Chapter 46 - 45: He’s Here, the Shit-Stirrer of the Gongdan Conference

Chapter 46: Chapter 45: He’s Here, the Shit-Stirrer of the Gongdan Conference

Zhao Ci turned his head and, sure enough, saw a group of familiar faces.

It was the group from the Ninth Prince’s Mansion. A large crowd of young people followed behind Zhao Yong, and among them was Zhu Mei, the one who had tried to snatch the Fire Manipulation Pill at the auction house that day.

She was the one who had just spoken.

Hah!

’Not even going to pretend anymore?’

Zhao Ci raised an eyebrow. "Brother Huang, is this how you manage your people?"

Zhao Yong didn’t get angry, only saying calmly, "Zhu Mei is an Alchemist hired by our Pill Workshop. If she has offended you in any way, I apologize to Miss Li on her behalf.

"However, please do not be too harsh. After all, the Zhu Family made its name through Alchemy, and they all view the status of an Alchemist as the glory of their family. Their standards for Alchemists are inevitably a bit old-fashioned."

As he spoke, he turned to Zhu Mei. "Every Pill Workshop has the right to grant the title of Alchemist. Even if Miss Li is far from meeting the Zhu Family’s standards for an Alchemist, it is not our place to comment. I have already apologized for you today. You must be more careful with your words and actions in the future!"

Zhu Mei curtsied gracefully and sneered, "Yes, Your Highness! Now, Miss Li is indeed of the Xingyu Pill..."

"Who the fuck are you being so passive-aggressive at?"

Zhao Ci blurted out.

His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone was standing so close that they heard it crystal clear.

One by one, their expressions changed drastically.

Zhu Li had been furious, but hearing Zhao Ci curse so directly, she instantly felt a sense of relief. A hint of gratitude appeared in her gaze as she looked at him.

’This boss is someone I can work with.’

’He might not be good for much besides winning arguments and cooking, but when something happens, he really steps up.’

The muscles on Zhao Yong’s face twitched. "Lao Shi, you..."

"Don’t ’you’ me. You see there are no elders around, yet you still dare to come over here running your mouth? Are you just asking for a cussing out?"

Zhao Ci showed him no mercy. He was only polite to Zhao Yong under two conditions: one, when there were too many elders around and he needed to save face, and two, when there was no one around at all and he was afraid of a physical fight.

Right now, there were plenty of people around, but they were far away. Why the hell should he give him any face?

He pointed behind Zhao Yong. "Look at this bunch of rejects behind you. You talk a big game about starting from scratch, but in the end, you just went begging for a pile of Alchemists from the Zhu and Feng Families."

"Do me a favor and wake up. You’re the Yonghe Pill Workshop. The prestige of the Feng and Zhu Families has nothing to do with you. Stop going on and on about how strict the Zhu Family’s standards for Alchemists are."

"You haven’t achieved a single thing on your own, but you’ve perfectly mastered the look of a spineless coward riding on someone else’s coattails."

"If you really have what it takes, then put on a good show at the Gongdan Conference later."

"Just watch how the number one Alchemist from our Xingyu Pill Association slaps you all across the face!"

"Zhu Li, let’s go!"

With that, he grabbed Zhu Li’s wrist and strode toward the Xingyu Pill Association’s area.

Zhao Yong’s group’s faces turned shades of green and purple. They hadn’t expected Zhao Ci’s tongue to be so venomous, and his insults were impossible to refute. They had indeed joined a new Pill Workshop, and they were purely riding on others’ coattails.

Zhu Yan’s expression was grim. "Your Highness, did he just say the number one Alchemist of the Xingyu Pill Association?"

Zhao Yong’s expression wasn’t looking too good either.

’It seems the Xingyu Pill Association really does have a top-tier Alchemist. It’s very likely Father sent them over.’

’Father!’

’You’re still playing favorites!’

He shook his head. "It’s fine! The Gongdan Conference is all about foundation, something that a few mere Alchemists can’t change. Let him be arrogant for a while. After the conference is over, let’s see how tough he can talk. Pills aren’t refined with words."

"Yes!"

Only then did the group’s expressions relax slightly.

...

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Zhu Li looked excited.

Zhao Ci crossed his arms, waiting for her praise.

Zhu Li said with a grateful expression, "You’re actually a little bit useful!"

Zhao Ci: "???"

Zhu Li quickly corrected herself, "No, no, no, what I mean is, you’re an excellent boss."

Only then did Zhao Ci’s expression soften. ’That’s more like it.’

He straightened his expression. "Anyway, as long as you’re with me, we’ll all focus on our work. If anyone messes with you, I’ll mess with them. I’ll never let you be wronged. Just make sure to perform well later."

"Okay!"

Zhu Li nodded solemnly.

The two of them soon regrouped with the people from the Xingyu Pill Association. Zhao Ci reviewed the preparations and pumped everyone up. The overall atmosphere was excellent. After all, they were all from Alchemy Clans, but they had always been harshly suppressed in Lingge.

Now that they finally had a chance to hold their heads high, how could they not be excited?

All preparations were complete. All that was left was to wait for the conference to begin.

Just then, Zhu Li suddenly said, "Your Highness, can I go sit over there for a bit?"

Zhao Ci followed her gaze and saw Kan Luotang sitting in the audience, giving him an apologetic smile. The Gongdan Conference wasn’t completely closed off; it wasn’t difficult for the children and relatives of the rich and powerful to come and watch.

This Kan Luotang was concerned about Zhu Li’s future, and she was the one who helped get her here. It was perfectly reasonable for her to come and watch.

He nodded. "Go on!"

"Okay!"

Zhu Li smiled and trotted over, sitting down next to Kan Luotang and showing off her new Alchemist robes.

The two chatted and laughed happily, looking quite pleased.

Zhao Ci also glanced around and, to his surprise, saw another familiar face. He ambled over with a smile.

"Maternal Uncle, you came too."

"Came to take a look."

Xiang Yunzhan stood with his arms crossed—arms as thick as water buckets. Looking like a black iron tower, he was particularly conspicuous in the audience.

Zhao Ci clicked his tongue. "Isn’t the Xiang Family usually uninterested in this sort of thing?"

Xiang Yunzhan shot him a look. "I was afraid you’d get bullied so badly you’d cry and pass out."

Zhao Ci: "..."

He glanced around. Aside from this ninth maternal uncle, not a single other person from the Xiang Family had come.

’Looks like he does care about me a little after all.’

After exchanging a few more words of idle chat with Xiang Yunzhan, Zhao Ci saw that it was about time and walked toward the high platform for Alchemy.

On his way back, he happened to run into Zhuge Wei Yue pushing Zhuge Xiao’s wheelchair.

He greeted them, "Greetings, Elder Zhuge!"

Zhuge Wei Yue smiled. "I never expected Your Highness to actually gather so many Alchemists. Whether the reputation of our Zhuge Hundred Refinements Furnace can reach a new level all depends on you, Your Highness."

Although he said that, his words were full of official pleasantries. It was clear he didn’t have high hopes.

’After all, they’re still the same old-timers who had nearly quit the pill business. What kind of second wind could they possibly catch?’

"I will certainly do my best!"

Zhao Ci gave a perfunctory reply, his gaze shifting to Zhuge Xiao. "Hm? Isn’t Young Master Xiao a Mansion Official for the Ninth Prince’s Mansion? Why aren’t you with my Ninth Imperial Brother and the others?"

Zhuge Xiao smiled and cupped his hands. "Today’s Gongdan Conference is, in the end, a matter for the Alchemists. I have made no significant contribution, so going over there would look a bit like I’m trying to leech off their achievements."

’The young man seems like a good person.’

Zhao Ci exchanged a few more pleasantries before returning to the foot of the high platform.

And now, the time had almost come.

"CLANG!"

A bell tolled. The resonant sound of ancient bronze echoed between the massive gate towers of the Vermilion Bird Gate, making everyone present feel a sense of solemnity.

After nine tolls of the bell, a procession of magnificent carriages drove in from both inside and outside the Imperial Palace.

Leading them, naturally, was the Martial Emperor, Zhao Huan.

Everyone present bowed in unison.

"Long live Your Majesty! May the Great Yu last for ten thousand years!"

"Long live Your Majesty! May the Great Yu last for ten thousand years!"

"Long live Your Majesty! May the Great Yu last for ten thousand years!"

The cheers were like a landslide and a tsunami, grand and imposing.

Not a single person present failed to show a look of reverence.

Although the Emperor before them was showing his age, in their hearts, he was still a heroic figure. The Great Yu had been founded several hundred years ago, and though it had lost nearly half its territory after a period of turmoil, they still considered the Martial Emperor a figure on par with the Yu Grand Ancestor.

"All my subjects, you may rise!"

Zhao Huan’s voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears, warm but not without majesty.

After everyone had risen, he ascended the viewing platform with the support of Eunuch Li.

Following him were the Empress, Noble Consort Jing, and Noble Consort Jin, as well as the Crown Prince and Crown Prince Consort, and the Fourth Prince and Fourth Prince’s Consort.

There were also several highly respected Princes of the first rank, and the Chief Stewards of the Feng, Zhu, and Yang families in Lingge.

This Gongdan Conference was nothing short of grand.

Zhao Huan glanced down from the platform, his gaze lingering on Zhao Ci for a moment before he nodded to Eunuch Li.

Eunuch Li immediately took out a scroll, walked to the front of the viewing platform with mincing steps, unrolled it, and spoke in a sharp, resonant voice.

"The Yun Dynasty collapsed, ending in savagery. The White Tiger descended, carving out the land to create Yu. Heaven could not bear the weakness of the Human Race, and thus bestowed divine pills..."

A wave of grand narrative linked pills to the fate of the nation. It concluded with Emperor Yu’s hope that all the Alchemists of the world would work together to make the Human Race Dynasty great again, and so on and so forth, giving it plenty of pomp and circumstance.

After the narrative, he rolled up the scroll. "Today, His Majesty wishes to allocate 4.3 million taels for the procurement of seventeen types of medicinal pills. The list of types is already in your hands. We now ask the Chief Stewards of each Pill Workshop to announce the types and prices of their Tribute Pills."

As soon as these words were spoken, the venue instantly grew much quieter.

The slaughter had begun. How many orders each house could secure depended not only on their production capacity but also on another crucial factor: their prices.

After all, the Imperial Clan Court was in charge of procuring the pills, and they were all old foxes, especially Prince Gong, Zhao Yan, who was a genius skilled in mathematics.

The leaders of the various Pill Workshops sat on a high platform opposite the viewing stand, each with a solemn expression.

No one made a rash move.

After all, everyone had heard that the Emperor intended to lower the price of Qi Cultivation Pills this time. The Qi Cultivation Pill was the main battlefield for all the major houses. Although there would be another chance to lower prices later, whoever made the first move could end up in a passive position.

According to the precedent from previous years, a low-grade Qi Cultivation Pill was sixty taels, a mid-grade was eighty taels, and a high-grade was one hundred taels.

This market was white-hot and far from saturated. For every tael the price was pushed down, a significant amount of profit would be lost.

Even though the major families had long since developed various cost-reducing techniques and new Pill Formulas, a reduction of ten taels was more or less the limit of what they could bear.

The scene was silent for a while.

Zhao Ci was the first to stand up. "Since everyone is being so modest, I’ll start the ball rolling."

With that said.

He picked up a calligraphy brush and walked to the stone tablet used for recording pill prices.

He announced in a clear voice, "For this Gongdan Conference, the Xingyu Pill Association will only be producing one type of pill."

After speaking, he wrote the three words for "Qi Cultivation Pill" on the stone tablet, drawing quite a few sneers from the crowd.

Zhao Yong couldn’t help but scoff. The slight unease he felt earlier instantly vanished. No matter how he looked at it, the Xingyu Pill Association didn’t seem like it had a top-tier Alchemist.

For such a large Pill Association to only dare to refine Qi Cultivation Pills, it was truly embarrassing to even say it aloud.

However.

The next moment, he completely lost his composure.

Because Zhao Ci had shockingly written three large lines of text on the stone tablet.

Low-grade: forty taels each.

Mid-grade: fifty taels each.

High-grade: eighty taels each.

Whoa!

In an instant, the entire venue erupted.

What kind of prices were these? Throughout the entire history of the Great Yu, such pill prices were unheard of!

’Is this Tenth Prince here just to cause trouble?’

Even Zhao Huan’s eyelids twitched violently several times. He knew Zhao Ci would lower the price, but he never expected him to drop it this low. He could feel his scalp tingling. A price drop was naturally what he wanted to see, but dropping it too much could cause a commotion.

As for the Chief Stewards of the major Pill Workshops, their faces were so dark it looked like water could drip from them.

’Pill thief!’

’He’s completely disregarding the interests of all the Alchemists in the world.’

’This is a pill thief!’

Zhao Ci grinned, baring his teeth. ’A commotion? What the hell does that have to do with me?’

’I’ll just earn my three years of merit and then I’m out. After I’m gone, let the floods rage!’

’Three purple wishes.’

Zhao Huan wants the Royal Pill Workshop to rise and also hopes Gu Xiangzhu can muddy the waters of this Gongdan Conference. Meanwhile, Gu Xiangzhu wants her own Pill Workshop to rise and establish a financial lifeline for the Demon Sect.

And Zhao Ci just needed to complete these three tasks by any means necessary.

’As for cleaning up the mess, I’m sure Zhao Huan and Gu Xiangzhu will handle it.’

He grinned at the other Pill Workshop Chief Stewards. "I’m done writing! Your turn!"

Everyone: "..."