novelSusiti Chapter 62: Yao Jin's Reaction
Chapter 62: Yao Jin's Reaction
Cheng Chumo found a hemp rope, carefully tied the wine jar securely, and held it tightly in his arms, afraid of bumping or damaging it even slightly.
Cheng Chuliang also placed the braised meat and sweet cakes he brought on the stone table, chuckling as he said, "These are congratulatory gifts to wish you a successful business opening."
From then on, he would always come to pick up the goods on the first day of each month, never being a moment late.
The two brothers led their horses away, the sound of their hooves fading into the distance on the country road.
Cheng Chuliang's loud and cheerful voice could be heard from a great distance.
"Brother Wang, see you on the first day of next month!"
Wang Zhi still stood at the courtyard gate, watching the two figures leave, a faint sense of understanding flashing in his eyes.
This strategy secured a stable sales channel, improved cash flow, and subtly cultivated connections. By leveraging the two Cheng sons' firm foothold in Chang'an's elite circles, the company proceeded step by step, with everything under its control.
A moment later, he turned back to the courtyard, carefully put away the money bag and gold leaves, and then picked up a piece of mulberry paper to add a few strokes.
They were planning what to buy next: they needed to stock up on several bundles of cedar wood, order another batch of earthenware urns, and prepare firewood for brewing wine in advance.
Just then, the notification sound of the Merit System quietly rang out.
He was recognized for pioneering a sales model that combined tiered agency with pre-sales, establishing entirely new business rules, and was awarded 800 merit points.
Wang Zhi glanced at it briefly, then looked away and sat down under the jujube tree with his herbal tea.
Hua Hua lightly jumped onto his lap, curled up in a ball, and made even snoring sounds.
Ah Huang had somehow moved from under the jujube tree to his feet, its tail lazily brushing against his shoes.
Little Black was still curled up under the stone bench, fast asleep.
The yellow-feathered chickens in the coop clucked and occasionally flapped their wings.
Outside the courtyard wall, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the tenants' houses, and the faint sounds of neighbors chatting drifted over, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
In the early summer of the ninth year of the Zhenguan era, the farmhouse courtyard outside Chang'an City remained quiet and peaceful.
The rice paddies rippled with waves of green, the distillery exuded a delicate aroma, cats and dogs circled around one's knees, and life was peaceful and serene.
Wang Zhihuan, leaning against the jujube tree, gently stroked the tabby cat on his lap, his mind filled with thoughts of when to irrigate the rice paddies and how to make his current life more stable and comfortable.
He never expected that the names he set for the three brands, Tianlu, Yunmenchun, and Songlao, along with the tiered sales and pre-order-and-collect business model, would later cause quite a stir in Chang'an.
It will be imitated by countless merchants and gradually become the default rule of conduct in the upper-class wine and spirits industry.
At this moment, what he seeks is not a groundbreaking business deal.
He simply tends to his farm, brews a good wine, and lives a peaceful and tranquil life.
The two Cheng brothers, carrying wine jars, rode swiftly all the way back, even faster than they had come, their hearts filled with undisguised excitement and solemnity.
Only after entering the Duke of Lu's mansion did Cheng Chumo rein in his horse, dismount, and completely abandon his usual carefree and dissolute demeanor.
He exuded a calm and composed demeanor, even his brows and eyes were taut.
He knew full well that the deal he had finalized with Wang Zhihuan today to sell wine was no ordinary small business.
It was a major event concerning connections, future prospects, and even more so, the relationship between the family and Wang Zhihuan; it could not be taken lightly.
Cheng Chuliang followed behind his elder brother, carefully protecting the several jars of fine wine in his arms. He kept silent and obediently followed his brother toward the main hall of the mansion.
At that moment, Cheng Yaojin was sitting on a chair in the main hall, stroking a teacup in his hand, with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.
He kept glancing towards the gate of the mansion, his mind preoccupied with the matter of Yuchi Gong's attempt to persuade him to drink, waiting for his son to return and give him an answer.
Seeing her two sons, travel-worn and looking solemn, walking in, each clutching a delicate little wine jar tightly in their arms.
Cheng Yaojin immediately put down his teacup and asked in a deep voice, "How did things go? Is Young Master Wang willing to make an exception and sell wine? As for Yuchi Gong, is there a way to smooth things over?"
Normally, Cheng Yaojin was known for his gruff voice and unrestrained manner in the mansion.
But whenever Wang Zhihuan was involved, he became extra cautious.
This seemingly carefree and tranquil country boy possesses extraordinary abilities. He can cure stubborn illnesses, brew unparalleled wines, and his strategic thinking far surpasses that of ordinary people.
His Majesty personally instructed him to secretly look after the person, keep the secret, and never disturb them. He was also instructed to protect the person at all costs and not allow anyone to cause trouble.
Cheng Chumo dared not conceal anything, and immediately bowed, explaining in detail, word by word, all the matters that had occurred at Wang Zhihuan's farm that day.
From wine classification and exclusive agency to futures pre-sales and pricing revenue sharing.
Furthermore, Wang Zhihuan only chose Cheng Chumo personally, rather than the Duke of Lu's mansion, entrusting him entirely as an independent person, without involving his family's title or power in the slightest.
Every detail was explained clearly, without any omissions.
He neither embellished nor concealed anything.
Even Wang Zhihuan's rules, the time limit for wine aging, the exclusive targeting of the elite circles in Chang'an, the sample wine gifts, and the various plans for pre-sales with deposits were all carefully considered.
He told his father everything in detail.
At first, Cheng Yaojin was indifferent, but the more he listened, the straighter he sat.
The casualness in his rough features had completely disappeared, replaced by a deep sense of shock and emotion.
Finally, he couldn't help but raise his hand and slap the table, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"Well done! Wang Zhihuan is truly remarkable!"
Cheng Yaojin praised repeatedly, his heart filled with admiration, and his gaze toward his son held a hint of expectation.
He had assumed that Wang Zhihuan was simply making an exception to sell alcohol in order to resolve the current impasse.
Unexpectedly, this young man was so insightful, and his strategic planning was far superior to that of the cunning civil officials in the court.
Instead of attaching themselves to the Duke's mansion or tying themselves to the family's power, they handed over the huge business opportunities and the exclusive agency rights for the entire city to Cheng Chumo, their eldest son.
It seems like they're setting aside the Duke of Lu's mansion and just doing a purely business transaction.
In reality, she was giving Cheng Yaojin a lot of face, and secretly cultivating his heir, helping Cheng Chumo accumulate experience, connections, and prestige.
This will allow him to break free from the aura of the Duke of Lu's mansion and truly establish himself.
This approach is a hundred or a thousand times more sophisticated than directly offering lavish gifts to curry favor with the Duke's mansion!
From then on, Cheng Yaojin protected Wang Zhihuan, and he no longer needed to find various excuses to secretly and carefully take care of him.
Using his son's role as an agent for the winery business was all perfectly legitimate and justifiable.
Even if others saw it, they would only think that it was reasonable for him to protect his business partner since the two young masters were doing business together.
This will not arouse suspicion from others, nor will it expose His Majesty's secret dealings with Wang Zhihuan.
"Father, I believe that my brother is an open and honest man, loyal and righteous, and has exceptional strategic skills. I must not betray this trust."