Though Jiang Huaiyu felt some irritation, she didn't let it show too much. After a short pause, the three began discussing the logistics of their spice business.
"We've started shipping the product consistently," Jin Chong explained, idly rolling a string of lustrous Eastern pearls in his fingers. The sunlight bouncing off the pearls highlighted the stark fairness of his hands. "I've sent people to buy land in Yan Prefecture and Jinling. These cities lie at the heart of the trade routes. We'll build workshops there, so raw materials can be processed locally for distribution."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded. "Shipping the spices as a finished powder is definitely riskier. Besides, those barbarian merchants may seem honest, but behind closed doors, they're surely trying to reverse-engineer our formula."
Jin Chong smirked with disdain. "Barbarians? Clever? Hardly. Even if you hand them a list of ingredients, they'd never figure out the exact proportions. Within our borders, I sell a jin of spice for five taels. To the barbarians? It's at least eight. If they lack silver, I'll gladly take fine furs, rare medicinal herbs, or gemstones in exchange."
"And they agreed to this so easily?" Qin Ziqin asked, his tone skeptical as his eyes darkened.
Qin Ziqin's experience as a military man had taught him to be wary of the barbarians' cunning and ruthlessness. Stationed in Qilecheng near the western borders, he knew firsthand how shrewd and treacherous they could be. While he didn't doubt Jiang Huaiyu's talents, he couldn't help but worry about her getting caught in dangerous schemes.
Jin Chong's expression sharpened. "Credit goes to Jiang here. Even barbarians can't survive on air alone. They got one shipment of our spices, and now they're hooked. My family won't grovel for their silver. If they want more, they'll pay up. They're not a monolith. When one group plays games, we simply trade with their rivals instead."
Jiang Huaiyu explained further with a faint smile. "Just like we can't do without salt, their reliance on spices for their meat is strong. While some might endure without, others will clamor for it. We have the upper hand—our supply, our rules."
Qin Ziqin listened intently and then broke into a rare smile. "Hearing this does feel satisfying. They've bled us for years; now it's their turn to feel the squeeze."
The barbarians often brought furs, gems, or other exotic goods into Da Yun and sold them at exorbitant prices. Qin Ziqin found it poetic justice that they were now dependent on something Da Yun alone could provide.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the head steward, who led a small army of servers carrying plates laden with aromatic dishes.
The chefs, selected through a rigorous process, had each prepared their specialties based on Jiang Huaiyu's recipes. Today's tasting wasn't just for pleasure—it was to finalize the kitchen staff for Jiangwai Tower. Each chef's fate rested on the approval of at least two of the three owners: Jiang Huaiyu, Qin Ziqin, and Jin Chong.
Jiang Huaiyu approached the tasting methodically. She took only a small bite of each dish, focusing on the flavors and execution. By the time they had tasted nearly a hundred dishes, it was nearly noon, and her patience was wearing thin. Jin Chong and Qin Ziqin, however, seemed to relish the task, chatting and sampling with gusto.
Setting her chopsticks down, Jiang Huaiyu exhaled and declared, "I've no strong objections. The chefs are skilled, and their techniques are consistent. Choose whomever you think best. Just make sure they're diligent."
Qin Ziqin, with a sharp flick of his chopsticks, swiped the last piece of Eight Treasures Duck from Jin Chong's grasp. He leaned back with a smug grin. "Jin Chong, you're too delicate. Best not overindulge, or you'll be dreaming of medicine instead of food tonight."
Jin Chong shot him a narrow-eyed glare. "And you, a general, should watch your appetite. A surplus of fine dining might make it hard to squeeze into your armor."
Jiang Huaiyu sighed, rubbing her temples. "Gentlemen, this is a food tasting, not a competition for the last morsel. Decide on the chefs and settle on an opening date already."
Qin Ziqin smirked, waving a dismissive hand. "Let's keep all seventeen chefs. Eight alone won't cut it once we open for business. Promote the best to lead positions, and watch for slackers or thieves. The steward can weed them out."
Jin Chong chuckled. "Fine chefs and exquisite recipes—there's no way we'll lack customers. Though, should anyone dare to skip out on the bill, I'll leave it to you, Qin Ziqin, to collect."
Qin Ziqin's expression darkened slightly. "Who would dare stiff a bill at a place owned by us? Even the most reckless wouldn't try it."
Though Qin Ziqin cultivated a carefree reputation, the Qin family's military legacy was formidable. Few would risk offending him, and those who did rarely came out unscathed.
"Fair enough," Jin Chong conceded with a wry smile.
Jiang Huaiyu tapped her fingers on the table. "Good. With that settled, I'll take my leave."
Jin Chong raised an eyebrow. "In such a hurry? Afraid we'll swindle you in your absence?"
"After all these months, are you still testing me, Jin Chong?" Jiang Huaiyu's voice remained soft, but her gaze was sharp. Rising to her full height—a rarity given their usual dynamic—she looked down at them. "If I thought you'd stoop so low, I wouldn't have handed over recipes worth a fortune."
Qin Ziqin laughed openly, enjoying the sight of Jin Chong being cornered. "Well said, Huaiyu! I've been waiting for someone to call him out!"
Jin Chong, uncharacteristically subdued, murmured, "That's not what I meant. It's just… you've barely shown interest in this venture. For someone so uninvolved, it's remarkable how much trust you place in us."
Jiang Huaiyu's tone softened slightly. "Perhaps I've been too hands-off, but I'm confident in what I've contributed. My life doesn't revolve around counting coins. Wealth is fleeting—what matters is how it's used."
The room fell silent. Her words, though earnest, left both men momentarily speechless.
Jin Chong recovered first, clearing his throat. "Very well, let's focus on the next steps. We'll consult Clear Harmony Monastery for an auspicious opening date."
"Or perhaps Clear Void Monastery?" Qin Ziqin suggested.
"Clear Harmony," Jin Chong agreed, eager to steer the conversation back to business.
Jiang Huaiyu arched a brow, amused. "You two can be surprisingly in sync when it suits you."
She rose gracefully and turned to Qin Ziqin. "Since it's late, would you mind escorting me back, Lord Qin?"
Momentarily startled, Qin Ziqin quickly composed himself and nodded. "Of course."