Chapter Seventy-Five: The Welcome Banquet

Go! Why not go?
To be invited by the Lady of Xiang County is an immense honor—at least here in Jiangling, there are few women who can claim such distinction. What's more, Miao Xiaoyu and her sisters all looked forward to it, even Sun Xiuying's face was full of longing… Could it be these women had already agreed to this last night?
"My husband is truly insightful. Last night, the Lady did reveal her identity to me," Miao Xiaoyu said, a mixture of anticipation and unease in her voice as she glanced at Zhao Hengyi. "But if we all leave, there's no one to look after you…"
"Don't worry about me. Just go. With the Lady watching over you, I'm at ease," Zhao Hengyi replied carelessly. "I came here to discuss business. If you all stay with me, you'd just be cooped up in the inn all day—how dull."
He watched as Miao Xiaoyu, Sun Xiuying, and the six little ones climbed enthusiastically into the Lady's luxurious carriage and left for the County Lady's mansion, and a strange sense of loss swept over him.
He had planned to take Xiaoyu and the children for a stroll around Jiangling, but now it seemed he need only focus on business.
Meanwhile, the innkeeper became even more attentive and cautious in his hospitality.
Hengtong Firm, specializing in iron ore, was a renowned merchant house in Jiangling, with trade routes spanning nearly half of the Great Yan Empire.
This was Zhao Hengyi's most important target on his trip to Jiangling.
Thanks to the fortune brought by Miao Xiaoyu and her sisters, Hengtong Firm under Wei Linglan’s name was exceptionally welcoming. That very evening, they proactively came to the inn and invited Zhao Hengyi to a banquet at a restaurant.
"Master Zhao, so young and talented—let us toast to you!"
The chief manager of Hengtong was a smiling elderly man. He had arranged a welcoming feast at Golden Phoenix Restaurant.
Golden Phoenix was not the top establishment in Jiangling, only mid-to-high range, but the spread was lavish—surely costing at least a hundred taels of silver.
Such care showed Manager Liu's seasoned skill and thoughtful consideration.
After all, for someone like Zhao Hengyi, a country tycoon, too high-end a venue would not be a gesture of hospitality, but rather, might be seen as showing off.
"Manager Liu is too kind. Cheers!"
Zhao Hengyi was no stranger to business banquets, handling them with ease, even able to liven up the atmosphere—he was nothing like an ordinary country merchant.
"Master Zhao, Housekeeper Song from Lord Dangyang’s manor has already sent word. I know you are a man of talent and vision, so if you need anything, just say the word. Song and I have been friends for years!"

After several rounds of wine and many dishes, Manager Liu’s eyes grew brighter.
"I will certainly be relying on you, Manager Liu. For the minerals I need, there are many whose names I do not know—I must see them in person to identify."
Zhao Hengyi had accumulated much knowledge of steelmaking, especially alloy steel, which was far more convenient than simply pursuing higher furnace temperatures.
Yet he had already noticed that many minerals in Great Yan were called by different names than those he remembered, so he had chosen Hengtong Firm precisely for their comprehensive stock and strong capabilities.
"No matter. Hengtong has a special warehouse with minerals collected from all over. Tomorrow, Master Zhao, you can come with me to look."
When it came to business, Manager Liu became confident. "The same mineral may be called differently in different places—very common, so you need not worry!"
Zhao Hengyi was delighted and asked Wang Erhu to fetch the strong liquor he’d left in the inn, claiming it was homemade and inviting everyone to taste it.
Coincidentally, a dessert arrived—fresh sweet potato glazed like candied yams, dusted with sugar. Zhao Hengyi, wanting to show off, poured the strong liquor over the dessert and set it alight!
"What—wait, the sweets can catch fire?"
Even Manager Liu, knowledgeable as he was, was shocked!
As the flames flickered, a unique caramel aroma mingled with the scent of spirits, filling the private room.
The Hengtong staff exchanged glances—such a sight was unprecedented!
"Just a humble offering—may your business prosper like this blazing fire!"
Seeking to build rapport, Zhao Hengyi was enthusiastic. "You are all seasoned elders. Please take care of me in the future. My thanks in advance!"
Blazing fire—such an auspicious sign!
If Golden Phoenix could secure a supply of this liquor from Zhao, their business could grow by thirty percent on this dish alone!
Great Yan had not yet discovered distillation; their liquor was weak and could not ignite. Manager Liu and the others were amazed.
Sampling the dessert, now caramelized by Zhao’s touch, they were full of praise for the unprecedented flavor!
"Try it again—this is truly eye-opening!"
A middle-aged man beside Manager Liu feigned a look of surprise. "Mixing sugar and liquor produces fire—never seen such a thing!"

Zhao Hengyi chuckled, not exposing their intentions. When the next dessert was brought, he poured more liquor and lit it again, letting everyone enjoy the spectacle.
That middle-aged man, ignoring Manager Liu’s signals, placed his hand above the blue dancing flames to feel the heat. "Hey, it’s really hot!"
Manager Liu seemed to realize something, his eyes flickering, but he kept his composure and continued urging drinks.
Zhao Hengyi pretended to notice nothing, focusing on building connections. When the banquet ended, he specifically pulled Manager Liu aside and slipped half a wine pouch of the strong liquor into his hand.
Back at the inn, after washing up, Zhao Hengyi sat under the oil lamp, eyes bright, not a trace of drunkenness left.
He had never underestimated the intelligence of people in ancient times; the so-called ignorance of common folk was simply due to lack of education and limited horizons.
But men like Manager Liu—were any of them not shrewd to the extreme?
Aside from vision and the strange knowledge in his head, he had little advantage over these merchant managers.
During the banquet, Manager Wang, the middle-aged steward by Liu’s side, surely realized that strong liquor could quickly raise furnace temperatures—crucial for forging certain metal parts.
Tonight, perhaps half of those who attended the Hengtong banquet would not sleep!
"Manager, it really works!"
At a special kiln, the old blacksmith was thrilled. "This strong liquor truly makes the fire burn hotter!"
Manager Liu and Steward Wang, faces still flushed from drink, stood watching. After two trials, the liquor was gone.
"Manager, this…"
"No one is to mention this!"
Manager Liu’s expression was excited, his tone resolute. "Steward Wang, let’s talk inside."
He had thought Master Zhao was just lucky—first summoned by Lord Dangyang’s housekeeper, then by the County Lady herself… At the banquet, Master Zhao obviously saw through it but never revealed anything, even offering a generous gift of strong liquor. Truly a remarkable young man!