Kays Translations

Chapter 178: No Good Banquet

Li Xian looked up at the two women in front who were elegantly playing the piano. This time, he truly sized them up. They were indeed of stunning beauty, around seventeen or eighteen years old, with long, flowing hair cascading over their shoulders. The woman on the left had her hair styled in a left-side bun, while the woman on the right had hers styled in a right-side bun. What was most surprising, however, was that one of them had a beauty mark on her left eyebrow, and the other had one on her right eyebrow.

Aside from that, they had the same appearance, the same exquisite features, and their movements were also synchronized.

They were undoubtedly… the finest of the finest!

But, with my few “good brothers,” could they really have the generosity to give such beautiful women to me?

Li Xian couldn’t believe it, not in a thousand or ten thousand years! Especially since Kong Yingzhi and Wang Ping were both here.

While Li Xian was still puzzled, Zhang Quan suddenly let out a hearty laugh, “Brother Xian, do you know why we invited Kong Yingzhi and Wang Ping here tonight?”

Before Li Xian could react, Zhang Quan suddenly clapped his hands, “Everyone, come out, let’s toast to Young Master Li Xian!”

Several large doors opened around them, and some wealthy “merchants” began to pour out. Among them were many faces Li Xian recognized. These people all cupped their fists at Li Xian from a distance before standing quietly.

Nearby, the old hostess immediately signaled for the music and dance to begin again. The previously seductive music turned into the dignified, elegant, and gentle “Nishang Yuyi Sequence.” Surrounded by swirling smoke and mist, it felt as if they were in a celestial realm, truly living up to the reputation of “Yunzhijian.”

The women danced around, while in the center, Xiao Si and others hurriedly set the tables; in no time, more than thirty merchants had appeared in the hall.

Li Xian looked around and said to Zhang Quan, “These people are all agents, right?”

“Yes, you have a good eye, Brother Xian,” Zhang Quan said, looking at the people around them. “Since you came in a hurry, we only managed to gather the agents from Wuyang County.”

Li Xian was clearly a little stunned by the sudden arrangement: “Do they have any questions?”

Shangguan Yong came over and led Li Xian to sit in the main seat to the north. “Ha, Brother Xian, where are you thinking? These agents made their fortunes by representing the products of the Brilliant Star Group. Everyone wants to take the time to thank you, but there’s never been an opportunity until now. As soon as we heard you were coming to the capital, we contacted people around here. Some more may even arrive soon.”

As he spoke, a few more merchants hurriedly arrived. “Sorry, sorry, we’re late. Young Master Li, please forgive us. I’m Ma Wenzhong, responsible for bearings, spindles, springs, sea silk, and stainless steel in the northern part of Songzhou County. I came late today, so let me punish myself with three cups.”

Saying this, he took three large wine cups from a nearby maid and downed them in one go.

At this point, Li Xian had already sat in the main seat, raising a cup of wine. “Thanks to everyone’s support, the Brilliant Star Group is what it is today. Li Xian drinks to you all in gratitude.”

“Young Master Li, so magnanimous!”

As the group drank together, the atmosphere grew lively. Gradually, they began discussing the difficulties of starting a business, and then shifted to its eventual glory. Soon, the conversation turned to more sensitive topics.

Li Xian sneered inwardly. “You really know how to lead the conversation from casual topics to critical issues. I wonder if you’ve rehearsed this beforehand?”

After about an hour, the banquet atmosphere turned more informal. More merchants arrived, each self-punishing with three cups, and gradually gathered around the side tables, quickly joining in the animated discussions. The topics now included cannons, war machinery, and other such matters.

Li Xian remained silent, quietly eating, drinking, and smiling, seemingly determined to be the best listener. Gradually, he even began to show signs of slight drunkenness.

Shangguan Yong and Zhang Quan exchanged a glance, both seeing the awkwardness and helplessness in each other’s eyes. This “Brother Xian” was becoming increasingly slippery. If this continued, Li Xian might actually “get drunk,” and their arrangements for the day would fall apart.

Finally, Zhang Quan spoke up, “Brother Xian, why don’t you say something? Everyone is here today to thank you, but they also want to hear your advice.”

Advice—this placed Li Xian in a very low, almost disciple-like position.

Zhang Quan took the lead, and Kong Yingzhi beside him also spoke, “Li Xian, I apologize on behalf of the Kong family. Come, pour the wine.”

Kong Yingzhi, full of vigor, downed ten cups of wine in one go without using any true energy, and his belly visibly swelled. The surrounding merchants cheered loudly. Kong Yingzhi didn’t use wine cups but rather large bowls!

Seeing this, Li Xian sighed helplessly. These bastards were pushing him into a corner, leaving him no way out. As expected, a banquet is never a good banquet, and a meeting is never a good meeting!

Unable to do so, Li Xian could only raise his wine cup. “Brother Kong is magnanimous, let’s just let the past be forgotten. Here’s to our future friendship, cheers!”

Kong Yingzhi finished, Wang Ping also punished himself with ten cups, and then said similar words. Li Xian could only resist the urge to curse, forcing a smile and “forgiveness,” also saying similar words.

Thus, the banquet finally entered its most lively phase.

The old madam beside them saw the situation and immediately instructed most of the dancing women to step down, leaving only a few graceful dancers swaying lightly, with the sound of a few melodic tunes echoing. Even a little smoke and cloud magic was added to the scene.

In an instant, the worldly atmosphere faded, leaving only a faint celestial aura surrounding the space.

Zhang Quan raised his cup to Li Xian again. “Brother Xian, your business theories and thoughts on commerce have greatly benefited us all. Now, let’s raise a glass to Li Xian, the Governor.”

With a clink, another round of drinking followed.

Li Xian finished his drink and finally set down his cup, taking the initiative: “Alright, speak up, besides celebrating and thanking, is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”

Zhang Quan chuckled, three parts drunkenness veiling his embarrassment. “Since Brother Xian has said it like this, then we must respectfully comply.

Brother Xian, recently, Anyang has shown many so-called industrial fruits. Locomotives, gunpowder, cannons, high-flying war devices, and supposedly even ironclad ships. I’ve also heard of something like a joint textile machine.

I wonder, are these things something we can sell?

Everyone here is a loyal partner of the Brilliant Stars Group.”

Li Xian looked around and noticed everyone staring at him with gleaming eyes. He immediately burst into laughter. “Brother Zhang, what are you talking about? We are all indispensable members of Brilliant Stars. Brilliant Stars Group isn’t just referring to Brilliant Stars Trading, but includes Brilliant Stars Trading and all of you here as part of a collective, which is why it’s called a group (big con).”

“So, our interests are aligned.”

“In fact, even if no one says anything, I, Li Xian, were already planning to showcase our latest industrial fruits at this year’s industrial exposition. Including locomotives, gunpowder, cannons, war devices, and so on. As for the ironclad ships, we won’t be showing them. These things can only be used on the sea or large water surfaces.”

The room immediately erupted, and all the agents raised their cups in unison: “A toast to Master Li!”

“Please.”

Everyone raised their heads, and the atmosphere reached its peak.

At this moment, another person stood up. “Young Master Li, greetings. My name is Zhao Dongxu, and I am the agent for glass, colored lamps, mirrors, silk, and large clocks in the western part of Ningzhou Prefecture. I have an idea: if Young Master plans to display cannons this year, it will surely have an impact on the capital.

So, would it be possible to hold the industrial exposition in a different location this year?

Ningzhou Prefecture is willing to offer 500 hectares of land free of charge to provide you with the most spacious exhibition space.”

Zhao Dongxu’s suggestion sparked another round of competition. Immediately, someone else spoke up, “Wuyang Prefecture is vast, and even if it’s not near the capital, we can hold it elsewhere! For example, Shenping County in the north is a great place, only 30 li away from the capital, and it won’t pose any threat to the capital’s safety.”

With a leader speaking up, others followed suit, suggesting various locations and offering to provide large amounts of land for Young Master Li’s exhibition. Everyone in the room was no fool; they all understood the immense benefits such an exhibition would bring, so they eagerly tried to pull the event toward their own hometowns. Even if they hadn’t obtained approval from the county magistrates or local officials in advance, it didn’t matter—they would bring it up afterward.

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