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Duan Changjin was puzzled. "What is this?"

"My lord said that once the impurities are removed from brown sugar, it becomes white sugar," Liu Zishi answered honestly, following Rong Xi's instructions.

Though Duan Changjin was not skilled at business, he was no fool. The moment he heard this, he saw the business opportunity.

People loved delicate, translucent things. Compared with brown sugar, white sugar was not only novel but also far more pleasing to the eye. Once promoted, it would surely draw crowds eager to buy it.

"Since Eldest Brother instructed it, I will definitely see it done." Duan Changjin answered excitedly.

After Liu Zishi left, he instructed the shop servant to divide the sugar block into five portions and give one portion to the customer who had spent the most that day.

That customer was also a wealthy merchant. Since Gourmet Pavilion reopened, he had come by every day. Perhaps business had delayed him today, making him arrive somewhat late, yet he happened to catch Liu Zishi delivering the white sugar.

When he saw the shop servant bring a tray to his table, its contents crystalline and translucent, he could not help asking in surprise, "What is this?"

"This is white sugar, a complimentary gift from our establishment. The manager said that Young Master Wang has visited us many times, so he had me bring it over for you to try something new." The shop servant smiled sincerely and spoke warmly.

Young Master Wang looked around and saw that no one else had any. He alone had received a portion, and naturally felt delighted. "I have never heard of white sugar. What exactly is it?"

"Young Master Wang, I truly am not deceiving you. It is cane sugar, only with the impurities removed." The shop servant's smile never faded. "If you do not believe me, why not taste it?"

Young Master Wang was skeptical. He pinched some up with his fingers and gave it a lick. His eyes immediately widened and his brows rose in astonishment. "It really is sugar!"

The shop servant said with a grin, "This is a rare novelty. You are a valued guest of our establishment, so the manager specifically had me bring it to you."

"Please thank Manager Duan on my behalf." Young Master Wang had gained both a novelty and a great deal of face, leaving him deeply pleased. His smile widened further.

After leaving Gourmet Pavilion, he rushed straight to a friend's residence. Upon entering, he deliberately put on an unhappy expression. "You made white sugar, so why did you not tell me?"

His friend looked completely bewildered. "What is white sugar?"

Thinking his friend was still trying to hide it, Young Master Wang placed the item in his palm on the table without another word. It was wrapped in sugar paper, so its contents could not be clearly seen.

"Are there other sugar merchants in Mengshan County besides you?"

There were, but only this one had made the business truly large.

His friend opened the sugar paper, revealing the crystalline sugar block inside. He froze for a moment, then ignored everything else and licked it directly.

It was truly sweet!

"Where did you get this?"

Young Master Wang glanced at him sideways, his tone strange. "You truly did not make it?"

"If I could make sugar like this, why would I hide it?" His friend sat down helplessly. "Where did this come from?"

Young Master Wang sat cross-legged on a cushion as well. "It was a complimentary gift from Gourmet Pavilion."

"Gourmet Pavilion?" His friend did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Did you not ask where they got this white sugar?"

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

"I thought you had made it, so I hurried over to ask you," Young Master Wang sighed, covering his face. "I did not think that much at the time."

After a long while, his friend said, "This white sugar looks delightful. If we could obtain the method, we would surely profit greatly. Since it is a gift from Gourmet Pavilion, it must be connected to them. I will go ask at once."

Before Young Master Wang could stop him, his friend had already sped away in a cloud of dust. Left with no choice, he could only follow.

Among the sugar merchants of Mengshan County, the Zheng Clan was the most renowned.

Zheng Huaili hurried to Gourmet Pavilion. Before the shop servant could greet him with a smile, he asked, "Is Manager Duan here? I have something to ask him."

The shop servant recognized him. Seeing Young Master Wang beside him, he immediately understood the reason for their visit. He led the two men to the rear hall to meet Duan Changjin.

Tea and snacks were served, but Zheng Huaili and Young Master Wang had no interest in tasting them. Seeing Duan Changjin remain leisurely silent, they could only steel themselves and get straight to the point. "Manager Duan, could you generously tell us who made the white sugar?"

"I understand Brother Zheng's intentions, but I have not received that person's permission. Duan cannot speak carelessly."

Eldest Brother had only told him to offer the white sugar as a gift and had said nothing about what came afterward. He could not make reckless claims.

Zheng Huaili exchanged a glance with Young Master Wang. Knowing Zheng Huaili's anxiety, Young Master Wang asked, "Then could Manager Duan introduce us on his behalf?"

Seeing that Zheng Huaili truly was anxious, Duan Changjin relented. "I can ask first. Once I have an answer, I will send someone to inform Brother Zheng. How does that sound?"

"That would be excellent." Zheng Huaili rose and bowed. "Many thanks, Manager Duan."

After the two left, Duan Changjin sat quietly for a long while before suddenly covering his face and letting out a long sigh.

In the past, when had he ever received such treatment? His present circumstances were all thanks to Eldest Brother.

After finishing his martial training, Liu Zishi emerged from Feng Carpentry and saw a shop servant from Gourmet Pavilion waiting outside.

Upon seeing him, the servant relayed all of Duan Changjin's instructions to Liu Zishi.

After returning home, the young Liu went to the study and said, "My lord, Manager Duan asked this servant to inquire: a sugar merchant from the Zheng Clan wishes to meet the person who made the white sugar. What are your plans?"

Rong Xi had long expected this.

He had told Duan Changjin to introduce white sugar as a complimentary gift precisely so that those who recognized its value would come forward.

He simply had not expected it to happen so quickly.

"I will go to the county town with you tomorrow," Rong Xi replied.

It was not only for the matter of white sugar, but also for some personal affairs.

By noon the next day, the two had already arrived in Mengshan County.

Duan Changjin warmly received Rong Xi in Gourmet Pavilion's rear hall.

When Hu Yulin heard of the matter, he feared the two might be misled by Zheng Huaili, so he went to Gourmet Pavilion to accompany them.

The three chatted while seated. After finishing a cup of hot tea, Hu Yulin sighed with feeling. "Eldest Brother's abilities are something I have seen only once in my life. Had I not experienced them myself, I truly would find them impossible to believe."

Duan Changjin nodded in agreement.

Under their burning gazes, Rong Xi said helplessly, "I merely learned it from a strange book. You two brothers flatter me."

He had learned all these methods from those who came before him. He was using them now, first to accumulate wealth, so he could support his future research and establish himself in this world; second, to change this world as well and benefit its people.

Using the methods of his predecessors, Rong Xi felt grateful and did not dare claim the credit for himself.