Discussing Cooperation 1
Inside Penglai Residence, Xu Shangqiang and Yan Zhanshi sat at the table, their faces serious.
Xu Wu returned with a jar of Taibai wine. He shook his head at Xu Shangqiang and recounted in detail what had happened at the Taibai wine shop that day. Then, Xu Wu described the anti-counterfeiting labels that the Taibai wine shop had made and showed them to the two of them.
"That's something new," Yan Zhanshi said, showing great interest.
"Hmph!" Xu Shangqiang snorted coldly.
There was silence for a moment.
As the wine jar was slowly opened, Yan Zhanshi's expression changed from serious to excited.
Xu Shangqiang could not hide his curiosity either; the legendary Taibai wine had finally been seen in person today.
Xu Wu had already seen it when he was watching the commotion outside the Taibai Wine Shop, but this was the first time Xu Shangqiang and Yan Zhanshi had seen it. Their eyes were fixed intently on the wine cups. The wine was served in the most ordinary ceramic cups, but even so, describing Taibai wine as a celestial nectar was truly no exaggeration!
Xu Shangqiang was not one to be ignorant; Taibai wine was indeed far superior to Qingzhai wine in terms of color, aroma, and taste.
Yan Zhanshi scooped out a cup and tasted it, marveling at the flavor.
"Master Yan, how is it? Have you figured out anything?" Xu Shangqiang asked hurriedly.
"I'm sorry, I can't tell. This wine is so clear, I don't know what brewing method was used. I can faintly smell the fragrance of rice, but I have no way of knowing what kind of rice was used, how much was used, or what was added," Yan Zhanshi replied.
Yan Zhanshi, over fifty years old, was a highly respected winemaker in Qingzhou City. Xu Shangqiang was very disappointed that even he couldn't tell.
Are we just going to stand by and watch our customers get robbed? A few days ago, two strange traveling merchants were eating at Penglaiju Restaurant. They openly said that Qingzhai wine was not good and specifically asked for Taibai wine.
This practice of praising one thing and criticizing another greatly enhanced the reputation of Taibai liquor.
Does this mean that Taibai wine will eventually surpass Qingzhai wine? Thinking of this, Xu Shangqiang's expression immediately turned serious.
He owns a 20% stake in Qingzhai Winery, and now that Qingzhai Winery is being overshadowed by Taibai Winery, he has suffered considerable losses.
Xu Shangqiang never expected things to turn out this way. At first, he thought Taibai wine was just a novelty. The wine had sold over a thousand catties even before it opened for business. He only wanted a share of the pie, so he sent people to poach Old Gao and recruit him to his team.
As a result, he failed to recruit the talent, and Taibaijiu's development momentum grew stronger and stronger, forcing him to take it seriously.
After a moment of silence, Xu Shangqiang tried to control his emotions, but he still felt a lump in his throat, unable to swallow it, which made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
I wish this Taibai wine belonged to him.
In the restaurant business, it's not uncommon for people to secretly learn other restaurants' signature dishes and sell them in their own restaurants.
If Taibai wine could be brought under the banner of Penglaiju, all problems would be solved.
Xu Wu understood his thoughts and immediately offered a suggestion: "Then there's only one way left!"
"What method?"
Xu Wu: "Let's buy the recipe for Taibai wine."
"What if they don't sell?" Yan Zhanshi asked in surprise. People with this skill probably wouldn't be easily swayed by money.
Xu Wu: "Uncle, if you go there yourself, you will surely succeed. They didn't sell before because they didn't know that the person buying the son was your uncle."
How would he know it wouldn't succeed if he didn't try? If the other party wasn't willing, he had countless ways to achieve his goal. Xu Shangqiang stroked his beard; it seemed necessary to personally visit Taibai Wine Shop.
*
As the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed from the wine shop, Fu Zhiqiao sat at her desk, deep in thought. This matter might not be as simple as it seemed on the surface.
"Go and investigate that third brother."
"Young lady, do you suspect that the third brother was acting under someone's orders?"
Defu still habitually calls her "Miss" in private, as this better reflects their previous close relationship.
"We cannot rule out this possibility."
Several coincidences came together, making her suspicious.
The liquor store's business is so good that it can offend people.
Taibai liquor has been making waves lately, and there are plenty of envious people in the city who have been openly and secretly trying to find out the recipe.
Fu Zhiqiao placed her first suspicions on Penglai Residence.
Her actions of placing online trolls in Penglaiju were bound to attract the attention of the other party, especially given the popularity of Taibai wine; Penglaiju could not possibly remain indifferent.
Putting herself in her shoes, if someone treated her like that, she would also retaliate.
"There is no evidence, but it is speculated that it should be the Cui family of Qinghe and the Wang family of Taiyuan. Currently, these two families have the most grain in Guanzhong."
"Master, the manager of Penglai Residence requests an audience." Defu's voice rang out from outside the door.
Here it comes!
She was initially unsure whether the Chen Zheng incident was orchestrated by Penglaiju, but now she's almost certain that the third brother was someone they arranged.
When they couldn't get the recipe, they started causing trouble. Luckily, she had a backup plan, or she would have been caught by them.
They're really persistent; once one trick fails, they come up with another. In just a few days, they couldn't hold back any longer and came to us in person.
"Master, do you wish to see him?"
"Yes, please let them in."
Since she was in her own shop, Fu Zhi Qiao didn't dress up specially and sat in the main seat in a casual outfit.
Defu stood behind her and introduced each of them to their identities.
Upon seeing Fu Zhiqiao, Xu Shangqiang's unease was finally dispelled.
He said, "Where did Old Gao get the ability to provoke Penglai Residence? I never expected that the mastermind behind him was actually a young girl."
It's hard to imagine that such a frail woman, who can't even kill a chicken, would be the person behind Taibai Wine Shop. Even so, Xu Shangqiang didn't take her seriously, even though he had suffered a loss at her hands before.
If Fu Zhi Qiao knew what he was thinking, she would also sigh: Stereotypes are harmful!
"Mr. Fu, I am sorry to have come here so abruptly..." After a few simple pleasantries, Xu Shangqiang got straight to the point: "Mr. Fu, my Penglaiju has accepted the secret recipe for Taibai wine. Name your price!"
Fu Zhiqiao: ...
"Twenty thousand taels!"
Wow, Xu Shangqiang is quite generous, asking for 20,000 taels right off the bat. But Fu Zhiqiao doesn't care about that amount of money; she can earn it back with a flick of her finger.
Fu Zhiqiao shook her head: "Mr. Xu, I'm sorry, I can't agree to that."
"Mr. Fu, don't rush to refuse. The price is negotiable."
One million taels.
As soon as Fu Zhiqiao finished speaking, the servant behind Xu Shangqiang gasped.
Xu Shangqiang was also stunned for a long time before he reacted.
How much? One million taels? Did he hear that right? Clearly, he hadn't expected Fu Zhi Qiao to ask for such an exorbitant price.
Xu Shangqiang cleared his throat: "I am here sincerely to buy the house, and I hope Mr. Fu will not ask for an exorbitant price."
Fu Zhi Qiao smiled and asked, "So, Mr. Xu, what do you think the value of my Taibai liquor is?"
"Fifty thousand taels."
Fu Zhiqiao was too lazy to reply.
"One hundred thousand taels." Xu Shangqiang gritted his teeth; this was Penglai Residence's bottom line.
"One million taels, not a single penny less."
Xu Shangqiang's face turned completely black.
Fu Zhiqiao looked up and stared directly at him: "Boss Xu is a discerning person. Given the value of Taibai wine, one million taels is not excessive."
"Too many people have come to me to buy land; the highest bidder wins!"
Her implication was that there were too many people wanting to buy wine for their sons, so one more or one less wouldn't make a difference.
Seeing Fu Zhi Qiao's unyielding attitude, Xu Shangqiang was furious, but he quickly calmed down. He didn't believe anyone could offer a million taels of silver for the recipe for Taibai wine. There was no restaurant in Qingzhou bigger than Penglaiju. Fu Zhi Qiao was definitely trying to raise the price.
"Mr. Fu, everything is negotiable."
Fu Zhiqiao's face showed regret: "If Mr. Xu can't afford the price, please leave!"
Her contemptuous attitude infuriated Xu Shangqiang, but he had no choice but to restrain himself and deal with her. If he just turned around and left, he would be missing out on a chance to make money.
"So, Mr. Fu is determined to be an enemy of Penglai Residence?" Xu Shangqiang stared intently at her, wanting to see her reaction.
"Mr. Xu, you're putting me in a difficult position. If I sell the secret formula to you, wouldn't that be like creating a competitor for myself? Would you still tolerate me then?"
Fu Zhi Qiao still wore a smiling expression, but she knew exactly what was going on.
Once the secret of Taibai Wine falls into Xu Shangqiang's hands, with his power behind him, he will definitely suppress her. What will she do then? She won't even have anyone to reason with.
Xu Shangqiang: ...
Speechless.
Xu Shangqiang was speechless, and for a moment he really didn't know what to say.
Although Fu Zhiqiao was young, he was no pushover. He did intend to keep the recipe for Taibai wine for himself. After his purpose was exposed, his face immediately became a little embarrassed.
He'd been shrewd for most of his life, yet he'd been fooled by a little girl.
Seeing that Fu Zhi Qiao had no intention of negotiating the price, Xu Shang Qiang slammed his hand on the table in anger, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Boss Fu, I advise you not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
If he can't get the secret recipe, he absolutely won't allow anyone to step on his head.
In Xu Shangqiang's view, Fu Zhiqiao was just a mere young girl, yet she was so assertive towards him, which was truly unpleasant. He had already investigated Fu Zhiqiao's background; she was a distant relative of Zhou Yiming of the Gao family's wine shop, and had only been in Qingzhou for about half a year. Such an unremarkable background was nothing to be afraid of.
Moreover, he didn't have time to slowly work out the recipe; the sooner he got the recipe, the sooner he could make money.
If bribery doesn't work, then use coercion.
Fu Zhi Qiao wasn't buying it. Her voice turned cold: "Tai Bai Liquor is a one-of-a-kind brand, with no branches anywhere else! But you're not the only one with power..."
She didn't say the rest aloud, but she believed Xu Shangqiang would understand what she meant.
After several conversations, Fu Zhiqiao had already tested Xu Shangqiang's bottom line: he would do everything in his power to get his hands on the recipe for Taibai wine.
At first, she might have been afraid of Xu Shangqiang's power, but things are different now. Taibai wine has gradually gained traction in the Qingzhou market, and a quick glance at the shop's sales brochures reveals that many high-ranking officials and dignitaries have come to buy her wine.
Compared to Xu Shangqiang, Fu Zhiqiao was more confident in the negotiations because Xu Shangqiang had assured many diners that they would be able to drink Taibai wine at Penglaiju.
This was an unexpected bonus for Fu Zhi Qiao.
Xu Shangqiang was annoyed, but he had already made the promise. If he couldn't keep it, he would lose face. He couldn't afford to lose face in front of everyone!
Fu Zhi Qiao’s words were clearly threatening; how could he not hear it?
If you push her too far, she'll sell the recipe to someone with even more power...
He's no pushover, and Fu Zhi Qiao isn't someone to be trifled with!
Neither side will benefit from this.
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