Chapter 99: Not Enough to Go Around

Qingyi Daozhang was caught in a deep hesitation of "suspecting there is a pit ahead, and wondering whether to jump over it or not."

Zhao Fu.

After Wen Gu finished sending out the New Year greeting cards, he continued to revise the development plan for after the New Year.

There were still many things to do; the picture books were indeed a small surprise for this year's New Year, and he hadn't expected to truly meet suitable people, which also happened to let the Daoist Priest put some effort into the pigments.

Right now, the Daoist Priest probably wasn't willing, but for the development of Qingyun Temple, he would have to deal with these things sooner or later. Then, it would be hard work for the Daoist Priest, so he should put in more effort!

Zhao Han's brushwork was simple and his painting technique was immature, so the wealthy families wouldn't look twice at it. But with a little embellishment, adding some colors, and creating an upgraded version of the picture books to raise their prestige, he believed those wealthy households would be quite willing to spend money on them.

One could not underestimate the anti-risk capabilities of those wealthy households with generations of accumulation in troubled times; they still had quite a lot of stored grain and supplies in their hands. Give them more consumption choices.

While the picture books raised everyone's awareness of epidemic prevention, Wen Gu also wanted to use them as a test.

Seeing that the time was about right, Wen Gu tidied up before heading with Tietou to the place where today's grand banquet was being held.

The first day of the New Year, a grand banquet at Zhao Fu.

Those invited were all people of relatively high status in Xinzhou, or those who had shed blood and sweat and made important contributions to Xinzhou.

The New Year's Eve family banquet at Zhao Fu focused on "family," while the grand banquet on the first day focused more on the political significance at the "aristocratic clan" level.

The guests attending the banquet, besides relatives and friends with close ties to the Zhao Family, included important generals, strategists, aristocratic nobles, and important personnel like those wealthy tycoons from Sihai Fang who had brought supplies to defect.

Today, one could bring family members; the quota was limited, and guests brought their wives and children, respected elders, or valued juniors—all in all, the number of people was quite large.

Wen Gu did not wander around and headed straight for his destination.

At this hour, quite a few people had already arrived.

The young people were full of energy and couldn't stand being restrained; after arriving, they didn't enter the Warm Pavilion to wait, but instead chatted in groups of three or five in the outer veranda.

Wen Gu hadn't walked many steps after arriving there when he was called out.

"Wen Gu! Over here!"

The voice came from the Shen Family's side.

Shen Qing and Shen Liu, the two brothers, waved their arms vigorously as if they were afraid Wen Gu wouldn't see them.

They had something to discuss with Wen Gu.

This New Year, glass products had been a huge hit, but the production was limited; even for the Shen Family, besides the first batch of glass windows they had bought, they might not be able to buy more immediately if they wanted them later.

Shen Qing lowered his voice and said to Wen Gu: "Can the glass kilns at Qingyun Fang produce another batch?"

The Zhao Family Workshop was too hard to book, with a long line; even without glass windows, other glass products, like door curtains or some exquisite ornaments used for showing off, would be fine as long as they could be bought!

Wen Gu sighed softly and looked left and right, as if to tell a secret.

The Shen brothers couldn't help but lean in closer.

Wen Gu said: "The glass kilns at Qingyun Fang will probably be dismantled after the New Year!"

"Ah??"

The Shen brothers were greatly shocked.

Wen Gu explained: "The craftsmen have all been recruited to the Zhao Family Workshop."

Those craftsmen related to the "Mirror" project were the first to be transferred to the new workshop.

The original masters of those craftsmen had also been interviewed.

The news of the craftsmen's movements hadn't been spread, but as long as one was willing to inquire, one could find out, and by now, it was no longer a secret.

The Shen brothers were filled with regret; they had originally planned to find another way to get some goods from the glass kilns at Qingyun Fang, but now it seemed they were too late!

But soon they couldn't afford to be regretful, as they started to worry:

"Wanfu Garden is about to start construction again, and there are many glass objects used for decoration inside; is the budget... still enough?"

In the future, all glass products would have to be ordered from the Zhao Family's workshop; he wondered what the prices would be like?

If the quote was high, they would have to grit their teeth and buy them even if it pained them!

Wen Gu gave them a "don't worry" look: "We'll find a time to discuss this in detail, but there's no need to worry too much."

The Shen brothers felt slightly relieved. That was true; the Zhao Family's appetite wouldn't be too ugly.

Immediately, they became concerned about the progress of Wanfu Garden.

Although the site supervisor was someone they had sent, and they understood the project progress, they trusted Wen Gu's judgment more.

Wen Gu said: "In winter, a portion of the carpenters are working indoors, and a batch of prefabricated parts has been stockpiled in the warehouse; if we recruit more laborers to rush the work, the first phase of the project should be completed in half a year."

"Great!"

The two from the Shen Family were overjoyed.

"We've met a few new friends recently, and we haven't had a place to host them."

It wasn't convenient to host a banquet.

Once the first phase of Wanfu Garden was built, they would have a suitable gathering place. That would be the place where they could show off their skills!

Their mood improved, and with more to look forward to, the Shen brothers became high-spirited.

While chatting, the time was almost up, and someone passed the word to enter the venue.

The female family members were in another hall nearby; Shen Liu craned his neck to look over there, then honestly followed the Shen Family elders into the banquet hall.

Wen Gu let Tietou sit with the Shen Family and said to the Shen brothers: "Please help look after him."

"Ah? Oh, okay! Don't worry!" Shen Qing agreed, and seeing Wen Gu walk to the other side, he asked: "Wen Gu, where are you going?"

Wen Gu raised his hand and pointed forward.

Then, the Shen Family members watched as an attendant led Wen Gu all the way to the table in the very front row.

???

"Are you kidding me?!"

Shen Liu let out a strange cry in shock, and to prevent seeing it wrong, he stood on tiptoe to confirm it once more.

I thought we were sitting at the "kids'" table together, but I didn't expect you, kid, to run off to the VIP table by yourself!

Uncle Shen heard Shen Liu's call and also looked over, his eyes narrowing slightly.

There is a protocol for which table one sits at for a banquet occasion like today!

He stared fixedly for a moment, then turned his head to instruct Shen Qing and Shen Liu to take good care of Tietou.

Thoughts whirled in Shen Qing's mind as he pulled Tietou aside to ask, "Big Fool Tie, your younger brother..."

"My brother is in the front!" Tietou said.

"I know, I know, I'm asking..."

Shen Qing wanted to dig for more information.

However, Tietou was stubborn; if he didn't know, he didn't know, and if he couldn't say, he truly wouldn't say.

Shen Qing felt a toothache and could only glance toward Wen Gu from time to time to observe his movements.

Had Wen Gu really sat at the wrong table?

There were two large tables closest to the main seat; those who could sit here were definitely the absolute confidants of the Zhao Family, and those held in absolute regard! It represented the power that could most influence the decision-making in Xinzhou!

It wasn't just the Shen family staring over there; the other guests present had originally been paying attention to who was sitting in the front, and upon suddenly seeing such a young face, both those who knew Wen Gu and those who didn't were filled with suspicion.

By what right did this person sit at that table?

If the occasion hadn't been inappropriate, they would have gone over to ask carefully!

After Wen Gu arrived in Xinzhou, he had indeed made quite a splash; between the Honeycomb Coal Stove and the Glass, he had caused quite a stir as a Ward Chief, the official Xinzhou newspaper helped publicize it, and with his status as a relative of the Zhao Family, he was indeed in the limelight.

But in everyone's impression, Wen Gu could at most be considered a nouveau riche.

Fit to sit in that position?

At last year's New Year's banquet, the most eye-catching person was Pei Jun.

Pei Jun, not yet thirty, held great power and was very eye-catching.

Unexpectedly, this year was even more shocking; Wen Gu, not yet twenty and seemingly without much real power, could actually sit at the same table as those big shots!

As the chief official of the Patrol Guard Division, Pei Jun brought his family to the banquet, but his younger brother Pei Jing could only sit at another table with the rest of the Pei family and could not sit in the front seats.

The confused guests all had the same question in their hearts: what did Wen Gu rely on?

Was it the things he did in Jingxing Fang and Qingyun Fang?

It certainly wasn't just that.

The Glass and the Honeycomb Coal Stove were also created by him; was it because of this?

That shouldn't be all either!

The big shots at those two front tables were not people who would swallow their pride; if they felt they had been slighted, the more reckless and straightforward ones would definitely retort.

However, as the guests took their seats one after another, the powerful big shots at the same front table, despite their different temperaments, were consistent in their attitude toward Wen Gu—they were very amiable!

Seeing the situation over there, Shen Qing even poured his tea crookedly.

After hurriedly wiping it up, Shen Qing was full of confusion.

"Did we... miss any important news?"

He looked at the others.

They had the same shock and confusion.

In the eerie atmosphere, the banquet began.

The world was in an abnormal state, so there weren't so many rituals and rules; the process was shortened, and efficiency was improved.

Newly made Charcoal Copper Pots were brought up one by one, supplying fresh vegetables and meat.

In the northern winter, fresh vegetables were a luxury; even in the warm rooms of the nobles, what grew was underdeveloped, but the vegetables supplied today were much more robust!

The guests whispered and discussed, soon figuring out the reason—the warm rooms had been renovated to introduce Glass windows.

Several wealthy families from the south with ample resources were planning to build a warm room in their own homes as well.

Their gazes swept past the fresh vegetables and landed on the Charcoal Copper Pots.

With the Evil Plague raging, no matter where they attended a banquet, everyone had to consume hot drinks and hot food, and the Charcoal Copper Pots suited everyone's wishes perfectly.

The style of the pot was quite novel and even came with a detachable small chimney; if it were in the past, everyone would definitely have studied it carefully. However, today, many people's thoughts only flickered for a moment before returning to a certain table at the very front.

Wen Gu appeared humble and polite, but looking at his posture while eating, one could not see a hint of restraint or guilt. He seemed very confident.

The people at the same table had a very gentle attitude; even those who were usually stern were a bit more lively at this moment.

They had seen the Telescope and the Microscope; that day, the Head of the Family of the Zhao Family had called them over, and they had all seen them with their own eyes and knew what kind of divine artifacts they were!

Even if Wen Gu did nothing in the future, the Zhao Family would be willing to provide for him.

The merit could not be spoken of publicly for the time being, but everyone present was clear about Wen Gu's contribution, and precisely because of this, they had no objections to Wen Gu sitting at this table, and were even happy to see it!

Someone hid the keywords and tactfully asked Wen Gu if it was difficult to manufacture and about how long it would take to make one set.

It is hard to hold a bowl of water level; there will always be an order to the distribution of military equipment. But for the sake of themselves and their subordinates, and to be able to use the divine artifacts as soon as possible, it wouldn't be excessive to exert some effort in private, right?

The chief and deputy officials of the three major military departments—the City Defense Army, the Xianshou Army, and the Patrol Guard Division—were all plotting.

A middle-aged scholar looked at Wen Gu with an appreciative gaze and praised, "The younger generation is to be feared!"

Another rugged-looking military general grinned, "What younger generation or not? I'm tired of hearing you talk about this 'younger generation' and that 'junior'; we only know that the capable come first! Age is not a problem, and seniority can be ignored!"

He looked at Wen Gu and laughed heartily, "As long as we sit at the same table, we are brothers from different mothers!"

He insisted on pulling Wen Gu to call him brother, his gaze sincere and enthusiastic.

Wen Gu responded modestly and returned an even more sincere gaze.

The military general smiled on the surface, but sighed in his heart.

Tsk, I can't exert any force on Zhao Laoda, so I originally thought about testing this kid to see if I could pry any convenience out of his hands.

It's not easy to deal with!

It seems it will be very difficult to get any benefits from Wen Gu!

The powerful big shots at the table took turns praising him, some with elegance and artistry, others with crudeness and directness.

Wen Gu was not the least bit reserved or flustered; his eyes were merely exceptionally clear and fervent.

A general sitting to Wen Gu's left, who looked to be around forty, had deep furrows between his brows and appeared to be a very serious and rigid person.

Yet, when he leaned over to speak to Wen Gu, he started off by setting others aside to propose some shady, under-the-table deal...

For instance, asking if he could get a Telescope first—even a defective one would do, as long as it worked!

Before Wen Gu could speak, an arm reached over from the right, pulling Wen Gu to the other side: "Brother Wen, let's make a deal..."

This and that, so and so.

With arms draped over shoulders and cups raised for some cross-generational communication, it looked very harmonious.

An attendant pushed over a small portable stove, on which sat a pot of Medicinal Porridge, bubbling away.

Nowadays, the fashion was to eat everything piping hot, so they pushed the stove directly over and respectfully ladled porridge for the several bigwigs.

A martial artist sitting on the edge glanced at the porridge on the stove.

"This porridge, it doesn't look like there's enough to go around!"

"Isn't that the truth! We all have big appetites; this definitely isn't enough!" another person added.

The others chuckled, their expressions ambiguous.

As they toasted and drank, the sound of wine cups clashing was so sharp it seemed they might crack, as if there were an invisible fire in the air.

Wen Gu did not say much; aside from responding to inquiries from others, he mostly just listened. Given his shallow seniority and low status, this behavior was normal.

These powerful bigwigs were talking at the table about how several new wealthy households had been added this year, and how they had earned quite a lot from external trade...

When chatting about these things, these people did not forget to give Wen Gu an appreciative look or a few words of praise.

Beyond the thoughts each held in their own hearts, they truly did acknowledge Wen Gu's abilities.

Trade between the major powers had been ongoing, and they had earned an exceptional amount this year; for example, there were many orders for Glass windows still in the queue.

Everyone was naturally happy that Xinzhou had earned an extra batch of grain and supplies.

However, as Wen Gu listened, he noticed that these people—whether they appeared shrewd or reckless—all had ulterior motives in their words.

Especially when they talked about the extra batch of grain and supplies earned at the end of the year, their smiles carried deep meaning.

Of course, it was not directed at Wen Gu.

After some consideration, Wen Gu analyzed that these people seemed, perhaps, likely, to be just like him—eyeing Lao Zhao's accounts too!

Trade between major powers, besides earning grain and daily necessities, also included carts, horses, minerals, medicinal herbs, Fierce Fire Oil, and the like.

In this chaotic world, these were all treasures!

The three major military institutions of Xinzhou were all watching them closely!

Wen Gu drank the nourishing porridge brewed from precious medicinal herbs in his bowl.

It tasted quite good, and he also wanted a larger portion.

(End of chapter)