Chapter 50: Scouts Enter the Game

The large tree leaf in Chai Xiao's hand began to spin once again.

"On the second day of the knockout stage, which is the round of thirty-two down to sixteen, there will be a total of sixteen matches."

"We will follow the pattern of the previous day, with a few slight changes."

"The first style is guessing the outcomes. Changing from the upper and lower brackets to all sixteen matches combined, getting nine correct wins a prize of five hundred copper coins, and getting all sixteen correct wins one hundred taels."

"Because the later it gets, the more intense it becomes, and the number of bettors will increase. We will double the print run, initially rubbing ten thousand copies."

"The second style is 'Choose Any Nine', still offering four gameplay variations. Mark all sixteen matches and choose any nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or more."

"The prize money remains unchanged, being ten taels, twenty taels, fifty taels, and one hundred taels respectively."

"We will initially rub two thousand copies for each variation."

"The third style is 'First Half plus Full Match'. Divided into upper and lower brackets of eight matches each, getting all of them correct wins a prize of fifty taels."

"The print run is also doubled, with four thousand copies initially rubbed for each."

"The fourth style is 'Guessing the Score and Method'. Also divided into upper and lower brackets of eight matches each, getting all scores correct wins fifty taels, and getting all methods correct wins thirty taels."

"Doubling the print run, we will initially rub four thousand copies for each."

"In this way, the total number of lottery tickets printed remains unchanged from the previous day, at forty-two thousand copies."

"Adding the total number of lottery tickets from the first three days together, we reach one hundred and six thousand copies."

"Jianfeng, Jianyu, did I calculate incorrectly?"

Jianfeng and Jianyu's eyes shone with a light that drew closer and closer to victory, and they hurriedly replied.

"Young Master, not a single bit off. It has already exceeded one-fifth of the total fifty thousand copies!"

The large tree leaf in Chai Xiao's hand continued to spin.

"On the third day of the knockout stage, sixteen down to eight, eight matches."

"With fewer matches, more adjustments are needed."

"The first style is guessing outcomes, all eight matches. Only getting all of them correct wins a prize, with the prize money set lower at ten taels."

"Initially rub ten thousand copies."

"The second style, 'Choose Any Nine', is no longer possible and is cancelled."

"The third style is 'First Half plus Full Match', exactly eight matches, and getting all correct wins fifty taels."

"Double the print run again, initially rubbing eight thousand copies."

"The fourth style is guessing scores and methods. Also exactly eight matches, getting all scores correct wins fifty taels, and getting all methods correct wins thirty taels."

"The prize amounts are also increased, with eight thousand copies initially rubbed for each."

"The number of lottery tickets printed, minus the eight thousand copies for 'Choose Any Nine', is thirty-four thousand copies, bringing the grand total to exactly one hundred and forty thousand."

This time, not only Jianfeng, Jianyu, and the others, but even Imperial Noble Consort Yun and Suzaku showed boundless joy in their eyes.

Never had they imagined that these twenty-copper-coin lottery tickets could sell in such massive quantities.

Nothing is impossible if you dare to imagine it!

The large tree leaf in Chai Xiao's hand continued to spin, but very slowly.

"On the fourth day of the knockout stage, eight down to four, only four matches."

"The first three styles are entirely cancelled, leaving only the last one: guessing scores or methods."

"We can print more of this one. Because only this single type remains, everyone's enthusiasm will focus entirely upon it. Let's initially rub ten thousand copies for each!"

"However, the prize for getting all correct must be reduced to only five taels."

Jianfeng and the other twelve golden hairpins, along with Imperial Noble Consort Yun and Suzaku, nodded repeatedly.

Clearly, they thoroughly approved of the Lord's adjustment to decrease the prize money while increasing the print volume.

Yet, after nodding, a look of regret and reluctance involuntarily surfaced in their eyes.

Logically speaking, the further along it goes, the more viewers there are, capturing the gaze of the entire world.

However, because there are fewer and fewer matches, making them increasingly easier to predict, there is no longer any room to set up potential lottery betting scenarios.

Unexpectedly, Chai Xiao's face showed no trace of reluctance.

The reason for cancelling "Choose Any Nine" on the third day and retaining only "Guessing Scores" on the fourth day was entirely modeled after modern football lottery sample spaces!

The first type, win-draw-loss, has a sample space of fourteen matches.

Therefore, it could barely be set up when there were eight matches, but the prize could only be ten taels, and it had to be cancelled when there were four matches.

The second type, "Choose Any Nine", has a sample space of nine out of fourteen.

Therefore, it cannot be offered when there are eight matches or fewer, and must be cancelled.

The third type, half/full match, has a sample space of six matches.

Therefore, it can be offered when there are eight matches, but must be cancelled at four matches.

The fourth type, number of goals, has a sample space of four matches.

Therefore, it can still be offered at eight matches and four matches, but no further.

So, does that mean not a single "Martial Prince Ticket" can be printed for the even more thrilling semi-finals and finals that follow?

Chai Xiao smiled faintly, suppressing his eagerness to unleash his ultimate move.

Jianfeng held paper in one hand and a brush in the other, and said.

"Young Master, with the one hundred and forty thousand printed before, plus these twenty thousand for guessing scores and methods on the fourth day of the knockout stage, that makes a total of one hundred and sixty thousand."

"That's close to one-third of the total fifty thousand copies!"

"Could it be that this is truly all there is?"

Chai Xiao did not answer immediately.

At that moment, he saw Zhang Bao walking toward them. Zhang Bao stood beside Suzaku, whispered a few words, and then stood respectfully at the side of Imperial Noble Consort Yun, though he still couldn't resist craning his neck to look at the drawing in Jianfeng's hand.

This was probably the innate nature of an actuary once activated!

Chai Xiao looked up at the sun.

It was roughly two quarter-hours away from noon!

Zhang Bao returning at this time likely meant that the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human arenas at East Drum Tower were fully prepared and they could set off.

Chai Xiao nodded slightly and handed the third large tree leaf to Jianfeng.

"You just asked if this is all there is? I'll answer you in a moment!"

"Now, take the order. These one hundred and sixty thousand copies rubbed in advance, as well as any purchased and printed thereafter, are all entrusted to you!"

Jianfeng looked solemn, leading Jianyun and Jianwu to drop to one knee and receive the leaf with both hands.

"Jianfeng accepts the command!"

"I will certainly not fail the Young Master's heavy trust!"

Chai Xiao spun the fourth large tree leaf in his hand and looked toward Jianlei.

"Your turn!"

Jianlei stepped forward with Jianni and Jianhong from her group, cupping their hands together.

"Young Master! Jianlei awaits your command!"

Chai Xiao smiled slightly.

"The fourth major method of making money is not complicated either."

"Spying and Publishing!"

"To put it bluntly, it means gathering intelligence, organizing and compiling it, and copying it into booklets to sell!"

Jianlei, Jianni, and Jianhong were all stunned.

Even this could make money?

Only Suzaku, who had a background in military affairs, and Zhang Bao, who had walked the inner palace for years, had different lights flashing in their eyes.

The Lord was applying scouts, who were regularly used in military intelligence gathering, straight into the gambling arena.

He intended not only to take money from those with a gambling urge who actively placed bets, but also from those who stood on the sidelines just looking for excitement.

He could even convert many of the latter into the former.

In other words, the fourth major method could not only make money directly, but also make the third major method even more profitable by selling more lottery tickets.

Interlocking and mutually reinforcing!

The fourth large tree leaf in Chai Xiao's hand spun several times.

"Right now, call upon a few old-timers from the Prince's Mansion who know the Great Xu Royal City inside and out."

"Among them is an elderly man surnamed Zhang who previously helped repair the city moat."

"Take him with you and immediately find the wardens of every ward in the Royal City, as well as the village heads of the surrounding ten miles and eight townships."

"Give each of them one tael of silver upfront, making them tell everything they know without holding back, and gather all the information on those who registered for the martial tournament."

Having said this, he actually fished twenty taels of silver from his bosom.

Everyone present was startled.

Since last night, this little ancestor had been acting just like a Pixiu—a mythical beast that swallows everything but has no anus.

Whenever he saw silver, he acted like his life depended on it, swallowing it all into his belly.

Yet trying to get a single tael out of him was utterly impossible.

For him to actually pull out twenty taels of silver right now was truly as rare as an iron tree blooming flowers after a thousand years, an unprecedented event.

However, after the initial shock of novelty, everyone without exception felt a surge of respect for this newly established Lord.

He bore the heavy burden of raising one million taels of silver on his shoulders, so of course he had to act like a Pixiu, only taking in and never letting go, gathering every possible coin.

Yet he voluntarily took out twenty taels now as starting capital for "Spying and Publishing". He was doing it for official business and spending his own money.

With a Lord like this, what could possibly fail?

Jianlei's waterfall of dark hair framed eyebrows like new crescents, exuding a heroic spirit.

"Young Master, you shouldn't have to spend this twenty taels!"

"Following the example of the betting lottery managed by Jianfeng, instead of offering a one-hundred-tael grand prize, let's offer a twenty-tael anti-gambling fund, deducted from the silver we earn!"

Jianni and Jianhong echoed her sentiments immediately.

"Indeed! We are willing to fund the anti-gambling prize!"

Imperial Noble Consort Yun stared fixedly, tears blurring her vision.

How many times in the past had no one thought anything of her son?

From the imperial princes and nobles down to peddlers and foot soldiers, everyone treated him like a fool who could accomplish nothing and ruin everything.

Yet in just two short days, he had led those around him to plan one major event after another.

Although they were still some distance away from gathering one million taels, everyone was willing to follow him. This was a "people's heart" that no amount of gold could buy!

Chai Xiao blinked.

"You three, accept the silver first before talking."

"Anti-gambling is a matter for later."

"Search yourselves and see if you have a single copper coin left."

"Without a single copper coin, why would the old man, the village heads, and the wardens risk their lives for you? On what grounds?"

"Because you are beautiful?"