The first condition troubled Peng Yu Cai. This condition didn't affect the sect's interests, but it directly impacted Peng Yu Cai himself. After all, Feng Lin Bo was his son-in-law! How could he face his daughter if he stripped her husband of power?
He also had to carefully consider the second condition. Giving up the profits from two counties was not ideal either. This touched upon the interests of the entire sect and its disciples. He couldn't simply agree to it on the spot. He had to think everything through meticulously, as his decision would affect many disciples.
As for the third condition, when Shang Chao Zong attacked Qingshan County, they hadn't stood idly by. Their sect had also paid a price to capture Qingshan County. The Heavenly Jade Sect had put in significant effort, and now he was being asked to hand over half of their deserved share? The disciples would find this decision hard to accept.
Yet, refusing was equally difficult, for Niu You Dao presented his conditions with well-reasoned arguments. And there was indeed logic in those arguments.
The first condition was logical. After all, unified command was far superior, and it would make attacking the Southern Domain much easier. If the Southern Domain were captured, his son-in-law and daughter would receive far greater benefits than they currently enjoyed.
The second condition also made sense. Allowing the people to live easier lives would lead to population growth. And then an army would emerge that would wholeheartedly support him and align with his interests, provided he also considered the people's interests.
The third condition was correct. The Heavenly Jade Sect truly wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure if they alone seized the Southern Domain. Therefore, they had to share the burden with other sects. And other sects wouldn't take on the blows for free.
No matter how he looked at it, it was difficult to agree, and equally difficult to simply refuse.
Now, not just he, but also the elders standing beside him, fell into deep thought.
Fei Chang Liu, Xia Hua, and Zheng Jiu Xiao were also lost in contemplation.
In the current situation, the three sects were indeed in a tough spot. As soon as Song Jiu Ming fell, the new chief justice began to purge people from their three sects within the judicial system. And the three sects had been having a hard time recently.
Previously, the three sects relied solely on power and did not possess their own lands. But now, everything was different. And now, they needed to figure out ways to retreat.
One could say, all of this was too vague. It was unknown whether they would achieve their desired outcome. Even if the Heavenly Jade Sect agreed to transfer half of the spiritual plants to the three sects, it would still be too little. And it was still unknown how the Heavenly Jade Sect would share with them. Would they even receive any finances from Qingshan County?
However, judging by Niu You Dao's plan, they wouldn't get anything. After all, he intended to uplift the people in the county. So how would they then help their disciples? How would they feed them?
Everyone was thinking about their own gains.
Peng Yu Cai suddenly asked:
"Niu You Dao, where did you get this recipe?"
Niu You Dao smiled. He had intended to tell them anyway, and since he was asked, he happily replied:
"You don't need to worry about where I got this recipe. You only need to know one thing. The one who gave me this recipe, the Heavenly Jade Sect should not offend. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare remain in your shop and brew this drink. I advise you not to think too much about it. Had I not been confident, I wouldn't have dared to brew this drink here. If anything happens to me, then a group of people will spread the recipe. And then it will be impossible to sell the drink at a high price."
Peng Yu Cai thought to himself, "This fellow... he's bold!" He asked again:
"Did the Ice and Snow Palace give it to you?"
Niu You Dao smiled and replied, "I don't know, I dreamed the recipe in my sleep." (P.P. Mendeleev)
He deliberately said this to make people doubt. Was the Ice and Snow Palace truly behind him? Otherwise, why hadn't this recipe been circulated before, or why had no one sold such a drink before?
But there were things they couldn't properly consider.
"Alright then. Give me one day to think. I'll give you an answer tomorrow," Peng Yu Cai said with a sigh.
Noticing that Peng Yu Cai was seriously considering it, Niu You Dao smiled and replied:
"Very well!"
Peng Yu Cai said to the three sect masters:
"Gentlemen, could you temporarily leave these jars?"
He was the head of the powerful Heavenly Jade Sect, so how could they refuse him in his own shop? So everyone agreed.
And as everyone dispersed, Zheng Jiu Xiao approached Niu You Dao and said:
"Brother Niu, may I have a word with you?"
Niu You Dao looked at Fei Chang Liu and Xia Hua standing behind him and immediately invited them:
"Please, gentlemen, follow me."
The three sect masters followed him into the reception hall.
Seeing the three sect masters follow him, Peng Yu Cai looked at the remaining jars and waved at Cheng Tian Xu:
"Have Wu Kun sell these jars at a high price. Let's see how much they can fetch."
Cheng Tian Xu understood him. This would determine tomorrow's decision.
Niu You Dao and the others entered the inner small hall of the Heavenly Jade Sect's shop.
"Brother, will you be in charge of Qingshan County? Do you guarantee that a place will be provided for us there?" Zheng Jiu Xiao asked.
He wasn't sure about this. After all, Qingshan County was the territory of the Heavenly Jade Sect. How could this county end up in this fellow's hands?
Niu You Dao smiled and asked, "Whether I'm the master there or not, does it matter? If the Heavenly Jade Sect is there, do you think they'll cause you problems?"
Also true! Zheng Jiu Xiao realized he had asked a foolish question and asked again:
"When the place is given to us, we still won't be able to take profits for ourselves?"
Niu You Dao firmly stated:
"That won't do! In Qingshan County, the people must be treated well. If they are treated poorly, who will work there then? Where will wealth come from?"
Also true! The three sect masters exchanged glances, unsure what to say.
Fei Chang Liu frowned:
"In such a small place, I don't know if we'll have enough spiritual plants. But how will we live in such a small place? Is there any point in us joining the Prince? Without profits, we won't even be able to cover our minimal expenses. How will we explain ourselves to our disciples?"
Xia Hua nodded, "Also true!"
Zheng Jiu Xiao: "If only we knew the recipe for the drink, then we would be able to survive."
Niu You Dao: "Of course, I've thought about this. However, it's still unclear what the Heavenly Jade Sect will say about it. Peng Yu Cai is still considering it. And I've already put forward conditions in your favor. But if the sales of the drink were also to be distributed, would you agree in his position?"
The three sect masters fell silent in thought. Indeed, they couldn't ask for much from the Heavenly Jade Sect right now.
Niu You Dao: "Therefore, we'll talk about much more after the Heavenly Jade Sect makes a decision regarding the alcoholic drink."
Zheng Jiu Xiao, stroking his beard, said:
"In my opinion, this drink business will be very profitable!"
Niu You Dao smiled: "Sect Master Zheng, you don't need to worry about that. We need to wait until the Heavenly Jade Sect agrees to the conditions. After all, I've put several conditions before them. And when everything is settled, the production of the drink will be in my hands. Then, why would you need to worry about territories? That's why I invited you, so that the Heavenly Jade Sect doesn't get everything alone. I've made everything clear, do you still not understand?"
Zheng Jiu Xiao nodded: "Alright. Then we'll wait for their decision and talk afterwards."
Niu You Dao snorted and, frowning, said:
"There are matters that can be discussed later, but there are also matters that can be discussed now."
Several people exchanged glances. They understood what Niu You Dao wanted to talk about.
Indeed, after this, Niu You Dao said:
"You know about my relationship with the Song family. What will your stance be? And don't tell me you need to think about it once everything is settled."
Xia Hua: "If the Heavenly Jade Sect agrees to you, then we will come under the Prince's patronage. Then we will be one family, and naturally, we will no longer pay attention to the Song family."
Niu You Dao: "You cannot sit on two chairs. I have sincerely told you that I also expect sincerity from you. I won't beat around the bush and will speak directly. I need Song Jiu Ming's head! Only when the heads of the main figures of the Song family are in Qingshan will the three sects receive support!"
"..." The three men were speechless.
Fei Chang Liu angrily replied:
"Song Jiu Ming, though removed from his post, is still a former high-ranking state official. The imperial court will not simply stand by and watch something happen to Song Jiu Ming. Moreover, he lives in the capital, where there are many high-level masters. Carelessness can lead to one's demise. This is a difficult matter!"
"When you tried to kill me, there was no measure you wouldn't take. And now you speak of difficulties?" Niu You Dao glared at them and said:
"I don't care about difficulties. I only want to see results! I don't like forcing anyone. And I'm not forcing you. You can judge the situation yourselves."
The three men silently departed.
"Are you going to make moonshine now?" When they were alone, Yuan Gang came over and asked.
Niu You Dao smiled: "You used to wonder why I stirred up all this commotion. What do you think now? There's a benefit to it. And they're right, knowledge is never wasted. Extra knowledge can always come in handy!" He clapped Yuan Gang on the shoulder.
The three sect masters exited the Heavenly Jade Sect's shop and returned in silent contemplation.
"Do you really think this drink will sell well?" Xia Hua couldn't help but ask. She found the drink extremely potent, so she wasn't particularly fond of the idea.
"Undoubtedly, it's a good source of income!" Zheng Jiu Xiao declared resolutely.
Fei Chang Liu nodded silently.
When the accompanying disciples of the Heavenly Jade Sect returned to the shop, Xia Hua whispered:
"So, are we really going to attack the Song family?"
Zheng Jiu Xiao sighed but remained silent.
And Fei Chang Liu was utterly bewildered: "What is this? The Song family mobilized the entire Liuxiang Sect and sent it after Niu You Dao. And now Niu You Dao is sending them to destroy the Song family? What kind of nonsense is this?"