Elite soldiers suddenly arrived and surrounded the western suburban manor.
The servants in the manor were terrified, thinking that the Chen family was about to suffer a terrible fate.
The heavily guarded courtyard was filled with the rich aroma of wine.
Several officials lay on the ground, completely drunk, still smacking their lips and saying, "Good wine, good wine!"
"Excellent, it's good wine!"
An official from the Hidden Dragon Pavilion grinned as he took a sip of wine, his face flushed, and said, "Countless of our spies sent to the Northwest die or are injured by the freezing cold every year. But if they were equipped with strong liquor, they would not only suffer less, but they could also use the liquor to wash infected wounds and save their lives in critical moments."
Liu Zimeng nodded in agreement, saying, "It's not just my Hidden Dragon Pavilion; the million soldiers on the northwestern border will also have greater protection of their lives."
He turned to Chen Ke with satisfaction: "Chen Ke, it seems you made the right choice by going to the engineering school. Well done!"
Chen Ke humbly replied, "Director Liu, you may not know this, but the process of refining this liquor actually began back in my grandfather's time. Through the tireless efforts of three generations of my Chen family, heaven rewards the diligent, and we have finally succeeded today!"
Upon hearing Chen Ke's words, the high-ranking official from the Hidden Dragon Pavilion nodded in admiration: "The Chen family is truly thoughtful. Chen Ke, you're so considerate too!"
Liu Zimeng looked at Chen Ke, who was giving a passionate speech, and the corner of his mouth twitched violently.
Three generations of effort? Can you be any more ridiculous?
Don't think I don't know, the equipment in this courtyard was all temporarily brought over from the Great Xia Academy, and you set it up in just one afternoon.
However, Liu Zimeng understood Chen Ke's meaning; he simply wanted some benefits.
This is understandable, of course. Chen Ke contributed the equipment and technology for purifying alcohol, which is equivalent to making a great contribution to the empire, so he should be rewarded.
Liu Zimeng coughed and said, "Chen Ke, we're planning to buy these devices, as well as the alcohol purification technology you have. What do you think?"
Chen Ke shook his head and said, "The students will not accept a single penny; they will give it all to you free of charge."
Not charging a penny?
Both the official and Liu Zimeng showed surprise.
Chen Ke truthfully said, "To be honest, our Chen family has put in a lot of effort over three generations to master the process of purifying alcohol. But these modified equipment in the yard are actually not worth much money. The purification technology, to put it bluntly, is not really that mysterious."
Liu Zimeng and his companion nodded, but were even more surprised.
They certainly understood the reasoning Chen Ke was talking about. In reality, many of the amazing things in this world are, in fact, not worth mentioning.
What surprised them was that Chen Ke should have exaggerated the difficulty of alcohol purification and the sophistication of the equipment in order to ask for more rewards.
Isn't this a normal thought for a person?
Chen Ke continued, "Lord Wang, Steward Liu, and I must also remind you both that once high-proof liquor is introduced, many people will secretly imitate it and figure out the process. It will take at most half a year, and at least three months."
Liu Zimeng and the other man's expressions turned serious, and they nodded thoughtfully.
Chen Ke paused for a moment before revealing his purpose: "Therefore, the students believe that eliminating high-proof alcohol technically will not be very effective, but it can be controlled through distribution channels."
"Distribution channels?"
Chen Ke nodded: "For example, only businesses that have been issued licenses by the imperial court are qualified to produce and sell high-proof liquor, while businesses without licenses are illegal and must be severely punished once they are investigated." (Bastard -_-)
Lord Wang nodded in deep agreement: "Our control over the circulation of salt and iron is based on the same principle. In this way, we can also curb the flow of high-proof liquor to the orcs in the north."
It is well known that orcs are fond of alcohol. Once they discover that strong liquor not only has a strong effect but also has healing properties, they will definitely try every means to obtain it.
To some extent, high-proof liquor can be considered a strategic resource, so strict control is absolutely necessary.
"Lord Wang's insight is brilliant," Chen Ke said, bowing. "Therefore, I dare to ask for a license to produce and sell high-proof liquor on behalf of the Chen family."
Lord Wang and Liu Zimeng suddenly realized that Chen Ke's last sentence was the key to everything he had said.
I knew it! Chen Ke came from the Chen family, which had been imperial merchants for two generations. How could he not do anything without a profit?
It is foreseeable that once high-proof liquor is introduced to the market, it will inevitably attract countless fans and envious people.
Putting aside the huge orders from the military, people living in harsh, cold regions are drawn to high-proof liquor.
The profits involved are unimaginable.
The imperial family, powerful families of the current dynasty, exiled nobles, and even some hermit families will inevitably try every means to obtain the permits and licenses issued by the imperial court.
If a small, insignificant merchant family like the Chen family can't seize the initiative at this time, they will definitely have no chance at all in the future.
Before the two could express their opinions, Chen Ke hinted, "My lords, the Chen family will not keep all the profits for itself. The Chen family is willing to contribute a portion of them for the Hidden Dragon Pavilion's operating expenses."
Liu Zimeng and Lord Wang were surprised again, then nodded thoughtfully.
In fact, Hidden Dragon Pavilion also has its own businesses, such as the trade of spirit stones.
However, Hidden Dragon Pavilion's operations were too large, and its expenses were enormous. The meager output from their side businesses was simply not enough to support them.
Therefore, Chen Ke provided them with a way to make money without having to exploit the common people, so they had no reason not to accept it.
Of course, Chen Ke's entry into the Hidden Dragon Pavilion was actually for the benefit of the Chen family.
Without the powerful backing of Hidden Dragon Pavilion, the Chen family would have been unable to protect this highly profitable business.
Lord Wang and Liu Zimeng exchanged a few words in hushed tones. Lord Wang nodded and said, "Chen Ke, we agree to this matter, but the final decision still rests with His Majesty."
Chen Ke was overjoyed. As long as Hidden Dragon Pavilion agreed to cooperate, the matter would be more than half successful.
Suddenly remembering something, Chen Ke suggested, "The Chen family can serve as a pilot project to start small-scale production of high-proof liquor. Firstly, this will allow us to improve the production process, and secondly, it will provide a comprehensive assessment of the safety of high-proof liquor."
Liu Zimeng and his companion nodded in agreement. They certainly didn't mind fighting for some benefits for the Chen family, as it would also be a way for them to gain benefits for themselves.
Don't underestimate the words "trial operation". This means that the Chen family will not only have a technological advantage, but also a market advantage.
Even if the "trial operation" period is only half a month, the profits generated will be astronomical!
At Lord Wang's command, the soldiers entered the courtyard and loaded all the modified brewing equipment onto trucks to be transported back to the Hidden Dragon Pavilion headquarters.
After the entire army had withdrawn, the steward Chen Xiaofu rushed in in a panic. Looking at the empty courtyard, he stammered, "Young Master, this, this..."
Chen Ke chuckled: "Uncle Chen, our family is about to strike it rich!"