"check!"

"This must be thoroughly investigated!"

Qi Bainian gestured to the people and declared, "Fellow villagers, rest assured, the execution of Miao Shang is just the beginning. I will investigate this matter as quickly as possible and not let any of the perpetrators get away with it!"

"good!"

"We believe in Lord Qi!!"

After speaking, Qi Bainian looked at Zhao Cheng, who smiled slightly and gave Qi Bainian a thumbs up.

Qi Bainian then turned and left.

At this moment, the people of Jiangcheng turned their attention to Zhao Cheng and his group, and they all gathered around them.

"Young master, is it you who captured Miao Shang?"

"You are the benefactor of the people of Jiangcheng!"

Who are you?

Zhao Cheng gave Huang Hua a wink, and Huang Hua stepped forward, waving his hand and saying, "This is the young prime minister of Yanchuan, the son-in-law of the Great Jing, and the owner of our Immortal Winery! Have you heard of the Southern Spy Killer? Last year, our boss wiped out three spies from the Southern Zhou!"

"I know the Southern Spy Star, he's the Right Chancellor's son!"

"What brings the young prime minister to Jiangcheng?"

Huang Hua continued, "Have you heard of Immortal Wine? It's a very delicious brew. Immortal Wine is selling quite well in Yanchuan and Qingdong. We've brought it to Jiangcheng now. In a few days, we'll bring some out for everyone to taste. Please feel free to come and try it for free!"

"Great! Of course we'll drink if there's free wine!"

"We'll wait for your notification and definitely come to support us!!"

...

After Miao Shang was executed, Zhao Cheng and his party moved out of the prefectural governor's mansion. Instead of staying at an inn, Zhao Cheng bought a house and named it 'Yasu Bieyuan' (Elegant and Common Courtyard).

This trip to Jiangcheng is different from the trip to Hannancheng. The things to be accomplished cannot be done in a short time. Having a place of one's own will make it easier to carry out the work.

Zhao Cheng offered wine at the gate of the villa, giving each visitor half a ounce. Everyone who drank it tasted the deliciousness of the immortal wine but couldn't get enough, their mouths watering from the aroma. The immortal wine had a particularly rich and mellow aroma; once the cork was opened, the entire alley was filled with its fragrance.

Those with ample funds wanted to buy more of the free immortal wine after finishing it, but Zhao Cheng refused. Zhao Cheng explained that the immortal wine he brought was limited and could only be offered for free tasting; it would be officially sold to the public in a few dozen days.

While Zhao Cheng was giving him wine, Qi Bainian launched a major investigation into the Jing Army's massacre of civilians. In less than ten days, he arrested six officers from various parts of Jiangyang County and brought them all to Jiangcheng to be beheaded and displayed to the public.

The execution of these six people was even more lively than the execution of Miao Shang. Many Jiangcheng residents even knelt down around the execution ground and kowtowed to Qi Bainian, saying that Qi Bainian was the best official in the world.

Qi Bainian also frankly admitted that he had submitted a memorial to the court, acknowledging his dereliction of duty. He stated that such a terrible incident had occurred during his tenure as prefect, and he could not shirk his responsibility. He was willing to accept any punishment from the court.

After hearing Qi Bainian's words, some people even shed tears, not wanting Qi Bainian to be implicated because of this matter, and even more so, not wanting Qi Bainian to be transferred away from Jiangcheng.

Zhao Cheng was also among the common people. Even though Qi Bainian had done a very good job, he still felt that it wasn't quite real.

There's no logic to it, it's just a gut feeling.

He quietly withdrew from the crowd and saw Qi Bainian glance at him from afar.

Dozens of days later, Ma Cong brought He Laosan from Hannan City to escort the Immortal Wine. After meeting Ma Cong in Lingshan last time, Zhao Cheng knew that Ma Cong had abandoned banditry for business, so he recruited him into the Eastern Chamber of Commerce.

Although we don't know Ma Cong's practical abilities, he is first and foremost a person with strong leadership skills, which makes him well-suited for a middle management position. Even if this is his only strength, he is the kind of talent Zhao Cheng desperately needs.

In addition to building a winery in Hannam City, the Chamber of Commerce also constructed many warehouses to store the goods it wanted to sell.

Before Ma Cong set off for Jiangcheng, the warehouse already contained soap, cologne, and women's underwear transported from Yanchuan City. As instructed by Zhao Cheng, Ma Cong brought them along as well.

Zhao Cheng's public identity is that of the owner of the Immortal Winery. He collaborates with Xiao Luomu's Eastern Chamber of Commerce using the Immortal Wine. However, his personal relationship with Xiao Luomu is no secret, so it's understandable that he helps Xiao Luomu sell the Chamber of Commerce's products while promoting the Immortal Wine.

After spreading the word about the "Immortal Wine" in Jiangcheng by giving away bottles as gifts, Zhao Cheng opened his doors wide, waiting for local merchants to come to him. Just as he had predicted, merchants flocked to his door to discuss potential collaborations in selling the wine. After finalizing initial agreements, Zhao Cheng then began promoting his soaps, floral water, and women's underwear.

Soap and toilet water have actually been available in Jiangcheng for a long time, but they were all sold through the Jingdong County channels. Some wealthy families bought them for their own use or as gifts, and no one had the opportunity to do this business.

Seeing that Zhao Cheng not only brought out the immortal wine, but also soap and floral water, the merchants of Jiangcheng were all very excited and praised Zhao Cheng as their god of wealth.

However, they were a little confused about women's underwear.

What are these two pieces of cloth?

Zhao Cheng kept them in suspense, not revealing much, only saying that he would host a banquet for them after the immortal wine and goods arrived in Jiangcheng, and then sign a formal sales contract. He would discuss the women's underwear matter after finalizing the matters concerning the immortal wine and daily necessities.

Upon Ma Cong's arrival, Zhao Cheng immediately instructed Huang Hua to arrange a signing banquet.

It was early February, the time of spring warmth and blooming flowers. The restaurant Huang Hua had chosen was quite unique, with two peach trees in the courtyard. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow, causing tender red peach leaves to fall, creating a special atmosphere.

Zhao Cheng was in a great mood and sat in the main seat waiting for the merchants to arrive.

Noon had passed, but no one had yet come to the banquet.

Xu An grew impatient and said unhappily, "A businessman who isn't punctual can't be relied on, can he?"

Zhao Cheng's mood also soured. He had dealt with those merchants before and did not think they were unpunctual. Moreover, even if some people were unpunctual, not everyone would be.

There's probably something wrong somewhere.

"Yuan Fei, go and take a look."

"yes."

Instead of using the main entrance, Yuan Fei jumped onto the peach tree, then leaped onto the roof and scaled the wall to escape.

Yuan Fei returned in less than half an hour.

"Master, the situation is not good."

Yuan Fei jumped down behind Zhao Cheng and walked over quickly, saying, "I've learned from my investigation that these merchants didn't come to the appointment because they were threatened."

Zhao Cheng had anticipated many possibilities during Yuan Fei's investigation, so he was not surprised by the result.

Who is threatening them?

"The Lu family and the Tu family of Jiangcheng."

Zhao Cheng tapped his fingers rhythmically and said, "After I gifted them the wine, the two most powerful families in Jiangcheng didn't come to me. Now they're trying to stop me from cooperating with other businesses. What are they trying to do?"

"They're probably trying to monopolize the Xianjiu business in Jiangyang County." Huang Hua pondered for a moment and continued, "They're showing you, boss, their strength and forcing us to pay them a visit first."