Chapter 709 – The Flying Wok from Afar (Part 1)
Xu Pei felt a rush of joy upon hearing this; he knew there was still room for negotiation.
With a remorseful expression, he said, “I truly am incapable; not only did I frighten you, my younger brother, but I also made you worry about me.”
“Don’t belittle yourself, Brother Xu. If you consider this as incompetence, then what would that make me? A pile of mud that can’t be propped up?”
Jiang Pengji’s words broke the frozen atmosphere of the military tent, adding some joy and lightness. Xu Pei promptly guided her to a seat.
“However, Brother Xu, could you tell me who the mastermind is?” At this point, Jiang Pengji’s eyes gleamed with a cold light, her tone frigid, “Whether they came for me or if I was just collateral damage, if it weren’t for last night’s stroke of luck, I’d be on my way to meet Yama now. If I don’t vent this frustration, others might think the Liu Clan’s Liu Xi is a soft persimmon that’s easy to bully!”
Xu Pei initially intended to cover it up, especially since he and Xu Fei were family.
While internal interests were conflicting, outwardly they formed a united front.
As fellow descendants of the Xu Clan, they would gain or lose together.
Xu Fei might go to any lengths to bring him down, yet Xu Pei could not afford to do so—at least not now.
However, facing Jiang Pengji’s relentless probing, Xu Pei had no choice but to reveal fragments of information in order to maintain their recently mended relationship.
“Actually… regarding the petty villain behind this, I have yet to confirm, but I do have a suspect…”
Xu Pei’s expression was grim as he carefully elaborated, “It’s embarrassing to say, but this person happens to be my cousin. However, there’s no solid evidence yet, so I can’t place blame. Don’t worry, Brother, give me some time, and I will uncover the truth and provide you with an answer.”
“If Xu Fei is the one behind this, I will not show him any mercy!”
Jiang Pengji listened with a blank expression.
“Your cousin Xu Fei? Isn’t he your close relative? How could he…?”
“Every family has their own difficulties, and each has its own troubles.”
Xu Pei felt a bit ashamed; family disputes were not the kind of news anyone would want to broadcast, reflecting a lack of harmony and decorum.
“Xu Fei has been at odds with me for years; it’s no secret… Our family is unfortunate, and it’s honestly embarrassing to say… I’m afraid I’m making you laugh at my misfortunes. From the truth of our acquaintance with Xu Fei over the years, it’s hard to make a definitive conclusion.”
Even though Xu Pei had already made up his mind about Xu Fei in his heart, he absolutely could not say it out loud, opting instead to be vague.
Jiang Pengji nodded obediently, her expression hopeful, “Then I will await Brother Xu’s news.”
Seeing her so obedient and agreeable, Xu Pei sighed inwardly—
What an easy-to-placate youth! Why is it that his cousin is so unlovable?
Xu Pei then hosted a banquet for Jiang Pengji, treating her to delightful food and drink.
Just as Jiang Pengji was finishing up, she suddenly recalled Yang Si’s instructions.
She said, “Brother Xu, I heard from Jing Rong that last night I promised you to sell you the method for making blue bricks?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Pei’s nerves instantly tightened.
It felt as if a cold wave sprang up from the soles of his feet and rushed to his brain.
He asked himself, he indeed craved the crafting method for blue bricks, but today was different from yesterday; bringing it up now was like inviting trouble.
He still had a mess to clean up, and without completely clearing his suspicions, suddenly mentioning this might lead Liu Xi to doubt that he was taking advantage of her inebriated state to trick her into selling him core technology. Wouldn’t that undo all his previous efforts?
Xu Pei’s mind raced as he subtly signaled his confidant for help.
How can I smooth over this situation?
The strategist quietly gestured several motions, and Xu Pei understood.
“This matter… does indeed exist.” Xu Pei glanced at Yang Si, seeing him looking at him with an amused expression, as if silently warning him. His heart sank; he knew he couldn’t brush it off easily, so he continued, “It’s embarrassing to admit, but after seeing Mr. Yuanjing’s prized pupil’s artwork last night, I became quite envious of the lively scenes depicted. I also want to see such bustling prosperity in Zhejun. The region is located in the south, where it’s warm and rainy, and items easily go moldy. If we had blue bricks as building materials, I believe conditions could improve significantly. I realize I asked too many questions while you were drunk and didn’t think carefully… Looking back, it was indeed inappropriate. Please don’t take it to heart…”
Jiang Pengji frowned and shook her head in disagreement, her tone resolute.
“A gentleman’s word is his bond! You can’t just take back what you said! Whether I was drunk or misspoke last night, since I’ve already promised you, this matter cannot be revoked. Moreover, your intentions are for the common people of Zhejun, not for personal gain. I have always admired your character and talent, so if I can help in any way, why would I refuse?”
Among those present, aside from a few blunt and straightforward military generals, who wasn’t a high-level schemer?
Xu Pei had managed to cultivate his reputation so well; his acting skills and ability to lie with open eyes were top-notch.
The audience in the live stream and Yang Si watched indifferently as two top-notch performers played off each other, subtly scheming, quietly munching popcorn.
Xu Pei hadn’t expected Jiang Pengji to take her promise so seriously. He felt a mix of gratitude and admiration, but mostly surprise.
This meant Liu Xi had completely “forgiven” him, and their relationship had not been damaged by what happened last night.
While maintaining the relationship, if he could purchase the method for blue bricks, this would be the best outcome.
Xu Pei laughed, “Your promise is heavier than Mount Tai; I feel unworthy.”
Jiang Pengji had a thick skin; she was narcissistic when needed, yet modest at the right moments.
Of course, her modesty was usually a setup for her future self-adulation.
The two engaged in some mutual flattery before entering the bargaining phase.
As the party at fault, Xu Pei didn’t need Jiang Pengji to fight for benefits for him; he took a big step back.
Pricing technology was tricky, but Xu Pei was a wealthy man, and the strategists under him weren’t shortsighted. They managed to set a decent price for the blue brick technology. However, Jiang Pengji, that sly fox, wouldn’t be satisfied with just this meager profit.
She frowned, seemingly hesitant.
Xu Pei thought she was unhappy with the price and asked, “How do you feel about this price, Brother?”
“Brother Xu is esteeming me highly; I certainly wouldn’t be ungrateful. But…”
Jiang Pengji started to speak but left it hanging, making it infuriatingly suspenseful for those with a strong desire for completion.
Xu Pei hastily prodded her, and Jiang Pengji then hesitantly revealed her thoughts.
She wore an expression of “I am guilty, I am too greedy.”
“Earlier, I felt guilty when you spoke of Zhejun’s situation. The method for crafting blue bricks should be shared freely, bringing benefits to the common people, and serving the welfare of millions. Yet I was blinded by money and foolishly tried to sell it. Honestly… You don’t need to kindly deceive me; the price you offered is clearly above its worth. How could I shamelessly accept it?”
