Chapter 49: The Qi-Gathering Elixir that Monopolized the Market
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Donghuang.” Lin Lan looked at Zhou Donghuang gently. “I know you can’t stand it when someone tries to wrong me, and you are also so strong now, you can even make the Lin family say that something black is white. But if we just use power to get our way, then what makes us different from Fourth Elder Lin Tonghong who stole our formula and turned around to threaten us?” she questioned.
Although Lin Lan was not sure of how powerful Zhou Donghuang really was, but since even the level-four adept and chief of a preeminent family Lu Qinghu had been so respectful towards him, that must surely mean that her son had greater power than a preeminent family like the Lu family. Even the Lin family chief could not possibly have Lu Qinghu bowing so respectfully to him. Just based on that alone, her son was superior to the Lin family chief.
“Also, I have always believed that the Lin family will bring justice to me,” Lin Lan smiled.
“Mother, we shall follow what you said,” Zhou Donghuang said with a nod. “If the Lin family is willing to return you justice, that would be great… but if not, and they choose to protect Fourth Elder Lin Tonghong, then they can’t blame me for not giving them face.” As he said this, his eyes flashed coldly.
Lin Lan smiled. “I believe in the Lin family.” She then returned to her room.
After Lin Lan had left, Granny Lian said to Zhou Donghuang, “Young Master, Ma’am has different feelings towards the Lin family… her parents were all of this family, even though they were later robbed and killed while helping the Lin family s.h.i.+p goods, but until they died, they were always proud of their ident.i.ty as part of the Lin family. This is why Ma’am views her ident.i.ty as a Lin more important than her own life. If the Lin family is in trouble, she would not hesitate to help, even if she had to risk her life.”
Zhou Donghuang was touched to hear this. In a previous life, his mother Lin Lan had committed suicide because she had been chased out of the Lin family and robbed of her Lin ident.i.ty. “I hope the Lin family, does not disappoint… that way, on account of Mother, I can turn them into a grand family or even a tyc.o.o.n family.” Zhou Donghuang’s eyes flashed, and he said, “But if they do disappoint, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Grand family? Tyc.o.o.n family? Hearing this, Granny Lian was surprised. To become a grand family, the family would need at least a level-six adept. And to become a tyc.o.o.n family, the family would need at least a level-eight adept! Her young master said he could turn the Lin family into a grand family or a tyc.o.o.n family?
But thinking of how Young Master had surprised her so often in the last month, she was relieved.
“Young Master is just seventeen years old, yet the Lu family chief, Lu Qinghu, treats him so respectfully… as long as he is in the Lin family, the Lin family will sooner or later become a grand family or even a tyc.o.o.n family!”
Granny Lian did not know that Zhou Donghuang did not mean that he would turn the Lin family into a grand family or tyc.o.o.n family by his power alone, but he would gift the children, and let them lead the family to prominence. He even believed that it would hardly be difficult to have the preeminent Lin family replace the imperial family of the country of Yunyang and become the new rulers of the country.
…
In the past half a month, the most popular topic of interest in the whole Yunfeng county was none other than the cheap qi-gathering elixir released by the new preeminent Lu family. It was common knowledge that previously, the elixir sold for twelve taels of silver per bottle. Out of these twelve taels of silver, ten was for the raw materials, while only two taels of silver went to profit. After paying for the production and labor costs, there was little to be made. Hence the qi-gathering elixirs on the market were all produced by lesser families, as the preeminent families were not interested in the low profits of the business.
But half a month ago, the new preeminent Lu family released their qi-gathering elixir for ten taels of silver per bottle, and its effect was exactly the same as the elixir that cost twelve taels. Immediately, it swept the whole market in Yunfeng county. The bottle of elixir that others sold cost ten taels for the raw materials alone, if you sold it for just ten taels per bottle, no one could compete. Thus, the Lu family elixir monopolized the market.
“Is the new preeminent Lu family doing charity? They no longer want to be in the qi-gathering elixir business and are now clearing their remaining stock?” In the beginning, many people thought this was the case.
Soon enough, they no longer thought this way. Because they realized that not only did the Lu family sell their own qi-gathering elixir, but they also sold it to other retailers at a bulk price. The bulk price was just seven taels per bottle.
This meant that no matter which family, as long as they obtained the rights to resell the Lu family elixir, even if they sold it for ten taels a bottle, they could earn three taels of silver. This also helped them save on production costs as only the cost of labor was needed.
Of course, the families that resold the qi-gathering elixir were not allowed to sell it within the capital city of Yunfeng county. The Lu family dominated the market in the capital.
Such a business made even the preeminent families interested. “The Lu family must have found a way to save money, or they could not possibly do this!”
Finally, many people realized.
Quickly, many prominent people from the lesser families outside of the prefecture capital arrived at the Lu family household. They too wished to get resale rights to the Lu family qi-gathering elixir. But few succeeded, and only the friends of the Lu family, the Ma and Fang family, had achieved the rights.
…
9 February 1228 of the Ziyun era.
At the Lu family household.
“Chief, the Lin family chief, Lin Zhuoyue, just sent an invitation. He wishes to host a banquet at noon tomorrow at the heavenly dining booth in Yunxuan Restaurant, and he’s invited you and Second Elder.” A Lu family disciple arrived at the courtyard where Lu Qinghu lived and congratulated Lu Qinghu, who was playing chess with Lu Bao.
“Big Brother, a preeminent family is finally anxious,” Lu Bao said with a laugh.
“The Lin family has guilds in more than a hundred towns in Yunfeng county. If they managed to get the resale rights to our Lu family qi-gathering elixir, they could easily monopolize the market in all these towns.” Lu Qinghu put down the chess piece in his hand slowly and smiled.
“So… Brother, are you going?” Lu Bao asked. “The person from the Lin family is still waiting outside for the news.”
“If it were any other preeminent family, forget it. But this Lin family, we have to give them some respect. After all, this is the family of the adopted mother of Young Master Donghuang.” As he spoke, Lu Qinghu looked at the disciple who had reported the news. “Let the man from the Lin family tell their chief that a banquet is unnecessary… tomorrow afternoon, I shall pay them a visit personally at the Lin family household.”
“Yes,” the disciple replied and left.
“Now that I mention it, Young Master Donghuang has been to the Lin family household for a few days now… this time when I visit, I can also update him on the success of the qi-gathering elixir business.” As he thought of that young man, Lu Qinghu’s eyes revealed utmost respect. Now, he was sincerely convinced by that young man. Not only was he powerful, but he also had amazing skills, even being able to completely heal limbs that had been severed. Even the superior-level doctors who treated the imperial family of the country of Yunyang could not achieve that.