned, and the players gradually dispersed.

It was still early, and few people remained in the tavern. Old Green Bean hurried inside to ask Lady Xu to prepare a few dishes.

Zhan Xiaobai and Li Asan, having received word, rushed to the tavern, where they saw the rotund NPC eating.

Zhan Xiaobai quickly stepped forward with a smile. “I am the mayor of Little White Village. May I ask who you are, sir?”

The NPC clasped his hands and replied with a courteous smile, “Ah, so you’re the mayor! I am the Tycoon of Mighty City. Greetings, Mayor.”

Zhan Xiaobai thought to himself, So, he’s the Tycoon from Xiliang’s Mighty City. No doubt he’s among the first wave of guests drawn here by the new village inn. He didn’t yet know why the Tycoon had appeared so suddenly, but whatever the reason, the mere fact that the Tycoon was eating and lodging in the village would bring in a handsome profit.

He quickly replied, “You are most welcome, sir!”

The Tycoon said, “Back in Mighty City, I heard idle talk of a fine new village rising in Longyou. Having nothing better to do, I decided to come see for myself. I fear I may linger in your village for several days.”

Old Green Bean bustled about, wiping chairs, serving dishes, and attending to the guests. The Tycoon was so well cared for that, in his pleasure, he tossed Old Green Bean a copper coin as a tip. Overjoyed, Old Green Bean bowed repeatedly in gratitude; after all, he earned only two copper coins a day—this tip was half a day’s wages! How could he not be delighted?

Zhan Xiaobai watched with approval and said, “Indeed, you have the bearing of a true Tycoon! Only you would leave such a generous tip in our humble village.”

The Tycoon, in excellent spirits, waved his hand and grinned, his eyes crinkling. “Nonsense! This little bit of money makes me merely a modest merchant back in Mighty City. I’m nothing compared to those truly wealthy families.”

After a leisurely half-day in the tavern, well-fed and rested, the Tycoon finally rose, clutching his ample belly, and requested a tour of the village, insisting that Zhan Xiaobai personally accompany him.

The cavalry guards followed like shadows.

Realizing this guest’s immense spending potential, Zhan Xiaobai dared not show the slightest neglect. Smiling, he led the Tycoon on a tour around the village. “Our village is newly built, so the buildings are still a bit rough. I hope you won’t mind. Let me show you around. What do you think of our architecture?”

The Tycoon shook his head. “The rest are passable, but the inn is inadequate—too plain and crude. Listen, Mayor, I’d like to buy a plot of land here and build myself a little villa. What do you think?”

Zhan Xiaobai was overjoyed; here was the chance to make a fortune! He whispered a few words to Li Asan, instructing him to quickly fetch Elder Swordmaster. Li Asan hurried off.

Zhan Xiaobai beamed. “It would be an honor for our village if you were to build a villa here! What sort of residence do you have in mind, sir? We’ll do our utmost to meet your requirements.”

The Tycoon waved his hand. “I just want to build a modest place, somewhere to stay when I come to visit. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. I think something around a thousand copper coins would suffice.”

A thousand copper coins! That was enough to start two small villages. To build a villa for that sum—Zhan Xiaobai was tempted to sell every plot of land in the village. After all, if the village had anything in abundance, it was land.

Before long, Elder Swordmaster arrived. Hearing that the Tycoon wanted to buy property, he was so delighted he nearly worshipped the man as the God of Wealth. He quickly began discussing building plans with the Tycoon.

Zhan Xiaobai entrusted the matter to Elder Swordmaster; after all, the latter was a bona fide professional real estate developer—no one better suited to handle these transactions.

The Tycoon laid out his requirements: “I see your village has little stone, so build entirely with wood, but the carvings must be exquisite and expertly done. Otherwise, my friends will mock me. Do you have a master woodcarver here? No? Then I’ll have finished carved timber brought in from Mighty City. Also, the villa must have an air of wealth and grandeur. Do you have architects or landscape designers here? No? Then I’ll have a master architect from Mighty City draw up the plans and send a professional construction team.”

Elder Swordmaster broke out in a cold sweat. A professional construction crew? The Tycoon’s standards were high—everything had to be crafted by masters, and the village had none at all. Still, the Tycoon had money to burn; whatever was needed could simply be brought in from Mighty City.

The Tycoon, swelling with pride, continued, “Once the house is done, I’ll need lots of furniture and daily necessities. What level are your carpenters here? Intermediate? Too low, but I’ll make do for some simple pieces. Pottery, fine silks and such—you don’t have those either? I’ll bring everything from Mighty City. I have a rule: I never use anything secondhand. Once I’ve used something, it gets thrown out—otherwise it would lower my standing.”

Elder Swordmaster forced a smile, swallowing his irritation for the sake of profit. Inwardly, however, he cursed: Show off all you like here, but if you had real nerve, go flaunt your wealth in the imperial capital, Luoyang, you country bumpkin.

Zhan Xiaobai understood Elder Swordmaster’s frustration, but they had to do everything possible to keep the Tycoon in the village and encourage him to spend as much as possible.