On the first day of the Lunar New Year, auspicious snow was expected.
It's everywhere, completely transformed.
In the Azure City, which was almost completely submerged in pure white, only a few specks of red stood out.
There are bright red Spring Festival couplets and the character "福" (good fortune), as well as red plum blossoms and red lanterns.
Inside the Tianji Mansion, Yun and Wei sat opposite the three elders of Bili City across a heavy rosewood table, like two armies facing each other, clearly divided.
Sid had already drafted the technology transfer agreement, so Yun Wei simply handed over the parchment scroll.
Sid and Silver's demands were simple: in order to ignite a revolutionary change in Bethlehem, they fervently desired the advanced craftsmanship of the City of Glass and were willing to pay a high price for it.
In particular, the three major categories of metallurgy, agriculture, and textiles are interdependent and indispensable.
With advanced metallurgical technology, ironware could be produced in large quantities, thereby promoting agricultural production; and once the output of farmland increased, there would be idle land for cash crops such as cotton and hemp.
When food and clothing are readily available, labor can be freed from the constraints of the fields, allowing more people to engage in mining and handicrafts.
However, the concerns of Bili City are also quite obvious.
Bethlehem and Beryl are located to the west and east, respectively. Both regions promote industry through commerce, making up for their natural geographical disadvantages.
As the saying goes, "One cannot sell firewood for a hundred miles, nor buy grain for a thousand miles." It is not only laborious to take goods such as grain and firewood, which are available everywhere, out to sell, but the profit is also meager.
Only those rare commodities that are "unique to oneself and not found elsewhere" become more valuable the further they travel, and the greater the profits earned from them.
What the three elders were worried about was that Bethlehem, having mastered the unique technology of the City of Green Glass, would drive Green Glass to its doom.
Seeing the solemn expressions of the three elders, who seemed about to refuse at any moment, Yun Wei finally spoke leisurely:
"This time, it took me nearly a month to travel from Alchemy City to Azure Glass. Along the way, I passed through Red Moon and Dragon Island, and I did get to see quite a few sights."
Upon hearing this, Qin Mengji, who was deep in thought, immediately praised, "This shows that Young Hero Yun is exceptionally skilled. For an ordinary person, it would probably take more than half a year to make the round trip."
Qin Lushu's elder brother, who was in a high-rise building, rarely left his home and only offered polite compliments.
Sitting to the side, Nangong Zhongming, who was more familiar with the trade routes, noticed the hidden meaning and interjected, "This route is already quite circuitous. Wouldn't it be closer to go east from Alchemy City, through Moonflower City, directly to Azure Glass?"
Yun Wei smiled and said, "To be honest, it's because Mr. Sid recently invented the 'Cloud Boat,' which is a device that can fly close to the ground. Isaac and I deliberately chose that route to collect data along the way."
Upon hearing this, the three elders' expressions all changed slightly.
It should be noted that in the Zhuyuan Continent, flight is a privilege reserved exclusively for high-level professionals.
Judging from Yun Wei's words, it seems that the Alchemy City has already invented flying devices...
This made them feel uneasy.
“That Mr. Sid is quite a remarkable person.” Qin Mengji casually twirled the knife-fan between his fingers and tentatively asked, “In Alchemy City, are such strange gadgets invented all the time?”
Yun Wei's mind was as clear as a mirror; he simply pretended not to know.
He answered truthfully: "Usually, the alchemy laboratories are responsible for inventions. There are now four laboratories in Alchemy City, but there are no fewer than a hundred workshops that serve the laboratories."
"The machines inside are buzzing non-stop from morning till night, working in shifts to complete orders from the laboratory."
“Thousands upon thousands of apprentices and laborers shuttled back and forth like tireless ants, each harboring resentment.”
"People over there say that Alchemy City is a cannibalistic city," Yun Wei said with a smile at the end.
He smiled nonchalantly, but the three elders were starting to get restless.
Of course, there are trade routes from Azure City that pass through the Duke of Gilded City, but because of the ridiculously high entrance fees, goods ordered by Alchemy City are usually traded outside the city.
Perhaps some tour leaders occasionally enter the city for a visit, but it's usually just a cursory glance.
Those who traveled back and forth for business could never compare to Yun Wei, who had spent several months in the laboratory.
He has systematically learned about magic and alchemy, and also possesses foresight from another world.
Elder Xie coughed again, the sound so loud and heart-wrenching that it seemed as if he was coughing up his lungs.
Once he had finally caught his breath, he stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point: "In your opinion, young friend, should Bili sign this agreement?"
Although Yun Wei had already met many people in Bili City, he had the best impression of the old man in front of him.
To his shame, he had this impression simply because the other person possessed a kind of indescribable and inexplicable spirit, which was closest to his imagination of the ancients.
Otherwise, if everyone in Bili City were as repulsive as Huo Miaodan, then Yun Wei's illusions about Bili City would truly be shattered.
Therefore, Yun Wei also straightened his expression and said frankly, "In my humble opinion, this agreement is not urgent. Bi Li can first select people to return to alchemy with me and sit down to discuss it with Mr. Sid."
He deeply understood the principle that too much of a good thing is bad.
Sid had already prepared for setbacks; this temporary assignment was merely a trial balloon to see if he could act as a go-between. The fact that the elders on Bili's side were currently hesitant was already a pleasant surprise.
To be honest, he had a good impression of both Sid and Bili.
It's not that he favors anyone, but in matters involving conflicting interests, it's best for both parties to reach an agreement and work together for mutual benefit.
Seeing that Yun Wei spoke frankly, the three elders became somewhat anxious.
The people of Azure City knew very little about magic, and Mr. Sid generously gifted them some basic magic runes.
This made them feel both guilty and afraid of missing out on a hard-won opportunity.
Qin Mengji said, "Young Master Yun, why are you in such a hurry? Why not stay in the city a few more days? The city will be very lively on the Lantern Festival. Why not stay a few more days?"
“This is because… there is a major competition in Alchemy City in early June. I’ll probably need to make more preparations before the competition, so I can’t afford to delay any longer.” Yun Wei continued, “I will return to Alchemy City via the same route in seven days, and it won’t be a problem to bring five more people on the cloud boat.”
His words were vague, almost glossed over, and he didn't notice the growing anxiety on the faces of the three elders after hearing that Alchemy City held a major competition every five years.
In reality, what he was worried about was that the apostles from Alchemy City would take the opportunity to cause trouble and do something strange.
After all, having just defeated the four apostles, Jade City is currently the safest place.
The thought of the apostles' schemes and plots gave Yun Wei a headache.
Just then, Nangong Zhongming stood up.
Seeing that Yun Wei's teacup was empty, the head of the Nangong family actually came over to pour him some tea himself.
Yun Wei hurriedly declined, but the other party was so enthusiastic that he insisted on filling his teacup.
The middle-aged man, dressed in gold and jade and looking extremely wealthy, said with a smile, "Young Brother Yun is a hero of his time, with foresight and maturity. He makes us feel ashamed."
He praised Yun Wei so much that she blushed and felt like she was floating on air.
Then Nangong Zhongming changed the subject, saying, "Let's all speak frankly. Brother Yun, do you have any suggestions for our Bili?"
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