[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-95":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Shadow Empire",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267715,4428,"Chapter 95: The Growth of the Foolish Son and the Impending Severe Situation","the-shadow-empire-chapter-95",95,"\u003Cp>In specialized liquor shops, premium wines were often available in only a few bottles; if customers needed more, shopkeepers would call their upstream suppliers for stock or transfer inventory from other merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Premium wines carried higher prices and tied up more capital, making them far from the optimal choice for merchants focused on profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same held true in Jincheng City: a market for mid- to high-end wines existed, but sales volume certainly lagged behind that of low-end wines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For merchants, the ultimate goal was rapid capital turnover—even a five percent profit margin could double their principal in a short time if turned over quickly enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if capital turnover was sluggish—meaning slow transitions between principal, goods, and sales—even a hundred percent profit margin might yield less in the same cycle than five percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This created a peculiar situation: before the alcohol ban, merchants who knew about it and began stockpiling wine stocked almost exclusively mid- to low-end varieties; no one hoarded premium wines at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if someone did hoard a little, it was only a few hundred or a thousand bottles—anything more wasn’t worth it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this was exactly what happened: mid- to high-end wines priced at five or six yuan now sold for eleven yuan—doubled in value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wine priced at fifty-nine cents now sold for two yuan—an increase of nearly threefold. Moreover, in the past two days, as low-end wines were no longer scarce, their retail price growth slowed, while premium wines, with limited inventory and steady demand, began accelerating in price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Lei Tuo hoped to use this batch of wine to open the premium wine market; the wine in Lans’s hands gave them exactly that opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they acquired it, they wouldn’t sell it publicly in the short term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lans felt the world was full of beauty because of his sudden wealth, there was another person who shared that feeling—and was even happier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur—he had earned a large sum of money for the first time without resorting to crime, and he couldn’t help boasting about it to his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I made it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dinner, he couldn’t resist bragging to his father and mother. William was disgusted by Arthur’s transparent emotions—he had no composure at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was also why he would never choose Arthur as his heir; such a man would be devoured in politics, then stuffed into an oil drum and dumped into Angel Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped his knife and fork together, staring at Arthur. “It’s mealtime. Learn to keep quiet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His young wife across the table laughed and interrupted him. “Arthur rarely does anything right—let him be happy. Besides, only family is here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William, the politician, had greater tolerance for this beautiful, young wife he especially loved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a peculiar mindset: sometimes they treated each other like husband and wife, but sometimes he felt she was his daughter—he indulged and spoiled her excessively. “Fine. Here, you’re in charge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman turned to Arthur, equally delighted. “Tell me—it’s ‘we’ who made it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur froze, remembering that his mother held a major stake in the second investment. Suddenly wary, he said, “We agreed—you get three hundred thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman elegantly manipulated her knife and fork. “Did we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur stared at her in disbelief, then at his father—but William had no intention of helping him. “It’s between you two. I don’t know. I won’t interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman blew a kiss across the table to her husband, then turned to Arthur. “We agreed on half. Have you forgotten?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur said nothing, and she spoke in a wounded tone. “I raised you from a child, and now over a little money, you won’t even speak to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And do I ask for much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without my money, you wouldn’t have earned a single cent of this income, let alone so much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur felt his blood pressure rising. In truth, the returns from this later investment weren’t nearly as large as he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed Mr. Qiao Ba’s advice and hoarded large quantities of cheap low-end wine, acquiring it at about one yuan and thirty-five cents per bottle through William’s connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, each bottle had netted him only eighty-five cents in profit—total profit didn’t exceed one hundred sixty thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he only needed to give his mother fifty thousand from that sum, but now he had to give eighty thousand…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally processed this, he immediately agreed—he’d expected to pay far more, but now he realized it wasn’t that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his quick agreement, her mood improved. She asked casually, “How much did you make total?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur grew alert. “What are you planning?” He felt his tone was weak, so raised his voice slightly. “That’s my money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman looked at William. William dabbed his lips with his napkin. “Answer your mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur glanced between them, wanting to refuse, but William’s gaze pressed hard on him. He whispered, “About five hundred thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William was stunned. “That much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d assumed two or three hundred thousand was the limit—but his younger son had earned so much. He quickly grasped the core issue: “Where did you get the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mother gave me two hundred fifty thousand. I borrowed two hundred fifty thousand from Qiao Ba. Then I mortgaged some watches and my car to the bank and got over a hundred thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before that, I pulled out all my own money—two hundred thousand—and hoarded a large stock of premium wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Altogether, my principal was over eight hundred thousand. Earning five hundred thousand doesn’t seem like much to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William’s expression turned serious. “I hope you didn’t abuse my name.” He paused. “I didn’t expect you to go this big. Get rid of all this stock as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur didn’t understand. “They say prices will rise higher in December. Selling now means losing a fortune!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not asking, Arthur. I’m ordering you. Do as I say!” William’s tone was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman across the table coughed. “Darling, why not explain to your foolish son why you’re doing this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t wanted to explain. “He just needs to know what to do. Why doesn’t matter to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now you’ve said it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began. “You have too much wine. We’ve just joined the Alcohol Ban Alliance. To show higher authorities our commitment, we must produce some ‘results.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s mother added, “Arrest some wine dealers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William nodded. “Yes, darling. Arrest some wine dealers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’d been playing small, I’d let you do as you pleased. But you have over a million yuan’s worth of wine. If those bastards who already hate me find out and report you to the state government, I can’t save you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So for your own safety—and the family’s—dispose of all that wine within a week.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve already made five or six hundred thousand. Beware—greed will cost you everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur wanted to fight back. By December, his profit would be at least seven or eight hundred thousand—or more!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But William’s gaze filled him with fear. He finally lowered his head. “I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William thought for a moment. “Have James handle disposing of this wine. I’ll make sure he gives you every cent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James was William’s older half-brother, William’s eldest son—James William, a rising political star in Jincheng City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wine was a hot potato, but if handled well, it could earn James many friendships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those connections were his alone—only James’s own network of relationships was truly his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I don’t help him build his own web of connections and interests while I still can, the moment I die, the “William Family” will be served on a platter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a million yuan’s worth of wine was enough for James to become close friends with both visible and hidden magnates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur wanted to say something, but said nothing. In this family, everything belonged to James.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely an expendable “foolish son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lunch, William called James over. “Your brother has over a million yuan’s worth of wine. Help him dispose of it quickly. You understand me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James stared at Arthur in surprise. In his mind, this fool only caused trouble and burdened William—he could do nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, what’s that look for?” Arthur bristled. “Can’t I make money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James couldn’t help laughing. “Of course you can. It’s just… unbelievable.” He smiled, his expression clearly saying, “Our idiot’s come into his own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>William paid no attention to his sons’ “interaction.” He only warned, “Do it quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The governor wants attention—he’ll seek eye-catching results. Don’t let us become the target!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James’s smile vanished. “Understood. I’ll contact buyers this afternoon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, what kind of wine is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are there any premium wines?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1439,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","aad2190e4ef936b8746b4bba31f1b9e9bffb8be859f7501dd579ae139ab99398","the-shadow-empire-chapter-96","the-shadow-empire-chapter-94",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]