"Really? Director Sun has come to Guanzhong?"
Xu Chengyi's face trembled with excitement.
He had met this Director Sun before at a banquet in Yandu. This man's name was Sun Hongchang, and he was the executive director of the Hongluan Chamber of Commerce. He wielded considerable power!
Moreover, the Sun family itself is a well-known wealthy family in Yandu!
The other party's visit this time is most likely to discuss joining the Hongluan Chamber of Commerce with him.
"Quickly, quickly, book the best restaurants and hotels. We must treat Director Sun to a good stay!"
Xu Chengyi immediately gave the order.
Shortly after Xu Chengyi issued the order, a phone call came in.
It was Sun Hongchang who called.
"Hehe, Lord Xu, it's been a long time! Our Vice President, Young Master Xi, originally planned to come to Guanzhong for an inspection in person, but he was delayed by a multinational project recently, so he sent me first. However, I'm a bit rushed today, so I won't bother you. I've already booked a hotel, and I'll visit your residence tomorrow!"
A gentle male voice came from the phone.
Xu Chengyi quickly replied, "How can that be? Director Sun, you've come all this way to Guanzhong, how can I not show you the proper hospitality! Since you're here, just listen to my arrangements. I've already booked the revolving restaurant at the best hotel in Guanzhong, Gangfeng Hotel. Haha, we must have a good drink together!"
"Um..." Sun Hongchang hesitated for a moment and said, "Lord Xu, you should know that our Chamber of Commerce has rules. We are not allowed to contact our partners before a formal investigation!"
The Hongluan Chamber of Commerce has this rule because it is concerned about the inspection team accepting bribes. The Hongluan Chamber of Commerce has grown to its current size because its internal management is naturally very strict.
Xu Chengyi quickly said, "Hey! Director Sun, you've misunderstood me. We've met before and are friends. If I don't make arrangements for a friend to come to my home, what will those powerful figures in Yandu think of me? They'll probably say I'm stingy! Don't worry, I'm inviting you to dinner just to catch up with an old friend. We definitely won't discuss business!"
Hearing him say that, Sun Hongchang felt utterly helpless.
Regardless of the circumstances, Xu Chengyi is the Marquis of Guanzhong and the son-in-law of the powerful Wu family. If he doesn't agree after they've put it this way, it would be disrespectful.
Thinking of this, he had no choice but to agree, "Okay, I'm about to go through customs now, in about half an hour. See you at Gangfeng then!"
"Okay! See you in a bit!" Xu Chengyi was so excited that he hung up the phone and immediately asked the housekeeper to find the Lai Maotai liquor he had been keeping at home and bring it to the hotel.
Half an hour later, two middle-aged men dressed in fine clothes met formally at Hongfeng's revolving restaurant.
"Haha, Director Sun, it's been two years since we last met, hasn't it? You're still as charming as ever!"
"Lord Xu, what are you saying? I think you are the one with outstanding bearing, and you've become even more prosperous!"
The two shook hands tightly, exchanged pleasantries, and then took their seats.
Xu Chengyi frowned and asked in confusion, "Director Sun, didn't you bring your family with you this time to Guanzhong? Guanzhong is a food capital, why didn't you bring your family to have some fun?"
Sun Hongchang smiled and waved his hand, "To be honest, I brought my son with me this time, but the kid is playful and drove off to have fun as soon as we entered Guanzhong!"
"Haha, I understand! My son is just like that. Young people these days are not like we were back then; they're very shrewd!"
Xu Chengyi smiled and poured the other person a glass of wine, and the two began to drink and chat.
Although they had agreed not to talk about work, Xu Chengyi couldn't help but probe indirectly.
However, Sun Hongchang was very discreet and mostly just laughed it off.
As they were chatting, Xu Chengyi snapped his fingers, and his assistant quickly brought over an antique-looking rectangular wooden box.
Sun Hongchang frowned. "My lord, what's wrong with you...?"
He could tell that the other party was offering a gift. His expression immediately turned somewhat displeased.
Xu Chengyi waved his hand, "You've misunderstood!"
As he spoke, he quickly opened the wooden box, and immediately, a beautiful and slender wolf hair brush appeared before Sun Hongchang's eyes.
"This, this is..."
Sun Hongchang's eyes gleamed with excitement. He quickly picked up the brush from the wooden box and couldn't help but exclaim, "A Purple Palace Wolf Hair Brush from the Sixth Rank Hall! This is the finest of wolf hair brushes!"
Liupintang is a century-old brand in the calligraphy brush industry. All of its calligraphy brushes are handmade and are quite expensive!
Their most high-end calligraphy brush is the Purple Palace Wolf Hair Brush, which was personally crafted by the head of the Sixth Rank Hall using rare wolf king hair.
The head of Liupintang passed away many years ago, and the craft has been lost. No one in the world can make Zidian wolf hair brushes anymore.
The value of this pen is self-evident!
Xu Chengyi said with a smile, "Director Sun, I've heard that you love calligraphy and are a member of the Calligraphers Association. I happen to have this brush in my collection at home, so I brought it over for you!"
Sun Hongchang looked somewhat embarrassed. "This...this isn't quite appropriate, is it?"
If it were anything else, he might have refused outright. But he was an avid reader, and the allure of a fine pen was simply too great.
What's more, this is a rare and priceless piece of Purple Palace Wolf Hair Brush!
Sun Hongchang was immediately caught in a dilemma.
Xu Chengyi's lips curled up slightly as he said, "Director Sun, please don't misunderstand. This is hardly a gift! I like to write a few lines in my spare time, but compared to a master like you, I am far inferior. I always admire your calligraphy!"
"As the saying goes, a fine sword is given to a hero! Such a fine pen, left in my hands, is like a pearl cast before swine. Now that it has met a hero, it is truly returned to its rightful owner! Besides, I didn't give this pen to you for nothing! I also want to ask you to leave me a piece of your calligraphy as a family heirloom! Hehe, you are a master, and your calligraphy is quite valuable! In the end, I'm the one who benefits!" Xu Chengyi couldn't help but burst into laughter at the end.
“Uh…” Sun Hongchang was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a smile: “My lord, you are truly something!”
"Alright! In that case, I'll gladly accept this pen. I'll copy a good calligraphy model and send it to you later!" Sun Hongchang agreed with a smile.
Gift-giving is an art.
Clearly, Xu Chengyi is well-versed in this art.
It feels natural, satisfying, and comfortable to give!
The recipient of the gift simply couldn't find a reason to refuse.
However, as the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him, and he who takes another's money is bound to him."
Sun Hongchang eventually revealed some information to Xu Chengyi.
"My lord, to be honest, our Red Phoenix Merchant Guild is currently expanding beyond the Great Wall, and Guanzhong is a necessary and crucial route. Young Master Xi has high hopes for your Xu family's potential. However, I'm sure I don't need to elaborate on your current predicament..."
At this point, Sun Hongchang paused, then lowered his voice and said, "According to Gongzi Xi, he wants to wait until the situation becomes clearer before we talk again!"
Xu Chengyi was taken aback.
Should we wait until the situation becomes clearer before discussing this?
If I go bankrupt by then, what's the point of talking about anything?
However, he understood what he was hearing.
This young master Xi is clearly waiting for a high price, wanting to take advantage of the situation!
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