Chapter 467: Chapter 469: Real and Fake Monkey Wine
Two more days, all these people will be invited to participate in the auction at the Underworld Market. Elder Liu has been meticulously preparing for this event, and the young masters will all be in attendance; there can be no mistakes.
Elder Liu glanced at the list again.
A subordinate walked in.
"Reporting to Elder Liu, the people of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce have been driven out. Elder Liu, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has been growing well recently, why did you drive them out?"
Elder Liu is usually polite to guests, especially promising ones. The rules of the Underworld Market pay close attention to them, as they might become the next VIPs.
Elder Liu snorted.
"This Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has been stealing a lot of our business, I’ve long wanted to teach them a lesson, and they have delivered themselves to our doorstep."
Most of the business in the Underworld Market involves selling valuable resources, such as medicinal herbs and equipment. Normally, even a medium-sized chamber would be disregarded by the Underworld Market.
But the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is different, this recently emerged unknown small chamber has grown too rapidly.
Especially since their candles are sold at only a third of the Underworld Market’s price.
Though candles are not a high-profit item, they are widely used among the people, which means more customers.
This area of profit could alsobring in hundreds of thousands of profits annually for the Underworld Market, not to mention some medicinal herbs, which have always been the best among all chambers, even much better than some Medicine Shops.
But this damned Phoenix Chamber of Commerce not only undercut the high-priced candles of the Underworld Market but also began selling medicinal herbs.
After buying medicinal herbs from the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Medicine Shops found that their medicinal effectiveness was even higher than those from the Underworld Market.
Over the past month, the Underworld Market has lost 10-20% of its business in medicinal herbs to the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and this is just the beginning. If the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce continues to grow, the Underworld Market’s business will be completely taken over!
Elder Liu’s gaze deepened, these things he would not discuss with just a subordinate.
He waved his hand, signaling to the subordinate that after the auction and the Competition Among Ten Countries, he would find a way to properly deal with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
It so happens that he also found out that the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce started its business in Chu City. He arranged a meeting with Crown Prince Dongfang Yu of Great Chu, intending to discuss with Dongfang Yu to suppress the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
As he was thinking, a report from a subordinate came from outside the door, saying that the Prince of Great Chu and the Princess Consort have arrived.
Elder Liu put away the list and stood up with a smiling face to welcome them.
"Crown Prince Dongfang, long time no see. Seeing your complexion now, your health must have greatly improved. Congratulations."
Elder Liu was very polite, and Dongfang Yu respectfully bowed, as Elder Liu, although a civilian, is an important person in charge of the Underworld Market in Great Chu, hence Dongfang Yu respected him greatly.
Elder Liu’s eyes brightened when he saw Nalan Yan’er next to Dongfang Yu.
This famous Princess Consort of Great Chu lived up to her reputation, not only beautiful but also possessing a distinct demeanor from ordinary women, captivating anyone who saw her.
The couple Dongfang Yu and Liu sat down, exchanged some pleasantries, and then Dongfang Yu said.
"No one visits a temple without a cause, I came today because of the auction happening in a few days. I heard that a large batch of Heavenly Stones will be for sale."
Just as Feng Zhao’an had mentioned, the Crown Prince Mansion had made a huge investment this time. Dongfang Yu intended to make a significant impression in the Competition Among Ten Countries, so he had to prepare enough medicinal herbs and equipment for his ten participants to excel.
Hearing Dongfang Yu’s purpose, Elder Liu did not immediately respond; he silently sipped his tea.
Dongfang Yu slightly frowned. Actually, counting himself, Elder Liu has been approached by no less than ten people since arriving in Chu City, and each of them wealthy or noble. Their goals were the same as Dongfang Yu’s, all for the Heavenly Stone.
In the Competition Among Ten Countries, the significance of weapons refined from Heavenly Stone is known by everyone.
Elder Liu had rejected all those people. He chuckled and said.
Prince Dongfang, please forgive me. It’s not that I, Liu, am insensitive, but the matter of Heavenly Stone cannot make exceptions. Instructions from the top brass of the Underworld Market have already been issued. These Heavenly Stones can only be sold in a gambling manner during the auction, and even you are not an exception."
Elder Liu had said the same to others.
Dongfang Yu and Nalan Yan’er frowned upon hearing this, especially Nalan Yan’er, who was surprised that Elder Liu was so unyielding despite the Crown Prince coming in person.
Dongfang Yu was not angry and asked again.
"Elder Liu, is there really no other method of accommodation?"
Elder Liu chuckled twice and looked up at Nalan Yan’er.
"I heard that Princess Consort Nalan recently acquired some fine wine."
Upon hearing this, both Dongfang Yu and Nalan Yan’er’s expressions grew unpleasant.
The news of the Crown Prince Mansion obtaining a batch of Monkey Wine was kept secret by the couple.
Apart from distributing a bottle to each participant in the Competition Among Ten Countries, even the Imperial Palace was not informed by Dongfang Yu, naturally intending to privately stash the Monkey Wine. Yet, unexpectedly, despite the good secrecy work, Elder Liu of the Underworld Market still knew.
Elder Liu knowing it might mean others could know as well.
Dongfang Yu felt a pang of discomfort; it seemed he had to send part of the wine batch to the Imperial Palace, but why did Elder Liu bring this up?
After a moment of silence, Nalan Yan’er was the first to speak, covering her mouth lightly and laughing.
"Elder Liu is well-informed indeed. I did brew a batch of good wine. However, the Underworld Market is the wealthiest, and the fine wines it holds are numerous. How could it fancy the wine I have?"
Nalan Yan’er said this, but she felt a bit smug inwardly, not expecting the Underworld Market to covet this batch of Monkey Wine.
Elder Liu’s gaze darkened; it seemed the rumors were true. This beautiful Crown Princess Consort was not only literarily talented but also knew how to brew wine. Crown Princess Consort Dongfang indeed had good fortune.
Elder Liu lingered his eyes on the delicate and beautiful face of Nalan Yan’er for a while, Dongfang Yu frowned, though he said nothing.
Elder Liu smiled and reminded.
"The Underworld Market indeed has many fine wines, but it has never had wines that can directly restore physical strength and Wen Energy. I have an impolite request; if the Crown Prince and Princess Consort could provide a part of this wine to the Underworld Market, and if it could be a long-term arrangement, the Underworld Market would be very grateful. At this upcoming auction, I will certainly provide special attention in return."