Chapter 353: Acquire the Nine Provinces!

“Boss, we’re running low on ingredients in the building!”

“Where can we find more poultry, livestock, or spirit crops?”

“No… No Li Business House.”

“Buy!”

“Too expensive—whether livestock or poultry, or any spirit crops, the prices are even higher than grain.”

“First, adjust prices using your remaining stock to test your regular customers’ tolerance. Don’t believe their complaints of poverty—these immortal sect families are deeply wealthy; under current grain shortages, their heirs won’t truly tighten their belts.”

“Understood, Boss.”

In Shengjing, there were many famous restaurants, and Hongding Xuan was among the most prominent, its Sacred Spirit Banquet renowned throughout the Nine Provinces.

For the Nine Provinces’ grain shortage, these frontline merchants were the most sensitive, having already stockpiled ingredients as prices surged.

But some problems couldn’t be solved by acting early—if the source dried up entirely, even the earliest preparations would eventually break down; they had to think ahead.

So within days, prices at major restaurants began skyrocketing.

And as Hongding Xuan’s boss had predicted, despite the steep price hikes, countless immortal sect heirs accustomed to luxury kept coming, even if they had to sign IOUs to be settled by their families.

The elderly boss now felt confident and hurried to No Li Business House in the city.

“Chief Qi, long time no see.”

“Ah, it’s Chief Lin of Hongding Xuan. Good to see you well.”

At the counter of No Li Business House, a middle-aged man looked up at the sound and bowed slightly.

His name was Qi Fa, responsible for operating the business house in Shengjing and southern Zhongzhou; he sported a goatee, tall and slender.

Three years ago, he was transferred from Fengzhou to Shengjing, steadily climbing to the position of regional boss, renowned in Shengjing’s business circles for his shrewdness.

Chief Lin of Hongding Xuan exchanged pleasantries, then requested to purchase livestock and spirit crops.

Four years ago, after joint reclamation and cultivation, Fengzhou’s agriculture flourished, with grain output doubling annually.

Later, they hired laborers from other provinces and, following Ji You’s advice, transitioned from agriculture to livestock farming.

Now, three years later, their livestock scale was substantial; thus, when grain went on sale, countless poultry and livestock were listed at No Li Business House for remote sales.

“Remote sales” meant customers paid upfront, then Fengzhou shipped live animals, guaranteeing freshness.

“Chief Lin, you’ve never bought from us before—why today?”

“No Li Business House only sold grain before; I never imagined you had everything.”

Chief Qi smiled faintly across the counter: “How much do you need, Chief Lin?”

Chief Lin pulled a scroll from his sleeve: “All requested ingredients are listed here.”

“That’s quite a lot. Have you seen the prices?”

“The prices that make one’s eyes go black—I’ve seen them.”

“Then you know we require payment upfront.”

“Understood.”

Chief Lin had actually arrived late; before him, other Shengjing restaurants—Shiwei Xian, Xihé, Zuixianju—had already come and gone.

So Chief Qi handled the transactions with practiced ease, counting spirit stones and cash with rapid clacks of his abacus.

Chief Lin bowed, heart aching as if bleeding: “When will my goods arrive?”

“Five days, perhaps sooner.”

“Sooner?”

“Depends on transport capacity.”

Chief Lin, focused solely on business, didn’t press further.

Though Fengzhou wasn’t far from Shengjing, five days wasn’t long—the restaurant could hold out.

After Chief Lin left, other restaurant owners arrived one after another, haggling until deals were sealed.

By afternoon, Chief Qi had seen off all the buyers, checked his list, deemed it complete, and left through the back door with his staff resting in the courtyard.

Behind No Li Business House lay the collapsed Chunhua Alley, where three fully loaded carts waited at the corner.

At Chief Qi’s command, the carts set off toward Chunfeng Express Station in the city.

“Chief Wang, good day.”

“Ah, it’s Chief Qi of No Li Business House.”

In the courtyard of Chunfeng Express Station, Chief Wang looked up and bowed slightly to Qi Fa: “No Li Business House must be swamped—how do you have time to visit me?”

Chief Qi smiled lightly: “Our proprietor says business houses and express stations are always brothers. I’d like to ask—have you considered what we discussed earlier?”

“Chief Qi, this express station is ancestral property…”

“Ancestral property matters, but our proprietor also says: in hard times, the living shouldn’t overthink the dead—they should plan for the children.”

“That’s filial impiety.”

“We only invest to help Chunfeng Express Station through this crisis—we won’t interfere in your operations. You remain the official head.”

Chief Wang of Chunfeng Express Station fell silent for a long while, then clasped his hands and bowed slightly forward.

Chief Qi nodded, signaled his staff, and they swiftly began unloading.

Not long after, the first cart’s grain was emptied; Chief Qi emerged holding a contract and led his men to the next destination.

Thereafter, Shengjing’s restaurants continued raising prices.

Hongding Xuan’s elderly boss received many ancestral curses—but earned even more.

The sect families refused to buy grain from No Li Business House, so restaurants became the only outlet.

But their own stock was scarce—they couldn’t last many days.

Thus, every morning, Chief Lin sent someone to No Li Business House to ask if his ordered livestock and spirit crops had arrived.

No Li Business House did not disappoint—delivery took not five days, but arrived on the fourth morning, right in his courtyard.

“Chief Qi, your delivery speed is truly impressive.”

“There will be many future collaborations—this isn’t a one-time deal. We push day and night, gallop hard, just to avoid delaying your business.”

Chief Qi smiled as he handed over the delivery slip: “Our proprietor says agricultural and livestock businesses and restaurants are one family.”

Chief Lin nodded immediately: “Exactly, exactly.”

“Well then, we won’t disturb your business further.”

“Hey, you can’t just come and leave—I’ve ordered a banquet! Eat first!”

Chief Qi quickly waved his hands: “No, no—I can’t afford your prices.”

Chief Lin’s mouth twitched—he thought, “This insane pricing is all your doing!”—but he smiled warmly: “Chief Qi, you misunderstand. This is Hongding Xuan’s thank-you banquet—I won’t charge you. I only hope for a small discount on future orders.”

“You flatter me, but several other restaurants still need delivery—I can’t linger.”

“This…”

“There will be other chances, Chief Lin. Farewell.”

Chief Qi soon left Hongding Xuan, heading toward other restaurants.

Chief Lin watched his carriage vanish down the street, then ordered his staff to process the livestock and spirit crops, and summoned chefs to design new banquets and set new prices.

Their old stock was gone; now with expensive ingredients, costs had surged—logically, prices should rise.

Yet during deliberation, Chief Lin slightly lowered the restaurant’s dish prices and launched the new banquet at a discount.

Because restaurants are a steady, long-term business; retaining loyal customers is vital, especially with fierce rivals still active.

Under these conditions, securing clientele was paramount—discounts ensured a better future.

As night fell and lanterns lit up, Hongding Xuan, with its lowered prices, instantly filled with patrons—glasses clinked, laughter echoed endlessly.

Shiwei Xian followed Hongding Xuan’s approach, launching its own new banquet.

But their methods differed slightly.

They invited the most generous noble heirs of Shengjing, hosted the banquet under their names, offered half-price, and urged them to invite friends, loudly proclaiming this banquet was mandatory for prodigies.

As Chief Lin had said, the immortal sect families, having hoarded wealth for millennia, possessed immense resources.

They refused to buy grain from No Li Business House solely because they sensed disrespect from Ji You.

Restaurants offering emotional value—even at prices higher than raw materials—still found spendthrifts willing to pay.

Especially Fang Jincheng’s group, who lavished money on restaurants but wished Ji You’s grain would rot in storage.

Yet after the discounted “Prodigy Banquet” burned hot for only a few days, Chief Lin’s brow furrowed with worry.

He noticed patrons were gradually decreasing.

At first he thought it normal—until patronage halved and declined rapidly, then he realized something was wrong.

“Where are the customers? Where has everyone gone?!”

“Sir, some regulars have suddenly stopped coming.”

“Did you raise the prices?”

“We didn’t! Your prices are set—who dares change them?”

Chief Lin pondered long at his desk, then waved his sleeve: “Send out all staff—find out what’s happening!”

Hearing the order, Hongding Xuan’s staff poured out into the night.

Soon, three staff members ran back, stunned.

“What is it?”

“Boss, everyone’s going to Taiping Lou.”

“?”

Chief Lin blinked, stepped out from behind the counter, threw on a thick coat, and headed east.

In Dongcheng’s Sa Jin Street stood Taiping Lou, an old-established restaurant in Shengjing.

But because of its remote location, business was never good.

Yet when Lin Shopkeeper arrived here, he found the once-deserted street now swarming with crowds, even vendors from the Eastern and Western Markets had moved here, their shouts rising and falling in a continuous din.