Chapter 7: I Know What You Want

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Chai Jin led Ren Yuan and the others into the courtyard, then into a large hall. Chai Jin took the seat of honor at the head of the table, Ren Yuan sat in the guest seats, while Song Wan and Zhu Gui occupied the lower seats.

Before long, the servants brought in four pots of wine, three whole fish, two chickens, a whole lamb, and some seasonal fruits and vegetables.

“Please forgive the humble hospitality; everyone, feel at ease,” Chai Jin said warmly.

After attending to the guests and several rounds of drinking and casual conversation, Chai Jin took the initiative to ask, “Brother Ren, you mentioned earlier that you have a business proposal to discuss with me?”

“Indeed,” Ren Yuan replied eagerly, “this is a major opportunity. I’m certain Your Excellency will find it interesting.”

Ren Yuan set down his cup and beckoned to Zhu Gui, who respectfully took a small flask from his bundle and placed it before Chai Jin.

“What is this?” Chai Jin asked, intrigued.

Even with his wide experience, Chai Jin did not recognize the flask.

“It contains my homemade brew, named ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness.’ You, Your Excellency, must taste it,” Ren Yuan said, twisting off the stopper. Immediately, a rich aroma of strong liquor wafted out, making Chai Jin’s eyes light up.

After pouring a small amount and savoring it carefully, Chai Jin commented, “Last year in the capital, there was a wine that emerged suddenly by this name, causing many noble families to scramble for it. But the quantity was limited. I was fortunate to acquire a few bottles back then, though compared to today’s, that batch was somewhat unworthy of its name.”

“Your Excellency, please don’t take offense. Last year’s ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness’ was merely an initial version. I had my brother attempt to sell it then, mainly to gauge public reception. What you are tasting now is the final perfected version,” Ren Yuan explained with a respectful bow.

“Then, what business did you wish to propose?” Chai Jin inquired.

Ren Yuan smiled and continued, “I wish to partner with you, Lord Chai, to sell this ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness.’ I will supply the wine, and Your Excellency would only need to handle the sales. The profits would be split between us. How does that sound?”

“Interesting. And how would the profits be divided?” Chai Jin raised an eyebrow. He was no spoiled heir who knew nothing; the booming popularity of ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness’ made this a truly lucrative venture. As for why Ren Yuan approached him, Chai Jin figured it was simple—he had influence both in the underworld and official circles in the Song dynasty and was protected by an ironclad decree, so there was no fear of the business being hijacked.

“I propose a fifty-fifty split with Your Excellency,” Ren Yuan said with striking generosity.

This boldness made Chai Jin view him more favorably.

“Brother Ren, your generosity is admirable, but I cannot take advantage of you without effort. Since I am only responsible for sales, fifty percent is too high. I will take thirty percent,” Chai Jin declared.

The Little Whirlwind was not a greedy man. Offering a seventy-thirty split, with himself taking the lesser share, showed his magnanimity and integrity.

“That’s unacceptable. We are relying on Your Excellency’s backing; without it, this business may not survive. Fifty percent is what Your Excellency deserves,” Ren Yuan insisted firmly.

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“Word in the martial world is that you, the Pillar of the Sky, Ren Yuan, are both generous and loyal. Today’s meeting confirms it. But don’t forget, I, Chai Jin, also have a reputation in these circles. If you can be magnanimous, so can I. Thirty percent for me, seventy for you. That’s final!” Chai Jin was equally assertive, after all, as a member of the imperial bloodline, his commanding presence was not without reason.

“The twenty percent profit I’m reserving is for Your Excellency, because I have another business matter that requires your approval. Consider this twenty percent as your interest,” Ren Yuan said, clasping his hands in respect.

“Oh? What matter is that?” Chai Jin’s expression grew serious.

Twenty percent profit was no small sum, especially for a popular product like ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness.’ Using this sum as leverage for another deal was a significant cost.

“Mount Liang,” Ren Yuan replied without beating around the bush.

“Mount Liang?” Chai Jin frowned, unfamiliar with the name and unaware of any holdings there.

“Have you forgotten, Your Excellency, that last year a scholar in white, Wang Lun, and a daring figure, Du Qian, occupied the Water Margin’s Mount Liang? Allegedly, they received support from you,” Ren Yuan explained.

“I, too, have set my sights on Mount Liang as a foundation, but since these two received your backing, it would be disrespectful for me to approach them directly and demand it,” he continued.

“Therefore, I propose exchanging this twenty percent profit for control over Mount Liang. You need not intervene personally, but if rumors circulate that I disrespected you and seized Mount Liang, I hope Your Excellency will clear my name.”

Chai Jin understood then—the Pillar of the Sky was aiming for Mount Liang.

No wonder he offered such a generous share.

For Chai Jin, this was no problem. Although Wang Lun and Du Qian had indeed been funded by him to establish the Mount Liang stronghold, after its formation, it had little to do with Chai Jin. Wang Lun and the others didn’t carry his banner openly in the martial world, so Mount Liang was not strictly his subordinate force. Even if conflicts erupted, they should not implicate him.

Yet Ren Yuan was courteous enough to consult him before taking Mount Liang, showing full respect and offering such substantial benefits!

How could Chai Jin not be tempted?

“Very well! I understand what you want, Brother Ren!” Chai Jin promptly agreed and instructed the servants to bring ink and paper, preparing to personally write a letter to Wang Lun.

“Since Brother Ren is sincere, I cannot let you be at a disadvantage. I will write Wang Lun a letter now. If he agrees to transfer Mount Liang to you, I will support him to establish a new stronghold elsewhere. Not far from Mount Liang is Erlong Mountain; he can lead his men there to build a new base. I will cover all expenses,” Chai Jin promised generously.

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“If he refuses to yield, then Brother Ren should follow the rules of the martial world. There will be no question of disregarding my honor and forcibly seizing his foundation,” Chai Jin added.

“Thank you, Lord Chai,” Ren Yuan stood with Song Wan and Zhu Gui to express his gratitude. This was exactly what he needed. With Chai Jin’s endorsement, Ren Yuan’s reputation in the martial world would remain untarnished.

As for seizing the stronghold, come on, Ren Yuan was no stranger to internal strife at Mount Liang. Being stronger, he naturally could become the leader!

“Thank you, Brother Ren, truly!” Chai Jin was delighted. This deal required almost no personal investment, yet he gained such a favorable position. Even the well-traveled Little Whirlwind was pleasantly surprised.

As for Wang Lun, apologies—Chai Jin had supported dozens if not hundreds of powerful men over the years. Wang Lun was just one among many. Moreover, those he backed often only paid lip service without action. Ren Yuan was the first to proactively offer tangible benefits.

“Your Excellency, I have one more request,” Ren Yuan said.

“No need for formalities, young brother. I am just a few years your senior. Speak freely and call me brother,” Chai Jin replied warmly.

Chai Jin had just been informed by his steward that if ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness’ sells well, a fifty percent share of the profits could double the estate’s income in a year.

“Then I shall speak plainly. I am traveling to negotiate with Wang Lun with only the three of us. We are vulnerable and need to request some robust servants from you to accompany us to bolster our presence,” Ren Yuan said candidly.

This was essentially a request for manpower, which was reasonable considering the generous terms already granted.

“Do not worry, young brother,” Chai Jin said. “Bring eighty able-bodied estate workers and prepare twenty horses and twenty carts of supplies.”

Chai Jin’s estate truly was unmatched—he had so many retainers that supplying this force was no problem. This generosity was truly befitting the Little Whirlwind!

“Thank you, Brother (Your Excellency)!” Ren Yuan and the others bowed again, especially Ren Yuan, who breathed a sigh of relief. Building a business relationship and alliance with Chai Jin was the right move.

“Brother, Lord Chai, why is he so generous?” Song Wan whispered after Chai Jin had left.

“You know well, after the Zhao family seized the Chai estate, Lord Chai has harbored resentment. That’s why he often protects those in the martial world—to spite the Zhao family,” Ren Yuan explained.

“So this generosity is, in essence, an investment in us. He believes we can succeed,” Ren Yuan said confidently.

Compared to going up the mountain empty-handed, having someone invest was a blessing, and Ren Yuan welcomed it wholeheartedly.