Cooperation

"Click~"

Gu Sheng twisted open the seal, and a rich, intoxicating fragrance instantly wafted out. Everyone subconsciously relaxed, narrowing their eyes as they greedily inhaled the aroma of the wine.

"This is Cinnabar Fruit~"

Old Master Li and Li Yuan practically crowded in front of Gu Sheng at the same time. Looking at the bright-red fruits in the bottle in his hand, their eyes burned with excitement. For Li Jun’s sake, they had once extensively sought information about precious spiritual fruits of this kind.

Unfortunately, spiritual fruits such as the Cinnabar Fruit and Violet Ice Heart, which could directly help martial artists reach the Dantian Limit, could not be preserved for long. They would rot and dissolve several days after being picked. Their places of origin were also extremely dangerous, far beyond anything the Li Family could hope to venture into.

"I never expected Little Brother Teng to think of such a way to preserve the Cinnabar Fruit. Truly impressive!"

Old Master Li sighed with emotion. Gu Sheng’s method was something he had never heard of, yet its effects were astonishingly good.

Cinnabar Fruit Wine itself contained the essence of the Cinnabar Fruit. It was similar to a supersaturated solution: after the Cinnabar Fruits were placed inside, their medicinal properties were locked within it. Without contact with the air, they naturally would not spoil. Of course, this was merely Gu Sheng’s personal theory. He himself did not really understand the true principle.

"Old Master, you flatter me. I, Teng, hardly deserve such praise!"

Gu Sheng cupped his hands, then turned to Li Yuan and said, "Brother Li, with this in hand, together with the other ingredients, how confident are you that you can brew a new Cinnabar Fruit Wine, or even improve it and develop other spiritual wines?"

Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then held up two fingers.

"Twenty percent… or seventy percent?"

Gu Sheng’s heart jolted, and he also felt something strange. The Arabic numeral seven should not have appeared here, should it?

"Twenty percent certainty means it can’t be done!"

Li Yuan was quite skilled at keeping people in suspense. He only gave Gu Sheng the answer after stoking his interest to the highest point.

"In other words, eighty percent!"

Gu Sheng was delighted. After seeing Li Yuan nod, he still glanced at Old Master Li uneasily. The old man was stroking his goatee with a solemn expression. When he saw Gu Sheng looking over, he hurriedly nodded, though he could not conceal the smugness on his face.

Gu Sheng’s expression shifted repeatedly as his gaze wandered over the members of the Li Family, occasionally flashing with an unreadable light.

"Brother Li!"

Gu Sheng said, "Since the Liu Family is being so aggressive, and the City Lord’s Office has taken that sort of attitude, while many of Wan City’s upper-class figures are preparing to kick you while you’re down, even the internal situation at Li Manor’s winery is… Have you ever considered leaving Wan City and developing elsewhere?"

"What do you mean?"

Li Yuan raised his brows. Only after Gu Sheng put it that way did he realize how serious the situation was. Even if he bankrupted himself to invite the City Lord out, the powerful families and wealthy merchants of Wan City were already openly suppressing the Li Family. Some of their own workers were also behaving dishonestly. With troubles within and enemies without, even if they survived this crisis, another one could strike at any time.

"Qingyu’s father is one of the leaders of the Yangzhou Salt Merchants Association in Yicheng, Jiangning Prefecture. He still has quite a good network of connections within Yicheng."

Gu Sheng patted the wine gourd beside him and said, "I believe Brother Li already has a thorough understanding of the effects of this spiritual wine. If it enters the market, then…"

Li Yuan’s heart trembled. As a family whose business was built on wine, how could he fail to understand the tremendous prospects of Cinnabar Fruit Wine? Who had the strongest purchasing power in the Nine Provinces? It certainly would not be a group of middle-aged housewives, but rather organizations possessing martial power—in other words, Inner Force martial artists.

Cinnabar Fruit Wine could benefit Inner Force martial artists, and they certainly would not be stingy with their silver. After all, rarity made things precious. With spiritual wine in such short supply throughout the Nine Provinces, the Cinnabar Fruit Wine business would absolutely be a guaranteed profit. If the Li Family could get involved, they would surely… rise to great prominence.

"Little Brother Teng, are you willing to work together with our Li Family?"

Li Yuan was genuinely puzzled. It was not that he had never considered getting involved in this matter. Gu Sheng had the materials, connections, and manpower, while the chips in his own hands were truly lacking. Any winemaking family could offer a plausible account of what Gu Sheng needed, and Li Yuan had no absolute confidence that he could persuade him.

On top of that, the Li Family was already beset by troubles. He had naturally abandoned the idea, never expecting that the situation seemed to be different from what he had imagined.

"Why not?"

A sharp glint flashed through Gu Sheng’s eyes. "This is a huge business. Our Teng Village can’t swallow it alone. The Salt Merchants Association where the Li Family of Yicheng is based can chew it up, but they have nothing to offer. You have even less. Everyone has their difficulties, so we can completely cooperate!

"Brother Li, think about it. A triangular structure is the most stable organizational framework. Our Teng Village will be responsible for gathering materials. The spiritual energy deep in Mount Dayan is abundant, so finding substitute materials won’t be difficult.

"Your Li Family will be responsible for brewing and producing the spiritual wine. Qingyu’s father has the connections, and with the Salt Merchants Association as his backing, he can naturally open up the sales channels. If everyone cooperates for mutual benefit and develops together, wouldn’t that be better?

"Besides, as long as your Li Family moves out of Wan City, wouldn’t your current predicament be resolved? No matter how formidable Zhao Yuanzuo is, he can’t possibly cross thousands upon thousands of miles to deal with you in Jiangning Prefecture of the Gui Yuan Sect!"

"That’s true, but the Liu Family won’t let us go so easily."

Li Yuan was tempted, but he still wore a troubled expression as he said, "Liu Sanlong is ruthless and vicious. He won’t stop until he gets what he wants. If he gets nothing, he definitely won’t allow our Li Family to leave Wan City safely.

"Besides, he seems to have connections with the bandits and outlaws outside the city. I’m worried that, in his fury, he might risk everything."

"Brother Li, you can rest assured about that!"

Gu Sheng smiled calmly. "I’m still confident in this matter. As long as those bandits and outlaws dare to come, I can make sure they never return!"

"This…"

Li Yuan still hesitated. Although Gu Sheng spoke with complete confidence, Li Yuan had never witnessed his strength. How could he possibly feel at ease? After all, this decision concerned the future and fate of his entire family. No amount of caution would be excessive.

Gu Sheng’s gaze shifted. "It’s normal for Brother Li to have concerns. I have another immature suggestion."

Li Yuan hurriedly turned toward him and asked, "Little Brother Teng, please go on!"

"Brother Li, this depends on whether you can bear to do it. Doesn’t Liu Sanlong want your family’s winemaking secret recipe? Sell it to him. Sell it at a high price. Then you can start over somewhere else with capital in hand."

As Gu Sheng spoke, he looked toward the city, his tone carrying a deeper meaning. "Isn’t the Iron City Lord the sort who does business for money? Just have him act as an intermediary, and promise to give him ten percent of the money Liu Sanlong pays as his intermediary fee. I believe he’ll definitely stand on the right side."

"That method isn’t bad!"

Old Master Li’s eyes lit up. He nodded at Li Yuan as he spoke.

"Indeed, it isn’t bad!"

Li Yuan was also decisive at this moment. He quickly sent servants to summon the heads of the Li Family’s various branches, preparing to make arrangements to leave Wan City.