Chapter 573 - 575: Good Food and Fine Wine
Chapter 573: Chapter 575: Good Food and Fine Wine
Ancient Wen Heng also knew their concerns. The initial investment was indeed quite large, but some matters simply couldn’t wait.
"It’s impossible to equip every one of these small fishing boats with a compass car. Not only would they take up space, but the fishermen might not even know how to use them." Ancient Wen Heng had considered this before, but it was clear that for coastal operations, lighthouses were still more important.
He Gaofei and the others were all tempted, but the details still needed to be discussed at length.
Everyone voiced their own ideas, one after another, as a scribe standing by diligently listed their thoughts one by one.
By the time the food and wine from the restaurant arrived, several full pages had already been filled with notes.
"Shall we eat first?" Wu Yichen asked, unable to stop himself from clutching his stomach as the aroma of the food wafted over.
He hadn’t felt it while they were deep in discussion, but now that he could smell the food, his stomach was already growling.
Ancient Wen Heng and the others were in no better shape. After all, they had also expended quite a bit of energy out on the sea, so it was only natural for them to be hungry.
As was his custom, Ancient Wen Heng ordered three tables’ worth of food and wine. Those on duty at the government office received the same treatment, though their meals were of a slightly lower grade.
Sipping their wine, the men inevitably drifted into small talk.
"General Li seems to be visiting quite frequently lately," Ancient Wen Heng remarked, as if in passing.
He Gaofei replied, "But he’s here to see Mr. Lu."
Lu Shenggen swallowed a piece of squid. "I’m getting sick of it, too. I’ve already told him the shares I hold aren’t for sale, but he still badgers me about it every day."
"Then why don’t you just refuse him outright?"
"I’ve told him outright and hinted at it countless times, but he acts as if he doesn’t understand.
Later, I had someone make some inquiries. It turns out he’s not just targeting me. Anyone who holds shares has been pestered by him."
He Gaofei paused, his chopsticks hovering. "What is he trying to do?"
Ancient Wen Heng said, "...After dealing with him all these times, have none of you noticed?"
Wu Yichen took a sip of his wine, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction. "It’s obvious. He sees the sea trade is about to begin and wants a piece of the pie."
But Ancient Wen Heng just smiled and said, "It’s not just happening with you lot. Vice General Wang was complaining to me just the other day that anyone in the military with shares is also being harassed by him."
Wu Yichen was speechless. ’I never thought General Li was so loaded. I should find a chance to get a meal out of him.’
He Gaofei thought, ’...What is this guy up to?’
Lu Shenggen wondered, ’...So I wasn’t special. He’s just casting a wide net?’
Ancient Wen Heng could read their thoughts on their completely undisguised faces and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
’These colleagues of mine seem to get more and more interesting the longer I know them.’
"You can stop guessing. Acting like this, he must be working for someone else." Seeing they had all put down their chopsticks, Ancient Wen Heng raised his cup, inviting them to drink with him.
"You mean he’s acquiring shares for someone else," He Gaofei said, understanding at once.
General Li was in frequent contact with people from Shangjing, so that would make sense.
’I just didn’t expect the people in Shangjing to be so well-informed, trying to get involved so quickly.’
Ancient Wen Heng continued, "These past few days, my wife has received several letters. Many people are very interested in the sea trade, but they’ve all been turned down.
After all, there are only so many shares to go around. It would be ridiculous to let anyone else get involved."
This was Ancient Wen Heng’s indirect way of reminding them that even though their stakes were small, they were now a hot commodity.
He Gaofei and the others understood this perfectly. More than once, they had privately regretted not selling everything they owned and tightening their belts to acquire a larger stake back then.
It wasn’t that they hadn’t considered asking Ancient Wen Heng for a favor, but whenever they were about to, the words would get stuck in their throats.
"The ships have all been launched today. Has a date been set for the voyage?"
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "The matter is still under discussion."
He Gaofei and the others didn’t understand. What was there left to discuss?
Wasn’t it just a matter of picking an auspicious date?
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Ancient Wen Heng simply smiled. They would find out in due time; there was no need for him to reveal everything now.
* * *
Jin Qianqian hadn’t expected Ouyang Bing to be so ruthless. He was willing to endure a severe beating to finally put his grudge with the Zhong Family to rest.
Looking at Mudou before her, Jin Qianqian immediately thought of another key figure. "Divine Doctor Guo has arrived, hasn’t he?"
Mudou nodded silently. Guo Yurong had arrived not long after the Zhong Family left.
Jin Qianqian’s disdain for Ouyang Bing grew. ’So, he had it all planned from the start.’
’He may have suffered a physical beating, but it was all part of his scheme.’
"How interesting. Go back and tell your master that I’ll do what I promised, but this is the one and only time."
Jin Qianqian didn’t have anything against calculating people in general. What she couldn’t stand about Ouyang Bing was that he had been the one in the wrong. If he had just owned up to his mistake, she might have even respected him for it.
Instead, he led people on a chase across half the Rong Dynasty, only to pull a stunt like this in the end.
’I, Guo Yurong, and even Zhong Tian... we were probably all just pawns in his game.’
Mudou remained silent, as always. After bowing, he quietly withdrew.
"It’s a real shame, a man like that following someone like Ouyang Bing."
Mudou, who hadn’t gotten far, paused...
...
* * *
Knowing her old friend had arrived, Jin Qianqian naturally had to host him properly.
In a private room at Tianfu Restaurant, Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian hosted a banquet for Guo Yurong.
When Guo Yurong saw them, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. ’Before our paths crossed, these two were just ordinary refugees.’
’Now, in just a few short years, their roles and status had completely flipped.’
Although he was a Divine Doctor from the Medical Valley, he still had to bow first before government officials.
"Brother Guo, please don’t stand on ceremony. You’re embarrassing us," Ancient Wen Heng said, immediately taking his arm to stop him. "We haven’t seen each other in so long. There’s no need for such formalities."
"These rites cannot be neglected. I am but a humble commoner. To have had the good fortune to meet you both is already the work of destiny..."
Jin Qianqian laughed. "Brother Guo, all this formal talk is making me feel a bit awkward.
We’re all from humble beginnings; we both know where we came from. Let’s dispense with the pleasantries. Please, sit.
It’s been a while, but you haven’t changed a bit, Brother Guo."
Seeing that they truly weren’t concerned with such formalities, the smile on Guo Yurong’s face relaxed. "I went into seclusion, and time just flew by without me noticing. The world outside is always changing.
I’ve been to Lu City before, but it was nothing like it is today.
Mr. Gu, you are truly worthy of your title as Lord Qingtian. To bring such great change to this land in such a short time is remarkable."
Guo Yurong normally disliked associating with government officials. If it weren’t for the fact that Ancient Wen Heng had accomplished so much for the people, he would never have accepted this invitation.