Reunion with Jun Muzhu

Luo Yu pushed open the door and caught sight of Jun Muzhu standing by the window. It was dusk, and the last rays of sunlight filtered through the window, casting a long shadow on the floor.

The dark robe embroidered with emerald green bamboo patterns was as regal as ever, exuding a touch of allure. A fine gentleman indeed.

Luo Yu walked into the room and pulled out a chair to sit down.

"I never expected someone of your stature would be interested in a small town like Fengchuan. Quite surprising."

"I have no interest in the wine market. You, however, intrigue me."

Jun Muzhu turned around.

"Three days make a difference. I should now address you as City Lord Luo."

"Too kind."

Luo Yu sneered. "Lord Jun, with your noble status, how could someone like me dare to be your brother?"

"City Lord Luo seems to harbor resentment."

Jun Muzhu smiled. "Unhappy about getting a ruined city? Or perhaps upset that I collected three months of land taxes?"

Luo Yu remained silent, his gaze cold.

Jun Muzhu continued, "Qicheng may be ruined, but Sanchi Mountain's terrain is unparalleled in Longxi. If the Western Qiang break through the border, Changqi will become a strategic stronghold. As a military man, you should understand the strategic importance of Sanchi Mountain.

I gave you such a strategic location, shouldn't you thank me?

As for the food shortage, it was intentional, but I wanted you to understand that being a city lord isn't easy. Would you have thought of brewing wine for profit without my pressure? Look at how well your three-proof liquor is selling now. Silver will flow into your pockets like water. Isn't that good?"

These words left Luo Yu speechless, turning black into white.

Luo Yu raised an eyebrow. "I've always been curious how Dianxiangju knew the three-proof liquor came from me. Now I understand - you told them, didn't you?"

"How did I know?"

Jun Muzhu picked up the wine jug on the table and poured two glasses.

"Three-proof liquor brews through seasons, one sip of its rich aroma dispels all worries.

Heroic spirit lies in the cup of wine, the vast world is mine to roam.

Whoever drinks it gets drunk!"

"What a vulgar name, what a heroic poem."

Jun Muzhu played with his wine glass.

"I'm curious about your goals. Why abandon such a powerful backing as my family to strike out on your own?"

"Turn Changqi into a great city, then wait for the court to grant me a Fifth Rank General position."

"Is that all?"

Jun Muzhu was taken aback. "A Fifth Rank General is nothing. Follow me, and you can have anything you want."

"No need. What I earn with my own hands is more satisfying."

Luo Yu was calm, having thought much about this.

The five-year agreement with the Chang family may seem like getting a Fifth Rank General position, but it's actually a test of his abilities and character, to see if he can become a true warrior.

A position bestowed by others isn't worthy of being a warrior.

"Let's not talk about this. Have a drink with me."

Jun Muzhu gently pushed the wine glass forward.

"No poison, I assure you."

Luo Yu didn't move, showing no intention of drinking.

"Quite a grudge holder."

Jun Muzhu laughed lightly.

"Let me trade you two pieces of information for a drink.

First, with spring approaching, the Western Qiang are stirring again, showing signs of mobilization. This time, the scale of the war could be significant. Changqi is still too weak. If the Qiang soldiers really invade, you'll be doomed. Use this time before the war to strengthen yourself.

Second, don't think you're safe after tricking Dianxiangju. Du Gang has already gone to Yao Lin. They'll come for you sooner or later. They've been rooted in Fengchuan for years, with resources far beyond your reach. And I know there's a bandit gang outside the city that's friendly with Yao Lin. Be careful."

Luo Yu's eyes twitched. Jun Muzhu really knows a lot.

"Will you drink now?"

Luo Yu finally picked up the wine glass, raising it slightly.

"Watch me crush the Yao family."

...

"One thousand jars, a full thousand jars!"

Both Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou wore expressions of wild joy. In just five days, Tingyulou had received orders for a thousand jars, with more customers still coming.

"We're rich, we're rich!"

Dong Chuan couldn't stop smiling.

"The cost of a jar of three-proof liquor is less than one tael of silver, but we sell it for eight taels. Pure profit!"

"Ah."

Luo Yu waved his hand.

"Previously, we chose inferior rice wine for quick production. Now that business is expanding, we can't keep producing low-quality stuff. We need to improve the quality. I suggest we use better wine for distillation while also purchasing grain to brew our own. This will produce higher quality liquor.

Only by making the three-proof liquor's reputation grow can we keep making money!"

"That makes sense!"

Luo Yu's suggestion was met with unanimous agreement. In business, it's important to think long-term rather than being greedy in the short term.

Luo Yu's gaze swept the room, finally settling on Shen Li.

"From today on, you'll be in charge of all brewing operations. From purchasing ingredients to brewing and selling to Tingyulou, it's all your responsibility.

Not only that, but you'll also manage all grain purchases and distribution in the camp."

"Shen, you'll have a heavy load on your shoulders." Han Shuo joked. "You'll be our entire logistics department. Make sure the soldiers don't go hungry."

"What, me?"

Shen Li was stunned, worried.

"But I, I only know how to brew? I don't know anything about purchasing ingredients, accounting, or anything like that. I can't do this. Why don't you find someone else?"

"You can learn. You're not stupid."

Luo Yu frowned. "If you can't handle such a simple task, I might as well throw you out to starve."

"You!"

Shen Li was furious, waving her fists. "I'll learn, but I want pay! Why should others get paid for their work while I don't?"

"I never paid you?"

Luo Yu was confused. "I thought you did."

"No!"

"Just make it up to you. What's the rush?"

Luo Yu turned away, ignoring the girl, and continued.

"With the brewing business expanding, Changqi no longer has food worries. Now we need to focus on making Changqi grow.

The city construction and blacksmithing operations are proceeding smoothly, so we don't need to worry about that. But to become a great city, we need more people. A thousand people is still too few.

We can post more notices in nearby villages and towns, inviting homeless refugees to settle in Changqi. Tell them there's food here. I believe many will come."

Fengchuan has tens of thousands of people, while Changqi only has about a thousand. No wonder Yao Lin didn't take Luo Yu seriously. To Yao Lin, Changqi wasn't even a city, just a large village at best.

"Good idea."

Xiao Shaoyou nodded in agreement.

"Refugees have no home. We provide them with a place to live and work, and they'll be truly grateful to you, identifying with Changqi. We can also recruit young, strong men from among the refugees to strengthen our military."

"That's exactly what I was thinking!"

"Boom boom boom!"

Before they could finish discussing, a war drum sounded outside. It was the first time Changqi's war drum had sounded since its founding.

The war drum meant an enemy attack, but there were no Qiang soldiers here. Who could it be?

Luo Yu narrowed his eyes.

"It seems Yao's family and Du Gang are coming for trouble."